New Hanover Grand Jury Says Purge Wilmington Police Force, Improve Jail and Schools, 1905

From the Raleigh Post, as reprinted in The Caucasian, Clinton, N.C., April 20, 1905

Sensational Report by New Hanover Grand Jury

Wilmington, N.C., Apr. 8, Special—The grand jury of the superior court made a most sensational report to-day, in part saying:

"We recommend that the city police force be purged of several unworthy and incapable men who may be better fitted for other employment. We also urge the enforcement of the recent vagrancy law. It is a disgrace to the county that no facilities have been provided for cleansing prisoners upon their admittance. We respectfully recommend that the jail be supplied with a bath room, that all prisoners be compelled immediately to use it and be clad in jail garments. We respectfully report that upon personal inspection we have ascertained that the public school facilities of the city are inadequate to the needs of the rapidly increasing white population. Many of the local teachers have nearly doubled the number of pupils in their charge to which they should properly be assigned. Notwithstanding this, there are still several hundred children without school facilities, growing up in idleness and with many instances of sinful or criminal tendencies.”

Prof. Howard Odum Explains Way of the South, 1947

A review of “The Way of the South” by Hoard W. Odum, April 20, 1947, The New York Times. The review of the book was written by Herbert Lyons

Dr. Odum has devoted his life to the study of Southern resources (both human and physical) and the most productive means of employing them. In an unused sense of the term, therefore, he is a professional Southerner. His investigations, conducted from the stronghold of the Southern academic conscience, the University of North Carolina, have made him one of the great men of American sociology. The effect of his studies on the South is growing; his is one of the most beneficent and changing influences at work in the Southern regions.

From such a man—humane, steadfast and tireless in the gathering of vital data about the most tumultuous of our sections—any book is welcome. This one has been eagerly awaited, for it promised to be a synthesis of Dr. Odum’s work. It is disappointing to have to report that, despite many enlightening passages, “The Way of the South” seems more a diffusion than a synthesis of his ideas. He has tried, unfortunately, to combine the Whitmanesque manner of his novels (“Rainbow Round My Shoulder” is the best remembered) with the plodding, repetitious approach of such systematic works as “American Regionalism.” As he points out in his final chapter, he has used “freely both form and substance from previous writings.” The substance is integrated enough; the form, so curiously mixed, makes difficult and occasionally irritating reading.

But the book’s unevenness has a deeper source. Toward the close “The Way of the South” exhibits a discouragement at odds with Dr. Odum’s earlier sober optimism. The cause of his dismay is the sudden renewal of bitter ideological friction between North and South. He is in evident agreement with an unnamed Southern writer whom he quotes as saying: “My belief is that people in other sections are beginning to regard the South with cold distaste that is worse than hatred.” An immediate emotional tension, rather than a considered judgement, must be responsible for the declaration, given virtually without preparations, that “it is not possible to approximate the balanced culture necessary to guarantee the Negro equal opportunity in America in any other way than through the migration from the South to all other regions of perhaps one-half its total Negro population.”

Directly afterward Dr. Odum acknowledges that he considers “such a program of planned migration” unrealistic. But he goes on to say that “such a program must be faced frankly and something of its equivalent must be planned if there is to be anything like the balance and equilibrium in this area of Negro-white relationships in the United States, and if stark tragedy is to be avoided in the present trends.” Even in a book devoted largely to recapitulations, it is astonishing that Dr. Odum’s entire discussion of “planned voluntary migration” is only about as long as a newspaper editorial. 

Obviously, Dr. Odum feels that the need for social peace between North and South is overwhelmingly urgent—so urgent as to plunge him into what a lesser man might be called loose thinking.

The wave of criticism against Southern mores would appear to have had consequences that the critics did not foresee. In more detached moments Dr. Odum is amiably aware that the northern portion of the United States seldom has anything on its own conscience and only confesses other people’s sins. It is clear, however, that he is disheartened by the current intensity of inter-regional conflicts.

Throughout most of the book Dr. Odum is explaining the South rather than seeking panaceas for conflicts between the sections. He is not an apologist for the South; he is an analyst. In the role of investigator, he is without equal. No one is a surer guide to the complex of forces that have produced the region’s “biracial culture.” And no one, when intra-sectional planning is under discussion, is less prejudiced and more clear-sighted. His discouragement, it is hoped, is only temporary. But it is there, and it cannot be ignored by those who, like himself, dream of bringing about “the regional equality and balance of America.”

Gaylord-Nurney Couple Wed in Distinctive Military Ceremony, April 18, 1900

Roanoke Beacon, Plymouth, N.C., April 27, 1900

A Military Marriage

On Wednesday evening April 18^th Grace Episcopal Church was the scene of a beautiful and novel marriage, the contracting parties being Miss Sarah Frances Gaylord the beautiful daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Gaylord, and Mr. W.T. Nurney, one of the popular young drummers of Company “E.”

The church was artistically decorated and all the attendants were military men in full uniform. At 8 o’clock the bridal party arrived at the church and entered as follows: the Color Sergeant entered the rear door and marched to the center of the church where he held the Stars and Stripes between two large arches of evergreens. Following the flag came the drummers beating a soft yet lively quick-step march; they took positions just behind the colors, on either side. Then came Capt. J.E. Reid with a division of his company. As they passed under the flag Lt. Jackson with a division of the company entered from the north entrance and Lt. Mizell with a division entered from the south entrance, passing down the side aisles in single file they formed a double column as they passed under the flag, following the division of Capt. Reid to the chancel, where a heart was formed, as near as possible, by the entire company.

As the drums ceased the notes of the organ, under the artistic touch of Mrs. F.A. Boyle, filled the church with the wedding march and the bride, leaning on the arm of her father, entered the northern entrance, and the groom, with his brother, Mr. B.F. Nurney, entered from the south, marching to the center, while, as they passed under the flag the bride took the groom’s arm and they marched to the chancel rail where they met the rector, Mr. Tolson, who, according to the beautiful ritual of that church, pronounced them man and wife. During the ceremony the flag was held in position directly over the bride.

As the bridal party marched down the center aisle and out at the northern entrance, the organ ceased and the drums took up the notes. Capt. Reid wheeled his men down the center aisle in double column. Lts. Jackson and Mizell marched their divisions in cross line, passing down the side aisles to the center, there meeting, formed in double column in the rear of Capt. Reid’s division, and all passed out the rear entrance.

The ushers, in military costumes, Messrs. P.W. Brinkley and W.F. Ausbon, were unable to place the large number of people in the church. The building was packed to its utmost capacity.

Immediately after the ceremony a reception was held at the home of the bride’s parents, where the happy couple received the congratulations of their many friends. They were also the recipients of many handsome and costly presents.

The Sound of the Pistol More Frequent Than Song of the Mockingbird in Asheville, N.C., 1905

The Caucasian, Clinton, N.C., April 20, 1905

“The Sound of the Pistol is More Frequent than Song of the Mocking-bird.”

Asheville, N.C., April 17—Asheville witnessed a touch of lawlessness late Saturday night and early Sunday morning that resulted in the killing of a negro named Butler Maxwell on Mountain Street, the serious and perhaps fatal wounding of W.A. Atkins, a white man, on Southside Avenue, the attack and serious injury of another negro of Valley Street, and the shooting of two women and a negro boys on “Greasy Corner.”

Three of the crimes, including the unprovoked killing of Maxwell, are believed to have been committed by two white men, non-residents of Asheville, who, followed by a dog, went looking for trouble and who after finding it succeeded in evading the police and making their escape.

The killing of Maxwell was the last of the desperate acts of the men and occurred shortly before one o’clock Sunday morning. Upon being notified of this last occurrence and feeling sure that the same men were responsible for Maxwell’s death who stabbed Atkins and assaulted the negro on Valley street, the police force went to work on meagre clues while Sheriff Reed and his deputies went hunting for the murders.

After working on the cases for several hours, clues were obtained that led the officers to suspicion Mac Brooks and Walter Barber, two white men of the Avery’s Creek section of the county, who were in town Saturday.

Brooks was arrested yesterday afternoon and Barber to-day.

Discussed at Home Economics Agents Meeting, Greensboro, 1917

From the Roanoke Rapids Herald, April 13, 1917

The Home Economics Teachers Meeting in Greensboro to-day and to-morrow will include:

--How We Get the Co-operation of the Different Organization in the State, Mrs. Jane S. McKimmon, State Home Demonstration Agent.

--The County Worker and Her Success in Demonstrating Food Values and the Preparation of Foods, Miss Minnie L. Jamison, Assistant in Home Demonstration Work.

--The Home Demonstration Agent and Farm-Life Home Economics Teacher—Miss Grace E. Shaeffer, Assistant in Home Demonstration Work.

--The Personality and Training of the Home Demonstration Agent—Mrs. J.H. Henley, Field Agent.

--The Business Side of Home Demonstration Work, Mrs. E.T. Smith of Wayne County and Mrs. Cornelia C. Morris of Halifax County.

--How I Reach the Woman on the Farm, Mrs. Rosalind A. Redfearn of Anson County and Mrs. W.B. Lamb of Sampson County.

--Co-operative Sources in the County, Miss Grace A. Bradford of Moore County and Miss Lizzie Jo. Roddick of Forsyth County.

--The Canning Clubs and the Country Schools, Miss Eunice E. Penny of Davidson County and Miss Margaret M. McLucas of Surry County.

--Home Demonstration Work as an Inspirational Source of Home Economics in the Rural School, Miss H. Celeste Henkel of Iredell County and Miss Annie Lee Rankin of Mecklenburg County.

Lula Adams on Death of 15-Month-Old Kissie Greene, 1904

Watauga Democrat, Thursday, April 7, 1904

In Memory

At 2 o’clock on the morning of Feb. 15^th the pale angel Death rowed his phantom boat across the mystic river, entered the happy home of Mr. G. Wiseman Greene, and carried away the pure spirit of little Kissie.

Her stay on earth was a brief one, only about 15 months, yet brief as it was, the little form had twined itself around the hearts of those who knew her, and the home will deem desolate and lonely without the childish prattle of little Kissie.

Some times we wonder why it is that those tender buds are torn from the parent tree when they are being cultivated with such care, but some where in the eternal summer land our Father has a place to plant them where they will bloom in fadeless beauty.

We sympathize with the bereaved father, brother and sister, where home is left lonely again by the relentless hand of Death, but would console them with the fact that if they are true to the Master, they will meet their darling again, for he who has provided a balmy South for the birds to which they fly intuitively, with blind hope and trust, has provided a shelter for us, where we may meet the loved and lost and realize our soul’s dreams.

Yet ever the lonely way, over the unknown sea we call Death, He will guide us save to a haven, a land immortal, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
                                                                                                                                                            -------Lula Adams, Hangaman, N.C.

Indian Trail News from the Monroe Journal, 1918

“Happenings of the Week in Vance,” from the Monroe Journal, April 9, 1918.

Indian Trail—Spring has now opened up and the farmers are now showing their part in beginning to do their best in the work. The farmers of this section are adopting the slogan of planting more foodstuffs and less of that plant—cotton—which the Southerner has depended upon so long for what he has in life and which has brought more than thousands of people to dire poverty. The war will in all probability be a blessing to humanity in that it will teach several of the most needed principles of life and living to those who have for all the past been doing things on no systematic way whatever and thereby leaving themselves as a people that think there is nothing in life worth living for except just the meagre things of the world that provides them food and raiment, and certainly we find this class get just what they are looking for and nothing worthwhile. We feel that while the war is devastating all Europe and at the same time leaving it in a very mixed and mangled form, when the things of the present are over and peace reigns then we will be in the best state of affairs and especially the southern farmer who is observing the best ways to do things, for the affairs of today are teaching the rudiments of successful farming and saving, which will be learned and forever remembered by the coming generations.

On Thursday night of last week a social gathering was given in the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Kendall in honor of one of our best friends, Mr. Stacy B. Orr, who left Sunday morning for Camp Jackson. Quite a number of the young people from in around the village attended and the evening was spent playing games, which were enjoyed by those who ministered them but the victims of the occasion did not appreciate getting their best clothes soaked with water which was the source of fun for those who enjoyed it. Some left early on account of the way the games were played and report that they do not wish to attend any more socials which are to be carried on on this basis of fun-for-the-other-fellow.

Mr. D.P. Hartis of near here had a slight stroke of paralysis while on his way to Charlotte one day last week, which has rendered him unable to do any work. The stroke took effect in the face, making it impossible to shut one eye. We hope our friend will continue to improve as he has for the last few days.

Preparations are fastly being made for the commencement exercises to be held at Indian Trail. We have had a fine session of school this season save the bad weather which caused a great deal if irregular attendance. The exercises will be somewhat short but nevertheless we are hoping to give those who are able to attend something worth coming for. A short play will be given after the day program on Friday, the 12^th. We are able to have with us some of the best speakers that the county affords, who will speak on the day program.

Messrs. Frank Tomberlin, Samuel Lemmond, and Burkett Crowell went with Mr. Stacy B. Orr to Monroe Sunday morning, arriving just before the train left carrying a large crowd of soldiers. Mr. Orr left many of his friends in tears, but as it has been with many other boys who have gone before him, he happened to be one who were chosen to fight for this country’s liberty.

Quite a large crowd were present at the speaking and showing of pictures on the screen of the Presbyterian Church  last night, given on behalf of the Presbyterian Orphanage at Barium Springs by Miss Hudson, who is one of the officers of the place. She gave a fine lecture in connection with the great work which is being done there and also giving the pictures to show exactly how things are arranged for the large number of children being taken care of in that place.

The exercises given on last Sunday night at the Methodist Church were fine and an exceedingly large crowd enjoyed what was said and done. After the program carried was out, the pastor, Rev. A.J. Farington, made a short talk. The honor of getting the program up was awarded to Miss Kate Crowell.

Miss Wilma Harkey was in the village Sunday from Charlotte where she is clerking for her uncle there.

Miss Mamie Ross, who has been here with her aunt, left last Monday afternoon for her home near Wingate.

--Ignatius