'glllllllllllMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII& = A home newspaper dedicated = 5 to the service of Washington = = County and its 12,000 people. = ifiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiii The Roanoke beacon ★ ★★★★★★★★★ And Washington County News ★★★★★★★★★★ lUiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimi'^ § Advertisers will find Beacon = = and News columns a latch-key to |j = 1,100 Washington County homes. § riliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii? Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Friday, May 22, 1931 VOLUME XLII—NUMBER 21 ESTABLISHED 1889 ANNOUNCE PROGRAM OF CLOSING EXERCISES FOR PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL HUBERT POTEAT TO BE SPEAKER ON FRIDAY, 29TH First on Program Will Be Commencement Sermon Sunday Morning Dr. Hubert McNeil Poteat, of Wake Forest College, lias been secured to deliver tbe literary address at tbe graduating exercises of tbe Plymouth High School here Friday night, May 2b, Supt. E. H. Hicks announced yes terday. It is expected that a large crowd will be present to hear this noted edu cator and speaker. The diplomas will be awarded to tbe 23 members of the graduating class at this time by Sup erintendent Hicks. There are 9 boys and 14 girls in the class this year. Tbe first of tbe commencement ex ercises of tbe Plymouth High School will be tbe baccalaureate address on Sunday morning at 11 o’clock by Rev. A. S. Barnes, of the Methodist or phanage of Raleigh. The address will be delivered at the high school audi torium. Members of the graduating class will be present in a body. The public is cordially invited to attend this service. The music recital will be given on Wednesday night at 8 o'clock. The Toy orchestra, Glee Club, and town pupils will take part. This program is under the direction of Mrs. E. H. Hicks. Clas§ night will be held ihursday nifeht at 8 o’clock. A special program has been prepared for the occasion by the seniors, and the public is cordially invited. It is expected that large crowds will attend each of the programs, and es pecially on Friday night, at which time Dr. Hubert McNeil Poteat will de liver the literacy address. AUXILIARY HAS 1000 POPPIES TO SELL SATURDAY -- - Will Be On Sale in Ply mouth, Roper, and Columbia Saturday, May 23, which has been proclaimed National Poppy Day by the American Legion Auxiliary, will be observed in Washington and Tyr rell Counties by the sale of poppies. One thousand poppies have been or dered, and Mrs. Sidney Smithson, of Creswell, under whose direction the sale will be conducted, is expecting all of these to be sold. These flowers are made by disabled World War veterans, who receive one penny each for all they make. Mrs. Smithson urges that the pub lic remember the mental strain of the non-compensated ex-service man in the hospital as he thinks of his wife and children at home with no income. Then open to him this opportunity whereby he can earn money by making poppies. I lie poppies WU1 L>e Oil Sdic in x iy mouth, Roper, Creswell, and Columbia, under the auspices of the Scttppernong Post, No. 182, of the American Legion Auxiliary. It is urged that the public keep this event in mind, and when you are approached by members of the Auxiliary Saturday, buy one or more poppies. The proceeds will go to dis abled World War veterans, their fam ilies and children who are in need of help. MANYFARMERS SHIP MAY PEAS Fairly Good Price Was Be ing Paid Early Part of This Week Washington County farmers arc busy this week gathering May peas and shipping them to northern markets. A number of buyers and solicitors of New York firms arc in the county this week buying and soliciting peas. A number of carloads were shipped on Tuesday, E. H. Liverman, of Ply mouth, having shipped a car Monday. Jack Swain also left Monday with a truck load of peas for New N ork. It is understood that a large crop of May peas will he produced in the county this year. During the first part of the week, a fairly good price was being paid. Local people are of the opinion that the crop of M„ay peas will firing a good pay roll into the county, resulting in a good hit of money being placed into circulation. 8> BELIEVE IT OR NOT I Vs Jim Johnston, assistant postmas ter at Roper, states that he had an unusual experience a few days ago when he opened a mail sack which contained only three letters, and all three letters were from differ ent states, yet each letter bore the name of the same town. Mr. Johnston is positive that this has never happened before, and he is confident that it will never happen again. SEVERAL CASES TRIED IN COUNTY COURT TUESDAY -—®— Usual Type of Docket Is Before Judge Owens In Short Session -« Recorder’s court was confronted with about the usual docket in Tues day’s session, however, none of the cases were as long drawn out as some times is the case. Isaac Pailino, Jr., and Ben Hedge beth were tried on assault charges. Iledgeheth was found not guilty while Pailino was convicted of a simple as sault. He was sentenced to the coun ty roads for three months. Joe Burnett and Henry C. Norman, colored, were tried and convicted of simple assault. Both were given sus pended road sentences of fit) days each, on condition that they pay fines of j $15 and half of the cost each. J. L. McIntyre was tried and con victed on two counts, for an assault and being a nuisance. He was given a four months road sentence, to be suspended on condition that he pay the cost and be of good behavior and stay sober. Alexander James, colored, was hailed into court on charges of seduction, it being aleged that he seduced a colored maiden. The girl was present, and it was agreed that the best way out of the situation was for the defendant to marry the plaintiff. Accordingly, the two were married and went hap pily on their way. SINGING CLASS GIVES CONCERT - Large Audience Is Well Pleased With Program Last Saturday ■ ■ when she tell on the sidewalk while leaving the First Baptist church here. ; She fell while descending the steps, j Medical aid was summoned, and upon examination it was learned that she ; suffered a cracked shoulder cap and several minor bruises about her arm and limbs. BABY SHOW LAST i FRIDAY NIGHT IS GREAT SUCCESS Total of $175.85 Is Realized By Methodist Young Women’s Society Tlie baby show, sponsored and staged here last Friday night by the Young Woman's Missionary Society of the Methodist church proved a big success in every way. A vast crowd attended tbe show Friday night, and the Society received $175.85, which is practically clear, only a few expenses to come out of this amount. This money will be used for paying on the new pipe organ of the Meth odist church. The Young Women's Missionary Society has been making money in various ways for this fund during tbe past several months. To date, approximately half of the pur chase price of the organ has been raised by these ladies, the purchase price of the organ being $900. William Swain, of htc younger group, and Mary Lillian Campbell in the group over three years of age, were awarded the two five-dollar gold pieces for having received the largest number of votes. The following babies in tbe young er group received prizes: Phyllis Davidson, Hill Willoughby, Raymond I.eggett, jr„ Gwendolyn Hurley, Bill Robbins, Martha Manning, Helen Gene Harrison, Ann Gaboon, Bobby Dunning, Joyce Dixon, Eleanor Jean Lockamay, Walter Ange, Joe Reid, the third. The older group, consisting of children over three years of age, to receive prizes were: Fanny Lee Wins low, Darrell Clayton, Priscilla Lyon, Katherine House, Peggy Joyce Cara wan. Mary Dean Groves, Zel> Vance Norman, jr„ Joyce Brewer, Charles Brown, Francis Stell Spruill, Francis Lane Bassinger. Sonny Williford, Priscilla Whitson, Buddy Alexander, Mary Cahoon, Zeno Lyon and Skinner Ayers. The program lasted from 8 until 10:30 o’clock last Friday evening. Lo cal merchants donated the prizes twarded to the winning babies. Mem bers of the Young Women’s Mis sionary Society stated yesterday that they desired to take this means of thanking the local merchants for the various prizes donated and also every one else who contributed to the show in any way. DISTRICT MEET OF MASONS HERE —®— Held Thursday Afternoon; Proves Big Success In Every Way -* 1 he district meeting of Masons held at Perseverance Lodge here Thurs day afternoon proved a big success in every way, a large attendance having been present. Distinguished Masons present for the occasion included J. W. Winborne, of Marion, Grand Master it" the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, and John H. Anderson, of Raleigh, Grand Secretary of the order. The meeting started at 3 o’clock in the aft ernoon and at 5 o’clock the lodge was thrown open to everybody, that is, in cluding Masons, their wives, lady friends, etc. During this hour refreshments were >erved and a general good time had ay every one. It will be remembered that Perseverance Lodge is one of the oldest Masonic lodges in the State, and located in one of the oldest towns of the State. Home Agent Announces Schedule for Next Week Miss Pratt Covington, county home demonstration agent, announced that her schedule for next week would be as follows: Monday, at Pleasant Grove; Tues day, Creswell; Wednesday, at Beech Grove; Thursday, at Piney Grove; andj Friday, at Plymouth. MAYOR SUGGESTS TOWN CUT SALARIES Snake in Church Is Cause of Disturbance During Service An uninvited snake, of rather huge proportions, caused consid erable excitement and came near breaking up the preaching service at Grace Episcopal church here Sunday night. The reptile was first discovered by the congregation crawling along the rafters of the ceiling of the church. The service was brought to a standstill when this discovery was made, but before anything could 1 be done, the snake concealed him self. Hence, the service was con tinued. It was not long, however, until the snake bobbed up on the pipe organ, causing still further excitement. But before any one could get to him, he had eased himself into a hole, where he could not be bothered. To date the snake has not been captured, and it is generally sup posed that he is still making his abode in the church. TOWN CLERK PRESENTS FIGURES ON FINANCIAL STATUS OF PLYMOUTH HOW I WISH TO LIVE i v> I wish to live without hate, whim, jealousy, envy, fear. I wish to be simple, honest, frank, natural, clean in mind and clean in body, unaf fected—to say “I do not know” if it be so, and to face any obstacle and meet every difficulty unabashed and unafraid. I wish others to live their lives, up to their highest, fullest,-and best. To that end I pray that I may never meddle, interfere, dictate, give ad vice that is not wanted, or assist when my services are not needed. If I can help people. I’ll do it by giving them a chance to help them selves; and if I can uplift or inspire, let it be by example, inference, and suggestion, rather than by injunc tion and dictation.—Elbert Hub bard. PONY IS KILLED AFTER BEING BIT BY RABID DOu -® Officers Report More Mad Dogs In Section Than In Number Of Years A pony belonging to T. C. Burgess, if Plymouth, was killed here \\ ednes lav morning by local officers after laving been bitten by a dog Sunday norning which was pronounced by the Mate laboratory to be suffering with •allies. Mr. Burgess’ dog was also killed M'/hesday1, though it jwas not mown that the hydrophobic dog bit lint. This measure having been tak m for precaution. It seems that the dog which bit Mr. Burgess’ pony Sunday was in the pos session of Lee Roy Smith, and it was lot known at the time whether the dog ivas suffering with rabies or not. How ever, the dog was killed, and its head ;ent to the State laboratory at Ra eigli for examination. State authori ses advised that the dog was suffer ng with hydrophobia. Chief P. VV. Brown killed a stray log which was loitering about the itreets here Wednesday morning. According to local officials, there lave been more mad dogs in this lection than has been known for sev eral years. Local citizens arc of the ipinion that every precaution possible should be taken in order to protect .'hildren as well as adults from dogs suffering with this terrible disease. Therefore, if you have a dog, it is idvised that you keep him at home aid not allow him to wander about it will. -- Dr. T. L. Bray spent Wednesday in Raleigh on business, having purchased i new Oldsmobile. FIXED CHARGES WILL CONSUME MOST OF LEVY Maintenance of the Sinking Funds Take Care of All Bonds, Report Shows At the meeting of the town coun- j oil ami mayor here Monday night, M. | \V. Spruill, city clerk, presented some facts and figures concerning the town’s indebtedness which should prove of interest to the people of Plymouth. Mr. Spruill stated that assuming the town keeps the same valuation that it now has, and if the annual budget i> 'met properly, then the town will have ! the following rate in 1936. He stated that in regards to sewer bonds the town has nothing to worry about, as I that is a fixed thing and with the sink ! ing fund now in effect of $2,749.17, and if the fixed sum of $1,709.62 is set aside every year the town will have sufficient funds to care for this bond debt when it falls due. Light and power bonds, he stated. , may also be forgotten, as that is a fixed thing, the town having the money , in the bank to meet this obligation when it comes due. I hen in 1936, Mr. Spruill stated that | the town’s bond debt of $85,000, called i Street and Improvement Bonds. Those I I bonds will start coming due in 1945. | j which is nine years later, at which | time the town will be clear of the $1,- \ 1709.62 sinking fund, as this will be! paid in full at this time. In 1936 should the city not have :levied one cent for the city share ot street and assessment at this time the Itown will have an unpaid bond debt i j of $145,000 and those bonds will re- j |tire annually at $5,000 and the inter- ! est which is $8,700, making a total ! of $13,700 to be paid each year. Hence, the town will have the fol- | lowing amount to pay each year from | |1936 to 1945: 1 Street assessment bonds, $5,000; in Iterest on the same, $8,700; interest on 1 street improvement bonds, $5,100; !sinking fund on sewer bonds, $1,709.62; |total long term liabilities, $20,509.62 per year. Then should the city operating ex penses be the same as that today, that is, $5,660, the total levy will be $26, 169.62 per year, and the total tax rate will be $2.35 and there will be no as sesment tax as the town has at pres ent. -$ Wheat and Soybeans Pay Farmer of Wake County Wheat and soybeans grown on four and one-half acres of land has netted j H. H. Atkins, of Wake County, a total of $246,50 in addition to the soybean hay and wheat straw used on the farm and 70 bushels of wheat that will be milled for home use. LEADING FARMER OF COUNTY DIES EARLY FRIDAY -. Daniel I. Marrow Dies At His Home At the Age of Fifty-three Years —«>—— Daniel 1. Marrow, 53 ye&r^ of age. I and one of Washington County's most iprominent farmers, died at his home about 2 o’clock Friday morning of last week, following a prolonged illness of approximately four months. Funeral services were conducted from the home at 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon with Rev. Conley Greer, of Plymouth, and Rev. Bascom Hurley, of Roper, officiating. Interment was made in Zion Church cemetery. The funeral was largely attended, many Plymouth and Roper people having attended. The floral offerings were very beautiful and manifested the high esteem in which the deceased was held by his neighbors and friends. Besides his wife. Mr. Marrow is survived by two daughters and two sons and many other near relatives. The deceased was one of the best known farmers in this county, having made quite a success at farming. He was a man of sterling character and had many friends not only in his own community hut throughout the county. * BUSY PREPARING PLANT HERE FOR TOMATO SEASON Manager Crockett Returns from Northern Cities To Make Arrangements - - Mr. Carroll Crockett returned to Plymouth Wednesday evening follow ing an extended business trip to New York and other northern cities. Dur ing the fishing season here Mr. Crock ett was engaged in the packing of fish roe and is now busy making prepara tions for the packing of tomatoes dur ing the coming season. Mr. Crockett stated that he intend ed to use local help entirely for the wrapping and packing of tomatoes this season. Heretofore, wrappers have been imported from Florida and else where. It is understood that something over a hundred people will be used during the tomato season. This will last for several weeks and will afford a sub stantial pay roll for Plymouth people. -$ Compliments Home Agent For Publicity in Beacon Miss Pratt Covington, home dem onstration agent, has just received a letter from Mrs. Jane S. MeKimmon, assistant director of home extension, of Raleigh, expressing appreciation of the story recently published in the Beacon relative to the county federa tion. She also stated that the page adver tisement sold by the club women tor securing a steam pressure cooker was a clever idea and that she desired to congratulate the ladies on their suc cess. Announce County Curb Market Prices Saturday Spring chickens 34c Mustard 2 l-2c lb. Spinach 2 l-2c II). )nions, hunch 5c i'urnips, hunch (large) 10c .ettuce, head 5c '.ggs, dozen 15c lonev 20c lb. Vater Ground Meal 3c lb. \sparagus, bunch 5c Spring Cabbage 2 l-4c lb. Fourteen varieties of vegetables were sold on the market last Saturday. Original Deed for Town of Plymouth Found in Old Newspaper Clipping Through the courtesy of Mrs. J. I*.. Blount, of Oakland Farm, The Bea con has been furnished with an ancient newspaper clipping of the original deed of Plymouth which we are again publishing for the benefit of our readers. The document is as follows: ''Through the courtesy of Capt. E. R. Latham we are in possession of the original deed and plot of the town of Plymouth. We publish the deed be low as near as it can be made out, for the wear of 103 years had faded the document to some extent. As will he seen from the deed, at the time of this transaction Washington county was a part of Tyrrell. “This Indenture made this the twenty-first day of January in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven —O— -O— —"C Hundred and ninety, between Arthur Rhodes and Millv, liis wife of the county of Tyrrell and State of North Carolina, one the one part and Charles Johnson, Kscj., Thomas Stewart, John Stewart, Edmond Blount, Jr., John Armistead, William Arinistead, Jr,, Thomas Hunter, Martin Byrd and Levi Blount, till of the State afore said, of the other part witnesseth that they the said Arthur Rhodes and Millv, his wife, for and in consider ation of the sum of Eight Hundred and Sixty pounds specie paid by the several proprietors of the lots laid off on the land hereby to be conveyed by this present writing and for divers other good causes and considerations then there unto moving and for and in consideration of five shillings current money to them in hand paid by Clras. Johnson, Esq., Thomas Stewart, John Stewart, Edition (Blount. :jr.. John Armistead, Jr., Thomas Hunter, Mar tin Byrd and Levi Blount the receipt I whereof the said Arthur Rhodes and M illy, his wife, doth hereby acknowl edge and themselves therewith fully satisfied and paid, they the said Ar thur Rhodes and A1 illy, his wile, hath granted, bargained and sold aliened and confirmed and by their presents 'doth grant, bargain and sell, alien and confirm unto the said Charles John ston, Esq., Thomas Stewart, John j Stewart, John Armistead, William Armistead, Jr., Thomas Hunter, Ed ition Blount, Jr., Martin Byrd and Levi Blount and their successors for lever all that tract of land lying situ ate and being in the county afore said on the river Roanoke known by tlic name of the Briekhouse Planta tion as the same i* now laid off into one hundred and seventy-two town lots with streets for a town contain ing one hundred acres to be the same more or less beginning at a cypress tree on the edge of river (.'apt. Cotteras corner tree, thence running South twenty-nine degrees. East fifteen hundred and eighty feet to the South corner of lot No. 12 in the plan of said town thence North sixty one degrees, East thousand six hun dred and eighty feet to the center of t'hree saplings, Thomas Stewart’s line seventeen hundred feet to Roa noke river, thence along up said river to the beginning Cypress and also the revision and revision-. re mainder and remainder* and all the estate, right title, claim and demand* whatsoever of them the said Arthur Rhodes and Milly his wife of in and to the said tract c«f land and premises and every part thereof, excepting such lets as they, the said Arthur Rhodes and A1 illy, his wife, hath preserved for themselves or have already conveyed before the date of these presents to those who by virtue of their tickets were entitled to deed and did receive the same to have and to hold the said one hundred acres of land as the same is laid off into one hundred and seventy-two lots for the purpose of erecting a town thereon to the said Charles Johnston, ‘Esq., Thomas Stewart, John Stewart, John Armis tead, Edmond Blount, Jr., William Armistead, Jr., Thomas Hunter, Mar (Continued on page three) Committee Is Appointed To Make Survey TO MEET MONDAY Group Will Study Work of Each Employee And Make Report -3> The new mayor and board of coun cilman held their fir^t meeting here Friday night. May 15, at which time a number of important matters were discussed. The meeting was adjourned until Monday night, May 18. of this week. Mayor A. L. Owens presided over this meeting, and the following coun cil met) were present: E. R. Jackson, (j. D. Davis. H. C. Spruill, and Marry Stell. The town clerk. M. W. Spruill, acted as secreatry. Mayor Owens presented a plan for curtailing the salaries of all the town employees which was discussed to a considerable extent. The plan called for reductions in salaries ranging from 510 to $50. However, no definite ac tion was taken on this matter, and it was tabled until the Monday night neeting. The matter was taken up again on Monday night and after a general dis cussion. a motion was made and car ried, empowering Mayor Owens to ap point a committee of three to investi gate and study the jobs and work of each employee of the town and make recommendations at the next meeting as to what reduction in salary each employee should receive. At the meeting Monday night, May or Owens stated that complaints bad been made to him regarding Council man Harry Stell holding two offices, namely that of Game Warden for Washington County and also council man for the town of Plymouth. He stated that he had taken the matier dip with Attorney General Brummitt, and forthwith produced a telegram from the Attorney General which he requested the clerk to read. The mes sage stated that it was illegal for a councilman to hold two offices, after which Mayor Owens asked Mr. Stell which office he purposed to hold and which he intended to resign. Mr. Stell replied, “1 guess I'll re sign the game warden’s office,” and the same was spread upon the min utes. The matter of securing a siren for the city fire department which had been taken up and discussed at the first meeting was resumed at the Mon day night meeting. It seems that be fore the town can close down the present steam plant and start the new water pumping system it will be neces sary to install a new alarm system for the fire department. L. W. Gurkin, fire chief, came be fore the board and presented plans and information concerning a system that lie had been investigating. Ac cordingly. Mayor Owens and Mr. Gur kin were appointed a committee of two to make still further investiga tions and to make arrangements if necessary with the State for extended time in securing and installing a sys tem. A motion was also made and car ried instructing the clerk to pay the interest on some bonds which are due, the amount being $700. The committee appointed by Mayor Owens for investigating the jobs of the town employees and to make rec ommendations for reductions in sal aries is composed of one councilman from each ward, namely, E. R. jack son, B. Ci. Campbell, and H. C. Spruill. This committee will make its report next Monday night. A motion was also made and car ried, instructing Harry Stell to con tinue the installation of the city wa ter pumping plant and system. At the lir>t meeting, held Friday night, May 18. the following employees tor the town were hired: P. YV. Brown, hired for two more years as chief ot police, salary not fixed. I. E. Ange, hired as chief engineer for a term of two years, or as long as his work is >atislactory. salary not fixed. M. \Y. Spruill, hired as city clerk for two year> more, or as long as work is sat isfactory, salary not fixed. A motion was also made and car ried to retain (i. R. Coburn as night policeman at the same salary he is now receiving. 1 he meeting was adjourned about 11 o’clock until next Monday night. Return From Southern Trip -& Louis Phillip Hornthal, Jr., and Ar thur Francis Adler have just returned from an extensive trip of the Southern States. Mr. Hornthal reports an up ward trend in business, especially in the Carolinas.