Those of New Bern’s citizens who were so fortunate as to have escaped loss in yesterday’s $2,000,000 fire, met in a mass meeting at the court house at 10 o’clock this morning and literally shouted their offerings of aid in serve and financial contributions.
No such exhibition of loyalty, patriotism, and unselfishness has ever before been seen in a community. Chairman Harry M. Jacobs had to cry at the top of his voice to check the tumult and permit Secretary W.W. Griffin to record the various contributions that were being made.
“I’ll give $500!” came the cry from one end of the court-room.
“Put me down for another $500!” responded a voice from elsewhere.
“I’ll give $200 shouted a third. And so they came, thick and fast. All the way down to five and ten dollars. There were tears in the eyes of many as they witnessed the demonstration of open-heartedness and quick sympathy on the part of their fellow-citizens.
Within half an hour, a fund approximately $10,000 had been raised. One man shouted: “If you need any more, call us together again and we’ll double our donations.”
“You’re right!” came the roar of approval from a dozen or more throats.
Court Room Was Crowded
The court room was crowded with men and women, including a number of colored. Harry M. Jacobs called the meeting to order and suggested that a permanent chairman be appointed to take charge of relief work.
“We can’t find a better man than Mr. Jacobs,” spoke up W.W. Griffin. “I move that we elect him permanent chairman.” The motion was quickly seconded and passed. R.N. Scott was elected permanent secretary and W.W. Griffin was appointed secretary.
“Good people,” said Mr. Jacobs, in a brief preliminary address, “New Bern has suffered the most disastrous blow in its history. But I am confident that New Bern is going to meet the emergency and meet it as loyal and unselfish citizens. It was an inspiring sight during the conflagration yesterday to see both white and colored abandon their businesses and other duties and devote their whole attention and effort to help those who were being rendered homeless. It was a sight which should make every citizen of our city glad and proud that he lives in this community.
Mr. Jacobs added that the relief work was not a one-man project. Neither, he said, could it be done by a half-dozen men. The co-operation of all was needed. As his assistants he appointed W.W. Griffin, Albert Hibbard, Albert T. Willis, T.G. Hyman, Ed Meadows, J.A. Vache, O.W. Lane and C.A. Seifert. He also appointed the chairman of the various organizations to help in the work: Mrs. Spencer as head of the women’s clubs; Mrs. Stevens in charge of the welfare committee; Clyde Eby, president of the Rotarians; Dr. W.L. Hand, president of the Kiwanians; Rev. W.A. Ayers, chairman of city charity work, and others.
Mayor Clark Delivers Address
Mayor Ed Clark spoke feelingly of the pledges of assistance which had come from neighboring cities. He said that he was in communication last night with General Metts and that the general had assured him of cots, blankets and other supplies. A special train, he added, would arrive today with supplies from Camp Bragg and Camp Glenn.
Other Chairmen Appointed
John Holland was appointed chairman of the food and supply purchasing committee. Mrs. Wade Meadows was made chairman of the committee which will have in charge the preparation of food. Captain Fisher was placed in command of the housing situation.
No one declined to serve. Everyone seemed only to anxious to be of help in every way possible.
It was announced that song(?) would be served at the Methodist Church at 11 o’clock. Chairmen or presidents of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Eastern Star, and various church organizations, pledged the assistance of their members in any branch of the work.
Charles L. Ives announced that he would offer one of the warehouses at the New Bern Cotton Oil and Fertilizer Mills for the storage of furniture. John Duffy also promised a truck from the Elm City Lumber Company. Fred Aberly announced that the Pine Lumber Company would set two trucks at work in this connection.
Wholesale Houses Close
Mr. Hyman offered the suggestion that the wholesale houses close at noon today and that all trucks in the city be turned over to moving furniture, as the weather gave indications of rain within a few hours. He was appointed chairman of a committee to see that this should be done.
L.G. Daniels offered two places for storage of furniture.
Mr. Hyman rose again.
“Mr. Chairman,” he stated, “one of our citizens in the audience has just made an excellent suggestion. He suggests that those of us who were favored as to have escaped loss in yesterday’s fire, refrain from giving Christmas presents this year and give this money for relief work.”
A roar of approval greeted the suggestion.
A spirit of restlessness, however, seemed to prevail on the part of many who sat in the audience. They seemed to be waiting for something. The spark was touched off when T.D. Warren rose and said Mr. Bennett of the Munger-Bennett Lumber Company had instructed him to announce that the company would donate $500 for relief work.
Many Donations Received
And that’s where the fireworks started. Dozens of persons started to their feet simultaneously. Mayor Clark announced that the city would give $1,000. A yell of applause greeted the announcement.
“The county commissioners donate $1,000!” shouted Mr. Jacobs.
Another lusty cheer.
“Sudan Temple gives $1,000,” called out Dr. Rhem, ?? of the Temple.
More applause.
After that they came thick and fast. It was impossible for the Sun-Journal to record all the gifts, but here is a partial list:
City of New Bern, $1,000
Craven County, $1,000
Sudan Temple, $1,000
D.F. Jarvis, $100
The Cutter, Pamlico, $50
Richard O’Hara, $25
J.T. Harris, $50
Hollister & Co., $50
Mrs. S.E. Wadsworth, $50
Mr. Zingsheim, $25
J.C. Conkey, $25
Larry I. Moore, $50
H.B. Smith, $25
Dr. McKinnon, $10
Hunter Smith, $10
S.H. Kress, $25
P.E. Bauman, $25
The New Bernian, $25
L.G. Daniels, $25
P.B. Hall, $5
Miss Mattie Frizzell, $10
C.W. Blanchard, $25
Garrison Farrow, $25
R.B. Duncan, $25
N.B. Cotton Oil & Fer. Mills, $25
C.L. Ives, $25
John C. Duffy, $25
J.A. Vache, $10
T.F. McCarthy & Son, $50
Allen Ives, $25
Ward & Ward, $100
East Carolina Lumber Co., $500
T.D. Warren, $100
J.G. Lawton, $25
Raymond Maxwell, $100
Carl Goerch, $25
Ethel Prior, $100
Armstrong Grocery Co., $100
J.C.P. Davis, $25
J.J. Baxter Co., $50
B.F. Hagood, $25
W.T. Hill, $100
L.C. Newman, $25
C.C. Kirkpatrick, $50
John Rhodes, $50
D.L. Ward, $50
Whitehurst & Barden, $50
Hyman Supply Co., $500
W.H. Crawford Co., Balti., $25
Cheesman & Stenger, $25
Family Shoe Store, $25
Eastern Star, $25
Christ Church Vestry, $100
Scottish Rite Masons, $500
Christian Church, $50
Coca-Cola Bottling Co., $100
B.A. Seifert, $50
Doric Lodge, A.F. & A.M., $100
The Chapter Masons, $100
Commandery Masons, $100
L.E. Lancaster, $25
Brooks Brothers, $25
W.P. Jones, $50
Edgar Walnau, $10
Lee Reed, $10
Elijah Taylor & Son, $25
B.O. Jones, $25
Peoples Bank, $100
T.A. Uzzell, $50
Dr. E.C. Armstrong, $10
H.M. Jacobs, $25
Don Hanks, $25
W.W. Griffin, $25
National Bank, $100
Oscar Kafer, $25
Citizens Bank, $100
John Holland, $25
New Bern Banking Trust Co., $100
O.W. Lane, $50
W.F. Aberly, $50
H.B. Marks, $100
Mrs. J.A. Bryan, $100
Mrs. Margaret Willis, $25
O. Marks & Son, $500
Vernon Blades, $100
H.A. Patten, $10
J.L. McDaniel, $10
Garland Baker, $5
From the front page of the New Bern Sun-Journal, Saturday afternoon, Dec. 2, 1922
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