The Roanoke Beacon
******* and Washington County News *******
VOLUME LII NUMBER 21 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Thursday, May 22, 1941
A home newspaper dedicated
to the service of Washington
i County and its 12,000 people.
ESTABLISHED 1889
Town
opics
There will be a meeting of the of
ficers of the Albemarle District Boy
Scouts Friday afternoon at 5 o'clock
in the office of J. R. Manning at the
Manning Motor Company. There are
about a dozen or more members of
this board in the scout organization.
W. F. Winslow, Plymouth ar
tist was again honored recently,
his water color, “Aftenroon, in
March," being one of 33 subjects
exhibited in the Robert E. Lee
Hotel in Winston-Salem at the
annual exhibit of North Carolina
artists sponsored by the North
Carolina Federation of Women’s
Clubs on May 7 and 8.
Miss Evelyn Arps, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. P. M. Arps, has been chosen
as Plymouth sponsor of the first an
nual cotton festival to be held in Tar
boro Friday. May 23. with a parade,
baseball game, band concerts, swim
ming and dancing as the features.
Mrs. Harold Harris, whose lit
tle daughter. Annie Jane Harris,
recently won the first prize of
8200 in the “Popular Baby Pa
rade," sponsored by the Roanoke
Beacon, said this week that she
had used the money to establish
an educational fund for her child.
She said that the little girl had
won the 8200 and was entitled to
(he money.
Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Crowder and
•■son. James, and O. L. Thompson, of
South Hill. Va.. spent Sunday here
with Mr. and Mrs. Joe M. Crowder.
Joe Crowder, who recently came here
from South Hill, has had his Lions
Club memership moved from the Vir
ginia town to Plymouth and he was
welcomed into the local ciub last
Thursday night.
Local Boy Scout officials, who
sponsored the dance at the Plym
outh High School gym last Fri
day night, when Jimmy B.verly
and his orchestra played for a
benefit dance for the scouts, had
a deficit of SI7.50 on the event,
according to J. R. Manning, dis
trict chairman.
Freeman Davenport, colored, of
Plymouth, has a small 5-cent silver
coin bearing the date 1835. Made
over a century ago, the coin looks
about like a present-day dime, al
though it is a little smaller. It has
a liberty head on one side and an
eagle on the back.
To comply with wage and hour
law requirements, the Branch
Banking and Trust Company to
day went on a new schedule of
hours. The bank will be opened
at 9 a. m. and closed at 1 p. m.
dally. >1. F. Beam, the cashier,
asks for cooperation of the public
in observing ihe new hours.
A crew of workmen digging the hole
for a new tank at the Esso station
at the corner of Main and Washing
ton Streets here Tuesday found the
bones of a large animal some 10 feet
below the surface. There was quite
a discussion as to whether the bones
were those of a horse, several ob
servers stating they were too large,
and no decision was ever reached as
to just what kind of animal they
came from.
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LocalStore Adding
Plumbing Supplies
Announcement was made this week
by James W. Norman, owner of the
Norman Furniture Company, that he
was adding plumbing equipment to
his line of merchandise and would
have a competent plumber in charge
of this department, making this type
of service available to people in Plym
outh.
Mr. Norman also said that he had
secured the services of George Har
rison, well-known young man, who
has been engaging in plumbing work
in Norfolk, to take charge of this part
of his firm’s service. All work will
be guaranteed and prices will be rea
sonable.
Mr. Harrison is well qualified to do
plumbing work, and the new service
will be available to the people of
Plymouth on and after June 2.
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Program of Services at
Grace Church Sunday
Services at Grace Episcopal church
Sunday will be as follows:
Sunday school at 10 a. m.
Worship service at 11 a. m. The
Rev. Sidney E. Matthews will preach.
Young People’s Service League at
7:30 p. m.
r
Poppy Day Proclamation
Saturday, May 24, was proclaimed as Poppy Day in Plymouth,
in a proclamation issued today by Mayor B. G. Campbell. The Mayor
caled upon all citizens to observe the day by wearing the memorial
poppy of the American Legion and auxiliary.
The proclamation stated:
“Whereas, the wearing of the memorial poppy is a fitting and
effective way of keeping bright the memory of those young men who
gave their lives in America’s service in the World War: and
“Whereas, the men of Plymouth served gallantly in that
war. some being called upon to sacrifice their lives in that service:
and
“Whereas, the present national emergency requires the same
type of unselfish patriotism displayed by the men and symbolized by
their memorial flower, and
“Whereas, the women of the American Legion Auxiliary will
distribute veteran-made memorial poppies throughout the city on
Saturday, May 24;
“Now therefore, I, B. G. Campbell, Mayor of the City of
Plymouth, do proclaim, Saturday, May 24, to be Poppy Day in the
City of Plymouth, and urge all citizens to observe the day by wearing
the memorial poppy of The American Legion and American Legion
Auxiliary in honor of the men who died for America in the war of
1917 and 1918.”
J
Clyde Hoey To Speak
At Memorial Program
Near Creswell May 30
Ed Owens Swims
River on $25 Bei
For a wager of $25, Edward L.
Owens swam the Roanoke River
here last Friday afternoon, with
Sheriff J. K. Reid, A. R. Latham,
W. T. Freeman and others watch
ing him “do his stuff.”
It all came about on this wise:
Mr. Owens had been handling
peanut bags and was wet with
perspiration and covered with
dust from the goobers. He as
serted before the group that he
believed a swim would do him
good. Then came the boast that
he could negotiate the river. And
he was challenged and the wager
made.
He stripped off all his clothes
except Iiis “sho’t'V plunged into
the water and In about five min
utes was standing on the oppo
site shore. A boat was sent to
bring him back.
He said he was none the worse
for his swim: and he was weal
thier by $25 if not healthier as a
result of the exercise.
Members of Welfare
Board May Get Part
Pay for Their Work
Expenses and Subsistence
Payment Ruled Legal by
Attorney General
-$
There is a probability that mem
bers of the Washington County Board
of Public Welfare may be compensa
ted in some measure for their service
on this important board, as the result
of requests to Harry McMullan,
State’s Attorney General, who has is
sued an official opinion that the
county may compensate the members
for traveling expenses and reasonable
subsistence while at the meeting
place.
Heretofore, there has been no mon
ey appropriated by the county com
missioners for payment of welfare
board members, although the law
says board members may be reim
bursed for expenses incurred in at
tendance at official meetings. It has
not been made mandatory that gov
erning bodies pay anything to the
board members.
However, there have been some
members here, it is understood, who
came long distances and did receive
a small amount for mileage.
It is understood that James W.
Norman and Walter W. White, newly
appointed members of this board,
will take office the first of July, and
then they will name the third mem
ber.
Paper-Making Machinery Arriving
Here From Richwood, W. Va., Plant
It is understood that 11 of the
22 freight carloads of machinery
being brought to the plant of the
North Carolina Pulp Company
here from the Cherry River Pa
per Company plant at Richwood,
W. Va., have arrived and are be
unloaded. The equipment in
cludes a large paper machine
which was obtained when the
Kieckhefer Container Company,
of which the North Carolina Pulp
Company is a subsidiary, bought
the West Virginia plant about
two years ago.
Officials of the local firm hope
the remainder of the machinery
will be received and the machin
ery reassembled in time to begin
operation of it by the latter part
of July. The plant at Richwood
was closed down about the first
of May to dismantle and remove
the machinery here.
It is understood that about 30
families, members of which have
been engaged in operation of the
equipment being moved here, will
arrive within the next few weeks,
and a group of local citizens are
cooperating with company offic
ials in efforts to work out some
kind of plan to provide adequate
housing facilities. There are
scarely enough houses here now
for the people employed here,
many of whom are living in rural
areas and near-by towns, and it
is hoped some plan can be de
veloped to provide housing facili
ties for the newcomers.
Pettigrew Graves
To Be Decorated;
Program Outlined
Exercises Will Mark Ob
servance of National Me
morial Day in County
Celebration of National Memorial
Day Friday, May 30, in Washington
County will center around elaborate
exercises planned for historic old St.
David’s Episcopal Chursch Cemetery
and the Pettigrew Cemetery, on the
old Bonarva Plantation, near Cres
well, with Former Governor Clyde R.
Hoey. of Shelby, as the principal
speaker.
Graves in the 100-year-old ceme
teries around Creswell, where Bishop
Charles Pettigrew, elected the first
Episcopal bishop of North Carolina,
and his worthy brother, General
Johnston Pettigrew, of Confederate
Army fame, will be decorated at the
time.
Services will begin at St. David’s
Cemetery at 10:30 in the morning.
The Rev. C. A. Ashby, of Edenton,
will speak at the 11 o’clock service in
the church. A large vested choir, di
rected by Miss Lona Bell Weatherly
an Mrs. Roy Hopkins, will sing for
the services. Ministers invited and ex
pected to take part in the event are
the Rev. John Hardy, of Williams
ton; the Rev. C. E. Williams, of New
Bern; the Rev. John Armfleld, of
Ahoskie; the Rev. W. B. Gaither, rec
tor of the church; the Rev. Sidney E.
Matthews, of Washington; the Rev.
R. N. Fitts and Dr. G. A. Martin, of
Creswell. The Rev. Mr. Gaither will
be in charge of the service.
Mrs. Claudius McGowan has been
asked to take charge of decorating
the graves of the bishop and the gen
eral prior to noon. Mrs. McGowan
will be assisted by the United Daugh
ters of the Confederacy and other
organizations.
Alter services at u -> cnurcn ana
graves, a motorcade will leave the
church and cemeteries for the Lake
Phelps community house, where a
basket picnic will be served and the
Plymouth Higli School band, under
the direction of L. W. Zeigler, will
give a concert. _
W. L. Whitley will preside over the
afternoon exercises and will present
former Governor Clyde R. Hoey, who
will speak about 3 o'clock. C. W. Ta
tem, of Columbia, will speak at this
time on "The History of Lake Phelps"
and T. W. Armstrong, manager of
the PSA Scuppernong Farms proj
ect, will also have a place on the pro
gram.
The committee in charge of ar
rangements for the event includes
C. W. Tatem, of Columbia; the Rev.
C. A. Ashby, of Edenton: W. L. Whit
ley, of Plymouth; T W. Armstrong,
of Lake Phelps; and the Rev. B. W.
Gaither, of Creswell.
—
Child Dies Sunday
In DukeHospiial
Funeral services were held at
Athens Chapel, near Washington,
Monday afternoon for Lowell Thomas
Cutler, 4, only son of Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas Cutler, oi Bath and Plym
outh, who died in a Durham hospital
Sunday morning at 2:30, following
an illness of 10 days. The body was
carried to the home of an aunt, Mrs.
Ascha Cutler, in Washington.
The Rev. Harold Tyler officiated,
assisted by the Rev. D. W. Arnold.
Burial took place in the Cutler cem
etery Survivors include the parents
and paternal grandparents, George
Horace Cutler.
Mr Cutler is employed in a local
industrial plant and has an apart
ment in the home of Mrs. Clyde W.
Owens here.
250 Persons Attend
Local Lions Show in
Columbia This Week
Club Has Given Scouts $150,
Band $50, and Has About
$60 for Spectacles
The Lions Club Minstrel, presented
in Columbia Wednesday night, netted
only a small sum to the benevolent
fund of the organization, but it was
believed that it created a large
amount of good will for Plymouth
among the 250 persons who attend.
Prior to the first act, the Rev. W.
B. Gaither, rector of the Episcopal
church in Columbia, made a short
talk, mentioning that the production
was directed by R. B. Trotman and
Dr. S. V. Lewis. The ladies' organi
zation of the church sponsored the
show.
The Lions Club made a profit of
5225 on the show in Plymouth, after
paying about $150 in expenses. Prom
the proceeds, $150 was given to the
Boy and Sea Scouts here, $50 to the
band and the remainder left in the
treasury for the purchase of glasses
for needy children. With the amount
taken in at both places, and includ
ing some money already in the treas
ury, the Lions will have about $60
for the purchases of glasses for in
digent children, who -will be supplied
shortly.
Lion President P. W. Brown said
today that he wished to express the
appreciation of the club to the men
and women who participated in the
show and who gave of their time, tal
ent and money in making the event
one of the most successful, in every
way. of any home-talent production
given here in recent years.
Plan To Abandon
Motor Fuel Bulk
Station Is Protested
-<t
Official of Standard Oil Co.
Expected To Confer With
Local People Today
-<$
An official of the Standard Oil
Company of New Jersey is expected
here today by John W. Darden, sec
retary of the Washington County
Chamber of Commerce, and other
civic-minded citizens, relative to the
company’s plan to partially abandon
its bulk plant here. It is understood
here that the company plans to serv
ice its stations in the Town of Plym
outh from Washington, those west of
Plymouth from Williamston, and
those east of Plymouth from Colum
bia, doing away with its distributing
center here.
Bulk handling of fuel oil and kero
sene here would be continued by C.
E. Ayers, local agent, who would al
so continue operation of the large
Esso Service Station here, but whole
sale distribution of motor fuel from
the large tanks on Roanoke River
would be discontinued.
Z. V. Norman, local attorney and
civic worker is opposed to the plan
on the grounds that it will reduce
the personnel of the company here
and would make a change in the bus
iness, believed better than it has ever
been before.
It was stated that the company is
planning the change as an economy
move, but just why this should come
up when the company is enjoying a
better business than ever before is
puzzling local people.
The company official was to be en
tertained at a dinner here Wednes
day. but was unable to get here, wir
ing that he would be here today.
Norman Named Lay
Leader for District
At the annual district conference
of the Methodist church here last
Thursday, Zeb Vance Norman, prom
inent churchman of Plymouth, was
named lay leader cf the Elizabeth
City district. Mr. Norman's duties
will constitute cooperation with, the
lay leaders in the 33 charges of the
district and wfth representing the
laity in church affairs, as well as co
operation with all district officials
of the church.
There were over 300 delegates at
the conference here last week, which
was the first time in about 25 years
that the district conference was held
with the local church. The Plymouth
church has become widely known in
the conference as having one of the
best choirs of any church in the state,
it was said.
Choice of Mr. Norman for this spec
ial honor brings the Plymouth church
recognition throughout the district.
Lord Halifax May Speak
At ‘Lost Colony' Opening
Washington.—Representative Her
bert C. Bonner visited the British Em
bassy this week and extended an in
vitation to Lord Halifax. British Am
bassador, to speak at Port Raleigh
on the opening night of "The Lost
Colony” on July 3. Representative
Bonner, who was greatly impressed
with the tall Britisher, said the am
bassador was most anxious to accept
and asked many questions and ex
pressed deep interest in the spot
where the English first landed. He
will be unable to give a final decision
untii about the middle of June.
Five Young White Men From County
Leave for Fort Bragg Tuesday, June 3
Five young white men from
Washington County have been
selected to report to Fort Bragg,
near Fayetteville, on Tuesday.
June 3, to enter the army for
their year of military training,
under the terms of the selective
service act. according to S. A.
Ward, clerk of the local board.
They are: Carlton G. Spruill, of
Roper, and David Albert Hurley,
of Plymouth, volunteers; Elbert
Forte Coates, order No. 96. and
Connie Herman Craddock, order
No. 322, both of Plymouth; and
Osbourne Aldridge Marriner. of
Roper, order No. 110.
Young Hurley, a volunteer, will
be reporting for the fifth time.
He said this week that if he is
turned down again it will be his
last attempt to enter the service.
Mr. Coats was deferred in an ear
lier call in order to complete his
term as a teacher in the Plym
outh schools.
The county now has 111 men
in the armed forces of the nation
who did not enter through the
selective service method. The 5
leaving June 3, if all are accepted
will make 64 who have entered
under the terms of the selective
service act and will bring the to
tal number of men in service from
Washington County to 175.
The local draft board has had
only two appeals from classifica
tions so far. One of the appeals
was rejected, while the other will
be heard soon.
New School Here May
Be Delayed Result of
WPA Labor Shortage
However, Plans Are
Proceeding To File
Request for Project
Believed It May Be Some
Time Before Actual
Work Begins
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Although arrangements are being
made to file application for WPA fi
nancial aid in the construction of the
additions to the Plymouth school or
a new graded school building, it may
be some time before the actual work
will begin, it was learned this week.
E. Leigh Winslow, construction en
gineer for the WPA district office a'.
Williamston, while here this week said
that there is a general shortage of
WPA labor, and that the number of
Washington County people certified
and assigned to such projects had
dwindled during the past year from
150 to about 80
It was further pointed out that Uie
town had several projects underway,
besides road projects and the Petti
grew Park project, which are draw
ing on the dwindling labor supply:
and officials are unable to predict t
when sufficient WPA clients will be
available to go to work on the school
construction job.
However, undeterred by this prob
lem, county and local school officials
are proceeding as rapidly as possible
with plans, and it is believed they
will be ready for filing with the WPA
office within a few days. It may re
quire a month or two after that be
fore the Washington, D. C., headquar
ters give final approval to the project,
it was stated.
H. H. McLean, county superin
tendent of public instruction, said to
day that Prank Benton, of Wilson,
architect, was proceeding rapidly
with plans for the building, and it is
believed the application will be ready
for filing’with the district WPA of
fice within a few days.
Commiltee Member!
From Here 'Favors
Reynolds Over Hoey
Carl L. Bailey To Attend
Meet of State Committee
In Raleigh Friday
Carl L. Bailey, local attorney and!
one of the 12 members of the State
Democratic Executive from the First
Congressional District, said today
that he would cast his vote for Rich
ard J. Reynolds, mayor of Winston
Salem and National Party treasurer,
for Democratic National Committee
man in preference to Former Govern
or Clyde R. Hoey, at the meeting of
the state committee tomorrow night.
Mr. Bailey said that of the six men
and six women, comprising the ex
ecutive committee of the first con
gressional district, he believes at.,
least four will cast their vote for Rey
nolds. However, he further said he
believed the two candidates were in
a nip-and-tuck battle for member
ship on the national committee and
that it would be hard now to even
make a guess as to the winner
The candidates are seeking the
place as national committeeman
made vacant by the death of A. D.
'Lon) Folger. of Mount Airy, a Con
gressman. who has held the place
for several years. Tire national com
mitteewoman for North Carolina is
Miss Beatrice Cobb, of Morganton.
a newspaper publisher, who has held
the place for years.
There are 132 members of the state
executive committee eligible to vote
on the place at the Raleigh meeting
Friday night.
Governor J. Melville Broughton is
supporting the candidacy of Fo-me
Governor Hoey. who is battling Reyn
olds for votes. Some state officials
are reported to have become very act
ive for Mr. Hoey. while Mr. Reynolds
is making every effort to get the
| place himself.
SPECIAL SERMON
■ ■ I
TI'P Rev. O. L. Hardwick, pas
tor, will be in charge of dedica
tory services for the nt v p*pe or
gan. now debt free, at the Metho
dist church here Sunday morning.
Local Melhodisls To
Dedicate Pipe Organ
At Service Sunday
Pastor Will Speak; Special
Musical Program Is
Arranged
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The Rev. O. L. Hardwick, pastor of
the Plymouth Methodist church, is
preparing a special sermon for de
livery at the Sunday morning service,
when the new $3,000 organ of the
church, installed last year, will be
dedicated with appropriate cere
monies.
Shep Brinkley will be at the con
sole of the handsome organ and a
large vested choir will sing. The com
plete program for the service follows:
Organ prelude, “Pilgrim's Chorus,"
by Richard Wagner.
Hymn No. 532: "Hark. Hark, My
Soul.”
Apostle's Creed.
Prayer.
Prayer response.
Organ selection, "Fanfare." by J.
Lemmens.
Anthem: "Lift Up Your Heads."
Responsive reading.
Gloria Patria.
Announcements.
Offering.
Anthem: "My Defense Is in the
Lord.”
Remarks: “Music in Worship." by
the Rev. O. L. Hardwick
Dedication of organ.
Hymn: "Wisdom of God.”
Benediction.
"The Lord Bless You and Keep
You."
Postlude: March aux Flambeau,”
S. Clark.
School for Midwives
Planned by District
Health Department
-$
Better Health and Healthier
Babies Linked With
National Defense
-
By S. V LEWIS. M. D.
District Health Officer
National defense does not neces
sarily mean anything near or akin to
war. although that is the usual In
terpretation placed upon the term,
and if we should be so unfortunate
as to be involved in a national con
flict, it is but natural that all Amer
ican citizens should desire the best
health, the best living conditions and
the best manner of preparedness pos
sible to make certain that such an
enemy be repelled with telling loss to
his ranks. Many items may enter be
tween our duties and our ability to
administer a sound licking to any fu
ture foe, but the most important item
that we may be confronted with is the
general health and welfare of our
people. Even a monster tank or air
plane cannot be operated by a weak
ling or a person not in good health.
There are many handicaps to Im
pede the progress of our nation, but
it is the purpose of your health de
partment to render a service that may
not be rendered by any other source
or efforts.
Syphilis is one of the most telling
diseases, from the standpoint of tak
ing human lives. Blood tests will re
veal its presence, and it may be cured
I by prompt and adequate treatment.
May it be remembered that the dam
age done by syphilis may not be re
paired, but the progress of the dis
ease may be stopped and further
damage prevented. We should be re
minded that syphilis may imitate any
other of the most dangerous and fatal
diseases, and it is necessary that you
have a regular examination to make
sure you do not have the disease.
in uiuci lu nave a neanny ciuzen
ship, assistance and corrective meas
ures should begin before the birth of
the child. Among the mothers hav
ing syphilis. 90 per cent will give birth
to a syphilitic baby unless the mother
is properly treated before the birth
of her child. If such a mother is
properly treated, there is very little
chance for her to bear a child that
will have the disease. We must not
forget that syphilis may be inherited
down through as many as four gen
erations.
As a further aid in oi ier to pre
vent blindness and perhaps perma
nent crippling among the new-born
babies of this county, this depart
ment wishes to advise that classes
will be held for the teaching and
training of midwives throughout
Washington County, such classes to
be held at the following places on
the dates and hours mentioned:
At Roper Colored Church
Wednesday, May 28, at 1 p. m.
Monday, June 2. at 1 p. m.
Wednesday, June 4, at 1 p. m.
Friday, June 6, at 1 p. m.
Cherry Colored School
Friday. June 20, at I p. m.
Monday, June 23, at 1 p. m.
Thursday, June 26, at 9 a. m.
Friday, June 27, at 1 p. m.
The midwives in Plymouth and vi
cinity will be transported to Roper
for classes by the county nurse. There
are not enough midwives in the neigh
borhood of Plymouth to justify the
additional time for conducting mid
wife classes in or very near Plymouth.
■-«>
Young Democrats
Meet Here June 6
Plans are being made for a rally
oi members of the Young Democratic
clubs of the first congressional dis
trict at the Plymouth Country Club
Friday night, June 6, according to a
letter received by Representative W.
M. Darden today from Paul Liver
man. of Columbia, chairman of the
district.
Mr. Darden was to confirm the date
and make local arrangements in or
der that tickets could be placed on
sale immediately. It is not definitely
known yet whether use of the coun
try club can be obtained for the
event.
State Senator Gordon Gray, of
Winston-Salem, former state presi
dent of Young Democratic clubs, has
been invited to speak; and if he is
unable to come another well-known
speaker will be secured. Mr. Liver
man said.
N. K, Blouni and E. G. Flannagan To
Speak at Merchants' Banquet Monday
Speeches by Marvin K. Blount
and Ed. G. Flannagan. both of
Greenville, will be features of the
first annual banquet of the Plym
outh Merchants Association, to be
Riven in the community hall next
Monday night, it was announced
today by James W. Norman, pres
ident of the organization.
Mr. Blount is a prominent at
torney and is connected with the
large Blount-Harvey department
store in Greenville. He recently
announced himself as a candi
date for the Democratic nomina
tion as Representative in Con
gress from the first district in
opposition to incumbent Herbert
Bonner and Herbert Leary, of
Edenton, who are also candidates.
Mr. Flannagan is a well-known
automobile dealer and was re
cently appointed a member of the
State Highway Commission by
Governor J. Melville Broughton.
Washington county is in the dis
trict represented by the Green
ville man.
J. R. Manning, who is chair
man of the program committee,
said today that there were about
36 members of the organization
and that each member and his
wife was expected to attend the
gathering.
In addition to the speeches by
the visitors, there will be brief
discussions participated in by the
merchants, and President Nor
man said that the plan was to
limit the meeting to about an
hour.