North Carolina Newspapers

T'own opics Mbs Myrtle Leigh Peacock, Roper native who is second grade teacher at Oxford Orphanage, has been chosen by Duke University to train Miss Mary Ramseur in teaching study and experience. Miss Ramseur will begin her work under the supervision of Miss Peacock on April 4 and work through May 27. Miss Peacock is a graduate of East Carolina College, Greenville. She received her AB degree in 1934 and her Masters degree in 1940. The Rev. Jesse H. Lanning, pastor of Plymouth Methodist Church, is chairman of the Fam ily Life Committee of the Con ference Board of Education which will conduct the North Carolina Conference workshop on Christ ian Family Living at Centenary Methodist Church, Smithfield, Monday and Tuesday of next week. Theme of the workshop has been announced as “The Christian Family — the Hope of the World.” Mrs. Lanning will serve as workshop secretary. Morning, afternoon and evening programs have been arranged for Monday and a morning session Tuesday. Lunch and adjourn ment are scheduled for 1 p. m. Tuesday. Cpl. Matt White Norman, son of C. J. Norman, of Plymouth, is spending several weeks at home after completing a year's study in Arabic at the Army Language School at the Presidio in Monte rey, Calif. Within the next week he is to report to Fort Bragg for his permanent assignment, pos sibly with an Army unit in the Near East. Those from this county who at tended the meeting of the N. C. State School Board Association at Chocowinity High School Tues day of this week were L. E. Has sell, chairman of the Washington County Board of Education; J. W. Norman and Mrs. K. S. Trow bridge, of Plymouth, and J. Whit ford Swain, of Roper, members of the county board; H. S. Everett, chairman, and J. L. Rea and R. L. Davenport, of the Roper School Committee; T. A. Hood, princi pal of Roper High School; and R. F. Lowry, county superintend ent of schools. Charlie Steeley, former Plym outh clothing store operator who has been at McCain Sanatorium for sometime,. is^ showing im provement, his son, C. W. Steeley, said this week. Young Steeley visited his father at the sanator ium a couple of week-ends ago and said Charlie was in good spirits and wished to thank everyone in Plymouth for cards and other remembrances. Leroy Singleton, who has been on duty with a Naval aviation unit at Malta for about a year, arrived here this week to spend some time with his parents, Mr. f \ and Mrs. A. L. Singleton. Leroy enlisted in the Navy soon after 'his graduation from Plymouth High School in 1951 and has spent a considerable portion of his time since in the Mediterranean area. He was stationed in North Afri ca at first and later moved to Malta. He is due to get out of the service in June of this year. -* Piling Is Driven For Storage Tank A Norfolk, Va., construction company is engaged in driving piling and other preliminary work for the erection by Sinclair Refining Company of an 80,000 gallon storage tank on the old Norfolk Southern Railroad prop erty on West Water Street. The property, the lot of which is 150 feet square, was purchased by Sinclair sometime ago. The storage tank will be put up between the old freight sta tion and the river by a Philadel* phia tank construction firm which is expected here early next week. ^ Pipes to be run under the Texa “ co facility will connect the pres ent Sinclair facilities with the new tank, it was said. W. C. Hall, local Sinclair representative, said that the old freight station would be extensively renovated and would be used for both office space and storage. A representative of the Nor folk construction firm estimated that it would require about four months for installing pipes and other necessary tasks in connect ion with the project. The Roanoke Beacon ****** and Washington County News ****** A home newspaper dedicated to the service of Washington 111 County and its 13,000 people. i| Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Thursday, March 10, 1955 VOLUME LXVI—NUMBER 10 ESTABLISHED 1889 j OPEN HOUSE FRIDAY NIGHT AT NEW HOME OF SOUTHERN HARDWARE CO. ) This is the new home of Southern Hardware Company on Adams Street here, just across from Planters National Bank & Trust Company. The recently-completed building, 42 by 102 feet overall, has been occupied by the hardware firm which is holding Open House Friday night of this week from 8 to 10 o’clock. Souvenirs and favors will be given those attending. The move to the new quarters was the fourth for the business since its founding in 1915. The business has out grown four West Water Street sites and weathered two depressions. Mrs. L. W. Gurkin, sr., wife of the founder, is now owner of the firm.—Polaroid 1-Minute staff photo. Council Here Names Officials for Election ; Unit Gels 113 j I Pints on Visit I i .• The quota of 110 pints was surpassed by three pints on the Red Cross bloodmobile unit visit at the Veterans Club here Wednesday of this week. There were 127 persons who respond ed, with 14 being rejected for one reason or another. Refreshments for blood don ors were furnished by the American Legion Auxiliary and the Major Louis Charles La tham chapter, United Daugh ters of the Confederacy. The Plymouth Woman's Club sup plied clerical help. Further de tails will be published next week. Growers Wanting Ewes Requested To Notify Agent All County Sheep Growers Interested in Ordering Ewes Asked To Contact Pruden at Once. County Agent W. H. Pruden wishes to remind county sheep growers that if they want to or der replacement ewes and get good quality the ewes should be bought early. Pruden said he has been in formed by H. D. Quessenberry, in charge of the Livestock Division, North Carolina Department of Agriculture, that the outlook for lambs is good and that the wool situation is good considering the government support payment. The long-time outlook for sheep is better than other types of live stock, it was added. Quessenberry stated, “We plan to handle ewes of the quality we bought last year. There are few er yearling ewes for sale this year than the past two years. Therefore, we need to make a contract early. We cannot give a definite price, the price of lambs and wool will set the price of the ewes; now it looks like the , price will be about the same as ■ last year ($27 per heard). “To order ewes we will require a deposit of $5 per ewe and we would like to have an indication from you not later than March 20 as to how many ewes Wash ington County farmers will want. The ewes will be shipped as close to the county as possible in car ; lots of 250 ewes each. We will buy them as cheap as possible and de- 1 liver them in May. The Exten sion Livestock Specialists think the ewes we get in May are the best for North Carolina.” Farmers interested should con tact Mr. Pruden at once. List of Registrars and Poll holders Submitted; Other Matters Considered at Regular Meeting -♦ Arrangements for holding the :own election on the first Tues 3ay in May were completed at the regular meeting of the Plym outh City Council Monday night, vith several other matters also being considered by the city fa thers. Mayor A. J. Riddle presid ed, with four of the six council nen in attendance: E. D. Keel, Ralph Hunter, Jack B. ^atham and J. B. Cruickshank. W. C. Hall and John F. Davenport were un able to be present. A mayor and six eouncilmen, ;wo of the latter from each of he three wards, are to be chos m n the biennial election. Officials lamed at the council meeting Monday night were tentative ;ome extra names bei.,g proposed n case some of those who served .wo years ago would be unable to ;erve this year. Councilmen also heard A. Lloyc Dwens, local property owner, rel itive to the real estate revalua :ion recently completed in the •ounty and its probable effect on own taxpayers. Mr. Owens re juested the council to seek a pecial act by the legislature em aowering the town council, in its liscretion, to reduce the real istate valuation from figures set iy the county. He pointed out that the revalu ition program would increase real property valuation in the own by approximately 20 to 25 ier cent; and he said if the tax ■ate was reduced proportionately .he only taxpayers would benefit vould be firms and corporations vhose listings are certified by he state utilities commission. He isked the council to reduce the /aluntions fixed by the county by i percentage that would main- j ;ain the town tax rate at its pres :nt level. Such action, he stated, vould not give utilities — rail-1 -oads, telephone, power and light rompanies principally — a tax •eduction that would have to be nade up by a larger tax on in lividual real estate owners here. Mr. Owens said he was bring ng the matter up at present be :auce special legislation would be leeessary, and March 15 has been :et as the deadline for local bills >y the General Assembly now in ess ion. Councilmen voted unani nously to request County Repre entative Dr. J. M. Phelps to in roduce the bill as soon as possi )le and press for its enactment ?y the legislature. After hearing G. R. Leggett and j. D. Jones of the local fire de lartment, the council voted $150 o pay expenses of Plymouth fire nen who wish to attend the State •'ire College and Drill School at Charlotte in May. Councilmen al o approved the purchase of some lose and supplies for the depart nent that came within the imount set up in the budget. An additional $25 was voted for See KLEctToN~PagcTT^ " Scout Cumporee Set Here Next Week Plymouth Scoutmaster Jimmy Kitchengs said this week that about 350 scouts from the Was marty District are expected to at tend the Pre-camporee here March 18, 19 and 20. The event will be held in Still acres, adjoining the ball park, Kitchengs said. The pre-cam.poree will be held on patrol level and each patrol will do its own cook ing. Registration will begin at 1 p. m. Friday, March 18, and the boys will then begin erecting their tents. The pre-camporee will serve to prepare the scouts for the district oamporee scheduled to be held at Washington April 21, 22 and 23. Scouts are expected here from troops at Williamston, Oak City, Bear Grass, Jamesville, Rober sonville, Columbia, Creswell and Plymouth. Members of the Plymouth Jun ior Chamber of Commerce will operate a canteen on the grounds for the benefit of scouts in at tendance. Field Representative Jerry Ashwill, of Williams ton, is ex pected to attend the pre-caS poree There are 54 members in Troop 284 here, Kitohengs said. Ubsolele Schools Property Now All Disposed of, Said Mt. Delane Sale Formally Approved Monday; Nine Small Schools Sold in Past Seven Years ♦ When at its meeting here Mon day of this week the Washington County Board of Education form ally accepted the high bid of A. M. and H. M. Kochelis for the Mt. Delane School, the last small Negro school in the county was disposed of. .. During the past seven years nine small schools have been con solidated with larger schools and the obsolete property sold. The Cherry and Pritchard Schools have been consolidated with the Creswell School and an entirely new brick building built at Cres WelL "Oth The Brooks, Morrattoek anti' Deep Bootom Schools have been consolidated with Plymouth Ele mentary School. A lunchroom and four new classrooms are being constructed at the school. The Macedonia, Back Woods, Sound Side and Mt. Delane Schools have been consolidated with what is now the Washington County Union School, at Roper, This is a modern high school plant costing $242,780.59 which houses all the Negro high school students in the county. A total of $14,662.50 has been received by the board of educa ion from the sale of these sur plus wooden buildings. This money has been used to purchase much needed equipment and land for other schools in the county. The amount received for each school property sold is shown be low: Cherry, $1,505; Creswell Col ored, $925; Pritchard, $1,200; Back Woods, $1,275; Deep Bot tom, $1,600; Brooks, $1,110; Sound Side, $1,467.50; Macedonia, $3,300; Morattock, $1,275; Mt. Delane, $900; and Kelly, $105. -« Final Rites for Edgar W, Ayers Funeral services were conduct ed from First Christian Church, Plymouth, Saturday at 3 p. m. for Edgar W. Ayers, 87, of Plym outh. Officiating was the Rev. J. D. Waters, former pastor of the church, assisted by the Rev. C. N. Barnette, present minister, and the Rev. E. M. Spruill, rector of Grace Episcopal Church. Inter ment was in the Episcopal Church Cemetery. Mr. Ayers, a retired merchant and farmer, died at 10:10 p. m. last Wednesday at Washington County Hospital. He had been in declining health for the past four years and was confined to the hospital for five weeks. Mr. Ayers was the son of the late Edward and Mary Wallas Ayers and was born in Washing ton County August 25, 1867. He was a lifelong resident of the county. Mr. Ayers was a member of the Christian Church. He was married three times, first to Nareissa Harrison, then to Ruth Swain and later to Sarah Roughton who survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Miss Vera Ayers, of New York, N. Y.; two sons, C. E. Ayers, of Plym outh, and Jewell C. Ayers, of Miami, Florida; one step-daugh ter, Mrs .Hazel Tullock, of Nor folk, Va.; a step-son, Robert Roughton, of Norfolk; two grand children and one great-grand child. Action on Several Matters Monday By Commissioners Pass Resolution Opposing Proposed Legislation on Justices of Peace; To Sell Old County Home In a busy monthly session here Monday the county commission ers heard a delegation seeking a new health center for the county, set the date for sale of the old county home property, named a rabies inspector, drew jurors for the April term of superior court, made a donation for the Roper Ground Observer Post, approved a road petition, passed a resolut ion opposing proposed legislation affecting justices of the peace and heard routine reports. The session opened at 10:30 a. m. with Chairman Frank L. Brinkley, of Plymouth, presiding, and Commissioners A. R. Latham, Plymouth, J. C. Knowles, Roper, H. L. Davenport, Skinnersville, and Philip Spruill, Creswell, in attendance. The commissioners told a dele gation made up of Dr. C. C. Ap plewhite and I. A. McCary, of Raleigh, and Dr. E. W. Furgur son, Attorney Z. V. Norman and Delbert Allen, of Plymouth, that they could make no commitment now in reference to applying for state and federal funds for con struction of a county health cen ter here, but hoped to have a definite answer within a month. A resolution was passed and directed to be sent to Dr. J. M. Phelps, county representative, and Senator Edward L. Owens stating “that the commissioners of Washington County are op posed to the enactment of any law or statute that will in effect enlarge or increase the jurisdict ion of justices of the peace in general and that they are par ticularly against those bills in troduced in the Senate last week that would give J. P. jurisdiction See COMMISSIONERS, Page 8 -® 'Jury Selected for. Superior Court -♦ Names of 30 citizens to serve for jury duty at the April civil term of Washington County Su perior Court were drawn here recntly by the county commis sioners. The list includes names of 13 persons from Plymouth Township, seven from Lees Mill and five each from Skinnersville and Scuppernong Townships. By townships, the list follows: Plymouth Township — J. W. White, Floyd Tetterton, J. D. Cruickshank, L. V. Landing, Archie W. Tetterton, C. E. Fry rnier, Phillip Gurganus, George Sexton, Hugh E. Roberson, K. R. Hopkins, P. J. Davenport, Lloyd Comstock and B. A. Sumner; Lees Mill Township —-F. Bryant Harris, J. M. Clagon, George Lewis, C. W. Hardison, W. E. Knowles, E. H. Watson and G. S. Grimes; Skinnersville Township — La tham J. Spruill, H. E. Ambrose, Andrew W. Swain, Ernest Grimes and M. E. McGowan; Scuppernong Township — John Mitchell Phelps, Bruce H. Phelps, Horace H. Phelps, Harry S. Phelps, and Edisel Barnes. Red Cross Drive in County Is Planned for Next Week I C omity School Board i • i Session Bold Monday . " .• , At its regular monthly meeting here Monday the county board of education formally approved the sale of the Mt. Delane School for $900 to A. M. and H. M. Kochelis, of Plymouth, who were the suc cessful bidders at the sale here Febraury 5. The board also authorized the payment of $400 to Contractor H. D. Craddock, of Creswell, to move the bouse owned by Junius Brown from its location adjoin ing the Plymouth School campus to Brinkley Avenue, Authority was also granted to allow the lunchroom workers in the county to be covered under the old age and survivors insur ance provisions of Title II of the Federal Social Security Act, pro vided the schools and the lunch room employees desire to join. It was reported to the board that the total losses to school property in the county from Hur ricane Hazel in the amount of $2,006.83 had been paid by the Division of Insurance of the State Board of Education. Urge Health Center Building for County Commissioners Asked To File Application Before June 30 For State and Federal Assistance The Washington County Boprd of Commissioners was urged Monday by Dr. C. C. Applewhite, of Raleigh, to file an application for federal and state assistance to erect a county health center here. Dr. Applewthite, who is director of the Division of Local Health, appeared before the board during its regular monthly meeting, along with I. A. MeCary, of Ra leigh, administrative assistant, Dr. E. W. Furgurson, Attorney Z. V. Norman and Delbert Allen, district health inspector, all of Plymouth. It was brought out that the present health department locat ed in the old ounty home build ing is mar .quate in every re *(NCt 4 4? Dr. Applewhite also informed the commissioners that sooner or later each county would erect a new health center. He said most of the counties either already have centers or are in process of building them with aid from federal and state funds. The Raleigh man told the com missioners that it appeared to the Medical Commission that the funds for such purpose would be used up by the end of the fiscal year and that it now appears doubtful that the legislature will provide additional funds. It was also pointed out that the square footage approved by the state commission for such a cen ter would be 2,000 square feet, with a minimum cost of $29,000 and a maximum of $33,350. At the minimum figure $29,000 the fed eral share would be $14,500, the state share $7,656 and the county share $6,844. The county maxi mum share should not exceed $7, 870, the commissioner were told. The figures cited also would cover expenses of fixtures, it was stated. The county onus several acres of land where the old county home now stands, would provide See HEALTH, Page 8 j No April Calls I For Board Here Selective Service Board No. 95 here has been notified that there will be no calls for in duction and pre-induction dur ing the month of April, Mrs. Lorraine Hunter, board clerk, revealed this week. No induction and pre-induct ion calls are being made upon the local board this month either, Mrs. Hunter stated. Wake Forest Choir At Baptist Church HereSunda'yNighl Pubic Tnvjj^t lo Hear 38 Voice Group Now on Tout Of Three Slate*; Outline Of Program -« The 38-voice Wake Forest Choii will appear Sunday night, March 13, at 8 o'clock at the Ludforc Memorial Baptist Church ir Plymouth. The public is invitee to attend and a large audience i; expected. The program, under the di rection of Music Department Head Thane McDonald, is part oi a tour the choir stages each win ter and spring. This year the singers plan appearances in North Carolina, South Carolina anc Florida. The March 13 program will have three main divisions. In one the songs will be devoted to “God the Creator;” in the -next to “God the Father;” and in the last tc “God, the Incarnate.” Selections will include “Praise Be To Thee” by Palestrina, which is an example of 16th century liturgical music, a selection from Brahms, the poular “Jacob’s Lad der,” “There Is a Balm in Gi lead," "Remember Now Thy Cre ator,” and “Roll, Jordan Roll.” WAKE FOREST CHOIR TO SING IN PLYMOUTH NEXT SUNDAY NIGHT 1 ____ I U Above is pictured the i8-voice Wake Forest College Choir, which will appear in a program at the Ludford Memorial Baptist Church here Sunday night, March 13, at 8 o’clock. Seated is Choir Director Thane McDonald, head of the Music Department at Wake Forest. Quota of $2,486 Sought in One - Week Whirlwind Campaign, Chapter Direc tor Announces -* The organization has been per fected for the annual Red Cross fund drive in Washington County and a one-week whirlwind cam paign is due to be Launched Mon day of next week, Dr. A. L. Whitehurst, director of the coun ty chapter of the American Red Cross, announced yesterday. An overall county quota of $2, 486 will be sought, Dr. White hurst said, Of the amount secured during solicitations, 55 per cent will be retained for use by the local chapter and the remaining 45 per cent will go to the national organization, the county director stated. The Roper Ruritan Club met last week and agreed to sponsor the drive in that community. Hen ry Everett and Neil Stout were named co-chairmen. Previously, the Creswell Ruri tan Club had taken similar act ion and Harry W. Pritchett was named chairman, with Richard Ambrose to serve as co-chairman. Solicitations in Plymouth Township will be taken care of by members of Plymouth’s var ious civic organizations, it was said. Members of the Plymouth Rotary Club, Lions Club, Junior Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Post and Veterans of For eign Wars are expected to spear head the effort. Colored community chairmen have been named as foLlows: E. V. Wilkins, Roper; P. W. Littlejohn, Creswell; and A. R. Lord and Mrs. Gladys Hassell, Plymouth. In calling attention to the im portance of the Red Cross and the work it does throughout the earth, Dr. Whitehurst stated: “In almost every corner of the .44 earth, the Red Cross is recognized as a symbol of the good neighbor. ujjB It may represent you—-through your membership — in helpii^ , flPi other people in -time of trouble. Or it may represent warm-heart ed people, whom you do riot know, rallying to your aid in an emergency. “There was a time in our ear ly history when people counted entirely on direct -help from their neighbors or close relatives to see them through periods of misfort une. Our way of life stems large ly from that personal, across-the fence sharing of adversity. "Today life is more complex. Many of us live in the impersonal atmosphere of big cities. The pro tective uni/ty of families is weak ened as members scatter. Rut people have not changed. In time of trouble they need assurance that they are not alone. They need help; when the Red Cross answers the call of those in need Americans keep alive one of our great traditions—friendly, neigh borly help to our fellow men.’’ -* Roper Ruriians To Sponsor Red Cross Campaign Club Names Henry Everett Chairman and N. T. Stout Co-Chairman for Annual Fund Drive After hearing a talk by Mrs. Lawrence D. Jones, Red Cross representative from Plymouth, and viewing a film entitled, ‘The American Red Cross Report," the Roper Ruritan Club voted unani mously to help sponsor the Red Cross fund drive in the county. The action came at the regular meeting of the club at Roper High School Thursday night of last week. President F. B. Harris was in charge of the meeting. Ladies of Holly Neck Church of Christ served the meal. Mrs. Jones, who was introduced by Aubrey Dixon, cited the im portance of the annual Red Cross fund and membership drive and asked for help in reaching the county quota. Henry Everett was named chairman and N. T. Stout co-chairman to take charge of this program. A motion was made and car ried that the club raise its dues to $5 per member each quarter. Charles L. Gleaves was voted into the club unanimously. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hackbarth were special guests. Mrs. Hack barth gave an interesting talk on Peru, where the Hackbarths lived for 12 years. There were 26 members of the club present.