Newspapers / The Roanoke Beacon and … / Dec. 7, 1939, edition 1 / Page 1
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The Roanoke Beacon m jf * it * * * and Washington County News ★★★★★★★ II Advertisers will find Beacon 11 and News Columns a latchkey to Ij 1.500 Washington County homes. VOLUME L—NUMBER 49 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Thursday, December 7, 1939 ESTABLISHED 1889 Town opics Included among the officials guests here from Washington Monday for the highway-opening celebration were T. B. Attmore, member of the State School Commission: the Rev. Stephen Gardner. Episcopal rector: C. H. Sterling, chairman of the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners; Captain E. P. Meredith, of the North Carolina National Guard; Herbert Bonner, secretary to Congressman Lindsay Warren, F. F. Steib. band director; and L. B. Wickersliam, vice president of the Norfolk Southern Bus Corporation. The Plymouth Woman's Club is offering a S3 first prize and a S2 second prize for the most attract ively decorated home, as seen from the street, during the Yule tide season. These decorations must be up by December 17. W. R. Hampton, C. L. Bailey and W. V. Hays attended the Good Neigh bor Dinenr in Elizabeth City Monday night, when Strickland Gillian was the principal speaker. There were over 400 persons present at the ban quet. which was sponsored by a civic organization. “Happy" Edmund Woodson, well known local colored man, brought to the office this week a published map of the world, which listed only two towns in North Carolina, Plymouth and Wilmington, along with Norfolk and Richmond in Virginia. It was published by an organization known as Geographia’s. "Happy" is now looking for K. D. Worrell, of William ston, to ask him to point out where he lives on this map. Bear hunters here this week included Mr. and Mrs. O. F. Camp, of Spring Lake, N. J„ and their son, Raymond Camp, fish ing and hunting editor of the New York Times; Congressman E. B. Wolfenden, of Upper Darby, Pa., and other out-of-state per sons. W. R. Hampton, a member of the State Board of Conservation and De velopment, suffered a fall in the bath room at his home Tuesday night, and he was painfully injured about the forehead and chin when his head struck the bathtub. In the heart of the Christmas shop ping season, Sam Adler is starting a sale Saturday morning to make avail able hundreds of bargains to shop pers who wish to give clothing for gifts and make their purchases at a saving right here at home. Junior Class Play The Junior Class of the Plymouth High School will present a comedy entitled “Two Days To Marry,” in the school auditorium here Friday evening at 8 o’clock. The plot of the story revolves about a happy-go-lucky man of the world who is to come into possession of a fortune on his 28th birthday, pro vided he is married by that time. By chance this clause in the will is over looked until only two days before his birthday. His lawyer agrees to fix things up for him and many com ical situations follow. The cast includes Jane Read, Elaine Odenath, Thelma Sykes, Duncan Getsinger, Ducky Lloyd, Harry Gar rett, and Freeman Allen. Miss Irene Dixon is directing the play. A small admission charge will be made. Town Council Will.Hold Postponed Meet Monday The Town Council will meet next Monday night for their monthly ses sion, which was postponed on account of the celebration held here and in Washington last Monday. Mayor B. G. Campbell urges a full attendance by the councilmen. h Sei Outlook for Needy Children in County Not So Bright and Christmas Nearing Fire Department and American Legion Post Will Consider Sponsoring Distribution of Repaired Toys and Baskets of Food To Indigent Again This Year; Decision May Be Reached at Their Meetings Friday Night Just what will be done by local or- , ganizations to provide a measure of Christmas cheer this year hangs in the balance today, as members of the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department and the American Legion post have reached no definite decision about the matter. Members of the fire department are handicapped in making distribution of the toys and baskets, as most of their membership is employed in lo cal stores and business establish ments and are unable to get away from their work on Christmas Eve, when deliveries should be made. The local American Legion post is now defendant in a suit brought against it as the result of an auto accident which occurred to one of its workers when the baskets and gifts were be ing delivered last Christmas. Neither organization has definitely decided not to take a hand in the community effort to provide a meas ure of cheer for the unforunates of the county at Christmas, but the time is growing short, and unless a decision is reached within the next few days it will be too late to make an organized effort such as has been the case in former years. It is understood the firemen will be glad to donate their time to re pairing and painting the old toys do nated by citizen of the community, but they are hesitant in undertaking this phase of the work until some ar rangements can be made for the de liveries. Last year the American Le gion handled the distribution task in its entirety. Both organizations will meet Fri day night, and it is likely the entire matter will be threshed out by the respective memberships at that time. Other clubs and organizations are expected to proffer their cooperation if the firemen and legionnaires will head up the work. Certainly, in a town this size, some organized move ment should be undertaken to care for the unfortunates who will have nothing to look forward to at Christ mas time otherwise. Yulelide Lighis and Decorations Add To Attractions of Town Street Lights Turned on Friday; Many Displays In Store Windows Retail business in the down-town area was reported to be steadily in creasing daily, as Christmas street lights and window displays in the stores emphasize the approach of the Yuletide season. The many vari-col ored lights forming a canopy over Washington and Waters streets were turned on last Friday night, and visi tors and townfolk are delighted with the appearance created. Chief of Police P. W. Brown and his assist ants. who strung the 700 lights in the business section and decorated the market building facing Washington Street, have been highly praised for their efforts. The community building is topped by a large triangle surrounding a cross and the whole surmounted by a star, all worked out in electric lights. A silver-sprayed Christmas tree on each side of the design adds much to its beauty. The store windows are being filled with suggested gift items, Christmas trees, colors, and decora tions being used to add attractiveness to the displays. More and more people are begin ning to do their shopping here, one of the merchants stating early this week that he had already laid away more merchandise up to this time than was usual. Early shopping is the order of the day. and those who make their purchases now are as sured of a wider selection and more complete stocks than those who wait until the last minute. Three-Year-Old Creswell Boy Died Last Saturday Creswell.—Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon for Julian Ray Gibbs, three-year-old son of Mrs. Myrtle Craddock Gibbs, who died Saturday in a Columbia hospital. The last rites were held at „he home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Craddock. Interment took place in the family cemetery near Cherry. Surviving, besides his mother, are two brothers, Harold and Carl; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Craddock and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Gibbs. Life of Congressman "No Bed of Roses" During Past Ten Years, Lindsay Warren Says While on Visit Here Last Nonday Series of National Emergencies and Hounding by Job Seekers Gives Representatives in Congress But Little Time for Relaxation You can take it from Representa tive Lindsay C. Warren, of the First North Carolina Congressional District —and he really should know that the life of a member of the national legislative body has not been a bed of roses” during the past 10 years. In Plymouth Monday to attend and take part in the celebration of the formal opening of the Plymouth Washington highway, Mr. Warren said that during the past decade the Congress had been confronted with one emergency right after another almost continuously, and that the problems presented called for steady application and clear thinking on the part of the members. Widely known as "the sweetheart of the first district," Mr. Warren has gained national recognition for his ability and willingness to put in long hours of work in handling national legislation. He is one of the few men in either house who commands the respect and confidence of not only the Republican and Democratic mem bers but also the administration and anti-administration forces, the make up of which knows no party lines. He is generally recognized as the man most likely to succeed Representative Bankhead as Speaker of the House in the event the Democrats retain con trol of that body and the present Speaker retires. Hounded on all sides by .job-seekers “the men of government” have a lot of their time taken up with matters of importance to their constituents, the Congressman said, and in addi tion to that they have had to con sider legislation which has marked a new era in government, including the passage of laws making possible the Farm Security Administration, Civil ian Conservation Camps, Agricultural Adjustment Administration, Social Security, and hundreds of other acts affecting the national welfare. Tired and worn by his arduous du ties, Congressman Warren neverthe less arranged to be here for the cel ebration marking the linking together of two of the oldest towns in the State and he was the principal speak er on the program held at the local theatre Monday. County School Children To Get Nearly Two Weeks tor Christmas This Year I The closing date for the public schools in Washington County to recess for the Christmas holidays was fixed at Thursday, Decem ber 21, by the board of education in session here Monday. The board then decided to give the school children a “break,” by ex tending the holiday season three days, setting the date for reopen ing on Thursday, January 4, thus allowing one day short of two weeks for the holiday instead of the 10 days first considered. The half year’s work will be fully con cluded before the holidays due to the earlier opening date last fall. Unless it is decided to observe Easter Monday as a holiday next spring, the closing date for the term has been tentatively set for April 24. J. R. Carr, a patron of the Plymouth school, appeared be fore the board, asking that the short schedule for rainy days be eliminated at that school; but the board decided, since all the mem bers were not acquainted with lo cal problems, to leave the matter to the Plymouth school board to be acted upon. Within a short time, it is ex pected the Plymouth school com mittee, composed of Frank L. will meet to study Mr. Carr’s re Brinkley and Dr. E. A. Harper, quest and render a decision on it. Construction Work Is Progressing Rapidly New License Tags Make Appearance A score or more new automo bile license plates are to be seen on cars parked along the streets of Plymouth this week, as resi dents of Washington County be gin the purchase of tags, which must be on all motor vehicles in the State by January 1, 1940. The sale began only last Friday. The new plates were purchased in either Edenton or Williamston where branch bureaus have been established, with a few being or dered by mail from Raleigh. Last year no extension of time was given for purchasing the new plates, and Corporal T. B. Brown of the Highway Patrol said to day it was his opinion the same rulings would be enforced begin ning January 1. Four Winners Get Total of $30 Prizes In Draw This Week Mrs. David Brown, Mrs. O. R. Leggett Get $10 Each; Two Others Win $5 With stubs in the container repre senting about $17,000 spent with par ticipating local merchants in the past week, four persons found themselves $30 wealthier here Wednesday after noon, when the eighth drawing in the business-building campaign being conducted by local merchants was held. Mrs. David Brown, with a ticket from Byrd’s Clothing Store, won the first $10, while Mrs. O. R. Leggett claimed the second $10 with a ticket from Williford’s Yellow Front Mar ket. Mrs. L. R. Swain was holding Mrs. Leggett’s ticket. Mrs. John Carlisle was awarded the first $5 prize with a ticket from the Water Street Service Station; and D. W. Chism with a ticket from Wil liford’s Yellow Front Market, took the final $5 award. There were four little tots to draw the winning numbers from the box this week, including Carolyn Ayers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Ay*rs; Francis Hold, son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hold; Edgar William Dits worth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Ditsworth; Phyllis Jackson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Jackson. There remains only two mose mid week drawings before December 27, when awarding of the $200 in grand prizes to five persons will close the campaign. Number Employees Added To Payrolls By Contractor Firms Structural Steel Work Be gun Tuesday; Review Of Activities Construction work moved forward rapidly this week at the plant of the North Carolina Pulp Company, where extensive additions are being made to double the capacity of the local mill. Many new workers have been added to the payrolls of the firms laying the foundations, erecting the struc tural steel, and building the large tanks that are underway. The William Murrhead Construc tion Company now has about 60 men on its payroll, it is understood, and the Bethelehem Steel Corporation, which is erecting the structural steel and constructing tanks, has around 40 more, making a total of 100 men employed in this phase of the work. Charles Rohleder, of Philadelphia, also has a large crew at work on the filtration plant. Steel work on the bleacher build ing began Tuesday, and five of the ten foundations have been poured for the large tanks, with crews now busy erecting tanks cn three of the foun dations. Concrete work on the bleach liquor building was completed today and foundations were being poured for a beater building. Observers said today it was undertsood work was moving rapidly on the bleacher build ing, bleach-liquor building, and ex cavations are being made for a beat er room and machine room. It is understood that the company has not yet let the contract for con struction of a large power building under consideration, and the addi tion to the wet-machine room is also being held in abeyance. With announcements last week that buildings would be erected for dou bling the pulp capacity, it is believed the local plant will be one of the largest sulphate-pulp plants in the South when the work now underway is completed, probably sometime next summer. Annual Christmas Seal Sale Now in Progress The annual sale of Red Cross Christmas seals, proceeds from which are to be used in continuing the fight against tuberculsis, began here this week, with school children and oth ers offering the seals to the public. Hundreds have been sold, and the school children and other organiza I tions will continue the campaign un [ til Christmas. 1,300 Persons Attend Road Celebration in Plymouth Monday Lindsay Warren Speaks at Theatre; Parade Center Of Attraction -<$> A crowd estimated at 1,300 persons swarmed into Plymouth last Monday to attend the exercises attendant up on the formal opening of the hard surfaced route No. 97 from Plymouth to Washington, with Congressman Lindsay C. Warren addressing the few who attended the program in the Plymouth Theatre. The Representative in a short and impressive talk, reviewed the efforts which had been made over a period of 18 years to get this highway sur faced, explaining that he differed with the State Highway and Pub lic Works Commission in their allo cation of funds for road work on the basis of population, traffic and other methods for highway development, stating that he thought needed roads in many cases were in sparsely pop ulated areas. He also said this road linked to gether two counties that were already in unity politically, socially, indus trially and from a trade standpoint. Features of the outdoor activities included a parade of school children, led by the Plymouth and Washington High School bands. Boy Scouts, and Battery C of the 113th Field Artillery of the National Guard, which placed a field gun in position for firing. Those who entered the theatre to hear Congressman Warren’s address and the other speeches were given a treat in the short talks made by J. R. Campbell, county commissioner: W. Blount Rodman, chamber of com merce president: W. R. Hampton, member of the Board of Conserva tion and Development; Edmund G. Harding, secretary of the Washing ton Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Ralph Hodges, of Washington: and Z. V. Norman, who made the address of welcome as representative of May or B. G. Campbell, of Plymouth, also present on the speakers’ platform. John W. Darden presided. At the night program in Wash ington, about 100 persons from here attended to see the parade of the two bands and Santa Claus arrive in a fireman's truck. The program start ed early and by the time it was sched uled to begin the 1,500 person there h 'id disbanded and returned to their homes. School Authorities Seeking To Reduce Number of Failures -<$> Figures for Last Term Show 283 Failures Out of 1,458 Enrolled in County School officials in Washington County today are seeking to reduce the number of failures among the students which last year was given at 17 percent of the total daily en rollment in the three large white schools. With a total daily enrollment last year of 1,458 white children there were 263 failures who this year be came repeaters because they could not leave the grade in which they were taught last year. Officials know that naturally some children are not as apt as others in grasping their information but they are determined to provide the essen tials of class room equipment, to have comfortable rooms with the proper amount of school time for recitals and study. The Roper school with 83 failures out of a total daily enrollment of 377 had the largest percentage of fail ures with 22 while the Creswell school with 486 children had 98 failures giv ing them a percentage of 20. With improved facilities this year it is pre dicted that both of the schools will reduce the repeaters this year. Plymouth with the largest enroll ment of 595 last year had 82 failures with a 11 percent of repeaters. This year it is expected that this number will be reduced as the teachers and school officials cooperate with the parents in decreasing the failures. These figures are not alarming as they compare womewhat favorable with schools elsewhere but the offi cials are determined to see that every effort is made to make studying easy for the children and to attract their interest in school work. Service Station Robbed Here Wednesday Night Thieves forced an entrance through a side window at the Esso Service Station here Wednesday night and escaped with loot valued at $100. No one heard any noise, and Ed Jackson, manager of the station, and C. E. Ayers, distributor, who has charge of the place, could not tell what time the robbery occured. Candy, four tires, 10 cartotns of cigarettes, a quantity of anti-freeze, two slot machines and other articles were missing. There was no clue to the perpetrators. Commissioners Name Officials for Handling 1940 Tax-Listing Job Don't Forget Your Local Merchants With the Christmas shopping season now in full blast, every one is reminded and urged to take advantage of the opportun ities offered right here in Plym outh by the local merchants be fore going elsewhere to make gift purchases. This year local stores have a more elaborate display of toys for the children than ever before, numerous gifts for father, moth er, brother, and sister, and the prices are in line with the same quality of products offered any where. With only 14 shopping days to go, plan now to trade at home and make this a strictly com I munity Christmas. Remember the local merchants now, just as they are always remembered whenever a contribution is need ed for community betterment. Daly and Pettigrew Historical Markers Erected in County Daly Marker Is Placed on Main Street Here; Other Near Creswell Employees of the State Highway and Public Works Commission erect ed two more historical markers in Washington County Wednesday. The first, placed on Main Street in front of the S. A. Ward home, reads as follows: "Augustin Daly, playwright, dramatic critic, theatri cal producer and actor, was born July 20, 1838, in a house which stood 300 feet north of here.” The second marker, placed on high way 64. near Creswell, reads as fol lows: “James Johnston Pettigrew, Confederate general, famed for charge at Gettysburg, his grave is 8 miles south." Both of the signs carried the name of the State Historical Commission at the bottom. An interested observ er when the marker was erected here was John W. Darden, who wrote an article one year ago almost to the very date concerning the 100th anni versary of Daly’s birth here, and it was this article which was largely in strumental in having the marker set up. Sylvester Gibbs Dies At Home in Hyde Middletown.—Funeral services were held Thursday for Sylvester Gibbs, 64, who died suddenly Wednesday while being rushed to a physician. The Rev. A. B. Crocker, Christian minister, officiated, and interment took place in the Twiford cemetery. Seized by pains in the chest while repairing a poultry house for a farm er near Engelhard, Mr. Gibbs died in a short time. Surviving are two sons, Bernice Gibbs, of Engelhard, and Jennis Gibbs, of Norfolk. Will Get Under Way January 1; Name E. F. Swain Supervisor Time for Listing Changed From April to January at Last Legislature Under the terms of the law enact ed by the last session of the North Carolina General Assembly tax list ing for 1940 will take place during the month of January, and the Washing ton County commissioners In session here Monday appointed the person nel to handle this W'ork next month. Heretofore, tax listing has always been done during the month of AprU with property holdings as of April 1 being recorded. At the meeting Monday. Commis sioner E. F. Swain, of Creswell, was again named supervisor, w'hich posi tion he filled last April, and the fol lowing township list takers were ap pointed: H. C. Spruill, Plymouth: P. B. Belanga, Scuppemong: E. M. Ches son, Lees Mills; Walter W. White, Skinnersville. It is understood that the commis sioners are not permitted, under the new law, to extend the time for list ing after January 31, and the com missioners hope that as the entire month will be devoted to the listing task the work will be completed in the appointed time. A committee, composed of P. W. Brinkley, E. B. Ferebee and J. E. Davenport, looked over several tracts of land owned by the county near Wenona, and they reported that the land was w'orth the tax money with the exception of two tracts, which jthe county sold to E. B. Ferebee. Z. V. Norman entered a bid of $781.16 on two tracts. One bid was accepted. Resolutions w'ere passed requesting the State Highway and Public Works Commission to maintain the old Gar rett’s Island road and a portion of the Lake Shore Drive, Aged Hyde County Man Died Tuesday Middletown.—Funeral services were conducted at the home of a son, T. C. Gibbs, at Middletown, in Hyde Coun ty, Wednesday afternoon for Thomas Gibbs, 85, who died Tuesday after noon after a short illness. The serv ices were conducted by the Rev. C. K. Wright, assisted by the Rev. A. B. Crocker. Interment took place in the Twiford cemetery at Engelhard. Surviving are four daughters. Mrs. Oscar Midgett, Sou|h Creek; Mrs. Mrs. Mrs. four Arnold Swindell, Engelhard Joshua Swindell. Engelhard James Midgett, Middletown sons, T. C. Gibbs, Middletown; Her bert Gibbs, New Holland; Herman Gibbs, Bath; Corbin Gibbs, Middle town; 40 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. Golf Movie To Be Shown At Country Club Monday No admission charge will be made for the presentation of the talking j movie of high spots in the Master’s • Open Golf Tournament held in Au i gusta, Ga., last spring, which is to be shown at the Plymouth Country | Club Monday by the Rev. Z T. Piep Ihoff, of Williamston. Raymond R. Camp, Hunting and Fishing Editor of New York Times, Fails To Get Shot at Bear on Hunt Near Here Tuesday However, Noted Writer and Radio Speaker Says He En joyed Hunt Despite Lack of Success; Commends Work of State Publicity Division Methods of bear hunting vary in the various sections of the country, according to Raymond R. Camp, hunting and fishing editor of the New York Times and author of a number of outdoor books, who was in Plym outh Tuesday to take part in a hunt near here. He was with a party led by Officer Paul Basnight, and al though they had a pack of 20 hounds and found plenty of fresh bear tracks, not a one was jumped and no one had an opportunity to shoot. The failure to kill a bear did not detract from the pleasure of the trip, Mr. Camp said, explaining that he enjoyed hunting for the sport itself, even if he was not always successful in bagging game. He said most of his bear hunting had been done in the Catskill Mountains of New York, where the animals are stalked or "still-hunted,” and trailing the beasts with dogs, as they do in this part of the country was a new experience for him. Although he has visited the South many times, the hospitality of the section continues to impress the visi tor from the North, and he stated that the novelty of the courtesies ex tended by the people of Dixie always i makes him want to come again. The noted writer has recently com pleted a book entitled "All Seasons Afield.” which has been read by many North Carolinians, and his radio talks over nation-wide networks have add ed to his renown The Times has used considerable publicity from the Stale about hunt ing and fishing, prepared by Bill Sharpe, director of the advertising division of the Department of Con servation and Development. Mr. Camp was warm in his praise of the work of this organization and came here to see W. R. Hampton a board member. Ask for Tickets With Each $1.00 Purchase When Buying in Plymouth and Attend Weekly Drawings
The Roanoke Beacon and Washington County News (Plymouth, N.C.)
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Dec. 7, 1939, edition 1
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