1'own opics n? People of Plymouth and vicinity are invited to attend the Christmas program to be given Friday night of next week at Ware’s Chapel Methodist Church at Dardens, it is announced. The Sunday School will have charge of the program and there will be gifts and special music. The program is scheduled to start at 7.50 o’clock, it was stated. Another in the long list of mari tal knots that Justice of the Peace J. T. McNair has tied was the cere mony Monday evening uniting Miss r Betty Lou Smithwick and Piumaldo A. Borunda. The bride is the daugh ter of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Smith wick of Plymouth and the groom is the son of Mrs. Jennie Borunda and the late David Borunda of Raton, New Mexico. The marriage took place at the home of Mr. Mc Nair on West Third Street. Condition of little Miss Patricia Ann Adams, 9-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wade Adams of Plym outh, was reported to be satisfac tory yesterday, following a major surgical operation at Duke Hospi tal in Durham Monday. In addition to her parents, the little girl was accompanied to Durham by her grandparents, Chief of Police and Mrs. P. W. Brown. Mr. Adams and Chief Brown returned to Plymouth late Tuesday, while Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Brown will remain at the hospital for sometime yet. Two Plymouth men played prom inent roles in the annual meeting of the Wasmarty District, East Car J^olina Council, Boy Scouts of Ameri ca held at Williamston Wednesday night of this week. Dr. A. L. W'hitehurst was installed as chair man of the district and the install ing officer was Roy F. Lowry. Dis trict reports were heard from G. E. Ashville, district executive. Awards and recognitions were also made at the meeting. Among others at tending from here were Foster Perkins, Joe Simon, Carl L. Bailey, jr., Walter Furlong, Dr. B. W. Cut ler, Charles Walker and W. B. Blackburn, and their ladies. Construction was begun Tuesday of this week on the foundation for the town’s new water tank just off Washington Street Ext., Police Chief P. W. Brown reported. Mean while, Brown said, good progress is being made by the crew which is engaged in painting the old tank near the Municipal Building on East Water Street. - f Rural Mailboxes Being Battered By Vandals, Said m Boxes Near Plymouth and On Long Ridge Road Tar gets for Soft Drink Bottles Recently Vandalism directed at rural mail boxes in this county has reached such proportions that serious steps will be taken if the practice is con tinued, Plymouth Postmaster J. C. Swain warned this week. Mr. Swain said that battering and mutilation of boxes is believed to be the work of teen-agers out joy-riding. It seems, he said, that drivers will slow down near the boxes and someone in the cars then throws soft drink bottles at the i boxes. Quite a few boxes have been 1 thus battered in, especially along < the route from Plymouth out the 1 Long Ridge Road. Mr. Swain said < he went out Tuesday and found four boxes bearing definite imprint 1 ^ of bottles, with the bottles used 1 I to throw at the boxes lying in the f roadside ditch. 1 many persons nave gone to ' some pains to erect attractive mail- * boxes,” the postmaster said, “and : mutilation of boxes will not be ' tolerated.” He said he has appealed 1 to sheriff and patrolmen to watch ‘ for vandalism. “I hope the practice will be stop- * ped voluntarily,” Mr. Swain com- . njented. “If it is not discontinued , we will be forced to call in a postal : inspector and this will mean some- v body is going to be in serious : trouble.” He reminded that tamper- 1 ing with mailboxes draws a stiff ? penalty, imprisonment or both. Stocking Fund Drive; ' Far Short of Its Goal At 3:45 p. m. Wednesday the Empty Stocking Fund was almost $1,500 short of its quota, with time rapidly running out. / Carl L. Bailey, sr., Finance com mittee chairman, reported the sum of $1,007.71 in hand. Every penny of this amount came from Plym outh, Mr. Bailey said. The committee chairman estimat ed solicitations in the business area of Plymouth to be “from 80 to 90 per cent complete.” However, he said there were several “express ions of intent" yet to be fulfilled, that some house-to-house solicitors here have not made a report yet, ; and that some of the labor unions j are to be heard from. i The chairman strongly emphasiz ed the need for all Fund workers : in the county to complete their canvass by Saturday of this week and turn in reports not later than : that date. He pointed out that it ; will be necessary to place the order ■ with the wholesaler Monday of next week. All solicitors are therefore strongly urged to get busy and ; wind up the drive. It is emphasiz ed that the cause is worthy and the : need great. And the project has a > history of nothing but success. The Roanoke Beacon ****** and Washington County News ****** A home newspaper dedicated to the service of Washington County and its 13,OM people. I VOLUME LXVII—NUMBER 50 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Thursday, December 13, 1956 ESTABLISHED 1889 i J. Shepherd Brinkley Heart Attack Victim Stores Remain ! Open Until 9:00 \ Holiday shopping activity has quickened somewhat in the past few days and is expected to get an additional boost when stores begin keeping later hours Fri day of this week and nightly through Christmas Eve. Stores remained open until 9 p. m. last Friday but have been observing the regular closing time this week. Larger-than-usual stocks are re ported at many stores here this season and merchants generally are optimistic that shopping will be heavy throughout the pre Christmas period. Probable Cause Is Found al Hearing On Murder Charge Willie Bishop, 50-Year-01d County Negro, Is Bound Over To January Court Term Willie Bishop. 50-ycar-old county 'Jegro, was bound over to the Jan lary criminal term of Washington bounty Superior Court under $10, 100 bond by Judge W. Ronald Gay ord in recorders court here Tues lay. Bishop, charged with murder in he fatal stabbing last Saturday of Villiam Warren Pledger, Negro, uuui, uu, ucai ci uuiunuua tuiuicu iome in this county, was given a ireliminary hearing before Judge iaylord who found probable cause fter hearing testimony by four witnesses. The law firm of Bailey nd Bailey represented the defend nt at the hearing. / First to take the stand was Flor nce Webb, young colored woman ear whose home the fatal stall ing took place. She stated that lie two men argued on her porch, lat Bishop opened a large pocket nife and threatened Pledger, that lere was considerable cursing, nd that she told Bishop to close See~MlJRDER7?age~8 Final Riles Sunday for Own er of Local Thealres; Leading Figure in Busi ness Here for 24 Years -* John Shepherd Brinkley, 53, owner and operator of the Plym outh, Daly and Plymouth Drive-In Theatres here, died in the Wash ington County hospital about II o’clock Saturday morning, follow ing a heart attack earlier that day. His health had been declining since he first suffered a heart attack about three years ago, although he recovered to some extent and con tinued to manage his local theatres. Early Saturday morning he had a severe attack at his home and and was removed to the hospital around 7 o’clock where he remained until the end came a few hours later. His sudden passing was a severe shock to his many friends through out this section. In addition to his theatre interests, Mr. Brinkley was active in local civic, religious and social affairs for the entire 25 years of his residence in Plym outh. He was a member of the city council for several years and helped to organize the Rotary Club here, later serving as its president. At the time of his death he was a member of the Washington Coun ty Library Commission. He always took 'a leading part in all local business promotions and during the war years helped to di rect several successful campaigns for the sale of war savings bonds and other patriotic movements. He was also a leader in the Boy Scout program here some years ago when a fund was started which led eventually to construction of the present Scouting building. ouu ui mu iuic junii jai'OD ana Gertrude Shepherd Brinkley, Mr. Brinkley was born in Suffolk, Va., on October 30, 1903. An accom plished musician, he began playing Ihc piano for a Suffolk theatre when he was 14 years of age. Grad uating from Jefferson High School :hcre in 1920, he began to devote lis entire time to the entertain nent business, going from Suffolk ;o New York City, where he stud ed pipe-organ music under the late lesse Crawford. Becoming associated with War SenBRINKLEYTPagTi -» Referendum Vote Light in County Unofficial returns released by he ASC office here show a light ote in the crop referendum held Tuesday in the county with quotas 'oted for overwhelmingly. In the corn referendum the coun y vote favored Soil Bank base icreages over the acreage allot nent plan by 78 to 70. Votes for ■otton and peanut marketing quo as were 63 to 3 and 158 to 4, re pectively. Breakdowns by polling places: Corn referendum—Roper, 49 for Soil Bank base, 17 for acreage al otments; Plymouth, 7 and 40; Cres vell, 22 and 13; Cotton referendum — Plymouth, .4 for, 0 against; Roper 23 for, 2 igainst; Creswell, 26 for, 1 against; Peanut referendum — Roper, 67 or, 2 against; Plymouth, 53 for, ) against; Creswell, 38 for, 2 igainst. List Three Homes On Annual Garden Club Pilgrimage Even!, Slated for Sunday, December 16, To Coincide With Presentation of Can tata _ Three homes here will be open for the annual Christmas pilgrim age sponsored by Plymouth Gar den Club, it was announced this week. The pilgrimage will be held Sun day, December 16, same day on which combined choirs of the down town churches will present a can tata at Plymouth Methodist Church. The pilgrimage will begin at 2:30 and close at 4:30 p. m. when the cantata will be presented at the church. At 5:30 p. m. the pilgrim age will be reopened and will be j concluded at 7:30 p. m. During the latter span tea will be served at | the Episcopal Rectory on Madison Street and a silver offering will be taken for the benefit of the garden club. First home to be visited will be that of Mrs. Clarence E. Ayers on Golf Road where the theme, "A Crimson Christmas” will be used. The club committee at this | home will be made up of Mrs. R.j Vernon Jeter, chairman, and Mes dames John Wood, Robert Darden Swain, M. J. Polk and Louise Mc Gowan. Next home to be visited will be that of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Waters on Roanoke Avenue. Here “Rhap sody in Gold” will be used as the theme. Committee at this home will be composed of Mrs. A. Lloyd Owens, chairman, Mesdames R. M. Bruce, J. L. Horner and W. A. Davidson and Miss Ida Davis. Third home on the tour will be the Rectory of Grace Episcopal Church on Madison Street, the home of the Rev. and Mrs. Edward M. Spruill. Theme to be carried out will be “Christmas Joy.” The com-1 mittee to serve at the rectory is listed as Mrs. R. L. Combs, chair man, and Mesdames R. L. Hollo well, W. L. Whitley, S. A. Ward, sr., James N. Etheridge and Ed ward M. Spruill. Serving on the committee for the tea will be Mrs. W. Roy 1 op ton, sr., and Mrs. Carl Hackbarth. New Low Is Reached By Bloodmobile Here Only 46 Respond Wilh 44 Giving Blood Last Friday; Brings Total for Year to 367 Pints Response reached a new low here Friday when a Red Cross bloodmobile unit paid its regular quarterly visit to Plymouth and obtained only 44 pints of blood. Previous low here was the 49 pints secured December 21 of last year. Friday's results brought the total number of pints given to the pro gram during 1956 to 367, compared with a total of 355 pints during 1955. j There was one bright note to the picture Friday—the percentage of rejectees was quite low. Actually, ' there were only two. Acknowldgements included the j ladies of Ludford Memorial Bap- , tist Church and Mrs. Carlyle Hall , who was in charge for refreshments j donated and served to blood donors j by the group; Mrs. Gewn Walsh and < Miss Elizabeth Wood, volunteer nurses; Mesdames Paul Nickens, Emily Nelson, Mildred Keel, Mil dred Collins, Louise Fleming, Mar garet Waters and Ruby Sessoms, clerical and other help. The next bloodmobile visit here is scheduled for March 5 of next (fear. The following responded Friday: M. H. Williams, jr., Fred H. Wil liams, Mrs. Edna Elks, A. J. Ange, jr., C. A. Cratch, T. G. Gardner, Mrs. Themise S. Hall, Mrs. Emmet Blount, W. C. Hall, Mrs. Doris R. Edmondson, Rev. Paul B. Nickens, Mrs. Eva A. Riddick; H. M. Ramsey, Perry M. Dickens, Mrs. Maxine W. Bowen, Mrs. Alma F\ Williams, Mrs. Flonnie Joyner, Edward F. Swain, Charles B. Hut chins, Pearly Ray Craddock, Roy Manning, jr., Mrs. Beulah Bicker staff; Mrs. Vivian Culbreth, Aubrey Dixon, L. L. Sawyers, Robert Ange, E. K. Ach, Charlie B. Barnes, C. S. Gardner, Lyman Mayo, Lawrence D. Jones, Bradley Norman, William R. Dixon, Muril B. Wallace, David M. Alexander; Rex H. Modlin, W. H. Phelps, Hilton Dunbar, Carolyn Brinkley, Herbert Sawyer, Merrit Browning, Robert Johnson, Robert G. West, W. E. Manning, J. P. Turner and J. B. Willoughby. Additions to Schools Here Directed by County Board Architect to Plan White High School and Two More Rooms for Local, Colored School Members of the Washington! County Board of Education put in a full day Monday trying to deter- i mine just where to start on the1 school construction program. They finally came up with a resolution directing L. N. Boney, jr., Wil mington architect who designed the most recent schools built in this :ounty, to begin preparing plans and cost estimates for a white high school building in Plymouth and two additional classrooms for the Plymouth colored elementally school. The board was faced with the problem of deciding where to start an the building program, taking lo rn consideration the limited funds available within the next two years. While the county is due $180,000 from state bond issues of several (■ears ago and $500,000 authorized iay county voters at the election in November, not all the total amount will be available until May, 1959. In order to avoid increasing the present tax levy, it has been pro posed to issue $100,000 of county bonds in May, 1957, and an ad Limuiiui *yvi in m moj, ivvv. ; This, with the $180,000 due from Ihe state, makes a total of $320, D00 available in the next two years for building purposes. This is the amount the board is presently plan ning to spend. After studying all phases of the program, the board Monday decid ed the two local projects were the most pressing. Mr. Boney was pres ent at the board meeting and help ed arrive at the decision reached. Several board members expressed themselves as being opposed to planning anything right now ex cept needed additional classroom space, although buildings at Cres well and Roper will be considered when the additional $360,000 be comes available in 1959. The architect was instructed to tart on plans for a high «ebool See SCHOOLS, Rage 8 Furlong To Head March of Dimes Walter T. Furlong, of Plymouth nas been appointed chairman of the March of Dimes Campaign in Wash ngton County, scheduled for Jan rary. The appointment was an nounced last week by H. Rex Edi ;on, of Gastonia, North Carolina, ■hairman of the March of Dimes Campaign. While the county quota has not neon set, Edison stressed the need or a million dollar fund being ■aised in the state during the drive ast year the county raised al nost $3,500, oversubscribing its $3, 100 quota. “Despite rather widespread use if the Salk anti-polio vaccine in tforth Carolian this year,” Edison aid, “the job of wiping out polio s not finished. Polio is still with is to a shocking degree, and we rill have many more cases next ear. He appealed to county chair nan to prepare early for an all ut campaign starting in January. Changes Made in i Publishing Dales! In order to provide a longer holiday period for employees, publication of the next two issues of The Beacon will be earlier than the regular publication date. It is planned to print the issue of December 20 Wednesday of next week with the normal De cember 27 issue to be printed Saturday of next week, following whioh the office and plant will be closed through Christmas week, reopening for business Monday, December 31. Since publication will be ear lier for these issues it will be necessary that all advertising, correspondence and news copy be in accordingly. Church not ices and other correspondence should be submitted just as soon as possible to insure publication. All existing deadlines will be one day earlier for the Decem ber 20 issue and copy for the fol lowing issue should be in by Thursday of next week if at all possible. r«?ii:S'5x®’:x=*r®'3 A PIMM'LAM A \\ hereas nineteen hundred years ago an event occurred in Bethlehem of Judea which was to change the course of history and give to the world the glad, joyous season of Christmas; And whereas Christmas is the one week during the year "’hen heaven comes down on earth and the hearts of men are strangely warmed; And whereas it is the desire and purpose of our town and community to celebrate Christmas in a manner consistent with the life and principles of Him Whose birth we honor: Now I do hereby make the following proclamation: The week of December 16-23, 1956, shall be known as Christ in Christmas Week in the Town of Plymouth, the State of North Carolina. Further, I call upon all citizens of our town to properly observe this week, and to actively partici pate in die events which will be presented during this week. A. J. RIDDLE, Mayor, Town of Plymouth, X. C. a tv-* txv* ts >■>. 23 Units to Take Part In Christmas Parade Expect Bands From Wind sor and Edenton High Schools To Participate, Charles Hutchins Says It is almost certain that two or more out-of-town bands will par ticipate in the Christmas parade here next Monday night, Charles Hutchins, committee chairman, re ported Wednesday. Hutchins said bands from Eden ton High School and Windsor High School ,u definitely, expected aiongvWith the Plymouth High school band and the glee club from Washington County Union School at Roper. The committee chairman said 23 units will take part in the parade, including several floats. Two blocks on Water Street will be cleared of traffic for the parade which is scheduled to begin at 7 o’clock, it was stated. The special week of holiday events will open with a cantata, “Christ Is the Hope of the World, ” by Ward Stephens, to be presented at 4:30 p. m. Sunday at Plymouth Methodist Church by a choir of singers from Christian, Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist and Presbyter ian churches, under the direction of Mr. Hutchins. Mrs. W. D. Wal ker will be at the organ, replacing J. Shepherd Brinkley who died last Saturday. A combined choir will sing Christmas carols at the foot of Washington Street Thursday and Friday nights of next week, begin ning at 8 o’clock each night. Cooperation of motorists in keep ing vehicular traffic off the street during the time of the community sing each night is requested. -» Tax Supervisor, Listers To Meet A special meeting of the Wash ngton County Board of Commis sioners, the county tax supervisor »nd the tax listers of the various ownships will be held at the court louse at 7 o’clock Thursday night )f next week. Purpose of the meeting is to ad ninister the oath of office to the supervisor and list takers and to sstablish uniform prices for listing ivestock, poultry and other such terns of property in the annual isting which is held during the nonth of January. Hubert L. Davenport of Skin lersville is county tax supervisor ind list takers, by townships, are: Dewey S. Spruill, Scuppernong rownship; Wade S. Hardison, Lees Will Township; W. W. White, Skin lersville Township; and W. A. Itoe mck, Plymouth Township. -® Candlelight Service Will Be Held at School Here Sunday -» Plymouth Elementary School will present its 14th annual Christ inas Candlelight Service in the school auditorium at 6 o’clock Sun iay evening. The glee club with 75 voices un ler the direction of Miss Grace W. Dickerson will have charge of the program. Mrs. Abbie B. Johnson will be at the piano. The public is invited to be pres et and to attend “Open House” tfter the program. I Induction Call i ■ : j 10 lor January I An induction call for 10 regis trants, largest in many months, has been received by Selective Service Board No. 95 here to be filled on January 30, Mrs. Lor raine Hunter, board clerk, re ported this week. Mrs. Hunter said the board has not re,-"Ire# a y. e-induction call for anus:? Packaging Gift Boxes To Start Next Wednesday -^ Many Volunteer Workers Will Be Needed for Task; Chairman Empty Stock ing Fund States —®— D. Marvin Weaver, chairman of the 1957 Washington County Empty Stocking Fund, stated Wednesday of this week that work will begin Wednesday of next week of filling the Christmas boxes. The job will be done in the audi torium of the Agriculture Building here with the county welfare de partment in charge. Much volun teer help is needed and Mr. Weaver requests that those who can spare a few hours in doing this work re port for duty next Wednesday. Also, it was stated, solicitors are asked to complete their work by Saturday of this week and to promptly turn in money collected to Carl L. Bailey, sr., Finance chair man, or Moye Spruill, treasurer of the fund. Anyone who has usuable toys to donate is asked to contact Monroe Turner, committee chairman, at the telephone office here. Also, those who have trucks and drivers avail able for distribution of the Christ mas boxes are requested to contact Jack House, jr., in charge of dis tribution. In pointing to the great need this year, Mr. Weaver stated that indi- : cations are that about as many families will nefcd help this year : as last. There were 306 families and over 1,100 persons helped by : the project a year ago. j “We ask our citizens to give < generously to this very worthy cause,” the chairman concluded. I! Seek to Abandon All Bus Routes in Section Among 15 routes for which Caro lina Coach Company has applied to the State Utilities Commission for authority to abondon are two which would, if abandoned, leave Plym outh and Washington County com pletely without bus service. The county has been without bus service since November 8 due to a driver strike. Listed among routes the bus com pany wants to abandon are from Edenton to NC 32 over US 64 be tween Roper and Scuppernong, and Williamston to Columbia over US 64 via Plymouth, Roper, Scupper nong and Creswell. Gilmer Ayers, who operates the bus station here, said he has been besieged with calls from people who want to know what will be done about the situation. He says he knows nothing except what he reads in the papers. Several per sons have voiced the opinion tbet an organized protest to any aban doning of the routes in this county should be lodged. Special Programs Are Slaied Here By Most Churches Various Activities of Christ mas Week Announced, Including Programs of Worship, Music Several local churches will ob serve the Christmas season with special programs of worship, of nusic and of a social nature. For the Ludford Mer'orial Bap :ist Church, the Rev. Paul B. Mickens, pastor, the week of De cember 10-14 will be a Christmas irogram week for all of the circles >f the Women’s Missionary Socie y. During this week they will all lave their annual Christmas pro ;rams and parties. On Wednesday light, December 19, a carol service vill be held in the chir'ch The ■hurch will participate in the Com nunity Carol Service in front of he City Market, Thursday and Fri lay nights, December 20 and 21. Phen at the evening worship serv ce. Sunday, December 23, the Sen or Choir will present the annual ’hristmns f’nntntn The Plymouth Church of the Vazarene announces Christmas pro grams for Sunday, December 23, it 7:30 in the evening. At this time he annual Sunday School Christ nas program will be given. Recita tions, exercises and songs will be ?iven by the children under the lirection of Mrs. Ray Brown. Christmas gifts will be exchanged ay the Sunday School pupils. On Christmas Eve, carolling will be lone by the PAL Club. Shut-ins and the aged of the community will be visited by the group. They will meet at the parsonage for re freshments following the carolling. For the morning service, Sunday, December 23, the pastor, the Rev. John R. Soloky, will preach on the text: "They Followed a Star." Mrs. Soloky will sing “Star of the East” as a solo in this service. Christmas activities at the First Christian Church of Plymouth, ac cording to the Rev. C. N. Barnette, minister, are as follows: The Christ ian Women’s Fellowship entertain ed their husbands, Monday evening, December 10, with a covered dish supper and Christmas program. This consisted of carol singing, special music, exchanging of gifts, bringing toys for the Community Empty Stocking Fund project and See~PROGRAMsT^Page^4 * ♦ Hicks Variety Is Top for Value in Survey in County Average Value Per Acre of $978.70; Coker 139 Top Variely as io Poundage, Survey Shows Of tobacco varieties grown ih this county in 1956 Coker 139 produced the greatest poundage per acre and Hicks had the highest value, according to figures obtained in a survey conducted by the county agent’s office here. County Agent Guy M. Whitford said 245 farmers were sent ques tionnaires on tobacco variety per formance with only 45 replies re ceived. Replies were from growers with a total acreage of 200.61 producing 316,956 total pounds which sold for 6145,911.85. Average poundage per acre was 1,579 for an average per acre of $727.34. Listed in order of variety, num aer replies, total acreage, total aoundage, total sales, average aoundage and average money per acre: Coker 139, 11, 49.15, 95,156, $45, 116.07, 1,936, $34.20; Hicks, 4, 10.95, 19,696, $10,716.84, 1,798, $978.70; 3ixie Bright 244, 15, 75.78, 120,210, 155,947.30, 1,586, $138.28; Oxfords 1-181, 4, 15.79, 20,358, $9,815.42, 1, !89, $621.62; Dixie Bright 101, 5, -4-40, 32,792, $13,268.49, 1,343, >543.79; White Gold, 2, 5.05, 8,806, >2,799.81, 1,743, $554.41; Golden 3em, 1,3.49, 4,416, $2,001.01, 1,265, 6573.35; mixed varieties, 3, 16, 15, >22, $6,446.91, 970, $402.93.