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to the service of Washington
County and its 12,000 people.
The Roanoke Beacon
+ * * * * * * and Washington County News ★*★***★
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VOLUME XLVII—NUMBER 20
Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Friday, May 15, 1936
ESTABLISHED 1889
LEGION AND U. D.
C. IN JOINT MEET
HERE THIS WEEK
-#
Mayor Gilbert Davis Makes
Principal Address at
Gathering Here
-•
“They believed that the War Be
tween the States was war and not
rebellion, revolution and not con
spiracy, and that their convictions
were as honest as those of the Un
ion; and the brave Confederates
died in this simple faith,” Mayor
Gilbert Davis told member of the
United Daughters of the Confeder
acy, the American Legion, and the
Legion Auxiliary in their joint
meeting here this week.
“But today no sectional resent
ment remains in the hearts of the
conquerors or the conquered, and
this was proven during the World
War, when sons of the former wear
ers of the gray and descendants of
the wearers of the blue fought side
by side and shoulder to shoulder to
make the world safe for democ
racy.
“However, war is still a frightful
reality. Its effect on humanity is
vice, crime, murder, suffering, brok
en hearts and lost souls. Thanks
today, the brotherhood idea is be
ginning to dawn on the world, and
it is hoped the time will soon come
when men shall beat their swords
into plowshares, their weapons into
farm utensils, and study war no
more.”
The cross of military service was
presented to Harold A. Williford,
for “faithfully and honorably serv
ing the United States during the
World War, and whereas he is a
lineal descendant of Medie B. Wil
liford, who served honorably in
Company E, first North Carolina
Regiment in the War Between the
States.”
Mrs. Abe Adler, president of the
local U. D. C. chapter, and Mrs. C.
McGowan, recorder of crosses of
the North Carolina U. D. C., partici
pated in the ritual presenting the'
medal. Dr. C. McGowan, com
mander of the James E. Jethro post
of the American Legion, presided.
Also included on the program
was a talk by Mrs. W. V. Hays,
head of the Legion Auxiliary, and
a prayer by Chaplain D. A. Hurley.
Forty were present.
■-9
Negro Crushed
Under Log Truck
Relatives located in Bertie Coun
ty, Elizabeth City and New York did
not claim the body, so Will Free
man, negro, who fell from the rear
of a truck and was crushed beneatli
the wheels of the heavy machine,
was buried near here at county ex
pense.
He, with a companion, was rid
ing on a truck driven by Selby
Price last Saturday morning when
the brake rods, against which he
had propped his feet, broke, drop
ping him to the ground and the
wheels crushed him. Price was
held blameless.
The negro was employed by W.
H. Bolling, who operates a lumber
mill near Creiswell. The Price
truck was doing some hauling from
Plymouth to the mill for Mr. Bol
ling, and the negro was helping in
loading and unloading it. The ac
cident occurred between Roper and
the Creswell plant.
Sheriff J. K. Reid located the rel
atives, but they never claimed the
body.
Many Garments
Made by WPA
-«>
The WPA sewing rooms of Wash
ington County to May 1st have
made 5,596 garments and articles.
This is a splendid record, and it has
been of great assistance to the chil
dren in their school attendance.
These garments and articles, ex
cept for those allowed the sewing
rooms for equipment, have been
turned over to H. H. McLean, sup
erintendent of schools and public
welfare, and Miss Florence Led
better, for distribution.
The WPA supervisor has nothing
to do with the distribution of this
clothing or the food commodities.
This is entirely in charge of the
county agents.
Funeral Is Held
Friday for Child
—<*■—
Funeral services were held Fri
day for the infant daughter of Mr
and Mrs. Moody Davenport, of the
Western Farm, with Rev. O. L. Easl
er, of Creswell, officiating. Whoop
ing cough and pneumonia caused
the child’s death. Burial took place
at A. L. Davenport’s cemetery.
I FOR STATE SENATE 1
\j
Senator Carl L. Bailey, of
Washington County, last week
announced his candidacy for
renomination as senator from
the Second Senatorial District.
Senator Bailey announced his
platform would be his record in
the past two sessions of the Gen
eral Assembly, where he had a
leading part in many import
ant legislative matters, particu
larly as they affected schools
and roads. There are four oth
er candidates for the two seats
from this district.
ABOUT TOWN
-•
Miss Ann Oliver, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. D. C. Oliver, of near Cres
well, a graduate of the Creswell
High School, is now a beauty parlor
operator in Florence, S. C. She re
cently attended the International
Beauty Style Show in New York
City. She wrote her mother that
some of the most beautiful styles
she had ever seen were shown in
the exhibition.
-1 . -
Wanted: A successful bear hunt
er with trailing dogs. Must be good.
Old bruin wise, hard to catch. Such
is a free ad that the Beacon is giv
in gto L. W. Phelps, Robert Mc
Gowan and L. B. Spruill of the
Newland section of Washington
County. Bears have destroyed $50
worth of hogs. All efforts to catch
the elusive creature have been in
vain. Maybe W. V. Hays, county
agent and bear hunter, could help.
Among the oldest people in Wash
ington County is Mrs. Caroline Da
venport of near Creswell, who will
be 91 years of age in August. She
lives with a son, Schuyler Daven
port, who is 65. She does all of her
work. However, a fall five years
ago injured her right hip and has
twisted her foot around, but she
continues her housework.
♦
Roy Blount, young son-in-law of
Mr. and Mrs. Chester Spruill near
Creswell, is suffering from a de
caying bone on the front of his left
leg just below the knee. Medical
aid has been rendered and he is
slowly but gradually recovering
from the injury that has afflicted
him now for some time. He uses
crutches.
•
Now to get the records straight:
This is from W. M. Darden’s Win
ston’s Cumulative Encyclopedia: A
sardine is a small fish of the same
genus of the herring and pilchard,
abundant in the Mediterranean and
also on the Atlantic Coasts of
France, Spain and Portgual. It is
much estimated for its flavor and
large quantities are preserved by
being salted and partly dried, then
scalded in hot oil and hermetically
sealed in tin boxes. The young of
the herring and some other fishes
are used in imitation of sardines.
S. J. Woodley in the Creswell
section tells of the damage that the
heavy rain did to their irish po
tatoes in that section. Flooded
lands kept back the growth and in
many instances washed them away
and prevented growth. Some in that
section have only a few for sale
and many they are producing are
for home use.
Mrs. J. D. Davenport, of Cres
well, was in Plymouth last week at
tending to business. She seemed
to think that the bridge which will
soon be erected to span the Albe
marle Sound, coming out six miles
below Edenton will not impose a
hardship on local merchants.
-1
Robert B. Campbell, a student at
Wake Forest Colege, continues win
nin gthe esteem of his college
friends. This week he was made
president of the Euzelian Literary
Society there. He is also a mem
ber of the exclusive Statesmen’s
club and is chairman of a pasifist
movement for the abolition of fu
ture wars. His parents are Mr. and
Mrs. J. R. Campbell.
-—3>
Real estate transfers include a
deed from P. W. Brinkley to D. O.
Brinkley and heirs that was made
in November, 1928, and the plot is
JUNIOR - SENIOR
BANQUET HELD
FRIDAY NIGHT
Interesting Program Given
By Roper Students at
Annual Event
-—
Tingling with romance that ac
crues to those susceptible to the al
luring magic of a beautiful moon
beaming down on silvery waters,
over which softly glided the good
ship Jolly Time, the juniors took
the seniors of the Roper High
School on their last makebelieve
yachting trip Friday night.
Orange and green harmonized
with the red, white and blue colors
that were significant in the signs
and which was resplendent on the
guard rail of the deck that provid
ed safety for the happy voyagers.
Entering over the gang plank, the
guests faced a beautiful moon just
above the tree tops on the shore
line.
Mess boys attired in the rig of
sailors—Marvin Spencer, Bill Rid
dick, Joseph Cox, Thomas Harden,
Howard Ange—attended carefully
and politely to the ever want of
the guests serving punch and food.
Aiken and his Carolina Aces in
soft melodies provided rhythm.
The guests referred to their log
books and found that the program
included among other things the in
formation that Charles Mizelle was
conductor of the amateur hour, with
Patricia Czerny Aiken dancing and
singing, Woodrow Collins, Sylvester
Lilley, D. E. Poole singing solos,
Tom Norman tap dancing, Cecil
Craft imitating animals and imper
sonating people and John Everett
declaiming.
Sarah Leary, president of the
junior class, presided over the
games and contests with the aid of
James Chesson, president of the sen
ior class. Table tennis and dancing
featured the entertainment.
A fac-simile of schooners and bas
kets shaped like fish were favors.
All the guests wore sailor caps.
-$
Get in On Baseball
Party By Mistake
—*—
Let H. A. (Chubby) Liverman,
local druggist, and Paeton Sykes,
highway employee, tell you about
Greek hospitality.
They weer among the number
who went to Rocky Mount Monday
for the opening baseball game. Vis
iting a friend, Guy Tripp, who
worked next to a restaurant, they
wandered into a place for dinner
and found it filled with people at
a long table.
As soon as they were seated, in
came a courteous waiter and served
them. Chubby did not get the food
he wanted, but dared not change
the menu, as the place was so crowd
ed he knew he would be late in get
ting service.
Soon a fellow made a speech, de
claring in a lour voice to Chubby
that the meal was on him. Applause
rent the air. Then free tickets were
passed around. Then some one
spoke in an unknown language, ap
parently in appreciation. Chubby
and Paeton took him at his word
and walked out.
Next door he found that he had
been in th erestaurant of George
Patseavouris, Rocky Mount caterer,
who had invited all the Greeks in
eastern North Carolina to a free
meal and free tickets to the ball
game.
a parcel of land behind Shugar’s
stables on Water Street, and J. T.
Terry’s residence on Jefferson
Street; Property in Scuppernong
Township from Mrs. Fannie De
Cormis, Mabel L. DeCormis, Mamie
DeCormis Bray, John B. Bray, Mrs.
Mamie Reid and Maggie DeCormis
to Cicero B. Phelps, Tyrrell County.
Marriage license calls have been
scare in the last three weeks with
only the following being issued by
Mrs. Mary Sawyer Clayton, register
of deeds: White, Raymond Price,
of Jamesville, to Lucille Sawyer, al
so of Jamesville; George B. Peele,
Roper, to Louise C. Holmes, Cres
well; David Lee Freeman, Roper,
to Arbutus Anthony, Roper, colored.
-$
J. G. Hall, an engineer of the
State Department of Highway and
Public Works, has opened an office
in the Harney building on Water
Street from which he will work
during the next month while high
way No. 64 is being widened from
Browning’s filling station in Plym
outh to beyond Jackson’s filling sta
tion an|d from the Cross Roads
bridge entering Roper from Plym
outh to a little beyond the home of
Charles E. Mizelle in Roper. The
bridge on this side of Roper will
be widened along with the high
way.
Homeand
club News
By Mary Frances Misenheimer
Schedule for Next Week
Monday, County Bridge.
Tuesday, Food leaders’ school.
Wednesday, Swain Club.
Thursday, Creswell.
Friday, Alba.
Saturday, curb market, 8:15*
Sales were good Saturday, Mrs.
Sadie Stillman, of Piney Grove
led the sales. Mrs. Joe Snell was
second highest seller.
The annual 15th district meeting
of home demonstration clubs was
held in Robersonville May 6, at the
new Baptist church.
Forty-five women from Washing
ton County attended the meeting,
and all reported an excellent time.
Washington County’s stunt was
written by Mrs. Lewis Hassell, of
Roper Club. Many compliments
were received from the other coun
ties on our good report. Thanks to
Mrs. Hassell for her splendid work
and to those who took part in the
stunt. They deserve a lot of credit.
A good dinner was served. The
next meeting will be in Plymouth
next spring.
Members of the Chapel Hill club
are beginning to work toward get
ting the cup at the next Federation.
Their attendance Thursday was un
usually good. Mrs. G. W. Bowen,
of Chapel Hill Club, has a grand
garden. She has blooms on her
beans.
The members of Beech Grove
Club met with T. W. Davis Friday.
This is twice the club has met with
her this year, but she is always
anxious to have the club. Several
of the members from that club were
at the curb market Saturday. All
of them have good gardens and good
things to sell.
Although Hoke club’s member
ship is small they still have the club
spirit and all work together. Mrs.
J. T. Browning entertained the club
Tuesday. She has some beautiful
roses in her flower garden and
mighty good strawberries in her
vegetable garden.
An unusually good meeting of the
Scuppernong club was held Mon
da^ with Mrs. Ruth Davenport as
hostess. Two demonstrations were
given on the use of milk and eggs.
There were served new members
added to the club. Ice cream and
cake was served by the hostess to
the 27 members present.
-9
Three County Girls
W. C. U. N. C. Seniors
- —
Among the 220 seniors at the
Woman’s College of the University
of North Carolina at Greensboro
who are candidates for degrees at
the 44th commencement of the col
lege are Misses Janice Tetterton and
Leslie Darden, of Plymouth, and
Elizabeth Landing, of 1812 Clai
borne Ave., Norfolk, Va., formerly
of Plymouth. Graduating exercises
will be held June 1, in Aycock au
ditorium.
iviiss leuerion is a canaiaaie iui
the degree of bachelor of science in
secretarial administration. She is
a member of the Alethian Society,
the Square Circle, Mathematical
Group, and the Young Voters’ Club.
She made the honor roll during her
freshman year.
Miss Darden is a candidate for
the degree of bachelor of science in
secretarial administration. She is
a member of the Cornelian Society,
the French Club, the Young Voters
Club, and, during her junior year,
was house vice president of Shaw
dormitory. She made the honor roll
during her sophomore year.
Miss Landing is “a candidate for
the A. B. degree.
-9
Vacancies in CCC
Are Announced
Unemployed boys between the
ages of 17 and 28 who are from re
lief or WPA families in Washington
County may see Miss Florence Led
better, certificate adjuster, at the
county home, if they are interested
in attending the CCC camps and
wish to get in on the June enroll
ment.
The number for June has not
been designated but the following
boys have enrolled from this coun
ty in the May quota; Ralph Swain,
Austin Brewer, Hubert L. Cox,
Plymouth; Lloyd V. Hassell, Ray
mond L. Phelps and William B.
Spruill, Creswell; George M. Pat
rick and Wardell Spruill, Roper.
DEMOCRATS TO
HOLD COUNTY
MEETING HERE
-«
Sixty-Seven Delegates Are
Expected at Session
Saturday
-9
Sixty-seven delegates and offic
ials from five precincts will gather
in the courthouse here Saturday
morning for the Democratic conven
tion of Washington County, at
which time delegates to the State
convention will be chosen and rec
ommendations for a platform re
ceived.
Votes in the county convention,
based on the number of ballots cast
for governor by Democrats last
election, wil be distributed as fol
lows: Plymouth 31, Lees Mills 17,
Scuppernong 12, Skinnersville 5,
Wenona 1. In the Plymouth pre
cinct a total of 26 delegates will
vote the allotted strength of the
precinct.
W. M. Darden was named chair
man of the Plymouth precinct Dem
ocratic executive coinmitte, with J.
T. McNair, J. E. Askew, Julian
Brinkley, and J. W. Norman as as
sociates. They were chosen from a
group of 17 nominations made at
the convention last Saturday.
E. R. Lewis was named chairman
of the Lees Mills precinct commit
tee, with G. V. Lewis and L. S. Brey
as associates.
Number Cases Tried
In Recorder’s Court
—«—
A sentence of six months on the
roads, suspended upon the payment
of a fine of $200 and costs, was im
posed upon George Collins, 28, col
ored, driver for M. P. Gallop, of
Elizabeth City, when the negro
pleaded guilty in recorder’s court
Tuesday of taking the car from its
parking place at Williford’s Tav
ern without the knowledge and con
sent of his employer.
A directed verdict of not guilty
was entered in the case of James
Baucom, 38, negro waiter at the
Tavern, who helped Collins push
the machine into the street, but
who professed that he did not know
it was being taken without the
owner’s permission.
A nonsuit was taken as to Ben
Bowser, 22, colored, who was said
to have been operating the machine
at a rate exceeding the speed lim
it when it turned over twice, dam
aging the machine to the extent of
about $200. Recorder Darden took
the matter in hand after a jury fail
ed to agree.
Five negroes were in the car
when it was wrecked but none was
seriously injured.
Grady Alexander, 17, white and
Wesley Halsey, 20, white, charged
with operating a vehicle in a reck
less manner and driving drunk;
guilty as to reckless driving as to
Halsey; pay costs of court and re
pair car of prosecuting witness; not
guilty as to Alexander.
Sam Respass, 52, white, license re
voked for 6 months and fined $50
and costs for operating an automo
bile while drunk.
Horace Chesson, 52, colored, dis
posing of mortgaged property, non
suit. T. E. Ainsley prosecuting wit
ness.
-$
Special Service at
Christian Church
—•—
A special service will be held at
the Christian Church Sunday morn
ing, May 17, at 11 o’clock. This
service will be centered around wel
coming the members who came in
by letter, statement or by primary
obedience in the recent meeting
held by the pastor. All who come
under this heading are urged to be
present. The public is cordially in
vited.
Ice Cream Supper
The boys’ class (ages 12-14) of
the Christian church, is sponsoring
an ice-cream supper Friday night,
May 15, to be held on teh lawn at
the home of iheir teacher, Rev. N.
A. Taylor. All people are invited
to attend.
-<j>
Church Women To
Hold Meet Here
—•—
The sixth district get-together
meeting, with delegates from Co
lumbia, Creswell, Lake Phelps,
Plymouth, and Roper will be held
in the Grace Episcopal church in
Plymouth Thursday, May 21, at 10
in the morning. All women of
thees congregations are urged to at
tend by Miss Ida E. Peacock, of
Roper, chairman of the group.
I HERE THIS WEEK I
V J
Sandy Graham, Hillsboro, one
of the candidates for governor
in the June primary, was a vis
itor in Plymouth Tuesday, spend
ing several hours here shaking
hands with old and new friends,
discussing plans for his cam
paign in Washington County,
and generally building and re
pairing his political fences.
Previous acqvainted with
many local people, Mr. Graham
was introduced to many oth
ers by his county manager, E.
G. Arps, who took him in tow
upon his arrival.
Mrs. Graham accompanied
Sandy on his visit and was en
tertained at the Williford Tav
ern.
Survey Is Being
Made of School
Plants in County
Work Is Under Direction
Of Ludford McNair;
WPA Project
-9
Data on the schools in Washing
ton County will be secured by E.
Ludford McNair, who began this
work this week under this special
phase of the WPA.
It is the duty of Mr. McNair to
check the physical plants of schools,
showing where they are located, the
size, sanitation, equipment and the
location on the campus of any nec
essary outbuildings, including gym
nasiums, garage, play area, and
such.
He will also go into the office of
the principals and in the office of
H. H. McLean, superintendent of
schools, to search the records and
determine whether or not the school
census as taken ever so often is cor
rect. His time will be spent in ex
amining the records in other offices.
Then he is to prepare a map of
the county, showing the location of
the school in relation to where the
children attending are living. This
will be used in improving the school
transportation system if this should
become wise and economical.
He will report those walking to
school and the personnel of each
school. In fact it will take him a
bout seven months to collect and
compile the data that the State De
partment of Instruction wishes. His
salary will be around the $50-a
month bracket.
-9
Mrs. Sara Tarkenton
Clayton Dies Here
♦
Funeral services were held here
Wednesday for Mrs. Sara Tarken
ton Clayton, 66, wife of the late Jobe
Clayton, who succumbed Tuesday
as the result of a complication of
diseases following an illness of 10
weeks.
The services took place in the
Methodist church, with Rev. C. T.
Thrift officiating. Burial took place
in the adjoining cemetery. She was
born at Mackeys January 30, 1870,
the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James
F. Tarkenton.
Surviving are the following: One
daughter, Mrs. I. S. Eubanks, Dur
ham; four sons, H. E. Clayton, Front
Royal, Va.; C. E. and V. E. Clayton,
Baltimore; D. V. Clayton, William
ston; one sister, Mrs. Inez Hughes,
Washington, D. C.; three brothers,
J. C. Tarkenton, Mackeys; Carl Tar
kenton, Elizabeth City; Herbert Tar
kenton, Norfolk.
Seed New Pastures In Late
Winter Or Early in the Fall
-®
New pastures should be seeded
in this State during the early fall or
late winter. If the land selected is
low or on a hillside, all bushes and
briars should be taken off in Janu
ary and the land prepared for seed
ing by disking or coultering. The
seed should be sown in February
using about 40 pounds per acre of
a mixture made up of grasses suit
able to the section. Broadcast the
seed and cover with a drag harrow
or by dragging a heavy brush over
the land.
COUNTY MAN IS
G .0. P. NOMINEE
FOR STATE JOB
John L. Phelps, Leading
Farmer, Runs for Com
missioner Agriculture
-•
Few people in the great s'.ats, or
North Carolina are aware of the
fact that the Republican nominee
for Commissioner of Agriculture,
John L. Phelps, of Creswell, super
vises the cultivation of 2,000 acres
of land each year.
The acres are owned and con
trolled by the A. G. Walker estate,
H. G. Walker, John L. Phelps. They
are relatives and they own some of
the most historic plantations in an
area that is rich with legends and
traditions and with tales of wisdom
and prowess of its original owners.
There is the 1,040-acre plantation
of the Weston farm, which was
owned and operated by the Collins
family, leaders in this section in
religious, civic and community life
for many years.
Next doo r is the Sheppard Farm,
which was owned by the immortal
Pettigrews, whose valiant deeds
during the War Between the States
and at other times has made his
tory in this section. This planta
tion embraces 703 acres under cul
tivation.
Then there is the Holmes place,
with 30 acres; the Chaplin farm,
with 44 acres, and the historic old
Somerset plantation with 180 acres.
It takes 75 team, tractors and other
modern machinery, with the aid of
60 tenant families to work this vast
farming enterprise.
On these vast acres grow 700
acres of soybeans, 700 acres of corn,
25 acres of sweet potatoes, 50 acres
of irish potatoes, 325 acres of cot
ton, 96 acres of hay, 20 acres of pea
nuts, and a number of other acres
in individual garden and truck
crops.
About 50 per cent of the tenants
are frugal, industrious, and eager
to make a good living. They grow
their own gardens, plant flowers
around their homes and keep their
houses clean and in good condition
and enjoy life, while about 50 per
cent are indifferent.
The average income of the farm
er is $700 a year. They are given
advances of food during certain sea
sons of the year from a commissary
on the plantation. Also trading ad
vantages are extended them thru
the Walker store in Creswell. Some
of the tenants have cows, sell chick
ens, eggs, and calves to supplement
their income.
Mr. Phelps looks after his tenants
well. Some he urges to work for
their own benefit. Some he has to
care for like children. Others are
independent and supplement their
incomes from private sources. His
dealings with tenants have very sel
dom been brought to court.
Many times he helps those who
get into trouble with the law by
signing their bonds. And as a re
sult of all this thoughtfulness, and
despite the fact that he is a Repub
lican in a Democratic section he
yields a good influence among his
tenants and among many friends in
both political parties.
Add 3 Pictures To
Local Collection
Through the efforts of the Senior
Woman’s Club and the American
Legion Auxiliary and the State De
partment of Education, three more
beautiful pictures have been added
to the art collection of the Plym
outh High School, thus bringing to
six the total number of works of
masters that are hanging in the lo
cal institution's art museum.
They are “Children of the Sea,”
by Albright; “Boyhood of Sir Wal
ter Raleigh,” Millias; “Washington
Crossing the Delaware”; and the old
ones are “At the End of the Pier,”
by Albright; “The Torn Hat,’’ by
Sully; “Boy With a Rabbit,” by
Gainsborough. These are in gold
frames, 20 by 24 inches, and cost
-$>
Sunday Services at
Methodist Church
-a
Next Sunday in rally day for both
Sunday school and preaching. Ev
ery member of the Sunday school
is urged to be present, and every
member of the church is requested
to come out and hear the pastor
preach. A cordial invitation is giv
en to everybody to worship at the
Methodist church.
At 8 o’clock the laymen, led by
Mr. H. H. McLean, will have charge
of the service in the absence of the
pastor, Rev. C. T. Thrift, who will
be holding evangelistic services in
Columbia.