Newspapers / The Coastland Times (Manteo, … / Dec. 25, 1959, edition 1 / Page 1
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SEND RENEWAL OF SUBSCRIPTION BEFORE EXPIRATION DATE ON ADDRESS VOL XXV NO. 2b MANY PORTENTS OF GREAT YEAR ON ALL FRONTS IN THE SOUTHERN ALBEMARLE Observers Look Back on Many Gains in 1959 and Advise Redoubling of Effort For Agricul ture and Promotion of Tourist Business; Crop Season Fine in Hyde, Coastal Season Profit able; Employment Looks Up. This Christmas season is being marked by more serious reflec tion and deliberate thinking on the part of the citizens of the Southern Albemarle Counties than in many a day. There are many observers who consider great gains, on the whole, have been made in this region. Those who admit of some losses, admit com pensations in other quarters have offset the damages in their own field. It is true that many farmers find themselves no better off dol larwise this year than a year ago, in that they are not flush with cash to begin operations in 1960. It is true that the hog and poul try market is way down, and some losses have been noted. But fortunately, save for a few cases, our farmers don’t have all their eggs in one basket, and many of those who have lost money on the hoof, have retrieved their losses in other ways. Take the grain situation. Most all soybean growers, this news paper is told, made money from a good yield. But complaints in Beaufort County concern disap pointment with the yield in cash from corn acreage. On the other hand, in Hyde County, Richard Lee Gibbs of Engelhard, who op erates the largest grain terminal in the area thinks the grain growers of his county have had one of their finest years in a long' time. It may be true that those farm ers who fed then - crops to hogs and poultry wound up with less profit than those who sold, due to the drop in hog prices. North Carolina has noted one example this fall to prove that what goes on in distant states can be hurt ful to our people. For instance the extended steel strike over a period of many months, reduced consumer demand and buying power of millions of workers who were out on strike. We have an estimate by the State Department of Agriculture that farm income is 60 million dollars off this year, which is not good news. To offset this loss, there has been tremendous increase in in come from tourists, and the North Carolina coastland finds satis faction in having enjoyed its big gest tourist season by far, with prospects in many quarters for a bigger season in 1960. There is a hopeful portent in the benefits that will spread from several large building projects See S.A.A., Page Five HEAVY DAMAGES IN THREE CAR COLLISION MON. V In a three car collision near Manteo Monday, damages esti mated at some $3,000 were sus tained. A 1955 Ford convertible driven by R. H. Gray, Jr. of Wanchese got in the left hand lane coming north into the inter section with U.S. 158 and struck a 1957 Ford driven by Mrs. Helen Britt, teacher in the Manteo school. Gray’s car was damaged SSOO, Mrs. Britts a total loss, and Rudolph Peele of Manteo, driving a 1955 Chevrolet ran into Mrs. Britt's car, and his car was dam aged SSOO according to estimates by Deputy Sheriff D. F. Twyne, ' who investigated the case. Gray was charged with driving while intoxicated and was fined SIOO in Recerder’s Court Tuesday. In other cases handled by Re corder's Court, John A. Midgett of Manteo was fined $lO for chok ing and beating his wife, Sophia, and damaging fixtures in the home. Phillip M. Gamble of the Navy unit at Stumpy Point failed to appear to answer charges of carrying a knife with more than four-inch blade, and of careless- and reckless driving, and forfeited a SSO cash appearance bond. Audrey S. O’Neal of Wanchese paid $25 for driving without op erator's permit, and Ronnie I. Morgan of Fort Story, Va., for careless and reckless driving paid $25. Robeert O. Quidley of Man teo, for following too close and improper exhaust, $lO and costs. Richard R. Metcalf, Manteo, im proper license tags, $5. Charles A. Clark, Manteo, for allowing child under age to drive car paid $25. THE COASTLAND TIMES WITH WHICH IS COMBINED THE PILOT AND HERALD OF BELHAVEN AND SWAN QUARTER PUBLISHED WEEKLY IN THE INTEREST OF THE WALTER RALEIGH COASTLAND OF NORTH CAROLINA DAVIS BOWS OUT AFTER 45 YEARS AS POSTMASTER Popular Wanchese Man Retires and His Assistant, Miss Ro wena Midgett Takes Over On December 1, Herbert L. Davis retired after having served as postmaster at Wanchese since July 1, 1914. Save for an inter ruption of two years overseas with the army in France in World War I he served his community contin uously and during his sojourn in France was assigned to postoffice duty in the Army. He was one of the few remaining postmasters in the country who were appointed under President Woodrow Wilson. Always a popular citizen of Wan chese, the largest village in Dare County, he has operated a general store for more than 30 years, and will continue as the community merchant. He has been succeeded by Miss Rowena Midgett who has been his clerk for many years, and has served as postoffice clerk for six years. She has been named acting postmaster and her neighbors con cede her to be a popular successor. It is doubtful than any men have given more devoted service to their postoffice work, or their duties as aa merchant than “Hubby” Davis. He is a native and lifelong resi dent of Wanchese. He has been a friend indeed to the people of his community, and seldom if ever, has there been a complaint about the service he has rendered. The postoffice continues to be operated in his store, and Miss Midgett is assisted by a part-time clerk, Mrs. Arnold Daniels. The community has an estimated 1,- 200 inhabitants who get their mail at this postoffice. While overseas, his uncle, the late Newton Davis served as act ing postmaster. Prior to 1914 the only postmaaster who served the community was the late Mrs. Eu genia Daniels who took over many years ago, when the postoffice was established. Before 1886 the citizens got their mail at Manteo. MORE MILES OF CANALS PLANNED NEAR ENGELHARD Pamlico Development Co. Has High Hopes For Future of 73,400 Acres There will be more miles of canals dug through the 73,400 acre tract of land northeast of Engelhard owned by Pamlico De velopment Co., and where consid erable development has been done during the past two years. E. Wheeler Bryant, of this firm, who was in Engelhard this week said the company has long range re forestation plans for this large tract, and that the drainage project will permit the growth of other varieties of pines than those now prevailing. Several miles of canals leading into Pamlico Sound, with pumping equipment to maintain proper water levels, have been complet ed. The stand of timber on the property is estimated at close to one hundred million log feet, and this includes pine, gum, and some exceptionally large cypress tim ber. Mr. Bryant said that some of this larger timber would be mar keted to make the land more adaptable to the new growth. The development project at Engelhard has contributed a great deal to the community’s economy and citizens are expecting it to prove of continued value in view of the long range plans its own ers are projecting. BELHAVEN STORES TO CLOSE DEC. 25 and 26 Jule Purvis, secretary of the Belhaven Chamber of Commerce said this week that Belhaven stores will be,closed both Friday and Saturday, December 25th and 26 so that all personnel might have full enjoyment of the holiday. GOVERNOR HODGES WISHES MERRY CHRISTMAS VOICING BOTH THANKSGIVING AND OPTIMISM GOVERNOR LUTHER H. | HODGES in his message of I Christmas greeting to the people of North Carolina voices a spirit of optimism and expressed a feel ing of Thanksgiving that the people of our state are immeas urably blessed this season. “I do not recall a time in our recent history when the wonder ful sprit of the season has been more abundantly apparent in all sections of our state,” he de clared. “This spirit of cooperation and fellowship and rededication to the Christian ideal of peace and good will among all people is evident in our communities and commer cial establishments, where the joy of Christmas is symbolized by gaiety and color and in our' churches and homes, where the true significance of the season is felt,” the governor continued. He reminded that it is the time for remembrance of the less fortunate, and to take the opportunity “to contribute something of ourselves to the spirit of the season.” Christmas is symbolic of the eternal hope for the day when “men of all nations will have learned to live together in peace and pros perity. This is the hope of mankind, and it is particularly fitting at this time that we make a special effort to acknowledge, with humility and reverence, the importance of seeking spiritual guidance in trans forming this hope into reality,” he said. “Mrs. Hodges and I and our children and grandchildren would like to take this means of expressing to every person in North Caro lina our sincere best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a hap py, prosperous New Year,” the message concluded. A HAPPY CHRISTMAS WITH BLESSINGS TO ALL IS WHAT WE WOULD WISH IN THE FULLEST SENSE, TO CONVEY i -* There is, at this season an impelling urge upon our part to extend to all our people the best of good wishes; there is the desire to convey to all an expression of grati tude for the benefits that have been vouchsafed us; there is an overwhelming sense of futility of adequate expression at our command, and a humility of spirit that whispers the unworthiness of the feeble efforts we can produce. Yet, we must believe that the sincerity of the spirit which prompts us is what counts most of all, and that so long as in our hearts we have the deep and abiding belief that we have made both a confession of conviction and pro fession of faith and love for those people who are our friends and who understand us, then we believe in the security of conscience, and the hope for understanding and cooperation to continue through the year to come. First in the human heart is love for friends, and then the security and welfare of one’s community, his state and his nation. To experience comfort in this hope and belief, one must have found it in a regeneration of faith and purpose, a continual growth of love and human sympathy. A con viction leading to a consecration of one’s life and a re-dedi cation of spirit to be of greatest and most lasting value can not be born of sudden impulse. It must be born of long hours of introspection or intermittent periods of meditation; it must come out of a long series of personal experiences with one’s fellowmen, and the sincere understanding that there is more of good than bad in the world. There must be the ail-sustaining belief that “Man with changeless nature coa lescing, will undertake regeneration’s work.” The attitudes and behavior of others wield tremendous weight in forming our firm beliefs in humanity. When once we have come to believe that only a positive life counts up into lasting value to the world; when we have been weighed down with burdens but to have them lifted through the mercy of Providence; when we have learned that mercy prevails to the extent of overwhelming us with the proper sense of humility and appreciation that most of us have been blessed by more of destiny’s goodness than we have deserved or earned .then indeed will we approach real ability to be of service to our fellowman and help to build a better world. The retrospection that envelops one during the Christ mas season comes nearer than at any other time to over whelming the mind with the challenge to do better. The me mory of having been spared through another year, and the promise of a new one with its further challenges and op portunities ahead engenders gratitude and spurs the spirit to discharge, if possible, every obligation that nature has established. It is a great thing for one to have been stricken down and restored to service. It is great to have been pre pared to do worth while things. Only through the fires of adversity come the best tempered metals. We who have lived our lives here and who trace our ancestry back in an unbroken line for more than 200 years in this coastland enjoy a priceless heritage. Yet, having this heritage imposes upon us a greater responsibility than is upon the alien peoples who come with nothing, seek a ready-made prosperity, and remain here never having had it so good, because our generosity shares with them what the toil and sweat of our forefathers accumulated for us to enjoy. The greater responsibility imposed on us enjoins us to save and protect for our children and grandchildren, some thing of value equal to that which has been our heritage. Too often we let years waste away without discharging our duty. We do not give to life even a small measure of what we take from it We drift along, and sometimes never awaken to our duty; and sometimes when we are convicted and aroused it is so late we can do but little. In retrospection we look back across the recent years when so many of those who held out helping hands to us, dropped quickly one by one from our midst and we have their help no longer. Without having striven to prepare others to qualify themselves and take up the load, we’ve found ourself with heavier burdens as each friend passed on. In time, age delineates the worth of what we have lost, and the fright ful cost of our neglect when we failed to share our time, and , our lives with others and to be helpful to them. Christmas is a wonderful time, particularly in this coastland, and it’s worth most of all to those who had the good fortune to be born and reared in it To all peoples it i a season when they find vicarious joy and experience in what from time to time have seemed the lost hopes of their See MESSAGE, Page Four MANTEO, N. C., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1959 B BO' B b I HEAVY FIRE LOSS IN SEAFOOD PLANT IN BELHAVEN Efficient Fire Department Pre vents Total Loss of Build ing and Boats What might have been one of the most disastrous fire losses to the Belhaven community in many respects occurred in the early morning hours Tuesday when Clyde Potter’s Fish and Oyster Co. on the waterfront broke into a blaze of undetermined origin, and wound up in the loss of val uable ice machinery and storage facilities. The fire was discovered between 3:30 and 4 a.m. and the prompt and efficient work of the Belhaven Fire Department got the fire under control before the Washington department arrived on the scene. Without this efficient work, the fire might have spread to the ad jacent business district with ter rific loss. Enough of the property was saved so that the business may continue its crab picking operations which gives employ ment to many workers as well as income to crabbers, oystermen and fishermen. The business is one of Belhaven’s few big indus tries and its loss of operation would have been disastrous to the economy of the town at this sea son. Two large trawlers tied up at the company docks were saved. There is no official estimate of the loss in money, but citizens well remember two years ago when fire struck the nearby Blue Channel crab plant and it was some months before operations were resumed. The man on the street ventures the opinion Tues day’s damage can’t be replaced for $50,000. OYSTER BOATS AT LONG SHOAL RIV. HEAVILY DAMAGED Lowest Form of Vandalism Does Estimated $1,500 Damage to Four Craft Four oyster boats tied up at Long Shoal River Bridge were damaged heavily by vandals sometime on the week end. The boats were left by the owners on Friday, and the damage was dis covered when they returned to be gin work Monday morning. Sheriff Charlie Cahoon of Hyde County who is investigat ing the case estimates the dam age amounts to at least $1,500. Two of the boats were sunk by the cutting of the intake water hose, leading to pump. Distribu-i tors had been beaten off the mo tors of some of them and large batteries of the type which cost more than SIOO each were beaten into destruction. The owners of three of the boats is Raymond Sawyer, and the other boat, by David Leßoy Krisk, both men of Pamlico Beach, near Belhaven. While for many years, various fishermen have been leaving their boats un protected at this place, it was the first time these two have left their boats there. For a long time now, fishermen have been an noyed by minor damages, thefts of gas, tools, etc. when they left their boats at Long Shoal Bridge. These boat owners know of no one who might have malice against them, but Sheriff Ca hoon has some leads on who might have done the job, al though proof in such cases is of ten hard to obtain. There is one theory that the damage was done by drunken vandals, or by per sons who resented newcomers oystering in the ai-ea. BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD; TWO CARS WERE DAMAGED Charles Ahman of Ocracoke drove through water on the road near Oregon Inlet ferry while northbound Sunday morning, and his brakes failed to hold when he tried to stop behind a Chevrolet convertible owned by Robert Jones of Portsmouth, Va. and damaged it about S4OO worth. Mr. Ahman’s car sustained S2OO damages. Another auto mishap oecured Monday at Stumpy Point at Lake Worth when Murray Mann 21, northbound from Engelhard driving a Ford, ran into a pickup truck which J. C. Collins of En gelhard had parked at a fish house and who began a right turn as Mann approached. This caused the Ford to strike Glen Tiwford’s car. Estimated damage to the truck $1,000; Twiford’s car S2OO and Mann’s car $350. Mr. and Mrs. Mann were injured slightly and were taken to a doctor for treatment. “DON’T CHANGE SHOWS” IS HUNTER’S ADVICE; OFFERS SECRET TO WIN SUCCESS The Author of "Unto These Hills" Tells What the Outdoor Shows Need and Why They Wouldn't Be Successful If Transplanted; Helpful Ideas Expressed on Eve of New Program for 1960. HYDE COUNTY GIRL WINS HONORS IN PHILA. MISS MARY ELIZABETH JOL LY, native of Hyde County, after her graduation at East Hyde High School, Engelhard, in 1958, went to Philadelphia, where she is taking a two-year post-gradu ate course in South Philadelphia High School. After having won several awards, she was recently honored as among the few attain ing the highest standards of scholarship, character, personality, leadership and service and has been elected to the Torch Chapter of the National Honor Society— “the highest honor the school confers.” Miss Jolly is visiting her par ents, Mr. and Mrs. Gould Jolly, at their home in Gulrock, during the holidays. She is accompanied by her father’s parents, -with whom she is staying while finish ing her education in Philadelphia. EDWIN GILL MAY ENTER THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR State Treasurer Speaks Like A Candidate; Many Believe He’s In It For a long time many leaders I in state affairs have been saying the man who will be Governor in 1961 had not been mentioned among the three lively contenders already active in the field. A statement made the other day by State Treasurer Edwin Gill that he is giving serious consideration to being a candidate, and will an nounce what he will do in Janu ary, has therefore created con siderable interest throughopt the state and has brought him many expressions of encouragement. By reason of his long experi ence in law, legislative and gov ernmental administration, Mr. Gill is considered exceptionally well qualified and a formidable con tender for office. He is also be lieved to hold the highest confi dence of the conservative people of the state who do not wish the state’s economy wrecked by radi cal programs controlled by irra tional leaders in blocs of any kind. Mr. Gill is 60 years old, and is a native of Laurinburg. He was secretary to Governor O. Max Gardner, and was later a law partner with him; he has served as U. S. Director of Inter nal Revenue, has been Treasurer since 1953; is ex-officio chairman of the State Banking Commission and has served on numerous other Boards and Commissions. “I regard the governorship as the highest office within the gift of our people,” Mr. Gill said in a statement last week. “It is more than a political prize; it of fers, in my thinking, a maximum opportunity for public service.” Gill has been regarded as a possible candidate for many months. Others who are consid ered as possible entrants into the gubernatorial sweepstakes in clude: former State Sen. Terry Sanford of Fayetteville; House Speaker Addison Hewlett of Wil mington; Democratic National Committeeman John D. Larkins, Jr. of Trenton; former Asst Atty. Gen. I. Beverly Lake of Raleigh and State Sen. O. Ar thur Kirkman of Greensboro. Asked if the statement means that he’s closer to running than previously, Gill said “that is cor rect’’ “I have not put on any active See GILL, Page Eight MAIL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO BOX 42S MANTEO, N. C. NOT TO INDIVIDUALS Single Copy What is not good for the “Lost Colony” is good for “Horn in the West, and the idea of switching the shows from west to east and vice-versa does not strike a re sponsive chord in the mind of Ker mit Hunter, the brilliant author of “Unto these Hills” which is shown each year at Cherokee, “Horn in The West” is the show produced at Boone, N. C., which was also writ ten by Mr. Hunter. In a letter discouraging this idea, which has sprung up from several sources throughout the state, Mr. Hunter goes into detaail, and in this letter may also be found the secret by which to create success for either show. Mr. Hunter has given this newspaper permission to i publish his letter. The fine things said in this let ter come at a good time, on the eve of a general meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lost Colony, which has just been an nounced by Mrs. O. Max Gardner, the newly elected chairman of the Roanoke Island Historical As sociation. Mrs. Gardner has called the meeting in Manteo on Thurs day, January 7th to discuss plans for the 1960 show. She has lost no time in getting ready for this meeting, and while at her home in Shelby, has collected advice and developed ideas to present here two weeks hence. The following remarks come from Mr. Hunter ,and are well worth careful study in Dare Coun ty, where there is no favor given the idea of changing shows: He says: Dear Hugh: “Our problem is not to change the entertainment at Manteo and Boone, but to get new tourists, isn’t it How can anything (other than motels and eating places) ever prosper if the very same peo ple keep coming every year? These shows are based on the assump tion that we have a changing clientele. Os course, I’ve heard those rosy statements about Mr. and Mrs. So-and-So who have seen Horn in the West every year since it opened, or the family that goes See LOST COLONY, Page Five BELHAVEN HOLDS USUAL SUCCESSFUL SEASON PROGRAM School Band and Floats Make Good Show Sponsored by C of C The annual Christmas program sponsored by the Belhaven Com munity Chamber of Commerce was held Dec. 16, when Santa Claus toured the town escorted by the Belhaven Community Band. Santa rode in an elaborate sleigh prepared by Ed Harris, Mrs. Rad Jones, and Mrs. W. E. Bateman, Jr., assisted by Doyle Nixon, Mr. and Mrs. Mack Harris, Muri Cook, Buck Ralph, and Curly Blackwell. That night at 7:00 Mrs. Bate man’s “Living Pictures” again delighted the spectators in front of the old school building. The costumes and background setting were even more beautiful than usual this year and drew much favorable comment. The unveiling of the pictures was accompanied by carols sung by the John A. Wilkinson High School under the direction of Mrs. Noel Faye Cay ton. The Rev. Lester Bissette was the narrator. Characters in the pictures were Mrs. Russell Johnston, as Mary; Leon Smith, as Joseph; Delma Tolan, innkeeper; Clifton Jones, Milton Gunn, and Marion Dilday, shepherds; Billy Jones, Littlest Shepherd; Otis Johnston, Bill Johnston, and Ernest Jefferson, wise men; Mrs. Annette Noble Edmondson, angel; Libby Fussell and Ann Boger, curtain angels. Mrs. Bateman was assisted in ar ranging the scenes by Mrs. Rad Jones. Still on display at the school grounds are a permanent Nativity Scene painted by Topper Bate man and a Christmas panorama by Mrs. Catharine Wilkinson. Mrs. Wilkinson has once again created a delightful show of seasonal fig ures by her usual procedure of making “something out of noth ing.” She begins work on her cre ations each year immediately af ter Christmas and the entire town looks forward to seeing the dis-
The Coastland Times (Manteo, N.C.)
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Dec. 25, 1959, edition 1
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