North Carolina Newspapers

VOLUME XXII NO. 29 WILDFOWL SEASON ' CLOSES AS FIRST WEATHER ARRIVES Unusually Mild Weather More than Two Months Discourag ing to Hunters The wildfowl season came to an end Tuesday of this week and throughout the entire period begin ning November 7, such unusually mild weather has prevailed as to have been extremely discouraging to hunters. Old timers, who must come a long way to hunt, have .•kept up with weather reports, and hunting results, and have hesitated to make long journeys at consider able expense with results in doubt. The weather has been discourag ing to fuel dealers, but a boon to homeowners in the saving in heat ing bills. There have been only a few days, maybe a half dozen in all during more than two months, which seasoned hunters could con sider the rough type which en courages birds to fly. In some in stances, some good hunting has re sulted. The finest hunting grounds of Currituck and Hyde, due to the mild weather, have not been at their best, although, their accessi bility has permitted a great num ber of hunters, and on the whole, from the standpoint of business it has not been too bad a season, par ticularly in Hyde. Some good hunt ing has been done on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, and it was get ting real good at the end of the season. The last day of the season, which appeared to be one of the best, was spoiled entirely for all the hunters in the Rodanthe section, due to the thoughtlessness of the managers of the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge just to the north, who went down and set the marsh afire, because they thought it would be a good day for burning. The smoke drove away all the fowl that might have been interesting to the hunters in the nearby blinds. Toward the last of the* season, hunting improved greatly in the Hatteras area and brant moved in in great numbers. The many snow geese at Pea Island which are not legal game anyway, moved away promptly at Old Christmas time, according to tradition. In Currituck Sound, world-fam ed for duck hunting, much dis couragement prevailed throughout the season because of mild weath er, and one veteran hunter, who has been coming to Currituck for many years said it was the first time he had been obliged to fight off butterflies while waiting in the blind. "THE SECRET MARRIAGE" COMING TO MANTEO Amusing Comedy Opera To Be Present ed on February 14 by the Grass Roots Opera Company An amusing comedy, “The Sec ret Marriage”, will be presented in the Manteo school auditorium on the evening of February 14 by the Grass Roots Opera Company. The opera is being sponsored by civic clubs of Manteo and surrounding communities, spearheaded by the Roanoke Island Music Club, with Mrs. Thomas Chears as chairman. Further information will be pub lished at a later date. The Grass Roots Opera Company has previously been well received in Manteo, by both students and adults, when “School For Lovers”, “Don Pasquale” and “Carmen” have been presented. It is expected that a record audience will be in attendance this year. MRS. MARGARET O. GRAY OF AVON DIES WEDNESDAY Mrs. Margaret O’Neal Gray, 68, died in a Norfolk hospital, Tues day evening following an illness of two years. She was a native of Avon, and had resided with her daughter, Mrs. Easter Cahoon, Route 3, Great Bridge, for the past four months. She was the widow of William (Billy) James Gray, and the daughter of George and Mrs. Sarah O’Neal. She was a member of the Avon Methodist Church. She is survived by three sons, William Thomas Gray of Miami Beach, Fla., Roy Gray, of Hat teras and Donald Gray of Norfolk; five daughters, Mrs. Pearl Madrin of Florida, Mrs. Easter Cahoon of Great Bridge, Mrs. Lucy Ballance of Morehead City, Mrs. Mary Twells of Camden, N. J., and Mrs. Earl Scarborough of Cape May, N. J.; two brothers, L. P. O’Neal and George O. O’Neal, both of Avon; one sister, Mrs. Nola Chilton of Asheville; 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren The body was taken to the Twi ford Funeral Home, Hatteras, for funeral services and burial to be held in Avon. THE COASTLAND TIMES PUBLISHED WEEKLY IN THE INTEREST OF THE WALTER RALEIGH COASTLAND OF NORTH CAROLINA MANTEO ROTARIANS TO OBSERVE 20+h BIRTHDAY MONDAY Event Will Begin at 7 P.M. at The Carolinian; Ralph Swain President The 20th anniversary of the Manteo Rotary Club will be ap propriately observed Monday night, January 21st at 7 p.m. with a program and dinner at the Caro linian at Nags Head. This will also be a ladies night event. E. E. Meek ins is chairman for the' dinner. The charter to the club was pre sented on January 11, 1937 at a special meeting, the club having been formed during late 1936. The first president was I. P. Davis, who was one of the prime organizers. Other charter members were D. B. Fearing, H. A. Dough, D. V. Meek ins, J. E. Ferebee, R. L. Davis, T. A. Basnight, R. H. Atkinson, C. S. Meekins, Martin Kellogg, Jr., H. A. Crees, W. B. Fearing, E. E. Meekins, G. H. Lennon, W. L. Woodard, M. L. Daniels, J. C. Weeks, H. L. Davis, Dr. W. W. Johnston, Rev. A. E. Brown and O. J. Jones. Os these 21, eight remain active Rotarians, and the club has grown to a membership of near 30. Assisting the chairman on the committee for next week are Dr. Johnston, Martin Kellogg, Jr., Mrs. C. S. Meekins, Mrs. E. E. Meekins, J. E. Ferebee, C. S. Meekins, O. J. Jones, Wallace McCown. At the meeting next week will be District Governor John Moore of the Elizabeth City club which sponsored the Manteo Club; I. P. Davis of Winton, and the first pres ident, and S. Wade Marr, of Eliz abeth City, a past District Gov ernor. Past presidents of the club be side I. P. Davis, are Dr. W. W. Johnston, R. L. Davis, W. B. Fear ing, Martin Kellogg, Jr., W. R. Pearce, O. J. Jones, C. S. Meekins, J. E. Ferebee, R. I. Leake, C. R. Evans, L. L. Swain, Archie Burrus, J. G. Kellogg, R. S. Smith, Z. V. Brinkley, deceased, R. E. Jordan, J. H. Long, and W. H. McCown. ROANOKE ISLAND CHAPTER OES, JAN. 10 AT WANCHESE OBSERVES 44th BIRTHDAY Attended by 49 members from the island, and two visitors, Roa noke Island Chapter Order East ern Star on January 10th at Wan chese, observed its 44th birthday in a regular meeting. A program entitled “Garden of Remembrance” was given. In the east a fence complete with gate. The fence was covered with ivy and artificial roses. The Worthy Patron and Worthy Matron, Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Bridges, were con ducted through the garden gate by the Marshal, Mrs. Fannie Payne. Mrs. Elma Midgett, Mrs. Doris Bonner, and Mrs. Ina Evans sang an appropriate birthday song after which Mrs. Bridges gave a wel come comparing the Chapter with the Garden. Mrs. Helen Guthrie entered the gate and gave history of the Chap ter. Mrs. Lyna Harbor, Chaplain, led the memorial service by plac ing a spray on the altar in remem brance of the following members who this year passed into the gar den beyond: Mrs. Zorado Hayman, charter member; Mrs. Ella Dan iels, last chapter member; Mrs. Grace Davis, Past Matron, and Mrs. Eunice Farrow. The memorial service was closed by the members singing one verse of “In the Gar den.” Mrs. Estelle Wilson, Associate Matron, addressed the Past Ma trons and Patrons briefly and ask ed the Conductress, Mrs. Lucille Midgett, and Associate Conduc tress, Mrs. Irlene Wescott, to es cort the Past Matron and Patrons through the gate to the East. There the following Past Matrons were presented corsages with a white gavel tied in the bow: Mrs. Evelyn Davis, Mrs. Nettie Daniels, Mrs. Nannie Midgett, Mrs. Pattie Smith, Mrs. Elma Midgett, Mrs. Carrie Midgett, Mrs. Irene Twiford, Mrs. Pearl O’Neal, Mrs. Margaret Til lett, Mrs. Dawn Midgett, Mrs. Dor is Bonner, Mrs. Doris Burrus, Mrs. Mary Midgett, Mrs. Hilda Bal lance. The following Past Patrons were presented boutonnaires with trowels attached: Edwin Midgett, Robert Ballance, Raymond White, and Andrew Tillett. Mrs. Margaret Tillet gave the welcome response for the Past Matrons and Patrons. The other members who have serv ed as officers and op the sidelines were welcomed and Mrs. Ina Ev ans, accompanied bjr Mrs. Hilda Ballance, organist, sang “Love’s .Tribute of Flowers” in their honor. Edwin Midgett, Associate Pa tron, carried the Flag of our coun try through the gate to the East. Mrs. Guthrie closed the gate with the following verse: Ours is an order that shall stand See O.E.Sm Page Eight HOLIDAY MAGAZINE PUBLICISES NORTH CAROLINA - • * ' r Is ~ ip Im jl Governor L. H. Hodges looks over a copy of the February issue of Holiday Magazine, which features North Carolina. The article, by Ovid Williams Pierce, describes North Carolina as a state of •'seascapes and lofty peaks, of hard-working cities, and high minded universities.” A full-scale portrait of North Carolina, from the sands of the Atlantic seaboard to the valleys of the Smokies five hundred miles away, is featured in Holiday. The article extends over thirteen pages of the magazine and is il lustrated with sixteen photographs, many in color. Pierce contrasts the ragged frin ges along the remote eastern coast, which only recently have bom traffic from the outside world, against the coastal plains with . their- remnants of the “old south”. He pictures the river plan tations, small towns, negro coun ties, and long stretches of swamp, heat and pine. Yet, he claims that the i-ich tobacco markets in Green ville, Wilson, Henderson and Rocky Mount keep this area from being completely buried in the past. “The Piedmont,” he continues, “is a proper complement to the eastern half of the state. It is the region so cities where all roads lead to Raleigh, Durham, Char lotte, Greensboro, Winston Salem, and Chapel Hill.” The author devotes part of the article to an anaylsis of the Uni versities of Duke and North Caro lina. “Both of them,” he writes, “are producing an enlightened in tellectual liberalism.” He depicts Chapel Hill as the center of the southern mind and Duke Univer sity as one of the great medical centers of the south. Pierce reveals that from the iso lated, cloud wrapped Blue Ridge mountains have come the young into the mills and colleges of the Piedmont. He describes the rapidly vanishing ti-adition of hotel life as the older people remember it; the great reservoir of folk manu facturing, and the well organized handicraft schools of the region. The author completes his journey byway of Asheville and ends at what he terms the state’s last wall, the ancient and mysterious Smokies. In North Carolina, he concludes, “There is the challenge of change against a counselling past.” MADE UNCLE LEE MAN FOUR YEARS YOUNGER LAST WEEK Some of the lady folks might have appreciated the compliment, but not so when a man passes 90, and wants full credit for every day htat he has lived. In last week’s paper, we ran a picture of Uncle Lee Mann of Manns Harbor, who celebrated his 93rd birthday this month. It must be great to feel hale and strong at that age, and it is a tribute to a life of steady work and clean living when a man climbs on past 90. But we made the mistake of saying he was only that he has lived. In last week’s paper, we did run a story with his correct age, of 93 useful years. FORMER EAST LAKE MAN DIES IN CALIFORNIA Word has been received in Man teo of the death of Elmer Holmes, 46, in California Wednesday, fol lowing a heart attack. Mr. Holmes is survived by two sons, Larry and Randell Holmes of Manteo; his parents, Alpheus Holmes of Manns Harbor and Mrs. Ethel Holmes of East Lake; and one sister, Mrs. Harold Gordon of Norfolk, Va. Fu neral arrangements were not known at press time. MANTENO, N. C., FRIDAY, JANUARY 18,1957 TWO NEGROES CUT BADLY FOLLOWING A GAMBLING ROW Willie Blackman Charged With Felonious Slashing of - Companions Two negroes were badly cut by a third as the aftermath of a gambling row Friday night of last week at the New Jerusalem Diner and bee.- parlor on the Scarbor ough town road a mile trom Man teo. Pint sized William Blackman sent word to officers Saturday morning that he had cut Willie McCleese and Sam Moore, Jr., and to come out to his home and arrest him for it, in case they wanted him. The badly slashed negroes were taken to Albemarle hospital at a late hour by Twiford’s ambulance, tc be guests of the bounty of their fellow citizens. McCleese returned home this week, but Sam Moore remained over for further rest and convalescence. All three negroes have court records, and have long been a See CUTTING, Page Eight 1+ Was Exciting but Rigorous in 1880 to travel From Manteo to Elizabeth City on a Sailboat Here's An Account of Methods of Transportation Across The Waters As Gleaned Rom Old Files by Earl Dean Roanoke Island has but two means of communication with the outside world—the little mail sloop “Alida”, to Elizabeth City; “The Elizabeth City and Manteo Mail Packet” is the full title borne on her stern —and Capt. Parker’s trading sloops which run to a wharf called Morgan’s Mill, across Albemarle Sound, in connection with the steamer “Harbinger,” for Norfolk. Being familiar with the former route, we chose the latter. At eight of a sunny April morning our ves sel swings out of the dock at Manteo and boldly puts to sea, the able-bodied population of the village being gathered on the dock or at doors and windows to see us off. “Ho for North River!” exclaims the skipper, cheerily, as the sail bellies out under the northwest breeze. The passengers are two —a kind-faced, motherly old lady and the present chronic ler—and there is included the cap tain and a crew of three. The cargo is light, consisting of a bas ket of eggs, two “Possum” skins and two barrels of flour which the skipper has purchased for his private use. Once out in the strait, we find the wind howling out of the northwest, just where we want to go, and begin that tiresome nautical expedient of “beating.” Away we go directly over towards the north banks until the white, glistening dunes and hotel and cottages at Nags Head are under our bow; then turn and run back under the island again, sailing nine miles in the operation and gaining three. The skipper takes it very coolly; he has none of that hauteur which marks the captain of a Cunarder, and explains, “This breeze’ll last ’til one o’clock; then well have an hour of dead calm. At two o’clock a stiff sou’wester’ll MARCH OF DIMES NOW UNDERWAY IN DARE COUNTY Chairmen For Various Communi ties Named; Many Methods Os Fund-Raising Planned The Dare County March of | Dimes is now getting into full' stride with the distribution of do-1 nation insert cards, coin cans in I business houses and stores, school I collections, posters and many oth- j er reminders of those who are so I badly in need of help to fight a ■ long and tedious battle against the | effects of polio, as well as the fact that financial aid now will help the | fight toward staying the disease] before it takes hold. Dare County has been fortunate in having no cases since 1950, ac cording to the official chapter re port, and no assistance within the chapter has been given since 1951; one half of the March of Dimes funds remains within the chapter for services to polio patients while the other half goes to the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis for (1) research, (2) ed ucation—the training of doctors, nurses and physical therapists in the modern methods of treating' polio, and (3) epidemic aid ad vances to supplement depleted lo cal chapter treasuries in meeting patient care cost. The chairmen for communities in Dare County are: Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, Mrs. Edgar Perry; Nags Head, Mrs. Millicent Marm; Duck, Mrs. Carrie Whitson; Manns Harbor, Mrs. Dorothy Taylor; Ma shoes, John Midgett; Wanchese, Mrs. Billy Tillett; Stumpy Point, Mrs. Woodrow Best; Outer Banks and Colington, Home Demonstra tion Clubs; Roanoke Island (color ed) Mrs. Agatha Gray. The chap ter chairman for Dare County, Mrs. Balfour Baum, will act as chairman for Manteo. THE VALENTINE SEASON FOXHUNT IN FEBRUARY The annual “motorized” Nags Head Valentine Season Fox Hunt sponsored each year by the Caro linian Hotel and Oxford, N. C. sportsmen will be held on February 14-16, it was announced this week. John Ray Watkins of Oxford will be “master of the hunt” and his hounds will be one of the outstand ing packs brought to the coast to chase the foxes. The event which features hunt breakfasts before daylight and a hunt ball, has attracted wide at tention in recent years and has been photo-covered by numerous magazines. The sportsmen and/or spectator “ride to the hounds” in everything from jeeps to Cadillacs. spring up, find us drifting above the island, and put us alongside the dock in three hours. The only object in cornin’ out this mornin’ was to get out o’ the lee o’ the island before she come.” “Is that breeze to be depended on Captain?” we ask. “She air,” he replied. “Take a nor’west breeze in the mornin’ this time o’ year, and a sou’wester is sure to come in the afternoon; if she didn’t I should think an airthquake was cornin’.” Mean while the sloop is slowly forging northward. The little cabin is given up to the lady who placidly knits and smokes; the men are sprawled about in picturesque attitudes on deck. The captain, under the in fluence of a good pipe and nothing to do, grows communicative. “When the new railroad was cut from Norfolk to Elizabeth City, they thought they was going to git all the trade o’ the sounds. They put new steamers on the routes and set the “Alida” to run ning to Roanoke Island. But the “Harbinger” wanted a little of it too, so she set me to flying be tween the p’int and the island, pays me $75 a month and she takes the freight and passenger money. Pay is regular, ye see, — a good deal better than fishin’.” “And how is the “Harbinger” doing,” we ask. “Fust rate,” he replied. “Gits most of the trade in these parts. We kin put flour in Manteo ten cents a barrel cheaper than the railroad. The “Alida” has the mail, to be sure, but in other ways I hear she’s losin’ money.” Finally he drifts into a religious discussion with the lady passen ger. She is a devoted Methodist; he has been a hardshell Baptist See SAILBOAT, Page Five DARE LIBRARY TO BE OPEN ON MONDAY NIGHTS Beginning Monday, January 21, the Dare County Library will re main open on Mondays from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. for the winter and spring months. This new schedule ] is for the convenience of the many | whose hours coincide with the reg- I ular hours of the library, which 1 has denied them the privileges of ! its services. | Members of The Woman’s Club ] were the first to request this addi | tional service and have generously | offered to help if needed. Many | others have since expressed their delight and approval of the change. A record will be kept of the number of patrons taking advan tage of these extra hours to deter mine the desirability of continuing the new schedule. A few more of the new books ’ are “A Sioux Chronicle” by Hyde; “A Teacher Is a Person” by Charles Wilson; “Billy Graham: a ‘ Mission Accomplished” by Burn ham; “Portraits from Memory” by ' Bertrand Russell; “Magic of Bal > anced Living” by Tebbel; “Treas -1 ury of Asian Literature;” and ’ “Arms and Men” by Walter Millis. DARE CHURCHES TO HOLD THREE DAY EVENT IN MANTEO Christian Workers Council To At tend Sessions at Mt. Olivet Methodist The Dare sub-district Christian Worker’s Council will be held at the Mount Olivet Methodist Church in Manteo on the evenings of Sun day, March 3rd, Mpnday, March 4th, and Tuesday, March sth. Time for the school will be from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Charges par ticipating in this Christian Work er’s School will be Manteo, Kitty Hawk, the Dare circuit, and Wan chese. Three courses will be offered. The course, “Home and Church Co operating in Children’s Work,” (a course primarily for workers with children, will be taught by Mrs. J. H. Lawning of Plymouth. The course, “Understanding Youth,” a course for teachers of youth, for their parents, and other youth workers, will be taught by Mrs. H. R. Odom of Gibson. The course, “Christian Beliefs,” a course of general interests, deal ing with the beliefs of the Chris tian faith will be taught by the Rev. Mr. T. A. Collins of Raleigh. The Dare sub-district Christian Worker’s school offers an excellent opportunity for all teachers and workers with children and with young people to secure valuable instruction and training in these areas. It offers the opportunity to prepare for more effective work in the church school program of the local church. It is urged that all take advantage of this opportunity. The general course, Christian Beliefs, is open to all persons who desire to learn more about their faith, whether they be workers in the church or not. It is earnestly hoped that all will avail them selves of this privilege of study and spiritual growth. MRS. FRANKIE SCARBOROUGH DIES IN BUXTON, AGED 86 Funeral services for Mrs. Frankie Scarborough, 86, who died Saturday morning at her home at Buxton, were conducted Sunday afternoon at two o’clock at the Buxton Methodist Church by the Rev. J. C. Braddock, pastor of the Assembly of God Church. Burial was in The Quidley Cemetery. She was a native of Avon, daughter of Joseph W. and Mary Price Austin, wife of Zion B. Scar borough anl a member of the Meth odist Church at Buxton. She had lived in Buxton for the last 52 years and was among the finest people of Hatteras Island. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. E. R. Midgett and Miss Lon nie Scarborough; two sons, Lloyd and James B. Scarboruogh, all of Buxton; one sister, Mrs. Susan Williams of Avon; seven grand children and 11 great grandchil dren. Members of the church choir sang “Rock of Ages” and “Abide With Me.” Mrs. Pearl Midgett ac companied at the organ. The casket was covered with a pall of white gladioli, red-carna tions, status and fern. Pallbearers were Rany Jennette, Fatio Gray, Junice Jennette, Calvin Burrus, Jr., James Rollinson and Boyde Gray. Burial followed in the Quidley Cemetery in Buxton. Single Copy 70 HOW FISH TRUCK PARKED ON ROAD COSTS EVERYBODY Court Term Consumed by Damage Suit For Injuries Sustained Three Years Ago How the mere parking of a huge fish truck without lights in- mid night hours three years ago, on a road near Manteo resulted in ser ious and painful injuries, the loss of an automobile, and consuming of three days of a term of Super ior Court was revealed here this week in the trial of several suits asking damages totalling over $50,- 000. The suits were brought by Earl Green, his wife, Stella C. Green, Horace F. Gaskins and his wife Norma Gaskins. The defendants are James Edward Rickard, a big negro truck driver from Hyde County who was alleged to have been operating a fish truck owned by Bobby Beasley of the Croatan Fish Company of Manns Harbor said to consist of Beasley, Edward White and C. C. Duvall, Chairman of the Dare County Board of Com missioners. The court allowed a motion which eliminated Mrs. Du vall as a defendant in this action. Gaskins and Mrs. Green ask for $15,000 damages each; Mrs. Gas kins for SIO,OOO and Green asked for SII,BOO, the extra SI,BOO being for the damages to the automobile he owned, and in which the party was riding. The party, sometime after 1 p.m. in the morning hours of November 8, 1953. on returning from the beach, had started up the road, to give Norman Brantley a ride to his home. The truck was alleged to have come out of or was entering into a side road, or was blocking the highway, without lights, it was stated in the evidence, whereby the plaintiff’s car ran into it. Thursday marked the third day of the trial, and argument was being presented the jury as this paper was printed. The trial consumed the greater part of the costly term of court ■for civil ease, so the only grist of this term up to date had been sev eral cases continued, and two un contested divorces granted. Ruth K. Flowers was divorced from James P. Flowers, and John Wilson Tillett was divorced from Delita F. Tillett. A compromise judgment of $2,- 000 was made in the case in which Mack R. Tillett of Nags Head ■was asking damages of Charles R. Flynn for damages sustained in an automobile mishap. The case of W. H. Jennette against Dare County and R. B. Lennon was continued and this is the case involving a piece of land heretofore used as a freeway to the ocean at the end of U. S. 158 near Jennette’s pier. GUESTS OUTNUMBER MEMBERS AT LIONS MEET TUES. NIGHT When the Manteo Lions Club met Tuesday night for its dinner meet ing, members of other Lions clubs outnumbered local members pres ent. Fourteen members from the Bath club were on hand; seven from Camden club. Eighteen local members were present, and one vis itor. Lions District Deputy Governor Langley, who is president of the Bath organization spoke briefly on a number of topics concerning Lionism, and displayed a floating plaque now held by the Bath club for mileage traveled to other meet ings in this district. He urged that all clubs in this district vie for the award this year. A BAKE SALE TO RE HELD BY MANTEO REBEKAHS SAT. A bake sale will be held in Man teo at Allen’s Confectionary Sat.. Jan. 19th beginning at 11 a.m. All Rebekahs are urged to bake a cake, pie or candy and take it to the confectionary for sale. The proceeds of this sale will go toward the expenses of the Dis trict Meeting to be h«>ld in Man teo March 2, says Hilda Francis, recording secrets rv, Manteo Re- ~ bekah Lodge No. 52. $1,300 DAMAGE IN COLLISION NEAR MANTEO SAT. NIGHT A collision between a 1956 Chevrolet Pickup truck driven bv # Clvdc Hassell, of Manteo, and 1956 Pontiac driven by Esther Daniels Govan, 44, a colored woman, result ed in damage to the truck of S6OO and of S7OO to the car. The Daniels woman was driving south when she ran into the truck which was northbound. William Turpin, ,Cojst Guards- J man, lost control of his car near* Wanchese Masonic Hall last Tues day night, and damaged it to about $250. It is a 1951 Chevrolet.