North Carolina Newspapers

The Roanoke Beacon ******* and Washington County News ★★**★★* A home newspaper dedicated to the service of Washington County and Its 12,00t people. VOLUME L—NUMBER 16 Plymouth, Washington County, ISorth Carolina, Friday, April 21, 1939 ESTABLISHED 1889 Town opics Second place in the short-story writing contest was given to Mrs. A. E. Davenport, of Mackeys, by the North Carolina Federation of Wom an's Club, announcement being made Wednesday at the annual session of the federation in Raleigh, with a number of people from this county present. The Plymouth High School Band rated 4th in Class D com petition at the 20th annual high school music contest at the Wom an's College, University of North Carolina, in Greensboro Wednes day and the 29 members of the band were expected to return here late Thursday. President Roy Manning, of the Plymouth Merchants' Association has been out this week selecting and leas ing sites for the placing of the signs that the merchants will place along highways in this section directing travelers through Plymouth over the Albemarle Sound bridge. Coach John Weaver, of the Plym outh High School, continues ill at a Rocky Mount hospital, where he was taken about two weeks ago. It was understood that he was to undergo an operation this week-end. It is not expected that he will return to his work at the school here this term. “I notice the clerk has on the bottom of the calendar for this term of superior court these words, ‘divorce cases to be called at the pleasure of the court,’ and I take this opportunity to advise that it is not a pleasure to call divorce cases, and I wish that in the future the wotjd ‘pleasure’ would be changed to “‘will,’ said Judge C. Everett Thompson here Wednesday morning while pre siding over the April term of civil court. A monthly meeting of the vocation al agriculture students of Plymouth, Roper, Creswell and Columbia was held at Roper Wednesday, according to W. S. Moore, local teacher, who said a feature of the event was a soft ball game in which Plymouth defeat ed Columbia, 17 to 13. -® Jury Clears Frank C. Spruill of Blame for Accidental Fatality 6-Year-Old Boy Crushed To Death Between Car and Light Pole Friday A Martin County coroner’s jury Saturday morning exonerated Prank C. Spruill, 32, traveling salesman of Plymouth, of any criminal negligence or intent in connection with the acci dental death of John Cherry, jr„ 6, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cherry, sr., of Everetts. The young boy was crushed to death between a pole and the rear bumper on Mr. Spruill’s car Friday afternoon at 5 o’clock in Ev eretts. Mr. Spruill left the Ayers store building on the main street of the village and got under the steering wheel of his car to back away from a slightly elevated cement walk in front of the store when he backed against the power pole. It was said the child was sitting by the pole when the sedan of Spruill caught him be tween the bumper and the pole, crushing his head, causing instant death. Bystanders had not seen the child behind the car and none heard any outcry. Mr. Spruill did not know that the boy had been crushed to death until he went behind his car to determine whether or not any damage had been done to the ma chine. Coroner S. R. Biggs, of Martin County, heard a number of persons testify, but apparently none of the witnesses saw the accident, although within five minutes the scene of the accident was surrounded by a large crowd. State Highway Patrolman W. S. Hunt came by about the time of the accident and questioned those who were present. He then informed Cor oner Biggs, who called for the hear ing. The coroner's Jury agreed that the accident was unavoidable, as no one knew the child was behind the car at the time M.. Spruill started to back out. The child was buried Saturday aft ernoon, with Mr. Spruill and a num ber of others from here attending the funeral. Surviving are boy’s parents and eight brothers and sisters, in cluding Mrs. . Roscoe Gaylord, of Plymouth. -® Christians Planning Convention April 28 Rev. N. A. TAYLOR, Pastor The Rev. A. E. Corey, once pastor of the Kinston Christian church, and now director of the pension fund of the Disciples of Chrsit, will be in Plymouth Friday, April 28, to lead in a one-day convention. The service will begin at 10 a. m. and close at 1:30. Lunch will be served in the church annex for those who attend. All the Christian churches in this dis trict are expected to be represented by their pastors and leading laymen. Sunday morning service will be de voted to giving the right hand of fel lowship to those who came in during the meeting just held. New Testa ments, given by E. B. Quick, will be presented to all who were baptized. It is hoped that all 40 will be pres ent. Other services are as usual. Let’s make them speak with our presence. Patrolmen 7 o Arrest All Speeders After May 1st Instructions have been received here by Patrolman T. B. Brown to proceed to arrest motorists who op erate their cars on public highways at a greater rate of speed than 60 miles an hour after May 1. Tire new speed limit was provided in a law re cently ratified in the legislature and is effective at this time, although Rev enue Commissioner A. J. Maxwell, under whose department the patrol is operated, said that patrolmen were being ordered to begin strict enforcement of the law after the first of next month. Prior to passage of the new law at Chamber Commerce Officials in Meeting Here Last Tuesday —®— Committee Appointed To Re port on Having Printed Matter Available Naming a committee to report on the feasibility of a plan to publish pamphlets citing interesting and his torical spots in this county was the highlight of the luncheon meeting of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce held in the Eureka Cafe here Tuesday. President Blount Rodman delegat ed J. R. Campbell, W. P. Winslow and Walter H. Paramore to gather data on this matter and to present it at a meeting to be held at Hoyt Daven port’s Cafe near Creswell, Wednesday night, May 3, at 7:30 p. m. The group also authorized Secre tary John W. Darden to have mem bership cards printed and delivered to the executive board for use in so liciting memberships throughout the county. Walter H. Paramore was named a member of the executive commitee and made chairman of the commit tee on publicity. Present at the meeting was the full membership of the executive commit tee : J. R. Campbell, B. G. Campbell, W. P. Winslow, W. H. Paramore, of Plymouth; Barton Swain, Roper; W. W. White, Skinnersville; O. D. Hat field and E. S. Wodley, Creswell; President Rodman and Secretary Darden. Many Improvements Are Now Being Made At Albemarle Beach • Resort Is Being Made Ready For Opening New Season On May 26th A number of improvements are be ing made at Albemarle Beach, near here, with a view to opening the re sort for business on Friday, May 26, it was learned today from L. W. Gur kin, owner. The principal improvement is the addition to rest rooms in the bath houses by the installation of septic tanks. Showers have been provided in the bath houses heretofore, and the additional facilities will provide every convenience for visitors. Rebuilding of the old pavilion, which has been used for picnics and parties for many years and which was once the principal building at the resort, is underway now. As the caretaker who has been oc cuying one of the cottages has moved, there will be four cottages at the beach for rent this season instead of the three available last year for week end parties, as well as for those who wished to reside at the beach. All the buildings owned by the re sort management are being repaint ed in white this year. Undergrowth is being cleared away from around some of the buildings and shades trees at the edge of the resort. The premises are being giv en a general clean-up and repairs are being made to the walkways and piers for safety as well as for ap pearance. Designate Voting Places for Town Election May 2nd Voting places in the Town of Plymouth election, scheduled for May 2, were designated this week, as interest in the campaign lag ged because of no announce ments by additional candidates. The first ward voters will cast their ballots in the courthouse; those of the second ward at Has sell Brothers’ Bakery; and the third ward citizens will vote at Peal’s old garage on Washington Street. As things now stand, there is only one contest, three candidates in the third ward offering for the two positions to be filled there. They are E. H. Liverman and H. C. Spruill, incumbents, with W. P. Winslow. Mayor B. G. Campbell is unop posed for his job, as are J. W. Norman and Dr. W. H. Johnson in the second ward, and A. J. Riddle and W. J. Mayo in the first. Mr. Riddle announced to succeed T. C. Burgess, who is not a candidate for reelection. the last session of the legislature, there was no maximum speed limit on the statute books. The old law simply provided that motorists must exercise due caution when driving more than 45 miles an hour. For the remainder of this month, speeders will be cautioned about the new speed law and will be urged to hold their automobiles down to the 60-mile maximum, but no arrests will be made except for "flagrant viola tions," it was said. Patrolman Brown also advises that trucks, loaded or unloaded, should not be operated at a speed in excess of 30 miles an hour. PLANS TO LEAVE j V-/ Coach C. O. Armstrong, who has been here for two years, will not offer for reelection to the lo school school faculty for the next term. C. O. Armstrong Not To Return To School Here for Next Term Coach Here for Past Couple Years Plans To Do Grad uate Work -® C. O. Armstrong, history teacher and athletics coach at the Plymouth High School for the last two years, will not apply for reelection to mem bership on the local school faculty, according to an announcement made by him today. His plans for next fall are indefi nite at this time, but it was learned he had decided to attend the Uni versity of Chicago during the summer months to work on his doctor of philosophy degree. During his first year as a football coach here, his squad won five, lost two and tied one. Last fall his foot ball team won three out of three. Last summer, Coach Armstrong managed the Plymouth Rocks base ball team, which won 25 out of 30 games. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from East Carolina Teachers’ Col lege and a master of arts degree from Peabody College. A resident of Ay den, Mr. Aim strong married Miss Martha Mayo in August, 1938, who was very popular here. Seek Donations for Netv Church Organ -® Donations totaling $650 for a new organ to replace the 30-year-old in strument in the Methodist church here were pledged by a group of men at a dinner meeting in the commun ity hall Monday night, when 26 at tended. Three teams were appointed to so licit the church membership for do nations. The first team was com posed of J. R. Campbell and A. J. Riddle; another of P. W. Brown and L. S. Thompson; while J. R. Man ningg, A. L. Owens and E. P. Still make up the third team. A. L. Owens. A. J. Riddle and E. P. Still were named by the toastmas ter, E. F. Still, to cooperate with Shep Brinkley and C. J. Norman in the purchase of a new organ. It was reported that it would cost $1,700 to repair the old instrument and that a new organ could be pur chased for about $1,600. Music is now provided by the Hammond organ owned by Shep Brinkley. It was de cided that the purchase of a new or gan would be made only for cash. -® Sam Adler Hans To Reopen Store Here Around May 6 -*> Sam Adler, of Morehead City, was in town Wednesday of this week and stated that he had decided to move back to Plymouth with his stock of merchandise and reopen for business in the same building which he occu pied before leaving here several months ago. Mr. Adler expects to have new shelving built, his fixtures installed and everything ready for reopening about May 6. He has relinquished his lease on a store building in Morehead City and he and Mrs. Adler will probably rent an apartment here and move back after a few weeks. R. H. Lucas Plans To Replace Dairy Barn Burned Last Friday -<♦> Loss Estimated at 81,500; Amount Covered by In sura nee Undetermined -« Expressing gratitude to the local firemen and others who helped pro tect near-by buildings, and undaunt ed by the $4,500 loss sustained when his modern dairy barn burned last Friday morning, the Rev. R H. Lu cas said today he hoped to have a new barn ready in 60 days. An employee went into the boiler room Friday morning to find it filled with smoke and flames spreading rap idly, possibly started from the flue, and in a short while the structure and most of the contents were com pletely destroyed. Firemen from Plymouth prevented the blaze from catching a near-by stock barn, rendering invaluable serv ice although the water supply was limited and they were unable to con trol the fire in the dairy barn. A bottle filler and capping machine was removed from the burning build ing but practically all the other ma chinery, attached to the walls and floor, could not be disconnected in time for removal. Seed peanuts and some other things in the loft which did not belong to the dairy proper were also destroyed, causing at least an additional $200 loss. Mr. Lucas was awaiting the insur ance adujster, who had not arrived late Wednesday. As soon as he does arrive and complete his investigation, Mr. Lucas said work would begin im mediate to replace the building and that new machinery would be or dered. The dairy owner did not know exactly how much of the loss would be covered by his insurance. The wife of the blind minister was in New York City on her vacation when the fire occurred, but the two of them said this week that they “had worked and paid for almost one dairy barn'' and that they were ready to start paying on another. The destroyed building had only been used about a year. It was con structed to meet the requirements for a Grade A Dairy, the Springwood be ing the only one of this class in the section. -- Supervisor Says Not Half of Property Has Been Listed To Date Warns of Double Taxing Pen alty for Failure To List During April With only eight days left, less than 50 per cent of the taxpayers of Wash ington County have listed their prop erty for taxation, according to E. P. Swain, supervisor, who urges the people to list their taxes to escape penalties which may be compulsory after Sautrday of next week. S. D. Davis, of Plymouth, said there were a lot of people who had recent ly moved here to make their homes and who have personal property and poll taxes to list, although many of them had not done so. Warning is being given them to comply with the law or be subject to double taxation. The number of property owners in Lees Mills who have been listing with A. R. Phelps was said to be steadily increasing, and the same report is made by W. W. White for Skinners ville and P. B. Belanga for Scupper - nong Townships. Supervisor Swain said those who fail to list during April are subject to double taxation and that they will be visited later and assessed with the penalty. To prevent errors, and to correct errors now on the books, all persons should list their property in person or by a duly qualified agent, according to Mr. Swain. -<£• Three-Act Comedy at Cherry School Friday A three-act comedy, “When Sally Comes to Town," will be presented in the auditorium of the Cherry School Building Friday evening at 8 o’clock. It is sponsored by the Parent Ceacher Association of the Cherry School. A lively comedy with many humorous lines, the play is expected to be exceptionally entertaining, and it is hope a large audience will at tend. The cast of characters includes the following well-known people of the Cherry and Creswell sections: Iris Davenport, Steve Davenport, Teadie Mae Gibbs, Bob Merritt, Irene Spruill, Virginia Phelps. Evelyn White, Ger aldine Snell, Katy Spruill, Junior Spruill and Ralph Davenport. FISHING PICKS UP _ Close to 150,000 hering were caught at the Kitty Hawk and Slade fisheries near here Wednes day to represent the best day of the season for fishermen, who said this was much more like the old-time fishing that was former ly done in this section. However, Thursday the catches started dwindling, returning to about the same that has pre vailed earlier during the season. Catches have been very small here this season, except on Wed nesday, when the hauls were said to have averaged nearly 8,000 each. Pre-School Clinics 24th A t Cherry and Creswell A pre-school clinic will be con ducted Monday at 8:30 in the Cherry school and in the Creswell school at 10:30. it was announced this week by Dr. S. V. Lewis, district health officer. Parents having children who will inter school for the first time next term are urged by the health officer :o bring them to the clinic where they will be examined for ailments which may handicap their progress in the schools if such physical defects are not accepted prior to the open ing of the term next fall. It is also requested that children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years who have not been vaccinated against diphtheria be brought to the clinic for immunization. The health officer stated that 90 per cent of all the deaths caused by diphtheria oc cur in children under 6 years of age. Vaccination against diseases are important for the school children, as they are exposed to practically all contagious diseases when in school. Dr. Lewis said. The health officer also pointed out that sickness is very expensive and causes more sorrow and trouble than practically all other causes combined. With so many proven vaccinations available now free of cost, sorrow from this cause may be greatly re duced. Young Democrats in Meeting Here Friday | TO SPEAK HERE | ^_>' D. L. Ward, speaker of the house of representatives at the last session of the General As sembly, is to make the principal address at the Young Democratic meeting here Friday. County Scouts Enjoy Camporee Staged in Tarboro Last Week Lee Landing One of Seven Boys Chosen To Be Honor Guests of Connie Maek Fifteen members of Troop No. 84 of Plymouth comprised two patrols sentt to Tarboro Friday for the an nual Boy Scout Camporee on the commons of the Edgecombe County capital. They were accompanied by Scoutmaster N. A. Taylor. Upon arrival the boys registered their patrols and pitched their tents among the 1,200 scouts who had gathere from other towns in this sec tion. The boys prepared and ate dinner. In the afternoon the local scouts marched in the parade through the streets of Tarboro to the ball park, where they were special guests of Connie Mack and saw his Philadel phia Athletics defeat the Williams port Gray, 14 to 2. Lee Landing, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Landing, of Plymouth, was one of the seven boys chosen to sit in the box as special guests of Connie Mack and scout of ficials. Mr. Mack also gave Lee an autographed baseball. Returning to camp, the boys pre pared their supper and made ready for an inspection by Major Parks, an army officer, and scout officials. A division of the 31 patrols was made into three tribes for campfire cere monies, which included stunts and stories. Saturday, the boys engaged in the contests of skill, including signaling, woodcutting, first aid, undressing, map making, knot tying, and com pass use. The two patrols won red ribbons for camping efficiency, the award being made after church serv ices Sunday morning. Cresuell Band and (dee Club at Music Festival ——® Creswell.—The music festival in Edenton last Sunday was attended by a large number of parents and friends of the boys and girls of the Creswell High School Band and Glee Club, who participated in the event. The local band is conducted by Bob Merritt. Since its organization in October, the community feels that it has made much progress in musical development, as has also the Creswell Glee Club under the supervision of Mrs. A. S. Holmes and Mrs. R. T. Hopins. Principals for County Schools Arc Fleeted Principals for the white schools in Washington County have been chosen by the local committees with the same group selected to be in charge of the schools for next term. R. B. Trotman has been elected as head of the Plymouth schools; A. T. Brooks principal at Creswell: and D. E. Poole named for another year at Roper. Speaker D. L. Ward. Of New Bern, Will Make Main Address Over 200 Members of Organi zation From First District Expected To Attend Everything was reported to be in readiness today for the entertain ment of about 200 Young Democrats of the first congressional district, who are expected to gather here Friday afternoon for a Jeffersonian rally. D. L. 'Libby) Ward, of New Bern, speaker of the house of representa tives in the recent General Assem bly, will be the principal speaker. Bryan Grimes, chairman, of Wash ington, is to preside, and Hoover Taft, of Greenville, chairman of the organization work, will report on his work. Representative Wilbur M. Darden, of Plymouth, will introduce Mr. Ward, while Walter H. Paramore, of Plymouth, will welcome the visi tors and the responses will be made by Carter Studdert, of WillUmston, and John Graham, of Edenton. Mrs. Camilla Y. Glenn, of Gates ville, will serve as secretary of the meeting. Other notable political fig ures from all over the first district will be recognized, including Sheriff Victor Meekins, Manteo; John Gra ham. Edenton; George Johnson, of South Mills; Charlie Johnson, Hert ford; Jack Windley, Swan Quarter; Ben Aycock, Pantego; Vernon Voliva, Belhaven; Fentress Horner, Elizabeth City; Mrs. Camilla Y. Glenn, Gates ville; and Paul Liverman, of Colum bia. The speaking will be held at the courthouse beginning at 4:30. Sup per will be served at the county home for ticket holders at 6. There will be band music and other entertain ment. -« Creswell Hoy Scouts Win Awards at Tar boro Meet -<* Creswell.—Each of the three pa trols of the Creswell Boy Scout troop, No. 101. brought back red ribbons from the Camporee in Tarboro last week. Accompanied by Scoutmaster Sid ney Smithson and Billy the follow ing Scouts attended: Ammon Smith son, Billy Bennett, Robert Bateman, Clyde Spruill, jr., James Davenport, Harry Phelps, Indian patrol: J. C. Gatlin, jr., Chester Hopkins, Sam Wodley, Walter Peele, Roger Daven port and Tom Phelps, Flaming Ar row patrol; Carol Van Davenport, Gerard Spruill, Jesse Swain, Billy Spruill. -* Roper Faculty To I*resent Play There Friday Night Roper.—The Roper faculty will pre sent a play entitled "Where Is Grand ma?" on Friday night, with the pro ceeds to be used by the Parent Teacher Association for a grammar grade library. Miss Cordulia Lanier will direct the play. " Patrons of the Roper school are urged to attend this play, to help find Grandma, and to witness the hi larious situations in this comedy drama," said Principal D. E. Poole. Police Ordered To Kill Dogs Without Vaccinatum Tags Chief of Police P. W. Brown has instructed local officers to shoot dogs which are running at large af ter Monday if they do not have vac cination tags on them. Meantime, Policeman Paul Bas night and Joe Nobles have vacci nated over 150 dogs of every de scription, from the lowly mongrels owned by the colored boys to the prized pets of the more affluent. The chief insists that ownership of a dog will not be considered if the animal is caught running at large next week without the tag showing he has been vaccinated. The offices are starting a cam paign to rid the twon of dogs which may develop rabies and become a serious menace to the people of the community. Jury Returns 88.000 Verdict in Damage Suit Against A. ('. I.. -$ .Nathaniel Coltrain W in^ Big \ ward Result of Truck Train Collision -$ A jury in Washington County Su perior Court late Wednesday re turned a verdict of $8,000 in favor of Nathaniel Coltrain, who was suing the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co. for damages as the result of injuries sustained when a motor vehicle he was driving collided with a train at a crossing near Gardner's Creek in Martin County on March 8, 1937. Coltrain claimed, in his complaint, that he could not see the approach ing train because of tree tops that had been cut and piled on the rail road right of way, obstructing the view. Railroad attorneys countered with the charge that Coltrain was negligent and that he did not have brakes on his car. Trial of the case was started Mon day and continued until just before noon Wednesday, when Judge C. Ev erett Thompson, of Elizabeth City, charged the jury. They took the case at 1 p. m. and returned the verdict Wednesday evening at 6. Attorneys W. B. Rodman and Z. V. Norman rep resented the railroad and W. L. Whit ley represented Coltrain. Wednesday afternoon another jury was drawn and the case of Louis B. Davenport against John Halsey start ed. The case revolves around a deed and an option on land secured by Bateman from the Halseys. It was believed that this would consume all of Thursday. Inasmuch as there are five cases left on the civil calendar it was be lieved by court attaches that the term would last until Saturday, unless these cases were continued until the July term. Divorces were granted to Percy H. Roberts from Linnie E. Roberts and to Daisy L. Wilson from Herman E. Wilson. Cast of 50 in Minstrel To Be Presented at Theatre Wednesday —®— Plymouth’s Best Talent Will Be Seen in ‘■‘Southern Rhapsody” -<j> By R. B. TROTMAN One of the outstanding entertain ments of the year will be presented at the Plymouth Theatre Wednesday evening, April 28, at 8 o'clock, when the Southern Rhapsody Minstrel goes before the public. This is a show composed of Plymouth's best talent, 50 in number, who will sing the old time favorites and the new swing numbers. Among the outstanding hits of the show will be the quartet composed of Dr. A. Papineau, Joe Norman, Cicero Norman and Vance Norman, who will sing a group of Negro spirituals and old minstrel ballads. Side-splitting comedy will be pro vided by the end men, David Hurley, C. O. Ar mstrong, Jack Peele, Joe Leg gett, Red Liverman and Marlow Teague. Plymouth's "jitterbugs” will be presented in the latest contortions, and a group of Plymouths most at tractive young ladies will do an old time minstrel number, "Dancing Hands." Miss Lucille Woolard, a well-known dancing teacher in Wash ington, N. C., will present three of her most advanced pupils in specialty numbers, and she herself will do a solo dance. The unusual vocal and dancing tal ent among the people of Plymouth promise an evening of exceptional en tertainment. The minstrel is being sponsored by the Plymouth Parent Teacher Association and is under the direction of Robert B. Trotman. The show will be accompanied by Slup Brinkley at the piano and organ. Through the generosity and public spiritedness of Mr. Brinkley, the use of the Plymouth Theatre has been given the Parent-Teacher Association for this performance. There will be only one show, which will begin at 8 o'clock. There will be a short pro gram of moving pictures, selected news reel and comedy before the min strel. Mrs. T. L. Bray and a com mittee from the parent-teacher asso ciation will have charge of the ad vance sale of tickets, and it. is advised that tickets be purchased early to avoid the rush and congestion at the door. -at Funeral Monday for William H. Snell, 42 Funeral services for William Hun ter Snell. 42, who died in Tuscaloosa. Ala., Friday as the result of a heart attack following a septic sore throat, were held in Rehoboth M. P. Church cemetery in the Skinnersville section Monday afternoon. The Rev. M. L, Ambrose, pastor of Zion Chapel Christian Church, offic iated. Interment was made in the family plot near that of his mother, Mrs. J. F. Snell, who died about sev en years ago. A native of Washington County, Mr. Snell was at one time a pharma cist in Belhaven, afterwards moving to Alabama, where he became a trav eling salesman. Surviving is his father, J. P. Snell.