North Carolina Newspapers

The Roanoke Beacon * * * * * * * and Washington County News ★**★★★* Advertisers will find Beacon and News Columns a latchkey to i.500 Washington County homes. VOLUME LI—NUMBER 17 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Thursday, April 25, 1940 ESTABLISHED 1889 A O W N OPICS J N. Mueller was still limping this week, as the result of an injury sus tained when the axe he was using in chopping a tree limb slipped and cut him above the ankle. Though the ac cident occurred three weeks ago. his leg still pains him some. Tim M. Bowen said while in town Tuesday that his candidacy for treas urer. subject to the Democratic, pri mary. marked the first time in 75 years or more that anyone on the Long Acre road had run for any po litical office. Principal K. B. Trotnian said this week that the school appre ciated very much the gift of 40 books given to the library by Mr. and Mrs. O. H. Cox prior to their departure this week for their new home in Three Rivers, Mich. Representative W. M. Darden and Bill Joyner atended the district rally of Young Democratic clubs in Green ville Monday night and heard Sena tor Josh Lee. of Oklahoma, praise New Deal accomplishments to the several hundreds persons who attend ed from all sections of the state. John Lee Boone's right arm was so severely injured when it was caught in a pulley at the pulp plant here Tuesday that it was found nec essary to amputate it at the shoul der when he was carried to a Rocky Mount hospital. Miss Anna Stillman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Stillman, is em ployed at the Harrison Auto Supply store here as bookkeeper, assisting Bill Roebuck, who is manager of the new firm, which opened in the Hamp ton Building on Water Street last Friday. Miss Josephine Bryant lias been employed as census enumer ator for Plymouth Township, re placing Delbert Alien, who re signed. Miss Evelyn Arps, Mrs. Corrinne Austin, Mrs. YV. YV. Bateman, Mrs. Myrla C. Marrow and Thomas YY'. Davis, jr„ are continuing their work. Mrs. N. A. Taylor sa.d today the Christian church would have another barbecue supper in the church annex Saturday night; and since this will be the last, during the pastorate of Rev. N. A. Taylor, a large patronage is urged. Dr. E. W. Furgurson attended the Tri-County Medical Association meet lug in YVilliamston last week, and Dr. A. Papineau attended a meeting of the Norfolk Medical Association in Norfolk, also held last week. Mrs. Raymond Walston alone drove the 960 miles from Evergreen. Ala back to her home in Plymouth last week-end. leaving there Thursday and arriving here Monday. Funeral Is Held for Miss Vivian Spruill Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walton C. Spruill, near Cherry, for Miss Vivian Spruill, 33, who died Monday morning at her home follow’ing a lingering illness px tending over a period of years. The Rev. L. B. Bennett, Christian minis ter, officiated. Interment was made in the family cemetery at the home place. Miss Spruill was a member of the Philippi Christian church. In declin ing health for a number of years, she became much w'orse Friday and lapsed into unconsciousness from which she never recovered. She was bom in this county, the daughter of Walton C. and Mrs. Mary Woodley Spruill. Surviving, besides her parents, are six brothers, Wendell. Carlton, and Thomas Spruill, of Cherry; William and Eric Spruill, of Jacksonville. Fla.; and Donald Spruill, of Norfolk. She also leaves one sister, Mrs. Christine Blount, of Roper. Roper Parents-Teachers To Hold Meet Tonight The Roper Parent-Teacher Associa tion will meet next Thursday night, April 25, in the high school auditor ium. "Leisure Time” is the topic for discussion. The meeting will begin promptly at 7:30 o'clock, according to the reporter, Miss Helen McCain. Nay Day Festival At Creswell 39th The Creswell Parent-Teacher Association nil sponsor a May Day Festival at the chool there next Tuesday, April 30, at 11 a. m., with features of the day in cluding a concert by the Cres well High School Band. Lunch will be served at noon by ladies of the association. Afternoon events will include a flower show to be in charge of Mr;,. Clyde Smithson and Mrs. A. T. Brooks; fashion show, spon sored by Miss Maude Battle and her home economics class; a May Pole dance, directed by Mrs. R. T. Hopkins and Mrs. O. Q. Lassi ter; coronation of the May queen under the direction of Miss Janie II. Mclnnes; and athletic events directed by YY. S. Riddick. Principal A. T. Brooks and the ladies of the association urge a large attendance of friends and patrons. Lieutenant Governor Wilkins P. Horton Will Be in County All Day Tomorrow Lieutenant Governor Wilkins IV Horton, generally considered one ol1 the leading contenders in the field of seven candidates seek ing the Democratic nomination for Governor of North Carolina in the primary May 25, will be in Washington County Friday prac tically all day, visiting and greet ing the voters, it was announced earlier this week by his county managers. While in the county it is ex pected he will visit a number of citizens under the guidance of the committee of three who are directing his campaign locally, W. R. Gaylord, W. Blount Rod man and Ernest G. Arps. He is expected to arrive about 9:30 and will be aceompanied by State Senator VV. B. Rodman, jr.. of Washington. His visit here will not include a speech, as he will spend the time shaking hands and talking with people with whom he comes in contact. A large group from here is ex pected to leave with him in the late afternoon for Washington, where he will speak over a state wide radio hook-up at 7:30, fol lowed by a speech at the John H. Small high school auditorium be ginning at 8 o'clock. Geo. M. Snyder New Manager Pulp Plant f LEAVES THIS WEEK j O. H. Cox, general manager of the North Carolina Pulp Com pany here since January, 1938, left this week for his new post with the Eddy Paper Corporation at Three Rivers, Mich. J. L. Memory To Be Speaker at School Finals Here Tonight -$ Diplomas Will Be Present ed 22 Graduates; Other Closing Events -<§> ■ . ■ Following a speech to be delivered tonight by Joseph L. Memory, jr., professor of education at Wake For est College, H. H. McLean, superin tendent of public instruction of Washington County, will deliver di plomas to 22 graduates of the Plym outh High School. Walter H. Paramore, a member of the county board of education, will introduce Mr. Memory. Frank L. Brinkley, chairman of the local school committee, will present the awards to those who have earned special recognition in their school work. Brinson Cox will make the vale dictory address and Miss Mary Char lotte Jones will make the salutatory address. Those receiving diplomtas follow: Cyril Ange, Robert Ange, Lu their Armstrong, Brinson Cox, Os bourne Dunbar, Douglas Gurkin, James Rea, Bill Satterthwaite, Jack Stubbs, Louis Styons, jr., Frank Wine sett, Jimmy Hays, Sara Allen, Vir ginia Ayers, Hazel Bowen, Caritta Jackson, Lorraine Jackson, Meredith Johnston, Mary Charlotte Jones, Katherine Midgett, Dorothy Simp son, Rebecca Ward. Forty-two children will receive their diplomas as graduates of the seventh grade in special exercises to be held in the auditorium of the school on Friday morning. Mr. Para more will deliver these diplomas. A large crowd attended the class night exercises Wednesday, with the following taking part in the Colonial play: James Rea, historian; Doro thy Simpson, prophet; Caritta Jack son, poet; Douglas Gurkin, statistic ian; and Jack Stubbs, testator. Sunday morning the baccalaureate sermon was preached by the Rev. Paul B. Nickens, pastor of the Bap tist church, on the subject, “Build ing a Life.” Rev. O. L. Hardwick, Methodist minister, read the Scrip ture, and Rev. N. A. Taylor, of the Christian church, pronounced the in vocation. It was estimated that 350 persons attended the event, -« V. E. P. Employees Benefit Association in Meet Here -# Officials of the Williamston division of the Virginia Electric and Power Company were hosts to a meeting of the V. E. P. Employees’ Benefit As sociation at the country club here last Tuesday. A luncheon was served at noon and a business meeting fol lowed. About 35 delegates from all divisions of the company, including Fredericksburg, Richmond, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Roanoke Rapids and Williamston attended. 0. H. Cox Promoted And Transferred To Plants in Michigan Mr. Snyder Has Already Taken Charge and Mr. Cox Left Tuesday Official announcement was made this week of the promotion of O. H. Cox to management of several plants Df the Eddy Paper Corporation in the area of Three Rivers, Mich., and George M. Snyder, formerly general superintendent of the Cherry River Paper Company, at Richwood, W. Va., has been general managfer of the North Carolina Pulp Company here to succeed Mr. Cox. Officially the change is to take place on May 1, but Mr. Snyder has already arrived and taken charge at the local plant, while Mr. Cox left Tuesday with his family for their new home in Mich igan. Both the Eddy Paper Corporation and the North Carolina Pulp Com pany are affiliated with the Kieck hefer Container Corporation, whicli has its headquarters in Delair, N. J. The Kieckheler Container company is understood to operate about 17 pulp and paper plants in the United States and its territorial possessions. Mr. Cox has been connected with the Kieckhcfer company since July, 1934. He has managed plants i>i Rockford, 111., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Detroit, Mich., in addition to his work with the local plant during the past 26 months. In addition to his management of the pulp plant, Mr. Cox, at the time of his departure, was president of the Plymouth Coun try Club, a vice president of the Lions Club, and a member of the boards of directors of the Plymouth Building and Loan Association and the Plymouth Athletic Association. Mrs. Cox was also very active in lo cal civic and social circles, and served as county chairman of the Red Cross Roll Call last year. They had made many friends throughout the section since they came here early in January 1938, who regret to see them leave. (Continued on page four) -1$) - Rites Held Sunday For R. W. Phelps -a Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the home of a daughter, Mrs. William Gibbs, in Cherry for R. W. (Dickie) Phelps, 78, who died last Friday night at 1 a. m. Infirmities of age and complications caused his death, although he underwent an operation last fall and was said to have been confined to his bed recent ly with pneumonia. The Rev. L. B. Bennett, pastor cf the Phillipi Christian Church, cf which Mr. Phelps was a member, of ficiated. Interment took place in the family cemetery on Clyde Tarken ton’s place. A large crowd of folks from the Cherry and Creswell section attended the last rites for this well-known and well-liked man who had retired from farming about seven years ago. Surviving are the following child ren : Mrs. Carlie Gibbs, Mrs. Alethia Swain, Mrs. Sadie White, Mrs. Eva Phelps, all of this county and Mrs. Hester Liverman, of New Bern; two sons, Harrison and Seaton Phelps, all of Cherry. | HERE TOMORROW | Lieutenant Governor Wilkins P. Horton, of Pittsboro. one of the seven Democratic candidates for Governor of North Carolina, will be in Plymouth all day to morrow, it is announced by his county managers. Fishermen Along Roanoke Having One of Best Years Herring Are Declared To Be Plentiful But Shad and Rock Scarce Fishermen along the Roanoke Mid dle and Cashie River, which converge at a point about a mile above Plym outh, report better catches of herring so far this season than at any time during the past four years. Millions of the fish are reported migrating to I the headwaters of these streams for [spawning this season and bountiful 'catches are said to be plentiful. It was reported here Tuesday that 25,000 herring had been taken at a single haul at Taylor’s Fishery on Cashie River, and that the old Wood Island Fishery on Middle River—out of operation for years—is catching thousands at the haul also. The Fleming fishery on the Roan oke at Jamesville is also making huge hauls, the first “cast" last Friday morning netting 15,000 herring. Few shad and rock were reported at that time. Mr. Fleming’s Camp Point fishery was also reported to be mak ing excellent catches the same day. Some of the fishermen have report ed the present run of herring is the best in half a century. Ransom Rob erson, of Jamesville, who was here Tuesday morning, said he had been fishing on the Roanoke for 40 years and that the catches this year are better than he had ever seen them before. Dip, bow and drift nets and fish ing machines are being used by the river fishermen in catching the her ring, in addition to the haul seines at the fisheries. As many as 500 at a time have been taken from the drift nets. The prices of the herring are about stabilized despite the plentiful supply. Shad and rock have been very scarce this year, fishermen say. but the waters are teeming with herring and white perch are also reported to be plentiful. Walter Halsey was injured last Fri day when he fell about 20 feet to the ground from a ladder. It was reported that he hung a bucket of paint on a live electric wire and the current knocked him to the ground. South Albemarle Neel Here June 13 The Southern Albemarle Asso ciation will meet in Plymouth on Thursday, June 13, it was an nounced today by Vice President Zeb Vance Norman, who is in charge of arrangements for the event, which will attract hun dreds of persons from Washing I ton. Dare, llvde and Tyrrell Counties. It is expected that the two candidates for governor in the second primary will be invit ed and urged to speak here at that time. Mr. Norman said he was ex pecting President Melvin R. Dan iels, of Mantco, to call a meeting of the executive committee some time within the next few days to discuss definite plans for a pro gram for the meeting. Several Questioned Following Robbery Of Liverman's Store However, Trail Ends With Strange Negro Taking Cape Charles Ferry Police wen today still following up meager dues to the robbery of E. H. Liverman's store here sometime be tween closin time last Saturday night and Monday morning, when thieves enter , i the building by forc ing a trapdoor on the roof and made away with about $25 in cash, at least 14 suits of clothes and other mer chandise valued by the owner at ap proximately $500 Officers said the thieve- entered the unlocked rear door to the office of W. Ft. Hampton, climbed a ladder to the second story and came out on top of the Southern Hardware Company's store—which was al.-o entered—and then broke the lock to the roof hatch or p'apdoor leading to Liverman's store. After collecting their loot., it is believed the robbers escaped the same way. Four local negroes were questioned by local officers, and Chief of Police P. W. Brown and Sheriff J. K. Reid said Edlow James admitted that he. accompanied by Edwin Johnson, Co lumbus Thorpe and Robert Hunter, carried a strange negro to Norfolk to catch the Cape Charles ferry for New York about 9 o'clock Sunday night. James, employed in the offices of Drs. papine.au and r'urgurson. toia me oi ficers a strange tale of an unknown negro with three or four boxes of clothing paying him a large sum for rapid transportation to Norfolk Sun day night. When the robbery was discovered Monday morning. James did not vol unteer his information of theRwno unteer his information concerning the ‘■strange negrot' and officers were forced to follow' every lead they could fln i. the trail eventually lead ing them to James and his compan ions. When the store was opened Mon day morning, a coat and vest, dirty and worn, were found by Mr. Liver man on the oor near several clothing racks from which the highest-priced suits had been hurriedly stripped. Po lice have been unable to locate the owner of the discarded clothing, and a pair of worn shoes found on the floor near the coat was traced to a customer. So far as could be learned, the Southern Hardware Company did not suffer any loss, although a rear inner door to the store was forced by the thieves. Mrs. D. 0. Patrick Dies in Lees Mills Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the home of her mother in Elizabeth City for Mrs. Mildred Gaskins Patrick, 38, who died at her home in the Lees Mill section of this county Sunday morning at 9:30 as the result of a stroke of paralysis. The Rev. H. L. King, Methodist minister of Elizabeth City, officiated. Interment took place in the old Holly wood Cemetery in Elizabeth City. Born in Pasquotank County, the daughter of Mrs. Nola Tolson Gas kins and the late Zora Gaskins, of Elizabeth City, Mrs. Patrick married D. O. Patrick, well known farmer and carpenter of this county, 23 years ago and has resided in Washington County since that time. She had been a member of the Elizabeth City Meth odist church for 25 years. In addition to her mother and hus band, Mrs. Patrick is survived by the following: three daughters, Violet, Frances and Marion Patrick: one son, William Patrick, all of this coun ty; two brothers, Charles and James Gaskins; and three sisters, Elizabeth. Marie and Hazel Gaskins, all of Eliz abeth City. Girls’ Chorus Gets Third Place in State Contest Tlie girls' chorus of the Plymouth High School Glee Club rated third place in class C competition at the annual North Carolina music contest in Greensboro last Friday. Twenty four young ladies made the trip. School officials were well pleased with the showing of the pupils at Greensboro, as this is the first year singing has been taught in the high school here. Miss Mary Charlotte Jones, daugh ter of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Jones, rat ed fourth in class C soprano solo. Report of Zoning Commission Is Made I o Council and Hearing Set for May 6 A final hearing has been called by Mayor B. G. Campbell and the Town Council to be held in the municipal building here Monday evening, May 6, at 7:30, relative to adoption of zoning ordinaces prepared after a report was re ceived by the council from the zoning commission at a special meeting last Friday night. In their report to the town of ficials, members of the zoning commission recommended that no commercial or industrial enter prises, wholesale or retail stores be allowed to construct build ings other than dwellings in an area that has a northern boun dary lftO feet south of Main Street in the residential section. It was pointed out that permit ting the erection of commercial structures 100 feet south of Main Street would give room for ex pansion of the present business district. Exceptions were noted to per mit the construction of brick stone or concrete sendee stations at the intersections of the follow ins streets: Brinklc> Avenue and Monroe Street; Brinklev 'venue and Jefferson Street: Fort Wil liams and Jefferson Streets 1 »rt W illiams and Monroe Streets. The erection of apartment houses, hotels, hospitals and eth er buildings for human occupany are not restricted in the residen tial area. It is also provided that service stations, stores and shops now in operation within the re stricted area if discontinued or abandoned shall not be reopened or reestablished. County Registration Books Open Saturday i FOR TREASURER | Timothy M. Bowen, of the Long Acre section, recently announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for county treasurer, subject to the primary May 25. Democratic Precinct Meetings Are Set for Saturday, May 4th Movement Is Launched To Secure State Delegates For Roosevelt -- Notliing is expected to be done about it in the Democratic precinct meetings to be held in all county pre cincts Saturday of next week, May 4, but delegates to the Washington County convention here the follow ing Saturday, May 11, will have be fore them for discussion the “North Carolina for Roosevelt" movement, which has as its aim the endorsement of the President for nomination to a third term. John W. Darden was recently named a member of the state organi zation which will attempt to "e a delegation from North Carolina “favorable to the President and his policies," and pledged to vote for the nomination of Roosevelt for Presi dent, should hs iname be presented to the national convention in Chicago on July 15 as a candidate. It it is understood that one of two courses will be pursued by those fav orable to the President here. The county convention will be asked to either send delegates to the state convention pledged to support Roose velt or to adopt resolutions asking the state meeting to send Roosevelt dele gates to the Chicago convention. When the movement was launched it was stated the delegates were to be instructed to vote for Governor Hoey as a “favorite son,” but the gov ernor issued a statement last Friday to the effect that he was asking the state convention not to instruct the delegation for him and that he was in favor of Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, for the Democratic presiden tial choice. Precinct committeemen and dele gates to the county convention will be elected at the precinct meetings on Saturday of next week. The precinct committeemen elected in 1938 were as follows: Plymouth: Dr. C. McGowan, chairman, Mrs. Mary Smith Cahoon, Frank L. Brinkley, P. W. Brown, L. W. Gurkin; Lees Mills: H. W. Tar kenton, chairman, W. A. Koonce, R. W. Lewis, Clyde Robbins, Roy Ches son: Wenona: W. J. Vaughan, chair man; Skinnersville: C. L. Everett, chairman; Scuppernong: C. N. Dav enport, Jr., chairman, Mrs. Clyde Smithson, J. G. Wodley, W. S. Ain sley, B. F. Spear. W. R. Gaylord, chairman of the Democratic executive committee of the county, today called upon all Democrats to attend their precinct conventions on May 4. Based on the votes cast for governor in the last general election, the various precincts are entitled to the following votes in the county convention: Plymouth, 31; Lees Mills 17; Scuppernong 12: Skin nersville 5; and Wenona 1. Four Cases Tried In County Court -<s> Pour cases were called in recorder’s court Tuesday morning before Re ocrder John W. Darden. Solicitor W. Ronald Gaylord securing convictions in all of them. Jesse Holley, colored was sent to the roads for 30 days for an assault on a female. Herman Mason, colored, was given four months on the roads on a charge of assaulting Slim Jones, colored, with a deadly weapon. Ronald Biggs, white, was given six months on the roads on a charge of being drunk and disorderly and re sisting arrest. Elmer Hassell, white, found guilty of trespassing, was given a sentence of six months on the roads, with the sentence suspended upon condition that he stay out of the county for two years. All Those Who Wish To Vote In Primary Must Register Again Books Will Be Open for 13 Days, Continuing Through May 11 The new registration of voters in Washington County begins Saturday with 13 week days allowed for the placing of close to 2.600 electors on the rolls making them eligible to cast their ballots in the Democratic pri mary on May 25 and the general el ection in November. Chairman Paul W. Brinkley said that the election board has decred that there should be a complete new registration and all who wish to vote must register between Saturay. Ap ril 27 and Saturday. May 11. All old voters must re-register and new vot ers must have their names placed on the books. Saturday. May 18, has been designated challenge day by the state board. Three books will be provided each precinct for the new registration and the old books discarded. There will be one book for Democratic voters, one book for Republican voters, and one book to contain the names of re gistered voters of both parties for use in the general election in November. The first two books will be used only for the primary May 25. noosing oars over the election re turns of 1936 and 1938, Chairman Brinkley said that there was no ac curate tabulation of voters of the two leading parties here, but he estimates there are about 1,700 Democrats to be registered and 800 Republicans. Mr. Brinkley said the voters would be registered by the registrars on any day of the week at their respective places of business. Resist rars for the four precincts follow: Plymouth: Mrs. Addie L. Brinkley, courthouse: Lees Mills: A. R. Phelps. Phelps Serv ice Station. Roper: Skimiersville: W. W. White, at his store; Scuppernong: Thomas P. Davenport, somewhere in Creswell; Wenona: W. L. Furbee, at his home or somewhere in Wenona. Because the new registration is to be made in so short a time, Chairman Brinkley urges voters to see their re gistrar early in the registering per id in order to avoid as much as pos sible the last-minute rush that is ex pected, which will cause the voters much inconvenience as well as rush the registrars. -$ Creswell Teachers Reelected Recently Teachers in the Creswell schools were elected at a recent meeting of the school board, composed of H. W. Pritchette, chairman; J. P. Snell and Hubert L. Davenport. Principal A. T. Brooks was reelected to head the schools for his fourth year. Others reelected were: Mrs. Jose phine Holmes, Miss Janie H. Mclnnis, J. Robert Merritt, Alfred H. Tucker, Maude Battle, Julia Stilley, Mary Armstrong, Grace Stillman, Flossie Metcalf, Helen Kirkpatrick, Mary Foy Peterson, Kate Ogilvie, Julia Van landingham. Principal A. W. Davenport and Mrs. Gladys S. Davenport were elected for the Cherry school. -« Services Announced for Roper Methodist Charge -^ The following services for the Rop er Methodist charge are announced by the pastor. Rev. M. R. Gardner: 10 a. m„ Sunday school, Pleasant Grove, Mackeys, Roper and Rehoboth churches. 11a. m.. preaching services, Roper. 7 p. m„ young peoples' meeting, Roper. 8 p. m.. preaching service, Mack eys. Everyone is cordially invited to all services. All Dogs Required To Be Vaccinated Dogs in the town of Plymouth not vaccinated by May 15 will be subject to be killed if caught on the streets, it was stated today by Chief of Police P. YV. Brown, who added that the law would be en forced as a measure of protection for both the dogs and the gen eral public against the danger of rabies. The law requiring dogs to be vaccinated also applies to all sec tions of the county, although the local police department Is not charged with its enforcement out side the town. However, for the convenience of dog owners both in town and out of town, vaccine will be administered to all dogs brought to the rear of the Are department any afternoon after 1 o’clock. Joe Nobles and Paul Basnight will do the vaccinating. Last year at this time, 285 dogs had been vaccinated here. So far this year only 50 have been treat ed, it was said.