North Carolina Newspapers

gjiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiMiiiiiiiiiiiimimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii& = A home newspaper dedicated = = to the service of Washington = = County and its 12,000 people. = niiiitniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiimMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiniiiiiir? THE ROANOKE BEACON ★ ★★★★★★★★★ And Washington County News ★★★★★★★★★★ gHimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiimmiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiimiimmjt = Advertisers will find Beacon = = and News columns a latch-key to g 1 1,100 Washington County homes, g ^illllllilflllllllllllllllllllllllfllllltlHIllllllllMMilllllllllStlllllT? VOLUME 41—NUMBER 41 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Friday, September 26, 1930 ESTABLISHED 1889 MAKE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF LOCAL STUDENTS -<3> .... Few Ailments Found Ex cept Bad Tonsils and Many Underweight -® General physical examinations of children in the local schools were in ptogress this week, commencing Mon day. Drs. Bray, McGowan and White hurst have been making the examina tions at the rate of about 25 daily, it was stated by school authorities yes terday. It is expected that the examina tions will be concluded about the first of October. The purpose of the examinations is to find out if there is any chronic diseases among the children that could be remedied by treatment while the di seases is in its early stages. According to those conducting the tests, remark ably few defects are being found out side of tonsil and adenoid troubles. Many children need treatment for these ailments, but they are singular ly free of bad teeth, at least so far as those already examined are concerned. Many of the school pupils are also being found to be underweight, so much so that Principal F.. H. Hicks stated yesterday he was planning to institute a milk fund the second week in October to furnish children who are underweight with about two pints of milk daily. This plan has not yet been worked out completely, the prin cipal stating that he imagined a fund of $18 to $20 a month would be re quired, according to present indica tions. One citizen of the town, who pre fer? to remain anonymous, has already promised to donate $3 monthly to the milk fund, and Mr. Hicks is planning to solicit other donations just as soon as something more definite can he learned about the requirements. WHOLESALER TO ERECT BUILDING Begin Work on Structure For B. G. Campbell on Water Street -® Construction work was recently started on the new building being erectr ed for B. G. Campbell, local whole sale grocer. The structure is being built on Water Street, between the offices of the Stone and Webster Con struction Co., and the A. C. L. freight station. Mr. Campbell stated yesterday that the new building will give him about three times the amount of storage space that he now has and he is planning to considerably enlarge the stock of goods he is now carrying. He started in business here in 1921, and has built up one of the largest commercial en terprises of its type in this section of the State. The new building will be 50 by 110 feet, the front being of brick, with the side walls and back of metal. Ac cording to present plans, the building will be occupied by the firm about the latter part of October. Mr. Campbell is planning to carry a complete line of feeds and hay when lie gets into his new quarters. Al though he has stocked these lines for some time, he lias not been in position to carry as large a stock as he wished, which is one of the reasons for build ing the new headquarters. locaTschool CLUBS FORMED -® Toy Orchestra for Lower Grades and Glee Club In High School A toy orchestra for the elementary grades and glee club for the high school were formed at the Plymouth schools Wednesday of this week. Mrs. Hicks is director of both organiza tions, and much interest is being dis played in the projects. Around 50 or 60 students signified their intention of jcining the glee club the first day. The toy orchestra is drawing a lot ot attention from the smaller children. Instruments to be used by the members include drums. castanets, cymbals, kazoos, etc. Both the toy orchestra and glee club will practice each Wed nesday afternoon, the final period of the day being devoted to this work by Mrs. Hicks. -—. Only Two Cases Tried By Recorder Tuesday The session of recorder's court Tues day was the shortest that has been held in many weeks, lasting only about on hour. Only two cases were called, one of the defendants being released and the other one getting a sentence to the roads. Following are the two cases disposed oft The case against Nathaniel W ebb, charged with fraud, was non-suited. Claud Carter, colored, charged with assault with a deadly weapon, wat found guilty by Judge Jerry Sawye: and given a 60-day road sentence. Tobacco Growers of County Will Meet Friday Morniny An educational meeting in the in terest of cooperative marketing of tobacco will be held in the court house here Friday morning, begin ning at 9 o'clock, it was definitely announced by Dean I. O, Schaub, of State College, this morning. County Agent R. E. Dunning, who is in charge of arrangements for the meeting, is urging a full at tendance of Washington County tobacco growers. Mr. W. S. Green, representing the Federal Farm Board, will ad dress the meeting and will outline the proposed plans for the new or ganizaiton and answer any ques tions that may be asked relative to federal aid. It was thought that after the State mass meetings were held in Raleigh the proposed contracts would be discussed at the meeting here today. However, it was learn ed from Dean Schaub this morning that the meeting would point out the government’s part in coopera tive marketing, that the contract would be discussed at community meetings as soon as the county groups were completed in the belt. Dean Schaub stated that the Fri day meeting was a very necessary one toward organization of a mar keting system, and that farmers should make every attempt to at tend and hear Mr. Green. Frank Page, Monday, declined acceptance of chairman of the co operative committee, but several other names are being considered, among them being the name of Le land Kitchin, of Scotland Neck. Definite workin , arrangements are expected to be complete not later than next week, according to in formation received here. Councilmen Pass Ordinance Against Huckstering Before 9:30 on Curb Market Days May Offer Evening Class in Arithmetic -- An arithmetic course for em ployed men, to be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p. m. on each school day, is being considered by local school authorities, it was learn ! ed Wednesday. Mr. E. H. Hicks, the principal, said that if at least ! 10 men could be enrolled, an in j structor would be furnished and the class held, beginning just as soon as a sufficient number ap plied. Tuition for the term of nine months will be $5, and those de siring to enroll in such a class are asked to give their names to Professor Hicks. MR. E. L. HASSELL DIES SUDDENLY -1 Well-Known Farmers Drops Dead While Plowing on Farm Near Here -® Ernest I.inwood Hassell, 70, died suddenly plowing at his home on the j II. C. Spruill farm, about three miles from Plymouth last Friday morning at 9 o’clock. The cause of his death was said to have been apoplexy. Mr. Has sell had been in his usual health, ami his death came as a shock to his friends and relatives in the section. Mr. Hassell was born October 25, ! 1860, in Tyrrell county. He had farmed in this county practically all of his life, principally in the Creswell and Roper sections. He moved on the i Spruill farm near here only last year. ! Besides the widow, Mrs. Maybel j Hassell, he is survived by nine chil • dren, as follows: Mrs. Ella Ambrose, j of Edenton: David Hassell, of Xor Ifolk: T. B. Hassell, of Philadelphia; Mrs. Lucinda Woodley, of Washing ton county: Andrew Hassell, of Phila delphia; and Clinton, Lena, Elbe and John Hassell, of this county. He also leaves a brother, Walter H. Hassell, of Columbia; two half-brothers, C. E. Hassell, of Norfolk, and Dick Hassell, of Elizabeth City; and two half-sis ters, Mr. Jesses Owens, of Delaware; land Mrs. Caroline Davenport, of New | York City. ! Funeral services were conducted at the home Sunday morning at 10 a. m., by Rev. M. Gaskill, Baptist minister. Interment was made in the family cemetery at Cherry. Achievement Tests Being Given School Pupils Here Principal E. H. Hick* began giving a series of achievement tests at the lo cal schools Wednesday of this week, the purpose of which is to determine what instruction is most needed by each of the 650 pupil> enrolled. It will require about a week to complete giving the tests, which will extend to every student in the school, from the fust through the eleventh grades. The information gained will be used in determining the type of instruction to be offered to the individual pupil, according to the principal, the findings to be classified and turned over to the teachers for their information. It is thought the tests will be completed by 1 Wednesday of next week. —-$ I Episcopal Services Rev. Arthur H. Marshall, Rector Mr. Frith Winslow, Sunday School Superintendent. Sunday School at 10 a. nr. ACTION IS TAKEN FOR PROTECTION OF CURB MARKET Delegations Attend Council Meeting, Urging Passage Of Measure At the meeting of the town council held last Friday night, the principal business transacted was the passage of ai ordinance that prohibits peddling country produce on the city streets each Tuesday and Saturday mornings while the curb market is being con ducted at the courthouse. There was a delegation present, consisting of 10 or 15 county citizens, headed by Miss Pratt Covington, county home demon stration agent, favoring the passage of the ordinance. The ordinance, as passed, provides that there shall be no peddling of country p-oduce on the streets of Ply mouth on Tuesdays and Saturdays un til after the hour of 9:30 a. m. Viola tion is made a misdemeanor punishable b> a fine of $5. Miss Covington, who acted as spokes man for the curb market members, ex plained that the action was asked be cause of the fact that hucksters had made it a practice to come to town on the mornings when the curb market operates and peddle their wares to the doors of the citizens, many who would otherwise patronize the curb market buying from the venders nearer home. It was pointed out that the curb mar ket itself is open to all who have pro due to sell and that after 9:30 produce could be sold anywhere in town with (Continued on page six) LOCAL HI GRID PROSPECTS FAIR First Game To Be Played In Scotland Neck This Afternoon Coach Walter Roberson said yes terday that football prospects at Ply mouth High School were better than fair this year. The boys have been i working out for some time, and despite the hot weather of this week they were j being put through some pretty stiff scrimmage practice the first three j days. The first game is scheduled for | Friday, with the locals playing in I Scotland Neck. The first home game will probably be played Friday of next I week with Roper here. I Six boys who won their letters last year are back this season, with some very promising; new material also turning out regularly for practice. Mr. Roberson said that his probable start ing line-up Friday would be* Murrell Bowen and Oscar Jackson, ends; Bill Cl agon and Sidney Ward, tackles: Bob Bowen and Leslie Smith, guards, and Tom Gardner at center. The start ing backfield will more than likely be composed of Bill \ ail. fullback; Chas. Mizelle and Bonnie W'oolard. half backs, with Harry Lyon calling the 'signals at quarter. Others likely to see j action include Hugh Brown, Onward j Leggett, Robert Concklin. Bill Clifton. I George Waters and Otway Warren. Only a few games have been sche duled so far. the coach stating that he | hoped to have games with Spring Hope. Aulander, Ahoskie, and Eden ton. in addition to Roper and Scotland Neck. This is Coach Roberson’s first year here and he has high hopes of putting <,uf a winning team. Last year he was at Beaufort, where his team had a very good record for the season. He is a graduate of Guilford College, and play ed football for three years while there. BODY OF MISSING NEGRO IS FOUND IN RIVER HERE John McRay, 60, of Near Roper, Believed Victim Of Accident -* The body of John McRay, 60year (•]<! highly respected negro of the Roper section, was found in the Roa ni he River just back of the market house here Monday afternoon, after he had been missing since Saturday night. McRay left his home near Roper Sat urday afternoon and when he did not return at his usual time, relatives be er.. ;c alarmed and notified county au thorities. A ysternatic search for the missing man was started by Sheriff Reid, and he was out searching for the man in another section of the county when the body was discovered in the river here. Rev. R. G. L. Edwards, pastor of the local Methodist church, was looking cut of a window on the second floor of the Harney building about 3 o'clock Monday afternoon when he discovered thr body, which was lodged face down on some brush in the river. He noti fied officers, who recovered tlie body. It was at first thought that McRay had been murdered and his body thrown in the river, as he was known to have had about $100.00 on his person Saturday afternoon before he disappeared. However, later events dis proved the murder theory, there being no evidence of foul play on the body. A gold watch and $30.65 in cash were tak en from his clothing after he had been l removed from the river. The office of coroner of the county , being vacant at the time. Clerk of the Superior Court C. V. VV . Ausbon ap I pointed Dr. T. L. Bray special coroner ! to make an investigation. A jury, con sisting of George VV. Harrisn, C. C. ) Craft, R. G. L. Edwards, E. A. Brothers. C. T. Robbins and W. E. Weede. was empaneled, and after a thorough investigation returned a ver dict that the negro came to his death as a result of accidental drowning. It is generally thought that McRay ' wandered off one of the docks some ! time late Saturday night. He was said to have been drinking earlier in the day. He had been farming in the Hor ton Town section, near Roper, and just recently sold all his belongings there, planning to join his wife, who was in some northern city. V -«> HIGH SCHOOL AT CRESWELL LOOKS FOR GOOD YEAR -•- . . After Week of Organizing, Work Gets Underway In Earnest -® Creswell, Sept. 42.—After a week of organizing, the work in Creswell High School is under way, with prospects bright for the most successful year the school has ever experienced. Equipment for a football team has been ordered, and a gridiron is being laid off and made ready for early games. A game has been scheduled with VV ind soi but it has been postponed until a later date because the equipment for the team did not arrive. Local supporters of the game are looking forward to a splendid team under the direction of Mr. G. VV. Ray. The agricultural classes in t reswtn High School are being well attended. Much interest is being manifested on the part of the high school boys in these classes. The purpose of the agri cultural classes in the school is to serve the immediate needs of the farmers in this section in the way of farm manage ment and the cultivation of crop^, and in any other way that may be found possible. The school authorities hope that the farmers throughout the section will take advantage of the opportunity that they now have and let Mr. Rabon, the agricultural teacher, be of the great est possible service to them. I The greatest need of the school at this time is a new building that will I accommodate the large npmber of stu dents going to the institution. Both the temporary and the old building are uncomfortably crowded. The facilities for drinking water are not sufficient for the present large student body, w hile the auditorium will not seat more than half of the students enrolled. One ut the citizens of the community stat ed that in order for the school to con tinue to grow as it has in the past few years, more room and equipment must be furni.shed. Howe Agent’s Schedule For Week Is Announced Miss Pratt Covington, home dem onstration agent, yesterday announced het schedule for the week beginning September 29th a- follows: Monday, at Plymouth: Tuesday, Piney Grove: Wednesday, Beech Grove; Thursday. Plymouth; Friday, leader.-' school, at courthouse in Ply mouth, 2:30 p. m., Miss Mary F.. Thomas, nutrition specialist, in charge; Saturday, curb market. County Tax Rate Is Reduced To $2.03 at Meet Last Friday CLUB WOMEN AND GIRLS WORKING ON FAIR EXHIBIT --<* Won Over $150 at Fair Last Year; Hope To Do Even Better This Year Miss Pratt Covington, home demon stration agent, stated Monday that Washington County club members, both women and girls, were busy on the county exhibit or the district fair at Tarboro this year, which will be held October 28-31. Last year the club women of the county won a total of SI 18.50 at Torboro for their county ex hibit. Most of this money went to the individual members, although $30 was given for use in the home agent's of fice. Miss Covington said that the booth this year would be divided into four j parts. Three parts are for the women club members, whose major projects, gardening, foods, and yard improve ment. will be displayed as separate units. The fourth division of the booth 1 will be for the arts and crafts exhibits [ of the home economics girls. It is also probable that the display , will be exhibited at the State fair in ! Raleigh, according to the home agent. Those who have exhibits in the county booth also have their products enter ed in the individual classes and there by have a chance to win some of the ! prize money offered to individuals. Much interest is being displayed in the exhibit, and Miss Covington is hoping to have an even better display than was presented last year. Besides the money won in Tarboro, three club girls won a trip to the short course held at Raleigh in August. At the Roa noke fair in Williamston last year, $45 in cash was also realized. -® BURGLARS ROB STORE IN ROPER Millinery Shop of Miss Ida Peacock Ransacked by Intruders Saturday -® Roper, Sept. 24.—Late Saturday night burglars broke into the millinery store owned by Miss Ida Peacock here, 1 breaking the glass of the front window in order to force their entrance. Sev eral dresses, some jewelry, mesh bags, hats, etc., were stolen, the thieves evi dently picking the choicest merchandise ] from the racks in a very leisurely !manner, striking a number of matches I to furnish light. Apparently some one ! was on watch on the outside of the store. | The burglarly was not discovered un til Sunday morning, when Mrs. Nita Mizelle, a merchant next door, dis-j covered the broken window and in- ■ formed Miss Peacock of the robbery. The value of the stolen goods has not I as vet been determined. -* 28 Enrolled in Commercial Course Classes at School Twenty-eight persons have register-' d for the .typewriting and shorthand lasses being conducted at the local chool, it was said yesterday by of-' lials. Two classes have been formed, ne in the afternoon and one in the veiling. A number of others are ex erted to enroll tor the course. At present, the afternoon class in ( rpewriting has 10 members, while the veiling class totals IS. Miss l’lielps . in charge of the afternoon class. ,'liile Mr. L. J. Davis is instructor of he evening group. Firm Prepaiing to Make Audit of Town’s Books - - - ft Preparations were being made this week for an immediate audit of the books of the town, as of August 1, 1930. it was announced yesterday by City Clerk M. \Y. Spruill. The audit will be made by Mr. Wall, of the Geo. R. Dobie Co., of Rocky Mount. Heretfore. it has been the practice to close the fiscal year of the town on May 31, and make the audit then. This caused some confusion in keeping books on privilege or license taxes and this year it was decided to make the audit as of August 31. by which time more of the privilege taxes have been paid. ■ •— In Washington Hospital office of the county superintendent of schools, went to a Washington hos pital Tuesday of this week to have his tonsils removed. He plans to return to his work before the last of the week. Henderson county will have to im port from four to five times as much fir-dsluffs as usual this winter because of the prolonged dry weather. Tom Thumb Wedding To Be Staged Tonight Rehearsals are now being held for “The Tom Thumb Wed ding,” to be staged Friday night of this week in the high school auditorium at 8 o'clock. The en tertainment is being sponsored by the local chapter of the United Daughters of the Con federacy, and a small admission will be charged. Over 40 of the little folks of the town are in the cast, and it is expected that the production will draw a large audience. Mrs. T. L. Bray and Mrs. Jack Reid are directing the play, while Evelyn Arps is so loist; Edith Edmondson, pianist; and John Steirs, violinist. MANY DONATIONS OF OLD CLOTHES .<£> 1 Principal Hicks Says People Responded Liberally to Request Last Week Principal E. H. Hicks, of the city schools, stated yesterday that the peo ple of the community had been very liberal in their response to the call for old clothing for needy children. Do nations began arriving at the school building Friday morning alter the ap peal was published in the Beacon of the same day. Mr. Hicks stated that many children had been furnished clothing from that donated by the peo ple of the section and that at least 8 or 10 had been enabled to enter school by the kindness of the donors. There is still some clothing on hand which will be distributed as the oc casion requires. The principal said that there was still need for overalls and work clothes, particularly for boys about the ages of 7, 8, 9 and 10 years. Shirts are also in great demand, and Mi. Hicks will be glad to receive do nations of these articles at any time. -$-' LOCAL COLORED SCHOOL OPENS Total of 458 Enrolled; 1351 Registered in First Grade With One Teacher -$ The Plymouth Colored Schools opened Monday of this week in their new building, with a total enrollment oi 458, four hundred of that number being in the elementary and inter mediate grades and 58 in the high school department. E. A. Anderson is principal. There is a total enrollment of 400 in the first seven grades, with only five teachers, an average of 80 to the teacher. The first grade, with one teach er. had a registration of 135 Tuesday. It is thought that at least two more teachers will have to be secured, al though the county >uperintendent says the problem of providing funds for their salaries is almost insumountable. 1 he high school is much better off than the lower grades, there being three teachers for 58 students enrolled, an average of a fraction over 19 to tin teacher. The principal of the schools. E. A. Anderson, ha.- begun a campaign to raise money for equipping the new building. He says the teachers are fac ed with many problems, but that they ate expecting a successful year, never theless. The enrollment, by grade.', was an nounced as follow-: fir-t grade, 135; second, 85; third, 54; fourth, 40; fifth, 35; sixth. 25; seventh. 25; eighth, 21; ninth, 19; tenth, 13; eleventh, 8. Epworth League Held Meeting in Mackeys -» The Roanoke Union of Epworth Leagues met at Mackey * on Monday night of this week, with large delega tions from the Windsor. Williamston, Holly Springs, and \\'.»«*dard leagues attending. Mr. Dudley, of the Williamston league, conducted the devotional part of the program. Rev. Dwight A. Petty, also of Williamston, was the principal speaker of the evening, giving an in I spiring talk to the young people on the league motto, "All for Christ.” After the devotional and address of Mi Petty, a short business session was held, with Miss Pruden, president ! of the Roanoke Union in the chair. The !young people then adjourned to the Mackeys School auditorium, where they enjoyed a pleasant social hour and were served with an'ice course by the .Mackeys league. COUNTY BOARD FIXES CURRENT YEAR'S BUDGETS Rate Fixed Is Two Cents Lower Than It Was Last Year The 1930 tax rate for Washington county was fixed at $2.03 at the meet ing of the county hoard of commission er held here la,-.t Friday.. The rate is two cents lower than the rate for 1929, which was $2.05, and represents a de crease of 45 cents from the rate of two years ago. when it was S2.4X. Washing ton count}' i> one of the few counties in North C arolina that will have a low er rate this year than it had last, de creased valuations in many sections fotcing increases in the rate. County Accountant J. C. Gatlin stat ed yesterday that the board had put off fixing the budgets and rate for some time until a complete audit could be made in order that all possible items could be “cut to the bone” this year to effect a saving to the taxpayers. The board has been able t - do even better than the members first hoped tor. as they at one time were only working to retain the same rate as was in effect last year. Faced with a decreased valua tion in county property of $64,000, and with the fact that the sheriff’s sale of property for taxes this year totaled over $24,000, the task of retaining the old rate appeared almost hopeless. 1 he reduced rate was made possible only by insisting upon the strictest economy in every department of county affairs. The total sum called for by the budgets is $206,206.52, of which $70, 168.04 is to be derived from sources other than taxation, this money coming principally from the State equalization fund and the county’s share of the 1 cent gasoline tax levied by the State. The estimated amount of uncollectible taxes, commissions on collections etc., is $8,162.41, which makes a total of $144,200.89 to be raided by the tax levy of $1.80 per $100 on a county valuation of $7,996,664. Then there is the 23 cents per $100 required for operating the schools for the extra two month, which brings the total rate to $2.03. Division of Funds The funds that are smaller this year than last are county general fund, $13, 732.31. against $14,291.04 last year, a decrease of $558.73; poor fund, $4, 577.44, against $4,736.68 in 1929, de crease of $186.24; county debt service fund, $54,392.42, against $55,212.01, de crease of $819.59; current expense fund, 6-months’ school term, $86,995.42, against $87,056.37, decrease of $60.95; -<♦> (Continued on page 6) NUMBER FARMS IS DECREASING -<s> 3.273 Farms in County in 1925, Against 1,091 in April This Year -® There has been a decided fluctuation in the total number of farms in Wash ington county during the past 10 years, figures released by the Census Bureau, Washington, I). C., this week, reveal. In 1020, there were 1,110 farms in the county. By 1925 this number had grown to 1,273, while in April of thi> year there were only 1,091. In other words the county gained 163 farms in the period from 1020 to 1025 and then lost 182 in the five-year period, 1925-1030, leaving a net loss of 19 farms in the 10 years, or a percentage of loss of 1.7. The percentage of decrease in the decrease in the 1925-30 period was 14.3 In connection with these figures, it was announced that a farm, for census purposes, includes all the land which i* directly farmed by one person, either by hi* own labor alone or with the as sistance of members of his household or hired employee*-. When & landowner has one or more tenants, renters, crop per.*. »>r managers, the land operated by each is considered a “farm.” -$> County Farmers Are Busy With Winter Cover Crops Washington County farmers are busy this week planting winter cover crops and getting ready to harvest peanuts. County Agent R. E. Dunning stated yc.-terday afternoon. He said that pres ent indications were that there would [not be as large an acreage planted t * |the cover crops this year a** there was jin 1929. The principal cover crop*, are irye. vetch, and oats. Some barley is al being planted in the county for the first time this year. While prospect* for peanut prices jaie better than for many other farm jproducts, only about half a crop is in dicated now, the county agent said I Vines are looking good, but there are few peas to the plant. The quality E expected to be good.