davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15
SIX NEGROES IN
ENGELHARDD
IN NIGHT FIRE
Tragic Mishap Early Sunday
Morning At Home of
Willie Spencer

Reported as the worst tragedy
IN the history of Hyde County
was the death of Willie Spencer,
his wife, and their four young
children in fire early Sunday
morning which destroyed their
home near Engelhard.
The fire apparently started
after midnight, and when dis
covered by neighbor on his way
home it was beyond human aid.
Neighbors believe the heavily
papered house caught from a
lamp or overheated stove, and
that the fumes overcame the
family before they became aware
of their plight.
Willie Spencer is described as a
good citizen and was highly re-
garded as an employee by R. L.
Gibbs & Co. where he had been
truck driver for several years.
He had gone home G,aGurday
night after buying groceries for
the week end at the store of ThoS.
Spencer.
Burned beyond recognition
were Spencer and wife Mary,
their four children, all of school
age but one; Willie Jr., Bobbie
Yula and Shirley.
The remains were gathered up
next day and buried in a single
box.
Some of the group had ap-
parently gotten to a window in
an effort to get out, but succumb-
ed and burned up.
Dave Spencer, a negro store
keeper was the first to appear
on the scene, and he ran for help,
about $3.50 am.
The house in which they lived
was the property of Braxton
Marshall.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15
OFFICERS EXAMINATION
FOR MERCHANT MARINE

Norfolk, Va, Jan Z. - The
next examination for licensed
officers of the Merchant Marine
for commissions in the Coast
Guard will be held March l, 2
and 8 in Norfolk and Baltimore,
according to Rear Admiral Wood,
5th District Commandant.
Applications should be post
marked prior to February 10 to
insure processing for this ex-
animation.
Commissions will be offered in
the ranks of lieutenant Gunior
grade), lieutenant and lieutenant
commander, depending upon age,
experience and professional abil-
ity. All applicants must be be-
tween the ages of 81 and 40.
The examination is open to
both licensed deck and licensed
engineer officers of the us. Mer-
chant Marine. Appropriate ex-
aminations will be given each
group. Application forms may be
secured by writing to the Com
mandant of the U. S. Coast Guard
(PTP), Washington Is, D. c., or
from any Coast Guard district
office or Marine Inspection office.
The Fifth District office is located
in the Norfolk Post Office build
ing, and Marine Inspection Of
fees are located in Norfolk, Bal
timore and Wilmington, N. C.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15
THREE AVON BOYS
COMPLETE COAST
GUARD TRAINING

Cape May, N. ]. = John D.
O'Neal, 10, Loran P. O'Neal, 10,
and Charles Haywood, 20, all of
Avon have just completed their
IL weeks of recruit training at
the receiving center in Cape May.
They are seamen recruits.
John D. O'Neal was graduated
with the class of 1852 from Cape
Hatteras High School where he
was vice-president of his class.
Employed as sheet metal work
err he was sworn in as a recruit
in the U. S. Coast Guard on
October II, 1858. He is the son of
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank O'Neal.
Haywood attended the Cape
Hatteras High School from 1913
to 1850. He served with the US
Army Tor three years including
two years of overseas duty. En-
ployed as sales clerk for the In
ternational Harvester Company
Haywood was sworn in as a re-
cruit in the U. S. Coast Guard on
October IL, 1858. His parents are
Mr.. and Mrs. c. F. Haywood.
Loran O'Neal was graduated
with the class of 1858 from Cape
Hatteras High School. Employed
as a deck hand by the Virginia
Ferry Company he was sworn in
as a recruit in the U. S. Coast
Guard on October IL, 1858. He is
the son of Mr.. and Mrs. Loran
O'Neal.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15
RALPH L. NIXON FORMER
STUMPY PIT. MAN DIES

Ralph L. Nixon, SO, husband of
Mrs. Laura Spencer Nixon, of 1903
Wayne Circle, Norview, died Fri
day, Jan. 8, at the United States
Public Health Center Service
Hospital, Baltimore, Md, after an
illness of one year.
Prior to moving to Norfolk he
had lived many years at Stumpy
Point where he engaged in fish
ing.
A native of Engelhard, N. c.,
he had resided in Norfolk IL
years. He was a son of the late
William and Mrs. Mernivia Nc
Kinney Nixon.
Besides his wife, surviving are
three sons, R. M. Nixon, USN;
w. M. Nixon, USCG, and B. B.
Nixon, of South Norfolk; three
daughters, Mrs. Beatrice Cheek,
of Norview, Mrs. Edna Bernick,
and Mrs. Exile Russell, both of
Norfolk; one sister, Mrs. Mae
Zabawa, of Petersburg, Mich; IL
grandchildren and three great
grandchildren.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15
KITTY HAWK SEAMAN WITH
NAVY FORCES IN NORFOLK

Norfolk, Va, (FHTNC) - Ser
wing aboard the attack transport
USS Olmsted which took part in
amphibious force training opera
tons near Norfolk last month is
Edward L. O'Neal, damage con-
trolman first class, USN, son of
Mr.. and Mrs. William T. O'Neal,
and husband of Mrs. Martha P.
O'Neal, all of Kitty Hawk.
Drills were conducted during
the exercise to advance training
of personnel in gunnery, COM
munications and various other
amphibious techniques.
The highlight of the operation
for the Olmsted was assault boat
landings made on beaches at
Little Creek, Va.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15
NEW COTTAGE COURT TO
BE BUILT NEAR AVON

A new cottage court to be
operated in conjunction with
the Cape Hatteras Hotel at Avon
will be built and ready for opera
ton by the beginning of the 1854
vacation season Charles Williams
advises.
Williams, with his son Charles.
Jr., has operated the Cape Hat
teras Hotel for the past two sea-
sons. The new units will be built
ON the east side of the Highway.
The first unit of the cottage
court will be structure 80 feet
in length with four apartments.
1t will be located convenient to
a proposed lunchroom and tackle
shop, to be also owned by Mr..
Williams and his son.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15
MILTON MEEKINS, BOAT
CAPTAIN DIES; NORFOLK

Milton Wood Meekins, A,
native of Hatteras, and for many
years captain of the passenger
and freight boat between Engel-
hard and Hatteras died Monday
in Norfolk hospital He was the
husband of the late Mrs. Irna
Meekins and the son of Mrs.
Nancy j. Meekins and the late
John w. Meekins of Hatteras. He
is also survived by a daughter,
Mrs Dixie Chas. Darlington of
Sault Ste Marie, Mich. and one
granddaughter.
He was highly regarded as
citizen and had wide circle of
friends. He was the only son of
his parents, and had been a life
long resident of Hatteras.
He was a member of the Meth
odist Church.
Funeral services will be con-
Quoted at Hatteras, Friday.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15
CHAS. EDMOND WAHAB
OF HYDE COUNTY PASSES

Funeral services for Charles
Edmond Wahab, Well-knowp
and highly respected resident of
Hyde County, who died January
6 in a Concord nursing home,
were held at Calvary Episcopal
Church in Swan Quarter Satur-
day at II o'clock.
He was born September %,
1877, son of the late James How
ard Wahab and Emma Smith
Wahab, and was a lifelong re-
sident of Hyde County.
Rev. ]. N. Bynum of Battle
boro officiated, assisted by Rev.
c. Edward Sharpe of Lake Land
ing and Rev. Arthur j. Mackie of
Belhaven. Internment was in the
family cemetery in Currituck.
Surviving are four daughters,
Mrs. D. D. Topping of Pantego,
Mrs. Thomas w. Cahoon of Swan
Quarter, Mrs. James w. Barley
of Rocky Mount, and Mrs. Robert
E. Tunnel of Greenville; three
sons, Job H. Wahab and Charles
E. Wahab, Jr., of Warsaw, N. c.,
and Captain Thomas w. Wahab
of the US. Air Force, presently
stationed at Columbus, Ohio; two
sisters, Mrs. Carl Wilson of Bel
haven and Mrs. Herbert Ritten-
house of New Haven, Conn; two
brothers, H. w. Wahab of Bel
haven and w. w. Wahab of
Scranton and several grand
children.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15
GREET INSTALLS NEW
PANORAMIC SCREEN
Addition Enables Showing of Var
led Types of Pictures

A new panoramic screen was
installed early this week in the
Pioneer Theatre, and a new
sound system is to be installed
soon, announces owner Herbert
Greet.
The new type screen is built
with a 10-inch curve in the
center, giving more depth to a
picture. Special lenses have been
purchased and put to use in the
projectors, giving the full effect
of the picture. Under this system,
3D., Panoramic and the regular
films may be shown, on the same
screen.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15
FOUNDER FISHING GOOD
IN OREGON INLET AREA

Founder fishing has been good
off Oregon Inlet recently as more
than rs vessels have been making
excellent catches.
One dealer estimated $4,000
worth were taken in trawl nets
by the boats basing at Oregon
Inlet during the past week,
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15
MANTEo p. T. "A.

The Manteo P. T. A. is to meet
Wednesday, January Goth, 8 pm.
at the School Building. The guest
speaker is to be DR.. Ellen Win
ston and the topic of her dis
course will be Mental Hygiene.
Invitation to attend is extended
to all P.T.A. groups.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15
SEASHORE PARK
ADDS GOOSEVHLE
CLUB TO IT'S AREA
BY AYcoCK BROWN

Cape Hatteras National Sea-
shoreRecreation Area, south of
Hatteras village will open to pub
lie use another of the finest surf
fishing areas along the Atlantic
coast, it was stated today by
Clark Stratton, lands acquisition
officer of the National Park Ser
vice.
The property, owned since 1880
by the Gooseville Gun Club in
cludes 755 acres beginning near
the southern boundaries of Hat
teras and extending to the inlet.
The club owned by Albert Lyon
of Detroit has maintained the
area as a fishing and hunting pre-
serve for the past % years.
1T will be late Spring before
possession of the property will be
transferred as one of the condi-
tons of the sale allows members
reasonable, time to remove per
sonal property from the club
buildings" said Mi. Stratto,o.
The deed for property stated a
consideration Of $4,000, as the
purchase price.
Lyon and Wilson, Delaware
corporation Of which Albert Lyon
of Detroit is president owned the
property. Three of the most ac-
tive members included Lyon, who
only recently was knighted by
Queen Elizabeth for his coopera-
ton in developing the British
owned island of Bimini as one
of the great sportsfishing centers
of the world. Harry Stelwagon of
Philadelphia, president of the
Surf Anglers Association, an in
ternational organization has been
associated with Lyon as one of
the clubs most active members
in recent years. Previously an ac-
tive member of the club was Van
Camper Heilner, the noted
author of hunting and fishing
stories, who with his associates
Lyon and StelWagon produced a
number of hunting and fishing
movies in the area, movies which
have been shown throughout the
world and resulted in much
favorable publicity for the Hat
teras region.
Opening of the area to sports
fishing will be good news to
many anglers who consider the
surf and inlet there as one of the
best casting spots along the
Atlantic coast. The surf line of
the property is approximately
three and a half miles in length.
For years it was closed by the
owners to public fishing.
This was not from selfish
motive, owners declared. Instead
it was a conservation move. They
closed the area after fishing
parties consistently made big
catches of fish which were never
utilized for food but left on the
beach to decay.
Acquisition of this property
provides the National Seashore
Recreational Area with a third
choice location for surf fishing,
the others being at Oregon Inlet
and the Point of Cape Hatteras,
just south of Hatteras Light, it
was pointed out.
For hunting, all of Ocracoke
Island and some 1000 additional
acres on Hatteras and Bodie Is
lands adjacent to Pamlico and
Roanoke Sounds, are already
open for hunting migratory
waterfowl in compliance with
state and federal regulations"
said Stratton.
''In view of the existing facili-
ties for hunting, no plans have
been announced for opening the
Gooseville Gun Club area for
shooting" he added. "The former
owners have done little or no
hunting on the property in re-
cent years but have held it main
ly as migratory waterfowl sane
tuary."
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15
< LOST COLONY
ACTOR is RISING
TO FAME ON T-V
Andy Griffith Featured On
Ed lSuIIivan's Coast To
Coast Show

Andy Griffith of Mt. Airy, the
widely known Sir Walter Raleigh
of The Lost Colony is rising to
fame for his hilarious monologues
that are becoming best sellers on
records. The past Sunday night
he was featured on Ed Sullivan's
coast-to- coast "T cast of t h G
Town" television show and a mil
lion or so listeners and lockers
witnessed him demonstrate his
talents.
His country-boy's version of
Romeo and Juliet, and his role as
the preacher in the preacher
and the Bear" skits had packed
patrons in the Shrine Club as the
Scandinavians pack sardines into
a can Likewise his role as
Sir Walter Raleigh in The Lost
Colony is one of the most colorful
parts of the symphonic drama
Griffith has featured On the cover
Of Lost Colony's souvenir pro-
gram for the past three seasons,
first with his wife Barbara, Ger
rnerly Barbara Edwards of Troy
the first North Carolinian to play
the important feminine lead of
the show. The following year he
was featured alone in a photo
graph of the finale of the first
act and last year in full color he
appeared again on the souvenir
program cover in the Queens
Garden Scene and was shown as
he presented the Elizabethan
monarch with the tobacco plant
his explorers, led by Admirals
Barlow and Amadas, had brought
back to England from Roanoke
Island in the New World.
The man who more or less
discovered Griffith was another
Lost Colony player, Ainslie Pryor
of Raleigh and Hollywood. Pryor
had played the role of Father
Martin, the Lost Colony priest
one year and Governor John
White the next.
Others Making Good
In addition to Griffith and
Pryor, other cast members of The
Lost Colony are making good in
the show world. Robert Arm
stsSng, the dramas John Borden
laying the heavy role of The
General in the current Broadway
production END AS A Man."
Two cast members and mem
bers of the Ralph Burrier-
directed Lost Colony Chorus,
Helene McLain and Ann Wynne
Armstrong are on the Fred War
ing Show this winter.
Frank Groseclose the dramas
historian, as a postgraduate stu
dent of dramatic arts at the Uni
versity of North Carolina was
winner of all the important prizes
last year for his musical compost
tions and acting with the Play
makers.
Chorus members of The Lost
Colony consistently make good
and have important jobs during
the off-season. Marga len
Thomas, native of Manteo and
the first Roanoke Islander to be-
come a member of the famous
musical group is minister of mus
ic in a Burlington church.
Connie Treadwell and Charles
Mallard of the Chorus are doing
night club work in New York this
winter.
Jimmy Hart, long time orgarist
for The Lost Colony is minister
of music at the First Presbyterian
Church in Winston-Salem. Nena
Williams, another singer in the
chorus is teaching voice in a
Texas college. John Halverson,
onetime member of the chorus is
now minister of music at a Nor
folk, Virginia, church and George
Vassar has a similar role in
church in Cleveland, Ohio.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-15

Here wearing the beard he had for Sir Walter
Raleigh The Lost Colony Mt-Aybom Andy
currently kyroketng fame for his hilarious monoogues
day night he featured the
the Town. show Previously he had been
his funny football Romeo becoming
onal best seller This photo made during his floor
in Dare County during The Lost Colony of
photo by Aycock Brown
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-02-19

New York City.--James u. Hin
ton, manager Of the special re-
quest department OF Metro A..
ISOLATED Services, Inc, Of New
York, N. r., was honored during
the recent annual meeting Of TIE
firms creative staff with its
field representatives, for twenty
five years Of service with the COM
pany.
Mr.. Hinton was presented with
q gold watch by General Manager
william schak on behalf Of the
firm which publishes syndicated
advertising mat services for news
papers In the United States, Cana.
da and many foreign countries.
Mr.. Hlnton's career with Metro
embraces original establishment
OF the Special Request Depart
ment. Under his management the
department has become noted for
its prompt and efficient response
to emergency calls for help from
Metros Newspaper clientele every
where.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-02-19

DelOroa uriGnby, daughter %
Mr.. and Mrs. 'wllbsrt J. uriEsby,
b0is Irving Av. ~, Minneapolis,
was one OF the four finalists IN
the regional Metropolitan Opera
Of the Air contest held last Fri.
day and Saturday at Northnlp
auditorium AZ the University Of
Minnesota.
over 100 singers from Mime.
sofa, lows, Wisconsin and North
and South Dakota participated In
the contest.
Most singers In the contest have
professional backgrounds and are
quite q BIT older than Dolores VINO
Just turned 10 and IL q student At
MePhail School Of Music.
Her winning Of ons Of the prizes
At this early stage Of her career
IL looked upon by people IN music
circles ~ an indication that she
has q great future a. an opera and
concert singer.
A graduate Of Patrick Henry
high school In 1851, the young
dramatic singer. won the Urban
League scholarship for 1881 and
since that tins has received other
schoiaFnhlps that she has used 10
study AZ McPhAIi.
Upon receiving her degree at
MacPbaii, Dolores plans 70 con-
tinus her studies IN italy, the
hons Of the grand opera.
To q singer. q chance 10 audi
ton Al the Metropolitan Opera IL
one Of their dreams. ny being one
Of the fInaiists IN the regional
contest, means that the young
singer can have an auditor with
the Metropolitan Whenever she
feels that she IL ready.
MIas ongSby said that II win
probably b quite awhile before
she feels that she would be ready
and that she would like 20 have
more experiences and study before
she additions.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-02-19

The regular meeting Of the Min.
neapolis Branch, NAACP win be
held on sunday, Feb, n at I p. m.
az Phyllis wheatlsy House.
In keeping with the plan 20 In
vito executives and representa-
tiVea OF other human relations
agencies a. guest speakers for
1854. tho Rev. plasuke Katagawa,
director Of the Japanese American
Community senter and Chairman
Of the Minneapolis Mayors Coun.
ell on Human Relations win give
the principal address.
Rev. KitagawA 10 well known IN
Minneapolis. q leader IN civic and
religious affairs, He IL human 70.
lations chairman of the Greater
Minneapolis Council Of churches
and director Of Christian Social
Relations Of the Episcopal Do
cese Of Minnesota. lie n also fire.
Qusntly called upon 10 servo a.
moderator for panel discussions
on radio and telsviaion programs,
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-02-19
TeIeViSiOn No Bonanza
For Negro Actors; Jobs
Still Few and Limited
ny NELL DoDsoN RUSSELL

New York Cty-Although televson has opened the EN-.
pOyment doors for many struggling actors the medium has
done little improve the lot Of Negro actor in show bust
Except for occasional bit roles mostly the servant
Negro actors the victims Of the freeEeout in
motion pictures.
For awhile il looked if Harlem Detective" might offer
hope The weekly show unsponsored for the length
OF its WORTH touted nterracia because
OF Of white actor playing the role Of the part
ner OF the Negro detective Although the recipient
several awards mostly the basis Of what it was trying
to accomplish than actual dramatic merit the show abOred
under the disadvantages Of mediocre script generally
polished acting and the apparent inability Of the producer
find the right type for the role of the Harlem detective
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-02-19

from Negroes who have applied
for employment ~ drivers At the
cab companies and who charge
that they were not hired because
OF race.
Both the Urban league and the
NAACP In presenting their ind.
lnES to the commission stated they
are convinced that the three cab
companies (Yellow, Biue and
white and AirwayI have a dis.
Crimlnatory hiring policy that en-.
cludss minority members and that
such q pattern can be proved,
In iplb the Urban League was
unsuccessful In attempting 20
place Negroes a. drivers with the
cab companies, and since that
time they have frequently held
meetings with the cab companies
In an effort 10 convince them 20
change their employment policies,
The NAACP became interested
In the hiring policies Of the cab
companies IN November, 1893,
when Il was called 10 their atten-
ton that the companies may be
violating the FEpC ordinance
passed IN iet7.
Tho companies claim that
they % not have . dlScFimiRa-
tory hiring policy and win hire
Negroes ~ any apply Rt the
tims wlan they are hiring.
The Yellow Taxi Cab Co. the
largest In the city and which has
tho largest employee turnover Of
the three cab companies has stat
ed that they do not take applica-
tons except whsn they are hlr-
Ing and all hiring h done on the
spot
However. . check At the city
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-02-19

licensing bureau shows that driv-
era have been hired either before
or after the Negro applicants
have been refused.
The FEPC commisalon FpcelV-
"a the fret complaint against
the cab companies IN i0A0 ana
Hlhcs that tims has received
several more.
To date the only action taken
by the commission against the cab
companies was = public hearing
In August, ip02, at which time
the attorney for the yellow Cab
Co., Leroy Bowen, claimed that
his company wasn't property mott.
fed and the hearing was recessed.
A. Tuesdays meeting the com.
mission seemed 10 be % tho opln-
Ion that the alleged discriminatory
hiring practices OF the cab COM
paniss could BE- changed without
rsaorting 10 q public hearing or
taking the matter 10 court.
Amos pslnard. chairman OF the
commission, asked L. Howard
Bennett, william n. Cratic from
the NAACP and shelton Granger
and Asby uaAkins from the Or
ban League 20 be moro patient. II
was his feeling that the conciilA-
tory policy that the commission
follows was tho hast for all con.
csrned,
Commission members attend.
ing the nesting were Davis y.
Babcock. Raymond W. Cannon,
c. william Bylsora ana Wilfred Q.
Leland IT,, executive director.