The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1955-07-01

One of the most far-reaching
court actions ever undertaken in
Dare County came to head last
Thursday night with the serving
of court order padlocking 8 of 4
four bingo games at Mays Head,
and summoning the operators to
appear on July 9th at 10 a. m. be-
fore Judge Chester Morris at
Currituck courthouse to show
cause why they should not be per-
manently enjoined against further
operation of the game of bingo.
The action was brought in a
petition signed by Mrs. Marjorie
Wescott and Mrs. Virginia P. Wes-
colt of Manteo, following senti-
ment expressed by the three Meth
odist Church Boards of Manteo,
Wanchese, and Kitty Hawk, and
the Manteo and Mays Head Baptist
Churches, which began early last
fall.
The two signers are leaders in
church and community work and
say that they sincerely oppose the
game of bingo for moral and reli-
gious reasons and were moved
further by the strong support
urged upon them by religious
leaders of the congregations men
toned.
A terrific furore has been
aroused on the Dare Beaches,
where the most of the business in
terests look upon bingo as a harm
less, but highly profitable amuse-
ment to the beaches. The reactions
range from fear to highly volatile
indignation. Some interests fear
that the beaches will suffer ire
mendous loss in trade and tourist
business. They contend that a
great number of people who
patronized the resorts have come
only because of the bingo games.
Many of these people are open and
above board in their support of
the games, and in their fight to
retain them. But some letters sent
have been anonymous, disgraceful,
and ridiculous in the extreme.
Because the two Mistresses Wes-
colt were in quasi-public employ,
Mrs. Marjorie Wescott, a capable
stenographer employed heretofore
by the Dare County Tourist Bu-
reau, and Mrs. Pat Wescott, hav-
ing recently been employed for a
full year as Dare County Home
Agent, appeals have been directed
to their superiors demanding their
dismissal. 1.-TWO such letters,
frankly signed, are reproduced
elsewhere in this newspaper to-
day..
But many anonymous, venomous
and cowardly letters have been
sent through the mails to the two
signers of the petition. Many bit
ter telephone calls have been re-
ceived. Here is one of the letters
mailed, postmarked at p. m. Sun
day from Elizabeth City:
Dear Marjorie:
Writing you a few lines in re-
CARDS to what you have done in
regards to the bingo on the beach
you have took all this mistake on
your self used the people of Wan
cheese and Manteo for your alabi
and what you know about this you
don't know nothing out of the way
you don't go there and you know
nothing what goes on except what
you heare and as a friend to you
and your whole family l want to
give you some advice first thing
you do you go draw that warrant
get your name out of this you are
making your self pretty busy and
playing pretty smart you are put
ting your whole family on the spot
have heard plenty about your
husband stealing from the govern
ment and you know this too when
he was doing this you are going
to be dealt with in mighty bad
matter you will loose your job the
other party will do the same mabe
burned out of home mabe shot
bowed up, mabe your daughter
kidnapped you won't know what
will happen study this matter over
carefully let conscience be your
guide act now don't wait maybe
prolong serious trouble
friend to you and your
whole family :
"do something at once"
E. City, N. c.
June 26, 1855
On the other hand many mes
sages of congratulation and
promises of support have come to
the two Mrs. Wescotts, which in