North Carolina Newspapers

T'OWll opics i M A sure sign of spring: The ap pearance of baby strollers that are showing an increase each day upon Plymouth sidewalks. When young mothers decide the wea ther is warm enough for junior, then spring has surely sprung. Can you beat it department: The way some of the menfolks around Plymouth use the Twen tieth Century gypping posts (parking meters, to those slow on the uptake) for a prop. The leaning is free. Touchy subject department: The numerous bits of trash and paper marring the appearance of Plymouth streets and sidewalks. Quite noticeable the eyesore was when the wind whirled it around and deposited it in front of store doors during the recent windy days. A period of 67 years has elaps ed between the dates on which a deed for the transfer of land in Washington County was signed and registered. The deed, which was written in 1882, came into the courthouse last week to be filed, 67 years after the deed had been made. Register of Deeds, J. R. Campbell noted the antique deed had the spelling “hath” for “have.” Who was the woman down on her knees on Water street in Plymouth Friday? She was try ing to rescue a hat the wind had blown under a car parked on the street. She had just come from church, and to someone who ex pressed surprise at seeing her upon her knees she remarked: “I’m just taking up where I left off in church.”—P. S. She retriev ed the hat—whether or not by prayer is the question. “Here’s what I want you to give me for Mother’s Day,” the mother told her small son as they gazed into the window of a Plym outh store. “What are you going to give me for Father's Day?” was the little boy’s response. Azar Craddock 4 Passes Monday Funeral services for Azar Crad dock, 65, of Plymouth were con ducted Tuesday, April 11, at 3 o’clock at the homo of his daugh- ( ter, Mrs. Herbert Ange, in Plym outh. Rites were conducted by the Rev. B. Minsuew, and bur ial was in the Weed cemetery. Mr. Craddock died at the home of his daughter in Plymouth on April 10 at 4:50 a. m. after an £ illness of approximately' three j years. He was born in Washing- v ton County and was a life-long j resident. s He leaves three daughters; Mrs. t Herbert Ange of Plymouth, Mrs. \ James Spencer of Plymouth, and Mrs. Ernest Frame of Norfolk, c Va.; four sons, David and Pearly t Craddock of Plymouth, and Jef- p frey and Leslie Cradock of Nor folk, Va.; and one sister, Mrs. t Annie Alexander of Plymouth. c *♦ pma bails Meet Of Committeemen -♦ There will be a special joint meeting of the county and com munity PMA committeemen next Wednesday, April 19, at 2 p.m., in the agriculture building, ac cording to Miss Miriam Ausbon, secretary of the Washington Couty PMA. The purpose of the meeting, Miss Ausbon said, is to discuss different phases of the PMA program. Committeemen are requested to make a list of questions they wish answered at this meeting. J. L. Kelton, field officer from the state office, will be in Plymouth to con duct the meeting and answer the questions. The tremendous job of getting 17,130 acres of land measured in the county will require each and every committeeman to give full cooperation in participating in the program, Miss Ausbon said. The Roanoke Beacon ★★*★★★ and Washington County News *★★★*★ A home newspaper dedicated to the service of Washington County and its 13,000 people. VOLUME LXI—NO.15 Plymouth, Washington County, North Caiolina, Thursday, April 13, 1950 ESTABLISHED 1889 TO TOUR COUNTY NEXT WEEK .. .. Gilts, sent by the Trench people in token of their appreciation for the Friendship Trains sent them from this country, will be exhibited at various points in the county next week. The county tour begins next Monday and will continue daily through Friday. The public is invited to the exhibit which is being transported in the trailer pictured above. Gratitude Trailer in County Next Week Gels Bighf Name Bui Wrong Place Getting' the right name but the wrong county and the wrong state was the result of a bit of research on the part of Herbert S. Taylor, who will open a Western Auto Associate store in Plymouth next month. Taylor, who coihes to Plym outh from Norfolk, was inter ested in obtaining information on business activities in Wash ington county. He wrote to the Department of Commerce, Bu reau of the Census, in Wash ington, D. C., for the statistics. The rational department was cooperative, and Taylor got replies. But signals were cros sed, and the figures Taylor re ceived were not for Washington County, N. C., but for Wash ington County, Pa. Superior Court Begins Monday With Judge Q. K.Nimocks, jr. residing, the civil term of Wash lgton County Superior Court dll open in the court room in rymouth April 17. The court is cheduled to be in session for iree days, Monday through Wednesday. Four of the cases are suits for ivorce, while others are con ;sts for payment of damages or ayment of contracts. Many of the cases scheduled for ial have appeared on previous ilendars and were continued un 1 another term of court. Reports Not in on Easier Seal Sale Mrs. Henry Harrison, chairman of the 1950 Easter Seal Sale in Washington County, expressed belief this week that the county had reached its quota. She could give no official figures, since col lections from workers were not completed at that time. The quota for Washington County was $375, and the drive came to an end on East 2r Sunday, April 9. -♦ Workers in Cancer Drive to Neel Tonight al Courthouse A cancer education meeting for workers in the 1950 Cancer Drive and the general public tonight at eight o’clock in the courthouse. Dr. T. L. Bray will be the speak er. Census Nearing End In Few County Areas Another member of the army of census takers in Washington County has resigned, according to W. T. Freeman, crew leader, who this week reported that local work is still progressing nicely in the 17lh Decennial census be ing taken throughout the United States. Mrs. Edna Chesson Mizelle, of Roper has resigned, according to Freeman, and the first enumera tor to complete an assigned ter ritory will be offered the terri tory previously assigned to Mrs. Mizelle. The unassigned areas al so will be given to enumerators who are the first to finish. Some of the rural districts will be finished this week according to the crew leader, while others will be completed next week. Freeman added that workers are still receiving wonderful response from the public and that the co operation is appreciated. Infants born in January, Feb ruary, March and April of 1950 are required to be registered on an infant card, Freeman pointed out. He said that one enumerator in carrying out these instructions reported a coincidence in count ing two infants. Both infants were born in January, both were girls —one white and one Negro—and both had the same name Schedule Will Provide A' School Children in Cour ly Opportunity to Se French 'Thank You' Gift The Gratitude Train froi France will be in Washingto County during the week of Apr 17 through 21, according to a ter tative schedule released by R. I Lowry, superintendent of count schools. In order that people through out the state will have an oppoi tunity to see the gifts fror France the schedule provides date for adults as well as a: school children in the county. The Gratitude Train w a j France’s way of saying “than you" for the gifts of food sent b; the American people on th Friendship Trains, an idea origi nated by columnist Drew Pear son. The 36 large wooden crates P' eked with gifts from ti. Lorn j shops, towns and factories o 1 France, arrived in Raleigh oi February 8, 1949, and were un packed and put on display. Material for lining the 26 dis play cases in the trailer was do nated by Burlington Mills, Inc. and staff members of the Hall o History, State Department of Ar chives and History arranged th< exhibits, driving the trailer anc explaining the displays. A tall, graceful Sevres vase, gi ven by the president of France is one display along with some automatic toy cars, satin linec and downed baby clothes, dolls attired in provincial costumes, china, mounted etchings and jugs are also included. An intricate model of a French fishing boat will attract the boys, while girls will note with interest the pen nant of a French Girl Scout troop. There is also a wedding gown, a peasant blouse, a picture made of inlaid wood, lace, medals, and artificial silk kerchiefs. For the school children, special attention is called to the pictures and let ters from French children. The scuedule released by Low ry is as follows: Monday, April 17, 8:30 a. m. to 5 p. m. at the Washington Coun ty Courthouse. The Hampton Elementary school which is one block away will visit the trailer at the Courthouse. Tuesday, April 18, 8:30 a. m. to 12 noon, at the Plymouth white school. Tuesday, April 18, 1 p. m. to 3:30 p. m., at the Plymouth co lored school. Wednesday, April 19, 8:30 a. m. to 11:30 a. m., at the Roper school. Wednesday, April 19, 1 p. m. :o 5 p. m„ at the Community building in Roper. Thursday, April 20, 8:30 a. m. ;o 11:30 a. m., at the J. J. Clem nons school. Thursday, April 20, 1 p. m. to > p. m., in front of the observa ion tower at Crcswell. Friday, April 21, 8:30 a. m. to 2 noon, at the Creswell white chool. Friday, April 21, 1 p. m. to 3:30 >. m. at the Creswell colored chool. Roper Merchants' Close Wednesdays Roper merchants, acting upon an agreement reached recently, will begin Wednesday afternoon! closing next week, according to an announcement of Wade S. Hardison, of Roper. Stores agreeing to close will observe Wednesday afternoons as a holiday beginning on Wednes day, April 19, and continuing through August. The stores will be closed at 12 noon. Rural Telephone Line Extension Is Not Set This Year Washington Highway Resi dents Informed by Caro lina Official That Project Not Possible in 1950 Telephone service for more than 39 families living on the Washington highway was exclud ed from the 1950 schedule of pro jects outlined by the Carolina Telephone and Telegraph com pany of Tarboro, according to nformation received recently by W. M. Darden of Plymouth. According to the letter received ay Darden from W. C. Darrow, commercial manager of the tele ahone company, the proposed ;elephone line from Plymouth to extend a distance of aproximately 13 miles beyond the city limits >n the Washington highway, was liven consideration but deferred jntil later. b wrote uarrow: "Uur situation is much the same as it was when . I wrote you in July, 1949. Since 1 that time, we have made up a . schedule of projects to be engi neered during the year 1950 and 3 although every consideration pos g sible was given to the project to which you refer, it could not n be included in our plans for 1950.” n The Plymouth man has been 2 working on the project since 1948 in the interest of home owners on , I the highway, and the project has ‘I been discussed by the Alba and the Monticello Home Demonstra tion clubs. Darden said that of ficials of the telephone company " | would possibly realize more rea 11 dily the need for the service ii ■j individuals living in the area to be serviced, as well as the mem bers of the home demonstration s clubs, would write directly to the c company in Tarboro. He said a ! survey of the area was taken in 5 1948, and the survey determined - that 39 families were interested in - securing telephone service. He , stated the belief that others .j WwUtu d-sin. the service if the f company would make it avail l able. In the letter Darrow stated that an attempt would be made to include the local project in the next schedule. He advised those ; living in the affected area not to make applications through the State REA in view of the location of the homes. He added that the State REA would merely turn the project over to the company. Regular Meel of Jaycees Friday During the business meeting of the Plymouth Junior Chamber of Commerce Friday night, April 7, several committees were formed to formulate plans for future ac tivities of the organization. Stuart Saunders was appointed chairman of a committee to in vestigate the possibilities of pro viding a recreational park for the children of Plymouth. Saunders and his committee were asked to study the project after members discussed the matter at length. Roy Manning jr. was appointed chairman of the committee to secure ads for the North Caroli na Jaycee State Directory. Head ing the committee to make plans for the State Jaycee convention to be held in Raleigh on May 18 and 19 is Ralp Hunter, while James Boyce was named chair man of the committee to make plans for the National Conven tion During the program, Mac Mar row introduced Mr. Petro of the Standard Oil Company. Mr. Pet ro entertained the group by show ing a sound film of North Caro lina. One Negro Dead, Another Held on Charge of Murder Presion Moore Fatally Shot By Richard Walker Here Tuesday Night; Hearing Set April 25 A Plymouth Negro is in the Washington County jail today awaiting trial in Recorders court on a charge of murder. Richard Walker, 53 year old Negro of Plymouth, is charged with the murder of Preston Moore, West Main street Negro about 55 years old. According to Sheriff J. K. Reid, Walker came to his home at approximately 11:30 Tuesday night, shorty after the shooting had occured on Brinkley avenue, and told the sheriff that he had shot Moore. “I shot Preston Moore. I shot him through the door,” Walker is quoted as saying by Sheriff Reid. waiKer stated that he broke in to the home of Viola Gerald, Ne gro who lives on Brinkley aven ue, shortly after 11 p. m. The Plymouth Negro said that he en tered the home through the back door and went into the kitchen and Walker is reported to have shot the man through the door. In the home at the time, be sides Moore and Viola Gerald were Viola's daughter and a cou ple of children, according to Sheriff Reid, According to Coroner Jack Horner, he was called to the scene of the shooting, and found Moore to be still alive at the time. Horner said that Mo'ore was taken to Dr. E. W. Furgurson. Dr. Furgurson could not be reach ed Wednesday for details of the dead man’s injuries. Investigation revealed that the weapon, a single barrel shot gun was borrawed by the man charg ed with the murder. Walker will be given a hearing on April 25. ScpgjCsmp ToTJeHeld Here Friday-Sunday Around 100 Scouts From Troops in Martin, Tyr rell and Washington Ex pected To Attend Around 100 Scouts from troops at Columbia, Roper, Williamston, Jamesville, Robersonville and the host troop, Plymouth, are expect ed to converge on the town Fri day for a Scout Pre-Camporee, to begin at 4 o’clock in the after noon and continue until Sunday morning at 9:30 o’clock, it was announced this week by F. M. Bowers, of Plymouth, district chairman. Mr. Bowers said that the Plymouth assemblage is being held in preparation for the cam poree to be held in the near fu ture at Kinston. There will be a parade starting at the scout hut here Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Taking part will be girl and cub scouts, as well as the Boy Scouts, and also the Plymouth High School Band. Tonight at its regular meeting, the Plymouth Lions Club is en tertaining all scouts and scouters, the district chairman said. An entertaining program has been arranged for the pre-cam poree and the scouts and their leaders will be kept busy from the time they assemble until camp is broken Sunday morning. Mr. Bowers explained that a church service will be held on the grounds Sunday morning from 3:30 until 9:30 o'clock, and the ure-camporee will be brought to i close at that time Farm Bureau Hears Livestock Specialist Attended by approximately 3C members, the Washington County Farm Bureau during its county wide meeting conducted in Roper Friday night, April 7, heard a discussion on livestock produc tion in eastern North Carolina. The scheduled speaker, Dr. D. W. Colvard, head of the depart ment in animal husbandry at State College, unable to attend :he meeting, sent Prof. Earl Hos tetler to address the group oi Washington County farmers. Pro cessor Hostetler is with the ani mal husbandry department at the State College. In his discussion on the possi bilities of livestock production in Eastern North Carolina the spea ker outlined important factors to be considered by farmers plan ning to go into the business of livestock production. He empha sized the importance of pastures, required and explained market advised the farmers on the feed ing facilities needed. Following the talk Prof. Hos tetler led in a round table discus sion on the subject, and the farm ers were reported to have had many questions to ask on live stock production. The next county-wide meeting of the Farm Bureau is scheduled for July with community meet ings to be conducted in Plym outh on May 5, Roper on May 11, and Creswell on May 12, accord ing to Herbert Chesson, president. Saturday Is Last Day for Filing for County Offices Jlosl Loral Stnvvs To ( low on Next Wenesday, April 19, is the date designated by the Plymouth Merchants Associa tion for member stores to be gin closing at noon on Wednes day during the spring and sum mer months. An official an nouncement to that effect is being run in this issue of the Beacon by the local business group. For the convenience of Easter shoppers the merchants decided not to begin closing until after the holiday season and since Easter Monday was observed by stores generally as a holi day it was decided to remain open the following Wednesday, Bill Davenport, president of the local group, explained There will be exceptions to the closing rule as in the past. Restaurants, drug stores and service stations will not ob serve the half-day closing each Wednesday and it is likely that most garages will remain open also. However, it could not be learned for certain late yester day just what garages will re main open and which will close on Wednesday. Surfacing Due for 5 More County Roads Second Phase of Bond Pro gram Calls for 17.7 Miles To Be Improved in Cres well-Cherry Area A total of 17.7 miles of roads in Washington County is due to get a face-lifting under the sec ond phase of the $200,000,000 sec ondary road program, according to information released this week by the State Highway Commis sion. j This road mileage is included in I five projects, all located in the j eastern end of the county, around Creswell and Cherry. The pro jects were listed to be hard-sur faced along with other similiar projects in the 12-county second district from proceeds of road bonds sold last month, Commis sioner W. Guy Hargett of Rich lands said. Selection of roads for improve ment was based on such factors as traffic count, school bus and mail routes, relation of the road to the highway system, and the commercial and residential devel opment of the area served by the road, the commissioner added. The discription and length of the individual projects listed is as follows: Part of the old Creswell road, from a point on US 64 near Scup pernong south and on the west loop to a point on the pavement about 0.5 miles north from Cher ry, a distance of 5.4 miles. North from Belanga Fork to the Tyrrell County line, a dis tance of 1.4 miles. The Newland road from a point 0.4 miles south from Cherry, 3 miles west toward Roper. The Western Farm road, from Cherry south and east to Lake Phelps at the Washington-Tyr rell County line, a distance of 5.3 miles. I The Spruill’s Bridge road, from Creswell southeast to the Tyrrell County line, a distance of 2.7 miles. In the list no mention was made of the Long Ridge road and it is not known when it will receive project status. The number of miles of road which was listed for improvement in Washington County with the first bond money released last fall was 25.28 miles. The projects listed under the second phase of the road program bring the total for the county to 42.98 miles. Bateman Chosen Rotary President P. B. Bateman of Plymouth was named president of the Plymouth Rotary club at a meet ing Tuesday night at which time other officers were elected. With the club electing the nom inees of the nominating commit tee the members placed R. F. Lowry in the position of vice president and Ed Spruill, re-elect ed to his position of secretary treasurer. On the new board of directors, who will serve with the other officers, will be Howard Walker i and Roy W. Spruill. ( Members of the Rotary and ' President J. S. Fleming pledged < full support to be given the new 1 officers who will assume duties in ( July. i Presented by Howard Walker, t program chairman, Neil Riplv, ( representative of the General Electric company, showed a film 1 which outlined the sources in the 1 production of electrical power. 1 Riplj also made brief remarks t | ENGLEHARD SPEAKER Li _ at the 24th District meeting of Home Demonstration club wo men in Englehard, April 19. Approximately 60 women from Washington county will attend to hear Miss Davenport address the meeting. Officers for VFW Elected Thursday Officers to serve for the com ing year were elected Thursday night by the Bosie Bateman Post No. 4023 of the Veterans of For eign Wars, meeting at the court house here. The new slate of of ficers is headed by Jack Weaver, commander. Bill Ruffin was elec ted senior vice commander and John F. Davenport is the new junior vice commander. Other posts will be filled as follows. Joe Peele, quartermaster; Clay ton Ragland, post advocate; James Thomas, chaplain; Dr. E. W. Furgurson, doctor; Joe Boone, adjutant; Randolph Mitten, offi cer of the day, and E. E. Harrell, Robert Bowen and Jimmy Hayes! trustees. Commander Weaver has an nounced that guards and other appointive officers not yet nam ed will be announced at the next meeting to be held Thursday night, April 20. He emphasized the importance of members at tending this meeting. Albemarle Schoolmasters Club Will Meet April 17 The Albemarle School Master’s ■Nub will conduct its meeting on ^pril 17, it has been announced jy R. F. Lowry, superintendent >f Washington County schools, rhe meeting will be in the Co umbia high school cafeteria, and vill begin at 6:30 p. m. Twelve Candidates in Run ning Thus Far; Precinct Officials Named by Elec tions Board With the filing deadline for candidates running for office in ; the May Primary only two days j away, L. S. Brey, chairman of |,the Washington County Board of Elections, has announced that a | total of 12 candidates for county I offices have filed and paid their fees. Registrars and poll holders of ; the precincts in Washington ; County were named at the meet ing of the board in Plymouth last . Saturday. Brey said at the meet ing that new registration books have been provided for the coun | tv free of charge by the state. These books will replace the 3 books previously used in prima ries. Brey explained that the new onsolidated book will take the place of the general election re gistration book, the Democratic primary registration book and the Republican primary book. The new consolidated registra tion book will contain the follow ! ing information on each voter: Name, party affiliation, race, date registered, residence and place of birth. Space is provided to show whether the voter cast a ballot in each primary and general election for every referendum from 1950 through 1970. The book will also include information in volving all changes in the regis tration of a voter, Brey pointed out. In Washington county, Brey said that no new registration will be required when the new books are placed into use. The books will be delivered to the registrars of the various precincts two weeks before the first date of registration which is on April 29. Registrars will be responsible fpr Arrants' Garage Is Gulled by Flames In Early Morning Costliest Fire in Plymouth Since Bottling Plant Fire, (See PRIMARY, 12) >■ Ihief bays; Origin Unde termined -♦ Fire of undetermined origin gutted the Arrants Garage on Wilson street in the early hours this morning. The total damage had not been estimated as this issue of the Beacon went to press but Plymouth Fire Chief Miller Warren declared it was easily the costliest fire in or around Plym outh since the Bob Cola Bottling Plant fire of some two years ago. The local fire department re ceived the alarm at 1:20 o’clock this morning and when the trucks arrived at the scene the roof of the building was already caving in and the parapet on the front wall had fallen, Warren said. Around 3,000 feet of hose was laid by the fireman and the fire chief estimated this morning that between 30,000 and 40,000 gallons of water were poured upon the blaze in a successful effort to confine the flames to the building. The fire was fought until 4:45 a. m. by which time the fire had burned itself out and completely gutted the large brick building. Windows were smashed and the place was a shambles. Although W. T. Arrants, owner and operator of the business—a Kaiser-Frazier dealership and re pair shop—was not contacted, it is understood that the last new car at the garage was sold prior to the fire but there were several used cars in the garage. Warren ?aid the building was insured out it is not known if equipment nd other things were covered. Pre-School Clinics To Begin Tomorrow Parents of children in Washi ngton county are reminded to lay that pre-school clinics will ie conducted through-out the ounty between April 14 and May 2. It is requested that all par nts with children planning to ttend school next fall bring hem to the places at which the xaminntions will be given. Dr. Cladius McGowan, county icalth doctor, and Miss Elizabeth Vood, county health nurse, will j e in charge of the examinations, j ill white doctors in Plymouth will assist on the date for the Plymouth white children to re port. Clinics will be at Creswell co lored school on April 14; Roper colored school on April 17; Ro per white school on April 24; Plymouth colored school on Ap ril 2(1; Creswell high school for the Creswell white children on May 8; and the health depart ment for the Plymouth white children on May 12. All clinics are slated to begin at 10 o’clock. Miss Wood stated.