North Carolina Newspapers

ii O.H? O W If UIMAN A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE UPBUILDING OFj HERTFORD AND PERQUIMANS COUNTY Volume IV Number 16. Hertford, Perquimans County, North Carolina, Friday, April 16, 1937. $1.25 Per Year Axe Killer Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison JUDGE WILLIAMS MISSES KEATON Judge Scorns Shelter Now At County Home SUPPORTS OAKEY A ND! BERRY WIN VAGRANCY STAND MUSIC HONORS S WEEKLY ... ii James Felton Confessed ; Killing Hattie Simp son With Axe OTHERCASES Ernest Gregory Given Chance by Suspended Sentence . "Well, Httie Simpson is dead for a long time." Judge Clawson vyu liams spoke the 'words slowly, im -niwsaivelv. his tone and manner indi eating that he pondered well the words to follow. Judge Williams, who presided at tiie Anril Term of Fewutmans oap- A. rior Court whieh convened in Hert ford on Monday, had Just asked James Felton. self -confessed slayer ' of 'Hattie Simpson, his age. The V harmless looking, undevised Negro - had replied that he was 81 years - "Welt, Hattie Simpson is dead for a long time," said the Judge, and then, "and whenever you go, and whoever you see, and whatever you do, when you lie down on your nea at night you are going to hear, as Ion as you live, that woman's ery, Oh,' as you heard it on that night .when you struck her that Mow with the axe.' And that is what you bare, got coming to you for the rest of your life, and you will never forget it I am going to shut you up lor the Test of your life." ' The stillness in the room, which fi was crowded, could almost be felt. (There was ho other slightest sound except the measured tones of Judge Williams, who had Just listened to die story from the stand.,, of the v-ltilling of ' Hattie Simpson on the r-V January Si as she sat in her bumble home in Jteruow. ."Thirty-one years old . Do you know how long the average convict lives k the state's rison? "No, sir, I do hot," replied the man who was standing to receive his sentence for the second-degree -murder., coarge which1, the court had decided to allow upon the defendant's plea. ' "The average man," responded the Judoe. "lives there seven years. The 7 - - monotony of . the life there, getting r r . up at exactly the same time every morning, eating L exactly the . same "f ' 'thing "for breakfast," eating- exactly lc the same thing for dinner each day, eating the same thing for supper, being shut up in the call at the same hour each night, wears you out I don't 'know whether you .. will last that long or nt"-. Turning to the Clerk,' Judge Wil liams said, The Judgment of the . court in. this case is .that the defen dant be confined, in the State's pri son at hard labor, and to wear fel on's stripes, for a term thirty years." Judge Williams had .'.explained to ';.' the defendant that the solicitor had seen fit to accept a plea of guilty of murder in the second 'degree, a course which th ecotut had approved , ' under the circumstances. ' v J ' The eight-year-old adopted child of . the slain woman, who was asleep in ' f .the room when Hattie Simpson was V,;.- struck the first Wow,-testified that - - James Felton had - lived at Hattie ' "v Simpson's house .for a long time but ' ' ' that he was not living there at the time the killing occurred. She 'said ' '."' Hattlhad finished some laundry ' work and Felton came and delivered the laundry and collected the money C for the work, which . he failed to ' turn over to ' Hattie;' that the two were, fussing about this, when Bhe , dropped to sleep. She said when she Vtv awoke Felton was striking her nvoth e with the, axe, -.She, insisted that he struck three times, V' " V , ' , Dr. IV A. Cox, Perquimans Coun '.. ty Coronor, testified that' there were ' ' two- gashes in the woman's head indi- eating she had been Btruck twice. ' Felton, however, who took the stand in his own defense, stated - he only 6-ck her once, that he had no idea 1 . . is hitting so hard and had not r..eant to kill her; that she hollered ' '"Oh" once as he struck her. He also testified that he had been drink- ing all day. ' . ' He further testified that he had lived with the woman for about three years, -"off and on," but that he had "quit her" shortly before this trouble occurred; that she sent for him and IB soon as he got there she commen- 1 to rpbraid him about tttother -; that she had a knife in her . that when he started to J n , J t-twm him rJ ( i I e 1 ") in her ! n i i ' t r' s . had , to s?y. ' -: i ! ! r ta rive ' me t.. J ' j r ' ' i 9 v not goir; Meeting Called On April 22 To Name Town Candidates The Town Board of Elections has called a meeting for the purpose of nominating a mayor and three com missioners for the Town of Hert ford, the meeting to be held on Thursday evening, April 22, at 8 o'clock, at the courthouse. The officers nominated at this meeting will be elected on May 4, 1937. All registered voters of the Town of Hertford are entitled to vote at this meeting. The Board of Election is com posed of S. M. Whedbee, W. T. Elliott and & C Berry. Change of Services At Holy Trinity A change has been announced in the schedule of services at Holy Trin ity Episcopal Church by the rector, Rev. E. T. Jillson, who now conducts two services in each month at Sun bury, only one service in the month, howew being held there in the morning, and at this time, on the third Sunday in each month, there .wilL.be . thensual jeelebration of the Holy .nmiuni)n at o'clock in the morning at Hoty. Xniuty, and there will also be evening praye rservice at 8 o'clock in the evening. On the first Sunday in each month Mr. Jillson will hold services at Sun bury at 7:80 in the evening only. Next Sunday, being the third Sun day, there will be no service at 11 o'clock in the morning, but there will be services at 8 o'clock at night to give me nothmgr and that' when I took the axe and tapped her." He owned, however, that when he struck her she was sitting in her chair. That was how she was found, sitting jn the chair, with one foot propped up op the bed. Attorney Charles Whedbee repre sented Felton at the trial. The grand jury failed to find a true bill in the case of Shadrach Boone, colored, against , whom pro bable cause had "been round in a hearing given the defendant in Re corder's Court -two weeks ago, in a case charging rape. . . Ernest Gregory, young white. man of the Hog Neck section of the county !was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon and was put under a. suspended road sentence of from eighteen .months to two years. Gregory was tried in Recorder's court last fall on this ; charge and was found guilty and appealed to Superior court. .There were three charges in the original warrant but, at the conclusion of all the testimony Judge Williams granted a motion of the defendant's attorney, C. R. Holmes, for non suit as to charges of carving concealed weapons and resisting an officer. t , In this case only one witness testi fied. F. C. Winslow, deputy sheriff, testified that on the night of Nov ember .9 he, in company with Fred Chalk and a young lady, drove up to the filling station of Bob Ivey to turn around when the defendant came out of the station with a pistol in his hand; and that he told him he had better put the gun up, and that the defendant walked over to the car and said "! understand the law is looking for me." Mr. Winslow said he did not know the man and had never seen him before but that he could, tell he had been - drinking. "I am pot looking for you but' I am the law and I am apt to 'be looking for you if you don't, put that gun up," he testified he told the defendant, whereupon the defendant, with an oath said, "If the law wants me let him get out of the ear and take jne." Mr. Winslow, testified that the girl in the car was frightened and he did n't feel so good himself, and he drove off and the next day .the. Sheriff arr rested Gregory. ' - The jury remained out only a few minutes before returning 'a verdict In asking the mercy of the court upon the defendant,' o it was repre sented that he had a wife and two small children dependent J upon him for support'. "How does ; he expect to take care of a' wife and children when he is out at a' filling station, drinking?" asked the Judge.. The judge was' told that there was l,ior manufacturing . said to be T o" in the n:hbo-vood. ' i e' ut tar i for him t ," ;d, '" ..Tore J e gets nix tl ii ii it. I do not I s your at J C l ti Ce Quotes Scripture Re quiring Every Man To Work AN APPEAL CASE Continues Prayer For Judgment Against Lee White Quoting scripture in support of his statement that every man must work Judge Clawson Williams, who pre sided at this term of the court, indi cated that he doesn't hold with va grancy feny more than does Record er's Court Judge Walter H. Oakey, who sentenced Lee White, Winfall Negro, to jail last fall upon convic tion in his court of the charge of vagrancy. It will be remembered that last fall Judge Oakey front the bench an nounced in effect that the loafers who were standing around idle while Perquimans farmers were unable to get labor to house their crops were to be prosecuted. There was some criticism of this stand at the time. It was said that the Recorder was over-stepping his authority and that he could not make folks work if they didn't want to. If some member of a man's, family is supporting him they asked what business is it of the court? Lee White appealed to Superior court from Judge Oakey's judgment But he went to work, though testi mony was introduced at both trials to show that he had not worked for a long time previously; that he had a wife and a large family of small children; that his wife worked, and that he was physically able to work. White swore oh the' stand at the first trial that he was sick and unable to work. However, he has had a job and has been working regularly at the mill since that trial. When his case was tried on Monday in Superior court White did not take the stand. At the conclusion of ' the state's evidence, James S. McNider, defense attorney, entered a plea of nolo contendre, whereupon Judge Williams said "stand up, White". White stood up. "You know," said Judge Williams, "there is one thing a man has got to do in this country as long as he can stand on his feet, and that is work. Solomon said, 'He that provideth not for his own is -worse than an infi del,' continued Judge Williams. "We do not mean for a man to have a bunch of children and a wife and not work and support them. The state has a chain gang, and if you don't work for your family, you will be put to work on the chain gang. I am glad to see you have changed your way of living and have gone to work. You go on and work for the old lady and the children. Prayer for judg ment is continued." Piney Woods Society Has Interesting Meet The Missionary society of Piney Woods Friends Church met Saturday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Velum Winslow with Miss Maggie Chappell as joint hostess. ' Themeeting was called to order by the president, Mrs. F. C. White. The hymn, "Joy To The World" was sung. The lesson was given by Miss Margaret B. White, in a very inter esting manner in the form of a dia logue. Mary C. White gave a "Mis sionary Advocate Brief," ending in an Indian dialogue. Fruit jello and cake was served by the hostesses. , Those present were: ' Mrs. H. P White, (Mrs. L. J. Winslow, Miss Maggie r Chappell, . Misses Emma, Margaret B Clara, and Lucy White, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Trivette, Mrs. E. S.' White, Mrs. V. C. Lane, Mrs. Ve lum WinaloTS, Mrs. Freeland Cope land, Mrs. F. C. White, Mrs. E. L. Chappell,' and Mrs. Sammie Winslow. FRONIE L. LAMB WINS VERDICT BY JURY IN EJECTMENT SUIT A verdict in favor of the plaintiff was returned - by the jury in the ejectment, suit of Fronie Lv Lamb against Maxey D. Chappell, tried on Tuesday.- t.. ,........ j.;. . . ',..,.,-. - Notice of ' Appeal, to the Supreme Court was given by Mr, Chappell's attorney, J. S. McNider, ' - In .the case of Lydia G. Whedbee againet John F. Winslow, involving dlcputed b"uJttry, .a compromise I,! ant vt i c rranged between the .-ls c!" j. J.e progress of the tlal. v -Court adjourned ' late Wednesday eflerr.oon. Both Girls Capture First Places In Elizabeth City Event EACHSINGER Maude Keaton Partici pant In Two State Contests Hw Miss Maude Keaton is going to manage the situation with which she is confronted as a result of being a winner in both debating and sing ing is yet to be decided. But those most interested are hoping that, in spite of the fact that the finals in the debating contest and the state rausK contest are to be held, one at Chapel Hill and the other at Greens boro, during the same two-day period that the young Perquimans High School senior can arrange to compete in both affairs. Miss Blanche Moore Berry, another Hertford girl, won first place as al to singer in the District High School Music Contest held in Elizabeth City last Saturday, when she sang Brahm's Lullaby, and Maude Keaton who has been victorious in the district con tests of the past two years, won first place in soprano when she sang "My Mother Bids Me Bind My Hair", by Haydn. The two young ladies will go to Greensboro to take part in the state contest to be held on April 22 and 23. (Meantime, as Maude Keaton ia a member of one of the two victorious debating teams of Perquimans High, she is expected to debate at Chapel Hill sometime during the two-day period that the state music contest is being held in Greensboro. . , Miss Berry is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Berry, of Hertford- Miss Keaton is a daughter of the late R. R' Keaton and Mrs. Keaton, of Bethel. Bethel P. T. A. Holds Interesting Meeting The Bethel P. T. A. met Wednes day night at the school building. The president, Mrs. Ennis Phillips, opened the meeting with the song "The Bat tle Hymn of the Republic." The de votional was followed by a business session during which time the rest of the dues were .collected and pro gram and refreshment committees were appointed. It was decided to have the program in three groups with Miss Brothers dn charge of the grammar school children, Misses Es ther Ward and .Maude Keaton the older boys and girls and Mesdames Roy Chappell and Ennis Phillips the parents. The social committee f6r the May meeting consists of the following: Mrs. C. T. Phillips, Miss Maude Kea ton, Mrs. Josiah Proctor and Misses Eunice and Madge Long. At the close of the business session a very interesting and helpful program was rendered under the leadership of Miss Brothers. During the social hour a delicious sweet course was served. Two very entertaining contests were also enjoyed with Mrs. Ennis Phillips and Clarence Phillips, Pensie Ward, Maude Keaton, Esther Ward, and Mrs. E. J. Proctor winning prizes. LADIES COUNCIL MEETS WITH MRS. LOUIS EAVES The Ladies Council of Bethlehem Christian Church held its regular monthly meeting Friday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Louis Eaves, the president, Mr3. R. A. Perry .presid ing. After the business part of the meeting was over an interesting pro gram was rendered with Mrs. E. Y Berry in charge, the Bubject being "How Selfishness Reacts Upon Us." There were several readings on the subject. A duet by Mrs. R. A. Perry and Mrs. SI. Cullipher, "It pays to serve Jesus.". At the close of the meet ing the hostess served a salad course. Those present were Mesdames R. A. Perry, S. I. Cullipher, Reuben Stalling?, Willie Lane, E. Y. Berry, W. A. Russell and two visitors Mrs. Louis Proctor and Miss Adelaide Eaves. -.-Am, ,'.',,, ,t ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED Mr. and Mrs.' 3. C. Blanchard an nounce the ! engagement of their daughter, Sarah Ferguson, - to. Mar cus Edwin 'Habbs, of Duke' Universi ty and Wilmington. . Miss Blanchard is a member of the" library staff of Duke 1 University. Mr.; Hobbs is a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Hobbs, of Wilmington. ' .The wedding will' take place m juiy. , E ENGAGED Miss Sarah Ferguson Blanch ard, whose engagement to Mar cus Edwin Hobbs, of Duke Uni versity and Wilmington, has been announced- by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Blanchard, of Hertford. Winf all School Not To Be Put In Use Until Next Term Of School Although the handsome new school building at Winfall will be completed very shortly, it will not be put in use until the beginning of next year's school term, according to F. T. Johnson, superintendent of education. Had the new building .'been built for the Winfall school alone it would be a simple matter to move from the old delapidated structure into the new building. But the new school is to take the place of not only the Winfall school but five others. With so little of the school year left, it is thought best not to attempt to move into the new building this spring. There will be a dedication service held at ,the new school sometime dur ing the summer. Missionary Union Meets Monday Night The Woman's Missionary Union of the Hertford Baptist Church met on Monday night at the church, with ifrs. I. A. Ward, president, presiding. Mrs. Frank Gregory, chairman of Circle No. 4, had charge of the pro gram, which included an interesting talk by Mrs. T. W. Pery, a duet by Mrs. Irving White and Mrs. J. E. Everett, and a talk by Mrs. E. W. Mayes. Mrs. Mark Gregory won the WMU pin for having the largest number present from her circle. The meeting was dismissed with prayer by Mrs. R. S. Monds. WINFALL DEMONSTRATION CLUB MET WEDNESDAY P. M. The Winfall Home Demonstration Club met Wednesday afternoon with Mrs. Walter Humphlett and Mrs. Jim Lowe as joint hostesses. Following the opening exercises, there was a discussion of the menu to be sarved at the District Federa tion meeting which will be held in June. Miss Gladys Hamrick, .Home Agent, then told about the different commercial patterns, and gave many useful hints about the use of a pat tern. .She also passed around for observation articles made by the 0. N. 1'. Cotton Company, which would be helpful to club members. Mrs. Jim Lowe, home furnishing leader, had charge of the program, her topic being "Spring Cleaning," she gave many helpful suggestions as to painting and other ways in which homes might be made more at tractive. During the social hour the host esses served ice cream and cake to the . following: Mesdames William Bagley, D. L. Barber, Alvin Winslow, Joel Hollowell, Walter Humphlett, Clyde Layden, Jim Lowe, Effle Miller, E. N. Miller, George Roach, - D. C. Stallings and C. ID. White, Misses Gladys Hamrick, Celeste Godwin, Frances Rogerson, , Addie White, Mary Elizabeth White and a visitor, Mrs. Frank Humphlett . PRIZE MONEX UNCLAIMED The name drawn ki the State Thea tre., oiu Wednesday, night was . Arthur Bregenan of Tyner, ; who was ; not present. no ciaim tne prize. . . v,. ilfilkw. Jlliil Commissioners Ordered Make Repairs Before Next Court SAYS N(TeXCUSE Guardians Jacked up For Failing to File Accounts Judge Clawson L. Williams, in in structing the Clerk of the Superior Court to furnish a copy of the grand jury report to the Board of County Commissioners and also a copy to the Board of Education, upon the report being handed in on Tuesday after noon by the foreman of the grand jury L. W. Anderson, directed the Clerk to call the attention of the Board of Commissioners to that part of the report which recommended certain repairs 'being made to the county home, and said: "Unless the Board of Commissioners makes some effort to remedy that situation be fore the next term of this court, the solicitor of this district is going to be instructed to provide a bill of in dictment for them." Judge Williams went on to say that there was no excuse for those old people at the county home not to be provided with the proper shel ter. Judge Williams also called atten tion of the Clerk to the fact that there were two guardians who had not filed annual reports. "Mr. Clerk", said the Court, "I in struct you to issue citation immedi ately to these guardians to file ac counts, and if the accounts are not filed you are to issue citations and remove them a sguardians. The following men composed the grand jury: L. W. Anderson, Fore man, D. R. Trueblood, H. D. Elliott, Ed Copeland, Robert Winslow, George W. Nowell, J. O. Hendricks, J. A. Gregory, C. W. Haskett, J. T. Lamb, H. T. Broughton, John A. Riddick, L. H. Hurdle, George C. Eure, J. N. Stallings, H. R. .Miller, Arthur El liott, Archie T. Lane. Bethel School Wins Easter Seal Prizes Bethel school won both prizes off ered in Easter Seal sale. Seventeen children enrolled, and total sales were 04.00. The second grade with an en rollment of 5 won the $2.50 prize offered to the grade selling the most seals. The school won prize of $5.00. Second pradge sold 250 seals. Prizes were ofiered on a percent age basis to give all schools an equal chance, worked out on number of children enrolled and number of seals sold. Net receipts of seal sale totaled $25.16. One-half of this has been sent to N. C. League for Crippled Children which in turn pays 10 per cent to the International Society, pays cost of seal sale, and keeps the rest for emergency cases in counties when there is not enough money to take care of them. This is the first time a sale has been conducted in the county, and it is hoped them to have them regularly in the future. The outcome of this was very gratifying. Eleven schools participated in the sale. Bethel has one of the smallest enrollments in the county. Farmers Asked Consult Agent About Acreage All farmers in Perquimans County who have signed work sheets may, by calling at the County Agent's of fice, receive information as to what acreage to plant in various crops so as to receive the largest benefits, as the crop bases have been established by the State. ENTERTAINS AT DINNER Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Cartwright of Snow Hill entertained a few of their friends Sunday at dinner. Those pre sent were: Mr. and Mrs. Mason Saw yer and daughter, Barbara Lee, of Old Neck; Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Cart wright, Misses Blanche and Maude Cartwright, Mrs. Vernon Winslow, Mrs. Martha Cartwright, Miss Lucil le Cartwright, Miss Clara Hale, Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Hale, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey Hale of Camden' and Mr. and (Mrs.' D. iM.. Cartwright,-- u if -1 T i. iitili-ilniiliiii.i urn in Wn'i. I v' ' - ' "Spends Day la Jacksonville1 - Mrs. J. G - Roberson and Mr. Ros ser Brinrt spent .Wednesday, in Jack ipnvilte.'.1 ,.,1 . . . j