North Carolina Newspapers

vllllllllllllllllllllilfr iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing A home newspaper dedicated 5 to the service of Washington E County and its 12,000 people. S The Roanoke Beacon ******* and Washington County News ******* I Advertisers will find Beacon § = and News columns a latch-key to = = 1,100 Washington County homes. = fiimimiimMiiimimiimiimimiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiHiih? VOLUME XLII—NUMBER 47 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Friday, November 20, 1931 ESTABLISHED 1889 NUMBERS HEAR BISHOP TUESDAY AT CHURCH HERE Class of Five Is Confirmed; Dedication Service Is Also Held A large crowd attended the confir mation services conducted in the Grace Episcopal Church here Tuesday night when they heard the annual sermon by Bishop Thomas C. Darst, of Wil mington. Those confirmed in the rit ual were Gertrude Landing, Sara Frances Cahoon, Joan Stier, Ransome Martin, and Roy Hampton. The Meth odist choir joined the Episcopal sing ers in the rendition of the music. A dedication service was held in which a number of objects were dedi cated to the donators or their fam ilies. The altar was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. J. M. Horton. It was made possible by the work of the Wo man’s Auxiliary. Mrs. Horton start ed the movement for the altar years ago when she contributed the first dol lar. The Hornthal family gave the alms basins that were dedicated to the mem ory of their father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Louis P. Hornthal. Mrs. A. H. Stier gave the altar rail in mem ory of her mother, Mrs. Mary Jane Holmes. The chancel rail was given by Mrs. Henry Blount. The litany desk was given by J. M. Horton and his sons. The Rev. Mr. Jackson, of Aurora, is still conducting the preaching mis sion this week. The series of sermons will be concluded during the week end. 2,000 VOLUMES IN COUNTY LIBRARY --® Secretary Urges More Lo cal People to Secure Books (By Mrs. L. E. Hassell, Secretary of Library Committee of Thursday Afternoon Literary Club) Now that the lengthening evenings make reading an increasing delight to all lovers of good books, it seems an opportune time to call attention to the county library. This library of over 2,000 volumes is maintained by the Thursday Afternoon Literary Club of Plymouth. It offers a wide choice of reading matter, consisting of books of history, biography, travel, poetry, and fiction. New books are being added constantly. They come from various sources, such as: Contributions of used volumes by interested patrons; club study books, and purchases made from the funds of the library association. Any person in the county is eligible to membership in the library associa tion and may join at any time by pay ing the fee of one dollar per annum to the librarian or other members of the literary club. Membership carries the privilege of reading the newest books before they are put into gener al cicrulation. While many people do use and enjoy the library, there are numbrs of oth ers, particularly among the county people, who do not. It is earnestly hoped that they will make greater use of this opportunity of obtaining pleas urable and profitable reading at no cost save the asking. Books may be obtained every Satur day afternoon from 4 to 5 o’clock at the library in the Dasement of the court house. -«, Rumored J. R. Campbell To Resume Business Here Rumors here to the effect that J. Robert Campbell would return to Plymouth to enter the retail grocery business at the old Southern Hard ware stand on Water Street were not verified today by a brother, B. G. Gampbeill, jwhen a Beiacon reporter called him over the phone. Mr. Campbell stated that "I do not know.” In the meantime work on the store in remodeling and preparing for the new occupant goes on. It is also a fact that the previous home of Bob Campbell on Washington Street is va cant. It is thought that Mr. Camp bell will move into his old home. Mr. Campbell, who is now in Rocky Mount, is expected to be here by the first of the year, according to the un verified rumor. -$ Petition Requests Removal Oi Minister From Creswell Creswell.—A petition is being cir culated here with about a dozen or more names signed to it requesting Bishop Darst to have the Rev. Charles E. Williams, rector of the Episcopal church here, to be removed front St. Davids parish. The reason given on the document is that his conduct has been unbecoming a minister. The statement declares that his removal will be for the benefit of the church J. C. Gatling, a vestryman of the church, has signed the paper. TAXATION IN WASHINGTON COUNTY .By ZEB VANCE NORMAN. In my article last week I under took to show why our tax burden is so heavy on account of bonded in debtedness or debt services. With these obligations on us, they must, in some manner, be paid and this county is doing everything it possibly can do to lighten the tax burden. The rate for debt service, 1931, is $1.05. Too much! I know of no way at present to reduce this part of our tax rate. And I rather insist that the authorities who created this debt serv ice, are not now to be censured. Roads and schools are what our people clamored for, and we have them. Of the present rate of $1.73, 40 cents is levied for schools, and this sum is made up as follows: Levied state-wide. $0,157 To supplement state appropria tions .10 To supplement extended term .143 Inasmuch as the State has assumed the maintenance of the six months school term, we ought not to be re quired to levy either the .157 above referred to or the .10 above referred to and a stubborn and bitter fight was made in the General Assembly of North Carolina by the eastern coun ties and the counties west of Ashe ville, for state support of the six months term. Even though the State purports to operate the schools for six months with a state-wide .15 levy, the amount appropriated is not sufficient to adequately maintain the schools. (1 shall not dwell further on this subject at present, but will revert to same in a later article). Note.—This is the second of a series of articles on Taxation in Washington County by Repre sentative Zeb Vance Norman. The next article in the series will be published within a few weeks. It was, therefore, necessary for this county to levy .10 to supplement the State appropriation. A large part of which is for repairs to buildings. The levy of .143 for the extended term is purely a local responsibility. While the State does not assume to main tain the extended term, we do re ceive a substantial appropriation for this purpose, which is of considerable benefit to this county. We shall re ceive from the State a total appropria tion for schools for the fiscal year, 1931-32, $67,239.11, and while we com plain very bitterly about high taxes, I think we should be fair enough to manifest some sense of gratitude for what assistance we are receiving, suppose we did not receive any help [from the State, where would the tax ! rate be? It is not my purpose to !justify the activities of the Piedmont counties in fighting and defeating the measures that would have afforded us more relief, yet, it must be remem bered tllat the fight is not over and that the eastern and western counties will not stop until we have achieved the end to which we are fighting. The approximate costs o! mainten ance of the six months term and a substantial conrtibution to the ex tended term is $18,000.00. This sum here heretofore been raised mostly in the counties for their own local schools, except such part as we have received from the Equalization Fund. IF is not an easy matter, and neither can it be done in a day, to shift from property tax to a new source, the raising of $18,000.00. The last legis lature, that is, the anti-sales tax group, thought that they were raising $15, 000,000 from new sources, but this scheme is not proving successful, and will result in a large deficit and an impairment of our schools. This situ ation can not be laid at the feet of the MacLean group in the legisla ture, but it is a result of a stubborn fight of the Piedmont counties. Washington County levies only .28 for the administration of the county government, the care of the poor and the health fund. I do not believe that any county in this State has a more careful and conservative Board of Commissioners and Board of Educa tion. I know personally that these two boards have economized and cut as much as it possibly can be done. At the same time they arc carefully and judiciously operating the schools and the general county affairs. There is no extravagance in their transac tions and in many instances they work under handicaps because of in sufficient funds. (To be continued) [ TOWN TAX RATE j The tax rate for the town of Plymouth for the coming yea will be $1.90 an increase of 28 cents on the $100 from last year. The commissioners could not help from raising the tax rate as the there will be no surplus from the ice plant the coming year. The detailed budget could not be se cured, as the accountant who is auditing the books was out of town and had the document in his possession. RELIEF GROUP j TO MEET TODAY -8 In Roper At 3 O’clock and At Creswell School Tonight -<Jl The first public meeting of the Washington County unemployment land relief association will be held at 3 o'clock Friday afternoon in the Rop er school with a second meeting to follow at the Creswell school at night, it was learned today from A. H. Stier, j who is in charge of the publicity work I of the organization. T. J. Swain is ! chairman of the central committee, I which also includes Mr. Stier and Z. I V. Norman. j A budget that set the quota for Ply ! mouth at $1,250 has been arranged by the central committee, with Roper and Creswell each asked to raise $150. Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Brewer have of fered their services again this year in this work as representatives of the Salvation Army. This couple will do the work if the funds are raised. -<$> Many Get Tags Through Mail From Legless Man Metal key tags for use on key rings and dog collars to identify the owner, have been received in the mail from Charles R. Bowman, of Williford, Ark, known as the legless key tag maker, by a number of local citizens, includ ing D. V. Clayton. The name of the prospect is secured by Mr. Bowman, and then the key tag is sent to the person with the request that a nominal sum be remitted. En closed in the envelope with the tag is a circular explaining the handicap under which the maker works and also has a picture of the legless man with his wife and six children. The local people admiring the pluck of the handicapped man, and urged by sympathy, send the amount requested for the tag. Unusual Marriage Takes Place Here Last Saturday Roper.—A marriage took place in Plymouth Saturday in which a man wedded his step-sister, or rather the daughter of his step-mother. It is the first time in the memory of Mrs. Ad die Brinkley that she has ever issued | license to such a couple. Horton Lee Snell was married to I Miss Emma Phelps in the Washing ! ton County courthouse by George W. I Hardison, chairman of the board of j commissioners and a justice of the j peace. COMMUTES TERM | OF W. A. EVERETT TO SIX MONTHS j -3> Governor Cuts in Half Sen tence of Local Man for Larceny of Ammonia The sentence of W. A. Everett, who | was sentenced to 12 months on the roads for larceny, has been commuted jto six months by Governor Gardner, it was learned here today. Mr. Ever ett was convicted of stealing some ammonia in court in this county on September 22. The executive counsel made an in vestigation and found that the prison er was arrested after having drawn ammonia from some old barrels, pour ing it into a bottle, permitting people to smell and then laughing at the pen etrating effect of the ammonia. An engineer of a plant that owned the 1 ammonia purchased the ammonia from j the defendant. I Mr. Everett told a justice of the peace about the transaction, and the magistrate being an agent of the com pany, had a warrnt issued for his ar rest. Then Mr. Everett employed a truck and hauled the barrels back to where he had found them. The de fendant entered a plea of guilty and told the court that he did not know the seriousness of the affair and failed to bring a lawyer to court with him. The other party was fined $75 for his part in the affair. “Owing to the fact that the prison er committed the offense more thru ignorance than any evil intent, I feel that some consideration should be shown him, and in view of all the facts I have decided to reduce his sentence from 12 months to 6 months on the roads," read Governor Gard ner’s statement. Case in Recorder’s Court Continued to Next Week The case against Howard Bateman, who is charged with selling a pint of I whisky to Albert Chambers, was con 'tinued until next Tuesday when called in recorder’s court here Tuesday of this week. The witnesses, including Eddie Sawyer, were called and failed to answer to their names. A capias was issued for the two witnesses after they were fined $50. FREE TRIP j Four-H club boys and girls in Washington County now have an opportunity to win a free trip to the sixteenth national 4-H Club camp at Washington in June of next year, it was learned today from J. B. Edmundson, agent of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad station here. The railroad com pany furnishes the transportation to the boy and girl in this State who excell in their 4-H club work this season. Selection of the winners of this trip will be left to the club agents and the extension division of the State College. The work is judg ed from all-round merits, and the activities of the boy and girl in the work. f OPPOSE GAS TAX v/ Washington County Citizens brand as an unwise plan, a sug gestion that is going the rounds of the press that the motorists be made to pay the large part of a proposed $25,000,000 unemploy ment relief fund by raising the gasoline tax one cent, by levying a motor sales tax, by permitting counties to levy a motor tax, and by urging the Federal Govern ment to tax automobiles or gaso line, or both. ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOLS BETTER -® Enrollment Higher in Ele mentary School; Loss Of 5 in High School -«> The percentage in attendance of the Plymouth public schools for the first months is better this term than it was last year, it was learned from a tab ulation issued from the office of Sup erintendent E. H. Hicks today. In the elementary school, there was an enrollment this year of 424, against 400 last season, with a percentage of 93.4 in 1930, with a total of 95.23 for this year. However, in the high school there is a reduction of five, making a total for this term of 155 enrolled, with a percentage of attendance of 96.29 against 93 last term BARNETT BROS. CIRCUS COMING -®—— New and Lower Admission Prices This Year To Be Featured Lovers of the out-of-the-ordinary amusement will be interested in the announcement that Barnett Bros. Big Circus and Trained Animal Circus will be seen at Plymouth Saturday, November 28th, presenting decided the largest and greater program of origi nal unique and thrilling feature acts known today. To the show world this vast tented amusement enterprise is alone in a class by itself without a rival. Noth ing like the performance provided by Barnett Brothers Circus and Trained Animal Shows, was ever before dream ed of or dared by the boldest man agers. Whatever your preference, you will find plenty to interest, astonish, and edify you. There are thrilling aerial acts, dur ing every moment of which one ex pects to see the intrepid performers hurled into eternity; artistic and sen sational equestrianism; incredible and bewildering athletics and acrobatic numbers; and the phenomenal exhibi tions by trained animals. New and lower admission prices will prevail this year.—Press Agent. Oyster Supper To Be Given at Mackeys 27th -$ Mackeys.—An oyster salad supper will be given at the Mackeys school auditorium November 27 at 6:30 and 9:30 in the evening. It is given for the benefit of the Epworth League. Fun, music, and entertainment is free. COMPLETE LIST OF TEACHERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS i . —*— Directory of County Teach ers Published for First Time This Week - - A directory of the public school Teachers in Washington County for' , this term is being printed today for the first time this year. J. W. Nor man, superintendent of public instruc tion, is right proud of his teaching corps this season. The names fol low: Cresweli: C. H. Aderholt, principal; Roy L. Litchfield, C. H. Rabon, Law- | rence B. Farabee, Mrs. Josephine Holmes, Misses Hilda Grace Credle, Grace Stillman, Lucy P. Swain, Haz- , el Craddock, Eloise MacArthur, and Sadie Jane Davenport, and Mesdames Eva S. Bateman and Mary Woodley Armstrong. Roper: E. ND. Riddle, principal; R. B. Forbes, B. G. O’Brien, Misses Ruth McKellar, Sally Taylor, A. C. j Carstarphen, Pauline Simons, Helen White, Josephine Covington, -Chris tine Hornaday, Florence Dailey, Mar tha Chesson, and Carrie Jane Her man. Cherry: A. W. Davenport, princi pal; T. R. Ainsiey, Mrs. C. N. Dav enport, jr., Mrs. Alberta C. Woodley. Plymouth: E. H. Hicks, superintend ent of city schools; E. S. Christenbury, Misses Lucille Parker, Thelma Get singer, Ethel Spruill, Ursula Bate man, Nevie Pickett, Nellie Tarking ton, Lula Bell Felts, Edna Mizell, Sid ney McLean Curry, and Mesdames Doris Walston Thompson, Esther Whitehurst, R. G. L. Edwards, H. A, Liverman, Catherine Harrison, and Mr. J. N. Davis. W'enona: Miss Adessa Grumpier. Colored teachers: Cherry, Hattie Mae Lloyd; Cresweli, Peter W. Lit tlejohn, Annie M. Owens, Ailene L. Holley, Mariah C. Bryant; Pritchett: Raymond R. Purnell; Sound Side: Viola B. Lowe and Lucille Baunm; Backwoods: Jacksie K. Riddick; Mt. DeLane: Minnie G. Liverman; Mace donia: Willem Hurdle; Deep Bot tom: Martha Gilliam; Brooks: Daisy . L. Clark; Morrattock: J. C. Gordon; Long Ridge: Emma Walker; Roper: Wilkins, Mary Allen, Eva L. Stew J. J. Clemmon, principal; Margaret E. art, Maggie L. Boyd. Washington County Training School William Berry, principal; Calvin R. Page, Leora C. Basnight, W. W. Walker, Reunice Walker, Beatrice Jones. Plymouth: Sophia Spruill, Ara menta Ransome, Margaret Heath, Emma Dawson, James E. Price, Na omi Basnight, Hattie B. Grandy, Gladys M. Ferebee, Mary C. Austin. Mackeys: Azzelia R. Ferebee and Cora R. Hornablew. -$ Home Agent Announces Changes in Her Schedule, -® Miss Pratt Covington, county home demonstration lagent, announces ,the following schedules for the next two weeks: Week beginning November 23: Mon | day, Pine Grove; Tuesday, Cross Roads; Wednesday, Beech Grove, meets at 2 o’clock; Thursday, Thanks giving; Friday, Thanksgiving. Please note change in schedule for week beginning November 30: Mon day, November 30, Roper Girls Club; Tuesday, December 1, Hoke; Wednes day, December 2, Roper; Thursday, | December 3, Chapel Hill; Friday, De 1 cember 4, Plymouth, Creswell, and Cherry girls’ clubs; Saturday, Deccnt j ber 5, curb market. ! Changes were made due to home agent having to attend district con ference on the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th of December. | -• Applications for Markers | Can Now Be Secured Here t | Applications for the free govern-1 ment markers for the Confederate, dead can be secured at the office here 1 of the register of deeds. However, Mrs. Addie L. Brinkley can not en- 1 ter into any correspondence regard ing them. All persons wishing to get these markers must call at the office^ in the courthouse, where Mrs. Brink ley will gladly aid in securing the blanks for each person who wants their relatives’ graves marked. Local Man, Native of Russia, Tells of Many Changes Noted During Visit to That Country —--m -q, Beacon To Be Out Early Next Week -3> In order to better serve ad vertisers and readers, The Bea con will be published Tuesday of next week so that merchants may get a last Thanksgiving message to their customers. The paper will be mailed out on all the routes of the county Wed nesday morning. Advertisers and correspondents must have their copy in the Beacon office not later than Monday night. EXPECT TO NAME CHAIRMAN SOON Democratic Victory Fund Leader in County To Be Named -fe - The announcement of a chairman of Washington County for the Demo cratic Victory Fund Campaign in North Carolina, is being awaited by leading Democrats of this section. C. L. Shuping, of Greensboro, chairman for the State, has named J. H. Me Mullan, of Edenton, and Miss Eliza beth Warren and F. S. Worthy, of Washington, as members of the gen eral committee. These officials are expeted to name the leader in this county. “We propose to offer throughout the ranks of our Democratic hosts the opportunity to participate in free ing the party from debt without de lay, and putting it in a position to wage a great and victorious campaign in State and nation in 1932 election. Notwithstanding adverse conditions, we must prepare our party for the vic tory ahead, and the responsibility it implies.” This is an excerpt from a statement by Mr. Shuping. -<t> Local Lodge To Observe Past Masters’ Night 24th -® Past master’s night will be held on the evening of November 24 at 8 o' clock, and all master masons are urg ed to attend by Master C. T. Robbins in the rooms here of Perseverance Lodge No. 59. Attorneys W .L. Whitley and Z. V. Norman will be the prominent local speakers, and efforts are being made now to se cure an out-of-town speaker for the occasion. Refreshments will be serv ed in the courthouse after the meet ing. Miss Esther Wynn Holds Oak Grove Service Sunday Skinnersville.—The usual Third Sunday night services, which are held at Oak Grove Baptist church by the pastor, kev. W. H, Hollowed, were turned over to Miss Esther Wynn, of Norfolk Sunday night. Miss Wynn made a very interesting address, per taining to raising funds in behalf of the Chowan College at Murfreesboro. -* Small*.Sti’l Is Captured Near Here Last Sunday -$ A small still was captured at the rear of the farm of Joe Snell Sunday by Sheriff J. K. Reid, Mr. Basnight, and Chief of Police P. W. Brown. The plant was in operation. A couple of colored attendants were seen fleeing through the brush when the officers were approaching, but they were un able to catch the fugitives. -«— - Mrs. Claudia Read Is Slightly Hurt in Wreck -- Minor injuries were sustained by Mrs. Claudia Read Friday when an automobile in which she was riding was hit by another car on the high way between Portsmouth and Nor folk. She was accompanying M. E. Blount, who was operating the car. She suffered very little except from the shock of the occurrence. Number Farmers in East Are Storing and Holding Peanuts The campaign to stabilize the price of peanuts launched at a mass meeting held at Murfrees boro November 3, when 250 pea nut growers, fertilizer manufact urers, supply merchants, and Hankers set in motion the first movement of its kind ever at tempted in the peanut belt, is pro gressing very nicely, according to information from W. A. Tayloe, general chairman, to A. L. Alex ander, chairman of Washington County. Mr. Tayloe stated that “he had not known of a campaign to pick up so much enthusiasm in so short a time as this one has. County committees are functioning like clockwork, and peanuts are being stored for future sales as never before." An advertising campaign to further the efforts of this work is being waged also. CONDITIONS ARE JUST REVERSE OF THOSE IN STATES -* Plenty of Work, But Little Food and Clothing There The Soviet government has brought about a renaissance in Russia in the last 18 years that has resulted in the people having plenty of work with a scarcity of food and clothes, that make conditions there opposite from America, where there is an abundance of food and clothes, but little work, according to Ivan Pyshny, operating engineer of the Chicago Mill and Lumber Corporation here, who is back today after a two months visit to the land of his nativity. The lack of fine clothes and the scarcity of high-class food for the na tives is blamed on a government that is developing the idea of a five-year plan of life for the Russian people with the ambitious idea that more and better machinery should be brought into the country. The peasants have their overalls and enough clothes to keep them warm and a plenty of coarse food with their seven-hours work every day except for their rest on the fifth day. The government is grasped in a craze of machinery. And these ma chines are being used to provide other mechanical devices. Along with the farming that is done in a collective way, manufacturing plants are being erected. Streets are being repaired and builded anew. Bridges, railroads, and dams are being constructed. Each city and hamlet has its own building (Continued on page six) URGE BUYING OF CHRISTMAS SEALS 75 Per Cent of All Money Received Will Remain In County -- From Thanksgiving until Christmas the little Red Cross Tuberculosis Seals will be on sale. You can buy as little as one penny’s worth or many dollars’ worth. Seventy-five per cent of this money stays here in Washing ton County and" is used solely for the prevention of tuberculosis. The Literary Club, with Mrs. H. A. Midgett, as chairman, sponsors this sale in Plymouth. One year a brace was bought with money from the seal sale, which helped a boy to walk a gain. Last year and this the money is being used to supply milk to un dernourished children in the school. Please buy seals and encourage oth ers to buy, and in this way help put down “The Great White Plague.” -» Sunday School Boys To Have Pencils on Sale -® The Methodist Sunday School class of boys under the supervision of their teacher, T. C. Burgess, will sell pen cils this year, beginning November 28, for the benefit of the children who will be unable to procure fruit for their children at Christmas time. Last year these boys sold wood donated by a local plant, using the net proceeds to furnish Christmas baskets to the needy. The boys gave away about 30 baskets that were pur chased with the $22.50 earned by them. The pencils this year will be appropriately marked. Local Methodist Church Asks Return of Pastor -« The North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which is in session at Green ville this week, will be informed that it was the unanimous decision of the church here that the Rev. R. G. L. Edwards be returned to Plymouth again. He has been here for several years, and is well liked. A farewell supper was given him by the stew ards of the church this week at tlie home of C. J. Norman. -• Luther Leary Kills Big Bear in Recent Hunt Luther Leary killed a 205-pound bear that measured over six feet in length during a recent hunt with Bruce and Joe Davenport. The animal was shot about three miles beyond Gibson Lewis’ home on the Norfolk Southern railroad track. J. S. Davenport is tanning the hide for use as a rug in his home. The bear was routed out of his hiding place by fellow hunters walking directly in front of where Mr. Leary was standing. A single shot accounted for the bruin.