W.M. Sanders' Monument and Drinking Fountain Honoring His Son Who Died in WWI and Two Who Died in Civil War, Sept. 4, 1923

Mr. W.M. Sanders Presents Fountain. . . A.M. Coates Makes Presentation Speech; Others on Program; Useful Gift Smithfield enjoyed a feast of good things yesterday: the Thanksgiving service, a speech in the afternoon by Congressman Hallet S. Ward, and the presentation of the drinking fountain just installed on the court yard square. Immediately after the Thanksgiving service the congregation was invited to the court house square where seats had been arranged near the beautiful fountain which was presented to the citizens of Johnston county by Mr. W.M. Sanders of this city in honor of those who served in the world war, and in memory of Lieut. Edwin Smith Sanders, who was killed at Drewry’s Bluff, Va., on May 16, 1864, and Walter R. Moore, killed in Farmville, Va., April 8, 1865, and Edwin Smith Pou, who was killed at Ile Tudy, France, on October 28, 1918. Judge A.M. Noble had charge of this service and introduced Mr. Albert M. Coats of this city, who is now a member of the law faculty at the State University. Eloquently he reviewed history of Johnston county, and briefly mentioned the men of vision who laid the foundations of this government. He told of the unselfish motive that prompted Mr. Sanders to present this gift to the county. Mr. Coates’ speech will appear in full in our next issue. Mr. S.S. Holt accepted the gift on the part of the county commissioners, with fitting words. Judge Noble next introduced Lieut. R.H. Parker of Enfield, who accepted the gift for those who served in the world war. He spoke convincingly of the unselfishness on the part of those who had made sacrifices to serve their country, and he appreciated the unselfishness on the part of Mr. Sanders in paying this tribute to those who had so gallantly served their country. The last speaker on the program came as a surprise to the audience. In speaking of the soldiers of the Civil War who often took with them their servants, Mr. Noble told of the great love these old servants often held for their “masters.” While serving in the war, Mr. Edwin Smith Sanders had two servants, Henry and Haywood Sanders, one of whom, Haywood he said he wished to introduce to the audience as real old-time “darky.” “Uncle Haywood” slowly mounted the steps and stood on the platform. His face glowed with joy and pride at this honor and in a few words he gave an account of his service in the war. From the front page of The Smithfield Herald, Tuesday, September 4, 1923. The photo of the fountain is from docsouth.unc.edu/commland/monument/853/, accessed Sept. 4, 2023. The fountain in the photograph is an exact reproduction of the one destroyed beyond in a 2015 construction accident.