davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04
CITIZENS WITNESS COSTLY
LOSS FROM FOREST FIRES
IN REDUCED TAX VALUES
Striking Example Shown This Year in Loss Of
Quarter Million Dollars From Tax Books on
Dare Mainland Alone. Which Results in Some
$4,000 a Year in Income To Be Made Up by
Coun+y's Citizens.

The vast majority of forest fires
are caused by carelessness. Many
people give little consideration to
the consequences of such fires.
This week now, the citizens of
Dare County find themselves the
losers by some $4,000 to $4,000 a
year in tax revenue, the result of
the vast fire of last year which
swept over a large part of the
woodlands of Dare County where
lies almost all the county's land
area.
When the County Commissioners
wound up reducing valuations of
taxable property they had wiped
off nearly a quarter million dol
lars from cumberland area in Dare
County. Most of this land is own
ed by the West Va. Pulp and
Paper Co., and in giving them re-
leases, the Board reduced by one
third too the valuation of some
smaller land owners, one, the Kent
Timber Company of Durant Island
got reduction of $5,047 on prop
erty which was valued before at
S16,S35. This property however has
not been touched by fire.
The West Virginia company's
valuation was $861,0 900 last year.
1t has been cut to $624,125, and
this valuation stands for four
years. 1t means that during the
next four years, the county will
lose about $4,000 it might have
gotten. This property, which at
one time had as much as $4,000 a
year taxes on it will now pay less
than $1,000. The terrific fire which
swept over large part of these
lands, particularly in the Stumpy
Point area, has thrown a terrific
cost on citizens who must pay the
difference. The school fund, the
welfare fund, the other funds of
the county would otherwise suffer
Carelessness is usually the cause
of such fires and sometimes they
are set through mischief or malice
For many years we have pointed
out to the people that the welfare
of the county calls for utmost
caution and jealous protection of
one of our greatest assets, our
timberlands. Nothing yields great
er profit. The sale of timber, the
employment of local labor, the
stimulation of home business in
terests, the development of game
birds and animals, all depend on
taking care of this timber and help
it grow by protecting it from fire,
See FIRES, Page Four
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04
GOVERNOR GRANTS
$4,000 FOR MORE
OCRACOKE FERRIES

Everything is shaping up we'll
for Ocracoke Island so far as en-
enlargement of tourist traffic
goes. Last week Governor Hodges
made an appropriation of $4,000
from the emergency fund to con-
vert two additional Navy landing
craft for the ferry run across Hat
teras Inlet.
One such large craft is now on
the job, and another smaller boat
which carries only four cars is
used in emergencies, and it APP
pears that break downs can hap
pen most anytime now.
Governor Hodges has been i'm
mensely interested in getting
Ocracoke connected by highway
with the outside world. About a
million dollars has been provided
for this purpose, and ultimately it
is believed, the all-seashore-high-
way proposed with ferry to
Cedar Island will materialize with
in very few years.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04
OLD CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
TO BE DISCUSSED JULY
9Th, BY RODANTHE CLUB

The Old Christmas festival at
Rodanthe, subject of much, inn
portance to Hatteras Island is ex-
pected to be the main topic of dis
cussion at the usual monthly meet
ing of the Civic Club for the COM
munities of Rodanthe, Waves, and
Salvo on Saturday evening of this
week July 9Th, when a covered
dish supper will be provided by
the ladies of the community.
The celebration each year on
january 6, has outgrown the com
munity's facilities to take care of
the fast growing numbers of visit
ors from many quarters which
have come as a result of national
publicity that has been given It.
The small building needs en-
largement, and other essentials
must be added, and efforts will be
begun soon to raise fund TO pro-
vide this improvement, which is
rather costly for the small group
Of the people who are called on
each year to maintain this enjoy
able event, and which appeals TO
SO many lovers Of history.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04
MANTEO MAN IS CHAIRMAN
OF UTILITIES COMMISSION

Harry T. Westcott, a. native
of Manteo and for many years a
top Department of Agriculture
man in Raleigh last week was
named for the Craftsmanship OF
North Carolina Utilities Commits
sion, to take the place of Stanley
Winborne, who will resign on Au-
gust 1.
Westcott was appointed to mem
bership on the Commission in 1850
by the late Senator w. Kerr Scott
when he was Governor. Gov. Hod.
ges put him on last year for an
other seven year term. He is q
graduate of N. c. State College
His parents were the late George
T. and Odessa Westcott Of Manteo
and he frequently returns home to
visit his brother and sisters.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04
OCRACOKE MAKES
READY FOR 4+h;
ISLAND CROWDED
Ferry Would Pick a Busy Time TO
Get Out of Order; Many
Campers Arrive

Ocracoke, July 2.-Plans for the
July 4th celebration have material
lied, with a program as follows:
Friday, am. or whereabouts pony
penning in the new corral north
of the National Park Camping
Area; II am. Flag Raising Cere-
mony at the schoolhouse; 1870 to
l pm. ham plate dinner, at the
schoolhouse, sponsored by the
ladies of the Methodist church
2:30 pm. Parade; $50 pm. square
dance in the school recreation hall.
On Saturday at 2 pm. there will
be a Community Sing on the
Docks, and that night a movie at
Z pm. and a square dance at $3.50
pm. Much of the Fridays pro-
gram will have taken place by
the time this paper reaches it's
Ocracoke readers, but a more de-
tailed write-up of events will be
printed in next weeks issue.
The Island is already crowded
with tourists. Cottages are filled,
hotels, and tourist homes, and re-
quests for space continue to come
in to the local Civic Club. Accord
ing to reports cars have been
lined up at both the Oregon Inlet
and Hatteras Inlet ferries already.
On Monday of this week the II
car ferry at Hatteras Inlet de-
veloped some internal, or should
we say Internal, engine trouble, so
it may be that the little 4-car
ferry will have to come to the
rescue for the July 4th visitors.
Without any special publicity the
campsite at the Ocracoke head
quarters of the Cape Hatteras Ma
tional Seashore Park is being dis
covered as less crowded than
campsites further north and tents
and trailers are dotting the area.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04
TWO YOUTHS BOUND
OVER FOR ROBBERY;
TRIAL NEXT WEEK
Recorder Hears Many Cases in
Dare Court This Week; One
In Jail For Assault

Two young brothers of Elizabeth
City are under $4,000 bond fol
appearance next Tuesday in Dare
Recorders Court for hearing
charged with armed robbery
Leonard E. Gibbs, 20, and Robert
&. Gibbs Jr., 16, are charged will
holding up Mrs. julius Butler il
her store at Kill Devil Hills about
1910 pm. Saturday night while
Mr.. Butler was away.
Their father, R. E. Gibbs, signed
their appearance bond.
The robbers entered the store
with faces covered with white
handkerchiefs. A colored man
working on the beach was there
They pointed a sawed-off shotgun
at Mrs. Butler, and robbed the
store of between $50 and $500 in
cash.
Corporal R. A. Trip of the
State Highway Patrol and Deputy
Sheriff D. F. Twyue followed the
pair, and caught them at Coinjock.
Chief of Police George Frank of
Kill Devil Hills later found part
of the gun in the sand nearby
the scene of the. robbery. Mr..
Frank had remembered the boys
from earlier in the day.
Two other boys are suspected of
being implicated in this case.
In Dare Recorders Court this
week Chester Rogers of Colington
was held under $4,000 bond for
the stabbing of Robert James at
the Flamingo Cafe, Mays Head,
following a drunken row. Three
others involved in the case went
free, the court taking a mol pros
in the cases of Ernest Rogers,
See COURT, Page Ten
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04

A forward step by the Southern
Albemarle Association was recently
taken at an executive committee
meeting in the appointment of P.
d. Midget Jr., Engelhard bust
nessmah as chairman of an indus
trial development committee for
the area embraced by the associa-
ton. In its % years of activity
the Association has been concerned
chiefly with the problem of get
ting the Southern Albemarle coun-
ties united by good roads. OF it's
first detectives set up for highway
improvement, all have been real
lied except bridging Alligator
River. Now with the region united
by good roads, it is considered
important to seek enterprises suit
ed to the area which may utilize
many natural advantages available
now through improvement in
transportation to which the long
drawn out efforts of the associa-
ton have so greatly contributed.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04

is well the
of this who for the Summer reading
the Dare County Public Library Manteo Friday despite
Northeastern librarian,
Gibbs This program enrolment of 81 and conducted each
Friday from 1:3023O consisting of storytelling book reviews
Have Read
include 5s led by Mrs. Maoe Gray
employee the library the ages years
and Miss Patty Gibbs
services.
Twentysi of these enrolled keeping which will
available for their teachers at school, This program will
through July and August
In the picture 5S years, Susan Meekns Ellsworth Midget
White, Chris Midget frankie Williams Dennis
Gray Rauna Gray, Carl Walker Lois Midget years.
Stormy Gale Brown Freddy Roush Kay Shirley White Mary
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04
lNSISTENT SAMARlTANS
AID DISTRESSED WOMAN,
PURSE Debated OF $5C

It's got so now one never knows
when to accept help when disabled
on the highways of Dare County.
What may be represented as a
good Samaritan may turn out to
be a highway robber.
Two reputed East Carolina col
lege students, and Morehead City
youths at that, approached the dis
abled car of Mrs. B. J. Liverman
operator of the Carolina cabins
Tuesday evening after dark. Mrs
Liverman had a flat tire. The
young men insisted on helping her
Despite her protests that her spare
was flat, and that she had already
sent down the road for a new tire
they were persistent that they
should change her tire. They jack
ed it up, and one got in the driv-
er's seat, ostensibly to hold the
brake so the car wouldn't roll off
the jack.
Both youths had been drinking
One stood outside, and waved traf-
fic past. Mrs. Liverman discovered
after it was over that $50 was
missing from her purse on the
seat. Sheriff Frank Cahoon was
called to the scene and discovered
the young men. He later discover
ed the money in a cigarette pack.
which had been thrown out nearby
He got an admission of the theft
from one of the young men.
Further report on what will be
done with the "Good Samaritans"
is not available.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04

LLOYD B. DAVENPORT of Co.
lumbia has been installed as Dis
trict Deputy Grand Master of the
Third Masonic District, which
comprises the lodges at Columbia,
Lake Landing, Manteo, Wanchese
and Buxton. Two lodges in Hyde
County, at Swan Quarter and
Fairfield are now attached to the
adjoining district. Mr.. Davenport,
operator of a garage in Columbia
is a native of Plymouth, but has
been established many years in
business and has become a commu-
nifty leader. He has served on the
Columbia town board, on the local
school committee, and as Master
of Providence Lodge, 67S, A. F. &
AN. In his present Masonic post,
he succeeds r. o. Balance of
Manteo.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04
KILL DEVIL HILLS TOWN
BOARD OFFERS OBJECTIONS
TO WATER BOND ELECTION

The proposal to vote something
more than a million dollars in
bonds on the Dare Beaches, Mays
Head to Kitty Hawk-may have
hit something of snag. Many
people question the wisdom of
holding a bond election at this
time, as most anything is predict
i ed a failure in view of the climate
of public opinion that has arisen
over the unsettled condition of the
ridiculous appraisal of taxable
property in Dare County. The high
and unreasonable valuations, some
as much as 400 per cent, gave
rise to so much resentment that
citizens are in no mood to vote
Tor anything extra.
The Kill Devil Hills Town Board
Tuesday night voted a resolution
to protest the proposed election,
to the Local Government Advisory
Commission in Raleigh. They
pointed out that the expenses so
far in connection with establish
ing a waterworks sanitary district
is said to have cost already some
$4,000. That it looks like pro-
fitable business for those who are
promoting it, is the opinion voiced.
There has always been consider
able opposition to establishing the
Sanitary district at Kill Devil
Hills, badly as a water supply is
needed on the beaches. Several
years ago, this vicinity voted
heavily against the issuing OF
bonds to establish the district when
it might have been done for half
the money it cost now. 1t was
represented at Kill Devil Hills
that the town should own such a
water system, and make money
out of it by selling water to the
neighboring areas. The fallacy OF
this argument was proven after
the election failed, for no town
makes profits on water, and none
are supposed to do SO.
The Kill Devil Hills Board wants
some more details about the cleo
ton now proposed. The thing is
somewhat obscure in many minds
There has been no public relations
work about it, and people are
grossly uniformed.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04

A group of Dare County people
this week made plans to tender a
big manifestation of appreciation
on July 81 to Hon. R. Bruce
Etheridge, representative of Dare
County on the occasion of his
S0th birthday. A. w. Drinkwater
whose 83rd birthday comes the
same date, was chosen as honorary
chairman of this committee which
is now being formed throughout
the county.
Tentative plans call for a cele-
bration at IL am, July 81 at
Fort Raleigh, where there is seat
ing capacity for large crowd. 1t
is planned at that time to present
to Mr.. and Mrs. Etheridge an APP
propriate gift in recognition of the
long service of this family to the
community and county, and free
will contributions to this fund are
being received. A picnic dinner fol
all interested citizens will follow
on Fort Raleigh grounds.
1t is planned to have a special
seat for all visitors 80 years and
older. and who will be presented
to the crowd. Fort Raleigh gates
will be admission free to all visit
ors to this event by courtesy OF
the National Park Service.
A meeting to plan for the occa.
sion was held by number OF
See FETE, Page Four
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04
PUBLIC CALLING
FOR NIGHT FERRY;
RIVER AND INLET
Growing Tourist Demand and
Needs Of Citizens Energies
Effort for Improvement

Clamor continues to grow among
the travelling public for night ferry
service over Oregon Inlet, and Ali
gator River, now that the tourist
tide is swelling to unusual proper
tons. On Saturday, some 400 cars
are reported as crossing the south
bound ferries at Oregon Inlet, and
three boats were in operation,
making trips about every 20 min
utes.
Many of these cars whose own
ers desired to return northward
could not be accommodated requir-
irg an overnight stay which had
not been anticipated. Similar con-
ditions exist on Alligator River,
and demand for night service is
comparatively vigorous on this
route too.
No explanation is found why the
the State Highway officials stub
bornly refuse to grant this service
in the face of increasing requests
over period of three years or
more. There is no argument in
claims of those who oppose it that
it is not practical from a naviga-
ton standpoint. The trip can be
as easily made as in the day time
according to numerous boatmen
well acquainted with the situation.
Night trips were kept up in sum-
mer months for several years on
the Croatan Sound ferry which was
discontinued when the bridge was
completed.
See FERRIES, Page Four
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04
COUNTY BOARD WIPES OFF
NEARLY NINE MILLIONS OF
COSTLY PROPERTY APPRAISAL
Aroused Taxpayers Cause Commissioners TO Dis
credit New Jersey Job Which Had Added
$'5'554'387. Principally to Resort Property;
Valuations Now Only $500 $40 Above 1857
Appraisal is Gained

The Dare County Commissioners,
wound up their work of reviewing
the New Jersey firms tax ap-
praisal job last week, and put their
stamp of disapproval on it by WHIP
ing out nearly nine millions of the
$15,554,387 the imported experts
had put on the total property in
the county.
In so doing, the Board has APP
parently indicated as well as if
they had said so in so many words,
that the job was less than half
correct. They gained only $6,6O3,-
$40 after all the money they spent
and the work and trouble they
caused.
The $8,940,517 the Board wiped
off the total figures does not by
any means indicate that any SEM
blance of equalization has been
reached. The job is now ostensibly
worse mess than before, for re-
lief was not granted generally
but in isolated cases.
In some instances, friends of the
Board were looked after, and in
others, opponents of the Board
were punished. Now and then even,
additional increases have been
made since the first objections of
property owners.
Generally it is noted, that every
attempt was made to favor the
communities in which members of
the Board lived, and where the
largest number of voters would
be affected.
The unreasonably high penalties
placed on resort property owners
was not brought down to a salts
factory figure.
Taxpayers Fight
Action was demanded of the
Board to correct the injustice that
was done by this $4,000 tax ap-
praisal job, as soon as the taxpay-
ers got wind of what was going
on. Nonresident property owners
were particularly distressed, since
they cannot vote, and their voice
is not so effective as an aroused
electorate.
But numerous resident property
owners and those living elsewhere,
Joined in forming Dare County
Taxpayers Association, and began
effective protests against main
tanning the unreasonable assess
ments of which they had been in
formed.
Counsel has been employed and
work is continuing in behalf of
further corrections in this cause.
Members continue to enroll in the
Association, and contributions of
money are being made.
The Mountain Has LabOred-
Some 1866 years ago Quintus
Horatius Flaccus in ancient Rome
wrote some lines about the noun
tain having labored and brought
forth a mouse. History has been
repeated in Dare County this year
and the Dare County Commission
ers did it. They have labored and
brought forth a mouse. 1t NAV
prove to be a mighty mouse, as
indeed it has already been respon-
slble for turning out record num-
Der of disappearing voters who dis
carded the Board at the polls by
two to one and better.
The mouse in this case is the
$6,603,S70 that the Board of Com
missioners decided to keep out of
the great avalanche of property on
paper turned into the Board by the
experts" sent into Dare County
by New Jersey firm, which the
Board hired, promising to pay
them $4,000.
See BOARD, Page Four
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04
REMEMBER THE RACES
TODAY IN MANTEC

Fourth Of July visitors with time
on their hands are reminded of the
Dare Power Boat Associations
plans for the afternoon. They have
scheduled an interesting series OF
cupboard races beginning at 1880
pm. in Manteo harbor. There win
be 80 to 35 boats racing in five
cupboard divisions. There is n,
charge, and everyone is invited.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04
BANG-UP FIREWORKS
DISPLAY SCHEDULED
FOR MACS HEAD, FOURTH

A spectacular display of fire
works is scheduled for the Fourth
of July at Mays Head, in two To-
cations simultaneously. The man.
agement of the Beacon Motor
Lodge and the Carolinian Hotel are
planning their firings for 9 pm.
from the beach, over the ocean.
Some of the displays will be Wis
ible for a great distance, but fol-
best view the promoters welcome
visitors and residents to come to
the beach near the firing sites.
There is no admission charge.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1958-07-04

A recent photo sent us for Gary
D. Parker, of Kitty Hawk, seems
to have portrayed the likeness of
some other fellow. Here is the
correct one. He recently graduated
from his IS weeks training course
in the Coast Guard receiving cen
ter in Cape May, N. ]. as fire
man apprentice. Parker entered
the Coast Guard last March. He
will report to the U. S. Coast
Guard District 5, Norfolk, Va, for
further assignment to duty. He
attended Manteo High School, and
he is the son of Mr.. and Mrs. C.
E. Parker, motel operators.
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1958-05-16
Loeol Student Reports
U. S. Stay Strong Determination
Shows At Top-Leyel Army College

long AS a year and a half
Not even here docs the intense
effort TO professionally qualify re-
servists. despite heavy civilian pri-
mary tasks. end Each year. the
Army. through the College al Fort
LeaVenWorth brings together Of
ficers. primarily division com
manders and their stats. for
week briefing and instruction in
the latest military tactics IN
GLIDING the latest weapons and
application Of such doctrlne
through the working out Of map
problems
Teamwork Stressed
This provides training as staff
unit to develop teamwork and to
understand the employment of the
deadly arsenal available The en-
phasls is on fighting command. not
on supply or administrative pro
ccdurcs.
Such a week was the ono lust
spent at the College
II is an interesting experience
since the Army institution is some
thing Of an international military
crossroads. Officers from many Of
the allied nations, there to take
various courses. create a cclorful.
dramatic backdrop Of personalities
and uniforms
It is also interesting because it
provides an insight into the plan
OF international fighting teamwork
IN which the U. S. viii engage.
should war come, through its mill
taIy alliances, such as NATC and
Continued on page -
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1958-05-16

collent showing they made
Everybody can't win. Gordon
sad with his genial smile and
the training they eot viii serve
them we'll
The tests Mere vcry comprcHen-
siNe including written tcsts. equip
ment defects, fire fighting fHst Aid.
ana safety features. aS well as
individual driving skiIls
ono Of Tho main features 1T the
threc-dav program was lho safety
program The final dav II tie
roadco was climaXcd by safety
parade through downtown Norfolk
Winners were picked in separate
classes tandem axle Sem-trailcr.
single axle semi trailer. straight
truck and tandem axle tanker class.
Safety training IS 10 stranger al
Gordon s The firm was recently
awarded safety certificate for
having All accident record Better
than the state average last YEAH.
Gordon's had All average Of 2f
accidents POI 100000 miles. white
the state average was about I24.
Gordon Is keeping his fingers
crossed KS his current average ~
about l.l0 and he hopes to reduce
It even moro Last year the local
drivers had - accidents while
travelling 100000 miles. Gordon
pointed out that only five of those
were on the highway the others
wcrc done il the parking tat, Of
while loading Oil unloading
Also in tho line Of safety. Gor-
don's duets monthly safety
talks and demonstrations or films
for tho drivers Frequently All out
side speaker il brought Ill for the
occasion
# you drive past the Gordon \
office on cast Third street some
Saturday afternoon and you zee a
bunch OF cars parked near the
garage, YOU can bet your bottom
dollar that the local drivers are
learning the latest in safety pro
cedurc under the leadership 81 Cor
don 5 Transfer.