The Roanoke Beacon
* * * * * * *and Washington County News *******
MAKE EVERY PAY DAY
BOND DAY
joii m pat- rou uyinm ru*
VOLUME LIII—NUMBER 23
Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Thursday, June 4, 1942
ESTABLISHED 1889
Town
opics
It was announced this week that
$77.35 was realized by the local Ame
rican Legion Auxiliary from the sale
of poppies on the streets here Satur
day before last. Mrs. J. B. Willough
by. auxiliary president, expresses her
appreciation to all those who con
tributed in making "Poppy Day" a
success.
The regular monthly meeting
of the Plymouth Town Council
was postponed from Monday un
til Thursday night of this week,
in order that the councilmen
might take part in the bond-sell
ing sampaign at the Plymouth
Theatre last Monday night.
Luther W. Gurkin. owner of Al
bemarle Beach, said Monday that the
opening dance at the resort last Fri
day night was one of the largest and
most successful he has ever had there.
He estimated that around 2.000 peo
ple attended at one time or another
during the course of the evening.
A state highway commission
force is engaged in resurfacing
the two blocks of Main Street
here between Washington and
Monroe streets. They expect to
have the work completed by the
last of the week.
Miss Virginia M. Tarkenton. daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Tarkenton.
of Mackeys. attended the final dances
at Oak Ridge Military Institute last
week and was one of the sponsors for
the dances. Her escort was Joe Mon
roe, of Lillington.
It was announced this week that
a total of 305 new books for adults
and children had been added at the
Washington County public library
recently. The list ready for imme
diate circulation is composed of 143
titles.
Washington County’s quota of
War Savings Bonds for the
month of June is S14.900, accord
ing to H. E. Beam, chairman for
the county. Last month the
quota was S9.500, while total
sales in Plymouth alone were
around S20.000, according to Mr.
Beam.
From 150 to 200 dogs have been
vaccinated against rabies by Paul
Basnight and Joe Nobles at the police
station here in the past few weeks.
Vaccination of all dogs is required by
state law, and owners who wish to
have their animals treated are re
quested to bring them to the police
station without delay.
Counly iMrci Holds
Its Regular Meeting
Here Last Monday
-<$>
W. Blount Rodman Granted
Leave of Absence as So
licitor County Court
-@
Tlie Washington County Board of
Commissioners, E. G, Arps, chairman,
J. C. Knowles, and E. P. Spruill, held
its regular meeting in the courthouse
here Monday, with purely routine
business matters constituting most
of the business transacted. In ad
dition to drawing the jury list for the
July term of court, receiving and ap
proving the reports of the county
home demonstration and farm agents,
the proceedings were as follows:
The county agent was authorized
to vaccinate the horses and mules on
the county farm.
Forest Warden Stuart P. Darden
was authorized to have a pump and
tank installed on the forest-fire
truck, with the county to pay for the
cost of installation. Mr. Darden also
appealed for a continuance of the
$1,500 annual appropriation by the
county for forest fire control work,
but the commissioners took no ac
tion on his request, pending submis
sion of the budget sometime around
the first of July.
Located on the farm of L. E. Has
sell and W. H. Thompson, the valu
ation of two houses which were des
troyed by fire last September was or
dered removed from the tax books.
Meredith Johnston was oppointed
to assist in compiling the tax books
in place of Miss Ida Ruth Knowles,
who resigned to accept a full-time
position as home economics teacher
in Beaufort County.
W. Blount Rodman, solicitor of
recorder's court, was granted a leave
of absence from his duties with the
court in order to enter the Army. The
leave of absence was granted “For
the duration” or until his term as
solicitor expires.
The Vote by Precincts
Following is the official tabulation of votes, by precincts, cast in
the Democratic and Republican primaries in Washington County last
Saturday, as certified by the county board of elections Tuesday, fol
lowing Its meeting to canvass the returns:
DEMOCRATS
For United States Senator:
Josiah VV. Bailey --
Richard T, Fountain _
For Representative, 1st District:
Herbert C. Bonner -
Marvin K. Blount -
Jack Edwards -
For Sheriff:
Joseph K, Reid
Edw. S. I Ted i Blount
Richard C. Peacock
For County Representative:
Edward L. Owens _
Bon A. Sumner_
W. T. Freeman _
For Treasurer:
C. N. Davenport, Sr.
W. Linwood Hassell .
A. Edison Davenport
VV. H. Peele_
L. T, VVeede _
Absentee Ballots Cast _
REPUBLICANS:
For United States Senator:
Sam H. Morris_
Stoner VV. Klutz _
a
a
£
472
280
617
150
30
447
338
15
306
295
175
49
341
109
210
91
8
183
131
276
62
15
130
122
110
124
22
126
109
32
154
37
18
t
B
§
3
x
104
13
112
14
4
47
30
58
57
40
26
87
15
21
8
3
£
E
a
3
1
192
55
240
20
7
149
36
82
125
105
28
213
42
8
8
0
I %
i &
8
14
959
493
17 1,262
5 251
0 56
5 778
18 544
0 265
15 627
8 470
0 355
3
2
14
2
1
461
432
306
265
113
15
Second Primary May
Be Needed To Decide
Three County Offices
Program of Services At
Grace Episcopal Church
-<•>
The regular services at Grace Epis
copal church here Sunday will be as
follows:
Sunday school at 10 a. m.
Church service at 11 a. m.
There will be no night service.
-is
Mrs. Nancy Spruill
Died Last Friday at
Home of Son Here
-<*>
Had Been Faithful Member
Of Christian Church
For 60 Years
-®
Mrs. Nancy King Spruill, age 75,
died at the home of her son, Moye W.
Spruill, here last Friday afternoon
about 6:20 after a period of declin
ing health that had lasted since
Christmas. She had been confined to
her bed for three days before the end
came.
The daughter of the late Mr. and
Mrs. John R. Respass, Mrs. Spruill
was born in Plymouth Township,
Washington County on March 9,
1867. About 50 years ago she was
married to the late James A. Spruill,
who died in June, 1922. Mrs. Spruill
was an active worker in the local
Christian church for the past 60
years, being a member of all the wo
men's organizations and circles un
til just before Christmas, when her
health began to fail her. She was a
regular attendant on all the church
services as well as the meetings of
the organizations of which she was
a member as long as she was able.
Funeral services were held from
the church here Sunday afternoon by
the Rev. Eugene Taylor, pastor, as
sisted by the Rev. J. B. Johnson,
pastor of the local Baptist church.
Interment followed in the family
plot at the Windley cemetery. A large
concourse of friends gathered to pay
their last respects to the beloved
member of the church, and the pro
fusion of floral offerings attested the
esteem in which she was held by those
around her.
In addition to her son, Moye W.
Spruill, with whom she lived, Mrs.
Spruill is survived by two step-sons,
C. C. and C. S, Spruill, both of Plym
outh. She also leaves one sister, Mrs.
Martha Everett, of Washington, and
several grandchildren.
Pall-bearers were: W. W. Browning,
E. H. Liverman, Geo. W. Bowen, L. T.
Weede, W. H. Harrison, M. G. Darden,
W. L. Whitley, and A. T. Darden. j
June Quota lor This County Indicates
New Car Tires Are Things of Dim Past
New tires for passenger cars
and mortorcycles are just about
to become things of the past, if
the quota allotted Washington
County for the month of June is
any criterion. However, there
is still a possibility that those in
the eligible classes may be abie
to get their old tires recapped, as
the quota in this respect is about
the same as it has been for the
past few months. Incidentally,
the state rationing board has In
formed county boards that it will
b« unable to be of any material
assistance is augmenting local
quotas with special supplements
from the state reserve.
Washington County’s June quo
ta of new tires, tubes and recap
ped tires for both passenger cars
and for trucks, farm tractors,
implements and the like is as fol
lows:
For passenger cars and motor
cycles: New tires, 3; recapped
tires, 22; new tubes, 13.
For trucks, busses, farm trac
tors, implements, etc.: New tires,
24; recapped tires, 38; new tubes,
SI.
Second-High Men
Have Until Sunday
To Seek Run-Off
-§
Reid, Owens and C. N. Dav
enport High Men in
Saturday Voting
-<$
There was not a single clear-cut
decision reached in Saturday’s Demo
cratic primary for the three county
offices at stake, and up to this morn
ing it was not definitely known whe
ther or not a second primary will
be called for by the next highest man
in each of the races. The next to the
highest man in each contest has un
til Sunday to demand a run-off pri
mary, since no candidate received a
majority.
Sheriff J. K. Reid topped the coun
ty ticket with 778 votes, but at that
he lacked 32 votes having a majority
over his two opponents. He had a
lead of 234 over the second man in
this contest, Edw. S. (Ted) Blount,
who received 544 votes. Richard C.
Peacock, of Roper, was third with
265.
In the race for county represen
tative, Edward L. Owens was high
with 627 votes, 157 more than the 470
polled by Ben A Sumner, while W. T.
Freman was third with 355.
The five candidates for treasurer
had the vote fairly well split up
throughout the county, with C. N.
Davenport, sr., of CresweU, 29 votes
ahead of Linwood Hassell, of Plym
outh, who came in second. They re
ceived 461 and 432 votes, respective
ly. A Edison Davenport, of Plym
outh and Mackeys, polled a big vote
in Lees Mill and Plymouth Town
ships for third place, with 306. W. H.
Peele and L. T. Weede, the other two
men, in the race, received 265 and
113, respectively.
The voting went off very quietly
Saturday throughout the five county
precincts. More votes were cast in
the race for sheriff than in any other,
1,587; the treasurer's contest brought
out only 10 less, 1,577; while at lease
135 people did not even bother to
vote for representative in the legis
lature at all. The same umber held
out on voting for U. S. Senator, too,
while nearly all of them voted for
congressman.
William B. Daniels
Is Ordained Today
William B. Daniels, student minis
ter, who has been assisting the Rev.
E. Matthews as rector of Grace Epis
copal church here for the past two
years, was ordained the diaconate of
the Episcopal church this morning,
according to a notice from the Rt.
Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Darst, bishop of
East Carolina, received earlier this
week. The ordination service by
Bishop Darst was held in St. Pauls
church at Wilmington.
Mr. Daniels, who has recently com
pleted his theogical studies, will be
come rector of the Episcopal church
here after his ordination, succeeding
Mr. Matthews, who has served for a
number of years. Tire young minis
ter will hold his first service as rec
tor of the parish on Sunday, June
14. In the meantime, it was stated
that those wishing to write him
should address their letters to him In
care of Bishop Darst at Wilmington.
Carl E. Tarkenton
Dies of Self-Inflicted
Wound Wednesday
Was Visiting at Home of
Brother, J. C. Tarkenton,
At Pleasant Grove
Carl Edgerson Tarkenton. 59-year
old retired railroad man of Elizabeth
City, was found dead in a swing on
the lawn of his brother. J. C. Tar
kenton. at Pleasant Grove yesterday
afternoon with a bullet wound in his
right temple, said by Coroner Jack
Homer after investigating to have
been self-inflicted. Mr. Tarkenton.
who had been visiting his brother for
the past three weeks, was said to have
been in very bad health for several
years, and he left a note indicating
that he had about given up hope of
ever being any better.
The body was discovered by Mrs.
J. C. Tarkenton shortly before 6
o'clock, and she immediately notified
Sheriff Reid and Coroner Jack Hor
ner, who made the investigation. The
coroner stated that Mr. Tarkenton
had been dead since about 3:30 in
the afternoon. The pistol used, a .22
or .25 caliber automatic, lay on the
floor of the swing between his feet.
Mr. Tarkenton worked as railroad
conductor for the Norfolk Southern
Railroad for about 32 years, retiring
about three years ago when he suf
fered a stroke of paraylsis. About
two years ago he suffered another
stroke, and his brother stated that
he had been to various specialists and
hospitals in recent months in an un
successful attempt to secure relief for
his suffering. He had been very des
pondent for the past several weeks,
according to reports.
The son of the late J. P. and Mary
Frances Tarkenton, Mr. Tarkenton
was born in Washington County on
October 22, 1882. He continued to
live in this county until about 35 years
ago, when he went with the railroad
and moved his home to Elizabeth
City. He was a long-time member of
the Pleasant Grove Methodist church
near Mackeys.
Funeral services are being held
from the home of J. C. Tarkenton at
Pleasant Grove this afternoon
(Thursday) at 4:30, and interment
will follow in the family cemetery
near the sound bridge. Tire Rev. G.
C. Wood, of Roper, pastor of the
Pleasant Grove Methodist church, will
conduct the final rites
The deceased is survived by his
widow, Mrs. Lila Twiford Tarkenton,
of Elizabeth City; two brothers, J. C.
Tarkenton, of Pleasant Grove; H. S.
Tarkenton, of Norfolk; and one sis
ter, Mrs Inez Hughes, of Norfolk.
-$ —
Vaccination Clinics
Ai Various Places in
County This Month
-$
Offer Immunization Against
Diphtheria, Smallpox
And Typhoid
The children’s bureau of the Unit
ed States Public Health Service will
assist the district health department
in conducting a series of clinics to
vaccinate those who attend against
diphtheria, typhoid and smallpox, it
was announced this week by Dr. S. V.
Lewis, district health officer. The
clinics will be held at a number of
places in the county during the next
four or five weeks, and Dr. Lewis said
that he had been fortunate in secur
ing funds to employ family physic
ians to assist in the undertaking.
The schedule of time and place for
the vaccinations are as follows:
Plymouth; At Hampton Academy
school building, from 1 to 2:30 p. m.
on Tuesdays, June 9, 16, 23. and 30.
Mount Olive Church on Long
Ridge Road on the same dates from
3 to 4:30 p. m,
Mackeys: From 1 tq 2:30 p. m., on
Wednesdays. June 10, 17, 24 and
July 1.
Westover: Also on Wednesdays,
June 10, 17, 24 and July 1, from 3
to 4:30 p. m.
Roper: From 1 to 2:30 p. m. on
Thursdays. June 11, 18, 25 and July 2.
Paul King’s Filling Station: From
3 to 4:30 p. m., on Thursdays, June
11, 18, 25 and July 2.
Creswell: From 1 to 2:30 p. m. on
Thursdays, June 11. 18, 25 and July 2.
Cherry: From 3 to 4:30 p. m., on
Thursdays, June 11 18, 25 and July 2.
There will be no charge for the
vaccinations at these clinics, and the
public is urged to attend and take
advantage of the treatment.
Compliance School
Will Be Held Here
It was announced yesterday by the
office of County Agent W. V. Hays
that another compliance school will
be held at the agriculture building in
Plymouth Monday and Tuesday of
next week, June 8 and 9. M. L. Bas
night, state supervisor, will be in
charge.
This school will he conducted for
all persons who wish to take the
training and work as supervisors to
measure land this summer, whether
they or committeemen or not. Those
who are interested in attending the
school are requested to apply at the
agriculture building.
J. Lloyd Horton, Otis A. Chesson
And Aaron W. Davenport Named
Gounty Selective Service Board
No Request tor Run-OH Primary Made
Up To Noon Today by Any Candidate
Although it is possible that
there will be a second primary- in
this county on Saturday, June
27, up to noon today none of the
three second-high candidates in
the primary last Saturday had
filed demand for a run-off with
the chairman of the county board
of elections, W. W. White.
Unless demand for second pri
mary is filed by Sunday, five days
after the returns were certified by
the board of elections last Tues
day the three high men in the
races for county offices will be
certified as the democratic nomi
nees. .Sheriff J. K. Reid was
high in the contest for sheriff,
Edward L. Owens was high in the
race for representative to the
general assembly, and C. X.
Davenport, sr., was high for
county treasurer.
The three second-high men who
are entitled to request a second
primary are Edw. S. (Ted)
Blount, for sheriff; Ben A. Sum
ner, for representative; and W.
Einwood Hassell, for treasurer.
Earlier in the week, it was con
sidered almost certain there
would be a second primary; but,
so far, no formal request has
been filed with the chairman of
the board of elections.
Clyde Sillerson, 17,
Drowned at Beach
In County Sunday
Stepped in Water Over His
Head While in Bathing
Near Mackeys
-®
Clyde Junior Citterson, 17-year-olc
son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Sitterson
of near Plymouth, was accidentally
drowned Sunday afternoon about 3
o'clock when he stepped into water
beyond his depth while in bathing at
Davenport's Beach near Mackeys.
Two companions. Newman Allen and
Joshua Griffin, jr., tried unsuccess
fully to save young Sitterson, who
was said to have been able to swim
a little, but he went down before they
could get to him. Coroner Jack Hor
ner was called to the scene and. af
ter the body was recovered about four
hours later, said that an inquest was
unnecessary, listing the death of the
young man as “accidental drown
ing.”
The young man, who was highly
regarded by his classmates at the lo
cal school, where he was a member
of the junior class, had gone to Mac
keys to visit his aunt, Mrs. Joshua
Griffin, sr., and had attended Sunday
school at Mackeys in the morning.
He and the other two young men
later decided to go in bathing at the
beach, and they were wading about
in the shallow water when Sitterson
stepped into water over his head.
His companions said that he never
came to the surface after going un
der. The three were the only persons
in the water at the time, although J.
E. Davenport and Edison Davenport
were said to have witnessed the ac
cident from the shore.
Funeral services were held at the
home about a mile from Plymouth
on the Washington Highway, Mon
day afternoon, with a large crowd of
friends, including many of his school
mates, in attendance. The services
were conducted by the Rev. Eugene
Taylor, pastor of the local Christian
church, and interment was made in
the family plot at the Windley ceme
tery.
The young man was born Febru
ary 11, 1925, and lived all his life in
Plymouth. He was known as a quiet,
studious boy who made excellent
giades at school, and he was very
popular among his classmates at the
school here.
He is survived by his parents, Mr.
and Mi's. Clyde Sitterson; one sister,
Louise Sitterson, and a brother, Ster
ling Sitterson, all of the homeplace
here. He also leaves his grandfather,
Will Barber.
Classmates who served as pall-bear
ers were: Sonny Williford. Shelton
McNair, Jack Horton, Tom Hampton,
Charles Brown, and Wren Dupree.
Other members of the class served as
honorary pall-bearers and flower
bearers.
--
Many Convert War
Stamps Into Cash
-$
Conversion of War Stamps into
cash has become quite a sizeable busi
ness at the local post office, accord
ing to Postmaster John W. Darden,
and considerable question is raised
about the patriotism of those who
sign up to receive War Stamps as
part of their pay and then rush right
straight to the post office to convert
the stamps into cash.
Mr. Darden said that week before
last, stamps to the value of more than
$300 were “cashed in" at the post
office here. Last week more than $250
worth of stamps were turned in.
Many of those cashing in the stamps
are negroes who are employed at in
dustrial plants here. (
It is also understood that local
merchants are buying stamps from'
workmen who receive them as part
of their pay each week Mr. Darden
said that while It is all right to buy
the stamps at their face value, it is
a criminal offense to take them in
at a discount.
ON NEW BOARD
II
J. Lloyd Horton, lumber mill
operator of Plymouth, was this
week named one of the three new
members of the county selective
sei vie board. Photos of the oth
er two members, Otis A. Chesson.
of Roper; and Aaron W. Daven
port, of Cherry, were not avail
able here today.
Bonner and Bailey
Carry County and
Win Renomination
-«
Size of Bonner Vote, Both
In County and District,
Comes as Surprise
-$
Despite advance predictions of
apathy, just about a normal vote was
cast in last Saturday’s Democratic
primary in Washington County, the
total vote being a little short of 1,600.
Herbert Bonner, of Washington, pres
ent Representative from the first con
gressional district, led the entire tic
ket with 1,262, defeating Marvin
Blount and Jack Edwards by nearly
5 to 1. Bonner ran nearly as well
throughout the district, and was re
nominated by more than a 2-to-l
majority over both his opponents.
Bonner's strength was the biggest
surprise of the campaign in this
county, and up to election day, there
were many who thought that Marvin
Blount, of Greenville, had a splen
did chance of winning.
Another vote which occasioned
some surprise was that for United
States Senator. Josiah W. Bailey had
nearly a 2-to-l majority over Rich
ard T. Fountain in this contest, and
the surprise was caused by Bailey’s
lack of strength. Fountain had been
little heard from in this section; he
had made no campaign here and re
ceived but scant notice before the re
turns were in and it was found that
he had cornered over a third of the
votes in the county. Bailey won in
the state by more than 100,000 ma
jority, the exact figures not having
been made public as yet.
Will Be Organized
At Meet To Be Held
Here Friday Nighi
Resignation of J. Roy Man
ning Effective When New
Board Is Sworn in
-^
A complete new selective service
board for Washington County was
appointed this week .by Governor J.
M. Broughton as ex-officio head of
the state selective board. The men
named are J. Lloyd Horton, of Plym
outh, lumber mill operator; Otis A.
Chesson. farmer of Roper: and Aaron
W. Davenport, principal of the school
at Cherry. It is understood that all
three men have accepted the appoint
ment and that they will meet here
tomorrow night to be sworn in and
perfect the organization of the new
board.
The three county men were recom
mended to the state selective board
by Walter W. White, chairman of
ing. who has been acting as chairman
McLean, county superintendent of
schools; and W. M. Darden, clerk of
the superior court.
The resignation of J. Roy Mann
ing, who has ben acting as chairman
of the loca’ board since the other
two members resigned about three
weeks ago, will become effective as
soon as the new members take office
tomorrow night. Edward S. Blount
resigned from chairmanship of the
board in order to make the race for
sheriff in the Democratic primary;
Clyde Smithson, of Creswell. resign
ed on account of the pressure of pri
vate business:both resignations be
coming effective a few weeks ago.
Mr. Manning resigned, but agreed to
continue in the office until his suc
cessor was appointed, as it was ne
cessary for some one to carry on the
duties of the office in the interven
ing two weeks.
The new board will necessarily get
right down to the business of classi
fying and preparing resgistrants for
induction tomorrow night, as a large
quota is expected to be required of
this county in July. The new board
will also have the matter of securing
a new clerk to consider, since Sidney
A. Ward, the present clerk, expects
to enter the service himself next
month. He was originally scheduled
to leave w'ith the selectees this week,
but the state board postponed his in
duction for 30 days until a new clerk
could be secured.
Volunteers Wanted
For Civilian Defense
——^
W. M. Darden, chairman of the
county council of Civilian Defense,
announced this morning that offices
would be opened in each of the coun
ty towns to enlist volunteer work
ers for all phases of the Civilian De
fense work. Interested persons are
asked to get in touch with the fol
lowing local registrars, who will dis
cuss with them the various types of
work to be done and assist in se
lecting the tasks for which each is
best fitted:
Plymouth: Miss Pauline Biggs, at
the office of the clerk of court in
the courthouse:
Roper: Mrs. Eva Harrell;
Creswell: W. T. Alexander;
Mackeys: W. B. Davenport.
-$
Creswell Red Cross Group
To Meet Tomorrow Night
Creswell.—An important meeting
of the Creswell Red Cross chapter
will be held in the high school au
ditorium Friday evening, June 5, at
8 o'clock. Interested persons are
urged to be present.
It is also announced that Miss
Minna Robertson, field representa
tive of the eastern area of the Amer
ican Red Cross, will be in Creswell
next Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock.
All persons interested in Red Cross
work are urged to meet with her in
the school auditorium at that time.
Sugar Allotment lor Canning Purposes
Is Based on Amount Used Last Season
The basis for alloting sugar for
canning purposes has been
changed in its entirety, the local
rationing board was notified last
week by state authorities, and
the amount of fruit canning done
last year will determine the
amount of sugar allowed for that
purpose this year.
It was originally announced
that 5 pounds of sugar would be
allowed each family for canning
fruits, but under the new regula
, tions, I pound of sugar will be
allotted for each 4 quarts of fruit a
canned last year. Applicants will
be required to certify the amount
of fruits canned last season be
fore being given an allotment for
i this season.
It was also announced that 1
pound of sugar per year will be
allowed each card holder in a
family for preserving jams and
jellies. This means, if there are
four persons in a family who
have sugar rationing cards, for
instance, that the family will be
allowed \ pounds of sugar this
year for making jellies and jams.
And if that family canned 200
quarts of fruit last season, it will
be allowed 50 pounds of sugar for
that purpose this year. If they
did no canning last year, then
It is just too bad, for they will
receive no allotment for canning