Tribute to Belle Edmisten Shull, 1900

"In Memory of Mrs. C.C. Pennell" by M.C. Shull from the Watauga Democrat, May 10, 1900

On the morning of the 1st at her home near Boone, Watauga county, the Lord called for Belle and she quietly passed from this earth to the beyond, aged 27 years, 5 months and 20 days.

Her maiden name was Edmisten, daughter of W.W.D. Edmisten. She leaves a husband and four affectionate children to mourn their loss. This was a model family, father and mother laboring to render each other and their children happy, and when the earthly tie is broken it is natural that the loss will be the more keenly felt. All was done for her, it seems, that could be, but without avail. Pneumonia and other diseases had gotten such a strong grasp on her that she realized death was near, and god in His infinite goodness and wisdom said, "It is enough, come up higher and claim the crown of eternal life."

In early life she joined the Baptist church and lived a most devoted and exemplary member, and through faith in her Redeemer triumphed over the fear of death.

She was a loving wife, a kind mother, and much esteemed by all who knew her.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Cherry, and the remains were laid to rest in the family grave yard to await the resurrection.

Thus has passed from this earth a good woman, her going has left aching hearts and empty hands that would have delighted to minister to her happiness; still we will not murmur but yield her up, knowing that our "Father's had hath dealt the stroke, and he doeth all things well."

Yet it is so hard to give up loved ones, but we should comfort one another with the hope of heaven, and I would say to the bereaved ones to look beyond the grave with its gloom and follow with an eye of faith the spirit of Belle as she joins the glad company who surround the throne of Him who hath said "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Farewell dear Belle forever.

The parting gives me pain,

But thank the Lord we'll meet again

In heaven where Jesus reigns.

--M.C. Shull

Church Near Cedar Grove, N.C., May 1940

Photos of a small church near Cedar Grove, N.C., taken by the W.P.A. and part of the Library of Congress collection. All were taken May, 1940.

 

"Another Republican Comes Out Openly for White Supremacy" from the Watauga Democrat, May 10, 1900

 Dear Editor,

There is a great question before the people of North Carolina this year. It is the question of permanent white supremacy or permanent negro equality. The men who are trying to save the negro from eternal and just obscurity are telling the white men of North Carolina who are unable to read and write that they are in danger of being disfranchised.

Now, there is not a sound-minded man in the state ho if he will be stop a moment and reason that will believe the silly arguments put up by these so-called leaders.

Mr. Editor, I am a republican, but when it comes to a direct question of whites vs. negroes, I can not, in justice to the Anglo Saxon blood that flows in my veins, array myself on the side of the African. I am for white supremacy "first, last, and all the time."

As a republican, I consider that the republican leaders in the state have made a serious mistake in placing themselves as a hindrance in the pathway of progress, for it is a self-evident fact that the Old North State can never ben anything of which to be proud so long as we have negroes in the halls of Congress and in our State Legislature.

White republicans who do not believe in negro equality have but one course to pursue, and that is to repudiate the leaders of the party in the state  and vote for the amendment. If I have not made myself plain enough, I will write still further on the subject.

Very truly, Thomas P. Smith, Silverstone, May 7

The Atlanta Constitution's Editorial About North Carolina's White Supremacy Amendment, 1900

"A White Man's State" from the Atlanta Constitution as published in the Watauga Democrat, May 10, 1900

In North Carolina, whose election will occur on August 2, there will be elected a Governor and other State House officers and the people will vote on the amendment passed by the legislature and designed to virtually eliminate the black race from State politics. In the proposed amendment there are qualifications which will disfranchise a large majority of the blacks, and a "grandfather clause" which will except the whites from the operation of the law. It is practically a copy of the Louisiana elective franchise law, the constitutionality of which has been questioned. In the last election Fusionists carried the State by a plurality of 17,937, in a total vote of 339,990.

North Carolina is once more a white man's State, and the work of its second redemption will be completed next August.

Should Negroes Follow Orders and Voluntarily Stop Voting? 1900

"Negro In the Background," from the Watauga Democrat, May 3, 1900.

 

In Henderson, a city of 5,000 inhabitants, at the Republican primary held on Saturday not a single white man was present and all the delegates selected were negroes.

In Warren at the county convention the attendance was nearly 100 and not a single white man was present. The negroes, however, in response to orders, elected two white men as delegates to the state convention.

In Lenoir county of 90 present, 70 were negroes.

In Guilford the Negroes obeyed orders and not one was present as delegate or alternate.

In Jones county three-fourths of the delegates were negroes, but the negroes were told to take a back seat and white men were elected to the State convention.

These are a few sample Republican conventions. The revenue officers, who absolutely run the Republican party in North Carolina, have had their doodles at work for more than a month travelling about the state telling the negroes that they must take a back seat in the state convention this year in order to defeat the amendment. "If you are prominent in the convention this year," is the argument used, "you will never get a chance to vote again. Take a back seat this year and after we get in we will let you sit at the first table." That argument has had its effect in most counties, and the negro is consenting to disfranchisement in the state convention  this year in order to help defeat the amendment and get pie next year.

But the white folks are "on to" their scheme!

Should Negroes Be Allowed to Vote? Amendment to State Constitution Says No, 1900

"White Supremacy. The Welfare of the People of North Carolina Demands It," by Dr. J.M. Isaacs from the editorial page of the Watauga Democrat, May 3, 1900. This, of course, would only have taken the vote from African-American men because women weren't allowed to vote in 1900. I wondered what the poll tax of $300 would mean in today's dollars and found an inflation calculator at www.davemanuel.com. According to that source, $300 in 1900 would be worth $8,571.43 in 2014. Imagine having to pay $8,571.43 in order to vote! Imagine an amendment to the state constitution that would effectively take the vote away from African Americans!!

 

Pros and cons there has been a great deal said from the mountains to the sea-shore concerning this the greatest question in the history of the state.

Not long since we wrote a sketch, as we now intend to do, in the interest, not of the Democratic, nor of any other party as to that, but in the common interest of that which has been the founder of the greatest governments, enterprises, etc., which have given new life and energy to the almost lifeless and which has been the harbinger of peace and in short for all that is good, great and noble. As Republicans we are in favor of the adoption of the amendment to the constitution. First, because we are tried of being accused of associating and attempting to keep ourselves upon an equality with the negro socially, morally, politically and otherwise. Second because the negro has no business in politics, ever being incompetent to figure politically and nothing but a nuisance to respectable and decent society. Third, because we are thoroughly satisfied that it will not disfranchise or deprive any deserving white man from his privilege to vote. Fourth, because we think the educational qualification embodied in section four (which applies only to those who shall become of age after January the first 1900) will be a great incentive to higher education and equally as good if not better than the Massachusetts compulsory school law. Fifth, because we feel assured that it will only tend to build up the great Republican party if we would show by our actions and our votes to North Carolina and the world that we desire nothing by the way of government except it be given by the intelligent white man. This, we as a party, all favor, so we say by our words, but as actions speak louder than words, how can this be harmonized and shown to be the truth in its fullest sense if we work and vote against the adoption of the constitutional amendment which, if adopted, means white rule and death to negro rule or if defeated means a continuance of negro office holding form constable to congressman as is already shown to the world in the case of Geo. H. White, the present Congressman from the  2nd district, which is a reproach upon us as a white people. Also reference is made to the fact that at least 20 counties in the state have been ruled almost entirely by the black race of North Carolina from 1894 down to 1898, the result of which was a solid defeat for us in '98, also as a remedy for this evil the proposed amendment is now offered.

We hold the grand old party's principles (except this negro rule) as dear to our hearts as Hons. Linney, Blackburn, or Pritchard and more so than Marion Butler, whose only aims seem for office even if it takes the sacrifice of the poor, helpless white people of the state.

We, as a party, are glad to stand side by side upon questions which conflict not with the rights of voters of the Anglo-Saxon blood but when a question of such magnitude as that of the amendment which the substance is who you are; where do you stand; are you for the white man and white man's government, or are you for the negro and negro domination and a general uproar and an everlasting reproach to North Carolina and the best white citizenship that the sun ever shown upon? Is asked us at the ballet box; we will answer it in favor of white supremacy.

We are pleased to see a number of our great leaders, to wit: Thomas Settle, Judge Starbuck, the Governor and various others of high repute and they, fighting for such a noble cause, may hope to be the stars of the first magnitude, while their opponents will surely vanish with the dark cloud on its back track behind the occidental hills to rise no more.

In 1898 a mistake was made, by us, in representing that should the Democratic party go into power in this state a property qualification of $300 would be required before we could vote, for we now stand betrayed to our constituents because no property qualification whatever is required in the proposed amendment and our constituents are enabled to realize the misrepresentation, hence questions of great moment to us and our party interest can be put to the voter with little effect, for this reason we should be cautious about representations by the unscrupulous) with regard to this amendment for after August we will see that no deserving white men will be disfranchised.

We think if only one party or the other should be more earnest in working for the amendment it should be our party because actions speak louder than words for when upon the various campaigns of the past we were accused of being the negro party and favoring negro equality we have denied it. Now the test is here. Within three short months it is upon us. What shall we do?

Let us throw technicalities aside and not make it a party measure but look upon it without any degree of prejudice, closely study the matter and not be led against our interest and that of our institution and noble countrymen by those designing politicians any further.

In conclusion allow me to say to one and all this is an opportunity of a life time by which plans are devised to rid ourselves of the greatest curse, not only to the State of North Carolina but to this great Union of ours.

4. Every person presenting himself for registration shall be able to read and write any section of the Constitution in the English language; and before he shall be entitled to vote, have paid on or before the first day in March of the year in which he proposed to vote, his poll tax as prescribed by law, for the previous year. Poll taxes shall be a lien only on assessed property, and no process shall issue to enforce the collection of the same except against assessed property.
5. No male person who was on January 1, 1867, or at any time prior thereto, entitled to vote under the laws of any state in the United States wherein he then resided, and no lineal descendant of any such person, shall be denied the right to register and vote at any election in this state by reason of his failure to possess the educational qualifications described in section 4 of this Article; Provided, He shall have registered in accordance with the terms of this section prior to December 1, 1908. The General Assembly shall provide for a permanent record of all persons who registered under this section on or before November 1, 1908, and all such persons shall be entitled to register and vote at all elections by the people in this state, unless disqualified under section 2 of this Article: Provided, Such persons shall have paid their poll tax as required by law.

Above are sections 4 and 5 verbatim regarding qualification of amendment to voters.

--J.M. Issacs

Carolina Farmers Using Modern Chemicals, 1946

"Carolina Farm Comment" by F.H. Jeter, Extension Editor, N.C. State College, Raleigh, as published May 13, 1946, in the Wilmington Star

So many new chemicals are being prepared for use on the farm these days that it is hard for one to keep up with all of them. All sorts of preparations are being developing for the killing of weeds, for instance. Only last week, Farm Agent A.V. Thomas conducted a demonstration using chemicals to control sandspurs in a Jones County pasture.

The tests were made on E.E. Bell’s farm where the sandspurs had covered a small area. The results are not yet apparent but, if these chemicals are like others which have appeared on the farm market, they presumably make the weeds grow until they are exhausted and then die. That seems a strange way to kill a plant, but that’s the way it is.


PROVES SATISFACTORY
This new chemical, Fermate, used to prevent blue mold in tobacco plant beds seems to have done a satisfactory job. Robeson County farmers say the blue mold situation has cleared up nicely in that county. Every man who used the Fermate to control the disease this year will use it again next season. They also found that while nearly every bed sprayed with the Fermate had a little of the blue mold, it was only a light infestation, and the plants recovered quickly. The spray really controlled the trouble until the plants were ready to be set.

That seems to be the experience of most tobacco growers. The Fermate is not an absolute preventive, but it does keep the blue mold under control and so well checked that the plants are able to grow out of it without too much damage. The material is worth the price just for this good effect alone. Many of those who had trouble with the disease, in spite of spraying, perhaps did not use the material exactly as it should have been used, because many growers had to apply the spray with make-shift apparatus. It was nearly impossible to get the spraying equipment needed. Tobacco growers say they hope they shall be able to get such equipment next year.


PROTEST LOSS
It seems a shame, they say, that farmers are compelled to lose so much now because they cannot get tractors, plows, combines, and other equipment that they so badly need, all because selfish interests are holding up the production of coal and manufactured products to their own personal advantage.

Jonas Fields of Seven Springs in Wayne County has just completed the work with another chemical which he used last fall in controlling weeds in his tobacco bed. He used Cyanamid to do this and secured excellent results. All spring, while his neighbors were laboriously picking or pulling the weeds from their plant beds with their hands, Mr. Fields had practically no weeds. But he did not follow the manufacturers’ recommendations in using the chemical. Instead, he just let it remain on the top of the soil until it came time for him to plant his tobacco seed. Then he prepared the plant bed in the usual manner.


AGENTS IMPRESSED
He secured such good results that a number of top men, officials of the manufacturing company, went down to Wayne County to see for themselves. They told Farm Agent C.S. Mintz that they were very much impressed with Mr. Fields’ results. There is no doubt that this cyanamid does control the weeds. Joe Anthony, over in Wilson County, says there is no comparison as to the amount of hand labor needed where the material is used and where it is, there are no weeds. Wilson tobacco growers are progressive and they try out every good thing coming their way. Their use of the cyanamid each fall on tobacco plant beds has increased rapidly.

Still another new chemical is being tried out by eastern Carolina tobacco growers this year. This is our old friend copper sulphate or bluestone. Some growers have added a little of this bluestone to their tobacco fertilizers, particularly to dark soils, to get the effect of the copper as a fertilizing element. Preliminary tests show that the copper does add to the yield and vigor of the plant on such dark soils, but it also affects the taste of the tobacco.


GROWERS PLAN TEST
Two Wayne County growers will try one acre each with the copper suphate added to their fertilizer this year, but the material is not being recommended by Experiment Station research men.

A.M. Frazelle of Richlands, Route 1, in Onslow County, used Cyanamid on 400 yards of tobacco bed last fall to control weeds, and has had practically no weeds at all this spring, reports Charley Clark, farm agent. Right next to this treated bed, however; is another bed of 400 yards which had so many weeds that there have been practically no tobacco plants available for setting.


CUTS WEED COSTS
It cost Mr. Frazelle just about $150 to have his weeds picked from his tobacco beds not treated with the cyanamid, and, nothing where they were treated. He has invited all of his neighbors over to see the difference, an no one need ask what he plans to do this coming fall as he again selects the sites for his plant beds.

Mr. Frazelle also used the Fermate solution to spray his plant beds this spring, treating them twice each week. There was little or no blue mold on the treated beds. Those not treated were severely attacked by the disease. It seems, therefore, that all of us must learn to know and live with these new chemicals as they come along if we are to stay in the farming business.


DAIRYMEN EXPERIMENT WITH DDT
Dairymen are getting ready to use the new DDT spray to keep flies under control this summer. Charles Turner, who owns the Vine Knoll Dairy near Reidsville in Rockingham County, has just applied his first spray of DDT to the walls and windows of his milk house; and, when J.E. Foil went out there the other afternoon, not a fly could be found on the premises. In fact, such excellent control was secured that Mr. Foil has asked all the other dairymen of Rockingham County to visit Mr. Turner’s dairy and see the results for themselves.

Down in Hyde County, R.B. Stotesbury is spraying one-half of his apple orchard with a DDT solution and comparing it with his regular spray material. D.M. Swink, a neighbor, is using the material to spray his pecan grove so as to control the nut chose bearer, an insect which has been causing him considerable losses each season. J.P. Woodward, farm agent in Hyde County, says this spraying is really experimental work and is being done in cooperation with Dr. Clyde Smith, associate entomologist of the North Carolina Experiment Station.

Dr. Smith, by the way, has prepared a rather interesting little multilithed pamphlet on the practical use of DDT on North Carolina farms; and, if you would like to have a copy, let me know and I shall be glad to send one to you free of charge. Just drop a line to Frank Jeter, editor, North Carolina State College, and your copy will come immediately.