Newspapers / The Roanoke Beacon and … / Jan. 2, 1931, edition 1 / Page 1
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piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii| 2 A home newspaper dedicated = 2 to the service of Washington = 2 County and its 12,000 people. 2 iillllllllMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINIIIIli? THE ROANOKE BEACON ★ ★★★★★★★★★ And Washington County News ★★★★★★★★★★ E Advertisers will find Beacon §j and News columns a latch-key to = 1,100 Washington County homes. fimiimiiiiMiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiimimiimiimii Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Friday, January 2, 1931. VOLUME 42—NUMBER 1 ESTABLISHED 1889 SUPERIOR COURT TERM WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL 12TH —® Is Postponed for One Week By Action of County Bar Association -® At a meeting of the Washington County Bar Association shortly be fore Christmas, it was decided to dis pense with the first week of the term of superior court scheduled to l>egin ihye next Monday morning, January StTi, a-nd have only the second week, which will be for the trial of both criminal and civil cases. This action was taken at the suggestion of Judge W. C. Harris, of Raleigh, who is scheduled to preside at the January term. In other words the court will not begin until January 12, instead of January 5, as lirst announced, and the term will only last one week. Sheriff Reid stated yesterday that he would formally open court next Mon day morning and then adjourn it until Monday, January 12. He said that it would not be necessary for witnesses or jurors to report until the 12th Jurors drawn for the first week of court will be used for the term, while those drawn for the second week will be execused, the sheriff said. It is expected that the week's term will Ire taken up mainly with criminal cases, although it is probable that a few civil actions will be disposed of. A number of lawyers employed in cases on the calendar will have to be in Raleigh for the opening of the le gislature, which is another reason for the short term at this time. Members of the bar expect the coun ty commissioners to ask the governor to call a special term of superior court for civil cases some time during March or April, or after the legislature ad journs. This will receive the conges tion of the docket occasioned by the continuance of cases originally scheduled to be tried at the January term. COUNTY TAXES PAY MOST OF SCHOOL COSTS County Ad Valorem Taxes Furnish 54.6 Cents Of Every Dollar Spent By furnishing 54/) cents of every $1.00'raised tor current expense pur poses, county ad valorem taxes leads in the support of public elementary and secondary education, it is learned from the current issue of the State School Facts, monthly publication of the State Department of Public Ins truction. A total of $15,021,890.11, that paper points out, was obtained from this ■pource during J928-29, this amount being $187,997.07 less than was raised in 1926-27. The sum of $27,509,674.72 was realized from all sources. Local district taxes furnished the next largest percentage of the school fund, 22.1 cents of each dollar raised. Approximately $6,000,000 of the an nual school receipts for 1928-29 was obtained from this source. From poll taxes, dog taxes, fines, forfeitures and penalties, the sum of $1,319,980.66 was received for operating schools, and from miscellaneous sources and the preceding year's balance on hand near ly $1,400,000 was added to the school receipts. The remaining part of the school dollar, 13.4 cents, came from State funds. The money realized from this source during 1928-29 amounted to $3,688,299.78. This total included the $3,250,000 equalizing fund appropria tion of that year, appropriations for teacher training in high schools, for vocational education including Federal appropriations, and donations from • the General Education Board, the Jeanes Foundation, the Rosen wald Fund, and the Slater Fund. School Facts also presents figures showing the expenditure of the school dollar. More than 75 per cent of every cicllar expended for the current opera tion of the schools, ;t shows, goes for instructional service, or the actual teaching activities. For operation of the school plant, 6.3 cents of every dollar expended was used, for auxi liary agencies, including transportation 8.2 cents, for general control 4.8 cents tor maintenance of plant 3.0 cent.-, and for fixed charges 1.3 cents. « Total of 37 Prisoners Now at County Farm There are now 37 prisoners at the county stockade on the Long Ridge Road, Mr. L. Basnight, superintendent said Wednesday. This includes the four sent out by tire recorder's court Tuesday. While not the largest num ber ever confined there at one time, it is approaching the record. Mr. Bas night said that one time he had 42 for two or three days, which repre sents the highest mark yet reached. There are also three inmates in the county home at this time. Hardison Succeeds Gatling In County Office Thursday George W. Hardison, Washing ton County’s new chairman of the board of county commis sioners, becomes a full-time officer of the county Thursday, January 1, when he takes over the duties formerly performed by County Auditor J. C. Gatlin. This change was ordered at the first meeting of (he new board of county com missioners held December 1, ef fective January 1, and Mr. Hardi son is assuming the duties of the newly created office this week. The new county accountant said yesterday that he expected to have a “hard row to hoe,” es pecially during the first few weeks when everything will be new to him, but he hopes to soon become familiar with the details of the office and have smooth sailing. He has considerable experience in many phases of the work he is undertaking, particularly where bookkeeping is concerned. He has been connected with the mercan tile firm of W. H. Hampton & Son here for 32 years, serving in various capacities and taking care of practically all of the records of the concern. There are a number of North Carolina counties that have adopt ed the full-time chairman plan, such as this county is undertak ing, Cleveland County being pointed out as a model in this res pect. Bertie County, just across the Roanoke River, is also em barking on the same plan January 1, and there are a number of other counties in this section that are going to watch the working of the system here with considerable in terest. H. C. Barnes’ Store at Cherry Is Completely Destroyed by Fire Early Monday Morning HOME SAVED BY QUICK RESPONSE OF NEIGHBORS Loss Estimated at Around $7,000, Partially Covered By Insurance -<t> Fire completely destroyed the store of Mr. Harry C. Barnes, at Cherry, early Monday morning, the loss being variously estimated at from $7,000 to $8,000, only partially covered by in surance. The origin of the blaze is nof known. Only the hard work of neighbors prevented the destruction of Mr. Barnes’ house, which was within 15 feet of the burned store. Mr. Barnes stated that he was awakened about 1:30 by the noise of exploding gun shells and cartridges, a large stock of which wet# carried in the store. Looking from his window, he saw the store building was a mass of flames. He gave the alarm, and neighbors came to the rescue, quickly forming a bucket brigade and drench ing the house with water, which pre vented the fire from spreading. The store carried a complete stock of general merchandise, all of which was a total loss. The building was of wooden construction and burned ra pidly. A metal roof kept the flames down and aided the volunteer fire fighters in confining the loss to the one building. While not definitely known, it is understood that Mr. Barnes is planning to rebuild and con tinue the business. LAST CHANCE TO PAY ASSESSMENT Tax Collector P. W. Brown To Begin Advertising Next Monday -® Chief of Police P. W. Brown, who is also tax collector for the Town of Plymouth, is this week giving local property owners final notice to pay their fourth paving installments. While most of the assessments have been paid, there are a few who have not yet made settlement, and the chief said yesterday that the property of delinquents would he advertised next Monday unless payment is made be fore then. The fourth installment of paving assessments arc now more than a year old, having become due October 1. 1929. The fifth installment also be came due October 1, 1930. and the tax collector is making some settlements of these accounts. -<E — CHAPEL HILL Mr. and Mrs. P. T. Vail and family of Baltimore, are spending the Christ mas holidays with Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Bowen. Mr. and Mrs. Tyre Wilson and Miss Nina Rae, of Hickory, spent Christ mas with Mr. and Mrs. I.. L. Bowen. Mrs. Mabel Griffin and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Reese, of Newport, News, Va., were the guests of their mother, Mrs. Roxie Reese. Christmas. Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Bowen enter tained the children of the community ai a party Christmas night. The big surprise w'as the arrival of Santa Ck.us at 8 o'clock. Since there was no snow, Santa had to rely on a fast mo tor car for transportation. The child ren, hand in hand, formed in two rows and sang Christmas carols as the jol ly old elf entered the house. After pre senting his tokens, he strapped his pack on his back and hurried on his homeward journey. , N. C. VAIL DIES AT WESTOVER Was One of County’s Old est and Best-Known Citizens -® Nathan Columbus Vail, sr., one of the oldest citizens of Washington county, died at his home in the West over community Saturday morning, December 20, shortly after 7 o'clock. Air. Vail had been in failing health for some time, and his death was not unexpected by members of the family. Mr. Vail had spent his entire life in Washington county, having been born here October 31, 1854. He was recog nized as one of the leading farmers of his section and also took an active interest in community affairs, being ever ready to give his support to all worthy undertakings. Besides his widow, Mrs. Jane Sen ate Vail, he is survived by four sons, Howard and Thomas Vail, of the United States Army; Edward Vail, of Rarrytown, N. V.; and N. C. Vail, jr., of the United States Navy; eight daughters, Mrs. H. C. Kinsaul, Mrs. C. E. Jones, and Mrs. H. G. John son, all of Greenville; Mrs. J. W. Hardison and Mrs. W. E. Miles, of Norfolk; Mrs. Walter Milturn, of Suffolk, and Misses Elizabeth and Hope Vail, of Westcver; and 18 gtandchildren. Mr. Vail was a member of St. 1.tike’s Episcopal Church at Roper, and the final rites were conducted Sunday afternoon, December 21 at 3:30 by the rector, Rev. A. H. Mar shall. Interment was made in St. Luke's cemetery. Relatives from out of the county attending the funeral services includ ed his nieces, Mrs. John Gaskins and Mrs. Clyde Tetterton, of Norfolk, J. M. Vail, of Edenton, and John Vail, of Norfolk. Program of Services at Episcopal Churches -<♦>——— Rev. A. H. Marshall, rector of the Plymouth and Roper Episcopal Churchc. announced yesterday that the following services would he held in these churches next Sunday, Jan uary 4. Grace Church, Plymouth, Holy Communion at 11 a. m. St. l.uke’s Church, Roper, evening service at 7:30. -® Very Successful Dance Held by Cotillion Club -® The Christmas Dance staged by the Plymouth Cotillion Club last hriday was said to have been one of the best ever held here. There were a large number of visitors here, invitations having been sent to practically all of the town in Eastern N'orth Carolina. Music was furnished by Thurston’s Orchestra, of Rocky Mount, and good order prevailed, no disturbance of any kind having been reported. -® Town and County Boards Have Meetings Scheduled -» The official governing bodies of the town and county, including the county board of education, all have their re gular meetings scheduled within the next few days. The town council is the first to meet, its first session of the new year being set for Friday night. Then on Monday the county board of commissioners and the coun ty board of education will hold their meetings at the courthouse. It is un derstood that rountine business will occupy most of the time of all the meetings. RECORDER HAD ALL-DAY SESSION HERE TUESDAY Four Men and One Woman Sent To Roads and Workhouse -§>■.. Judge Edward L. Owens and Solici tor Carl L. Bailey had a full day's ses sion in recorder's court here Tuesday. Although the number of cases dis posed of was not so large, several of them proved to be long-drawn out af fairs, with numerous witnesses to be heard. One case was tried by a jury, while all of the others were judged solely by the recorder. Four new men were furnished to road supervisor Basnight, bringing the total at the county's prison headquarters to 37. One colored woman was also sent to the county workhouse. The first case called was against R. O. Caveness, booked on a bad check count. He was called and failed to answer. Capias issued. Cottie Spruill, charged with false pretense, was found guilty of obtain ing advances upon promises of work ing and paying for them. She was sentenced to serve 45 days at the coun ty workhouse. Providence Cox, charged with lar ceny, demanded trial by jury after en tering a plea of not guilty. A verdict of guilty was returned, and he was sentenced to 5 months on the county reads. Appeal was noted, and he was | committed to jail in default of bond. William Cox, charged with assault i with a deadly weapon, entered a plea |of guilty and was sentenced to serve 6 months on the roads. , James Clark, alias Willie Janies 1 Troy, indicted for assault with a deadly weapon, plead not guilty. Af ter hearing the evidence, Judge Owens l found him guilty of simple assault and gave him four months on the county . roads. Henry Woodley, charged with non support, was found guilty. He was sentenced to four months on the roads, the sentence to he suspended upon the condition that he pay the sum of $4 per week for the support of his family. Leslie T. Davenport was found guil ty on a count charging him with a vio lation of the traffic laws. He was fined $25 and costs, upon which he gave no tice of appeal to the superior court. Appeal bond was fixed at $100. The case against Cheat Douglas and James Credle, charged with robbery, was continued to next Tuesday’s ses sion of the court, as was also the case against Curt Arnold and Providence Cox, indicted for entering and lar ceny. CHERRY Mr. R. W. Phelps ami daughter, Mrs. W. A. Gibbs, spent sometime last week at New Bern with rela tives. Miss Ruth Burgess is visiting friends at Elizabeth City. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Sawyer and family of Norfolk, spent a few days with Mrs. Sawyer's parents, Mr. and Mrs G. A. Overton. Mr. Wilson Philips, Misses Nancy and Stella Phelps spent Christmas with relatives at Elizabeth City. Mr. Ira Ainsley and Miss Mary Kathlyn Ainsley, of Oak City, spent the past week-end with relatives here. Mr. John Swain, of Norfolk, spent the holidays with his family. Friends of Mr. Lancelat Davenport are very glad that he is improving after an extended illness. Mr. Dockie Davenport, Misses Eli zabeth Davenport, Teadie Mae Gibbs, Mnyme Woodley, and Virginia White were the guests of Miss Holmes Sun day afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Gibbs and little daughter, Nina Stevie, were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. A. \Y. Davenport Sunday P. M. Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Woodley and family of Plymouth, spent a fe^v days this week with Mr. Woodley’s parents. Mr and Mrs. W. B. Woodley. -A (Too late for last week's issue) Sunday School Convention Tlie quarterly meeting of the dis trict Sunday school convention was held at the Christian church here Sunday afternoon, December 21. An interesting program Was presented, and new officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: President, S. R. Davenport; vice president, Roy L. Litchfield; secretary, O. D. Hatfield; program committee, Mrs. S. J. Wood ley, chairman, and Mrs. Robert Dav enport, assistant. The convention was invited to meet at Mount Tabor the third Sunday in March. Ladies’ Aid Holds Meeting The ladies’ aid society of the local Christian church held its regular meeting last week. The principal busi ness before the meeting was the elec tion of officers, as follows: Mrs. Joe Woodley, president; Mrs. Norwood Ambrose, vice president: Mrs. A. J •Davenport, secretary; and Mrs. J. M. Ambrose, treasurer. County Outlook Meeting Will Be Held Here Next Thursday CHRISTMAS DAY QUIET IN COUNTY -<?> “Just Another Sunday” To Majority of Citizens; Few Arrests -•» Barring several drunken cases and figjhts, Christmas in Washington County was one of the quietest exper ienced in year', reports from the vari oii' sections indicate. Two hundred livet were lost in one way or another throughout the nation, but accidents ai d the few general disorders result ed in no serious injury or damage to l:fe or property in the county. Christmas Day was generally pat terned after a quiet Sunday in the sec tion. Chief of Police P \V. Brown made two or three arrests during the !holidays for minor infractions of the | law, but there were fewer drunks than usual at this time of year. Sheriff Reid made about his usual number of arrests over the week-end, most of the violators being negroes charged with ’ assault. ---a 14 LICENSES TO MARRY ISSUED -® Is Largest Number Issued In Any Month of 1930; 11 White, 3 Colored j The number of marriage licenses issued in Washington County during December, 1930, is larger than for any other month in more than a year, I records in the office of the register of deeds here show. Fourteen permits Iwere granted during the month, and a 'large number of these came during the holiday season. Eleven white and three colored couples applied for and received licenses during the month just past, while in December, 1929, the count was six white and four colored, an increase of 4(L per cent being re gis tered. ( The 14 licenses issued last month by Mrs. Addie L. Brinkley, register of de ds, went to the following: White Miller M. Smith and Frances Brick house, both of Creswell. Lloyd Lucas and Thelma Louise Gaylord, both of Wilson. Howard Clifton naif Frances Lang I ley, both of Creswell. i Louis M. Lamb and Gertrude j Spruill, both of Roper, j Melvin Guy Spruill and Stathel Irene Sawyer, both of Creswell. Willie E. Marriner and Mary j Spruill, both of Roper. W. L. Jarvis, of Pantego, and May . bell Alexander, of Plymouth. | James Arnold and Irma Jackson, both of Mackeys. Richard Tiverton, of Mackeys, and Selma Hassell, of Roper. J. E. Skittletharpe and Cora E. I.eary, both of Roper. Joe Spruill and Fanny Leary, both of Roper. Colored Isaiah Spruill and Clara Moore, both of Roper. Jamie Moore and Bell Selby, both of Pantego. Isaac Palin and Bessie Moore, both of Skinnersville Township. LIGHT SERVICE INTERRUPTED Wire Thrown On Lines at Dardens Stops Service In Several Towns Customers served by the \ irginia Electric and Power Company's trails- | mission line from Tarboro to Colum- | bin were without service several i hours last Saturday afternoon and eve- | tiing when a sin rt circuit was made j by a piece of barbed wire thrown a- i cross the lines near Dardens. The j trouble puzzled /plant attendants in Roanoke Rapids, a first test indicat ing that the trouble was between Ro anoke Rapids and Tarboro. A later test indicated that t}ie trouble was below Jamesville, and service was not restored here until about 9:30 Satur day night. There was a large num ber of people in town late that eve ning and the lack of lighting facili ties caused considerable loss to local merchants, as most of the visitors had returned home before service was re , I sullied. Towns served by the company a- | hove Jamesville were without current for only a few hours, while it is un derstood the local plant at Columbia was operated for customers in that section. Employees are investigating the source of the trouble, and an ef fi rt will be made to prosecute the j one responsible for the costly act. I Sale of Town License Plates Is Very Slow Chief of Police P. W. Brown said yesterday that the sale of town automobile license plates was proceeding very slowly, with the majority of car owners still without their 1931 plates. All local cars are required to have the tags displayed by Jan uary 1st, and no extension of the time has been authorized by the Town Council. The chief is giving his final warning, and says that owners of cars without the new plates who drive after Thursday will be given sum mons. Tags are on sa’.e at the city clerk's office and by the chief of police. RESUME WORK IN COUNTY SCHOOLS -<$> Plymouth Schools Reopen Wednesday; Others Thursday \\ itli all of the county schools, ex cept Plymouth, reopening Thursday, January 1st, students entered upon the long stretch of work and study that will have very few let-ups until the schools close some time in May. The Plymouth City Schools opened a day earlier than the others in the county, and teachers and pupils alike have settled down to the steady grind im mediately preceding mid-term exami nations. The percentage of children enrolled in average daily attendance has cons tituted the chief problem so far for most of the teachers and superinten dents, who hope to make better re cords along this line during the re mainder of the school yeai. While the Plymouth City Schools have had a very good average daily attendance ever since opening in September, other schools in the county have not fared so well. Many absences have been caused by the fact that children in the rural sections were needed to help harvest crops, and since this season is past the authorities are expecting better records to be made. FIRM TO DONATE PART OF PROFITS Ice Cream Manufacturers To Aid in Relief for Unemployed Mr. Fred Shumate, resident man ager of Southern Dairies, in Wilson recently announced a plan of his company that will help unemploy ment relief work in Plymouth. In a letter to Mayor Walker he stated that Southern Dairies will donate 5 per cent on the retail price of each pint package and 10 per cent of the retail price of all fancy ice cream form orders to this work, the money to he turned over to a local agency for the relief of the unemployed. Mayor Walker was asked to desig nate the organization to handle the funds here, and he wrote the com pany that the Chamber of Commerce had a committee for such purposes. It is expected that the money received from this source will be handled dirough the Salvation Army fund ■aised by the chamber of commerce recently. SPECIAL SERVICE IN ROPER FRIDAY Churches Have Joint Serv ice For Receiving Gifts For Needy -» Roper, Dec. 30.—Last Friday night members of the Episcopal, Methodist, and Baptist churches presented jointly a special service, called the White Christmas, at the Methodist Church. Special Christmas music was ren dered by a choir composed of the most talented singers of the three churches. The junior girls acted as candle bear ers, singing a number of carols out side the church and then marching in and placing lighted tapers around the altar. The smaller children acted as gift bearers, marching in with many beau tiful and useful gifts and presenting them to the babe in the manger and hi - mother, Mary, represented by Mrs. Dick Peacock. The gifts, numbering at omul 45, were later distributed among the needy and poor people of the community. CLUB MEMBERS OF COUNTY TO SERVE LUNCH Farmers and Wives and Business Men Urged To Attend Washington County's ‘Outlook .meeting.’ one of a series being held in every county in North Carolina during the months of January and February, is scheduled for Thursday of next week, January 8. at 10 o'clock a. in., it was announced this week by County ‘Agent R. E. Dunning. The meeting will lie held in the courthouse here. | Farmers and their wives, business men, merchants, bankers, members of civic organizations, doctors. lawyers, agriculture teachers. newspapermen, and county officials are particularly i urged to attend the meetings, which jare being held for a discussion of the agricultural situation in each section. The meeting will he purley local in nature, it is understood, and there will lie two State extension service wor kers here to assist in evert- way pos sible. One of the workers will be a man from the extension service staff, while the other is a woman from Mrs. Jane McKimmon's State Department o: home economics. Problems pecu liar to Washington County will be brought up and discussed, and the outlook for the year reviewed, i One of the outstanding features of the meeting is expected to be a live-at home luncheon served by men of the IS home demonstration clubs of the county tinder the direction of Miss Covington. This luncheon will be served to all those attending at the close of the meeting, j Mr. Dunning stated that the team of extension workers will reach Ply mouth the afternoon of the day before the meeting and they will be glad to meet with groups of business men, re IprcsentativeS of civic clubs, etc., and explain to them in a brief way the outlook for agriculture in 1931. They | will also present local county facts and I try to acquaint the business people with the agricultural situation in the county. Preparations for the meeting are un der the direction of Mr. R. E. Dunning and Miss Pratt Covington, county farm and home demonstration agents, respectively. They are urging every farmer and his wife in the county to be present for the gathering, which will begin at 10 o'clock and last as long as necessary, with the luncheon to be served by the club members following immediately after. The pri mary purpose of the meeting is to have it serve as a get-to-gether affair for the farmers and business people to the end that they may better un derstand the problems facing them and cooperate more effectively during the present business and agricultural emergency. Mis* Covington, in a letter to The Beacon this week, stated that in ad dition to discussions by the two ex Wusion workers, several county of ficials will be asked to take part in the program. She also said that every )ciub officer in the county was ex pected to see that as many club mem ibtrs and their husbands were present as possible. Home Agent's Schedule For 2 Weeks Announced Miss Pratt Covington, who is spend ing the Christmas holidays with re latives in Rockingham, in a letter to '1 he Beacon this week, announced her schedule for the next two weeks, as follows: Week beginning January 5th: Mon daw Plymouth; Tuesday. Hoke; Wed nesday, Plymouth (Roper Club will meet Tuesday, January loth); Thurs day. County-wide live-at-home meet ing: Friday, Cherry; Saturday, curb market. Week beginning January 12th: Mon day, Scuppernong; Tuesday, Roper; Wednesday, Albemarle; Thursday, 'Zion; Friday, Wenona; Saturday, curb market. -# Roper Christian Church Has Christmas Party -® Roper, Dec. 30.—Monday evening the members of the Christian Church held their annual Christmas pastry at their parish house near here. A pro gram of appropriate music was render ed by the choir and in ice cream course was served by the ladies of the church, 1 he church was beautifully decorated w:th evergreens and colored lights. r D. Temple of Scotland Keck made an average net profit of $15 a head from 22 baby beeves of the Hereford breed which he raised and fattened on his home farm and sold in ' Baltimore recently.
The Roanoke Beacon and Washington County News (Plymouth, N.C.)
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Jan. 2, 1931, edition 1
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