North Carolina Newspapers

The Roanoke Beacon * + * * * * * and Washington County News ******* A home newspaper dedicated to the service of Washington County and its 12,000 people. VOLUME XLIX—NUMBER 27 Plymouth, W ashington County, North Carolina, Friday, July 8. 1938 ESTABLISHED 1889 Town opics Miss Dare Davis, of Norfolk, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. William S. Da vis, are employed by a Norfolk news paper, wanted to observe the press run at the Beacon office this week to compare the small Beacon press with the mammoth machine in the Norfolk newspaper plant. The second softball game, and the first between Sunday school team members, is scheduled be tween the Methodists and Epis copalians Friday afternoon at 6 o’clock. Lyman Mayo will hurl for the Methodists. Everyone is invited to attend. Mrs. Ellen E. Norman, of Creswell, widow of Nemeiah Norman, Confed erate soldier who served in Company H. 17th N. C. Regiment, is the only pensioner drawing a B widow’s pen sion of $150 twice a year. She has been ill in bed for some time. Sam Adler, local merchant who has been receiving treatment at a Rich mond hospital, is expected to be in Plymouth by the week-end. Mr. Ad ler was able to leave the hospital and go to his home in Morehead City the first of this week. The Plymouth Box and Panel Company employed more men and paid out more money for the pay roll last week than has been the case in a long time, it was learned from E, A. Harrison, sec retary. Abe Adler has built more dwellings in Plymouth during the last 18 months than any other person. He has financed the construction of five new homes and remodeled two others, spending about $19,000. However, the house he is now building on Jeffer son Street will be the last, he de clares. This home will be occupied, when completed, by W. T. Stillman, assistant cashier of the Branch Bank ing and Trust Company here. The city council of Plymouth did not hold their regular meet ing this week on account of the July Fourth holiday Monday, but will hold the postponed meeting next Monday night. H. M. Emerson has assumed man agement of the Log Cabin Service Station on the suburbs of Plymouth after T. H. (Jack) Williams had de cided to relinquish these duties. Mr. Emerson invites his friends to visit him for beer, soft drinks, barbecue, groceries, and other things in his line. Approximately 30,000 bushels of cucumbers have been received by tHO C. C. Lang and Son plant here this season. About 10,000 bushels were brought in this week. It is expected that deliv ery will be completeJ in 10 days, as the cucumbers are beginning to dry and wither in the fields. Farmers are reminded by W. V. Hays, county agent, that they are to have their tobacco statistics in his office by Saturday, July 9, so that the marketing quota for each person can be determined in time for mar keting when the warehouses open on Thursday, August 25. -3> Independence Day Passes Quietly in Washington County —♦— No Automobile Accidents and Only Two Arrests Made Over Week-End -« Reports today indicated that the Fourth of July passed very quietly in Washington County, with only two arrests made for minor infractions of the law and no major automobile ac cidents reported. However, for the first time in a number of years, the noise of fire crackers was heard around the town. This was true on Sunday as well as on Monday. Stores and business houses were closed for the day, and many went to the golf course, while others at tended the baseball games both in the morning and afternoon, and large crowds were reported at the Albe marle and Bateman beaches for an evening of dancing, with fireworks an added attraction at Albemarle Beach. Many farmers decided the day was too pretty to waste after so much rain and remained at work on their crops. The Lang plant was open and cucumbers received Monday. The holiday death toll for the na tion stood at 378, nearly 200 losing their lives in traffic mishaps. Penn sylvania, with a death toll of 29, led the states. Last year 563 people lost their lives on the Fourth. Recorder’s court had only two cases Tuesday as the probable after math of the Fourth celebration: Geo. M. Freeland, 38, was found guilty of drunken driving, and prayer for judg ment was continued until July 19 up on payment of $50 and costs. Johnny Johnson was found not guilty of assaulting his wife, Lily Johnson. Foreclosing on Property for Taxes Topic of Guide Book Zeb Vance Norman, county and town attorney, is in receipt of a guide book on the collection and foreclos ure of county and city property taxes distributed by the Institute of Gov ernment and written by Henry Brandis, jr. The guide book undertakes to col lect, correlate and interpret statutes, court decisions, attorney general’s ruling and current local practices in the collection and foreclosure of taxes. Plymouth Now Second on List for Federal Building Representative Lindsay Warren anounced this week that Plym outh stood No. t on the First Dis trict eligible list for a Fed»al Building. Three years ago, as soon as Plymouth became eligible, Mr. Warren caused a survey of the town to be made, and a S75.000 estimate was made for a site and building. Under existing law, Mr. Warren stated that a build ing would be erected In an eli gible town every three years, but that he was hopeful Congress would speed up the program. At the present time Farmville stands No. 1 on the list and, un less the law is changed, will not get a building before 1941. The present law would thus prevent Plymouth receiving any further consideration before 1944. Edenton received a building un der the Hoover administration. Under the Roosevelt administra tion, additions have been made to the Federal buildings at Eliz abeth City, Washington and Greenville. East July an allo cation was made to Williamston and last week Ahoskie got an al location of S70.000. The towns are selected by the Treasury Department in the or der on which they get on the eli gible list. Federal Agency Buys More Land in County Scouts of Creswell Win Most Events At Beach Monday The track and field events sched uled as part of the Fourth of July celebration at Albemarle Beach last Monday were rather one-sided, with the members of the Creswell troop winning most of the awards. Scoutmaster N. A. Taylor, of Plym outh, said that many of the lead ing Scouts of his troop were at Camp Charles, partially accounting for the lack of competition for the Creswell boys. The Cobra Patrol of Plymouth won the 100-yard dash, but the Flying Eagle Patrol of Creswell, made a clean sweep in the stand ing broad jump, the running broad jump, and the high jump. The small boys of the Creswell Flaming Arrow Patrol also showed up well in these events. The most interesting events of the day put on by the Scouts were the fire-building and burning the string contests. These were also won by the Creswell troop. -® Contract Is Let To Raleigh Concern for Courthouse Repairs -« New Roof to Cost $1,557.50; Work Recommended by Several Grand Juries -® The Washington County Commis sioners have entered into an agree ment with the Baker and Rawls Roof ing Company, of Raleigh, for repair of the courthouse, the work having been recommended by several grand juries in the past. The work is to begin immediately. The company will remove the pres ent roof and apply asphalt felt and cement where needed to prevent the leaking that has caused considerable damage to the walls in the past. The price for the job was set at $1,557.50, and does not include certain work that will probably have to be done to the walls where leaks have caused damage. The concern stated they could not estimate this amount, as they will not know the extent of the repairs needed until the roof is re moved. The roof they will put on the court house will be guaranteed to last for 20 years, with a bond posted by the manufacturers to back up the guar antee. The present county building was built about 20 years ago at a cost of approximately $70,000 after the original building here was burned, destroying many records and the fixtures. Budget Approved For Welfare Work The budget estimate for public wel fare administration in Washington County, for the fiscal year 1938-39, is given at $3,860 by Miss Ursula Bateman, superintendent of public welfare, and the county welfare board has approved this amount. J. M. Clagon, chairman of the board of commissioners, has been ad vised by Mrs. Annie K. Bost, com missioner of the State Board of Charities and Public Welfare, that this fund will be needed to employ an adequate staff to make proper in vestigations of pleas for aid. “In order to take full advantage of resources, such as WPA, NYA, CCC, and Federal surplus commodities, an adequate staff for making investiga tions and referrals must be avail able,” says Mrs. Bost. -® Creswell Man Bitten by Black Widow Spider A. C. Harris, section foreman for the Norfolk Southern Railroad Com pany, located at Creswell, was bitten on the back of his neck by a black widow spider late Friday while he was pumping water at his home. He was taken to the Columbia hos pital, where he stayed for two days, returning to his home Monday. He was reported to be still very ill this week. Over $55,000 Paid for 2,271 Acres in Two Deals During Week Resettlement Administration Adds To Holdings in Lake Phelps Section -« Add 2,271 acres, purchased this week, the United States Government, through the Resettlement Adminis tration, now owns approximately 6,307 acres of tillable soil in Wash ington and Tyrrell Counties, most of which is located in Scuppernong Township in the Lake Phelps section. The land bought during the week was all located in Washington Coun ty. The largest tract was purchased from Mrs Mary Elizabeth Smithson, comprising 1,794 acres, for $43,932.85. The second tract, 477 acres, was bought from Harry N. Starr and wife, of Creswell, and W. Douglass Starr and wife, of Plymouth, heirs of the late Walter Starr, for $11,778.43. All of this property was located on the Creswell road to Old Bay post office and was sold as a whole by the owners with the exception of about 40 acres owned by W. M. Spruill and William Webb. Last August the government pur chased 3,196 acres from the A. G. Walker estate for $90,089, and sev eral smaller tracts from others for $20,000. This week’s sales brings the total investment in property held by the Resettlement Administration in the Lake Phelps area to $165,810. This property is to be cultivated by clients of the Resettlement Ad ministration, which will drain the land and operate it as small individ ual farms under instructions by gov ernment employees. It is planned to sell off the property in small farms to these clients as soon as they be come able to pay for them. With the sale of this land to the government, the county lost consid erable taxable property from the tax books. Mrs. Annie Norman, 85, Died Last Friday At Home in Creswell -• Funeral Held Sunday After noon at Scuppernong Christian Church -$ Creswell.—Funeral services for Mrs. Annie E Norman, 85, who died Fri day morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. Pritchett, were held at the Scuppernong Christian church Sunday afternoon with Rev. L. B. Bennett, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Forest Wagoner. During the services a quartet com posed of Mrs. L. B. Bennett, Mrs. J. B. Hathaway, Mrs. L. W. Liverman, and Roy Litchfield, sang three num bers. A large floral offering was contrib uted, with the following serving as flower bearers: Mesdames Hershey Pritchett, Charles Pritchett, Roy Alexander, Herman Norman, Misses June Norman, Norma Nooney, Nita Bell Nooney, Alethia Mae Norman, Nancy Jane Norman, Emma Holton. Pall-bearers were Herman Norman, H. W. Pritchett, Hershey Pritchett, Charles Pritchett, Abbie Spruill, and Alva Alexander. Mrs. Norman is survived by the following children: J. H. Norman and J. E. Norman, of Norfolk; H. W. Nor man, Creswell; Mrs. E. Pritchett, of Washingotn County; also 27 grand children and 42 great-grandchildren. Attending the funeral from out-of town were Mr. and Mrs. Herman Norman and daughter, June, J. H. Norman, Mrs. Mattie Swain, Mrs. Charles Crutchfield, Mrs. Ted Miller, of Norfolk; Mrs. Minnie Sorrell and Mrs. C. O. Woodley, of Portsmouth; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pritchett, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Pritchett, Mr. and Mrs. R. Frank Holton, of Raleigh; Mrs. Jane Belanga, Mrs. Fred White, Mrs. Elias Pritchett, Mr. and Mrs. Nance, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Freeman, Elizabeth City; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Little, Greenville; Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Swain, Williamston; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Sexton, Roper; Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Swain, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Swain, Mrs. J. A. Spencer, and Mrs. William Leary, of Columbia. Valuation on Certain Property Raised by Board Here Recently —— Increase Amounts on Books For Stock and Fixtures of Several Local Firms -® The valuation on certain property of merchants in the town of Plym outh were ordered raised by the Washington County commissioners at a recent session, the changes being made in an effort to get the stocks in line with what the board mem bers believe to be a fair estimate of their value. The A. R. Dupree Soda Shoppe stock and fixtures were raised to $500. The H. E. Harrison Wholesale Co. stock was raised from $3,600 to $4, 000. The stock and fixtures of E. H. Liverman were raised from $6,800 to $9,000. Liverman’s Drug Store stock and fixtures were raised from $2,000 to $2,500. Norman Furniture Co. stock and fixtures were raised from $2,522 to $3,700. Valuation of the Swain and Outten barber shop fixtures was increased from $265 to $400. L. S. Thompson’s stock and fixtures were raised from $3,750 to $4,000. Campbell's store fixtures were in creased from $200 to $350. The stock was not mentioned. The fixtures in Williford's Yellow Front Market were raised from $800 to $1,000, with the stock not men tioned. Others were to be determined lat er, and the Burgess Shoe and Cloth ing Store stock and fixtures were in creased by $500 from the amount on the books, which was not learned. Eastern Carolina Markets To Open Season August 25 -9 Dates Set at Meeting of To bacco Association; Seek Earlier Date -® Tobacco markets in the Eastern North Carolina belt will open for the 1938 season on Thursday, August 25, the date having been set last week by the United States Tobacco Asso ciation in annual session at White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. This is one day earlier than the opening last year. The Eastern Carolina Warehouse men's Association was meeting in Parmville Thursday in an effort to secure an opening date a week ear lier, or on August 18, but it is not be lieved the U. S. association will grant the warehousemen’s request. It was pointed out that the crop in this section is much further advanced this season than was the case last year and it was to the benefit of the ware housemen, buyers, and producers to open the markets earlier. Efforts were also made by markets in competition with those in the bor der and South Carolina area to have the opening dates for the different belts fall nearer together, but the association’s action calls for activities to get underway on the border three weeks ahead of markets in this sec tion. Opening dates were set as follows: August 25; middlenodthmerfadwenod Georgia markets, July 28; Border markets, August 4; Eastern Carolina, August 25; Middle Belt, September 27; and dark-fired Virginia, Novem ber 28. -$ Fifteen Boys From County Enter CCC Camps Wednesday —®— Is Largest Group Ever To Be Entered From County at One Time Fifteen boys from Washington County enrolled in the Civilian Con servation Corps and left for various camps Wednesday, when Miss Ursula Bateman, superintendent of public welfare, took the boys to Washing ton to enter this phase of govern ment service. This is the largest group ever tak en from Washington County at one time, as a number from other coun ties did not show up for enlistment, and the quota from this section was filled by those present, regardless of where they were from. There were applications from 45 white and colored youths in this county for entrance at this time. The usual quota is only 8. bur this time several eligibles from other counties failed to report and local boys were accepted in their places. The following Washington County boys were enrolled Wednesday: Le roy Phelps, Creswell; Clyde, Jesse and Johnny Patrick, Skinnersville; Gor don Chesson, Hickman Jackson, Lin wood Modlin, Lloyd Waters, and Grady Jackson, Plymouth; Roy Min ton, Johnny Spruill, Elbert Tarken ton, Roper. All of them went to the Washington camp except Hickman Jackson, who was sent to New Hol land. The following colored boys were sent to the camp near New Bern: George Heckstall, Graham Herring ton, and James Spruill. Arrangements Complete for Field Day at Wenona Next Thursday; Several State Officials To Attend The Judges’ Report We, the undersigned, who have been selected to act as counting judges and auditors of the Roanoke Beacon's Subscription Campaign, concluded this date, certify and state that we have this day made a final count and check of the ballots cast in the election and find the results to be as follows: Prize and Winner A umber Votes First Capital Prize: Mrs. W. P. Lloyd 7,909,000 Second Capital Prize: Mrs. Estelle Allen 5,637,000 Third Capital Prize: Mrs. S. FT Nestor 4,433,000 Fourth Capital Prize: Miss Emily Waters 2,885,000 We further find that the contestants whose names are hereby given received the number of votes opposite their names and are de clared winners in their respective positions. Dated July 2nd, 1938. A. R. Phelps, B. G. Campbell, Frank L. Brinkley, Judges, Other than the prize winners listed above, the names of contest ants, each of whom received a commission for the amount of money turned in during the contest, and number of votes received by them follow: Mrs. Golden Williams Airs. Sadie Stillman Miss Teadie Mae Gibbs Mrs. Hilda Robertson Duncan Getsinger Mrs. Myrtie Peal Mrs. Delma Peele 2,106,000 1.183.000 1.765.000 1.231.000 645.000 538.000 187.000 Mrs. Walter P. Lloyd Wins Beacon Contest Mrs. Allen Second, Mrs. Nestor Third, Miss Waters Fourth Over $700 in Casli Paul I o Participants at Close of Contest Saturday Mrs. Walter P. Lloyd, of Plymouth, with 7,909,000 votes, won the .first prize of $400 in cash in the Roanoke Beacon subscription contest, which was brought to a close last Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock. Mrs. Estelle Allen, of Plymouth Route 1, with 5, 637,000 votes, was second and re ceived a cash award of $150. The third and fourth prizes, $75 and $25, were won by Mrs. S. E. Nestor, of the pulp mill village, and Miss Emily Wa ters, of Plymouth,* respectively. A majority of the 11 active con testants were present at the Beacon office when the ballot box was closed at exactly 4 o’clock by the three judges, Town Clerk Aubrey R. Phelps, of Roper; Mayor B. G. Campbell, of Plymouth; and County Commissioner Frank L. Brinkley, of Plymouth. The seals were broken on the box, and the votes for the last period quickly counted and checked by the judges, the entire proceeding being complet ed in about 45 minutes. Mayor Campbell then called in the contest ants, announced the winers and pre sented the prizes, after expressing the management’s appreciation of the fine work done by the campaign workers. In addition to the four major prizes commissions, representing 20 per cent of money turned in, were paid to the seven active contestants who were not among the first four. The campaign, conducted under the supervision of J. G. Campbell, of Hertford, was generally conceded to be the most fair and impartial ever conducted here. The sealed box used during the last period made it im possible for any contestant to know how any other contestant stood, and eveiyone had the same chance to will the cash awards. The workers, win ners and non-winners alike, agreed that it was conducted fairly and squarely in every respect. During the six weeks period, more than 600 new subscribers were added to the Beacon list, although some of them had received the paper prior to that time, and there were over 200 renewals and extensions. The contest was considered a success, despite the heavy rains and other unfavorable circumstances which the workers had to contend with. The contestants and The Beacon wish to extend their thanks to every one who subscribed during the per iod, as well as to the judges and the campaign manager for their work. The Beacon subscription list now al most completely covers the county, which was the aim of the publishers in staging the contest. M. E. Church in Cresuell To Have Special Service Cres well .—The Rev. Mr. Vick, of Texas and Duke University, will speak at the Methodist Episcopal Church Friday night, July 8, at 8 o'clock. The public is cordially invited and the young people urged to be present Sunny Ever Since Local Pastor Prays For Rain To Cease Last Sunday morning at the lo cal Methodist church, the pastor, Rev. C. T. Thrift, prayed that the rainy season might end and sun shine might come to save the crops and cheer the hearts of bewildered and despondent farmers. At the time it was raining, and the air- was sultry, apparently in dicating a continuation of the rainy spell. Tire minister's petition at tracted attention, for while preach ers have been known to pray for rain few in the congregation had ever heard of a preacher praying for ft to stop raining, although the one is as logical as the other. When questioned about it, Mr. Thrift said the petition was not premeditated, but was suddenly of fered at the close of the prayer be cause of an inner prompting. “I believe in taking all our needs to God in prayer," he said, “for God can do for us when we pray what He cannot do when do not pray.” Anyway, the rain ceased, and the skies cleared before night. Since then the weather has been just about perfect, with the sun shining every day. First Cotton Bloom Reported in County This Year on July 3 —«— 800 of 3,200 Acres Planted To Crop Have Been Plowed Under -$ Following the custom of years in this section, cotton farmers go into their fields during the early part of July to search for the first cotton blossoms, and reports have been re ceived from several sections claiming the first this year. Raleigh Ridley was first to report a bloom to The Beacon. He found a blossom in his field on July 3. He lives on the J. W. Chesson farm in the Pleasant Grove section. He stated that except for the sandy places in his section he believes there will be almost an aver age crop this year. W. J. Vaughan, of Wenona, found a blossom on his farm on July 4th. He is of the opinion that crops on the heavy peat-type of soil in the Wenona section have not been ser iously damaged by the rains. It is estimated that 3,200 acres of cotton were planted in the county this year. About 800 acres have been plowed under due to adverse weather conditions, and it has also been esti mated that the crop has suffered an average damage of 30 per cent due to recent rains. However, with bet ter conditions prevailing during the past few days, farmers are becoming more optimistic, and the estimates of crop damage are growing smaller Quarterly Conference at Siloam Church Sunday The third quarterly conference for the Plymouth charge of the Metho dist church will meet at Siloam church next Sunday afternoon. The presiding elder. Rev. B B. Slaughter, will preach and hold the conference. Lieutenant Governor V\ ilkinsP. Horton To Make Principal Talk —®— Commissioner of Agriculture Scott and Specialists Also Have Part in Program -$ The thirteenth annual farmers' field day at Blackland Test Farm. Wenona, will be held next Thursday, July 14, arrangements for the annual event being announced complete to day by the station director, Mr. J. L. Rea, jr. It is expected that tillers of the soil by the hundreds will turn out their livestock for a day of rest and grazing, lay aside their implements, load their families into their cars and proceed to the test farm, where they will meet their friends, enjoy the var ious contests, look over the demon strations in progress, and listen to the speeches and music on the pro gram. Among the features of the day's events, scheduled to last all day, will be speeches by Wilkins P. Horton, lieutenant governor of North Caro lina, and W. Kerr Scott, commission er of Agriculture, as v/ell as a num ber of specialists from the State Col lege Extension Department who will inform the farmers of latest agricul ture methods. James Ambrose’s string band will provide music for the occasion, and the program will get under way with the invocation by the Rev. N. A. Tay lor, pastor of the Plymouth Chris tian church. Dr, W. T. Ralph, of Belhaven, physician and farmer, will serve as chairman and will be introduced by Mr. Scott. A public address system will be provided by E. S. Jefferson, of Belhaven. J. L. Rea, jr., assistant director, in charge of the test farm, will make the annoncements, pos sibly assisted by F. E. Miller, state director of test farms, who will also be present. In the morning Dr. John E. Foster, of the animal industry division of State College, will speak on “Live stock Research on the Bli cklands.” while Dr. E. R. Collins, of the agron omy division, will explain “Soil Fer tility Problems in Relation to the Blackland Soils." Following the specialists ihe lieu tenant governor will spea :, after which there will be a recess fcr lunch. Those cariying picnic bask ts will find tables on which to spread their food. Cold drinks, sandwich ;s, and barbecue can be purchased on the grounds. The afternoon program, beginning at 2 o’clock, will be under the super vision of Mrs. George W. Bowen, of Plymouth, president of the Wi.shing (Continued on page sixi Superior Court Will Convene Monday for Single Week Session —$— Criminal and Civil Actions Scheduled; Judge Bone WillvPreside -« Washington County Superior Court convens Monday and is expected to complete the criminal and civil cases set for trial by next Friday, then adjourning until October. The July term usually sees few cases tried oth er than criminal actions, as farmers are usually busy with their crops at this season and it is hard to secure jurors without working a hardship on someone. Judge Walter J. Bone, of Nashville, will preside over the term, which has about 15 criminal actions on the docket. Among the cases set for trial is that of Earl Westerlinp 29, pulp min worker here, charger, with driving under the influence of whiskey and being responsible for the death of Minnie Spencer, negress, and with failure to stop and render assistance after an accident. The accident occurred on the night of April 2. Patrolman Tom Brown and several negro boys testified for the state at the preliminary hearing in recorder's court, the boys identify ing the car which struck the Spencer woman as the one belonging to West erling. Alton Robinson was also ar rested on a similar charge at the time, but after ownership of the car was traced to Westerling and Rob inson had testified that Westerling was driving at the time, Robinson was only booked as a witness. At torney W. L. Whitley is representing the defendant. Nathan Curlin, 22, white, and Rob ert Tarkenton, 29, white, will be tried on appeals from recorder’s court on charges of stealing soybeans from the warehouse of T. C. Holmes at Cres well. Roy Lucas, Creswell merchant, will face the court on a charge of pos session of non-tax-paid whiskey. He was given three months on the roads, suspended upon payment of $100 and costs, in the lower court, but took an appeal. There are several other minor cases to be heard, as well as some divorce cases, and several small civil actions which will likely be disposed of in a short time.