M- Mantiss-»genau.
*• •.
4 Year, in Advance.
• ■■■■■ —, —— -
“FOR GOO, FOR COUNTRY AND FOR TRUTH."
Sktflia Copy » C««Ib.
VOL. 35
PLYMOUTH, N.C., FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1924
NO. 38
BRUTAL CRIME IN HISTORY OF
BLAKEST, DIRTIEST AND MOST
WILLIAMSON COMMITTED SATURDAY
Smallwood Threatened Woman's life and by
Carefully Laid Plans Is Enabled
To Escape Hands of Law
The blackest dirtiest and most bru
* ' tat , crime' m the history of Wfl
liamston was committed last Satur
day night when Lock Smallwood of
Bertie county assaulted Mrs. Alena
Kelly, wife of Carl Kelly, at her
home in the apartment over the F. K.
. ‘ Hodges store.
Mrs. Kelly who works in the City
Fruit Store on Main street William
ston, N. C., went to her home about
11 o'clock where she lay down on the
bed to rest and read. She did not un
dress but pulled a blanket over her
self. In about a half hour her hus
band and Lock Smallwood who she
had known for some time and who
^ had been a close friend of her hus
bartft for several years, came in.
Smallwood w^s to spend the night,
using the apartment usually occupied
by Mr. Harrison a Plymouth contrac
tor when in town and who is Mr.
Krtly’s employer. ✓
Smallwood brought two friends to
WiHiamston from Bertie county and
asked Kelly if he would not take his
ear and carry them home which Kelly
' dkL Mrs. Kelly still reclining
4MhaflMi>C j»«t «e when her husband
left
After Kelly had departed, Small
wood went to her bed and sat down
- »n the side of her bed. He was told by
Mrs. Kelly to get away which he re
) ’ fused to do. After his refusing to
get away,. Mrs. Kelly attempted to
get up when Smallwood caught her
' iu^Tforced her back on the bed, chok
ing b<Sfr and burising her throat, her
^,V - and scratching her breast. She
“creamed so that it was heard by a
number of people, but she was so bad
’ ly. choked that she could not continue
( i to scream and the hearers of the
first scream thought little or nothing
more aboujf it until later.
y
'jjlifter aecompliishing his purpose, he
then told her that if she told it he
srottld kill her.' For some time she
yas hjeard begging and crying. Th?se
Rearing it however, thinking it was a
disturbance between she and her hus
band, were slow to interfere. Some
time thereafter Sheriff Roberson and
Chief of Police J. O. Manning who
had been away from town came and
listeninig in heard Smallwood say “If
ybu tell it, damn you, I will kill you".
Then it was that the Chief went to
the door and demanded entrance, go
ing in he expected to find Mr. and
Mrs; Kelly, but saw he was mistaken,
•when he found the map to be Lock
Smallwood.
Chief Manning found Mrs. Kellj^
badly frightened and deathly pale.
Smallwood took the floor and told
the police the trouble was that her
husband had gone off with his (Small
wood's) car and she was uneasy and
nervous about it. While Mrs. Kelly
was in her frightened condition she
did not tell it, remembering the threat
mrde by Smallwood. Smallwood's
throw the officers off hf«
' -ark and they had no clue to hold
him.
When Mr. Kelly came his wife told
him just what had happened, but be
fore Smallwood could be arrested, he
Had skipped. t
Much sympathy is expressed by the
people of Williamston and community
for Mrs. Kelly. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly
moved to Williamston early in the
year and since tjjeir arrival there, Mr.
Kelly has worked with the William
*ton Tinning and Plumbing company
and Mrs. Kelly has been employed at
the City Fruit and Vegetable store.
Mrs. Kelly is only fifteen years old,
she being married soon after she
reached the age of fourteen. To make
the crime more brutal, Mrs. Kelly is
in a delicate state by several months.
Smallwood is thought to have left
for some northern points. Careful
watch is being made by the officials
and it is hoped that they will briiig
him to quick justice.
AN APOLOGY
We must offer our apology for the
appearance of the Beacon this week
on account of unusual difficulties. The
buildinig in which we have been doing
business for about fifteen years is
being demolished and we have been
under the process of moving machin
ery and other machinery throughout
the week.
Aside from this handicap the future
editor of the Beaoon came into ex
istence on Wednesday morning at
nine-thirty, and of course the present
editor was compelled to remain at
home during the greater part of the
day. The youngester is doing fine,
thailk you, also its mother.
Our new quarters will be in the
9
old school building, known as Hamp
ton Academy, and we shall be de
lighted to have our friends visit us
whenever in town.
NEW BUSINESS BUILDING
The town is to be congratulated
upon acquiring a new and modern
business building on Washington
street.
The huilding which is now occupied
by W. T. Nbmey, undertaker; Central
Garage^ Ed McCray, pressing club,
and The Beacon is now being wreck
, *
ed by its owner, Mr. A. L. Owens.
Material is now being placed on
the premises preparatory to the
erection of one-story, brick building
with cement floors and probably gla^s
sky'-lights.
.. Thiis buildinig will be one hundred
and twelve feet long with a depth of
sixty-five feet, .and will contain six
different rooms for various business
enterprises.
| It is expected that this new build
ing trill be occupied by W. T. Nurney,
Central Garage, The Roanoke Beacon,
B. G. Campbell, J. L. Gregory and Dr.
: T. L. Bray. Mr. Owens expects to
i have it ready for occupancy about the
11 middle of August
X
Li
MARGARET STAHL
Interpreter of Plays, on
\ ChautauqUa Pro
gram Here
Amongst American women play
readers, Margaret Stahl, who is to
appear here on the coming Chautauqua
program, is probably the most widely
known, the most highly honored, and
her position as a great artist, the
most secutely established. In her more
than twelve-year platform experience
she has lived one of the busiest and
most exacting lives, but she has made
everything in her experience con
tribute to one end, her platform art.
One of the chief features in Miss
Stahl’s presentation of a play is that
she is distinctively a creative artist.
She is not an imitator, she is not a
mimic. Imitation is not a virtue,
originality is. And Miss Stahl is pre
•mraMM^Pleader with insifrM^jjrijfW
ality and power. Through the"'fffosc
winsome personality she introduces
her own emotional and intellectual con
ceptions, she seeks naturalness and
humanity in her characterizations,
rather than any affected or elocution
ary trick.
If the stamp of public approval re
presents real appreciation then Mar
garet Stahl had had that jn abun
dance. Probably no reader today has
a finer record of recalls than she There
are scores of towns where she made
all the way from three to twenty»five
appearances.
Some Press Comments
“Miss Margaret Stahl put the entire
play ‘The Country Cousin,’ before her
audience in such a manner that one
felt that she has seen the entire cast
of thirteen characters with the beauti
ful settings she described. Her imper
sonations were so realistic that she
scarcely had to tell her audience which
character was speaking, once they hail
been introduced. It was one of the
best entertainments in several years
and Miss Stahl will long be remem
bered.’'
Bangor, Maine— uaiiy i\ews
“The attraction was a. star in the
persori of Miss Margaret Stahl, who
gave the play ‘Everywoman.’ The
emotional parts of her selections were
rendered in a manner that not only
were true to a nature’s heart, but show
ed also how a woman can so enter in
to the interpretation of a play as to
make one feel that real characters arc
being presented.”
I Reading, Pa.—“News Item”
“The reading by Margaret Stahl.
The Unseen Empire,’ was an unusUgj
number in its strength and interest.
The subject and the reader were a
wonderful combination.”
Lakeside, Ohio—^News” £
FOR TREASURER
I take this method of announcing
my candidacy for the office of treasur
er of Washington County, subject ‘ttf
the action of the Democratic primary
to be held June 7th.
I have held this office for the past
ten years, and during that period I
have endeavored to conduct the affairs
to the general satisfaction of all the
people, regardless of party affiliation.
I have become familiar with the duties
of this office and feel that my exper
ience equips me to be of more service
in the future.
I will appreciate the support of the
people, and if nominated and elected
promise to execute the duties of this
office to the very best of my know
ledge and ability...
Respectfully,
A. L. HOLMES.
/
WINNER TO BE AN
NOUNCED NEXT WEEK
Mr. T. J. Swain, who wa* ap
pointed to examine the lists of
words in our contest which
closed last week, has found it
necessary to bo out of town a
great part of this week, conse
quently we are unable to an
nounce the name of the winner.
Our next issue,however, will
curry this announcement as Mr.
Swain informs us that he hts
about finished the examination
of the papers.
LOCAL NEWS.
Mr. W. W. Ambrose motored
tfeWiiiiamston Sunday.
• Mr. Rex Fleury of Greensboro
has been in town this week.
.ft/lr. T. J; Swain went to Cres
WtH.Qn business yesterday.
Rain this week has handicap*
ged the picking of May pea#
considerably.
Mr. W. T. Nurney undertaker
ht moving his plant in the old
Hampton Academy.
Messrs W. B. Cox and T. L.
Smith went to Rocky Mount,
Wednesday
■Mr. J, J. Hollis of Albemarle"
Beach was in town on business
this week.
Have you purchased your
Chautauqua ticket? Time is get
pig short! *
r Quite a number of our people
the dimce at'Albemarle
Mr. Sidney
Creswell was in
day.
Smithson of
town yester
Mr. Herman Jackson and fam*
ly motored to Jamesville Sun
day. ',<
Mr. Fenner Bay nor of Bel haven
vas in town on business yester
lay
Mrs. J. I. Brewer of Pinners,
fa., is in the city visiting her
lister Mr. C. V. W. Ausbon.
Messrs Hal and Rudolph Hea
ley Wesley Hardijson and Tom
iateman motored to Jamesville
lunday.
Messrs. H. W. and W. W.
Bateman of Creswell, were
business visitors here yester
dav.
MsedameiH. V. Austin, H.
A- Willifor 1 ard W. R. Hamp
ton motored to Washington
yesterday.
Atty.E. F. AydlettPasquotaok
candidate for congress, has been
in the county for several days
enlisting aid in his campaign.
Hon. Lindsay C. Warren Beau
fort county candidate for con
gress was in the county this
week in the interest of his cam
paign.
.»Mrs. B. G. Campbell and Mrs.
J. S. Ctiesson are attending Sa
lem College commencement at
Winston-Salem. They drove thr
ough the country.
Come, to the Aimo rneatre
Wednesday night May 28th to
see‘‘Wanted a Man” an evening
of fun and laughter special
Classic and Jazz music. Price
25 and 35 cent?.
The Central Garage now occu
pying the building next to this
office, have rented the building
formerly used by the b)ard of
education for storing trucks and
will begin moving their parap
hernalia in a few days.
The local talent play ‘ Light
House Nan” from Jamesville
was in the graded school auditor
ium last night. Our people are
pleased to welcome visitors of
this nature.
WILL WATERS FIRES LOAD OF BUCK
SHOT INTO HENRY BOWEN‘S BODY
AS RESULT OF FRIENDLY QUARREL
Bowen Now In Washington Hospital Is Holding
His Own, No Better, No Worse, According
To The Latest Reports
i --—- ---
Saturday night about ten thirty o -
clock, Will Waters shot and very
seriously wounded Henry Bowen in
the store of Reubin Spellar near the j
Roanoke river wharf at Williamston.
According to a statement made by
Waters to the Norfolk police the
shooting was a culmination of a trip
on Saturday afternoon when Will
Waters, Dink Hardison and Henry
Bowen made a trip to get whiskey, i
and Upon returning became engaged
in a friendly argument on the wharf
and during the course of which Bowen
became infuriated and slapped Waters
This ^naddened Waters and he went to
his home and got his gun and se
cured shells at a Williamston store
and then.-,-.went back “down the hill”
and found'Bowen in Reubin Spellar’s
store and shot him, the number 2 buck
shot going in Bowen’s back causing
hirh to have several hemorrhages
from which he lost so much blood
that he was not expected to live for
Shvetal hours,
Bowen was able to walk most of
the way to Biggs Drug store where he
was given first aid by Dr, H. B. York
and was then rushed to the Washing*
"onTospitAl where he is reported as
retting along as well as could be ex
pected, but as being still in a very
critical state.
Waters spent the night in or near
Williamston, having evaded the
sheriff and his deputies that night as
he was seen early next morning at
Spellar’s store again but he left short
ly after seven o’clock Sunday morning
for Norfolk by car with Willie Arm
strong, a colored boy Who work d for
him, driving.
When Waters was arrested in Nor
folk (long distance telephone mes
sages having been sent there, he was
arrested soon after his arrival on
Granby street) he exonerated the
negro boy and told him to carry his
ear back home and put it under the
shed and he added, “I don’t think
I’ll have any more use for it soon.”
According to Norfolk papers, Will is
in a pitiful condition and they say
that he broke down when he was jail
ed and fell to the floor crying, “Lord
how did I ever do a thing like that?*’;
and he has wanted to keep in touch |
with Williamston to find out howl
Bowen is getting aloftg and they-say i
he is much grieved over the critical
condition of his friend.
Sheriff Roberson left Tuesday. morn
ing for Norfolk and returned WednesK
day north with Waters. . ’ 1
FOB REPRESENTATIVE
I hereby announce myself is a can
didte for the office of representative
in the general assembly of 1926, sub
ject to the action'of the Democratic
primary to be held June 7th.
I had the honor of representing
this county during the session of 1919,
and if nominated and elected 1 will
endeavor to support issues that arise
according to the wishes of my con
stitutency.
I will appreciate the vote and re
spect of the people.
Respectfully,
B. F. HALSEY.
\
j SCHOOLS CLOSE MONDAY NIGHT
The Plymouth Graded and High
j Schools Will close on Monday night
| of next week with appropriate exer
cises. These exercises will close what
is considered the most successful
year in the history of Plymouth
schools. Every department of the
school has made splendid progris ,
. and while there will necessarily l>e
jsome failures the percentage will i>e
smaller than ever before.
There, has been a fine spirit of loy
alty arid cooperation among the teach
ers and their achievements have been
worthy of their efforts.
Commencement exercises began on
April 24th when the primary grades
very pleasingly presented the operet
ta "Little Boy Blue”. On Monday
night, the evnlng of April 28th, the
first music recital ever given by this
■ school was rendered in the school au
ditorium. Miss Morgan, the music
teacher, deserves credit for the high
class of work her pup^ta^have dene.
On Friday night, Ma$Hld, the grad
uating class presented their annual
play “Daddy Long Leg*” to a packed
hoiise. This play was directed by Mrs.
H. A. Liveman.
Oiu. Friday evenip4ffc,i^»y 2ml, the
grammar grades gave Hiawatha. The
characters were well selected and the
little play was greatly enjoyed.
Eight or nin* of the present faculty
are oxpectinig to return another
year.
These, wjjk be ten to graduate from
the high schit^-eigbt girls and two
boys.
WINSLOW—AYERS
The out-of-town iiimmUi am* w»la,
tives of the families have receive^ 4h#r
following invitation:
Mrs. Fannie Dixon Ayers
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Ruth
to
Mr. Walter Frith Winslow
an Wednesday evening, the fourth of
June
at nine oNRbcjlt
at the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South
Plymouth, North Carolina.
No invitations have been issued in
Plymouth arid’ h 'general invitation is
extended ta^M attend the wedding,
i lit iri*Vi'"n|iiir»*i*-rr i'ii '-vi n ninr.
. «v - ? /TREASURER
TO THE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS OF’
WXSHINGT&N COUNTY:
This is to announce that I am a can
didate for the office of treasurer of
Washington County, subject to th<;
action of the Democratic mary to
be hebi June 7th.
I have been an active Democrat all
my life and have worked in each cam
paign for the interest of the party as
a whole, and have never a^ted
for any office. ,
t If elected I will dovmy best t» serve
the people of the entire county with
out favor to anyone. I will appreciate
whatever support I am given.
IVeoy truly yours,
R. T. CHJESSON.