Newspapers / The Roanoke Beacon and … / July 3, 1941, edition 1 / Page 1
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The Roanoke Beacon 4444444 and Washington County News ★★★★★★★ Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Thursday, July 3, 1941 A home newspaper dedicated to the service of Washington County and its 12,000 people. VOLUME LII—NUMBER 27 ESTABLISHED 1889 own]1 OPICS Mrs. Lucille Stewart is presenting her pupils in the latest dance rou tine in snappy costumes at the Plym outh Theatre at 9 p. m. Wednesday night of this week, it was announced yesterday by Shep Brinkley. Although an addition to the regular show, no advance in admission price is being made. The Plymouth Motor Company now has on display two of the new Ford six-cylinder cars. The new model has the same horse power motor, wheelbase, body and size as the Ford V-8, but the price is slightly lower. J. R. Manning invites local people to come in and see the new cars. Washington County had 687 white farmers and 282 colored farmers in 1940. This represents a decrease of 13.6 per cent in white farmers and a drop of 4.7 per cent in colored farm ers in the county during the 10-year period from 1930 to 1940. U. S. De partment of Agriculture figures gave the county about 174 less farmers last year than in 1930. J. S. Taylor, of near Roper, sent the first cotton blossom of the season The Beacon on Tues day, July 1. He said there were many others in his field. Lewis Styons and A1 Wells brought in the first blossoms on July 1 last year. .1 C. Knowles, in town this week, said that a protracted meeting would begin Monday night at Zions Chapel Christian church. Rev. Dennis War ren Davis, of Washington, will do the preaching. Mr. Knowles, an official of the church, urges a large attend ance to hear Mr. Davis, who is re garded as a splendid pulp't orator. Mack Ange, white, was slightly in jured Tuesday night, when art auto mobile he was driving left higliwa; 64 west of Plymouth and turned over. Damage estimated at $300 was done to his car. Corporal T. B. Brown in vestigated the wreck about 11:30. Local people are urged to do much of their trading Thursday «o as to eliminate any great rush which may result Saturday be cause of the closing of the stores Friday for Independence Day. This especially applies to grocery stores, where a heavy rush Sat urday may cause unavoidable de lays In deliveries. Bill Phelps, young white man, was painfully Injured at the plant of the North Carolina Pulp Company Tues day afternf'^n. when a gasoline en gine expiodeu. iV. jj.ay ren dered first aid and then sent Mr, Phelps to a Rocky Mount hospital. -$ County Gets $18,853 From Public /Issisfance Funds Washington County’s share of pub lic assistance funds (distributed in North Carolina during the fiscal year ending June 30 will amount to $18, 853. A total of $6,416,526 has been distributed through welfare channels to the 100 counties in the state. The Federal government, the state and county governments contribute portions of these payments to each client. Deriving the benefits were needy aged persons, dependent chil dren, and widows of Confederate vet erans. This coutny share of $18,853 was larger than the $14,637 for Perquim ans; $11,726 for Camden; $16,173 for Currituck; and $12,941 for Tyrrell. -* Program of Services at Methodist Church Here -* Rev. O. L. HARDWICK, Pastor Tlie Rev. B. B. Slaughter, of Eliza beth City, will preach at the Metho dist church Sunday night at 8 o’clock. After the sermon Mr. Slaughter will hold tlie third quarterly conference. The Rev. O. L. Hardwick, local pastor, will preach Sunday morning, after which the Holy Sacrament will be observed. The church school meets at 9:45, and the public is cordially invited to worship with us at any time. 2,922 Bushels oi Cucumbers Delivered To Station Here by Farmers oi County A total of 2,922 bushels of cu cumbers have been received dur ing: the last few weeks at the C. C. Lang and Son, Inc., receiving station here up to Saturday night it was announced today by C. W. Dinkins and G. S. Respasss, managers of the local plant. Farmers had been paid for cu clumbers during the first two weeks of the season a total of $1,400. Most of the cucumbers arriving at the station now are being accepted at the best-grade rate of payment. Mr. Dinkins said it was expect ed that deliveries would be heav ier during this week and next. The agreement signed by the pickle comptny's agents call for the purchasing to be discontin ued on July 12, but Mr. Dinkins said the company would receive the cukes as long as farmers picked them for delivery in ap preciable quantities. During the last season the Lang Company operated here, 45,000 bushels were accepted at the station here up to July 4. That was one of the best sea sons the company has ever had here. It is reported this year that all over this state and in other states where cucumbers are grown the yield is off ten bushels per acre. Dry weather and other adverse conditions have reduced the yield in this county much more than this. It was reported that the company had agree ments for raising cucumbers in the county on 325 acres. But 62 Men Register For Selective Service In County This Week Another Theatre Is Planned Here Purchase of the building on Water Street formerly used as the “New Theatre” from the A. L. Owens estate by Shep Brink - ley, owner of the Plymouth The atre on Washington Street, was announced this wek. The pur chase price was not disclosed. Mr. Brinkley said that the building would be completely remodeled and put into opera tion soon. The theatre will be renamed, he said, new seats and operating equipment installed, with rest rooms and others addi tions to be made to offer the pub lic comfort in every possible way. Baptists ip. District Sunday School Meet At Creswell Sunday Delegates in Attendance From Churches in Pam lico Association -® Creswell—A special associational Sunday school session of the Pamli co Baptist Association was held with the Cresweil Baptist church Sunday, with delegates from churches and Sunday schools throughout the dis trict attending. The lesson was taught during the Sunday school hour by C. A. Led ford. The Rev. E. R. Stewart spoke at the morning worship hour on “The Outreach of the Sunday School To Help Everybody.” A sermon was preached at noon by the Rev. W. P. Gentry. Special music was rendered by Mesdames A. C. Harris and Q. T. Lassiter and Misses Marjorie Bate mn and Ada Virginia Hopkins. Lunch was served on the grounds at noon to the large crowd which at tended the event. Devotional services were led in the afternoon by the Rev. W. B. Guthrie and the Rev. W. F. Gentry spoke on "The Sunday School an Evangelistic Agency.” “The Sunday School in Training” was the subject of Dr. G. A. Martin and Mrs. W. P. Gentry spoke on “The Reaching and Teach ing Effect of the Sunday School.” Sunday school problems under the following topics were discussed: en listing the adults, transportation, (See BAPTISTS MEET, Page 4) Friday Will Be Observed as General Holiday in Section; No Formal Program Carded Local business will be just about completely halted Friday, when own ers and employees of various estab lishments take advantage of the an versary of the signing of the Decla ration of Independence to enjoy a day of rest and recreation. No special program has been out lined for the Town of Plymouth on Independence Day, but Albemarle Beach, near here has made plans for a gala day. L. W. Gurkin, the owner, has arranged for boating, bathing and dancing to feature the occasion, and hundreds are expected to swarm to the resort on this holiday. Local stores, shops ( plants and of fices—with the exception of drug stores, cafes and filling stations—will be closed all day Friday. Patrons are being urged to do their shopping Thursday when the stores will be open all day, so that none will be in convenienced. The stores were closed Wednesday afternoon as usual. The Plymouth Box and Panel Com pany will close for the day. The North Carolina Pulp Company will continue its regular shifts. It is thought that the American Pork and Hoe Company plant will let practically all of their employees have the day off also. The Branch Banking and Trust Company will be closed Friday, Sat urday and Sunday, reopening for bus inesss on Monday morning. The coun ty courthouse offices, Town of Plym outh offices and the ABC stores throughout the county will be closed. Postal workers will put up mail for patrons who have lock boxes, but there will be no rural or city deliver ies. The windows will not be opened except for a few minutes after the afternoon mail is put up. The Roan oke Beacon office will be closed all day to give the “force” one of the few holidays observed each year. Chief of Police P. W. Brown urges merchants to have their flags avail able for Friday, so that he can have them placed along the streets to mark the patriotic occasion. Many local people are planning to go to Albemarle Beach and other beaches; some will play golf or find other recreation while many others will just rest. 33 While, 29 Colored Registered Tuesday At Drafl'Board Here Number Not Up To Expec tations; Delinquents Are Given Few More Days A total of 62 young man registered^ at the Washington County Selective Service Board office Tuesday in tSw* second national draft registration, 33 of them white and 29 colored, it was learned today from Clerk S. A. Ward. The clerk said it was believed there were still a number of men in the county who reached the age of 21 in the period between October 16, 1940, and July 1, 1941, who were sup posed to register Tuesday, and he advises that if they present them selves for registration immediately, no steps will be taken to enforce pen alties for not registering. Otherwise, those subject to the call who failed to register will be liable to severe penalties for willfully evading the law. Around 90 men were expected to be registered in the county Tuesday, and while a number of those in the age group affected have volunteered for service in the army and naval forces, it is generally believed that there are nearly 30 more men in the county subject to the registration. Most of the young men registering Tuesday came during the morning. Only a few came from the extreme eastern part of the county around Creswell, and Mr. Ward said there was a possibility that they couldn’t make arrangements to report for the registration Tuesday and that they will be given a few days more to do so It is understood that a national lottery will be held about July 9 to determine the order numbers of the new registrants. The list of those registering Tues day follows: White Plymouth: Samuel Franklin Gar rett, Henry Ellis Newberry, Carley Rufus Marriner, Merrill Francis Ward Albert Duran Williams, John Edward Willoughby, Fred Jay Hartman, Wil liam Robert Darden, Heber Respass, jr. Lloyd Ronald Waters, John Ward Harrison, Joe Allen Stone, Clarence Monroe Modlin. Roper: George Edison Biggs, Leon Mayo Swain, John Hassell, William Eli Spruill, Theron Norman Clifton, Preston Randolph Cahoon, Sylvester Lilley, Johnnie Alfred Everett, John Wilbur Sawyer. Dennis Rudolph Oliver, Herbert Wallace Lamm, Luth er Harmon Leary. Creswell: Henry Ellsberry Ambrose, Jesse Jones, Daniel Richard Rhodes, Harold Stewart Woodley. Mackeys: None. Rocky Mount, N. C.: Joseph Lewis Ezzdl Pinetown, N, C.: Ronald Wescotte Spruill. Windsor, N. C.: Willie Ervin Nixon. Soda Springs. Idaho: Darrell Ray Jenkins. Colored Plymouth: James Richard Moore, William Atlas Nixon, Bldmond Lee Lacy, Hubert Boston, Jack Hoyt, Ed die Jenette, Mack Edward Barnes, Robert Holley, Tarleter Small, Levi Elliott, Cleophus McNair, William Edward Garrett, Herman Hart, Clau dius Bratts. „ Roper: Granville Nixon, Douglas Walker, Gurvis Lee Bryant, Sylvester Downing, William Lee Brown, Willie Spruill. „ . Creswell: Henry Clytes Myers, Mad ison Junior Baum, Leroy Ervin Hal sey, Cleophus Satchel Fred Jones. Mackeys: Joe Nathan Swain, John nie Lee Norman, Lorenza Midgett. Jamesville, N. C : Llewellyn Keys. --- Skinnersville Man Injured In Recent Fall From Train Charlie T. White, of the Skinners ville section of this county, fell from a freight car to which he was cling ing while at work last Saturday aft ernoon and was seriously injured. He fell about three feet from the mov ing car and landed on the iron rails of the track. He was taken to a Washington hospital, where it was found that his back had been in jured and it is was necessary to place him in a cast. 15 Cases on Docket For Superior Court Beginning Monday -- Judge Henry A. Stevens, of Warsaw, To Preside; No Civil Cases Set Court observers believed that less than three days will be required for disposition of the 15 criminal cases on the docket for trial in Washing ton County Superior Court, begin ning next Monday morning, with Judge Henry A. Stevens, of Warsaw, presiding. Although the one-week term is sup posed to take care of both criminal and civil cases, members of the local bar did not prepare a civil calendar. However, it was stated that several divorce or other such motion cases may be brought before the court. The criminal docket is as follows: C. Edley Hutchins, 25, white, charged with abandonment and non-support of his wife, Mrs. Prances Chesson Hutchins, appealed from a recorder's court judgment which required him to pay $25 monthly to his wife and the costs of the court action. Bond of $500 was required for his compli ance with the judgment of the re corder's court. Dee Rock Squires, charged with op erating an automobile while under the influence of intoxicants, appealed from a recorder’s court fine of $55 and costs. Bond was set at $250. Malinda Linton, 20, white, and Joe Goddard, 46, charged with hit-and run driving were ordered held for probable cause when tried in record er’s court. Godard, out under bond, failed to appear. It was charged that a car operated by Miss Linton struck a parked car owned by W. C. House and also struck Paul Hardison, do and costs. He appealed and was called and failed to answer at the January term of superior court. Delmar Wallace, Earl Wallace, Jethro Bonner and William Sexton, white men, charged with larceny of iron rails from the premises of M, S. Matthews and S. D. Rhodes, had their case continued in January while a capias was being issued for Jethro Bonner. Levi Johnson, well known and re spected colored merchant here, will go on trial for shooting and fatally injurying Handy Berry Spruill, negro, who was standing outside Johnson’s store during an altercation inside last winter. James Cox, 20, colored, charged with assaulting Levi Johnson’s wife, Queenie Johnson, with a bottle, ap pealed from a recorder’s court sen tence of 60 days on the roads. It is thought that Johnson was aiming at Cox when he shot Spruill acciden tally. Junior Spruill, charged with per jury in connection with the trial of “State vs. Otis Godwin,” by falsely asserting on oath that he was in the company of Otis Godwin at Plym outh on the evening of December 26, 1940, and that he rode with Godwin from Plymouth to J. C.Tarkenton’s Pleasant Grove farm, knowing that this statement was false. Witnesses in the case are E. J. Spruill, J. K. Reid, Otis Godwin and W. D. Peal. Henry Miller, 26, colored, was held for probable cause on a charge of as saulting and killing Cheek Bowser with a shotgun. It was reported at the time of the occurrence that Mil ler went to his home for a weapon, after he had been struck by Bowser, and returned, shooting through the window of a house and killing Bow ser. Lenneth Payette Williams, 30, white charged with breaking into the Nor folk Southern freight station at Mackeys and stealing a box of candy addressed to a Columbia pharmacy. He was one of a group of young men arrested last winter on charges of robbing stores, freight stations anfl ABC stores in this section. S. B. Davenport. 54. white, charged with setting a fire without giving no tice to persons on adjoining land and with failing to keep and maintain a careful and competent watchman (See SUPERIOR COURT, Page 4) Board to Consider School Additions The Washington County Board of Education will meet Monday formally and officially adopt the plans for a six-room building for children In the elementary grades and an addition of four rooms to the present high school building in Plymouth, it was forecast today. H. H. McLean, superintendent of public instruction, said that the architect had the plans ready for submission to the WPA for any aid that can be secured from this agency. It now remains for the coun ty to raise $40,000, either by loan or bond issue, for work on the schools here and in Roper. This amount has been authorized by the county commissioners, al though it is not yet sure when the money will be available. Defendants in Owens Land Suit Win in Supreme Court Wilbur M. Darden Named Member of State Blind Commission by Governor Representative Wilbur M. Dar den was notified by telephone from Raleigh Saturday of his ap poinment by Governor Brough ton to membership on the State Commission for the Blind for a term of five years, the term ex piring June 21. 1946. Mr. Darden said he was not well acquainted with the duties of the office to which he was ap pointed, but that the commission administers the affairs of state institutions for the blind, and al so had a measure of supervision over Federal and state appropria tions for the blind. Appointment to the commis mission came as a surprise to him, Mr. Darden said today, stat ing that he was not an applicant for the position and that he knew nothing of his consideration for the place until advised of his ap pointment by the governor. He said he was willing to accept the place and that he wished to be of the utmost possible service to the blind people of the state. Man Dies Instantly In Auto Accident at Roper Late Tuesday Car Turns Over in Ditch; Body Sent to Brockton, Mass., for Burial Ray P. Tufts, 55, white, a World War veteran, was instantly killed late Tuesday when an 8-cylinder Aus tin he was driving left the road and turned over into a ditch on a farm immediately east of the Roper town limits. The accident took place about 12:15 a. m. in a three-foot ditch. One side of his head was crushed. Officers could find nothing to iden tify him at first except a telephone number in Brockton, Mass., which Corporal Brown called and found to be the home of a brother of the dead man. Tufts was reported to have claimed New York City and Miami, Fla., as his headquarters, and he was said to have been an engineer on boats. Several grips and boxes of tools were found in the wrecked automobile. Damage to the car was estimated at $600. The body was shipped Wednesday by the Courtney Funeral Home here to Brockton, Mass., where the funer al will be held Saturday. Tufts’ death marked the fourth fa tal accident in Washington County so far this year. Local Health Officer Answers Questions -® By S. V. LEWIS, M. D. District Health Officer (Following are the answers to many questions regarding health depart ment activities in the Hyde-Tyrrell Washington Health District:) During the past month or more the health officer and his assistant have volunteered their services in the United States Public Health Service. The volunteered service of the above mentioned men will in no way inter fere with or interrupt the public health program now being carried on in the health district, so far as is known. It is the understanding of the dis trict health officer that he and the assistant are now being loaned to the North Carolina State Board of Health for use as the state may see fit. The salaries of the two public health of ficials will be paid by the United States Public Health Service, so far as I know, until the present national emergency ceases to exist. We do hope that war will not in volve the United States, but if such an undesirable circumstance is forced upon us by a few hell-bent dictators and would-be enslavers, may we fur ther secure our safety by improving in every possible way the general health and welfare of our population and attain the goal of having the most healthy citizenship on earth. Our ability to perform any service depends upon our health and physi cal fitness. It is not an impossible task to pre vent the various filth diseases, as well as other contagious diseases, and such diseases often cause many deaths among our people, either directly or indirectly. -® Two Colored Men Hurt In Wreck Near C re swell -® Creswell.—Andrew Bowden and Luke Shaw, colored, received painful lacerations about the head when an automobile in which they were rid ing collided with another machine op erated by Mrs. Richrd Weatherly last Saturday evening at 9 o'clock on Highway 64 about a half mile west of the Tyrrell County line. Patrolman M. B. Stewart investi gated the accident, and Bowden was arrested for reckless driving Mrs. Weatherly and her companion, Mrs. Johnny Hearne, were uninjured. ON COMMISSION ■ Representative Wilbur M. Dar den, of Plymouth, was named as a member of the State Commis sion for the Blind by Governor J. M. Broughton last Saturday. Funeral Sunday for Mrs. L.F. Davenport Who Died Saturday Well-Known Skinnersville Woman Victim of Sud den Heart Attack -« Funeral services were held at the home in the Skinnersville section last Sunday afternoon for Mrs. Priscilla Elizabeth Davenport. 69. who died at her home suddenly Saturday as the result of a heart attack. Elder S, Gray, of Kinston, pastor of Concord Primitive Baptist church, officiated. Burial took place in the Holly Neck church cemetery. A daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ben Bateman, Mrs. Davenport was a native of Washington County and had lived here all of her life. About 50 years ago she was married to Mr. L. F. Davenport. For 40 years she was a staunch and devoted member of the Morattock Primitive Baptist church near Plymouth. She is survived by her husband, L. F. Davenport, five daughters: Mrs. John H. Jethro, of Dardens; Mrs. Neva Reddilk, of Roper; Mrs. Annie Davenport and Mrs. Minnie Wilson, of Norfolk; and Mrs. Jimmie T. Dix on, of Chocowinity; and one son, Howard W. Davenport, of Roper. She also leaves 23 grandchildren. -s NOW EMPLOYED HERE Miss Agnes Tyson, of Wilson, has been employed by Dr. T. L. Bray as a nurse. She is a graduate of the Park View hospital in Rocky Mount Decision Rendered Saturday Upholds Ruling by Nimocks Final Round of Largest Suit Ever Brought in County Won by Defendants Defendants in the suit for title to property belonging to the late Mrs. Annie L. Owens won the final round last Saturday, when the State Su preme Court handed down a decision upholding the ruling of Superior Court Judge Q. K. Nimocks, jr., of Fayetteville, last December, declar ing that the plaintiffs did not have any claim to the land located at the eastern edge of Plymouth. The case was heard by Judge Nim ocks. without a jury, at the October term of Washington County Superior Court, but he reserved his decision until the last week in December, when he held that the plaintiffs had no claim against the land. The property involved, together with improvements made in recwt years, is now estimated to be w^rth in the neighborhood of $100,OOC, and > the suit is probably the largest evei J tried in the superior court here. 'The decision of Judge Nimocks was ap pealed to the supreme court, where the matter was finally settled last week. Twenty-five children and grand children of the late Mrs. Annie L. Owens, as heirs-at-law, brought the sujt against the 20 present owners of ,eir claim on flaws in the title was alleged technical eCuMuMnttu j Is the list of plaintiffs in the case: Effie Perry and John Owens, children of Henry S. Owens deceased: Mary E. Blount, daughter of Lucille Owens Murphrey. deceased: Raymond Leggett, Annie L. Hooker, Onward Leggett and Joseph Leggett, children of Mable Owens Leggett, deceased, Layton Owens and Mary Owens Whitson, children of Clyde W. Owens, deceased; Doris Owens, L. L. Owens, jr., Maxine Owens Picker!.-, Hmry B. Owens, William W. Owehs, Jack Owens and Earl Owens. children of L. L. Owens, deceased; B. F. Read, Jack Read, Tayloe Read, and Lou their mother, Claudia Owens Read; Read, subject to the life estate of B. O. Dupree, Elizabeth Dupree Brown, A. R. Dupree, jr., subject to the life estate of their mother, Annie B. Owens Dupree. The list of defendants follows; An nie L Basinger, Margaret M. Smith. Carrie Herman Marrow, Lucille Owens, Edward Owens, Mildred Owens, Lloyd Owens, Marie Ivachluw, R. S. Martin, R. L. Edwards, Board of Education of Washington County. Janie C. Dunning, Zeno G. Lyon and wife, Louise H. Lyon, Lillian Camp bell, Mary O. Sawyer, Sabrie Reid, R. L. Whitehurst, Helen E. Edmond son, D. O. Patrick, and Van B. Mar tin, jr. -- Two Young Ladies Hurt In Auto Wreck Sunday Charlie E. Mizelle, of Roper, es caped injury, but two young ladies accompanying him were injured when a car he was driving turned over into a ditch on highway No| 64 about two miles east of Williamston Sunday morning at 9 o’clock. A blow-out was said to have caused the accident. Miss Gertrude Parker, of Colum bia, was reported to have suffered a broken collar bone and Miss Alma Gray, also of Columbia, sustained a fractured hip. Damage to the car was estimated at $300 by Highway Patrolman Whit Saunders, of Wil liamston. County Authorities Expect To Pay $78,000 in Bonds And Interest in lew Days Indications today were that the credit of Washington County would be greatly improved by the end of the week, as County Auditor E. J. Spruill and Tax Collector J, E. Dav enport have in sight enough money to take care of the $78,000 worth of bonds and interest due creditors of the county during the fiscal year end ing June 30, 1941. It was understood that the Local Government Commission at Raleigh last week-end frowned upon the ap plication of Washington County for a loan from the State Literary Fund to be used in improving school fa cilities here and at Roper, when it was found that the county was in technical default on its bonds and interest for the fiscal year. However, county officials are plan ning to have all of this cleared up by the time the commissioners meet next Monday. It has been quite a struggle to make the payments this year under the terms of the refund ing plan adopted about four years ago, since 1941 is one of the peak bond and interest payment years for the county. Next year the amount of bonds and interest to be paid off will be slight ly less than for 1941. The amount will then remain stationary for about four years, after which there will be a considerable drop each year in the amount of bonds and interest to be paid. Although about half of the $78,000 due this year is for interest alone, there has been a steady, if somewhat slow, reduction in the amount of bonded indebtedness outstanding in the last four years. When the re funding plan was adopted, the county was in default on about $800,000 worth of bonds, but this amount 1ms been reduced to about $700,000 since that time. The bonds were issued some years ago to pay for expensive school build ings, roads and bridges, and the court building here. At the present time a total of $1.29 out of the $1.80 tax rate goes to pay for bonds and inter est, while all the other functions of the county government put together cost only 51 cents on the $100 worth of property valuation.
The Roanoke Beacon and Washington County News (Plymouth, N.C.)
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July 3, 1941, edition 1
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