The Roanoke Beacon ******* and Washington County News ★★★★★★★ VOLUME LI—NUMBER 50 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Thursday, December 12, 1940 ESTABLISHED 1889 Town opics Miss Theda Hopkins, of Creswell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Hop kins, was a member of the Meredith College Choir of 80 voices, which gave its annual concert of Christmas mu .4c at Raleigh last Sunday afternoon The choir will broadcast from Ra leigh on December 16 from 8:30 un til 9 o’clock. Representative W. M. Darden and W. R. Hampton, member of the State Board of Conservation and Develop ment. went to Raleigh on business this week. They returned Wednesday afternoon. There will be a contest between the Silver Leaf Quartet, of Nor folk, and the Morning Star Quar tet, of Plymouth, at the New Chapel Colored Baptist church here next Tuesday night, at 8 p. m„ according to the pastor. Rev. A. R. Winborne, who said there would be reserved seats for white friends. A small admission will be charged. W. S. Moore, vocational agriculture instructor in the Plymouth High School, said today that he and his class would assist farmers in secur ing certified blood-tested baby chicks at lower prices than prevailed last year. He would like those wishing baby chicks to see him or his class members. John W. Darden is in receipt of a letter from Representative Her bert C. Bonner, asking him to provide names of young ladies in the county who are interested in taking civil service qualifying ex aminations for clerk-typist and stenographer. The list will be sub mited to the Agriculture Depart ment for filling vacancies in the first congressional district. Those interested are asked to sec Mr. Darden. Miss Cora Beam, consultant of the State Health Department, who is in the local school introducing a school health coordinating service, will be the principal speaker at the Lions Club tonight. Miss Beam will visit all the white and colored schools in the county in the next eight weeks. The county agent’s office here is drawing maps giving the correct acre age of tracts and permanent boun daries of farms in the county, ac cording to Clerk Jerome Frazelle. who said that this would save the county office work and forestall delays in measuring farms for compliance at later dates. Miss Ursula Bateman, superin tendent of public welfare, today invited boys between the years of J" and 24 years, inclusive, to apf :y -at her office for enrollment in the CCC, with the next contin gent set to leave here between January 1 and 10. The quota for this county has been tentatively set at 18. Hector Lupton, a partner in the Chowan Publishing Company firm, of Edenton, was here this week with Sid Campen, distributing placaytls and other material for a Christmas ben efit dance at the Edenton armory on December 25. Mrs. John Tally, of Plymouth, has become operator for Barton's Beauty Shop in Roper, starting Monday. Mrs. Tally, who has an apartment in the old Riverview Hotel here, will com mute to and from Roper daily. -$ 47,173 Bags of Peanuts Put in Storage Here A total of 47,173 bags of peanuts had been stored in government ware houses here, operated by W. H. Clark and J. E. Davenport, up to today and -still the goobers continued to stream in. The peanuts are being stored by farmers under the diversion plan sponsored by the Peanut Growers Co operative. It was thought that the four ware houses in Plymouth would be filled today, but Mr. Davenport could not be reached today to determine wheth er the Creswell warehouse would then be opened or other space sought in Plymouth. Union Service at Pleasant Grove Church Postponed The union service o. the Women's Societies of Christian Service of the Roper charge, announced for the Pleasant Grove church Sunday, De cember 13, at 2 p. m., has be i post poned, according to the pastor, the Rev. M. R. Gardner. This sen ice will be held at 2 p. m., Sunday. Decem ber 29, at the Pleasant Gro . e church, the minister said. Sizeable Saving in Interest Eiiected For County by Sale Refunding Bonds A saving of $2,057 a year in in terest was effected reeently when S138.500 worth of refunding bonds for Washington County were sold in Raleigh by the State Local Government Commission, according to County Auditor E. J. Spruill, who handled details of the transaction. The Wachovia Bank and Trust Company, of Winston-Salem and Rarcus and Kindrew Company, of Chicago. 111., were successful bidders on the bonds. The bonds brought a premium of $110 and will pay interest as follow's: first S29.500 of a S47.500 school refunding issue at 4 per cent, remainder at 3 3/4 cents; first $20,000 of $53,000 general refunding bonds at 4 per cent, remainder at 3 3/4 cents: first Slfi.000 of $39,000 road and bridge refunding at 4 per cent, remainder at 3 3/4 cents. Mr. Spruill advanced the idea when the bonds were first an nounced for sale that the finan cial standing of the county now would make possible a saving in interest, and his preditction has i been borne out by the actual sale. N avy’s N ew N on-Rigid Air Base Said Assured To Locate in Tyrrell Ms Fireworks in Business District Shooting of fireworks will not be allowed in the downtown sec tion nor around churches during the Christmas season, Chief of Police P. W. Brown warned to day. However, the chief explained that regulations prohibiting shooting of fireworks throughout the town would be suspended dur ing the holiday period, except as to business district on Water and Washington streets and around churches. The officer warned that he wasn't fooling, either, about this; and those who just must have their protechnics would do well to keep them out of the prohibit ed areas unless they want to spend some Christmas money paying fines. Mrs. William Ann Phelps Dies Near Mackeys Saturday Funeral Held at Saints De light Church Sunday Afternoon Funeral services were held at Saints Delight Christian Church near West over Sunday for Mrs. William Ann Phelps, 74. who died Saturday morn ing at 4:10 a.m. at her home near Mackeys. The Rev. Preston Cayton, of Edenton, pastor of the church, of ficiated. Interment took place in the Saints Delight cemetery adjoining the church yard. A daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Sennett, Mi's. Phelps was a native of Martin County but came to Washington County about 40 years ago. She married John Phelps about 50 years ago. She was a member of Saints Delight Christian Church. In ill health for the last 20 years, Mrs. Phelps had been confined to her home since March. Surviving are the following child ren: two daughters, Mrs. Jessie Ches son and Miss Martha Phelps, RFD, Roper; and two sons: Wheeler Phelps and Lee Phelps, RFD, Roper. -tjf Paintings by Mr. Winslow Are Displayed in Raleigh "An Afternoon in March,” a land scape in water color and "A Recol lection of By-Gone Days,” a still life in oil. works of W. F. Winslow, local merchant and painter, were selected recently by a ujry and displayed at the Raleigh Art Center between No vember 25 and December 1. All of the works displayed at this exhibition by artists and craftsmen were for sale at moderate prices. Mr. Winslow has not been notified wheth er either of his paintings was sold. Mr. Winslow’s landscape in oil, "Spring." was also exhibited in the Greenville Art Gallery. Town Will Again Ask County Board For Share of Profit From Liquor Store A showdown on the request ot the Town of Plymouth for a share of profits from the ABC store lo cated in Plymouth will probably take place at the county commis sioners' meeting on the first Mon day in January. The county board so far has turned a deaf ear to the request of town oil. :als. for a .hare in the profits of the store, but it now appears that unless some dis position is made of the matter by the commissioners, the town of ficials will clamp down on the li quor store with a heavy privilege and propei iy lax, similar to that paid by other retail establish ments. Town authorities point out that most ot the profits made on sales of legal whiskey in the county is made by the Plymouth store and since the town provides police protection and other advantages, they feel that the municipality is due some of the profit. A num ber of other counties provide for a pro rata share of profits going lo towns where stores are located. The county board will meet again this month to attend to some special business matters, but it is not expected that the coun < ilmen will have representatives at this meeting. However, they do plan to send a committee to the county meeting on the first Monday in January . Road Commissioner Says He Received News by Telephone Site Understood To Be Lo cated About 5 Miles East Of Columbia -^ . i Although no definite announcement has yet been made by Navy Depart ment officials, it appeared reasonably certain from news reports that the $5,000,000 non-rigid air base would be established in Tyrrell County at one of four possible sites. District High way Commissioner E. V. Webb, of Kinston, yesterday told the State Highway Commission that he receiv ed word by telephone Tuesday that it appeared certain the air base would be located in Tyrrell County. The State Highway Commission was asked to build a road to one of the four sites considered, about 5 miles east of Columbia, at a cost of $50,000. The commission pledged to construct the road within 15 months if the base is located in Tyrrell. Two sites in the county were still under consideration, Webb said, with the likelihood that a place in the Sandy Ridge sector would be finally designated. Sites considered in Tyr rell County by the Navy board head ed by Captain C. E. Rosendahl last week include: The J. W. Bateman farm in the DillonS Ridge section; the Hopkins' farm, south of Colum bia; the Owens and Cox farms in the Travis section; and the Simmons farm near Woodley station. Local people, as a whole, are grati fied that the base will be established in the Southern Albemarle section, even if it does not come to Washing ton County. It is believed location of the base in Tyrrell will hasten the extension of Highway No. 64 on into Manteo, which would greatly benefit the entire section. W. R. Hampton, who with W. M. Darden and J. W. Darden, prepared a prospectus of the site suggested near here, said this morning that he talked with an official of the Depart ment of Commerce in Washington, D. C., yesterday, in connection with af fairs of the state Board of Conserva tion and Development, but that no mention was made of the site having been selected at that time. It was rumored here that the sug gested site on Dr. L. W. White's farm about a mile east of Plymouth, was second choice to the Tyrrell location. Distance from the sea was the prin cipal disadvantage here, according to the reports. Parenls-Teachers Meet Wednesday Miss Ruth McLemore, teacher of home economics, and W. S. Moore, vocational agriculture instructor, were in charge of the program presented Wednesday afternoon at the meeting of the Plymouth Parent-Teacher As sociation. Under their direction, an exhibition of furniture covering was made. Miss Naomi Swain gave a demonstration of Christmas gift wrapping. Maurice Bateman gave a demonstration of pruning shrubs, and Miss Cora Beam, consultant for the State Department of Health, explained her work in the county schools as health coordinator. Grade mothers reported on the , work they had done during the term. The association instructed officers to issue checks for $10 for the libiary and $10 for typewriters being used in the commercial department. Junior Class Presents Play At Creswell Last Tuesday Creswell.—The Junior Class of the Creswell school presented a very suc cessful play, "Two Days to Marry,” in the school auditorium Tuesday eve ning to a large audience. The play was directed by David J. Johnson. Members of the cast included Mr. Johnson, Carol Van Davenport, Sam Woodley, Sabra Spruill, Iris Spruill, Mabel Gray Woodley, and Chester Hopkins, Extension of Water And Sewer System Here Again Talked WPA Officials Here This Week To Confer With Town Officials Hopes were expressed today by of ficials of the Town of Plymouth that work would begin soon on laying wa ter and sewer lines and placing fire hydrants on certain streets in the town, the cost of which project would not cost the town itself in excess of $3,000 that has been allotted for the work. E. Leigh Winslow, district engineer of the WPA in the Williamston office and L. R. Pettit, of Ahoskie, an en gineer, were here this week confer ring with Mayor B. G. Campbell and Clerk M. W. Spruil regarding the project. It was pointed out that while the town would pay $3,000 that the WPA would provide in labor about the same amount of money. It was understood that the labor would not be available until about January 1 The water lines and hydrants are to be placed on the following streets: Madison, from Main to Fourth Street; Adams, from Third to Fourth Street: Third, from Adams to Andrew Jack son Avenue; Andrew Jackson Ave nue. from Main to Third Street. It is not known how many men will be used and what length of time it will require to complete the work. Local Group Plans Medical Service and Hospitalization Unit Petitions Being Circulated Favoring Organization of Benefit Association A petition is being circulated here for signatures of those who will par ticipate in the organization of a mu tual aid benefit organization for the cooperative payment of medical serv ices and hospitalization rendered to members. The object is to secure these services at a minimum cost for workers. F. D. Simmons, secretary of Local Union No. 350", is temporary secretary of the organization, serving with J. H. Newkirk, chairman. J. D. Bain, S. R. Matthews and W. R. Clark as an organizing committee. Mr. Simmons said that although union members here were sponsoring the organization, the union itself had no official connection with it. Mem bership is open to all, and when the organization is completed officers will be elected by majority vote of the members, and it is likely, he said, that several people in town besides union members will be on the gov erning board. At a mass meeting held in the court house Monday night, 78 persons sign ed the agreement for cooperative medical service and hospitalization There are 650 persons at the North Carolina Pulp Company, over 400 at the Plymouth Box and Panel Com pany and hundreds of others in town who are prospective members of the organization, it was said. W. L. Whitley, Dr. L. S. Mitchell and others made short talks at the meeting Monday night. Mr. Whitley mentioned the fact that through co operative mutual aid, a railroad com pany had built a hospital for its workers, and one speaker suggested that the county home here be con verted into a hospital. It was announced that the organi zation will be county-wide in scope. The petitions will be in circulation for about 30 days, after which an other meeting will be held to dis cuss details of the plan. Mr. Sim mons said he had received a 182-page book from the American Medical As sociation dealing with organized pay ments for medical services, and that one of the several plans suggested in this would likely be adopted by the local group. "Golgotha" To Be Here and in Roper ’■Golgotha,'’ the famous talk ing motion picture concerning the crucifixion, will be shown four times in Washington County on Monday, it was learned today from President P. \V. Brown, of the Lions Club, who announced that those who wish to attend could secure tickets from local merchants. The schedule in cludes a showing at the Roper High School at 10 a. m., in ad dition to the following: 1 p. m„ at Plymouth white school: 3 p. m., at Plymouth colored school; and 8 p. m.. at the local white school again. In addition to being highly en tertaining and interesting, it al so renders an outstanding moral, religions and educational value to every community in which it is shown, say the makers. It is reported that no film has ever eceived such enthusiastic endorsement of religious and ci vic leaders as the picture of “Gol gotha.' which will be shown here and in Roper Monday at the school auditoriums. First From County Selected for Army Leave This Week 400 People Gather Here for Brief Ceremony Prior To Departure "This country must be prepared for any eventuality, and with these young men leaving today for military train ing. there is proof that the nation is being prepared for such emergency," Attorney W. L. Whitley told 400 per sons who gathered in front of the community hall here Wednesday morning, when the first man selected from Washington County for a year's military training left for Port Bragg. Two others who had enlisted in the Navy left on the same bus, and the county's first colored man to be chos en under the terms of the selective service act, who will leave tomorrow morning for Port Bragg, was also present. In addition to the talk by Mr. Whitley, the High School Band, un der the leadership of Director L. W. Zeigler. rendered some appropriate selections for the occasion. The first man to be sent from this county was Randolph Minton, white, of Roper, who volunteered after the national registration and was placed at the head of the list by the local selective service board. Edlow Spruill, of Plymouth, who will leave tomorrow* morning for Fort Bragg, will be the first colored man selected in the coun ty. Besides these two men who will go to the Army for training, two others, Carol Ausbon 'Brownie) Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Brown, and Marvin Sexton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Will Sexton, both of Plymouth, left yesterday morning for New Bern and Raleigh, where they will enter the Navy for a six-year term. Young Minton is the son of Mrs. Exie Minton, who was married some time ago to W. N. Piercy. They have been living in this county for over three years after coming here from Roanoke. Va. Mr. Piercy operates a saw mill between Roper and Jreswell. After registering, young Minton was advised by an Army officer friend to volunteer, which he did. For three years, Minton was in the CCC, being stationed at Manteo and in the camp at Death Valley, Calif. While in the CCC, he became friendly with Lieut. L. W. Locker, who trained the young man as a boxer. It is believed that his CCC experi ence will stand young Minton in good stead, and was said to be the reason his Army officer friend advised him to volunteer. Brownie Brown and Sexton both played football here for the high school and were students in the school up to the time they left 300 Applications for Soil Payments Made -« Approximately 300 applications for soil conservation payments have been transmited to the state office of the Agricultural Adujstment Admin istration for approval before they are sent to the AAA office in Washington, D. C., according to Jerome Frazell, chief clerk in the county agent’s of fice here. There was only 1 suspension out of the first 182 applications sent to the state office. Mr. Frazell said. Suspensions occur when the applica tions are not properly filled out. Suspensions in many counties of the state run as high as 13 per cent of the total number of applications. Mr. Frazell said that he was look ing for checks from some of the ap plications daily, and that the farm ers would be advised when their checks arrived. Clothing Urgently Needed For School Children Here Girls in the home economics de partment of the Plymouth High School have turned their homecraft studies to good use, as they are now mending and patching garments gath ered for needy children in prepara tion for distribution during the Christmas holidays. Principal R. B. Trotman said that contributions of clothing were grow ing daily, but that there was still a great need among needy children foi warm apparel. Some students have been forced to miss school because of lack of warm and comfortable clothing, and donations will bo grate fully received. Pageant December 22nd at Creswell Episcopal Church Creswell.—The choir and Sunday school of Christ Episcopal church will present a Christmas pageant. "The Nativity,” Sunday evening, Decem ber 22, at 7:30. The public is cor dially invited to attend, according to the rector, Rev. W B. Gaither Congregational Meeting At Grace Church Sunday -„» There will be a congregational meeting at Grace Episcopal church immediately after the services Sun day evening. D eember 15, for the purpose of electin church officers for the year 1941 R. A Duvall, secretary of the ves try, and other officials of the church urge a large attendance Seek To Provide Christmas Cheer For County Poor Merchants To Get Two-Day Holiday The Plymouth Merchants As sociation met Monday night and unanimously agreed to observe two holidays for Christmas, clos ing their stores on both Wednes day and Thursday. December 25 and 26. In this connection, Gov ernor Hoey yesterday proclaimed the 26th a state holiday in order to make legal the closing of all state banks on both days. The merchants also decided that begininng next Wednesday. December 18, the stores would re main open until 9 o’clock on Wednesday, Thursday and Fri day, while on Saturday they will remain open until 10 p. m. On Monday and Tuesday nights, De cember 23 and 24, the 10 o’clock closing hour will be observed. The merchants also appropri S25 for a donation to the Christ mas Joy Fund. Merchants Here Say Business Increasing As Chirstmas Nears -1 Street Lights and Window Displays Accentuate Chritmas Spirit Retail business in the downtown section was reported to be steadily increasing daily, as Christmas street lights and window displays in the stores emphasize the approach of the Yuletide season. The many vari colored lights, forming an arched canopy over Washington and Water Streets were turned on last Friday night, and visitors and tqwnfolk are delighted with the appearance creat ed. Chief of Police P. W. Brown and his assistants who strung the more than 700 lights in the business sec tion and decorated the market build ing facing Washington Street, have been highly praised for their work. 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. Lighted circles on each side add much to the beauty and effective ness of the display. The store windows are being filled with suggested gift items, Christmas trees, colored lights and tinsel dec orations being used profusely to add attractiveness to them. More and more people are begin ning to do their shopping here, one of the merchants stating Tuesday that for the past two weeks he had been laying away considerably more merchandise than usual. Early shop ping is the order of the day, and those who make their purchases now are assured of a wider selection and more complete stocks than those who wait until the last minute. Carl Bailey Elected President Local Bar Carl L. Bailey, local attorney, was elected president of the Washington County Bar Association at a meeting held in the courthouse here Wednes day afternoon, and Z. V. Norman was named secretary of the organization. Mr. Bailey succeeds W. L. Whitley, who has been president of the local bar for 15 years. Mr. Whitley sub mitted his resignation to the associa tion. but did not give any reason for his action. Members of the bar association prepared the calendar for the Janu ary term of superior court, which convenes here January 6 for a two week session for the trial of both criminal and civil cases. $100 Raised by Local Committee Recently Without Solicitation [Other Donations Will Be Sought; Firemen Busy Repairing Toys Indigent families in this section will be taken care of Christmas through the organized efforts of Clubs and other organizations supporting the recently formed Christmas Joy Fund, with P. W. Brown heading the group which will solicit and distri bute funds for spreading Christmas cheer among the less forunate. Associated with Mr. Brown in the task will be Mrs. B. G. Campbell, vice president: Miss Elizabeth Camp bell, secretary: and H. H. McLean, treasurer. Pledges totalling $100 have been made by several organizations as fol lows without any solicitation: Ameri can Legion Post, $25: Masonic Lodge, $15: American Legion Auxiliary, $5: Lions Club, $25; Young Women's Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, $5; Local Unions, $25. Those making pledges are asked to make payment to Treasurer McLean by next Monday, although they will be accepted later. The firemen have started repair ing toys for the children: the Christ mas Joy Fund group has started to campaign for funds: school children will be asked to bring clothing, and everyone will have an opportunity to contribute money, clothing, fruit, groceries or whatever they can to help swell the fund to make possible much help for the needy. A committee will be appointed to investigate the cases reported to be worthy and it will then be determin ed the kind of basket that would be best suited for that family and those preparing the baskets will know what the basket for the home should contain. It is also understood that those who are to receive baskets will be noti fied to call for them. So far as is known now, there will be no delivery of the baskets made. Tickets Now on Sale To Hear Dr. Koch Tickets are now on sale by mem bers of the Junior Woman's Club, who underwrote the $50 guarantee and expenses of Dr. Frederick H. Koch, of Chapel Hill, for his appearance here on December 23 to present his reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Miss Leslie Darden suggested se curing Dr. Koch to give one of his readings here during a meeting of the program committee last August, and wrote to Dr. Koch several times before a definite date was agreed upon. The senior Woman’s Club was later asked by the juniors to assist in making arrangements for the per formance. Shep Brinkley, owner of the Plym outh Theatre, generously offered the free use of his theatre for the pre sentation. Admission price will be 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for school children - William G. Bell, of Roper Is Now in Canadian Army A letter came to The Beacon this week from William G. Bell, known locally as Bill Bell, formerly of Roper, stating that he is now a private in the Third Fortress Division of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps, Canadian Legion. Yoimg Bell said that he was now Ui New Brunswick, Canada, but that the "company will definitely go overseas within the next few months, according to orders from Ottawa.” Santa Claus Greeted by Crowd of 1,000, Mostly Children, Here Friday Wight Santa Claus tame to Plym outh last Friday night, bringing gilts with him for the large num ber of rhildren who made up most of the crowd of 1,000 gathered in front of the Communty Hall here to greet the jolly old man, who was making his initial visit here to officially usher in the Christ mas shopping season. A little late, and his special bus lowed in by another automobile— because even Santa Claus has his troubles—old Santa finally ar rived. to the great delight of the children, who crowded around and walked with him as he went over to the police station to throw in the switch that lighted the hundreds of vari-eolorcd Christ mas lights over the streets in the downtown area. Many of the children Rot a chance to .shake hands or touch the merry old gentleman, but many of the smaller ones had to be rescued from the crush sur rounding him and didn't have an opportunity to speak to him. However, most of them engaged in the tussle for suckers and candy which he threw into the crowd with a lavish hand. Santa stayed in the public gaze for only a few minutes, but W. F Winslow, president of the Mer chants Association, which spon sored the advent of Santa, said there was no doubt be* that the program visibly accomplished its purpose of creating and stimulat ing the Yuletide spirit. Music for the occasion was furnished by the ( High School Band.