North Carolina Newspapers

The 4 + 44 ★ ★ Roanoke Beacon ★and Washington County News ******* gm MAKS BYERY PAY DAY BOND DAY jou im Mt-uu. Mvuns tui ESTABLISHED 1889 VOLUME LIII—NUMBER 32 Plymouth Washington County, North Carolina, Thursday, August 6, 1942 Town opics Bill S. Davenport, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edison Davenport, of Plymouth and Mackeys, is now at the Bliss Electrical School in Takoma Park, Md., where he is studing for a navy specialists' rating. Bill joined the Navy about three months ago, and ex pects to complete his present course in about three more weeks. Mrs. J. E. Reid, widow of the late Washington County sheriff and mo ther cf the present sheriff, J. K Reid, is c viously ill at the home of licr son here. Mrs. Reid is 75 years £ w age. The prolonged drought has caused most fruit, especially peaches and apples, in this section to ripen about two weeks earlier than usual. The same applies to bunch grapes, a great many of which ripened before they were fully matured. It is said that Scuppernongs will be about a week earlier than usual. Chief of Police P. W. Brown said this week that he was issu ing positively his final warning about the payment cf the special town dog tax, which became due July 1. .Those who live in town and who own dogs must pay this tax immediately, or be subject to indictment, the chief says, “and no fooling.” County Agent W. V. Hays said that wheat yields as high as 50 bushels to the acre had been reported in this county. Although no great amount has been grown in the county here tofore, it is expected that the acre age will be steadily increased. One farmer averaged 42 bushels per acre from 10 acres. From 20 to 30 bush els per acre is considered a splendid yield in the wheat-growing sections. Marvin S. Browning and James Roy Manning, jr., both of Plymouth are among the 570 freshmen already accepted at the University of North Carolina for the fall quarter, it was announced by university authorities this week. In connection with war bond and stamp sales, Mr. Lowe, manager of Rose’s store here, said that last week the salesgirls in his store took 10.8 per cent of their wages in war savings stamps as evidence of their willingness to “do their bit.” The drive to gather old pho nograph records, which will be recast and used to provide new records for men in the army, is lagging here, according to Ame rican Legion officials. About 600 records have been secured so far, but the county goal is in excess of 2,300, and those who have old records are again asked to bring them to the police station here so that they can be used for the benefit of the men in the service. John Swinson, holding forth up at his Piney Woods filling station, near Dardens, Monday night, said it was about time somebody killed a snake and hung it up by the tail in order to bring rain. Practically all present agreed that this was one sure method of breaking the drouth, so snakes in this section ought to fare pretty common until we get enough rain. News was received here this week that Leon G. Ange, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam H. Ange, has been pro moted to corporal in the United States Army. Corporal Ange was called into the service on May 14 and is now stationed at Camp Shelby, Miss. A number of bear have been killed In various parts of the county dur ing the past few weeks, according to Game Warden J. T. Terry. The ani mals have been damaging crops in several sections after having been driven out of the swamps by forest fires. It is necessary to secure a per mit from the State Department of Conservation and Development be fore killing them, the game warden said. -$ Mrs. Eliza Hampton Daniel New Clerk To Draft Board -s> Mrs. Eliza Hampton Daniel was appointed clerk to the Washington County Draft Board at its meeting Tuesday night.and Miss Rebecca Ward was named occupational clerk, succeeding Mrs. Daniel. Appoint ment of a new clerk was made nec essary by induction of Sidney A. Ward into the Army recently. Mr. Ward has served as clerk to the board since it was first instituted in 1940. He leaves Thursday of next week to hpcin active service with the Army. County Bond Quota for August $16,500; Much Lower Than Preceding Month A much more "reasonable" war bond quota for Washington County has been assigned for the month of August, according to II. E. Beam, chairman of the sales committee for the county. The August quota is $16,500; while for the month of July the quota set was $37,800. About $20,000 worth of bonds were sold in the county last month, and it is believed that the goal for this month can be reached. County bond sales have run around 815,000 to 822,000 every month this year. According to John W. Darden, who was chair man of bond sales in this county during the first World War, only about $12,000 worth of Liberty Bonds were sold in the entire five issues. This indicates that there is either a lot more money or a lot more patriotism in the coun ty now than there was in 1917 and 1918. 31 White Men Called For Induction in Army Thursday Next Week HOLDING REVIVAL f - ■ --» The Rev. Raymond Browning, of Bennettsville, S. C., district superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene in North Carolina, is conducting a revival in a tent on Jefferson Street. Services will be held each night through August 16. Special Building for Band Planned; L.W. Zeigler Will Return -<$> Plans Outlined for Coming Term; Will Have Four Band Classes Daily -<8> L. W. Zeigler, director of the Plym outh High School Band for the past several years, has decided to return for another year, he said this week. Mr. Zeigler’s decision to remain here was influenced by a group of local school and band supporters, who have agreed to construct a special building for the band on the grounds of the high school here. According to Mr. Zeigler, the struc ture will be approximately 32 by 50 feet in size. It will have a stage or platform with raised sections which will be used for band instruction and rehearsals, and instrument lockers are also to be provided. The band director said that he would have four classes daily in band instruction and also two science classes. Tentative plans call for completion of the new building be fore cold weather. Although no drawings have yet been completed, it is understood that material for the structure will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,000, with the labor cost to be somewhere near the same amount. Sponsors of the move hope to secure donations of labor from workmen who are willing to make their contributions to the band in this manner. -- Program oi Services at Local Methodist Church -<s> The Rev. O. L. Hardwick, pastor of the local Methodist church, will preach Sunday morning on the sub ject, “A Christian and His Money.” The hour of worship is 11 o’clock, with church school at 10 a. m. The public is cordially invited. Blanks Are Received Here ior V-Mail Letters To Men in Overseas Services Postmaster John W. Darden announced today that the local post office has a supply of blanks for V-Mail Service for the con venience of those writing to men In the armed forces of the na tion who are serving in foreign countries. This consists of a sheet of paper, which folds into an envelope; the messages writ ten thereon arc photographed on micro-film, and the film is then sent to the overseas point, where it is rephotographed on similar blanks and delivered to the person addressed. There Is go charge for tho blanks, and persons who wish to use the service may secure them upon application at the post office. The advantage of the micro film transmittal is that it greatly reduces the bulk of mall going to men in the armed forces who are serving in other coun tries. The letters are photo graphed in miniature, and each film is capable of holding 10,000 such letters. The original of the letter will be destroyed after the corresponding film is delivered at its destination. Full details and blanks may be secured from the postmaster Local Board Unable To Fill Quota of 55 Originally Assigned To Leave Office of Board Here at 7 A. M.; List Of Men Called Thirty-one Washington County white men have been notified to re port at the office of the local draft board at 7 o’clock a. m., Thursday morning of next week, when they will leave for Port Bragg for possi ble induction into the army under the provisions of the selective serv ice act. The county’s original quo ta for this month was 55, but the local board has been unable to fill the quota in its entirety, and the 31 who will leave on the morning of the 13th represent all that were available for this call. Quite a number of those called to leave next week are married, several others are single men who have varying numbers of dependents, and some of the remainder have already been turned down for minor physical defects but are being called back for re-examination and possible induc tion. Plymouth comes up with almost half of the county total. 13 from here being included in the call. Creswell, with 9, next; Roper has 6; and Mackeys 1 in the call. Heretofore, the registrants have been ordered to leave here around 9, 10 or 11 o’clock, and no reason has been assigned for the early 7 o’clock call Thursday of next week. A spec ial bus will be on hand to take the men to the army camp for their examinations. Those who are ec cepted by the army will be given 14 days' leave before reutrning for ac tive duty. Following is the complete list of those called to report next week: From Plymouth; Hilliary Sexton Tetterton, Hartwell Marion Ramsey, Clyde Felton Patrick, jr„ Joe Denver Cruickshank, Frank Winesett, William Randolph Gardner, Alton C. Daven port, Hilton Harris, Carl Raymond Fisher, Wilbur Mattingly Darden, Rufus Swain Sitterson, Albert Ross Chesson, John Sheperd Brinkley, George Bruce Tetterton, Carley Rufus Marriner. From Creswell: Robert Davenport, Sam William Cornstalk, James Clyde Davenport, Thomas Daniel Woodley, Ervin Washington Ambrose, Erenel Moran Clifton, Henry Calop Bate man, Melvin Rascoe Gibbs, Jarvis Overton Stillman. From Roper: Charlie Frank Swain, Joe Thomas Furlough, William Lloyd Dunbar, Rolano M. Chesson, James David Clifton, Benjamin Frankling Jackson. Mackeys: William Halsey Rid dick. -$ Interest Growing in Tent Revival Here -® The revival at the tent on Jeffer son street got underway last Thurs day night, and increasing interest is being shown at each night’s service, according to the Rev. Raymond Browning, the evangelist in charge. The minister is being assisted by Mrs. Fred Someholtz, of Charlott, who is an excellent evangelistic sing er and pianist. Before her marriage to the Rev. Someholtz, a Nazarene pastor, she resided in Indianapolis, Ind., and was widely known as an evangelistic worker. Services will continue at the tent each night through Sunday, August 16, according to Mr. Browning. The public is invited and urged to at tend. -—® Galilee Mission Revival Is Now in Progress Creswell.—The Rev. W. B. Gaither, of the St. David’s Parish announces a revival is in session at Galilee Mis sion. The Rev. R. M. Fitts, of Cres well, is conducting services with the Rev. Mr. Gaither and Miss Lona Belle Weatherly assisting. The pub lic is cordially invited to attend these services Warn Merchants to Get Ceiling Price Schedules on File Representative of OPA Is Visitor Here This Week; Only 44 Have Filed -Q Evidence that the government is planning to “crack down’’ on mer chants who have delayed or neglect ed to file their price-ceiling schedules with the local war price rationing board was seen this week, when a rep resentative of the state OPA office was here to see about having a local board appointed to check on these matters. So far only 44 merchants in this county have filed their price-ceiling schedules with the local board, as required by law. It is estimated that there are approximately 150 merchants in the county who should file schedules, which indicates that less than one-third have complied with the law. The OPA representative here this week said that appointment of the county price-ceiling board, which will be under the supervision of the ra tioning board, was up to the chair man of the Civilian Defense Council for the county. Wilbur M. Darden, who has been serving in this capa city, has not made any recommenda tions so far in this connection. In addition to being required tc file a schedule of ceiling prices on all items carried, each merchant is required to file supplemental reports if he adds any line which was not included in his original return. It is entirely probable that strict enforce ment of the price-ceiling regulations will be instituted in the near future. Clerk of Court Gets Leave of Absence For Duration of War Expects To Enter Armed Service Within Next Few Weeks Tire Washington County Board of Commissioners granted Wilbur M. Darden .clerk of the superior court, an indefinite leave of-absence at their regular meeting last Monday. Mr Darden expects to enter the armed services soon and requested the leave of absence for the duration of the war, which was granted. All the com missioners were present at the meet ing, E. G. Arps, chairman; J. C. Knowles and E. F. Swain. Upon recommendation of a com mission, consisting of Dallas Spear, B. F. Spear and J. W. Nooney, a pay ment of $4 was made to A. C. Tar kenton as compensation for a sheep killed by dogs. Reports of the county farm and home agents were received by the board. The budget and tax rate for the coming year is being held up until approval is secured from the Local Government Commission at Raleigh. It is possible that this may be com pleted sometime this month, and that the tax rate will be fixed and work started on getting out the tax notices within another 30 days. Plane Drops Depth Bomb in Tyrrell No damage was done but consider able excitement was caused near Woodley Station, just over the Tyr rell County line from Washington County, about 10:30 Tuesday morn ing, when a depth bomb fell from an army or navy patrol plane and ex ploded in a field on the farm of W. A. Mayo. Corporal Tom Brown, of Plymouth, said the bomb caused a crater about 6 feet deep and 8 feet across. It was stated that no one ever saw the plane which dropped the explos ive, as it was too high. Sheriff B. Bay Cohoon, of Tyrrell, had a frag ment of the bomb, which was later identified by Army investigators as part of a depth bomb. It fell with in 300 feet of the highway, accord ing to Corporal Brown, and about 75 yards from the Mayo home. Roper Churches Picnic Sponsors The churches of Roper are planning to join in sponsoring a general community picnic, fes tival and jamboree on the lawn of the Episcopal church there Friday of this week, August 7, it was announced last week-end. Features of the event will in clude a picnic supper at 7 o’clock, games, prizes, races, bingo, a pageant, crowning of the picnic queen and many other entertain ment activities during the course of the evening. For those who do not care to bring their own supper, cold drinks, sandwiches, cake and ice cream will be sold. The public is cordially invited to attend and share hi the fun. All County Schools War Begin 1942-43 Term September 3 Date Is Practically Same as Last Year; Faculties Not Yet Complete -<$, Schools of Washington County, both white and colored, will open for the 1942-43 term on Thursday, Sep tember 3rd, it was decided Monday at the regular meeting of the county board of education. The date select ed is about the same as last year when the schools were opened Sep tember 1; and, although there was some opposition then to what was regarded as an early opening, none has been heard so far this year. Last month, it was announced in some nearby counties that schools would open during August; but the hot weather which prevails in this section, sometimes well into Septem ber, caused the Washington County i Board to disregard proposals for opening any earlier than last term. It is understood that Martin County schools will also open September 3. H. H. McLean, county superinten dent of public instruction, said this week that he had received very few teacher resignations so far, although he expects some after the notices are mailed out in the course of the next few days. Complete teaching staffs have not yet been lined up at all of 1 the schools, but Mr. McLean expects to have this information within a few weeks. Considerable repair work has been done to school busses during the summer months, and major repairs to buildings have already been com pleted. Everything will be in readi ness for the schools to “get right down to business” when they open on September 3, according to the superintendent. -$ Local Ration Board Gets Over Gas Rush, Now Meets Weekly -® Still Has Lot To Do, With Tires, Bikes, Cars, Sugar Etc., on Rationed List -$ The Washington County Ration ing Board has finally worked its way through the gasoline rationing task, and is now back on its schedule of holding weekly meetings every Thursday night. At this time the board is taking up applications for tires, retreads, recaps, new cars and trucks, gasoline supplements, sugar, bicycles, and in the near future, it is expected to take over supervision and direction of a price-ceiling board, which is to be appointed shortly. At the present time, the board has about caught up with applications for sugar and gasoline supplements, but it still has a number of other matters for consideration every Thursday. August quotas of tires and bicycles were announced this week, and applications are being re ceived at the office of the board in the courthouse here. The bicycle quota for August is five, three less than the quota for July. Four applications for them have already been received. The August quota of tires and tubes is as follows: Passenger cars: 4 new tires, 17 recaps, and 12 new tubes: trucks: 22 new tires, 28 recaps, and 26 new tubes. This quota is substantially larger than the one last month in all classes. At the meeting last Thursday night, certificates for tire purchases or repairs were granted as follows: A. J. Riddle, Plymouth, 2 recaps for ice truck; Washington County Board of Edu cation, Plymouth, 4 recaps for school busses; F. E Cleveland, 2 recaps for car used in carrying mail; Mrs. Gerald Gaylord, Roper, new tire and tube for ice truck: T. S. Lucas, Plymouth, 2 recaps and 2 new tubes for freight trucks; E. H. Liverman, Plymouth, 2 new tires and tubes, for truck used in farm work; R. S. Sawyer, Roper, 2 new tires and tubes for truck used to trans port labor; W. T. Freeman, Roper, 2 new tires for transfer truck; Kenneth Allen, Plymouth, 1 obso lete tire and tube for farm trailer; L. E. Woodley, Plymouth, 2 recaps for truck used in hauling farm pro duce; Halsey Hardwood Co., Creswell, 1 new tire for truck used in lumber in dustry; J. T, White, Plymouth, 1 new tire for truck used to hald farm produce. Mule Killed Near Roper By Lightning Yesterday -® Three mules were knocked down by a bolt of lightning on the farm of R. W. Lewis, about 2 miles from Rop er, during the storm yesterday after noon, and the best one in the lot killed. They were owned by Tom Dillon, a tenant on the Lewis farm. Members of the family, who were on the porch at the time, were shaken up by the bolt, but no one was badly hurt and no damage was done at the house. Colored Attacker of White Boy and Two Girls Is Still at Large REVIVAL SPEAKER ~j The Rev. Preston E. Cayton, of Edenton, pastor, will begin a series of revival services at the Saints Delight Christian Chureh at Mackeys Monday night. The services will continue each night throughout next week. Only Half Seleclees Who Lefi Last Week Accepted by Army 17 Out of 34 Turned Down; 3 of 17 Accepted Were In Class 1-B Exactly half of the 34 white men who left Washington County Tues day of last week for Fort Bragg were accepted for military service, al though three of the 17 inducted were classed as 1-B on account of minor physical defects. The latter three will likely be given non-combatant work with the armed forces. At the same time is was announc ed that only 17 of the 34 were ac cepted by the army, the local draft board received the first of its Sep tember calls, 25 white men being as signed as the quota to leave Plym outh on September 8. The three men classed as 1-B who were accepted for service last week are Harold H. Brinn and Sidney A. Ward, of Plymouth: and Lewis A. Owens, of Roper. The other 14 in ducted at the same time are: Mark Rufus Bowen. Otis E. Ange, Robert J. Sydenstricker, James H. Bland, and Edmund C. Cooper, of Plymouth. Thomas B. Skyles, William Hardy Craddock. Melvin H. Sexton, Willi ford Cornstalk, Wendell Ambrose, Franklin M. Spear and Hubert L. Phelps, of Creswell. William Columbus Riddick and Woodrow Collins, of Mackeys. All of those who were accepted are now at home on their 14-day fur lough, after which they will return to begin active service. -® Rev. John Hardy To Preach'Here -® The Rev. John Hardy, rector of the Church of the Advent, Williamston, will celebrate the Holy Communion and deliver the sermon at the eleven o’clock service Sunday morning at Grace Episcopal Church. The Rev. William B. Daniels, Jr., minister in charge of the local Episcopal Church will fill Mr. Hardy’s pulpit in Wil lliamston on that Sunday. Other services for Grace Church for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity, August 9. will include Church School at 10 a. m.. Junior Choir Practice at 2 p. m., and evening prayer and sermon at eight o'clock. Men of the parish who have not turned in their laymen's ’’thank offering" boxes are requested to pre sent them at the morning service. Officers Now Think James Pittman Has Slipped Out County -$ Several Hundred Men join In Search for Alleged Attacker -s Led by Sheriff J. K. Reid and Chief of Police P. W. Brown, town and county police authorities are still seeking James Pittman, Plymouth negro who is charged with attack • ing Helen Ward, Rebecca Armstrong and John L. Carr here last Friday night. So far, the officers are with out a clue as to the present where abouts of Pittman, although confl dence is expressed that he will be picked up within the near future. Feeling ran high following the at tack last Friday night, and several hundred men took part in the search that night as well as in another hunt Monday afternoon, when Pittman was reported to have been seen in the swamps near Mackeys after leaving a freight train there. Officers now be lieve that Pittman has escaped from the county, but authorities in all nearby towns have been notified, and Pittman's capture is expected at any time. The assault took place just across the railroad tracks on the road this side of the handle plant shortly after 10:30 Friday night. Miss Ward and Miss Armstrong, who work at E. G. Arps Drug Store here, were on their way to their home in the country club village, accompanied by John L. Carr, 18. son of Mr. and Mrs. John N. Carr, who also live in the village. After crossing the railroad tracks at the foot of the hill, one of the young girls heard the negro approaching and warned young Carr, who called to the man and asked him what he wanted. The assailant mumbled something, rushed up and hit the young white man in the mouth witli a brick, knocking him to his knees, Tire negro then grabbed Miss Ward and choked her severely until he was beaten off by the other young lady and Mr. Carr, who had managed to struggle back to his feet. About this time Miss Armstrong’s brother, Lu ther Armstrong, who had been to the pulp mill, rounded the curve in his car. and the negro ran down the railroad track toward town. Mr. Armstrong brought the young people up town, where they secured the help of officers and returned to the scene, but the assailant had made good his escape. Young Carr had three teeth knocked out by the blow with the brick and two others had to be removed by Dr. W. H. Johnson, who attended him. Miss Ward was scratched and bruised about the throat when she was choked, but Miss Armstrong was not harmed by the attacker. Receiving a tip that Pittman was going to try to escape by freight train Monday, local police went to Mack eys to head him off. However, he saw the police first and escaped into a swamp nearby. Two bloodhounds were secured from Greenville, but they were unable to trail him. Pitt man was again reported to have been seen on the Holly Neck Road Tues day, but a posse of men and officers were unable to find any trace of him, Pittman is an old offender, having been in court here on numerous oc casions, charged with fighting, drun kenness, and like offenses. He is des cribed as being about 30 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, very black and he stutters slightly in his speech. -® Infant Dies The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Edwin McNair, jr„ died Tuesday night in a Norfolk hospital, it was learned here today. Funeral services are being conducted from the Horner Funeral Home here this af ternoon at 3 o'clock, with the Rev. J. W. Johnson, Baptist minister, offi ciating. Interment will be made in the Windley cemetery. Commillee To Be Here Next Week To Consider New Experiment Farm Sites The eight - man committee headed by Commissioner W. Kerr Scott, appointed by the State Board of Agriculture re cently to examine prospective sites for relocation of the We nona experimental station, will be here Tuesday and Wednesday of next w'eek to look over several prospective farms. Ben A. Sum ner. local real estate man, who has been active in trying to se cure a favorable location in this immediate vicinity, will accom pany the committee on its inves tigation trips. In announcing that a new lo cation was being sought for the Wenona station, it was stated that a site in the vicinity of PI) mouth would first be sought, and it is hoped that the test farm can be kept in this county. .1. L. Rea, jr„ assistant director in charge of the station, is also a member of the committee and will have a voice in the selection of a site. Several places are known to be under consideration by the committee. The continuing ravages of for est fires in the Wenona section were cited as the chief reason for seeking a new location for the farm and farm offices, al though it was said that long time agricultural projects will be continued on the usable acre age of the present farm.