ABSTRACTS of NEWSPAPER ARTICLES for HYDE COUNTY, NC (1938-1953) Submitted for use in the USGenWeb Project Archives by Hyde County NCGenWeb (jmack@bbs.carolina.net) # 1 ABSTRACTS of NEWSPAPER ARTICLES for HYDE COUNTY, NC (1938 - 1953) JOHN HENRY CLAY BERRY Mr. John Henry Clay BERRY (photo) of Soule Church, Swan Quarter-Fairfield charge, recently observed his 90th birthday. For 61 years he has been a continuous subscriber to the Advocate. This has been a part of his religious program. For 51 years he has been a loyal and consistent member of the Methodist Church, South. He quit the use of tobacco when he joined the church and has not touched it since. Neither does he drink coffee. He is today a very active member of the church and takes a deep and abiding interest in all its affairs. Very seldom does he ever absent himself from a religious service conducted at his church, or any other program of interest to the community. His long life has been most exemplary and an inspiration to all with whom he has come in contact. Someone has said he will live to be one hundred unless he falls out of a treetop and hurts himself. Methodism needs more lives thus consecrated to the services of Christ and the church. [signed] R.Z. NEWTON, P.C. (North Carolina Advocate - March 10, 1938) [Submitted by Merlin S. BERRY of Gambrills, Md.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OCRACOKE SCRAPBOOK Early in July, the former MOORE and McCORMICK liner Algorab was making ready to sail for the Azores after European War refugees. Coastguardsmen were needed to operate the landing boats; a call was issued for volunteers at the Norfolk base. Lum GASKILL, JR. was the only Tarheel coastguardsman to volunteer to make the cruise which started on July 6 and terminated August 16, resulting in the transfer of 512 refugees to the United States. Later GASKILL was transferred to Little Creek, C.G. Station at Cape Henry. On Sept. 6, two months after the cruise of the Algorab began, Coastguardsman GASKILL and the former Miss Daisy STYRON of Ocracoke were married in Norfolk. She is making her home here, where her husband visited her last week for a few days. Ambassador Josephus DANIELS, home on vacation from the American Embassy in Mexico City, has accepted an invitation from the Hyde Co. Board of Commissioners and Southern Albemarle Association to speak at the annual meeting in Swan Quarter on Thursday, October 23. The ambassador spent 2 of his boyhood years on Ocracoke Island during the War Between the States and his brother, the late Judge Frank DANIELS, was born here. The DANIELS' island home was in the house which Capt. W.G. WILLIS lived in here for many years, which is now located just back of his new and modern home near his wharf on the north side of Silver Lake. Of 4,318 dealers issued licenses to sell beer in 98 North Carolina counties, there are only 6 in Hyde County, none of which are located on Ocracoke, where it's sale was outlawed several years ago. (Excerpts from Ocracoke Island Beacon - October 15, 1941) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ COUNTY OF HYDE - (Photos) A paradise for fishermen and hunters, it is one of the oldest of North Carolina's counties and also one of the most interesting. The first time we ever visited Hyde County was back in 1918 or '19. Jim MAYO, publisher of the Washington Daily News, owned a seven-passenger Studebaker at that time and decided to take a Sunday trip down into Hyde. He invited us to go along with him. We left Washington at eight o'clock in the morning. Crossing Pungo River at Leechville, we entered Hyde County over a deeply-rutted road with dense swamps on either side. We proceeded on to Fairfield and then went on around Lake Mattamuskeet to Engelhard, Lake Landing and Swan Quarter. When we got back home it was 10 o'clock at night. The distance covered was around 170 miles and it had taken us 14 hours to make it--including all stops. Not a foot of the trip was made over a paved road. Today--well, today you can make the same trip in a little over four hours. With the exception of the road on the north and east side of the lake, all of it is paved. Hyde county was one of the original precincts of North Carolina and existed previous to 1729, when the Lord Proprietors (except Lord GRANVILLE) surrendered their rights to the crown. It was named in honor of Edward HYDE, who was Governor of the colony. It is situated in the extreme eastern part of the state and is bounded on the north by Washington, Tyrrell, and Dare, east by Pamlico Sound south by Pamlico Sound and Pamlico River and west by Beaufort County. Like Dare and one or two others, it consists of two geographical divisions. One is the mainland, which comprises the greater part of its area, and the other is Ocracoke Island, which is located on the outer edge of Pamlico Sound. On several previous occasions we have mentioned the fact that certain family names are associated with most of the counties in North Carolina. This is particularly true of Hyde - JENNETT, WATSON, GIBBS, CARTER, SPENCER, CREDLE, and MANN. We have before us WHEELER'S History of North Carolina. It was published in 1851. The information about Hyde County is rather meager, but mention is made of all the men to the Legislature from Hyde between the years 1777 and 1850. The first JENNETT to get elected to this office was Robert, in 1781. The WATSON family was represented by James in 1792. David GIBBS started going to the state Senate in 1802, and Thomas SPENCER came along in 1804. James CREDLE went to the House in 1805. But we don't find a single MANN in that list, which is rather surprising. Members of that family have been politically prominent in Hyde County for the last half-century, but evidently prior to that time they weren't interested. See if you haven't got a highway map around the house somewhere and let's get started on our trip through Hyde County. Leaving Leechville, on the Beaufort County side of Pungo River, we cross that stream over a wooden bridge and proceed along the paved road for a mile or more, with nothing on either side of us except swamps, covered with marsh grass. Then the appearance of the countryside changes, and we pass through some attractive woodland. A few more miles further along and we cross a bridge which spans the Inland Waterway. A short distance away is a large freighter, heading south. The bridge tender is preparing to open the draw, but he firmly shakes his head when we inquire as to whether we can stand on the bridge while it is being opened. "Against government regulations," he announces. Which is enough for us. As a matter of fact, the large-sized revolver he carries on his hip would in itself have forestalled any argument on our part, even though we were inclined to argue--which we weren't. Resuming our journey, we swing around the wide curve at Scranton, where extensive lumbering operations were carried on some twenty or twenty-five years ago. And four miles to the south is the settlement of Sladesville, consisting of a few scattered houses in the midst of excellent farming land. We come to Rose Bay, where the road branches off to Fairfield, but instead of turning in that direction, we drive straight on to Swan Quarter, the county seat. The courthouse is a red brick structure, built in 1850, to which two wings have been added. Drainage canals run along the edge of the streets and are crossed by narrow bridges in order that property owners may be able to reach their front porches without having to practice broad-jumping all the time. These canals lend a picturesque touch to the appearance of the old town. It was named, of course, for the swans, which found a natural haven at this point. It is at Swan Quarter that "the rambling church" is located. We believe we've told you about this before, so we'll only touch upon the story briefly. In 1876 the Methodists in Swan Quarter decided to build a new church. They went to see a large property owner who had some vacant land in the village and asked him to donate a lot. He refused. So they went to see a second man who also had some land--not quite so desirable as the first piece, however--and who cheerfully gave them a deed for a lot. So they built the church. They had the service of dedication. That same night a terrific storm came up. The water backed up into Swan Quarter Canal from Pamlico Sound and flooded the streets of the town. Next morning, somebody hollered out: "Look at the church!" The water had come up under the floor and had raised the frame structure from the brick piling's that supported it. And here, sailing along in majestic fashion on the crest of the flood, came the church. When it reached the intersection of the two streets (where the courthouse is located) it paused, and then, for some unknown and inexplicable reason, it drifted off at right angles to its previous course until it came to the property which had been denied it. And there it settled itself down in such a manner that it wasn't necessary to move its location an eighth of an inch when the flood waters abated. After that, the man who owned the property was glad to give the Methodists a deed. As a matter of fact, he literally begged them to take it. Chances are he was afraid of that church chasing him around Swan Quarter for the rest of his life. We stopped by the old building to take a picture. For years it has been used as a hay-barn, but now it has been repainted, has been moved up to the rear of the present brick church and is being used as a Sunday school room. The Howard House is the hotel at Swan Quarter, and believe us, you surely get a good meal there. The outstanding single feature about Hyde County is Lake Mattamuskeet (named for the Mattamuskeet tribe of Indians). It consists of around 50,000 acres. Several attempts have been made to pump off the water from this lake, which is below sea level and on sub-marginal land, but they were all unsuccessful. Not only that, but they also drove away the great number of geese and swans accustomed to wintering here. After the Government's purchase of this area in 1934, the pump house at the lake was converted into an administration building and many acres of grain and duck foods were planted to attract both upland game birds and waterfowl. In addition to geese, ducks and swans, the area contains egrets, herons, terns, loons, grebes, cormorants, bitterns, eagles, ospreys, sandpipers, gulls and quail. Two areas of approximately 5,000 acres each, adjoining the lake, have been set aside as public shooting grounds and are operated seasonally by the North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development. A lot of the land in Hyde County consists of peat bogs. And, as you know, peat burns rather freely. That's exactly how Lake Mattamuskeet got started. Somebody set fire to one of the bogs, the flames spread, and first thing you know, the whole lake bed had been burned out and filled up with water. Under the supervision of Mr. D. N. GRAVES of Boston, the first effort was made to drain off the lake. He was followed by Frank THURKELSON. And then came August HECKSCHER, the New York real estate operator and philanthropist. It is estimated that Mr. HECKSCHER spent close to $2,000,000, trying to reclaim the lake bottom. Large acreage of soybeans, corn and other crops were grown for a few years. The pumping plant, which operated the largest centrifugal pump in the world, kept the water out. The plant had a capacity of 3,000,000 gallons a minute. A vast system of canals and lateral drainage ditches was installed. The only railroad ever built into Hyde County was run to the town of New Holland, on the southern shore of the lake, where a first-class stucco two-story hotel was erected. (It was torn down a few years ago. Rooms and meals, however, are still available at the pumping plant.) The railroad was known as the New Holland, Higginsport & Mount Vernon, and the man who painted that name on the sides of the cars did a whole lot of grumbling because of its length. The U. S. Biological Service now maintains a wildlife refuge at the lake. The entire area is flooded once more. The wild birds have returned to the scene and the place is a paradise for hunters and fishermen. Lake Mattamuskeet probably attracts more sportsmen every year than any other place in North Carolina. The present hotel (the old pumping plant) is located about a quarter of a mile off the main highway. Returning to the paved road, we continue eastward to Lake Landing. Near the outskirts of the place is what is known as "the ink-bottle house," and a very appropriate name it is, for the house is octagonal in shape and very closely resembles the conventional ink-bottle. It was built some time before 1860 but we don't know by whom. Continuing onward, we take a dirt road to the right and veer off to the village of Middletown, a quiet and peaceful little settlement. Two or three miles north is Engelhard, the most eastwardly town on Hyde County's mainland. There's a fine school at Engelhard. Several first-class stores, too, including that of Mr. Closs GIBBS, one of the business leaders of the county. Vast quantities of oysters and fish are brought to Engelhard every season. An oyster-packing plant has been started and when we were there recently they were canning oysters to beat the band. Three or four sailing vessels, loaded down to their gunwales with oysters, were waiting to unload. Fishing and oystering brings many thousands of dollars to this prosperous community every year. The Engelhard Banking & Trust Company, with branches in Swan Quarter and Columbia- in addition to the home office in Engelhard--enjoys a unique distinction: a distinction which was given national prominence by Ripley in one of his "Believe-It-Or- Not" radio programs. Remember when all the banks closed in 1933 ? Well, the Engelhard bank didn't close. It stayed open, and continued to cash Government checks and make change all the time. So far as we know, it was the only bank in the country that didn't close its doors. They've got their own ice and light plant at Engelhard, the power and ice being supplied by the Pamlico Ice and Light Company, which also caters to other parts of Hyde, as well as to Dare. Mr. P. D. MIDGETTE is at the head of it. Boats leave regularly from Engelhard for various places along the banks. Used to be, many years ago, that the only way the people of Engelhard could get to the outside world with any degree of surety was by boat. The road to Beaufort County was impassable a good bit of the time. But now the town is located at the head of pavement and you can drive to other parts of the state without traveling on a foot of dirt road. Mr. MIDGETTE told us to be sure to see the new road that was being constructed right across the middle of Lake Mattamuskeet. "It's going to be one of the most interesting and most beautiful drives in North Carolina when they get it completed," he told us. "Just keep it in mind when you get to Fairfield. You probably won't be able to drive across it, but you can go out a little way and see what it looks like." Retracing our route a couple of miles, we turned to the right on a first-class dirt road and skirted the northern shore of Mattamuskeet until we came to the village of Fairfield. It was the first time we had been there in almost fifteen years and we observed many changes and signs of progress. People in this section certainly raise a lot of chickens: we observed several large flocks. Another thing we saw as we drove over the county was the number of sheep. We'd say that in proportion to its population, Hyde probably raises more sheep than any other county in eastern North Carolina. Near the southern outskirts of the community is the beginning of the new causeway across the lake. There was a sign up, saying that the road is not completed and is closed to traffic but, acting upon Mr. MIDGETTE'S suggestion let's drive out for about a hundred yards or more and see what the thing looks like. Just as he told us, when they get that five or six-mile stretch of highway completed it's going to be a wonderful thing. Contractors have been dredging and throwing up dirt for fourteen months and have just finished the job. The causeway will have to be given time to settle, and then concrete will be laid. The causeway itself is about 250 feet in width, sloping upward from each side to the center. The pavement will be 22 feet wide. While we were standing beside our car, admiring the extensive view of the lake, another car came up behind us and we waved it down. "Any chance of driving across to the other side of the lake?" we asked of the man who was driving. His car had a State Highway license on it. "Nope," was his answer. "The road is closed." We told him why we wanted to get across, so finally he said, "All right, you trail along behind me. Better stick rather close and watch the ruts, because the sand is rather deep in some places and first thing you know you'll get stuck." We started out, and the longer we drove the more impressed we became with the project. What a marvelous drive that is going to be! Arriving at the southern shore (the total distance is close to six miles), we thanked our guide and then turned westward, passing on through Swan Quarter and Scranton and finally leaving the county at the Pungo River crossing. Look at your map of the state and you'll observe the location of Ocracoke, a long, narrow strip of sandy land, timbered in some places, with Hatteras at its northern end and Portsmouth to the south. It is separated from each of these places by narrow inlets. Ocracoke! To our way of thinking, it is one of the romantic places in North Carolina. It was here, in Silver Lake, that the pirate TEACHE was captured by Lieutenant MAYNARD of the British navy. The story is that while waiting for daylight to come, in order that be could get out of the harbor, TEACHE kept beseeching, "Oh, crow, cock! Oh, crow, cock!" And that's how the place got its name. But the cock didn't crow. MAYNARD appeared on the scene. TEACHE was captured, beheaded, and his head placed at the end of the bowsprit. In this fashion the Lieutenant sailed his craft up to Bath. The story goes that after being beheaded, TEACHE'S body was thrown overboard and it swam around the boat three times before it finally disappeared from view. We don't believe, however, that this could have been possible, unless somebody had rigged an outboard motor on him. Come to think of it, they didn't have outboard motors in those days, so you can just forget that part of the story. Ocracoke! Land where old Cap'n. Bill GASKILL used to hold forth. Ben and Bill GARRISH, Simey O'NEAL, Big Ike O'NEAL, Dave WILLIAMS--all of them are names that have been associated with the island for many years. It has been a favorite summering place with large numbers of people, particularly those who lived in Washington, Greenville, New Bern, and other towns in the eastern part of the state. Hunters and fishermen have visited it from all parts of the country. It has no paved streets, no power, except that which is supplied by private plants, no sewerage or water systems, none of the many civic improvements that you will find elsewhere, but it's the grandest place in the world to visit and, if you listen to the natives, it's also the grandest place in the world to live. The houses are mostly two-story frame structures, each of them being immaculately clean and most of them well painted. Practically every house has its small garden and chickens. The entire population of the island--it's around 700--depends upon the sea for its livelihood. No, not quite all either because there are a number of men who are in Coast Guard or else have been retired with pensions. Wahab Village, originated by Stanley WAHAB, local boy who made good in the big city of Baltimore, has a first-class hotel, cottages and other accommodations. It promises to be quite a development. Ocracoke lighthouse is one of the oldest on the coast. The Coast Guard station is located on the sound side of the island. We didn't get to go there on this trip through Hyde County, but we have been there any number of times in the past. There are no people anywhere whose friendship we value more highly than we do that of those hardy, whole-souled folks at Ocracoke. If you've never been there you have missed one of the most interesting of all places within the boundaries of North Carolina. And that goes for Lake Mattamuskeet and other parts of Hyde, too. (The State - April 11, 1942) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PROBE COMPLETED IN HYDE ACCIDENT Engelhard, Feb. 4 - Officers today completed their investigation of the highway accident four miles west of here early yesterday morning in which Bryan BERRY, pharmacist's mate, second class, USN, and his cousin, Ramsey BERRY, 42, both of Engelhard, were killed. According to State Highway Patrolman, Carl E. WHITFIELD, who investigated the accident, the automobile, which was being driven by Bryan BERRY, was traveling at a high rate of speed and its driver evidently lost control. The vehicle plunged into a canal after leaving the highway. Ramsey BERRY died enroute to a Washington hospital, while Bryan BERRY succumbed to injuries three hours after being admitted to the hospital. Both men suffered internal and head injuries and received first aid treatment here shortly after the accident. Grace WATSON of Engelhard, passenger in the vehicle, suffered a broken collar bon, and Mrs. Ramsey BERRY and Ray BALLANCE, both of Engelhard, received minor injuries in the accident. Bryan BERRY, who spent 44 months in a Japanese prison camp, was a native of Hyde County, son of Mrs. Nancy Harris BERRY and the late Matt BERRY. He was a member of the Engelhard Christian Church. Surviving in addition to his mother, are three brothers: William Cecile and Beaman BERRY, all of Hyde County; and two sisters, Mattie BERRY of Hyde County and Magdeline BERRY of Manteo. Ramsey C. BERRY, an employee of the Pamlico Light and Ice Company of Engelhard, was a son of Mrs. Nora Harris BERRY and the late Ott BERRY. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Clydie Gibbs BERRY; his mother, a resident of Dahlgren, Va.; and two sisters: Mrs. Nina GAUTIER and Orpha BERRY, both of Dahlgren. Funeral services for Ramsey BERRY, a member of the Engelhard Christian Church will be conducted here Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock. Interment will be in Fulford Cemetery with the Masons in charge the graveside rites. Bryan BERRY's body has been turned over to authorities at the Naval Hospital at Camp Lejeune. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. (The News and Observer - February 5, 1946; pg. 8) [Submitted by Merlin S. BERRY of Gambrills, Md.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ENGELHARD PERSONALS Eugene O'NEAL is passing out cigars this week. He is the father of a 8 & one-half pound boy born at Belhaven Community Hospital. (The Coastland Times -Friday, January 11, 1952) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SLADESVILLE NEWS Cora Lee & Connie MIDGETTE of Greenville visited their mother, Mrs. Ludie MIDGETTE on Saturday. (The Coastland Times - Friday, February 15, 1952) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FORMER HYDE COUNTY COUPLE MARRIED 70 YEARS Mr. & Mrs. Dayton Ralph MIDYETTE of Ashland, Va. celebrated their 70th anniversary on January 17, 1952. Mrs. MIDYETTE was the former Carolina WEBB, daughter of a Methodist minister of Hyde County. They were married at Lake Landing 70 years ago. Mr. MIDYETTE, now 91, and Mrs. MIDYETTE, 88, are still alert and active. They have 8 children. Mrs. Sallie SPENCER, a former Engelhard resident and now living in Washington, D.C., is a sister of Mr. MIDYETTE. Mrs. SPENCER is about 82 years old. The late John T. MIDYETTE, who died about 2 years ago, a brother, lived to the ripe old age of early 90's. His widow, Ellen MIDYETTE and daughter, Burnice, still live in the MIDYETTE homestead in Lake Landing. (The Coastland Times - Friday, February 15, 1952) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SWAN QUARTER NEWS Mr. & Mrs. Alva O'NEAL and son David, visited relatives in Pinetown. (The Coastland Times - Friday, February 22, 1952) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ENGELHARD NEWS Barbara MIDGETT is ill with pneumonia at the home of her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Elwood MIDGETT. (The Coastland Times - Friday, February 22, 1952) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FAIRFIELD NEWS Eugene MIDGETTE of Raleigh spent the week-end with his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Franklin MIDGETTE. (The Coastland Times - Friday, February 22, 1952) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ENGELHARD NEWS Mr. & Mrs. Robert FISHER of Norfolk announce the birth of a son, Robert J. who was born January 22, 1952 at Leigh Hospital. Mrs. FISHER if the former Miss Carita MIDGETT of Manteo. (The Coastland Times - Friday, February 29, 1952) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OCRACOKE PERSONALS H.W. O'NEAL recently returned to Washington, D.C. after spending a week with his parents, Mr. & Mrs. I.W. O'NEAL. (The Coastland Times - Friday, February 29, 1952) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TROUBLES FOLLOW ROAD TO HAPPY OCRACOKE ISLAND Ocracoke Island was shocked to the roots of its so called Elizabethan foundation when the first trial in approximately 30 years was heard before Justice of the Peace Harvey WAHAB. The news of the scheduled hearing swept over this sandy soil like a prairie fire and the natives from all over the island flocked to the courthouse building to hear the testimony, Mackley BRAGG was charged with assault on the person of Stanley WAHAB. He was found guilty of the charge and received a 30 day road sentence suspended upon the payment of $10 and cost and on the good behavior of the defendant for a period of six months. The trial and the events leading up to it has been called the "news of the year." For a period of 30 years Ocracoke has been known as the one place in North Carolina without any form of law. It received much publicity due to the fact that it did not have a jail, any law enforcement officers, and there are no license plates on the cars and no licenses for driving. The fact that the problems of civilization were slowly encroaching this island of legend became evident in 1950 following the construction of Scott's Highway. The citizens were faced with the problems of speeders along the narrow highway which had been called the road which "started from nowhere and ended at the same place." In order to check the speeders and the Saturday night celebraters, Ausley O'NEAL was appointed Deputy Sheriff. Additional problems appeared when it was discovered that following an arrest the defendant and all witnesses were forced to travel through four counties to get to Swan Quarter, the county seat of Hyde County. This trip, due to the boat and bus schedule, requires a period of four days. As the result, the deputy sheriff didn't have too much business. In order to offer a solution to the problem, Harvey WAHAB, a retired Coast Guardsman, was appointed Justice of the Peace. He received his appointment in the spring and today was his first trial. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 2, 1953; pg. 1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MANY ATTEND GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AT STUMPY POINT Mr. & Mrs. F.M. HOOPER were guests of honor given by their children: Mrs. E.R. MEEKINS, Mrs. Calvin WATSON and Mrs. Allen OSBORNE, the occasion being their 50th wedding anniversary. The house was beautifully decorated with cut flowers and with arrangements of dried flowers in gold carrying out the golden motif. The dining room table was covered with a linen cloth and decorated with a lovely wedding cake and lighted tapers. Mrs. MEEKINS, Mrs. WATSON, and Mrs. OSBORNE assisted by Mrs. Neal JACKSON and Mrs. Burwell EVANS, served punch, cake, salted nuts and mints to the guests. Out of town guests included: Tom SUTTON, W.O. BARNETTE and C.W. MANN, all of Manns Harbor; Mr. & Mrs. J.S. DAVENPORT, Mrs. L.N. DAVENPORT, Mrs. R.L. MITCHELL, Mr. & Mrs. L.L. GIBBS, all of Columbia; Mr. and Mrs. Leonard PUGH, Elsie PUGH, Faxton SATTERTHWAITE, Emma O'NEAL, Alex MASON, Mr. & Mrs. Leonard PUGH, JR., Mrs. Amanda PUGH, Elizabeth PUGH, Mr. & Mrs. W.B. PAYNE, all of Gulrock; Mrs. Pearl SCHARFF of Charlotte; Mr. & Mrs. C.L. JACKSON, SR., Mr. & Mrs. Carol JACKSON and Miss Mary Lee JACKSON, all of Elizabeth City; Mrs. Rena TILLETT of Wanchese; Mr. & Mrs. Robert WILSON of Grimesville; Mrs. Addie GIBBS of Gulrock; Mr. & Mrs. Rosser NIXON and son Wade, R. Bruce ETHERIDGE, all of Manteo; Lula and Frank DEW and Zinkie CREDLE of Bath; Mr. & Mrs. D.L. BERRY of Swan Quarter; LeRoy PAYNE of Gulrock; Mr. and Mrs. H.E. LANE, Margaret SMITHSON, Mr. & Mrs. C.B. WHITE, Mrs. Bertha Gray WHITE, all of Tyner; Mr. & Mrs. Jack GASKILL, Linda GASKILL, Lonnie HOOPER, all of Norfolk; Mrs. M.J. BOBBITT, Molly and Nancy BOBBITT, all of Littleton; Mr. & Mrs. Dwight HOOPER, Doris TWIFORD, Sybil BOOMER, Kate GOODWIN, Lenwood BERRY, Laura Dean BERRY, Annette BERRY, all of Norfolk; Mr. & Mrs. R.W. WECHTER and Marcia WECHTER, all of Lumberton; Mr. & Mrs. Phillip MEEKINS of Camden; Mr. & Mrs. Russell NIXON of Cherry Point; John, Katie and Vera HARRIS and Eugenia WARREN, all of Ransomville; Mr. & Mrs. Bernard DAVIS and children of Pungo; and Mrs. Patsy McKINNEY of Engelhard, Mrs. Neal JACKSON, Mrs. Burwell EVANS and Gloria Osborne, grandchildren of Mr. & Mrs. HOOPER, as well as Martha Lynn, Dawn and Ray EVANS, great-grandchildren. The neighbors in the community also called during the afternoon. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 2, 1953; pg. 2) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SLADESVILLE NEWS Mr. & Mrs. Oliver MIDGETT and children, Mrs. Ruth CARROW of Norfolk, spent Christmas with Mr. & Mrs. Marion CARROW and Mr. & Mrs. Z.B. MIDGETTE. Mrs. Will JENNETTE is recuperating at the home of her mother, Mrs. Joe WILLIAMS. She returned from Pungo District Hospital Wednesday. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 2, 1953; pg. 2) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ STUMPY POINT NEWS Mr. & Mrs. J.A. OSBORNE and daughter Gloria of Norfolk, Mr. & Mrs. Calvin WATSON of Engelhard, and Rev. & Mrs. Earl R. MEEKINS and daughter Mary of Columbia, visited Mr. & Mrs. E.M. HOOPER during the week-end. Mrs. Addie GIBBS of Gulrock spent the Christmas holidays here with her daughter, Mrs. Leland WISE and family. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 2, 1953; pg. 7) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ENGELHARD PERSONALS Cadet Williams S. BURRUS, student at West Point, Mr. & Mrs. Robert BURRUS of Richmond, and Mr. & Mrs. Charles BURRUS of Greensboro, have returned to their respective homes after visiting their parents Mr. & Mrs. W.P. BURRUS and family and grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. R.E. CARTER who live near here. Mrs. J.M. SPENCER has returned to her home in Wilmington after a visit with her sister Mrs. B. NEAL and other relatives. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 9, 1953; pg. 6) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OCRACOKE PERSONALS Mr. & Mrs. James WILLIAMS announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Della L. WILLIAMS to Owen GASKILL, son of Mr. & Mrs. Ben GASKINS. Mr. & Mrs. John MIDGETTE announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Joyce MIDGETTE, to Washie SPENCER, JR., son of Mr. & Mrs. Washie SPENCER, SR. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 9, 1953; pg. 6) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SON BORN TO TUNNELS Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert B. TUNNELL - a son at Taylor Hospital on January 8th. Mrs. TUNNELL was an agent in Hyde county prior to her marriage. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 16, 1953; pg. 3) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ENGELHARD PERSONALS Mrs. Minnie BURRUS was a business visitor in Kinston recently when she took her daughter, Rochell, to the training school there. Mr. & Mrs. BELL and son of Norfolk, were here last week to attend funeral services for Mrs. BELL'S mother, Mrs. Laura LITCHFIELD. Mrs. Gaston SANDERSON, also of Norfolk, Mrs. & Mrs. Talmage BALLANCE and little son of Baltimore, and Rev. E.J. HARRIS of Grantsboro, were among the out-of-town people who attended the rites. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 16, 1953; pg. 7) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HERBERT SADLER HOST TO ROAD GROUP A meeting has been called by Chairman E.O. ARNOLD of the Roads Committee of the Southern Albemarle Association. Expected at the meeting will be Mrs. Scott TOPPING and Allen D. SWINDELL of Pantego; Dr. W.T. RALPH of Belhaven; Victor MEEKINS of Manteo; Mr. ARNOLD of Roper; E.A. WILLIAMS and H.L. SADLER of Hyde. Other members from Tyrrell, Washington and Martin are being invited. The meeting will be at Swan Quarter to discuss widening U.S. 264 and U.S. 64. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 23, 1953; pg. 1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OCRACOKE PERSONALS Mrs. Theodore RONDTHALER returned to her teaching duties on Monday following hospitalization and illness of three weeks. Miss Nora EDMONDSON, hospitalized for the past 10 days in Morehead City, plans to resume her teaching on Friday. Albert STYRON, JR. substituted for Mrs. RONDTHALER and Miss Lou Elle SPENCER substituted for Miss EDMONDSON. Mrs. Herman SPENCER is visiting her sister in Portsmouth, Va. Mr. & Mrs. C.F. BOYETTE left last week for a bus trip to California where they will visit their son. During their absence, WAHAB Village Hotel is closed for a period of about 4 or 5 weeks. Mr. & Mrs. R.S. WAHAB spent 7 days recently in New York City. Millard WILLIAMS has reported for Army duty at Fort Jackson, S.C. Mrs. Mary Frances O'NEAL was hostess this month to Circle 2 of WSCS; Mrs. Benjamin SPENCER was hostess to Circle 3. At the February meeting of the Woman's Society, the three groups will organize into two circles. Rev. & Mrs. W.Y. STEWART left the Island about a week ago. Mr. STEWART is to undergo a major operation at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. During his absence, Theodore RONDTHALER is preaching on Sunday mornings. Calvin O'NEAL is in charge of the evening service. Several new homes are going up at Ocracoke. Mr. & Mrs. Jules GARRISH are building west of the school house. Mr. & Mrs. George JACKSON are building across the road from Mr. & Mrs. Monford GARRISH. Mrs. Elnora HAMILTON of Richmond, Va., is building near her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Jones WILLIAMS. Several people went to Beaufort recently to visit or to shop, among them: Mrs. Laura BRAGG, Kathleen BRAGG, Mrs. Florence GASKINS, Mrs. Charles McWILLIAMS, Kenneth TILLETT, Charlie TOLSON, Calvin O'NEAL, Mr. & Mrs. John MIDGETTE. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 23, 1953; pg. 3) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SWAN QUARTER NEWS Miss Pearlie SADLER and Mrs. R.G. BAUM were dinner guests of Mr. & Mrs. Dick O'NEAL at New Holland Wednesday evening. Mrs. L.D. HUNNINGS of New Bern spent last week with her son and daughter-in-law, Mrs. & Mrs. L.D. HUNNINGS. Mr. & Mrs. Bob GREGORY and children, Bobby & Diana, of Portsmouth, Va., and Mrs. Stacy COX of Engelhard, are visiting with Mr. & Mrs. Clifton GIBBS Mr. & Mrs. Bob BURRUS, JR. of Arlington, Va. are spending this week with Mr. & Mrs. R.B. BURRUS. Mrs. Orpha DAVIS of Lake Landing was the guest of Mr. & Mrs. George DAVIS for the week-end. Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm COX and daughter, Dale, spent Sunday with Mr. & Mrs. Miller FLOWERS in Belhaven. Miss Ann CARAWAN of F.C.C. in Greenville, spent the week-end with her parents, Mr. & Mrs. M.L. CARAWAN. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 23, 1953; pg. 4) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ENGELHARD LOCALS Mrs. Mildred GUTHRIE has returned to Smithfield after spending the week-end with her mother, Mrs. Florence GASKILL. Mr. & Mrs. Paul CARTER and little daughter, Toni, of Jacksonville, spent the week-end with Mr. & Mrs. R.S. SPENCER. Mr. & Mrs. Rufus WILLIAMS, Mr. & Mrs. Chester WILLIAMS and children, have returned from South Carolina where they visited relatives. Lloyd MEEKINS left recently for Norfolk where he seeks employment. Mrs. Fannie SELBY spent a day recently in Manns Harbor with her mother, Mrs. Alice THOMPSON and other relatives. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 23, 1953; pg. 5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OCRACOKE PERSONALS Word from the hospital at Wilmington indicates that little Camille Kay HOWARD, infant daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Walter HOWARD, is progressing nicely. Friends of John Thomas and Steve O'NEAL sympathize with them in the recent death on Friday, January 23rd, of their mother, Mrs. Eliza Ella O'NEAL, age 62, following a long illness. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. POWLESLAND of the Assembly of God Church. Mr. & Mrs. Jake GARRISH and son of Annapolis, Maryland, are visiting Mr. & Mrs. Charlie GARRISH. Chief GARRISH of the U.S. Navy, is stationed at Annapolis. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 30, 1953; pg. 3) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ NEW HOLLAND NEWS John & Jessie SWINDELL of Newport News, Va., spent the week-end with their mother, Mrs. Cecil SWINDELL. Mr. & Mrs. Leslie O'NEAL were week-end guests of Mr. & Mrs. Alfred O'NEAL of Portsmouth and Lt. & Mrs. Dempsey O'NEAL of Newport News. Mr. & Mrs. W.C. CAHOON spent the past week-end with Mr. & Mrs. Thaxton BENSON of Norfolk, Va. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 30, 1953; pg. 4) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ENGELHARD PERSONALS Mrs. T.J. ETHERIDGE visited her parents, Mr. & Mrs. S.D. SPENCER in Plymouth this week. Miss Mitzi WATSON has returned to F.C.C. in Greenville after a week-end with her parents, Mr. & Mrs. I.B. WATSON. She was accompanied by Buck HARDEE of Washington. R.S. SPENCER and Mrs. W.H. COX are in High Point this week selecting furniture for the R.S. SPENCER store. Rev. and Mrs. Ralph JONES and little daughter of Wake Forest seminary, spent the week-end with Mr. & Mrs. R.S. SPENCER and Mr. & Mrs. Reginald BURRUS. (The Coastland Times - Friday, January 30, 1953; pg. 4) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SWAN QUARTER NEWS Mr. & Mrs. Bill PAYNE of Middletown were visitors here Wednesday. Mrs. Paul O'NEAL and son Roy have returned home after spending some time in Baltimore. Mrs. Leland CARAWAN, Mrs. B.W. WILLIAMS, Mrs. W.H. LANGSTON, Miss Aleph CASON, and Mrs. E.E. CRABTREE visited Mrs. Mattie BOOMER in Washington Thursday. Misses Betty Credle MANN, Christine HUDSON, Jane MIDYETTE, Milburn NIXON, Billy CUTHRELL, and Irvin SMITH of Fairfield, attended the recreation dance here Wednesday night. The finance committee of the Swan Quarter Methodist Church consisting of Mrs. Mildred SPENCER, Miss Aleph CASON, Mrs. Rouse LUPTON, Rev. D.M. LEWIS, W.G. CREDLE, L.D. HUNNINGS, and J.C. WILLIAMS, met in the home of Mrs. W.H. LANGSTON Thursday night to make plans for the yearly budget. (The Coastland Times -Friday, January 30, 1953; pg. 5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MIDDLETOWN NEWS Mr. & Mrs. Hugh McKINNEY spent the week-end at Sykesville, Md. as guests of Mr. & Mrs. Talmadge BALLANCE and Kenny. Colleen McKINNEY accompanied them home. Mr. & Mrs. W.W. PAYNE visited Mr. & Mrs. Bob LANGSTON Thursday in Vanceboro. Mr. & Mrs. Osman COX, JR. of New Bern, spent the week-end with his parents, Mr. & Mrs. W.O. COX, SR. Mrs. Zuma EDWARDS has returned home after spending some time in Norfolk with Mr. & Mrs. Max GIBBS. (The Coastland Times-Friday, January 30, 1953; pg. 8) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Copyright 1998 ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. 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