The Roanoke Beacon
jf + jf ^ * * 4 and Washington C>oun i y News ★★★★★★★
VOLUME LII—NUMBER 20 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Thursday, May 15, 1941
A home newspaper dedicated
to the service of Washington
County and its 12,000 people.
ESTABLISHED 1889
Town
opics
W. Linwood Hassell, treasurer of
Washington County, left this week
for the Veterans’ Hospital at Ke
coughtan, Va.. where he undergoing
treatment. It is not expected that
he will be away for any length of
time. Although ill, his condition is
not serious, and he is expected to re
turn home shortly.
The Branch Banking and Trust
Company will be closed next
Tuesday, May 20, in observance
of Mecklenburg Day. This is a
state holiday, memorializing the
signing of the Mecklenburg Dec
laration of Independence in Char
lotte on May 20. 1775.
J. O. Everett, well known and well
liked in Plymouth, where he is rec
ognized as one of its oldest citizens,
recently returned home from Danville,
Va.. where he spent about 13 months
with his daughter. Mrs. Gordon H.
May. “Captain Jess.” as he is known
here, said he was glad to be back
among his many friends.
A ladder gave way at his home here
one day last week, causing E. Ludford
McNair, well-known young man. to
fall 15 feet to the ground, injuring
his back and right ankle. Although
knocked unconscious by the fall, lie
is speedily recovering.
R. L. McMillan, of Wilmington, an
automobile dealer and well-known
business man of his home section,
passed through Plymouth Wednesday
on his way to Elizabeth City to at
tend an Episcopal church meeting.
He stopped here briefly and talked
with W. R. Hampton and others.
Eddie Joyner, well-known young
man wrho has clerked in several
stores here, has been added to
the personnel of the Western
Auto Associate Store owned by
Joe M. Crowder. Mr. Crowder
said yestr ' *’ that he was well
please with the business done
since opening of his store last
week.
Richard Dillard Dixon, of Edenton,
clerk of Chowan County Superior
Court, and who. it is believed, will be
appointed an emergency judge by
Governor J. M. Broughton shortly,
was here on business Wednesday. He
called on Representative W. M. Dar
den, W. R. Hampton and Carl L.
Bailey while here.
Nine Persons Hurl
In Two Accidents in
Ccuiity. Last Sunday
One Said To Have Broken
Back; Others Not Seri
ously Injured
One person was reported to have
sustained a broken back, another a
lacerated scalp, seven others were in
jured slightly and damage estimated
at $750 was done to two automobiles
involved in non-collision traffic ac
cidents in Washington County over
the week-end, it was learned from
Corporal T. B. Brown of the State
Highway Patrol.
David Roberts. 24, white, of Nor
folk, was operator of an automobile
which turned over two miles east of
Roper on Highway No. 64 at 1:50 a.
m. Sunday, when Miss Loma Moore
received a lacerated scalp. Other oc
supants slightly injured, besides Rob
erts, were Hilton Russ, of Pantego:
W. M. Lassiter, Norfolk; Dallas
Moore, of Collington, N. C.; and Haz
el Bateman, Poplar Branch.
Mr. Roberts reported to Corporal
Brown that when he turned a curve
he found a car stopped on the should
er of the highway. In an effort to
avoid hitting any^f those standing
about the car he ran off the should
ers and the car turned over.
George Victor McCotter, of Wash
ington and Norfolk, was operator of
an automobile which turned over 200
yards south of the Morrattock cross
ing in front of the Beasley home, on
highway No. 32. Sunday night. A
passenger in the car, Herbert Alex
ander, of Stonewall, was reported to
have been taken to a hospital with
abroken back. Mr. McCotter was not
seriously injured. E. L. Keel, of the
Coast Guard Service, another occu
pant, was not injured.
Mr. McCotter told Corporal Brown
that he was proceeding along the
highway when he came around a
curve suddenly upon a slow driver.
He started to pass and saw another
car approaching. Rather than hit
either of the automobiles he headed
for a cornfield, where his car over
turned.
Both the cars were badly damaged.
Efforts Now in Progress to Reorganize
Washington County Farm Bureau Pnil
Under the leadership of E. H.
Liverman. local merchant and
farmer, an effort is being made to
revive the Washington County
Farm Bureau. Several members
have been added in the campaign
begun recently, and reorganiza
tion prospects are said to be In
creasingly bright.
County Agent W. V. Hays stat
ed this week that a strong farm
erss organization would make it
possible for agriculture to com
pete more advantageously with
the highly organized groups In
the various fields of professional,
industrial and business life. The
agent said it was absolutely nec
essary for the farmers to build
up an efficient organization in
order that they may obtain recog
nition and support in their efforts
to secure their fair share of the
total national income.
Any farmers wishing to join
the organization and thus band
themselves together to make pos
sible an effective working group
for this county, which will speak
their needs and wishes, are asked
to sec Mrs. Frances B. Brown,
secretary of the temporary or
ganization, or any other member
and put In their applications.
1941 GRADUATING CLASS AT THE PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
I-, --—-’* '
Front row, left to right: Elizabeth Willoughby, Louise Sitterson, Lois Jones, Margaret Bateman, Elaine
Odeaath, Naomi Swain, Elinor Terry; second row: Harry Barrett, .1. C. Jones, Jane Read, Duncan Getsinger.
Mildred Styons, Phillip Liverman, Peggy Brown; back row: James Waters, Joe Snell, Stewart Nestor, Frank
Garrett, Vernon Joyner. Three seniors were absent when the above picture was taken: Bill Woodley. Bill
Owens and Joe Brown.
Three Suits Brought
Against Railroad for
Causing Forest Fires
Banking Hours
To Be Shortened
In order to comply with regu
lations set forth in the wage and
hour law, banks of this section,
including the Branch Banking
and Trust Company here, will go
on a new schedule of hours be
ginning next Wednesday, May 21,
it was announced today by H. E.
Beam, cashier. The new schedule
will lessen the time the bank is
open for business each day by
one hour, opening at 9 a. m., and
closing at 1 p. m. At present the
banks are op i from 9 a. ni. to
2 p. m.
Mr. Beam asks the cooperation
of the public in arranging their
banking requirements within the
hours specified, and it is pointed
out that the same hours will be
observed by all other banks In
this section of the state.
Organization of City
Council on New Line
Favored by Mayor
Would Give Each Council
Member Some Particular
Work To Look After
Reorganization of the town council
into committees which will have di
rect supervision of certain depart
ments and phases of work is expect
ed in an effort to effect closer coop
eration between the governing body
of the town and its employees, it was
indicated today by Mayor B. G. Camp
bell.
The plan under consideration, ac
cording to Mr. Campbell, provides for
either one or two councilmen to be
assigned to cooperate with the mayor
and employees of the various depart
ments, including police, sanitation,
streets, water system, and other nec
essary functions of government.
There are six councilmen, and, ac
cording to the mayor, it is proposed
to assign one to devote his attention
to the police department, another in
charge of purchases, another to look
after sanitation, one to help direct
street work, and so on down the line.
Each of the councilmen will then
be in immediate contact with the par
| ticular phase of work to which he is
j assigned, and in turn the entire coun
cil will be disposed to cooperate with
the recommendations of each mem
ber in affairs affecting his particular
department, with the mayor to work
with all of them.
It is believed that this plan will
serve to spread the work and make it
j less burdensome upon members of the
' council.
Complaints Allege
Damages of $6,400
To 3 Tracts of Land
-S>
Geo. P. Askew, T. M. Bowen
And L. T. Weede Are
Plaintiffs
-s
Three parties have brought suits,
aggregating $6,400, against L. H.
Windholz and M. S. Hawkins, receiv
ers for the Norfolk Southern Railroad
Company, and the Norfolk Southern
Railroad Company, charging negli
gence on the part of the railroad re
sulted in certain forest fires which
raged in this county last month, caus
ing considerably damage.
George P. Askew and wife, Mrs.
Dora Askew, are suing for damages
of $1,000, "or some other large sum,"
which they claim their timberland
loss aggregated when the fire swept
over 50 acres of their land.
T. M. Bowen has brought suit for
$2,900 “or some other large sum,"
for damages done to approximately
100 acres of forest land.
L. T. Weede and Roxanna Weede
are suing for $2,500 as the result of
damage done to approxmately 40
acres.
The complaints allege that the land
burned over was "valuable for tim
ber, trees and straw, and also woods
mold, pulpwood, cord wood and other
property.” Charge is made that thp
“Norfolk Southern Railroad Company
had a right of way over this property
which they permitted to become foul
with dead vegetation, brush, under
growth, and other materials and de
bris which defendants had negligently
permitted to accumulate on the
tracks.”
It is further alleged that during
April the defendant company operat
ed trains over the right of way and
“did unlawfully, carelessly and neg
ligently permit sparks to escape from
their engines attached to trains
which ignited dead vegetation and
other material and debris upon the
right of way,” the fire spreading to
the land of the plaintiffs.
The company is charged with fail
ure to equip its engines with "safe
and sufficient spark arresters, ash
pans and other appliances and de
vices to prevent the escape of fire
and sparks and keeping such appli
ances in reasonably safe and prop
ery condition, and negligently failing
to man the engine with a competent
and careful engineer and crew.”
Windows Broken at
Two Local Schools
Hardly had the Plymouth schools
closed for the summer vacation per
iod last week, when officials found
that some misguided youngsters had
already begun wilfull acts of vandal
ism, which each year causes an un
necessary expense to taxpayers of the
county, it was learned this week from
Principal Robert B. Trotman.
Twenty-four window panes were
found smashed Saturday morning
after the schools had officially closed
just 24 hours before. The rocks used
to smash the panes were found inside
the school rooms. There were 6 win
dow panes broken at the Hampton
building and 18 at the high school
building.
School authorities request those
living near the schools to report any
needless destruction of public proper
ty and to assist in establishing the
identity of perpetrators, if possible.
Parents of children are also urged
to cooperate In an effort to prevent
such acts of vandalism.
Legion Commander
Asks Each Citizen to
Wear PoppyMay 24
Sale Will Be Handled in
This County by Legion
Auxiliary Members
An appeal to all patriotic citizens
to wear a poppy on Saturday, May
24. was issued this week by J. B. Wil
loughby, commander of the James E,
Jethro Post of the American Legion.
Describing the poppy as a badge of
patriotism, Mr. Willoughby asked that
it be worn by everyone in the city
during the annual observance of Pop
py Day to show a united front for
America.
In his appeal the Legion command
er said:
“The poppy is the memorial flower
of our comrades who fell in France.
We weai- it to honor their memory
and to aid those who were disabled,
their families and the families of the
dead. Wearing the poppy is our in
dividual way of showing that we re
member and are grateful for the sac
rifices made in the cause of patriot
ism.
"Symbolic of life sacrifice for Amer
ica, and made by men who have sac
rificed health and strength for the
country, the memorial poppy is a true
badge of patriotism. With our coun
try again facing grave dangers, we
need to wear the badge and to wear
it with sincere devotion to the things
for which it stands. Therefore, I am
appealing to all patriotic citizens of
Plymouth to join with the American
Legion and the American Legion aux
iliary in the observance of Poppy Day
on Saturday, May 24. by wearing an
American Legion memorial poppy.”
The poppies, which have been made
at Oteen hospital by disabled esrvice
men. will be distributed throughout
the city Saturday of next week by
volunteer workers from the American
Legion Auxiliary. All money contrib
uted for the flowers will go into the
Legion and Auxiliary welfare funds.
L. S. Thompson Home
After Stay in Hospital
L. S. Thompson, local merchant,
returned last week-end from a Rocky
Mc«.nt hospital, where he underwent
an operation. He was able to be in
his store Monday and Tuesday for a
short time, although he does not plan
to return to active management of
it until next week.
While the owner of the store was
in the hospital, his brother, Robert
F. Thompson, of New Bern, came here
to operate the business; and, under
his supervision, the store has been re
painted, both the inside and outside
appearance being remodeled and im
proved. Venetian blinds have been
installed as backdrapes for the show
windows, and the interior fixtures
painted and rearranged.
Boy Seoul Dance
Tomorrow Night
Jimmy Byerly and bis 12-piece
orchestra, of Louisburg College,
will play for the Bov Scout bene
fit dance at the Plymouth Gym
nasium on the night of Friday,
May 16, according to J. R. Man
ning, chairman of the Albemarle
district, and P. M. Arps, who is
arranging the event.
Miss Catherine Foster will be
the vocalist and her singing is
said to add murh to the enter
tainment provided by this coming
orchestra, which is quite popular
in this section, where the orches
tra has been heard several times
before. The band played at Co
lumbia Tuesday night of this
week.
Chairman Manning and Mr.
Arps urge a large attendance for
the dance, as the proceeds will
be used for the Boy Scouts, and
the band secured for the occas
ion Is regarded as one of the best
dance orchestras in the state.
300 Methodists Here
For District Meet in
Local Church Today
Practically All 33 Charges
In Elizabeth City Dis
trict Represented
More than 300 persons, represent
ing practically all of the 33 charges
in the Elizabeth City District of the
Methodist Church met at the local
church today to hear discussions on
world service, education, lay activi
ties, temperance and evangelism by
leading churchmen.
At the morning session, the Rev.
Charles E. Dale, of Murfreesboro, led
the devotionals. The Rev. B. B.
Slaughter, district superintendent, of
Elizabeth City, presided and the Rev.
H. F. Surratt, of Windsor, served as
secretary. Z. V. Norman welcomed
the visitors on behalf of the local
church.
Addresses were made as follows
during the early part of the confer
ence: "Women's Work,” by Mrs.
Glenn Pendleton, of Elizabeth City,
district secretary of women's work;
"Making the District Missionary Con
scious," by the Rev. John R. Poe. of
Aulander; "The American Bible So
ciety,” by the Rev. R. F. Munns. of
Hertford; "Education as an Adult
Problem,” by the Rev. A. L. Thomp
son, of Ahoskie; "Education Gives
Youth a Chance and a Challenge," by
the Rev. O. L. Hardwick, of Plym
outh; "Feed My Lambs,” by Miss Al
ma Cade, of Durham, a representative
of the Christian Board of Education,
and Mrs. B. B. Slaughter, of Eliza
beth City; and "Religion in Educa
tion,” by the Rev. R. W. Bradshaw,
of Durham.
"Lay Activities” was discussed by
John R. Jenkins, jr., of Aulander, dis
trict lay leader; “Witnessing,” by
Dow Bancroft, of Chicago, associate
general secretary; “Address” by Dr.
W. K. Greene, of Duke University;
and "Evangelism, Our Chief Task,"
by the Rev. D. A. Clarke, of Wash
ington.
At the afternoon session, which fol
lowed lunch on the grounds, the Rev.
D. I. Gardner, of Belhaven, led the
devotionals, and the Rev. L. T. Sin
gleton, of Moyock, made the temper
ance report. W. N. Vaughn made an
address on the quarterly conference
record system, followed by a report
from the licensing committee, read
by the Rev. L. B. Jones, of Elizabeth
City. The hospital and homes report
was made by Dr. Maynard O. Fletch
er, superintendent of a Washington
hospital; and the finance committee
report was made by the Rev. T. A.
Smithwick.
-4
Total ol 162 Young
Men of County Now
In Military Services
112 in Army, 39 in Navy, 4
In Marine Corps and 7 in
National Guard
If the eight colored men scheduled
to leave here next Thursday are ac
cepted for service in the armed forces
of the nation, Washington County
will have a total of 170 young white
and colored men “doing their bit” in
connection with the national defense
program, it was learned today from
S, A. Ward, clerk to the local select
ive service board.
Jliere are 111 men from the coun
ty who entered some branch of mil
itary service who were not called
through the operation of the select
ice service act. With the 8 men sup
posed to leave next Thursday, there
will be 59 in the service who wrent
through operation of the selective
service act.
Out of the 111 men who were not
affected by the draft act, 61 went to
the army, 39 to the navy, 4 to the
marine corps and 7 went with the na
tional guard. Practically all of these
were white. There have been 30
white men sent from the county since
the selective service act became ef
fective; and if the 8 colored men leav
ing next week pass the physical ex
amination it will bring the total for
that race from the county to 29. All
of the selectees went to the army.
The number of men going into the
service from this county, which has
a total population of about 12,000,
proves that men in this section have
demonstrated their full share of pa
triotism. This is further proven by
the fact that more than twice as
many have entered the service by the
volunteer route as have been chosen
through selective service.
Those scheduled to leave next
Thursday follow: John Carter, Cres
well, volunteer; Robert Lee Bennett,
Creswell, volunteer; James Russell
Norman, Plymouth, order No. 115;
Aaron Junior Simmons. Plymouth, or
der No. 128; James Alphonso Williams
Roper, order No. 140; Sampson Towe
Heath, Plymouth, order No. 166; Mel
vin J. Hines, Roper, order No. 195;
William Henry Powell. Roper, order
No. 200.
Five White Men Called
To Enter Service June 3
-
A tail has been issued by the State
Selective Service Board for five white
selectees from Washington County,
to leave on Tuesday, June 3. The
men will be sent to Port Jackson. S.
C., according to present plans. Four
hundred white men were called from
the state as a whole to leave during
|early June. _a
Board of Education Is
ConsideringLocations
For New School Here
YOUNGEST MAYOR
Henry Starr Everett. 26. this
week became mayor of Roper, and
it is believed he is one of the
youngest mayors in the state.
Funeral Services for
Mrs. John L. Phelps
In Creswell Tuesday
Prominent County Woman
Died at Home There
Sunday Evening
-®
Creswell.—Funeral services were
held at Christ Episcopal church here
Tuesday afternoon for Mrs. Ida W
Phelps, 65, who died at her home here
Sunday evening at 8:15. She was the
wife of John L. Phelps, prominent
farm operator and property owner.
The Rev. B. W. Gaither, rector of the
local church, conducted the services,
assisted by the Rev. C. E. Williams,
of New Bern, and the Rev. John
Hardy, of Williamston. Interment
was made in the cemetery of St. Da
vid’s Episcopal church near here.
At the funeral service, “Rock of
Ages" was sung by the choir at the
church and a quartet sang “Abide
With Me." Mrs. Sam Sykes, of Co
lumbia, sang “Art Thou Weary, Art
Thou Languid?” The Rev. Mr. Wil
liams read “Now the Laborer's Task
Is Over” at the grave.
Mrs. Phelps was widely known in
this section and regarded by all as a
very devoted mother. Her influence
for good was felt by people of all
walks of life with whom she came
in contact, including teachers, min
isters, business men and women, or
phans and others. She was a leader
in the church and Sunday school ac
tivities of the Episcopal church, of
which she was long a most loyal and
active member.
The large floral offering from
friends both far and near attested to
the esteem in which she was held by
all who knew her.
The daughter of the late A. G.
and Alice Dillon Walker, she was a
life-long resident of Washington
County, living in Plymouth during her
early married life. She was married
to John L. Phelps, large property
owner and one of the most promi
nent citizens of this county, a num
ber of years ago.
Surviving, besides her husband,
John L. Phelps, are one daughter,
Mrs. Milton Starr, of New York City;
and three sons, Lindsey M. Phelps, of
Raleigh; William L. Phelps, of Char
lotte; and Dr. J. M. Phelps, of Cves
well. She also leaves two grand
daughters, Virginia Phelps, Raleigh
and Ida Jones Phelps, Charlotte; two
sisters, Mrs. R. H. Bachman, of Eden
ton, and Mrs. J. L. Grandy, of Nor
folk; and two brother!*. Dr Herbert
D. Walker, of Elizabeth City; and
Harry G. Walker, of Washington. N.
C.
Active pall-bearers were W. L. Dav
enport, W. D. Phelps, J. R. Manning.
P. W. Brown, Jack Spruill, Jim Sex
ton, Alton Harris and Clyde Smith
son.
** i ♦
E. F. Slill Offers To
Donate Site; Others
Are Being Studied
Sites Owned by Joe Leggett
And Branch Bank Are
Said Favored
Although nothing definite has yet
been decided, the Washington County
Board of Education has under con
sideration the generous offer of E. F.
Still, president and manager of the
Plymouth Box and Panel Company,
of a free site for the erection of a
10-room modern grammar school
building. Mr. Still made his offer in
a public statement to the Lions Club
last Thursday that his company was
willing to donate enough of the land
on the north side of Highway 64. east
of Plymouth, between Browning’s
store and his residence, for a school
building and adjoining playground.
However, the school officials are
still interested in a lot owned by Joe
Leggett, just south of the present
high school building on Washington
Street. It is understood that the
board of education members consider
the price quoted as excessive.
The school authorities are also in
terested in a site owned by the Branch
Banking and Trust Company at the
west end of Fort Williams Street. If
the new school building was placed
on this property, it would be located
at one end of the street and the high
school building at the other end of
the same street. It is pointed out
that this location would provide ade
quate playground space, is removed
from highway traffic and the price
is reported to be fairly reasonable.
With approximately $50,000 in lo
cal and WPA funds available for re
lieving congested conditions in the
local schools, the officials hope to
build a new elementary school struc
ture. replace the roof and install a
new heating plant in the high school
building.
The old Hampton Academy, re
cently condemned for use as a school
building, is to be offered for sale, and
one group is reported to be already
interested in its purchase.
Two Cases Tried
In Recorders Court
... -
A bond of $1,000 was required for
the appearance of Allen Rouse. 36.
colored, in Washington County Su
perior Court at the July term to an
swer to a charge of breaking and en
tering the house of George Bagley
with the intent to commit an assault
on Bagley s young daughter.
In the preliminary hearing in re
corder's court Tuesday, it was said
that Rouse broke a screen, entered
the room in which two young daugh
ters of Mr. Bagley was sleeping on
the bed. while the father and a son
were sleeping on the floor. The negro
was in the room when the father
awoke and asked him why he was
there, to which Rouse replied that he
had come to give Mr. Bagley a drink.
June Chambers, 23, colored, was
given a sentence of six months on the
roads, suspended upon payment of
$50 and costs after being found guilty
of assaulting Mary Sherrod with a
brick, and with breaking and enter
ing the home of John Williams by
forcing a rear door.
Sam J. Nash, 43. white, charged
with operating an automobile while
under the influence of intoxicants,
had his case continued until next
Tuesday.
Games At Williamston
Friday Night and Sunday
A number of local people are plan
ning to attend the baseball games in
Williamston Friday night and Sun
day afternoon, when the Martins
are playing at home. The William
ston club meets Rocky Mount Friday
night at 8 p. m. and Kinston Sunday
afternoon at 3 in Coastal Plain lea
gue games.
Governor Broughton Will Be Principal
Speaker at Wenona Field Day July 24
Governor J. Melville Brough
ton will be the prineipal speaker
at the annual Farmers’ Field Day
at Blaekland Test Farm at Wen
ona on Thursday, July 24, it was
learned today from Representa
tive W. M. Darden, who invited
the state's ehief executive.
J. L. Rea. jr„ assistant director
incharge of the Blaekland Sta
tion, was very much pleased
wffen he received the news that
the governor would be here on
that occasion.
W. Kerr Scott, Commissioner
of Agriculture, and Fred E. Mil
ler, State director of test farms,
in the North Carolina Depart
ment of Agriculture, will be pres
| ent to add to the occasion.
Representative Darden extend
ed the invitation to Governor
Broughton and Commissioner
Seott, and Mr. Miller followed up
the request to the governor. Ad
viees from Raleigh state it has
been definitely decided that Gov
ernor Brougton will eomc to
Washington County on that day
to speak to the large group of
farmers expected to be present.
This annual event has been
one of the most important to
farmers in this section for years,
and it is expected that with the
additional emphasis being plac
ed on live stock at the station
now and with Governor Brough
ton to be the speaker, there will
be a much larger crowd presient
this year than ever before.