davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
Single Copy IL
BODY FOUND NEAR
SALVO; MYSTERY
HINTS OF MURDER
Cape Charles Mail Carrier
Disappeared from Nor
folk October 6; Turns
Up in Fish Nets

John Willis, a 48-year-old rural
mail carrier of Cape Charles dis
appeared from home early in De-
tober. Wednesday of this week
Sam G. Austin, retired Coast
Guardsman of Salvo, found the
badly decomposed body of a man
in his nets. The body fully dressed
had on it various Identification
cards of John Willis. His drivers
license, YMCA, Naval Reserve and
other cards. Also a cash receipt
from the Monticello Hotel, Nor
folk, showing that Willis had paid
$12 for room 339 on Sunday, DC
tober 4th.
Suspicion is that he met up with
a party destined for a point on
the Dare County coast. That he was
either robbed and murdered or fell
overheard. A taxi driver in Nor
folk is said to have reported that
he took Willis to a Norfolk county
roadhouse where he was seeking
refreshment and companion.
Austin found the body at 10
am. about 80 miles southeast of
Manteo, and not far from the Gull
Shoal Island.
Coroner Marvin Rogers investi-
gated the circumstances. He said
no money was found on the body.
He said the body apparently had
been in the water about three
weeks.
According to the Coast Guard,
Austin phoned from the Cape Hat
teras lifeboat station at 1890 am,
reque ting assistance. Coast
Guardsmen from Chicamacomico,
and Rodanthe, went to the scene
and assisted the fisherman in tow
ing the body ashore.
Soon >aftelward, the coroner ar
rived and checked the body. The
man - was wearing a grey suit,
"hAbC gill y, UIuC VIC anu Idn
shoes. The body was removed to
Twiford Funeral Home at Manteo.
Willis left Cape Charles October
5 and was believed to have had
about 5000 on his person when he
into the Monticello Hotel
in Norfolk that night.
1t was reported that he planned
to fly to New York City, but his
wife said that he telephoned her
the night of October 6, canceling
these plans. He told her he would
return home after a days shop
ping in Norfolk.
His disappearance was first sus-
pected when he left the hotel with
out checking out, leaving his lug
gage behind.
A diligent search by police off
Gals traced Willis to his departure
from a Norfolk County club at $40
am. October Z. He was not heard
from again.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
BROWNELL'S BASS TOPS
TACKLE WOMENS record

Mays Head. - Mrs. Elizabeth
Brownell of 1876 Mt. Eagle Place,
Alexandria, Va, topped worlds
all-tackle record for 30-pound
test line when she landed a SAY
pound channel bass in the surf
at Pea Island, three miles south
of Oregon Inlet on Monday,
October 10.
Her big fish, measured 511s
inches from tip to tip and 90
inches around it's girth was land
ed on % pound test braided nylon
Sunset line. She was using mullet
for bait on a small hook. The line
was loaded on a Penn Squidder
reel mounted on a glass rod
manufactured by Salty Mills and
Company of Washington, D. c.
Previous woman's all-tackIe
record was 53A-pound channel
bass landed by Amelia Balance
of Buxton, N. c., in May, 1852.
Miss Balance according to cur
rent International Game Fish
Association statistics holds world
record for largest channel bass
ever taken by man or woman in
the 80 pound test line class. Her
line was 80 pound test.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
BOW & ARROW HUNTERS
AFTER BEAR AND DEER
ON DARE co. MAINLAND

MAINS Harbor. - Four SPORTS
men who use bow and arrows
intead of guns, arrived here Sun
day to begin a week of bear and
deer hunting in the great forests
of the Dare County mainland
They are guided by Capt. Ken
Ward of Manteo.
In the party of bow and arrow
hunters are Bruce Borquin of Mt.
Ephriarn, N. j., Marshall WEIGH,
Jr., Williamsport, Pa, Don Brady,
Philadelphia and Clyde Hickman
Jr., of Laurel Springs, N. j.
1t is the first time that big
game hunters have ever matched
their skill with bow and arrows
against the big bear and deer of
the Dare mainland, it was stated
by Ward.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
MANTEO HOST
TO DARE WSCS
SUB : DISTRICT
Mrs. Herbert Morrison of Kill
Devil Hills New Chairman

The Sub district Conference of
the WSCS met Tuesday morn
ing, October 20 in the Manteo
Methodist Church. (
Mrs James w. Davis of Wan
cheese chairman, presided. Mrs.
P. G. Bonner gave the welcome.
Rev. Ashmore, pastor of the Man
teo church, led the devotional.
Mrs. Arnold Daniels, gave an
interesting talk on "Our Chill
dren". Mrs. R, L. Jerome of
Elizabeth City was guest speaker.
Committees named were:
Courtesy: Mrs. D. L. Meekins,
Mrs. Curtin, and Mrs. B. H. Davis.
Attendance: Mrs. Carlos Dowdy,
Mrs. c. R. Combs, Mrs. Melvin
Daniels. Research: Mrs. R. D.
Wise, Mrs. Marshall Forbes, Mrs.
E. E. Meekins. Place: Mrs. ]. B.
Peterson, Mrs. May Newbern,
Mrs. Edgar Perry. Sec'ty Mission
airy Education: Mrs. MILFORD
Wise; Status of Women: Mrs.
Dallas Tillett; Children's Work
Sec'y: Mrs. Arnold Daniels. Mrs.
Herbert Morrison gave the medi-
tation.
A delicious lunch was served
by ladies of the church. In the
afternoon session, Mrs. Naomi
Wescott of Manteo sang a solo.
OFFICERS elected for the coming
year were: Chairman: Mrs. Her
bert Morrison, Kill Devil Hills;
Vice chairman, Mrs. Marshall
Forbes, harrisburg; Sec'y Treas.
Mrs. c. R. Combs, Manns Harbor.
Kitty Hawk Church won the
attendance award.
The auxiliaries gave reports on
their work accomplishments and
thanked Mrs. James w. Davis.
retiring chairman for her work
IN her two years as chairman.
A very interesting skit on
Ladies of the W.S.C.S. was given
by members of the Manteo
church.
Mrs. R. ]. Jerome closed the
meeting with a PRAYER.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
TIDEWATER ANGLERS
CATCH SO BIG TROUT

Wanchese. - Members of the
Underwater Anglers Club at Mays
Head for the second annual surf
casting tournament which ended
there Sunday took time off to
try their luck at trout fishing in
waters off Wanchese. Two trips
out of here, on the week end
netted the group So large trout
going to three and four pounds
each.
The club members were using
special lure, an artificial min
now with a weighted mouth, from
a design the club had created.
Fishing with Mack Etheridge
OF Mack's Fishing Center, the
party included Fred Edwards and
Claude Rogers of Virginia Beach
and Bill Newsome, Bob Gardner
and Bill Osborne of Norfolk area
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
MRS. FANNIE WILLIS
DIES AT HATTERAS

Mrs. Fannie O'Neal Willis, 80,
widow of the late Joseph w.
Willis of Hatteras, died Wednes-
day night after a long period of
failing health. She was a member
of the Methodist Church. Was a
member of a well-known large
Hatteras family. Surviving her
are a son, Earl Willis, and several
grandchildren, besides a sister,
Mrs. R. j. Austin of Frisco, and a
brother, Lon O'Nea1 of Hatteras.
She was the daughter of the
late John F. and Barbara Styron
O'Neal.
Funeral services will be con-
Quoted Friday afternoon at two
o'clock in Hatteras.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
DRlNKWATER RESIGNS
WESTERN UNION JOB
Ralph Swain at City Market Will
Handle Teletype in ManteO
November l

The name Drinkwater is now
disassociated with telegraph serv-
ice in Manteo. For so years the
lovable, accommodating Alpheus or
his family have served the COM
munity faithfully.
Mr.. Drinkwater resigned, effec-
tive October 81, and arrangements
were made yesterday by Western
Union representatives with Mr..
Swain to install the teletype in his
City Market downtown.
1t is just getting back to the
spot where the Government wire
was installed for a brief spell some
% years ago.
Mr.. Drinkwater handled the
work with a key and Morse code
until the teletype was installed
about IL years ago. BEFORE the tel
ephone came into general use,
there was more demand for tele-
graph service than now, but long
distance telephone calls have sup
planted the wire. The increase in
kilograms by reason of the growth
of the Dare beaches has not kept
pace with other developments in
Manteo.
Mr.. Drinkwater low thinks it
time to rest. His growing insurance
and realty business is taking about
all the time he wants to work. But
he will be missed.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
GOVERNOR RAISES
HOPE FOR EARLY
|CROATAN BRIDGE
AlIocates $75O,OoO For Struc-
ture Which May Cost Be-
tween 2 and 3 Million

The ALLEGATION of $750,000 for
the construction of free bridge
over Croatan Sound, with pro-
mise of a like allotment nextyear,
and so on until the bridge is
completed, was the best news in
many a day to the people of
North Carolina who have been
obliged to contend with delayed
schedules and other limitation of
/, the ferries.
The Governors action will
likewise put an end to efforts
to build a privately owned toll
bridge which was so greatly
dreaded by the people of the area
that they had reluctantly agreed
last year on State-owned toll
bridges should there be no other
way to get across the waters that
split the Southern Albemarle
area wide open.
The strong political support that
had been enlisted in behalf of a
privately owned toll bridge might
have been successful, had it not
been for the influence thrown
against it by Hon. Lindsay C..
Warren, for many years Repre-
sentative in Congress, and whose
steadfast friendship and efforts
had through the years accom-
plished so much for the coast
land.
Mr.. Warren, during the 1858
legislature publicly took a Wig
orous stand against privtely own
ed toll bridges, at time when
a bill was being drawn to create
authority for the building of such
a bridge over Croatan Sound.
His views were widely pub
Iished and aroused strong support
in the state, whose people did
not see why it should be nee
essary to make our people pay
toll in only the Southern Abe
marie area while everything else
in the state was free.
Hence our people now appear
to be exceptionally indepted to
Mr.. Warren for his continued
vision and loyalty in our behalf.
None of the people of the
Southern Albemarle region were
more delighted either, than Com
troller General Lindsey c. War
rem who said this week:
II am overjoyed by the action
of the Governor in allotting $780,
600 to begin construction of a
free bridge across Croatan Sound.
Commissioner j. Emmett Wins
low has been on top of this pro-
ject every minute since he as
sumed office. The wisdom of the
defeat of any privately owned
toll brige must now be apparent
to all. The very idea of bottling
UP a great section again with tolls
See BRIDGE, Page Four
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
GAME FISHING ATTRACTS
HUNDREDS OF ANGLERS
TO HATTERAS WATERS
BY AYcocK BROWN

Game fishing was never better
in Hatteras waters, according to
Willie Newsome, operator of an
anglers supply headquarters.
During the past week anglers
have brought in more than 100
big channel bass, 1000 pounds or
more of bluefish and approx
mately 900 pounds of king mack
erel," said Newsome. The mack
erel, channel bass and blues were
caught in or near the surf.
Baby Sailfish
Unusual catch of the week was
made by C. R. Martin from
aboard the Twins, skippered by
Capt Edgar Styron, when he
landed a five-and-half pound
sailfish measuring three feet and
eleven inches from tip to tip. 1t
was the smallest sailfish taken
with rod and reel along the Dare
coast this year, and the 21st of
this species landed by anglers at
Hatteras. The sailfish was caught
close to shore while Martin and
his friends, ]. H. Chase, A. P.
Kennings and C. w. Walker, all
of Bel Air, Va, also caught IL
king mackerel.
Another party, w. R. Atkinson,
j. w. Childress and w. T. Park
of Franklin, Va, fishing with
Styron aboard the Twins for two
days landed 40 king mackerel,
20 dolphin, Is bonita and one
tuna.
Joe and Charles Pellitiere of
Akron, Ohio, casting in the surf
near Atlantic View Hotel landed
several mackerel, the largest go
ing IL pounds, according to
Scotty Gibson.
Edgar Hooper and George Full
Ter of Buxton reported that hun
dreds of bluefish, Spanish Mack
erel, puppy drum and some large
channel bass had been taken by
surf casters in the Cape Hatteras
area during the paast week.
Charlie Williams of the Cape
See FISHING, Page Four
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
COURT OF HONOR FOR
SCOUTS IN MANTEO

A meeting of Manteo Troop
1865, Boy Scouts of America will
be held Monday night, at 7:30
October 26th, according to Theo.
H. Noe, who this week became
Master of the troop. A court of
honor will be held and parents
are invited to attend. Mr.. Noe,
who has been the -Currituck
sanitarian since May, has long
been interested in Scout work,
and hopes to revitalize7 the scout
program in Manteo.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
JUDGE MORRIS
HOLDS COURTIN
HYDE AND DARE
Short Term This Week in
Hyde; Court Next Week
In Dare

Our neighbor, Judge Chester
Morris of Currituck has been
assigned to Hyde and Dare Coun-
ties, and held Superior Court this
week in Hyde, and next week he
will be in Manteo for the semi
annual term which starts Mon
day.
1t was a short term in Hyde. A
court stenographer was not avail
able and as there were numerous
contested cases, they were con-
tinued, and court adjourned
Tuesday noon.
Carroll Gibbs, wanted on a
criminal charge in connection
with the robbery last year of
R. S. Spencer's store at Engel-
hard failed to appear; as well as
Edward Beach, one of his CO.
defendants.
A. L. Baum was foreman of the
Grand Jury and this body re-
ported as follows:
Repairs needed to the vault
doors in both the Clerk of Court
and Register of Deeds offices; the
offices of Sheriff, County Ac-
countant, Welfare Department,
Jail and Health Department all
in good condition; the patrol
mans report that the school
buses are in satisfactory condi-
ton is O. k"
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
HONORARY TAR
HEELS MEETING
AT MACS HEAD

The largest attendance at any
meeting of Honorary Tar Heels
is shaping up at Mays Head Oct.
thisweek % &c. Director Ben
E. Douglas of the Department of
Conservation and Development
said in announcing a program for
the out-of-state editors, writer's
and photographers which in
cludes a visit to the new National
Seashore Park on Hatteras Is
land, a deep sea fishing trip to
Diamond Shoals, and laying a
wreath at the base of the Wright
Memorial.
The Honorary Tar Heels, all of
whom hold commissions from
Governor Umstead, will be guests
of the Carolinian Hotel at Mays
Head, Mrs. Lucille Purser, Man
aging Director. Meetings are
sponsored by the State Advertis-
ing Division of the Dept. of Con-
servation and Development, and
are held in various parts of the
State, usually two a year. The
last one was at Linville, in the
Blue Ridge mountains, in May.
Director Douglas said he ex-
pected at least three members
of the State Advertising Com
mittee to attend as official hosts:
Chairman Hugh Morton of Will
mington, Eric w. Rodgers of
Scotland Neck, and T. Max Wat
son of Spindale.
Among the Honorary Tar Heels
expected are: Ollie Atkins and
Hamilton Cochran, Saturday
Evening Post; Ray Camp, New
York Times! Lee Wulff, outdoor
photographer and lecturer; John
Mock, Pittsburgh Press; Dave
Roberts, Cincinnati Inquirer; Don
Tracy, novelist; Michael Frome,
Travel Editor of the American
Automobile Association; Gilbert
La Gorce, National Geographic
Magazine; Paul Harmon, Wash
ington Times-HeraId; Don Short,
Cosmopolitan Magazine; Allan
Gould, photographer, Miami,
Fla; Leo Solomon, State Dept,
Wash; John Stewart, Pathfinder
Magazine; Bill Wolf, Sports
Afield Magazine; Don Bishop,
National Broadcasting Co., New
York; Jay Dugan, Ford Times;
Larry Williams, photographer,
Phila.; Joe Loves, New York
Public Relations Counsellor;
William H. Perry, Supt. Senate
Periodical Gallery, Wash, and
Sam P. Weems, Supt. of the Blue
Ridge Parkway.
North Carolina hosts, in addi-
ton to members of the State
Advertising Committee, will in
clude Ed Rankin, Private Sec'y
to Gov. Umstead; Bill Sharpe,
former State News Bureau Man
ager; Aycock Brown, Manager of
the Dare Co. Tourist Burea, and
Charles Parker, State Advertis-
ing Director.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
ALFRED n. DAVENPORT
TO BE "a SATURDAY
States Oldest Active Barger Came
to ManteO From Creswell
81 Years Ago

Hats off to Alfred H. Daven-
port, who will be 81 years old
Saturday, October "a, and who
works every day at the barber
business in Manteo, a calling he
has followed principally for go
az Is or more. He came to East
lake first from his birthplace,
Creswell in Washington County,
and was employed there at the
time the Buffalo City mills were
in their prime. On July 2, 1896 he
came to Manteo and set up a
barber shop and the following
month married his wife who died
about six years ago.
Mr.. Davenport lives in Manteo
with two daughters, Mrs. Marie
Topping and Mrs. Louise Nav
ros, while a third daughter, Mrs.
Ralph Skaw lives in Brooklyn,
where he is planning to go for a
short vacation during the
Thanksgiving holidays. He has
six grandchildren.
MIR. Davenport lived for some
years in Elizabeth City where he
engaged in the barber trade dur
ing the 1920's. He was Sheriff of
Dare County for four years, 1912
to 1916, and at one time engaged
in the ice cream business in Man
teo. He has always been a highly
popular citizen and is known for
many friends. He is highly es-
teemed also because of his self
reliance and effort to earn his
own livelihood.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
AVON CITIZENS ORGANIZE
RURITAN CLUB RECENT v

James w. Davis of Wanchese
Lieutenant Governor Ruritan
National met with the citizens of
Avon, North Carolina, October
sth 1858 in the interest of organ
izlng Ruritan Club. There were
thirteen present and all of them
gave their names as members.
Additional members required to
get charter were later obtained
and the charter has been ordered.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
ZoNING ORDINANCE FOR
KILL DEVIL HILLS POSTED

Adoption of zoning ordin-
ance was considered at the meet
ing of the Town Board of the
Town of Kill Devil Hills Tuesday
night, October 20. Copies of the
ordinance are being made and
Will be posted in three public
places within the town limits
and can be studied by citizens be-
lore time for vote on same.
At the next meeting, November
~ an off Street" parking or
dlnance will be considered.
The first meeting in the new
Town Hall was held on Septem-
Der ! of this year.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
IN MANTEO OCTOBER Q,

A Halloween carnival will be
held in the Manteo school audi
torium on Friday evening,
October 80, beginning at eight
o'clock. The Queen of High
School will be crowned, and the
most henpecked man in town
will be chosen. There will be
many attractions for both young
and old. The public is invited.
The carnival is sponsored an
nually by the Manteo Parent
Teacher Association
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
MOST FISHING
PRIZES GO TO
ELIZABETH CITY
Anoth err Successful Surf
Fishing Tourney Is Held
at Mays Head
BY AYcocK BROWN

Mays Head. - Another success
full Mays Head Fishing Club surf
fishing tournament came to an
end here Sunday afternoon
following three days which fea-
tured inter-club competition, dis
lance casting and individual con-
tests. Dial H. Williams, president
of the sponsoring club stated. that
already plans were underway to
hold the third annual contest in
1854 during mid-Autumn. Teams
and anglers from Boston to
South Carolina took part in the
event this year.
The Elizabeth City Surf Club
won first place in number of
points for team competition and
also trophy for number of fish
taken. The host club took top
honors as first runnerup and the
Anglers Club of Margate City,
N. j. finished third. Each team
was awarded trophies and the
team members received gold,
silver or bronze medals.
Sunday Feature
In individual contests Sunday
afternoon Albert Raffe of Mays
Head won first place with fish
counting 80 points. Runnerups
and their points in the individual
contests follow: Richard Massey,
Ocean City, N. ]. "a points; Rich
ard Sykes, Margate City, N. ].
%; Milton Gourgian, Margate
City, N. ]. Is; George Hill, Phila-
delphia, Is; Jack Bowen, Eliza
beth City, N. c., IA; Jack John.
son, Margate City, IL; Mrs. Lola
Wall, Philadelphia, II; A. Nc
Harvey 10 and Russell Wall of
Philadelphia 10. Prizes were
awarded each of the foregoing,
prizes such as tackle, barometers,
clocks and luggage.
Featured attraction on e&nday
morning was the distance casting
contest in three Glasses.
Winners and the number of
feet of cast using regulation surf
fishing tackle follow:
Glass A: Charles A. Vollum,
Ocean City, N. j. 374 feet: Will
ard Bowman, Philadelphia, 1886
feet; Larry Christensen, Staten
Island, N. Y. 333 feet.
Class B: Claude Rogers, Vir-
ginia Beach, 303 feet; Warren
Jennette III, Mays Head, 1909
feet and Aurthur Clark, Phila-
delphia 1902 feet.
Class C: Red Miller, Margate
City, N. j., 243.3 feet; Bob Nash,
Staten Island, N. Y, 236 feet and
Fritz Arl, Trenton, N. j., 234.6
feet. ...-
A special award went to Peggy
DAILY of Philadelphia who cast
for distance of 1888 feet.
Charles VolIum, eastern dis
lance casting champion with
special tackle gave an exhibition
of casting, throwing the lead for
a distance of $50 feet.
Willard Shaner of Margate City
was co-director with Dial Will
Jams, Mays Head, for the surf
classic this year. Harry Stel-
wagon, president of the Associa-
ton of Surf Anglers Association,
Ocean City, N. j., was principle
speaker at the banquet event.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
MANTEO PTA MEETING
OCTOBER rs at sP. M.

A film will be shown at the
meeting next Monday night.
October 26, of the Manteo Parent
Teacher Association. 1t is ex-
pected to be of great interest and
the president, Mrs. Lawrence
swain, urges all parents and
other interested patrons to- be
present. A discussion will be held
and Mrs. Swain hopes to see
every parent and teacher enrolled
to work together for better
schools, homes and communities.
"A PTA member will be at the
door to receive memberships:
also the magazine chairman to
receive subscriptions to the PTA
magazine.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
50-LB CHANNEL BASS
LANDED NEAR, WAVES

Waves. - Big channel bass
were being reported by anglers
fishing the. surf from Oregon
Inlet southwark to Hatteras Inlet
on the week end, but the largest
fish is believed to be the so
FOUNDER landed near Waves by
Hezzie Pierce of Colerain. He
landed his big bass on Thursday
night. It was one of five taken by
members of his party and the
fish ranged from IS to SO pounds
each,
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-10-23
HUNTS, CATCHES FAwN

East Lake. - Ken Ward, hunt
ing guide headed for the woods
on opening day and caught a so
pound fawn, a young buck. He
turned the little animal over to
local Game Protector w. S.
White.