text: Elk Hotel 7< ,-^ΓνΊ. N-UMBEB 41 "Tabor City — ΓΑί Town With A City Future" TABOR CITY, N. C., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1952 5c A COPY; $2:00 A YEAR Five Guilty In Eviction Case Three defendants were found guilty on both counts of Federal indictment in the Eliza Grainger eviction case. Two others were found guilty on one court. J. Grainger and two sisters, Tina Grainger, Floyd, and Noriega Grainger Baker, were convicted after trial of conspiracy to prevent Federal officers from evicting Mrs. Grainger, 30-year-old bedridden widow from a house in the Carolina section of Kory County. The second case, charged wilful assault on a U.S. marshal and three deputies, resistance and use of weapons. Mrs. Geneva Grainger, Arnette, another sister, and Mrs. Stacia Dyson Grainger, Homer Grainger's Grainger and two no women were convicted on a count involving charges of assaulting the officer. Each was fined $100, in addition. Grainger drew a two and a half year sentence. Tina Grainger, Floyd, was given a two-year sentence by Federal Judge George Bell Timmerman and her sister, Dorretha Grainger, Baker, drew a three and one-half year sentence. Another sister, Mrs. Geneva Grainger, Arnette, and Mrs. Stacia Dyson Grainger, Homer's wife, drew suspended terms of $15. months, respectively. Each was fined $100 and placed on five-year probation. They were convicted on the conspiracy count only. Mrs. S. District Judge George Bell, Timmerman set sentencing for 10 a.m. Thursday. He rejected the plea of State Sen. J. Ralph Gasque of Marion, defense counsel, to wait three or four days. The Federal officers began efforts last Oct. 20 to carry out the eviction order signed by Judge J. Watles Waring (now retired). One or another of the Graingers met them and refused to get out, the indictment and testimony charged. Finally, on Dec. 11, Alfred J. Plowden Jr. of Summerton, U. S. deputy marshal for the Eastern District of the State, took three deputies, Hal H. Harbin, Hay A. Gaddy and Julian M. Poulnot, determined to take Mrs. Grainger to a hospital and clear out the others. Plowden hired an ambulance from Ralph Inman, Tabor City, N. C. funeral director, but didn't succeed in his plans. When the rattle of gunfire was over, Homer Grainger and Deputy Poulnot of Charleston lay wounded. The officers, followed as the ambulance in which Inman and his companion Layc Thompson of Chadbourn, N. C., sped from the dangerous scene. Poulnot was taken in it to Mullins Hospital. The property had been subject to a civil suit earlier, brought by still another daughter, Mrs. Mamie Grainger Joyner, and her husband, J. Lee Joyner of Cerro Gordo, N. C. In the case, the Joyners were declared owners. A family dispute centered over argument by the Graingers that the law was not on the land on question. Judge Timmerman ruled that, since the appeal had been made from the civil decision, that case was closed and facts set up there could not be brought up. In this trial, the Graingers denied that they had used weapons on Plowden and his deputies. A bull, which the Government said was from Poulnot's body, was exhibited at the trial. It was declared a 32 caliber slug. The officers said they carried only 38s. Of this Grainger and their kin, only Charlie Arnette, apparently, took seriously the eviction order. He had departed and was not involved further. The aged woman herself, was the first defense witness Tuesday. She was wheeled into the courtroom for testimony. The defendants and A. J. Baker, Horry County surveyor, who drew a plat of the land, all took the stand for questioning. The marshals did likewise; as did Dr. J. T. Caih of Sullivan, Lacy Thompson and Clerk of Court Ernest L. Allen of Charleston. The alternate, or 13th juror, was called to duty when Otis Martin of Timmonsville, only Negro member of the Jury, brought a doctor's certificate of illness from stomach ulcers. He was excused and Albert R. Mosely of Salters, the alternate took his place. Other jurors were Alfred T. Heath Jr., of Sumter, D. R. Bosick, Marion, Furman E. Cullum, Aiken, W. McD. Jones, Bishopville, C. W. Josey Jr., St. Charles; S. D. Montgomery, Jr., Elloree, F. H. Gray, Blenheim, J. L. Riley, Jr., St. Matthews, M. C. Jenkins, Alendale; Gordon W. Newton, Tattum, and John R. Berry, Dillon. HORRY FARMERS COMPLETE LEAF PLANTING LORIS, May 1st... Approximately 98 percent of The farmers in the Loris trading area have finished setting out their tobacco, sales Supervisor Fenton Miller said today. As soon as the fields were dry enough to work after frequent heavy rains in March and early April, tobacco growers began setting out their plants. Dry, generally warm days and nights for the next few weeks made ideal conditions for transplanting. Gentle rains with lower temperatures during the last week have averted the possibility of the transplants dying from lack of sufficient moisture or being burned by too hot sunshine. At present, the fields are looking very good with the plants close in the hill and with the full acreage allotment planted. All factors seen have been directed to cause fields to be fully planted and in good condition at a date from 10 days to two weeks earlier than has been the case for the past several years. As a result, growers are anticipating an unusually good crop this year if only the weather will continue to be favorable. An unusually plentiful supply of plants has had a great deal to do with the present promising outlook for the tobacco crop in the Lois trading area. Planted between December 15th and January 15th, tobacco beds have had the benefit of plentiful rain and generally mild weather. Blue mold has done very little damage to the beds because of widespread use of ferrule. Col. Allen Stanley Finishes School FORT HENNING, Ga., — Col. Allen M. Stanley, son of Mrs. Dalmas Stanley of Tabor City, North Carolina, graduated recently from the Bakers Course conducted by the Third Army Food Service School here, Lt. Colonel John S. Anderson, Commandant, announced. This course is designed to instruct and prepare selected non-commissioned officers in the preparation of pastry in central pastry shops and organizational kitchens. It is one of five courses open to officers and enlisted men of the Regular Army and Air Force, Organized Reserve Corps and National Guard. Courses range from training recruits to be cooks to training officers in mess administration. Due to the world situation, the field type mess under combat conditions is stressed. GARRELL AT SCHILDE Tom Garrell has accepted a position with Schild's Department Store here and assumed his duties last week. He was associated with Schild's before serving with the armed forces during World War. It, and since that time has done outside sales work. Mr. Garrel said this week he would like to have his friends visit him at Schild's. Mrs. Julian Smith of Bethel visited her mother, Mrs. Mary Todd, last week. HALLSBORO REGBO SLAIR Whiteville had its first home in four years when a Negro shot and killed a Hallsboro Negro about 5:15 o'clock Sunday afternoon. The victim was Loftin Bellamy, 42, who was blasted to death on an upstairs porch in Whiteville's "Brooklyn." Dillard Freeman, 33, was taken into custody immediately by Police Officer Wade White. The shooting took place on the porch of Freeman's apartment, located on West Columbus Street. Freeman, already facing trial on a charge of assaulting H.W. Driggers. Foreman of the Waccaaw Veneer Company plant, with a knife, claimed self defense in his statement to officers. According to his original statements, Freeman was at home when the Hallsboro Negro called and made a motion as if to attack him. Freeman claimed he warned his caller not to come any closer and when he kept advancing, he pulled the trigger to his 12-guage shotgun. Freeman attempted to leave the impression that he was afraid and he didn't know what the visitor was attempting to do. The alleged slayer asked neighbors to notify police and was waiting for Officer White when he arrived. Bellamy was found dead on the edge of the upstairs porch. A different version of the day's events was obtained from Lottie Belle Bellamy, a niece of the victim, who told officers that the two men were in her company during the day and that the three of them had made a trip to Mulins, S. C. The young girl said they had been drinking, having purchased whiskey in South Carolina, and that the men had been arguing during the course of the trip. CANCER DRIVE CONTINUES Tag Day will be observed in Tabor City Saturday in soliciting funds for the local drive, American Cancer Society, local officials announced. Tabor City has accepted $800 of the $2200 county quota. Canvassing is underway throughout the city by volunteer workers, Miss Genola Woodard, Mrs. A. E. Goldfinch, Mrs. Nell Grainger, Mrs. Elbert Shelley, Mrs. Mae S. Young, and Mrs. Evelyn Leonard. Mail contributions will be accepted by J. A. Hufham, Jr. at the local Waccamaw Bank and Trust company for the local and county fund. S. HOYLü WAKU FUNERAL HELD Samuel Hoyle Ward, 76, retired farmer of the Bethel section of Columbus County, Clarendon, route 1, died Monday morning at 3:10 at the home of a daughter, Mrs. C. M. Anderson at Leland. He had been ill for several weeks. Funeral rites were held from the Bethel Methodist Church where he was a lifelong member at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon by the Rev. J. M. Carroll, pastor, and Rev. G. W. Crutchfield of Tabor City. Burial followed in the church cemetery. He is survived by six sons, B. Frank Ward and Walter Ward of route 1, Clarendon, Belton Ward of Tabor City, Robbie Ward of Leland, Ivey Ward and Cletus Ward of Charlotte; two daughters, Mrs. C. M. Anderson of Leland, and Mrs. Weston Ganus of route L, Clarendon; two brothers, W. B. Ward and J. C. Ward, Sr. of Clarendon; two sisters, Mrs. R. B. Robinson of Clarendon, and Mrs. J. Duncan of route 3, Tabor City; and nine grandchildren. Mrs. J. T. Butler of Bladeaboro visited here Wednesday afternoon. Piano Recital The piano pupils of Mrs. De-Rötha Hughes Hardwick of the Williams Township School will be presents in a recital at the Williams school auditorium Monday evening May 12, at 8 o'clock. Students to be heard include Joan Watson, Annie Ruth Ward, Lynda Grein, Nancy Hardee, Alma Ellis, Brenda Williams, Joan Beck, Shirley Cox, Sandra Green, Margie Edge, Marion Grey Todd and Joan Beck. The selections to be presented are by composers Mattingly, Thompson, Schuam, Thompson, Lawson, Ketterer. Schubert, Wagner, Huerter, Beethoven, Dvorak, and Haines. The public is invited to attend. Vivian Grainger Breaks Arm Vivian, little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Grainger, sustained a broken arm Saturday afternoon when she fell from the porch at the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Gomez Prince. Both bones were broken in the left arm between the wrist and elbow. Raleigh, May 1 — Cities and towns were told today to get their names in the pot between July 1 and July 21 if they want a slice of 1952 Powell Bill funds. Something between four and a half and a million dollars will be divided up between eligible incorporated cities and towns, based half on population and half on non-state system street mileage. Highway Chairman Henry Jordan, in a letter mailed today, advised mayors of the state's cities and towns of the deadlines for filing necessary data with the Highway Commission. James Sessions offers candidacy for the office of Commissioner of Public Works. James Sessions, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Sessions, of Route 2, Whiteville, has been selected as a candidate to attend Class No. 24 of the Official Candidate School at Fort Sill, Okla., according to a press release from the Artillery Center. Upon completion of the 22-week course, Pvt. Sessions will be commissioned as a second lieutenant. Young Sessions qualified himself for the course through a series of written and physical tests and personal interviews before a board of officers which indicated that he has the necessary leadership capabilities required of a commissioned officer. Miss Currie has wide experience in department store work and invites all her friends and past patrons to visit her at Bullock's. Mrs. J. W. High, Mrs. J. Woody High returned from the James Walker Memorial hospital in Wilmington Friday after receiving treatment there for some time. She is now progressing nicely at her home here. Mrs. B. G. Butler of Charleston is visiting her mother, Mrs. E. L. Zeb Fowler, Jr. Mrs. Sam Fowler visited Mr. and Mrs. Zeb Fowler in Elizabethtown recently. Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Winstead, Finney Winstead and Frances Ann Westmoreland spent the weekend at Crescent Beach. Miss Monteen Winstead and Johnnie Johnson spent the weekend at Crescent Beach. Seven Enter No Contest Plea in Ku Klux Klan Floggings HIGH SCHOOL CHOBDS PLUS CONCERT RETT TUESDAY KITE MUSIC RECITAL HO BE PRESENTED AT GUIDEWAY The Guideway piano students of Mrs. DeEotha Hughes Hardwick will be presented in a recital at the Guideway School auditorium Tuesday evening May 13, at 8 o'clock. Students who will appear on the program include Judith Cox, Eva Allen Wooten, Nancy Jane Gore, Rachel Ann Cox, Harvey Graham, Jr., Sue Kelly, Margaret Callihan, Patricia Gore, Harold Hughes, Sylvia Grey Gore, Clara Beth Suggs, Ann Gore, Lumina Smith, Jimmy Gore, and Hugh Thomas Gore. The selections to be presented are by composers Thompson, Kettering, A. Robinson, Brahms, Gilbert Sullivan, Schuam, F. M. Light, Fox, Tschai Kovsky, Richter, Schuam, Dvorak, Haines, G. Western, M. Stephens, and Lane. The public is invited to attend. LOCAL NEWS The local Carlton M. Fonville Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, will hold annual Poppy Day Sales here on Saturday, May 31, Joe Spivey, commander, announced. The Poppy sales are used for local charity work, Spivey pointed out. BULLETIN Precinct meetings for the Columbus County Democratic Executive Committee will be held at various voting places for election of precinct officers Saturday, May 10, at 12 o'clock noon at the call of W. A. Thompson, Democratic Chairman. Fire Baptized Holiness Church Announces Service Special services will be held at the Fire Baptist Church here Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Rev. Chester Collins, pastor announced. Evangelist Claude Hurley of Columbia will be the guest speaker. The public is invited to attend. PIANO RECITALS SLATED HERE TWO NIGHTS The Piano pupils of Mrs. Caroline Murray will present their annual recitals on Thursday and Friday evening, May 8 and 9, at 8 o'clock in the Tabor City school auditorium. The Rhythm Band will also appear on the programs. The public is invited to attend. Miss McPherson AT HOWARD'S Miss Lucy McPherson of Clarendon has accepted a position with Howard's Clothing store here and assumed her duties several days ago. Miss McPherson has several years experience in department store work and invites her friends and patrons to visit her at Howard's. A. C. EDWARDS A. C. Edwards, local Atlantic Coast Line agent, and prominent civic and church leader, is expected to return from Thompson's Hospital, Lumberton today after receiving treatment there for about two weeks. Mrs. Edwards will return with her family. J. J. Canady spent some time recently in Florence with his daughter, Mrs. X. L. Davit, Jr. The Deaconess of the Church will be present at the service. Chorus, composed of many voices, will be sung by the choir. Present a concert at the auditorium next Tuesday night at 8:00, Mrs. W. W. Woody, director, announced today. The musical group will render a variety of numbers of a popular, semi-classical, sacred or novetty nature. The chorus has received statewide recognition for some of its presentations in contests with other schools and is looked upon as one of the best in North Carolina. Proceeds from the concert will go toward payment of the new curtains for the high school stage. NEGRO SCHOOL HOLDS PARENTS DAY PROGRAM The Tabor City Negro school held its third annual Parent Day program at the school last Friday. The program included a morning of workshop activities when parents were informed of the various activities of the school and was followed by a general assembly at noon at which County Superintendent T. Ward Guy addressed the parents and teachers. W. Horace Carter, editor of The Tribune, also spoke briefly to the group. Recreation periods were held throughout the day at which softball and basketball was participated in by many of the parents attending. DR. J. L. JAMES NAMED DISTRICT V.W. OFFICER Dr. J. L. James of Tabor City was elected as surgeon of the Fifth District, Veterans of Foreign Wars, at the district meeting held in Whiteville Sunday officials announced. Dr. James, local chiropractor, is quartermaster of the Carlton M. post, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Presbyterian Women Degree Anniversary in Special Program The Women of the Tabor City Presbyterian church celebrated the eight anniversary of the local organization, formerly the auxiliary, with a special program given at the home of Mrs. J. P. Brown [Tuesday evening. The birthday program for the Presbyterian Women of the church is observed throughout the United States annually with a special offering and program. The first $75,000 this year will endow a Bible chair at the Stillman college for negroes and the balance will be used for Sunday School extension work. Mrs. J. A. Hufham, Jr., president, explained the birthday observance after which Miss Myrtle Bailey, Miss Caroline Murray, and Mrs. J. P. Brown gave the program. Mrs. W. O. Jackson was in charge of the devotional. A highlight of the business session was the passing of a motion for the organization, to buy an electric range and refrigerator for the new manse, this amount to be taken from the treasurer for payment in full. Mrs. E. A. Porter was recognized as a new member and Mrs. Crommy Cannon was welcomed as a visitor. During the social period, Mrs. Brown invited her guests to an appointed table where birthday cake and spiced tea were served. Present were Mrs. J. A. Hufham, Jr., Mrs. Roland Baldwin, Mrs. J. C. Bell, Jr., Mrs. W. O. Jackson, Mrs. Claude Boyd, Mrs. E. A. Porter, Mrs. Tommy Cannon, Miss Rosetta McCupoak, Miss Carolin Murray, and Miss Myrtle Bailey. Seven members in a "Bicycle Ring" case Tuesday. Troubled themselves on the mercy of the court by entering pleas of no contest to charges that they kidnapped and flogged a Whiteville mechanic. But the other six defendants in the same case pleaded not guilty to the charges and 13 Columbus County men went on trial in a sweltering courtroom in Whiteville. On Monday, Judge Clawson Williams had rendered the verdict that the Grand Jury, which indicted the ex-Klansmen, was illegally constituted and dropped the previous charges monentarily. However, he immediately summoned a new Grand Jury and within five hours all men who formerly faced charges were back under identical indictments. As court reconvened Wednesday morning, the job of choosing the two more jurors needed was started again with 50 new men from New Hanover County. When court recessed at 6:40 p.m., Tuesday only ten jurors out of 70 examined from a special New Hanover County venire had been selected. Judge Clawson L. Williams ordered another special venire of 50 summoned from New Hanover County tomorrow morning, when efforts to select the 11th and 12th jurors will be resumed. Entering the no contest (no contest) pleas were Frank Lewis, ex-police chief of Fair Bluff; Leroy Honeycutt, and John Honeycutt, Jr., both of Chadbourn; Ray Kelly, Whiteville; George and Steve Edmund of Columbus County, and Rex Connor of Cerro Gordo, Route 1. Judge Williams, deferred sentence on the seven, who by their plea took possible life sentences since that is the maximum penalty under State law for kidnapping. It was considered certain, however, that charge will be reduced before sentence is passed after the verdict has been returned in the other six cases. The mechanic who contends he was logged on the night of December 8, 1951, is Woodrow Johnson, the only resident of White. Ville molested during the series of floggings attributed to the Klan in this county late last year. Among the Juror excused today was Richard Holland, the only Negro of the 70 who appeared on the special venire. George T. Swain, a Wilmington bank employee who said he was a Klansman in 1922, also excused was John B. Allen, a wholesale grocer who said he was a member of the Catholic Church. W. T. Mills, another prospective juror, escaped jury duty when he indicted he was in sympathy with the Klan. Most of the other members of the special venire who were excused said they had already testified definite opinions about the case and could not be impartial. While the cases of the six men who deny their guilt have been consolidated, the trial expected to consume the remainder of this week. Wilmington attorney Aaron Goldberg, whose race has been the chief target of Klan hate speeches, was cast in the role of Klan tender today. He did most of the questioning of prospective jurors for the defense, and was helped by David Sinclair, also a Wilmington attorney. State Senator Alton A. Fripps of New Hanover was at Solicitor of the State's case as the State examined the jurors. Both State and the defense each excused 15 jurors and Judge Williams at his discretion excused 21. Each juror was asked if he were Klansman, or ever had been, by the solicitor, who also carefully sought to trace any kinship existing in Columbus county. "Has anyone contacted you, in person or on the telephone about this case since you were summoned for jury duty?" was another question put to each juror. All witnesses in the case, except those in the case, were examined. (Continued) On Page 10. 