North Carolina Newspapers

"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIilllllllllllllllllllllillllllllll'^ A home newspaper dedicated = to the service of Washington = County and its 12,000 people. § miiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiimiiiiiiniiiimmiiimiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiui^ The Roanoke beacon ★ ★★★★★★★★★ And Washington County News ★★★★★★★★★★ ^iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiifiiiiiimiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiir^ H Advertisers will find Beacon § and News columns a latch-key to i 1,100 Washington County homes. fiimiiimiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiimimiiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiiiiiiiiimMiii VOLUME 42—NUMBER 3 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Friday, January 23, 1931. ESTABLISHED 1889 'Himimniiiiiimm COUNTY CONVICT PURLOINS CAR AND RUNS AMUCK Ran Over Negro Man and Wrecks Car in Edenton Saturday Charley Alexander, trusty at the county prison farm near here, drove an automobile wildly through the streets of Edenton last Saturday aft ernoon, ran over a negro man, break mg both legs, crashed into two auto mobiles and a tree, and then fled to freedom in a stolen car. He was cap tured later Saturday) night at the home of his father, Charles Alexan der, and placed in the Edenton jail on a charge of escape. He was to have been heard in recorder’s court there Tuesday, but the case was postponed until next week. Although bruised considerably in the crash into the tree, he was not seriously injured. Alexa?tder had been taken to Eden ton by VV. C. Spruill, a guard at the prison camp, in order that the con vict might see his parents. Before reaching Alexander's home, Spruill bad to stop in Edenton on an errand, and left the convict in the automo bile. Alexander is then alleged to have driven to a bootlegger’s place and loaded up with whisky. Then he went on a rampage, colliding with two au tomobiles and running down the negro. He finally wrecked the guard’s car by running into a tree. The pris oner then confiscated another car and drove in the direction of Windsor. That was the last seen of him until be drove to his home in the stolen car. -$ LITTLE GIRL DIES EARLY MONDAY -® Helen Louise Davenport, 4 Years Old, Is Victim Of Pneumonia -a, Helen Louise Davenport, four-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Davenport, of the Scuppernong sec tion, died Monday morning, January 19 after an illness lasting only a few days. Pneumonia was the cause of the little girl’s death. She was stricken last Wednesday and suffered intensely until her death Monday. Little Helen was a very bright and lovable child and will be sadly missed by many. Besides her parents, she is survived by one leister, Virginia, three brothers, Leroy. Howard and Dan; her grandparents, and several aunts and uncles. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the members of the bereaved family. Rev. Roy Respass, pastor of the Scuppernong Christian Church, con ducted the funeral service. Interment was made in the cemetery at Scupper nong. -« Indulging Too Freely in Spirits Leads to Arrest Pleading guilty to a charge of lar ceny Leo White prominent young man of color, of Mackeys Ferry, was Wed nesday assigned to the County Road Camp for a term of five months, by Recorder K. L. Owens, at a special session of the court. Interviewed today at the trial Leo stated that the cause of his sudden downfall was attributed to excessive use of a well known Washington County product of liquid form. It seems that Leo, after having indulged too freely of the warmth-giving fluid yesterday strolled down to Mackeys railroad station and there the affects of his beverage began to wane in his body but to congest in his head and as a consequence he stepped abroad the Norfolk Southern passenger train and threw Captain Pruden’s best over coat out the window with a view of making further use of same after the train should leave, having neglected to obtain the Captain’s permission and assent to the loan. As a result Leo was arrested for theft. -<?> Mrs. Sarah Stillman O’Neal' Died Friday Mrs. Sarah O’Neal Stillman, the wife of Mr. Carlie Stillman, a former resident of the Pleasant Grove section, died Friday, January 16. She was born May 25, 1904, and married Mr. Still man on September 24, 1921. Surviving are her husband, three children, Iris, Claud, Julian, and Car lie Jr.; four sisters, Mrs. Joe Davis, of Alligator: Mrs. Dewey Norris, of Columbia; Mrs. Percy Hughes, of Eli zabeth City: and Miss Hilda Billie O’Neal, of Swan Quarter. Funeral services were conducted in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Sunday morning, January 18, at 10 o’ clock. Interment followed in the ceme tery at Riders Creek. Her loss will be deeply felt in her community and church. Agent Expecting Increased Tobacco Acreage in Countg County Agent R. D. Dunning has been kept busy recently cleaning and retreating tobacco seed, in dications now pointing to an in creased acreage to this crop in Washington County next year. Mr. Dunning said Tuesday that he had already treated enough seed to plant about 1,000 acres, and he expects to have more brought to him on the two Saturdays remain ing on his schedule. While many farmers are un decided about the number of acres to be devoted to tobacco, the farm agent said he expected to see more than 1,200, which was approxi mateiy the acreage given to the weed last year. Many farmers were unable to obtain plants last year, and this was a deciding factor in keeping the acreage down. Extension workers, the farm agent, and others informed as to the outlook for the price of tobac co this year are all advising a cur tailment of acreage, but it begins to look now as if Washington County farmers are going to dis regard the advice. Some farmers plan to cut down on the amount planted, while a few have an nounced their intention of aban doning the crop altogether. Salvation Army Appeals for Clothing, Shoes, and Books For Poor Children of County Town Tax Collections Ahead of Last Year -® The collection of town taxes is proceeding better than gen erally expected, it was reported at the city clerk's office yester day, Although definite figures were not obtainable, it is thought that the amount collect ed at this time is a little ahead of collections at the same time last year. Chief P. W. Brown, who is also tax collector, is go ing after the delinquents, and it is hoped that there will be less property to sell this year than there was in 1930. RECORDER HAD THREE CASES All-Day Session Was Held Tuesday, Despite Small Number Cases Although only four cases were dis posed of in recorder’s court here Tues day, the court was kept in session the entire day, several of the cases being bitterly contested, although they were not of major importance. Fines for the day totalled $75, and one defendant will spend the next four months at the prison farm near here, as a result of the proceedings. Webb Patrick was found guilty of operating an automobile in a reckless manner and of not yielding the proper amount of highway to a car approach ing from the opposite direction, and was assessed a fine of $35 and one half of the court costs. Tom Patrick, jointly indicted with the defendant in the preceding action, was found guilty of disorderly con duct and fined $10 and the other half of the costs. James and Jethro Respass were booked on a charge of larceny, but the jury brought in a verdict of guilty of receiving and having in their posses sion stolen property, knowing it to have been stolen, and they were each given a sentence of four months on the county roads. David Wood and Ann Nora Williams were found guilty of simple assault. Wood was fined $20 and one-half the costs, while Ann Williams was asses sed $10 and the other half of the costs. -# James William Marriner Dies at Home Near Roper -® James William Marriner, prominent farmer of the Back Woods section, near Roper, died at his home there Monday, January 10, after an illness of several months. Mr. Marriner was 72 years old, and had gradually been growing weaker for some time. Funeral services were held at the Piney Grove Chur h Tuesday after noon, January 20th, interment being made in the cemetery at the church. Mr. Marriner is survived by two bro thers. -.. — Missionary Society Meeting At Roper . — The Roper Circuit Missionary Auxi liary of the Methodist church held its regular monthly meeting at the home of Mrs. H. M. Williams Monday af ternoon. A very interesting program was rendered on the subject of “Stewardship." Those taking part in the program included Mrs. J. Bas com Hurley. Mrs. H. M. Williams, and Mrs. Jack Alistcr. Following the [business session a social hour was en joyed, delicious refreshments being served by the hostess. The next meet ing will be held with Mrs. Jack Mc Mister in February. i MANY UNABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL, SURVEY SHOWS ■■«<? Average Daily Attendance Records Suffer in Many Schools The local post of the Salvation Ar my is in need of old clothing and shoes, it was stated by Mrs. W. C. Brewer Tuesday. Many children are being kept out of school due to the inadequacy of their clothing, and the Army relief workers hope to remedy the situation by gathering these arti cles and distributing them to the needy. A program was put on at the Roper school by Envoy and Mrs. Brewer Tuesday morning followin which they asked the children to bring what articles of discarded clothing that their parents could spare. Books are also needed by many children in order to continue tluir studies, it was said. Food is being furnished to a number of people by the local post, the cost of which is taken « are of by donations secured during the drive put on here last month. Mrs. Brewer stated, how ever, that there were not funds enough to buy clothing and books for all the requests received, and for that reason the workers are soliciting these arti cles throughout the county. Average daily attendance records in several of the county schools are suf fering. particularly in the primary de partments. according to Mrs Brewer. ^ When parents arc asked why the children are not attending the usual Tinswer is that they do not have "U! jficient clothing to brave the winter weather. Shoes are especially needed for the smaller children at this time. 6 civTlcases in SUPERIOR COURT Court Finished Work and Adjourned Thursday At Noon Taking up the trial of civil cases Wednesday ol last week, the superior court of Washington completed the calendar Thursday, and Judge W. C. Harris, of Raleigh, who presided, ad journed the court for the term at noon. Only a few cases were disposed of, most of the actions being of minor importance. Judgments were rendered by default in most of the cases tried. Cases disposed of were as follows: Phalis Barnes vs. Bertie Barnes, di vorce granted. J. S. Shugar vs. Arthur Woodley et als. Judgment was rendered in favor of the plaintiff in the sum of $544.93 and interest. General Motors Acceptance Cor poration vs. Hattie A. and 1’. H. Bell. Judgment for plaintiff in sum of $40 and interest. General Motors Acceptance Corpor ation vs. Claudius McGowan. Judg ment for plaintiff in sum oi $106 and interest. Ivan Pyshny vs. Mabel Pyshny; di vorce granted. J. S. Shugar vs. George McX'air. et als. Judgment of $343 and interest rendered in favor of plaintiff. Infant Daughter of Mr. And Mrs. J. L. Ange Dies Little Helen Gray Ange, one-year old daughter of Mr. and Mr?. Joseph Leon Ange. who live about two miles from Plymouth on the old Mackeys road, died Tuesday morning, January 20th. The little girl had been sick for several days prior to her death. The funeral was held Wednesday by Dr. Conley Grier, pastor of the Ply mouth Christian Church, interment being made in the family burying ground on the old Ange home place. » NEGRO KILLED NEAR DARDENS LATE SUNDAY Struck by Car Driven by Louis Philip Hornthal, Of Plymouth -3t>~ Thelton James, 19-year-old negro, was almost instantly killed late last Sunday afternoon when lie was '-truck by an automobile driven by Louis Phillip Hornthal. jr., of this city, a short distance from Dardens in Mar tin county. Young Hornthal stopped his car, and after investigating the condition of the injured man, hurried back to Plymouth for a doctor and to report the case to officers. James died, however, before the doctor arrived. Martin County authorities were im mediately notified, and Coroner S. R. Biggs, of Williamston, conducted an inquest. After examining several wit nesses, the jury exonerated Hornthal. declaring the killing was accidental, and that the driver of the car was not responsible in any way for the hap pening. In his story to the jury, Herman James, a friend to Thelton, stated that he and Thelton started to cross the road, that he saw the Hornthal car coming from Plymouth and two others traveling toward Plymouth. He realized that he could not cross safely until the cars passed, and he warned against his friend’s attempt to cross. Young Hornthal, who is very popu lar iiere, stated that he was driving between 35 and 40 miles an hour, that it was just about dark and there was a drizzling rain falling, making it difficult for him to see. He did not see the colored boy, and the evidence given at the inquest proved that he was driving on his side of the road at a reasonable rate of speed. He was accompanied by his sister, Miss Martha Hornthal, at the time the ac cident occurred. ROPER TEAMS WIN TWO MORE Defeat Creswell 23-21 and 49-14, To Keep Record Clear of Losses -® Both of Crcswell's basketball teams went down to defeat at the hands of Roper Friday evening on the local court at the school auditorium. The girls' game was close and hard fought, Roper finally winning 23-21. Peacock and Spruill were high scorers for Roper with 9 and 12 points, respec tively. Spear and Furlough led the scoring for the visiting lassies. In the boys’ game, the locals count ed a 49-14 victory, with some beauti ful long shots being counted by both teams. Everett, Blount, Griffin, and Peacock looked the best for winners and counted most of the markers. Thus far this season, neither of the Roper teams have lost a game. Mount Tabor Women Reorganize Aid Society Ladies of the Mount Tabor Free Will Baptist Church met Tuesday after noon of last week and reorganized the Ladies’ Aid Society of the church. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mrs. Lillie Bateman; vice president, Mrs. Martha Jane Phelps: secretary, Miss Caddie Hairr: assistant secretary, Mrs. Florence Furlough; treasurer, Mrs. Lucy Davenport; cor responding secretary. Miss Adelia Am brose; sick committee, Mrs. Aletha Furlough, Mrs. Casanda Barnes, and Mrs. Sallie Hairr. Twenty-two members were enroll ed at the initial meeting last week. The next meeting is scheduled to he held at the church on Tuesday after noon, February 10, at 2:30 o’clock. The members of the society wish to express their thanks to Rev. and Mrs. Ernest Poston for their interest and work in effecting a reorganization of the society. Home Agent’s Schedule For Week Is Announced Miss Pratt Covington, county de monstration agent, yesterday an nounced her schedule for the week lie ginning Monday, January 26, as fol lows : Monday, Wenona: Tuesday, Scup pernong; Wednesday, Beech Grove; Thursday, Pinev Grove: Friday, lea ders’ school on house furnishings, at 10 o’clock in the courthouse, Ply mouth; Saturday, curb market. -*> Recorder’s Court To Be Held Monday Next Week It was announced yesterday that the term of recorder’s court scheduled to be held next Tuesday would he moved up a day to Monday. Judge Ed ward L. Owens is required to appear before a pardon board in Raleigh on Tuesday, which is the reason for the change in the regular time of the ' court. I Canning Plant Operator Makes Proposition to County Growers Begin Installation of Water Meters in Town This Week A crew of workmen under the supervision of Irving E. Ange, of the municipal water and ice plant, began the installation of water me ters here Monday. There are about 250 of the instruments to be put in, and it is hoped to complete the work by March 1st. Five men are engaged in the task. City Clerk Moye Spruill stated this week that none of the meters will be used until all of them have been installed. Consumers will continue to pay at a flat rate now prevailing until then. The City Council has not yet decided on the rates to apply after the meters are installed, although it is expected that they will be worked out on a sliding scale above a certain quan tity as minimum. Consumers are advised to make a close check of water lines and plumbing fixtures on their proper ty before the new rates are esta blished, as leaky fixtures will run bills up faster than anything else after they are put on meters. The city clerk said that after all of the meters were installed 1a general inspection would be made by town authorities, and whereever defec tive fixtures of lines are found the owners will be required to have them repaired or service will be discontinued. MUST GET AWAY FROM ONE CROP TYPE FARMING Creswell Teacher Advises Adherence to Live-At Home Program '-eg By C. H. Rabon (Creswell Agriculture Instructor) In order that we may overcome this great depression now resting upon us we must begin following the line at home program with greater interest than ever before. Xow what do we mean when we speak in terms of liv ing at home? It isn't just merely staying at home, but growing on the farm all of the foods and feed stuffs needed through the entire year for for both the family and live-stock. The farmers of today must stop thinking in terms of one crop or in terms of only money crops. Under the present system of farming, we should realize that no cash crop will bring us sufficient income to support the pre sent standard of living on the farm. Only a well rounded system of farm ing will bring about the sufficient in come. The 1931 planting season is rapidly approaching and as you begin making plans for spring planting bear in mind that you should first of all plan to make a living. Set aside sufficient amount of land for a large garden, grow enough feed for your live .-.took, see to it that your chickens are getting plenty of green feed for the produc tion of eggs, sow your neglected fields in pastures for your Swine herd and cattle, and at the close of the year you will be more satisfied with your system of farming than if you had planted only one or two cash crops. Do not risk all eggs in one basket. FEDERAL ACT TO GIVE LITTLE AID Feed, Seed, afid Fertilizer Loans Not Expected To Help County Farmers But little aid can be expected in Washington County from the special $45,000,000 drought and flood relief fund recently made available by the United States Government, if the fund i> to he administered along the lines of the one last year, County Agent R. K. Dunning said yesterday. Last year not one loan was made in this coun ty. due to the restrictions imposed by the government. The act passed last week by Con gress, and signed by the President, sets up a $45,000,000 fund to he loaned to farmers whose crops were ruined by the drought and floods of last sum mer for the purchase of seed, feed, and fertilizer. The county agent here has not received any information about the arranging of loans under the measure so far, and it is not known whether or not the county is included in the stricken areas or not. Zion Home Demonstration Club in Meeting Thursday -- I he Zion Home Demonstration clul> met last Thursday at the home of Mrs. J. Knowles. Miss Covington, the home demonstration agent, gave an interesting demonstration on pic tures, bringing out the value of a pic ture in each room, telling how to hang them, selecting the type suitable for each room, and other particulars. Mrs. Jesse Knowles was appointed yard improvement leader, and Miss Mattie Davenport will give a short de monstration at the February meeting as a special feature. Mrs, Knowles 'served delightful refreshments. I TOWN COUNCIL HOLDS MEETING FRIDAY NIGHT -\ Order Sale of Property for Paving Assessments on Monday, March 2 -® The Town Council held its regular meeting at the Muncipal Building last Friday night. Mayor R. P. Walker presided over the session, which was attended by the following Council members: Harry Stell, A. E. Brothers, H. C. Spruill, G. I). Spruill. G. D. Davis, and B. G. Campbell. A contract was signed with the Vir ginia Electric and Power Company for furnishing electric current to run the new electric pump for the water system. The pump was ordered last month and is expected to arrive within a few weeks. When the new pumping equipment is installed the town will do away with its present steam plant, the cost of operating which has be come excessive since the town ceased generating the electric power used here. The council passed an order authori zing the town tax collector, P. W. Brown, to advertise and sell property on which the fourth paving install ments have not been paid. Chief Brown said yesterday that the sale would be held on the fourth Monday in March, while the advertising will start the first week in February. Those who have not paid their assessments by February 1st will have the costs added. W. R. Hardison’s resignation as night policeman was accepted by the council, and George Coburn was ap pointed to serve in his place. An informal discussion was held re lative to the installation of the new pump, although no action was taken. It is probable that a small brick build png large enough for the new appara tus will be erected at the water tank. Definite arrangements will be made after blue prints are received showing the amount of space required and other specifications of the new equip ment. Pleasant Grove Woman’s Club Holds Meet Tuesday -® Mrs. H. G. Spruill and Mrs. \V. B. Everett were joint hostessess to the Pleasant Grove Woman’s Club Tues day afternoon at the home of Mrs. Spruill. The new president, Mrs. J. C. Tarkenton, presided. Following the club songs, collection, roll call and minutes, leaders were elected for the new year as follows: Mrs. W. B. Chesson, Mrs. L. D. Col lins, and Mrs. W. D. Davenport. Mrs. J. C. Tarkenton was named leader for yard improvement: Mrs. \Y. A. Swain, garden leader: and Mrs. T. E. Ainsley was chosen to sponsor a personal de monstration for the February meeting. Plans for the year’s work were also discussed. After the busine^ meeting, Mi»ss Covington gave a splendid demonstra tion on “Picture Study,” including in formation on selecting, hanging, and arra ging pictures for different rooms in the home. \ social hour followed. during which a tasty sweet course was served. The next meeting will be with Mrs. Ida Hodges, in February. -$ Small Fire Friday Morning Calls Out Local Company -® The firemen were called out last Friday morning to extinguish a small blaze at the home of Tom Razor, co hered, on the corner of Adams and Fourth Streets. Two small holes were i burned in the roof, very little damage (resulting. The fire is believed to have (originated from sparks from the chim ! ncy falling on the roof. PRICE RANGE IS FROM 20 TO 35 CENTS BASKET Farmers Meeting Is To Be Held Here Thursday, January 29 Prospects lor the operation of the tomato canning plant here again this year took a definite turn this week when Mr. John \V. Darden received a letter front Mr. Carroll Crockett, operator of the plant last year mak ing a tentative proposition to the growers of the County for their prod uct. The price received by the grow ers last year averaged about 25 cents per basket. while the proposition made this week by Mr Crockett i- on a little different basis, the price rang ing fro 20 cents per basket to 35 cents. Following is the scale of prices of fered by the canning plant operator for this year: From June 10 to June 20. 5 cents per basket for green to matoes: from June 20 to July 4. 30 cents per basket for green tomatoes; from July 4 to July 12, green toma toes, 25 cents per basket: ripe toma toes, from June 10 to July 4. 25 cents per basket; and all green and ripe to matoes, from July 12 for balance of season, 20 cents per basket. Mr. Darden is expecting Mr. Crock ett to be here within the next few days to hold a conference with a number of leading farmers, and it is expected that complete details will be worked out at this conference. A general mass meeting of tomato growers was also announced by Mr. George \Y. Hardi son to be held at the courthouse here next Thursday morning, January 20, at 10:30 a. m., when it is thought a definite proposition will be submitted to them. Mr. Darden is acting as representative of Mr. Crockett, and he expects to be able to present de tails of the plan of operatioi this year at the meeting next Thursday. It is not know how the above prices will be received by the growers. Some farmers lost money on the crop last year, while others made a profit at 25 cents per basket. County Agent R. E. Dunning said yesterday that under the above proposition lie did not be lieve the crop would average bringing the producers more than 22 1-2 or 23 cents a basket as very few would be al le to market green tomatoes during the period from June 10 to 20. when the price is 35 cents. Some would probably get in on the 30-cent price, and many would be able to sell part of their crop at 25 cents, but the ma jority of the yield would bee esold at 20 cents, lie believes, thus bringing the average down. hast year it is estimated that around ,1.000 acres were planted to the crop in his county, and approximately $65,000 were paid out to the growers by the cannery during the season. The county agent believes the biggest problem connected with the under taking is to secure a better yield, and with the experience gained from last year it is beileved that this can be brought about. Mr. Dunning said that an average of 400 to 450 baskets to the acre should be realized if the plants were given proper attention, and yields as high as 700 baskets per acre were reported last year. It is felt that if the farmers will plant fewer acres and then give the crop closer attention than they did in 1930 they will receive a much high er net return. The crop is not con sidered a difficult one to raise, re quiring very little cultivation. The most expensive part of the work is gathering and transporting the prod uct. Town License Tag Sale Is About at Standstill The sale of town automobile license plates has about come to a standstill, according to City Clerk M. \\ Move. So far about two-thirds a> many tags have been sold as were used last year. Mr. Move stated that a number of people had put their cars up and were not driving them, and that this condi tion was in a large measure respon sible for the falling off in sales this year. -#-— Prospects Are For Small Acreage of May Peas i'he acreage to May peas in this county will likely undergo a drastic curtailment this year, according to County Farm Agent R. E. Dunning. Last year there was very little realized cm this crop in the section, and many are planning to do away with it al together. A few farmers have ordered seed lor planting about the middle of February, it is understood. I