fos -652 to SUT mina pele nnsinaniam enslinie-n— napa anmiveviarenaae eee Saleen . eran ee e=ipet eee ee eo ee haart ets ERNIE ID EPO AA POE SET TCE SPS Pe eM TT Ey IHR ee Rate te Te ee EP es og PLR RS OS IN ESTES EI TTT 7 STEARATE ST EEE TT N.- O2R Tp H™~ CVA R Oxia NA Bryvonp THe FUTURE @ Tomorrow's leaders in every field are already looking and planning beyond the uncertain present. @ With the increasing emphasis on the develop- ment of native raw materials you will find south- eastern North Carolina a fertile field for expan- sion. Varied resources—a sound, progressive popu- lation, established furniture hardwoods, North Carolina pine, pulp wood, vegetables, resorts, and unsurpassed natural advantages for dairying and livestock. e Let us help you make or develop contacts in this area. Write to any office. WACCAMAW in ign Bank and Trust Company eae SOUTHPORT CLARKTON ROSE HILL KENANSVILLE DR. R. C. SADLER, Vice-President GLENN F. STROLE, Vice-President K. CLYDE COUNCIL, President J. N. COBURN, Executive Vice-President C. L. TATE, Vice-President MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION COLUMBUS COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA: 1946 , A review of Columbus County from an historical, agricultural, commercial, industrial, municipal and photographic stand point Published By James A. ROGERS, Editor THE NEWS REPORTER Whiteville, N.C. Photographs by Baldwin-Gillespie Studio, D. L. Love, State Department Conservation and Development, and Others. Advertising copy assistance by J. G. Worrell. TABLE OF CONTENTS Some Early History of Columbus County . Center of Rich Agricultural Area .... Tobacco Is King in Columbus County . Lumber Manufacturing Is Second Industry in Columbus County Strawberry Culture Began in Chadbourn in 1895 . Whiteville, County Seat Town With a Future Whiteville Is a Civic-Minded Community .. Whiteville Was Named for James B. White . Tabor City, Major Business and Marketing Center . ‘Thirty Years Ago in Tabor City Chadbourn, Klondyke Capital of Columbus . Man of the People, Joe Brown ........... Fair Bluff Reflects Charm of the Old South . Columbus County, a Virgin Opportunity . Lake Waccamaw Retains a Distinct Primeval Flavor . Kinchen Council, Sage of Wananish The Legend of the Lake Small Communities Form Patchwork Over Columbus .. Columbus County Red Cross Did Remarkable Job During World War II .... ; Irvin Tucker, Leader of Men . Rev. F. T. Wooten Was Father of Modern Education in Columbus County There's a Little Touch of Normandy in Columbus John George Butler, Christian Gentleman Mille-Christine’s Life Was Stranger Than Fiction . Columbus County Men Made Proud Record in War Between the States ... Old Roads in Columbus . School Statistics General Statistics 101 Many years of experience with various small and large business firms enable us to offer to those interested a service which combines sim- plicity with efficiency. We prepare and supervise accounting, book- keeping and business systems which reflect the exact condition of a particular business and which will simplify the filing of State and Federal Income Tax and other necessary docu- ments. W. G. BuRKHEAD & Associates INCOME TAX ACCOUNTING BOOKKEEPING Over First National Bank WHITEVILLE, N. C. Telephone 113 PreGccy HINsoN KOT EIT Prone. Kings Ww (INSURED AND REGISTERED) Other Fine qewelry WEAVERS JEWELRY STORE WHITEVILLE ° NORTH CAROLINA a By Way of Li nitroduction This magazine attempts to give a partial picture of Columbus County, its past, its present, and its possible future. It has a two-fold purpose: first, to acquaint Columbus citizens with their county; and second, to furnish authentic information to outsiders about Columbus County which will help them get a true picture of the possibilities it possesses. The information contained herein has been gathered during the extremely few spare moments in the life of a newspaper editor. The task was undertaken only because of our personal belief that Columbus County is on the verge of tremendous advances which call for an adequate knowledge of the county by both insiders and outsiders alike. The assistance we have received has been marked by ex- traordinary kindness and generosity, for which we here express our sincerest thanks. Both in the matter of furnishing information and in checking manuscripts have we found an exceptionally kind tesponse. Our only regret is that space has not permitted going into much detail so generously offered by so many. Every article appearing herein has been checked by others before it was turned over to the printer. For accuracy of statement, we have sought to be painstaking. However great the effort to prevent mistakes, though, it is only natural that some will creep in. This is espe- cially true when it is remembered that most of the historical back- Bround recorded in these articles has been derived not from written records, for there are few in Columbus County, but from the recollection of some of the older citizens. It is our belief that all historical data recorded here is substantially correct, and for that which may be in error, we can only ask for the kind forbearance of any who may be aggrieved because of it. We take credit or blame for all articles appearing herein which do not bear a by line, though naturally numerous sources, both written and verbal, were drawn from heavily. We found the files of The News Reporter very helpful, as was the assistance rendered by many individuals. To the advertisers who so generously supported this effort with advertising, we extend special thanks. Without their support, the task would have been impossible. Readers, we are sure, will look upon their advertisements as helping to complete the picture of Columbus County. If these pages help to better inform Columbus County citizens about their county, and others about the great possibilities yet awaiting development here, our effort will have been repaid in dividends extraordinarily pleasing. James A. Rocers, Editor, Whiteville, N. C. January 10, 1946. The News Reporter Our association has served Whiteville since 1922 with a building and loan service which has never disfurnished or displaced anyone from his home. Many of Whiteville’s most beautiful homes have been built by our organization. In the post-war period, we are prepared to serve you in your construction plans. > PEOPLES BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION WHITEVILLE, N. C. Total Assets W. B. Hosss, President $310,436.02 B. S. THompson, Vice-President Fenix M. Situ, Secretary and Treasurer TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND FRIENDS Since 1870, it has been our constant endeavor to carry in stock at all times merchandise that was needed in the territory we serve. In 1923, we felt we could best serve the community by confining our stock to Hardware, Paint and Furniture. In 1933, we eliminated the furniture and added a full line of Electrical Appliances, and in 1938, took on Essotane Gas and Gas Appliances for cooking and heating. In 1946, we are stocking for you as complete as we can: @ CARPENTER TOOLS AND BUILDING HARDWARE @ FARM IMPLEMENTS AND POULTRY SUPPLIES B. P. S. DUTCH BOY PAINTS AND VARNISHES GUNS, AMMUNITION, AND FISHING TACKLE FRIGIDAIRE REFRIGERATORS, ELECTRIC STOVES AND WATER HEATERS EASY WASHERS AND IRONERS AMERICAN STEEL KITCHENS COLEMAN OIL SPACE HEATERS, FURNACES AND WATER HEATERS ESSOTANE GAS, GAS COOK STOVES AND HEATERS And to make the lady that knows, know that we know FOSTORIA CRYSTAL Yes, believe it or not, the above can be found at SCHULKENS The Home of Good Hardware Phone 123 WHITEVILLE, N. C. Opposite Depot Shiamphant bal Seas s We Greet the Future, Raising Our Eyes to Its Challenge. Tes must he a beginning aa, hase upon ab iia we must bralel W. must Lad) here others lag. W, must dane where others doubt. We must prove that the bright new ee! (5 more than a picturesque phrase. Dec way is by faith, by trusting a prond, by trying Be ceo. [bs aid, A bul, courtesy, a lithe understanding, andl a ht of good, bagel nardh That is the foundation of a better county... J60@ better csiness ieee mn “Jewels from Your Jeweler Colin! cLeading oweler Whitevill, Vorth (GSEy HEALTH - All three are imperative for better living in Columbus County HAPPINESS - PROSPERITY or wherever you may be living OUR DRUG EXPERIENCE IS AT YOUR DISPOSAL FOUNTAIN SPECIALS Meet your friends in Tabor City at our modern fountain and get a cold refreshing drink and sandwich PRESCRIPTIONS—Day or Nite Bring in your next prescription for quick, accurate and reasonable service PHONE 34-1 Real cua, Nyal Drug | Peadbects HARRELSON’S PHARMACY R. C. HarreELson, Proprietor DRUGGISTS SINCE 1910 Eastern Columbus County's leading merchants —_ PIERCE, WYCHE & C0. ACME, N. C. FREEMAN STORE FREEMAN, N. C. ACME STORE AcE, N.C. P. O. Rt. 1, Bolton, N. C. S. W. Pierce J. B. Wyche J. J. Barnhardt J. A. Wyche TABOR CITY GOOD FOODS PAY LARGE DIVIDENDS in Health and Happiness Keep Columbus County’s men, women and children healthy and strong with lots of nutritional value with fruits, vegetables, groceries, and meats from Farm Feeds and Flour by the Barrel GURGANUS’ CASE SORE WHITEVILLE, N. C. Sah Woo SALES « QUALITY * LONG LIFE DEPENDABILITY » APPEARANCE » COMFORT CARS and TRUCKS Sos — Srraties AVANT and SHOLAR. INC. “WHITEVILLE’S OLDEST DEALER” a eee I McGOUGAN ELECTRIC COMPANY DELCO-LIGHT Farm Electric Plants and Pumps, Radios SUPERFEX Oil Burning Refrigerators TABOR CITY, N. C. FRIGIDAIRE Electric Refrigeration Electrical Contracting SS SEeOESEOerTrer OO @ MAYTAG WASHING MACHINES @ COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION @ DELCO WATER SYSTEMS @ ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING @ ELECTRIC RANGES @ PLUMBING SUPPLIES RADIOS @ ELECTRIC REFRIGERATORS e @ ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS @ FROSTED FOOD CABINETS @ OIL WATER HEATERS @ STEEL KITCHEN CABINETS @ ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES [eee ee ae er Re a 7 McKENziE’s MorTuARY, WHITEVILLE A lasting tribute and memorial is your desire when arranging final rites for your loved ones. The quiet efficiency of our staff will do much to relieve your troubled mind in such times of stress. The calm dignity and simplicity of our services will long remain a source of comfort to you during empty hours. Depend upon us to render a service of character. McKenzie’s Mutual Burial Association “Friendly, Helpful Service” PHONE 97 McKENZIES MORTUARY WHITEVILLE, N. C. May we take this opportunity to express our most sincere thanks and appreciation for your patronage. We hope you will continue to make our store your shopping headquarters. “uth Recreation Center Good Churches rst Class Post Office Population? Home of Columbus County Hospihhlic Tabaay Lands WHITEVILLE MERITS ASSOCIATION Whitevil Carolina Whiteville—County Seat Town With A Future (Continued from Page 23) Particularly is this true north of the courthouse where large oaks form an arch over the street, providing a restful atmosphere for some of the oldest residences of Whiteville. Many attractive new homes are to be found in East White- ville where pre-war building made considerable extension to the residential limits of the town and apparently established the direc- tion in which its greatest residential expansion will take place. Whiteville has established a reputation for sound and pro- gressive business which no other town of similar size can sur- pass. In the downtown areas, stores and other retail and wholesale concerns stretch away in all directions. Lumber plants, tobacco warehouses, and produce markets form the principal industrial interests. The Whiteville tobacco market is one of the largest in the tobacco belt, boasting of six large warehouses and selling an annual volume of brightleaf tobacco approximating annually the 30,000,000-pound mark. Last year, the total poundage marketed in Whiteville exceeded that amount. A large re-drying plant is also located in Whiteville. Financially, Whiteville has excellent records in building and loan operations, in business and bank rating. The Waccamaw Bank and Trust Company, with total resources of $26,756,830.70 is the parent bank of nine banks of the Waccamaw chain in Eastern Carolina. The First National Bank opened for business January 2, 1946, with a capital structure of $100,000. The Whiteville Post Office, located in a beautiful building on Madison Street, has a first class rating. It is believed that White- ville is the only town in Eastern Carolina of comparable size, with a first class postal rating. A normal year—1941—showed that the volume of wholesale and retail business for Whiteville was more than $20,000,000. The war years since have greatly increased that amount. ACTIVE MERCHANTS Whiteville merchants form a cooperative, progressive group who not only do a big volume of business but who also work together for the betterment of their community. An active Mer- chants Association with a full-time secretary provide an organiza- tion of merchants who have made many contributions toward the progress and improvement of business conditions and opportunities. The main business street has an unusually large number of attractive shops for this size community. Whiteville merchants draw a large volume of trade from inside and outside the county. In addition, Whiteville is wholesale distributing point for groceries, drygoods and automobile parts. The home office of one of the largest chain of drygoods stores in Eastern North Carolina is located in Whiteville. Also to be found here is one of the larger automobile parts distributing concerns in Eastern North Carolina, a fertilizer manufacturing plant whose agents cover a wide terri- tory, an ice cream manufacturing plant with delivery service over a large area, and a livestock market with a very large annual business volume. Several large lumber plants are also to be found in outlying districts. Planned also for the near future is a pickle factory making use of cucumbers planted by Columbus County farmers. For the encouragement of more industry in Whiteville, the Greater Whiteville Development Corporation was organized with a capital stock of $100,000. This corporation keeps in close touch with prospective industries and seeks to promote conditions encour- aging to the location of new industries in this community. SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES By legislative enactment, the schools of the Whiteville district comprise a school administrative unit separate from the county system. The first session of that administrative unit is now in prog- tess, and there appears every reason to believe that the establish- ment of such a unit will bear rich fruit in the education of White- ville youth. In the field of religion, Whiteville is blessed with strong churches and good ministers. Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians are the predominating denominations numerically, although the Pentecostal Holiness, with a beautiful church plant, are very ac- tive. Though few in number, the Catholics have a handsome church home and a resident pastor. There are two Presbyterian Churches and an Episcopal Church. Several of the churches have made plans for new church homes. There is also a Freewill Baptist Church here. OTHER COMMUNITY ASSETS You will find also in Whiteville an American Legion post which has not only done an outstanding work locally, but which has provided district and department commanders. The local post has an attractive legion hut which is much in demand for banquets and other social functions. Though inadequate at present, the town has a growing library and plans for the construction of a Memorial Library honoring the Columbus men who gave their lives in World War I and World War IL. The youth of Whiteville have a recreation center on the main floor of the Armory. Supervised recreation is provided on stated evenings each week. The center is known locally as “The Rec’ and has a governing board composed of both youth and adult members. Members of the Civitan Club provide chaperonage. The center is equipped with ping pong tables, bowling alleys, pool tables, table games, a piccolo, and a public address system. Also located here is a cold drink stand operated by the youth themselves. During the school months, it is open each Friday and Saturday nights. Changes are made during the summer months to provide open night three times each week. i A 50-year-old newspaper, the semi-weekly News Reporter, has been of great influence in promoting the development of Whiteville. The paper has a circulation of over 6,000. Recently granted by the Federal Communications Commission was a permit for the establishment of a 250-watt broadcasting station in White- ville. Work on this station is already in progress, and regular broad- casts should begin at an early date. > Situated on the east edge of Whiteville is the Columbus County Hospital, where modern medical facilities are provided. The hospital is staffed by competent physicians and nurses and serves the entire county. AIR-MINDED With the coming of the air age, Whiteville has not been slow to realize that in order to keep step with business and industry, adequate airport facilities must be provided. A beginning in this direction has been made in the construction of a 1,821-foot airstrip just outside of Whiteville near Brunswick. Active in promoting the establishment of an airport for the county is the Whiteville Flying Club, which organization sponsored the construction of an airstrip. On this airstrip, a hangar and office have been con- structed, a flying instructor has been employed, several airplanes purchased by club members, and much interest demonstrated in flying. The establishment here of a 610 freezer locker plant is regarded as one of the major contributions to the county in recent years. The plant is one of the relatively few in North Carolina and has already marked a new day for food preservation in Columbus County. Transportation facilities in Whiteville are ample to meet all the needs of passenger and commercial travel. The town has been served by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad since the middle of the past century. This line extends east from Wilmington through Whiteville to Florence, S. C., where it connects with main north-south lines. The distance from Whiteville to Florence is about 70 miles. In addition to the rail facilities, Whiteville is located at the cross-roads of the main north-south, east-west Fed- eral highways over which trucking and bus companies operate with regular stopovers in Whiteville. The Queen City Coach Com- pany and the Whiteville, Brunswick and Southport bus lines operate 32 buses daily through Whiteville. To these buses on regular schedule are added special buses to take care of extra heavy traffic. Whiteville itself is served with regular city buses operated by the Columbus Transit Company. These buses operate on regular schedule between points in north, east and west Whiteville to South Whiteville and Brunswick, three miles beyond the south- €rn city limits. The Tide Water Power Company serves Whiteville with an ample supply of electricity for domestic and commercial purposes. Telephone service is provided by the Columbus Telephone (Com: pany, a locally-owned industry. Police and fire-fighting facilities are adequate and efficient. Among the colored population, who comprise about 15 per cent of the total population, there are good churches and schools. Several of the colored churches are of brick structure. The schools are a part of the city system. The Negro population has been very cooperative in every Directors of Whiteville Mer- chants’ Association: seat- ed, left to right, Leslie Thompson, Lloyd Collier, George Gold, chairman; M. B. Kibler, Jr., former exec- utive secretary; H. B. Gur- ganus; standing, left to right, S. Lee Braxton, J. N. Coburn, C. D. Henderson, J. R. Marks, R. L. Sholar, Her- man Leder. community effort. Too much credit cannot be given them for their support of every cooperative community war effort. There are also medical clinics here for the Negro population. GOVERNMENT Whiteville is governed by a commissioner form of govern- ment with a mayor and five commissioners elected every two years. The bonded indebtedness of the town is $135,190 which will be paid off by 1962. The tax rate is $1.75, and the tax valuation is $2,721,555. Although there has been a gradual and reasonable increase in the amount of property listed for taxation, the general trend has been to keep the valuations low. The major civic inprovement of the present Board of Com- missioners is the complete overhauling and expansion of the present city water and sewer system. The proposed plan, which calls for an outlay of $250,000, will give to Whiteville a modern water and sewerage system adequate for the needs of a growing community for many years to come. Present building operations are already heralding the biggest building boom and greatest expansion program in the history of this progressive community. It is estimated that by the end of this year, business and residential building operations, both present and prospective, will represent investments of approximately $2,500,- 000. Located as it is in the heart of a great county where virgin opportunities still abound, the future of Whiteville has possi- bilities yet unimagined. To the industrialists, particularly those whose industries are based in farm or forest products, who are looking for new territory where labor and raw materials are avail- able on a ‘year-round basis at a reasonable cost, Whiteville offers a golden opportunity. To small business men, who are looking for a congenial atmosphere in which to live and work and educate their children, they will find in Whiteville the fulfillment of their dreams. Some of the many beautiful homes in Whiteville Civic groups in Whiteville: (1) Executive Committee of Woman's Club; (2) Executive Committee of Junior Woman's Club; (3) The Choral Club; (4) Board of Directors, Rotary Club; (5) The Lions Club on Charter Night; (6) Board of Directors, Civitan Club. Not shown, Business and Professional Woman’s Club and Garden Club. Whiteville Is A Civic-Minded Community Eight active civic clubs in Whiteville, four of them feder- ated, and the Congress of Civic Clubs in which the eight clubs are combined, bear testimony to the civic-mindedness of this community. Once each year, the Congress holds an annual session which is the gala civic event of the year. At that session, annual reports are made by each of the clubs, a speaker is heard, and silver loving cups are presented by The News Reporter to the “Man of the Year” and the “Woman of the Year’ for outstanding com- munity leadership. It is this cooperative effort by local groups which has resulted in Whiteville becoming known as one of the most progressive and civiceminded small towns in the Carolinas. Moreover, this is the Sort of cooperative effort which has laid the good business foun- dation upon which Whiteville is built. 29 CONGRESS OF CLUBS The first annual session of the Congress was held in June, 1945, when more than 250 persons, representing the composite civic life of Whiteville, heard Honorable J. Melville Broughton, former governor of North Carolina, deliver an address on “The Individual’s Responsibility to Good Citizenship.” In the afternoon of the same day, reports were heard from the various clubs rela- tive to the year’s work and projected plans for the following club year were outlined. Loving cup awards were presented to Josiah A. Maultsby and Mrs. G. E. Weaver as “Man of the Year’ and “Woman of the Year,” respectively. The purpose of the Congress is to coordinate civic activity in Whiteville and to stimulate cooperative effort toward the better- ment of the community. Statewide publicity was given to the first J. A. MAULTSBY MRS. G. E. WEAVER Man of the Year, for general Woman of the Year, for gen- excellence in community lead- eral excellence in community ership. Presented with The leadership. Presented with The News Reporter loving cup. News Reporter loving cup. annual Congress through United War Fund's periodical, “Where We Live.” THE WOMAN'S CLUB In point of years since organization, the Whiteville Woman's Club is the oldest civic organization in Whiteville. Originally known as the Civic League, the Woman's Club was organized in March, 1909, with Mrs. A. E. Powell as president. The name was changed to The Woman’s Club in 1914. Activities of the Club have been in many fields of civic wel- fare, including fine arts, child welfare, Girl Scouts, community beautification, music appreciation, education, and others, Together with the Junior Woman's Club, this Club is now sponsoring the construction of a $15,000 club house for Whiteville, THE ROTARY CLUB The Whiteville Rotary Club was organized in 1924. Through- out the years, the Club has maintained a high average attendance, with continuous stress being placed upon quality citizenship. The Rotary Club is one of the most stable civic organizations of the community. It claims among its membership many of the town’s most successful business and professional citizens. THE CIVITAN CLUB The Civitan Club was organized in 1937. Now numbering near 40 members, the membership of this Club is comprised, in the main, of young, aggressive business and professional men, The influence of this Club has been a strong factor in community development since its organization. It is due mainly to the energy of the members of this Club, that one wing of the Armory build- ing was transformed into a community club room where the lunch- eon clubs hold their regular meetings and where special civic events are held. The Club has also promoted many other worth- while community projects. THE JUNIOR WOMAN'S CLUB One year later, in 1938, the Junior Woman's Club was organ- ized and, during that same year, became a member of the North Carolina Federation of Woman's Clubs. The success of this Club has been notable. Repeated statewide recognition has been won for outstanding work done in the fields of war activities and com- munity service. The Club is considered among the most success- ful of its kind in North Carolina. THE GARDEN CLUB “To stimulate and unite the efforts of the women of White- ville in making our town more beautiful,” was the object set forth for the Garden Club when it was organized in September, 1939. To that end, its members have strived with success. Among its more outstanding immediate projects is the beautification of the grounds around the Columbus County. Hospital. 30 THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMAN'S CLUB Also organized in 1939 was the Business and Professional ‘Woman’s Club whose activities since that date have made a large contribution to community life. Its members assisted in many war activities. It was by the efforts of this Club that a watering system was installed at the Whiteville cemetery. The Club also provides all-time support for the children’s ward of the Columbus County Hospital. THE CHORAL CLUB The Choral Club was organized in 1945, following the pres- entation of a Christmas cantata by a group of selected Whiteville singers. Regular practices are held on Tuesday of each week under the direction of Mrs. Robert O High. The first concert was held in the spring of 1945. The second was a 1945 Christmas cantata. Practice is now in progress for the annual spring con- cert. The Club has been generously subsidized by interested community citizens. In addition to the regular concerts, the Club appears at church, school and civic events, always to the delight of lovers of good music, THE LIONS CLUB Newest civic organization in Whiteville is the Lions Club, organized during the summer of this year. The Club has already become one of the leading civic organizations of the community. Whiteville also boasts an actiyé American Legion Post—No. 137—which has furnished men for district and department offices. Several of its members are also members of the Forty and Eight. The post, through one of the most outstanding service officers in the state, J. S. Mann, has aided many veterans in securing hospi- talization, compensation, discharge pay and GI Bill of Rights bene- fits. The post was organized in 1922, and in 1941, erected a brick hut which has become one of the most popular centers in White- ville. Whiteville also claims an active Legion Auxiliary. In addition to these organizations, you will find other patri- otic and fraternal groups which are equally as active. The United Daughters of the Confederacy, a county-wide organization, and the Daughters of the American Revolution have performed major serv- ices in commemorating the deeds of the heroes of those two wars. These organizations have also outstanding records of community service A Masonic Lodge and an order of the Eastern Star have large and active memberships. The Parent-Teachers Association is an influential body in Whiteville schools. Since the organization of administrative school unit for Whiteville, the community has become more and more school conscious and the Parent-Teacher Association is expected to play a large influence in the development of a closer parent- teacher relationship. Active Boy Scout, Girl Scout and Cub Scout troops have con- tributed largely to character development among Whiteville boys and girls. The president of the Cape Fear Area Council, J. A. Maultsby, is also scoutmaster for one of the Boy Scout troops in Whiteville. Madison Street in Whiteville looking north More of Whiteville’s beautiful homes Whiteville Was Named Jor James B. White By Mrs. SETH L. SmrrH Those who are familiar with the facts concerning the origin of Columbus County and the county seat of Whiteville know that much of this early history is centered in the Bladen County branch of the James B. White family. Before Columbus County was formed, and when this section of Whiteville was a part of Bladen, according to the late Hon. I. B. Tucker of Whiteville, who had made a careful study of the early records of Bladen and Columbus counties, James B. White, the subject of this sketch, lived near where the R. M. Holroyd heme now stands. Near the White home the Smyrna Road crossed the road that led to the Peacock section; this was known as White's Crossing. Mr. Tucker showed the writer an old map designating this road crossing. He also stated that he found in some old records that J. B. White owned a sawmill and a grist- mill near his home _In the early years of 1800, James B. White and John H. White owned practically all the land in the section of Whiteville adjacent to White Marsh. How! they came into possession of this land is a long story of the history of the White and other allied families and their possessions. [Columbus County was created in 1808.2, James B. White, along with John Wingate, Shadrack ‘Wooten, Salem Reaves, Absalom Powell, Thomas Frink, and James Stephens, was ane pointed by the General Assembly, “in the act of creating the county,” to fix? a site for a courthouse and jail. Columbus County's first senator was James B, White, who served 1809-1810.4 In 1806 he represented Bladen County in the House of Commons.5 In 1810, the town of Whiteville was laid out on James B. White's lands, and public buildings were erected there. Later the county seat became known as Whiteville.6 1 General Index of Real Estate of Col to Z, pages 3456-3457-3458. gan eee ® Wheeler's History of North Carolina, page 108. 8 Historical Sketches by late Colonel Fred Olds. Wheeler's History of North Carolina, page 108. Wheeler's History of North Carolina, page 44, Columbus County Deed Books A, B and C, pages 51-356, eae Columbus County Courthouse 32 Early courthouse records show much transferring of land by James B. White and John H. White? Whether this John H. White was a relative of James B. White, is not authenticated. However, it is known that James B. had a brother, Bergwin John White.8 James B, White mentions in his will, which is on record in the Columbus County Courthouse, his “friends John H. White and Alexander Troy as his executors.” John H. Wheeler, an early historian of North Carolina, in his “Historical Sketches of North Carolina from 1584 to 1851,” in giving the history of Columbus County, says:19 “Its capital is Whiteville, derived from James B. White.” It is said by many residents of Whiteville that James B. White at one time lived at Marsh Castle. It is not known whether any proof is held of this. It is known that the old and interesting house, where Mrs. W. E. McDaniel now lives,1°45 was built by a John White. The story of this house, however, belongs to another chapter. The family background of James B. White is excellent and very interesting. His father, James White, of Bladen County, was a wealthy land owner and the owner of many slaves. He was of English parentage. According to the Colonial Records of North Carolina, this James White was a member of the General Assembly from Bladen County 1769-1772; a member of the Provincial Con- Bress, Hillsboro, 1775; member of the Committee of Safety, Bladen County, 1775.11 Many members of the Colonial Dames of America trace their lineage to this James White of Bladen County. James B. White's mother was Bridget O'Day, the daughter of Catley Day, of Ireland.12 According to her tombstone record which is in the Beatty Burying Ground in Bladen County, she was born in the County of Langford, Ireland, in 1748, and died in 1804. Family records state that she first married Samuel Beatty in Ireland, then James White of Bladen County; and after the death of James White she married John Anders, of Bladen.18 Several interesting stories have come through correspondence and research of family records of the White and allied family con- nections, Mrs. Owen D. Holmes, of Harbor Island, Wilmington, N. C, quoted the following interesting facts from family histor- ical data in her possession: “In 1767, Captain Samuel Beatty, of Dublin, Ireland, who owned and was captain of a sailing vessel which ran to American Ports, including now Wilmington, N. C., married Bridget Day, of Langford County, Ireland. Some months later Captain Beatty sailed for Wilmington, N. C., bringing his vessel as far up the Cape Fear River as possible, then taking some of his men in small boats up the Black River to near where Beatty’s Bridge now is. There Captain Beatty was taken ill with fever. His wife was sent for and came on the first ship from England, leaving behind her baby, William Henry Beatty. Captain Samuel Beatty was dead when she reached America. She soon found friends, and in a year married James White, a well-to-do bachelor who lived on a planta- tion place named Glen Btive, near where Captain Beatty was buried. James White was a large land and slave owner. Little William Henry was sent for in 1770, and grew up with his half brothers and sister, the White children. He was appointed guardian for the White children, upon the death of his stepfather, James White, and managed their property to good advantage. He bought lands for himself in what is now Columbus County. He owned large tracts of land at or near where Whiteville now stands, and sold that to the White heirs, hence its name.” According to extracts from a history of the Beatty family by the late John Day Beatty, William Henry Beatty, the son of Samuel Beatty and Bridget, was brought to America by his uncle John Day in 1770. Later another uncle, Bunberry Day, came to America and was associated with his brother-in-law, James White, of Bladen County. In due time this William Henry Beatty bought the lands near Whiteville and married a girl who was born and 33 reared at Lake Waccamaw. She was Sophia Gibbs, daughter of George Gibbs. This Gibbs family was one of prominence in the state.14 It is stated in Mrs. Holmes’ record of the Gibbs family that it was “John Gibbs, an uncle of Sophia Gibbs Beatty, who built the road through White Marsh in 1770. George Gibbs, an English- man, settled at Lake Waccamaw and John Gibbs settled on White Marsh. Their homes were only five miles apart and they had a straight avenue between them so that each home could be seen from the other.” It does not, therefore, seem unreasonable to suppose that John Gibbs did really build the road across White Marsh, especially since the old tradition held by so many in Columbus County that this road was built by Cornwallis has been disproved by the State Historical Commission.15 William Henry Beatty, a man of good influence, was chairman of the Board of Magistrates of Bladen County. At that time this office was the same as that of Judge of Supreme Court today. He mentioned his half brother, James B. White in his will. The plantation grounds of Glen Etive are still cultivated near Beatty's Bridge. The orginal house in which James B. White was born burned years ago. The place, however, is still owned by descendants of the family who live there. James B. White's full name was James Bunberry White, The “Bunberry” was most likely for his Irish uncle, Bunberry Day. The former, sometimes called “Bun” White, married Rebecca Shipman, the daughter of James Shipman and Nellie Simms Shipman. He was also a brother-in-law of Solicitor Alexander Troy, who married Fannie Shipman. James B. White was born in 1774 and died in 1820. His will mentions his “wife Rebecca, his worthy friends, Joshua Potts, Frances E. Troy, Alexander Troy, and John H. White.” He also mentions his sister Anna Jane White and friend Ann Ames Shipman.” No children are mentioned in his will, and as far as is known, there were none. It is not known where he was buried. The grave of his sister, Anna Jane White, is in the Beatty burying ground in Bladen County. He was a good leader and a good citizen who left “footprints in the sands of time.’’ Such is the record of a worthy son of worthy parents. BIBLIOGRAPHY Bible and Tombstone Records. Clark and Saunders. Colonial and State Records of North Carolina. Columbus County Deed Books. Columbus County Book of Wills. Columbus County General Index of Real Estate. Map of Town of Whiteville, N. C. Wheeler. History of North Carolina. 7 Columbus County General Index of Real Estate, Book T to Z, pages 3456-3457-3458. 8 Bible Records in possession of Mrs. S. L. Smith, Whiteville, N. C, ® Columbus County Book of Wills (Will of James B. White). 10 Wheeler's History of North Carolina, page 108. 11 Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. 9, pages 1188, 1178, 572, Vol. 10, page 112. 12 Extracts of Family History by J. D. Beatty, in possession of Mrs. S. L. Smith, Whiteville, N. C. 13 Extracts of Family History in possession of Mrs. S. L. Smith. 14 State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 22, page 312 (George Gibbs in Colonial Militia. George Gibbs a Justice for Bladen County, Colonial Records of North ‘Carolina, Vol. 6, page 1070). 15 North Carolina Historical Commission and the Major General Robert Howe Chapter Daughters of the American Revo- lution established authentically Cornwallis’ route through Colum- bus County over Highway 87 by Weyman Church, and on April 30th, 1941, secured and dedicated a marker near these spots. Serving Columbus County Is Our Policy — General Insurance —Farm Supplies — Household Appliances IN OUR 8th YEAR FLOYD-BARKLEY AGENCY —Dealers for— Gibson Appliances and Seabird Fertilizers WHITEVILLE, N. C. EW. FONVIELLE & SON FRUIT and VEGETABLE BROKERS e Strawberries e Potatoes e Beans e Cukes ¢ Eggs and Poultry ee RE S=——_———_ TABOR CITY, N. C. Have your clothes cleaned and pressed at our enlarged plant .-. . our efficient help and facilities enable us to do quality clean- ing at all times. TAILORING — ALTERATIONS CLEANING — _ PRESSING STOPHEL CLEANERS WHITEVILLE, N. C. C. C. STOPHEL, Owner Phone 318-] On East Main Street Across from the Depot MacDANIEL-BOICE INSURANCE AGENCY Incorporated WHITEVILLE, N. C. Established 1900 INSURANCE SERVICE ONLY Superb Bus Service yx Connecting Columbus County with 47 other North Carolina counties. yx Connecting North Carolina with 47 other states. QUEEN CITY TRAI LWAYS «© 417 West Fifth Street © Charlotte, N. C. Brunswick Electric Membership Corp. SERVING THE RURAL COMMUNITIES OF COLUMBUS AND BRUNSWICK COUNTIES OWNED BY THOSE IT SERVES 35 Tene OR: Glaey, ‘A Small Town with Big Business” > No town in Columbus County has shown more growth in population, business houses, volume of business, and marketing facilities for Columbus County farm produce than has Tabor City. No section of Columbus County has more possibilities for future develop- ment than has Tabor City and its environs. Sound finances, business integrity, and progressive leadership have marked the progress of past years. The future holds for this thriving, enterprising town, possibilities yet unimagined. We invite you to visit us, to patronize our business and industrial enterprises, to come live among us, and to help build the Tabor City we want our children and our children’s children to live in, — CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Tabor City, N.C. Tabor City MAJOR BUSINESS AND MARKETING CENTER Located on the southeast boundary of Columbus County, hard by the South Carolina line, is Tabor City, a town of approximately 2,200 population which 40 years ago scarcely existed. Today Tabor City competes with the county seat for the ranking business volume of the county, the town having built up a year-round system of Produce markets with an enviable record of service to Columbus County farmers as well as farmers across the state line in South Carolina. Tabor City’s beginning dates back to around the turn of the Century when the little village, then known as Mt. Tabor, was com- Prised of a small Baptist church (from which the town got its name), a very small two-room school building, together with a half dozen general stores and a few homes. The late C. C. Pridgen Operated a store about where the Jessup-Inman Funeral Home is Now located. Early in the century he built what is still known as the old Pridgen home. The building is one of the oldest residences in Tabor City. The Mt. Tabor Baptist Church had been organized in 1840. Its first location was on the site of the present high school 8tounds. Subsequently, it was moved to its present location. The frame building erected at the new location was replaced by the pres- ent brick structure in 1932. The first brick building was erected in 1905, when J. L. Lewis erected the store building still standing across the railroad tracks from the depot. The old Bank of Tabor building, now the home of Leonard’s Garage, was erected in 1910. Among its stock- holders were R. M. Garrell, J. L. Lewis and C. C. Pridgen, the last named of whom was president. Among the more prominent business men of Tabor City during those early days were C. C. Pridgen, R. M. Garrell, J. L. Lewis, J. P. Mills, and E. McD. Todd. Chief agricultural interest among the farmers around Tabor City during those early days was the cultivation of strawberries. Along with Chadbourn, Tabor City became a strong market for this luscious fruit. In 1910, B. B. Anderson erected a factory for the manufacture of strawberry baskets and crates. This property Was purchased by D. J. Hughes in 1922 and became known as the D. J. Hughes Company. For the past 28 years, the factory has been under the management of F. G. Kelly. The first tobacco warehouse was built by a company of stock- holders in 1909, with the lumber for the warehouse being fur- Nished by C. C. Pridgen. This warehouse, still standing, though not used as a sales warehouse, was named the Carolina. Today's Carolina warehouse, four times the size of the original, is located Nearby the original Carolina. The first brick school building was erected in 1910. The old Wooden building which the new structure replaced was used for a Number of years as a dormitory for teachers. The original brick building is still used as a part of the school system, although a Much more adequate building has subsequently been constructed. The present Methodist Church was constructed about 1912. The organization of a Methodist Church had taken place about one Year prior to the erection of this building. The progress of Tabor City since those early days has been Steady and consistent. From a one brick store town in 1905, Tabor City has developed in an amazingly short time into a thriving, 155635 37 prosperous community boasting an annual business volume running far up into the millions. From a one-market town at the turn of the century, Tabor City has now developed into one of the most versatile markets for farm produce in Eastern Carolina, with mar- kets for the following crops: strawberries, beans (string and lima), white potatoes, tobacco, pepper, cucumbers, green corn, and sweet potatoes. Since the early thirties, the marketing of sweet potatoes at Tabor City has increased from 41 carloads shipped in 1935, to 424 carloads from September, 1944, through September, 1945, and equally as many shipped by trucks. In 1942, Tabor City became the largest sweet potato market in North Carolina. More sweet pota- toes are now shipped from Tabor City than from any other ship- ping point in the world except Sunset, La. From sweet potatoes alone, farmers selling on the Tabor City market realized approxi- mately $2,000,000 in 1945. To meet the heavy demands of the sweet potato market in Tabor City, eight potato storage warehouses have been constructed, Columns of Baptist Church at Tabor City with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 400,000 bushels. In these warehouses, the potatoes are stored and cured. Since the construction of the first tobacco sales warehouse in 1909, the Tabor City market has expanded consistently, with three large warehouses operating now. In 1945, approximately 10,000,- 000 pounds of tobacco were sold on the Tabor City warehouse floors at a revenue to the farmers of near $4,500,000. From 1940 through 1945, there were 285,065 crates of straw- berries sold on the Tabor City market, bringing a total of $1,222,- 631. During the same period, there were 397,101 hampers of beans sold on the bean market for a total revenue of $520,667. The bean market began in Tabor City about 1927. In 1945, there were 104 carloads of white potatoes shipped from Tabor City, with many others going by truck. Tabor City early realized that its success depended upon the accommodation its markets and business houses furnished the farm- ers of adjacent areas. To that end, the entire business life of the town lent itself. Business houses appealed to farm patronage. Mar- kets were opened for every marketable product grown on the farm. This fact encouraged farmers to engage in diversified agriculture. The result has been that in no place in Columbus County have farmers enjoyed a more complete year-round income than in the farming areas served by Tabor City markets, and no town in Columbus County has enjoyed a better average volume of year- round business than this town which furnishes year-round markets to its patron farmers. From a business standpoint, Tabor City is widely recognized as one of the most properous towns of its size in the Eastern Caro- linas. The few stores of 1905 have grown into many stores which serve with high-type merchandise a wide trading area in North and South Carolina. Annual retail business volume is conserv- atively estimated at $25,000,000. In addition to the excellent agricultural markets, storage and curing houses, Tabor City numbers among its industries three large lumber plants—the D. J. Hughes Company, the Tabor City Lumber Company, and the Georgia Hardwood Company. The last named is a branch of one of the largest lumber manufacturing con- cerns in the United States. From 600 to 750 cars of lumber are moved annually from Tabor City to markets in this country and Europe. The annual income from the manufacture of forest products at the Tabor City plants totals approximately $1,500,000. The three plants furnish a ready market for the sale of timber at all times. Located here also are ‘large fertilizer warehouses serving farm- ers throughout the trading area with high-grade fertilizers. In the process of construction is a 500-locker cold storage plant which will be the second of its kind in Columbus County. Nearing readiness for operation is a processing plant for cull sweet potatoes, the first of its kind in North Carolina, and one of the few in the South. 38 Predominant among the religious denominations of Tabor City are Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians. The Baptists are the strongest numerically, they having had a church in that locality for more than 100 years. The present Baptist Church building is a modern brick structure with ample facilities for religious educa- tional training. The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1945 and a neat brick structure is now in the process of construction. The Methodists have occupied the present frame building since it was built in 1912. The physical equipment of the Tabor City school system con- sists of two brick buildings, a gymnasium, an agricultural build- ing, and a community cannery. The school itself is a modern, con- solidated school offering superior educational opportunities, Civic, patriotic and fraternal organizations are a well-supported feature of Tabor City life. The Rotary and Civitan clubs are active civic organizations among the men, whose members furnish an aggressive civic leadership to the community. The Pioneer Study Club and the Woman's Club are both energetic civic organizations among the women. A Masonic Lodge, an Order of Eastern Star, an American Legion Post and a Chamber-of Commerce complete the roster of organizations. An outstanding civic project was the con- struction of a commodious American Legion hut on the edge of the high school grounds. Transportation facilities are both adequate and efficient, The town is located on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad running from Elrod, N. C., to Myrtle Beach, S. C. At Chadbourn, it connects with the Wilmington and Augusta line of the Atlantic Coast Line and at Elrod with the main north-south line of that company. Tabor City is also located on the Sea Level Federal Highway, fur- nishing excellent outlets north, south and west. Thirty miles east, reached by hard-surfaced roads, are the excellent beaches of the Carolina coast line where many Tabor City residents have summer cottages. Buses of the Queen City Coach Company also operate through Tabor City on regular schedule. The Tide Water Power Company furnishes electric power for Tabor City. A sub-station of this company is located just outside the town limits. The town has its own water system. A dial system of telephone service is furnished by the Columbus Telephone Com- pany located in the county seat. The Tabor City post office has a second class rating, with four rural routes and two star routes. The rapid development of Tabor City as a major business and agricultural center is already continuing into the post-war period. Building operations are getting underway which herald further large expansion for this town in the immediate future. New indus- tries are being sought, new stores are opening, new homes are being built, and a progressive atmosphere prevails. The people of Tabor City believe that their town and the area which it serves * affords unsurpassed opportunities for a high type of business and industrial prosperity, as well as a congenial, social and cultural atmosphere. Thirty Years Ago im Tabor City (As recalled by J. A. R.) Thirty years in Tabor City have seen many changes. I recall as if it were yesterday when my father, one of my brothers, and I drove into what was then Mt. Tabor (the depot) and Tabor (the Post office). He had accepted the pastorate of the Baptist Church there, and the three of us were a family vanguard going to prepare the way for mother, another brother and three sisters. We arrived from South Carolina via a 1915 model Ford over rough country toads which in the Green Sea section of South Carolina produced a broken spring, temporarily repaired by the ingenuity of my father by chocking a wooden block between the spring and the axle. Soon mother and the rest of the family arrived, also a freight car of furniture, including a cow and calf, which father had char- tered for the purpose. That was the beginning of life in Tabor City for our family, a beginning which has not been concluded to this day. Little did any of us realize that we unwittingly were picking Out a place where, in spite of the mobility of the Baptist ministry, Some or all of the family would continue to live for several gener- ations. In 1915, Tabor City, then Mt. Tabor, was a few stores, a few muddy streets, a depot, a railroad track, a few residences, a couple of churches, a hotel, a crate factory, a school, and that was all. If ix pb Officers and directors Tabor City Rotary Club: front row, left to right, Rev. Winfrey L. Davis, J. L. J. M. McGougan, president; J. A. Hufham and Charles Leggett. 39 you will draw a line beginning at the present Crance Harrelson home extending east until it reaches just past the old Baptist par- sonage, then northeast until it reaches the old high school build- ing, then back to the crate factory, from thence to the Methodist Church and on to the old Floyd home, and from thence straight back to the Crance Harrelson home, you will have included the territory comprising the business and residential section of Tabor anywhere from 25 to 30 years ago. And within the territory thus marked off, the Tabor you would see would be so unlike the Tabor City of today that it would scarcely be recognizable, except for familiar old buildings and the same general layout. East of the railroad track, where two blocks of business houses now stand, was a cotton patch enclosed by a slab fence. Between the railroad track and the school, there was the Inman home and the Pridgen home, also the John Need- ham Cox home—those three, and so far as I recall, no more until you reached the street where the old Carmichael home still stands. There are few of the old residences on Live Oak Street. The only original homes I recall is the Vance Ward home, the Shelly home, which has been remodeled, the Jabe Canady home, the Ferris Wright home, and the old Hartford Fowler home. There is also the =. Baxter; back row, left to right, Robert Soles, brick home built by the Jones’ while Mr. Jones was cashier of the old Bank of Whiteville and which, at that time, was considered one of the finest and most expensive homes to be found anywhere. Across from what is now the Marvin Soles home was an old home whose side faced the street, the entire property being surrounded by a board fence. In the yard of that home and almost on the side- walk was an old gnarled oak tree which has long since been cut down. On the other side of town were the present Walterberry Roberts home, the Floyd home, the R. M. Garrell home, the Metho- dist Church, and several homes north of the Methodist Church. The Methodist parsonage at that time was across from the Isaac Spivey home. From the business section to the crate factory, there were few buildings of consequence. There are some things about those days that I remember quite well. I recall, for instance, vividly the terrible flue epidemic of 1918 when many trains came into Tabor bringing a Tabor or Columbus County soldier as a corpse, a victim of the flue. It became so bad in Tabor that everything was subordinated to caring for the sick. Several deaths would occur in the same family. School was suspended and the building turned into a hospital where seg- regation was sought for some cases. My father was unofficially given charge of the “hospital.” Between caring for patients there and visiting the homes of sick patients, preaching funerals and nursing his own son who became deathly sick, he had little time for sleep. I remember the gracious pounding provided the parsonage after the epidemic as a token of community gratitude for the service which my father had rendered. Some will recall that a showman, a puppeteer and ventriloquist, had come to Tabor to put on his show but before the date for the show arrived, the community was caught in the thraldom of the disease. Inclined toward the Puritan, my father didn’t go in much for that sort of entertainment, but he fell in love with that show- man who was caught in Tabor by the disease and who offered his services to the community in its hour of need. After the epidemic had passed, the show was presented and one of its most enthusiastic patrons was my father. I remember also the Chautauqua tent which put up annually for several years on the property now occupied by the Carolina tobacco warehouse and the Chautauqua entertainments which pro- vided a high type of entertainment for the community. In the same class were the annual Lyceum attractions provided at the high school auditorium. I have always regretted that the moving picture put the Chautauqua and Lyceum out of business. Of course, I remember the days when Miss Lura Scott was principal of the Tabor school. There's a woman who could wield a wicked willow, but who was one of the finest high school prin- cipals I have ever known. What little foundation I got in school was under Miss Lura, who had a way of drilling a love for learn- ing into her students. There should be more like her today. Other school names I particularly recall were Miss Cunningham, now Mrs. Roland Baldwin, Miss Apperson, who at that time was courting a Methodist preacher, Miss Brazwell, Professor Bristow and Pro- fessor Yost. Those teachers I especially recall. The hotel in those days was run by Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Cox. Located where the W. F. Cox Furniture Company and hardware stores are now located, it provided an attractive place for the many “drummers” who traveled in those days by train, Mr. Cox had a small furniture store adjacent to the hotel somewhat as an aside to his main business of traveling through the country peddling organs. Mr. Cox will tell you today that among the greatest days of his business career were those when he’d haul an organ up to some countryman’s home and ask for the privilege of demonstrat- ing it. J. L. Lewis then occupied the store building across from the depot which for some reason was not built in line with the street. His was then a relatively small business of a general nature. The large two-story wooden store building now used as a storehouse and located east of the depot was once the Tabor Supply 40 Company, the largest store of Tabor City 30 years ago. The build- ing once occupied the present location of the Lewis-Peay Motor Company and faced in the general direction of the depot. Later the Tabor Supply Company moved across the railroad to the build- ings now occupied by Sally’s and the Garrell Shop. During World War I, I was a clerk for the Tabor City Supply Company. At that time, Jesse Watts was manager, Miss Vera Graham was book- keeper, and the late and venerable John Needham Cox, who was my special friend, was also employed as a clerk. There were others, too, whose names I do not recall. Immediately adjacent to the Tabor Supply Company on the south side was the grocery store of the late Cephas Garrell, father of Alton, Paul and Otis Garrell, and on the north side was Har- relson’s Pharmacy still located at the same old stand. The Tabor Drug Company, long since closed, did business in the building now occupied by Britt's Grocery. And how well do I recall the crowds which met the Sunday trains. In those days, there were four Passenger trains each day. One arrived from Conway around 6:30 a. m., another from Elrod at 11:30 a. m. At 4:30 in the afternoon, it returned from Conway and was back through Tabor that night from Elrod about 11 o'clock. The passage of the noonday train through Tabor was a gala event. There were more people attending the arrival of the train than attended church, and if church was out before the train arrived, the church congregation, almost in a body, would repair to the depot to supplement the crowd of sinners who hadn't gone to church but who had come down to meet the train. I'm told that with the advent of buses, the same old habit came back and Tabor City residents began to meet the buses somewhat as they met the train in the good ole days. I remember, too, the big shiny Cadillac automobiles the Pridgen family used to purchase ever now and then; the troop trains that passed through during World War I; the continuous line of tin covers over the sidewalk in front of the stores; the time the bell rang in the old Baptist Church heralding by mistake what was thought to be the end of World War I; the time when the job of being news butcher on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad was just about the height of my ambition; the time when “heresy’’ was the issue in the Baptist Church; the time when the D. F. McGou- gan home seemed far out of town. I remember the dense pine thicket where the present E. W. Fonvielle home stands. I remember the army tent the Boy Scout troop bought when F. G. Kelly was scoutmaster, and when we erected it and spent a night in it on the school grounds; also that other night, soon before we moved from Tabor, when we had an overnight camping trip on the edge of the millpond. I remember the night I was awarded a medal for winning a high school debate and how, on the next morning, I pinned it on the lapel of my coat ” and walked down the street—the monarch of all I surveyed. Tabor was then cut off from the rest of the world. There were no roads going out or coming in except dirt roads which became sometimes impassable during rainy seasons. Our main connection with the outside world was through the train, the newspapers, and the telegraph. But nobody was conscious of being shut off. It was our town and we liked it. Since then I've come and gone from there for more than a quarter of a century. I've seen the cotton fields across the railroad give way to a business block. I’ve seen new homes grow up and better schools develop. I've seen paved streets come and an enter- prising community leadership assert itself. T’'ve seen businesses grow from small to very large proportions. I've seen the markets develop, the citizenship increase in community vision, the churches expand and the general cultural level of the community uplifted. Today Tabor City stands with the future wide open to her. Given a progressive leadership pitched on an unselfish basis, the future of this Columbus town is as bright as the stars, Progressive atmosphere of Tabor City is reflected in its homes Dignified Service Dignity and service are indispensable when one of your loved ones dies. At such a time, your funeral director does much to relieve the stress of sorrow by rendering a service of quiet sympathetic dignity. bxe PEACOCK FUNERAL HOME CHADBOURN, N. C. Complete Funeral and Ambulance Service also Columbus Mutual Burial Association Peeters FOR MEN Kahn Suits Call Prd. SERVICE STATION Gulf Products WHITEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA D. E. Baggett ONLY NATIONALLY KNOWN BRANDS ARE TO BE FOUND AT BU EEO Gxes FOR LADIES Chesterfield Hats Cheney Ties Wing Shirts Hanes Underwear Bachelor Friend Sox Freeman Shoes Lady Bird Hats Lorraine Underwear Dove Down Hosiery Phone 98 Miss American Foundation Garments Junior Deb Suits and Coats Le Ray Frocks Diamond Brand Shoes BULLOCKS DEPARTMENT STORE J. H. Buttock, Owner CHADBOURN, N. C. Chadbourn KLONDYKE CAPITAL OF COLUMBUS By Avice L, LOWE Chadbourn is the second largest town in Columbus County and is located in the center of some of the finest farming land in Eastern North Carolina. The town had its beginnings as a sawmill settlement—as its first name, Timberville, would suggest—but about 1889 the town was renamed Chadbourn for the Chadbourne family of Wilmington, North Carolina, who were owners of the sawmill and also of the cottonmill which had been established there. An impetus to the growth of the town was the coming of the Sunny South Colonists, approximately 160 families, from 1895- 1900, under the guidance of Mr. Joseph A. Brown who recognized the adaptability of the soil for diversified farming and for 45 years Was a leader of the community and the state. This colonization has been touched on elsewhere in this work, but it is worthy of men- tion that an influx of citizens such as this would influence the cul- tural and social as well as the economic life of any community. These people who came largely from the cities and villages of the North and Middle West brought with them different ideas of education, government and civic improvement as well as an inde- pendence of thought that can be detected in the citizens of Chad- bourn even today. As early as 1900, there was a demand for rural free delivery of mail, rural telephone service and a school system comparable with those in the North. These colonists, together with Officers and directors Chad- bourn Rotary Club: left to tight, Frank Wooten, past President and sergeant-at- arms; Frank Love, vice- President; Norman Peal, President; W. L. Albright, secretary; J. K. Currie, di- rector. the fine citizenry that the town already boasted and augmented by newcomers from the neighboring counties and states, soon estab- lished for themselves a reputation for industry and progressiveness. These people were chiefly attracted to Chadbourn by the inducement of inexpensive land, highly productive and admirably suited to the growth of strawberries, which from 1895 to 1918 was the chief money crop of the locality. The reputation gained by the Chadbourn strawberry market is still upheld, Lady Thompson and Missionary were the two varieties of strawberries which bore so prolifically that they gave Chadbourn the name of the largest straw- berry market in the world. The discovery of the Klondyke variety of strawberry and its “carrying” quality, together with its luscious appearance, convinced the growers of Chadbourn and its vicinity that this was a more desirable strawberry for marketing purposes. Chadbourn now claims place as the largest Klondyke strawberry market. Through the past fifty years the size of this crop has varied with weather and labor conditions. In spite of this, during the past five years, when a decided shortage of labor has necessitated curtailment of the acreage, the Chadbourn Klondyke strawberries have brought to the growers an average total per year of $500,000. The strawberry market is managed by the Chadbourn Marketing Company, whose auction system of selling enjoys national repu- tation for its success in securing for the grower the highest price possible, and for the buyer, the best quality available. In the years following World War I, tobacco became the Jead- ing source of income of the farmers of the community. Today the majority of growers cultivate both tobacco and strawberries in vary- ing proportions, giving themselves the benefit of a money crop in the early spring and another in late summer. A tobacco market was established in Chadbourn in 1917 with one warehouse, and has operated continuously since that date. This crop is now sold in Chadbourn in three modern warehouses and in 1945 brought approximately $4,000,000. The farmers served by Chadbourn early learned the folly of “putting all one’s eggs in one basket” by planting only one money crop; consequently, since 1918 the variety of crops marketed in Chadbourn has increased amazingly. From April through Novem- ber each year, there is a market in Chadbourn successively for: strawberries, string beans, Irish potatoes, cucumbers, tobacco, cot- ton, grapes, sweet potatoes, and peanuts. The year around there are buyers for grain, poultry, eggs, and livestock. Cucumbers are bought by pickle manufacturers who encourage the farmers to the extent of furnishing the seed. The market for grapes was opened in 1941 and in 1945, $4,000 worth of scuppernongs were bought. Chadbourn offers facili cess of the local production. Sweet potatoes are fast developing into ies for ginning and marketing cotton in ex- one of the most valuable crops raised. A local sweet potato storage company is equipped to store and cure 50,000 bushels of sweet potatoes at one time and has a capacity of 150,000 bushels for the season. By the most improved methods these potatoes are waxed, graded, and packed under brand names to be sold by the carload on the Northern markets. In conjunction with this industry, local interested business men built, accessible to rail transportation, a plant for the dehydration of vegetables. The war put a halt to the operation of the plant but plans are being effected to put this plant in operation as soon as production will warrant. An excellent pea- nut market provides an outlet for this crop which each year brings the growers around $60,000. These are the chief crops which pro- vide to the farmers living within a radius of five miles of Chad- bourn a yearly income of approximately $5,000,000. In addition to the potato storage plant and the dehydration plant, Chadbourn numbers among its industries a local packing company who are slaughterers and distributors prepared to handle more livestock than the local supply. An ice and fuel company not only furnishes ice for the regular channels of trade, but operates a cold storage plant for meat and supplies refrigeration for the trucks and railroad cars hauling produce. The newest industries, established within the past six months, include a company for the manufacture of cinder and cement building blocks; a veneering company, manufacturers of plywood and veneer; and a company to maintain the airport, offering instruction and charter service. To serve the needs of a locality which has the purchasing power of the environs of Chadbourn, the town has and offers further oppor- tunity for a highly profitable retail trade which is now carried on in an attractive business section. The people of Chadbourn in their religious life are exception- ally tolerant and cooperative. For example, certain religious observ- 44 ances such as the Christmas Carol Vesper Service, are traditionally union services in which all the churches join. There are four churches among the white population: Baptist, Methodist, Presby- terian, and Pentecostal Holiness. Of these one has recently occu- pied a new church plant and two others have plans and means for the construction of new church buildings as soon as materials are available. The colored population has a church of each faith men- tioned above, augmented by the Free Will Baptist. The town boasts a standard high school and grammar school with agriculture building, gymnasium, cafeteria, and community cannery. The Chadbourn School System produced high school Sraduates in 1912, the first in the county, and far ahead of the general cry, saw the need for and provided by local taxation a nine months’ term of school. In the statewide movement to consolidate schools and equalize educational opportunity for all the children of North Carolina the length of the school term was reduced to eight months. In spite of this the people of Chadbourn are still vitally interested in their school system. Chadbourn citizens enjoy the advantages of a variety of clubs and civic organizations. The Maids and Matrons Club, the oldest study Club in the county, and its daughter, the Sorois, are the two federated clubs among the women. A unique organization is the Chadbourn Memorial Association which was formed in 1898, by several civic-minded women of the community. Shortly after its organization, the members chose as their project a securing and maintaining of a municipal cemetery. It is interesting to note that this Club in its early days owned a horse-drawn hearse—the first hearse of any kind in the county. This Club today, with a mem- bership of about sixty women, is an incorporated body which provides lots in and maintains the Chadbourn cemetery. An en- thusiastic Rotary Club was organized in 1938, and today numbers 35 members. This group is responsible for and sponsors all activities of the local Boy Scout movement. In keeping with the motto of Rotary International this Club is leader in all projects which have as their aim the betterment of the town. The affairs of veterans of all wars are the concern of the Klondyke Chapter of the American Legion. In this work they are ably assisted by the American Legion Auxiliary's local chapter. Outstanding in the past activities of the Legion Post is their erection of the American Legion Hut, a com- modious building for community use, conveniently located to be of the greatest advantage to the town. This hut was built and paid for by entertainment sponsored by the Post and by donations of labor and materials. Transportation facilities in Chadbourn are particularly good. The town is situated on a junction of the Atlantic Coast Line Rail- way Company's Wilmington to Augusta line and its Conway to Elrod line. This gives outlet by rail to the north, south, and west with daily passenger service and daily local and through freight service. The railroad yard in Chadbourn has from four to five miles of sidetrack with advantageous loading platforms and depots. Chadbourn also lies on federal highways leading east, west and south, Running north and south through the town is the state highway which terminates in the Sea Level Route outside Tabor City to the south and the Cape Fear River Highway to the north. There is also a splendid system of buses with frequent schedules south, east and north, The town receives its electric current from the Tidewater Power Company but operates its own water system with ample Water for industrial purposes. An accredited volunteer fire depart- Ment is equipped with the modern fire-fighting apparatus and Serves the town most efficiently. Telephone service is provided by a dial system, operated from the county seat. Chadbourn has a Second class post office with two rural routes and four star routes daily, Chadbourn was chartered in the late 1880's and has a popula- tion of 1,600 people living within the limits of the town which is one mile square. This square has between four and five miles of Paved streets and contains property valued at $1,000,000. As citizens of a town whose brief history proves its progres- Siveness, the people of Chadbourn feel that, with the remainder of Columbus County, their town offers exceptional advantages to in- dustry and through their Chamber of Commerce they welcome inquiry and newcomers. James B. White, patriot of the American Revolution, was a leading spirit in the formation of Columbus County, and was its first senator in the state general assembly in 1809. The most prominent minister ever reared in Columbus County was Dr. Samuel Judson Porter, who made his first public address in the little schoolhouse still standing near Oak Dale Church. In 1893, at 23 years of age, he received the A.B. degree from Wake Forest College. Soon thereafter, he went to South America as a mis- sionary of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Later, he served as secretary for that Board. For six years he was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Fayetteville, N. C. Then he served as pastor of great churches in San Antonio, Texas; Kansas City, Mo.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; and Durham, N. C. At the time of his death, he was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Washington, D. C. For many years he was a member of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, and took a great part in the councils of the denomination. In 1932, he preached the dedication sermon at Piney Forest Baptist Church in the county and in October of that same year conducted a series of revival services at Tabor City. In the midst of this meeting, he attended the annual associational meeting at Western Prong Baptist Church and delivered a great address on foreign missions. This was his last visit to his native county. Scenes in Chadbourn 45 Peal Chevrolet Company, SALES Phone 686 + for Economical Transport Inc. SERVICE Chadbourn, North Carolina Phone 44-1 P. O. Box 244 ). Ml. Carter & Sons Dealers in FEED e PEANUTS e SEED AND GRAINS POULTRY AND EGGS CHADBOURN, N. C. —_________ One of Columbus County's Oldest Business Institutions PIERCE & COMPANY HALLSBORO, N. C. Organized in 1899 Manufacturers of PINE LUMBER Dealers in GENERAL MERCHANDISE S.W. Pierce J. A.Wyche J. B. Wyche 46 Man of The People, Joe Brown By LEANNA GEDDIE “Mr, Joe" they called him down home. Just “Mr. Joe” or plain “Joe Brown.” Described elsewhere as Joseph Addison Brown, crusader, prophet, political potentate, it is indicative of the hold he had on his everyday associates that he was affectionately termed by them, “Our Mr. Joe.” Throughout his long years in public service he never lost the common touch. Mill hands, tenant farmers, and visiting dignitaries were received in his home with equal grace. His daily walks along the streets of the town with his friendly smile and practical guid- ance made for a happier atmosphere. “He has a way with people,” it was said. And, indeed he did seem to have an intuitive aware- ness in this realm which engendered mutual respect. A friend of the people, he worked unselfishly and untiringly for their welfare. Yet, with all thé loyalty he inspired among his fellows, it is possible that “they little knew what man he was.” Perhaps it is not given us to know until we are able to view in perspective the tounded activities of purposeful living. “The courteous mien, ‘The equal port to high and low, All this they saw or might have seen But not the light behind the brow.” It took vision to see that the wasted lands around him might be converted into rich and profitable farming soil. It took cour- age to go colonizing, bring new blood from the West. It took dogged determination to try again after the first year's colossal failure. It took patience and understanding to follow through the Process which brought to fruition his idea of service. He dreamed a dream and lived to see it fulfilled. ‘At an early age he began his business career. Mail carrier, cletk, he later became proprietor of a general store in Chadbourn. Having saved a few dollars from his business ventures, he conceived the idea of developing the cut-over timber lands as a means of attracting settlers from the West. These were the longleaf pine lands which had been stripped by lumber companies and abandoned for other forest sections. At that time the land was not considered Worth a dollar an acre with the timber cut off. Ever a student of agricultural affairs, he looked the situation over and decided that there was no practical reason why these cut- over lands should not make good farm lands. The climate was per- fect. The drainage was good. Strawberries was the logical crop. Why not have fine farms where there had been fine forests? He invested in the lands, cut it up into small truck farms, and Started a campaign of publicity to induce settlers from the West. In 1895 he started the Sunny South Colony bringing 250 families from 15 different states. This was the first attempt in Columbus County to cultivate the luscious red fruit. The first year it turned Out to be a dismal failure. The season was dry. 200,000 imported Plants were Jost. The neighbors said that the plants would never thrive in that section. But "Mr. Joe” was convinced. One failure 47 could not mean defeat. He had a spark within him which kindled the enthusiasm of others. The next year the records bore him out. For five or six years he was quoted as “‘literally hanging on his eye- brows,” but he had won. The strawberry market later became a million-dollar crop, the largest strawberry growing section in the world. Thus Joe Brown was identified as the “Father of the Straw- berry Market in Columbus County.” So it was that this man of the people reclaimed the distressed lands, brought in families like the Lowes, the Baileys, and the Stroles, which enriched the life of the community for years to come. He brightened the farm picture _ and brought the first wave of prosperity rolling in Columbus County. Editorials were broadcast over the Atlantic and Coastal regions from North Carolina to Texas. More cut-over lands were J. A. BROWN turned into farmlands. Similar colonizing experiments, as for example, the Castle Haynes project near Wilmington, followed the pattern set. This was Joe Brown, pioneer. He then helped to secure the rights for the first railroad in this section and put into operation the first electric light plant. He also organized and was president of the first bank of Whiteville as well as the Whiteville Lumber Company and mill. In 1910, he founded the Bank of Chadbourn, of which he was president for a number of years. He had made a success in the mercantile busi- ness, having established in 1883 the first general store in Chad- bourn, increasing the value by 1918 to a stock of $50,000 or more. He could draw a check with six figures after the dollar mark. Blazing new trails, advocating diversification of crops, agitating better drainage, establishing suitable marketing facilities, and equi- table transportation for crops, he exemplified the principle that “he who serves others serves self.” Parallel with his personal interests, he yielded to the demands of the people that he represent them in Legislature. He knew as no one else the wants and needs of the agricultural classes. He came from their own ranks and had assumed leadership in solving their problems. He served as “a gentleman unafraid” in the State Senate in the sessions of 1893, 1899, 1901, 1903, 1907, 1911, and 1923. Starting in the Red Shirt days he continued to be an active force in politics until his death in 1939. He was made a member of the State’s Prison Board in 1902 and put through some of the first prison reforms. He served on some of the most important state and national committees, including Finance, Health, Public Roads, State- ship and Transportation, and Vocational Training, gaining an ever- widening influence and increasing respect for his forthright opin- ions based on sound knowledge. The quality of the public service rendered justified his great reputation. As R. C. Lawrence so aptly said, “....Was a good toad needed? Get Joe Brown to have it done. Was it necessary to the success of the strawberry market at Chadbourn, or the tobacco market at Whiteville, or other county cause? Joe Brown was the man to see. Did the civic forces of Columbus champion any cause or need a leader? Joe Brown was always selected—and how he could fight when necessary. He led not only in his own section, but he was a tower of strength to worthwhile movements through- out the state, from the days of prohibition, the good roads move- ment, down to recent efforts in connection with crop control and other movements in which statewide agriculture was interested.” Life was not always “beer and skittles” for Joe Brown. He lost his race for Congress. Financial ruin stared him in the face during the slump which followed the first World War. He had troubles which would have downed a lesser man. However, he met each life situation with a courage, a fortitude of soul and a bound- less energy which stamped him a man among ten thousand, He had a ruggedness of purpose which enabled him to come up smiling. His personal life was no less eminent than his public life. In 1898, he married Miss Minnie Mclver of near Sanford. A remark- able woman in her own right, the first woman member of the Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina, leader of educa- tional movements in the state, writer of note, well-informed in public affairs, she said, “I couldn't have been otherwise and have lived with Joe Brown.” There was an unusual comradeship exist- ing between him and his only child, Gladys Brown Proctor. To say that Joe Brown was not -an educated man is to give a false interpretation of the term. True, he was born in 1861 and grew up during the lean years of the Reconstruction period. He had to leave school at the age of ten and go to work. He was a son of Reuben H. Brown, schoolmaster, however, and gained addi- tional schooling from his sister which proved of value. Let us say, then, that his schooling was limited. But all education does not come out of a schoolhouse. This man with his breadth of vision, his knowledge and love of the land, wide range of general infor- mation, oratorical command of language, and master in the art of human relationships was not educated? Or is it that we have a poor conception of the word? He knew how to live. That is education. Perhaps no more fitting epitaph could have been chosen than the one inscribed on his stone in the little cemetery in Chadbourn, “Write me as one that loved his fellowmen.” The Major General Robert Howe Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Columbus County was organized in 1935. The organization meeting was held at the home of Mrs. J. A. Brown in Chadbourn. There were 22 charter members. Mrs. W. B. Carson was the first regent. he forests of GLA County are its greatest native eat el; protect rp from fire cod cut era wisely, ts the responsibility op every owner of (cal ellindl SLEUGE AND SONS - WHITEVILLE, N.C. e Lumber Manufacturers A Columbus County Product RELIANCE RELIABLE BRANDS BERT | EEA ER Our best advertisement is a satisfied customer. We keep our farmer friends and customers in Columbus County happy and satisfied by making avail- able for them just the right kind of fertilizer needed by Columbus County soil for the production of the most abundant and high quality crops. Ask any of the farmers who have consistently used RELIANCE RELIABLE BRANDS year after year. RELIABLE GOLDEN HARVEST TOBACCO GROWER — None Better Manufactured by RELIANCE GUANO COMPANY + Whiteville, North Carolina 53 Columbus County A VIRGIN OPPORTUNITY One of the few remaining sections of the Eastern United States where human progress has not seriously depleted virgin wealth may be found in the 576,000 acres comprising Columbus County, located in the rich coastal plain of North Carolina. Bor- dered by the South Carolina line, three rivers, and four counties, Columbus, named for the discoverer of America, has enriched its inhabitants from the products of its fields and forests for many years, and still retains the flavor of virginity. Here is a county with eight different types of soil, possessing a fertility which necessitates only a minimum amount of fertilizer and capable of growing successfully any type of produce that can be grown in temperate climates. Here is a county with 576,000 acres of rural land, only 21.3 per cent of which is used for agricultural purposes, the remainder being in dense forests and cut-over woodlands. Here, too, is a county whose agriculture affords a year-round income from its huge tobacco industry, its forest, livestock and truck produce, with the possibilities of livestock and truck revenue scarcely touched and unlimited. Here also is a county with an intelligent labor capable of being highly trained for industries, with public utilities offering rates to manufacturers which compare favorably with rates in more highly industrialized sections. In this vast county, the third largest in North Carolina, one finds raw materials from forest and field which offer unlimited industrial possibilities for industries based on farm and forest products. Though notable ‘progress has been made in agriculture in this county, it is the studied opinion of experts in the field that it is the future, not the present or the past, which holds the greatest revenue possibilities from Columbus County farms. In the field of truck farming alone, which is a relatively new type of agriculture for Columbus County, there are unlimited possi- bilities. Both the soil and the seasons combine to furnish truck farmers with native assets for truck gtowing which cannot be sur- passed and seldom equalled in any other section. The oldest truck crop produced in point of time is the straw- berry which began to be cultivated in this county in 1895. So adapted were the soil and seasons of Columbus County for the cultivation of this fruit that within a phenomenally short period of time. there developed at Chadbourn the largest strawberry mar- ket in the world. Success with strawberries turned to equal success with other crops, so that during more recent years, Columbus County farmers have produced, in addition to strawberries, Irish and sweet potatoes, snap beans, peanuts, cucumbers and pecans, with sweet potatoes 54 now holding the role of leading truck crop. In 1942, Columbus farmers produced 4,650 acres of sweet potatoes and Tabor City became the largest sweet potato market in North Carolina, More- over, Columbus now has the largest sweet potato storage capacity of any county in North Carolina and markets more bushels of properly graded, packed and labeled sweet potatoes than any other shipping point in the world, with the exception of Sunset, La. Horticulturist; who know Columbus County soil and climate declare that the present success of growing truck produce in this county is but a small indication of what the potential capacities are. No small factor in this is that the Gulf Stream flows within a few miles of the Carolina coast adjacent to Brunswick County, bounding Columbus County on the southeast, and extends wonder- ful benefits in long growing seasons and moderate year-round climate to this area. Truck produce supplementing the county's 24,000 acres of tobacco planted annually means year-round marketable produce from Columbus County soil, with the tobacco crop alone being worth annually $12,000,000 to the county's approximately 50,000 Population. Add to this the annual forest and livestock producing wealth, which is mounting yearly, and you have 933 square miles—the county's area—of ‘forest and’ agricultural territory comprising one of the richest farming counties in the Southeast. Indicative of this wealth are bank deposits in Columbus County totaling $17,000,000. The farm products of Columbus County are being grown on only 21.3 per cent of the county's acteage. The remaining 78.7 per cent of the total county acreage of 576,000 acres is in woodland, much of which is cut-over and ready for cultivation, other of it in need of extensive drainage before it can be turned to cultivation. In the great Green Swamp area, for instance, there are 11,000 acres of cut-over land set aside for agricultural purposes, some 3,500 of which have already been improved or partially improved by con- struction of lateral ditches in a 44-mile canal system. This is a vast area of virgin territory, unpopulated and undeveloped, possess- ing soil which requires little fertilization and highly adapted to truck, livestock, food and feedstuff production. In recent years, a vigorous colony of Seventh Day Adventists from the North and Midwest have begun colonizing the Green Swamp territory and are applying intelligent farming methods to the tillable parts of this great undeveloped section. The county’s forests, growing high grade pine and hardwood, have 950,000,000 board feet of standing timber and are producing 57,000,000 board feet annually, or more than 30,000,000 more board feet than are being cut annually by the county's 51 sawmills. During the latter half of the last century and the first part of this, the turpentine industry was the leading industry in the county. There followed the heyday af the lumber industry which left thou- sands of acres of cut-over and bay lands to be turned into profitable agriculture. There yet remain many thousands of acres of won and bay lands, still untouched by agriculture. Likewise, thee still remain many thousands of acres of rich timber lands which ae annually increasing the vast potential value of Columbus County's native wealth. Within the versatility and fertility of Columbus County sioth within the wealth of her forests, within the potential productivity of her undrained and uncultivated cut-over and bay lands lie wealth yet untouched for Columbus County natives and others who choose to cast their lot here. The fact that lumber manufacturing and farming have been the chief and practically only industries in the county leaves es field virgin to other industries that will find in this county labor i fers and raw materials in abundance. The great timber growth offer virgin territory for veneer, paper, and furniture manufacturing plants, The abundance of livestock and agricultural products of- fers a fertile territory for meat and food processing plants. The enormous tobacco industry in this county and adjacent counties is inviting to additional tobacco redrying plants, and other plants connected with the tobacco industry. Here also are young, developing towns where business flourishes upon the wealth native to Columbus forests and fields. Whiteville, the county seat town and largest town in the county, has a popu- lation of only 3,500 persons, but a volume of business and aggres- siveness of civic spirit that surpasses that of many towns much larger. Here is Tabor City, hard by the South Carolina line, which 40 years ago did not exist but which now will challenge any town of its size and many larger to match it in annual business and marketing volume. Here are Chadbourn and Fair Bluff, the other two major towns in the county, both of which are small but thriv- ing and industrious. Here are also little crossroads towns all over the county prospering upon the agriculture and Jumber industry of Columbus. And here, too, is Lake Waccamaw, largest natural lake from Maine to Florida, possessing a rare degree of scenic charm and retaining an intriguing primeval flavor. This, then, is Columbus, land of virgin opportunity, where native wealth of field and forest still abounds, where industry may find raw materials, labor, public utilities, transportation, business leadership, and a high type of citizenship for prosperity and success. Lakeside Road—Leke Waccamaw 55 THE COUNCIL TOOL COMPANY WANANISH, N. C. (Columbus County) Ww Manufacturers of TOOLS Since 1886 For Forests and Farmers US HACKS e PULLERS e SCRAPERS e DIPPERS e CUP AXES e APRON TONGS e PLANTING BARS e TRANSPLANTERS e FIRE RAKES SWATTERS # AXES e BRUSH HOOKS « DITCH BLADES EYE HOES e ETC. 56 I met a man today who came to Eastern North Carolina to find out one im- portant thing. Previous reports had been favorable; abundant raw materials, soft water—year around mild climate. Dependable electric plenty of good power—excellent transportation facilities, water, rail, air and truck—ample post-war labor supply, especially in the smaller towns. But to him one thing was even more important. The kind of people who live and work here. It didn’t take him long to find out that there is a widespread feeling of friendliness, mutual respect and confidence between workers and management in Eastern North Carolina. Here are people 99 per cent native born—whose American tradition of fair play is bred-in- si enterprise and welcome new industries. A people with deep-rooted convictions that an honest day’s pay deserve £ Eastern North Carolina’s excellent small towns, where there the-bone. A people who believe in business s an honest day's work. In many 0 are no large industries, you will find an ample post-war supply of intelligent, adaptable. friendly workers. North Carolina and its southeastern area is receiving more serious const e. Nationally known engineering firms are showing more active interest r clients are varied and numerous. deration as manufacturing locations than ever befor in our region than heretofore, and thet TIDE WATER POWER COMPANY 49 e@ HARDWARE @ PITTSBURGH PAINTS @ FURNITURE AND MEARES FUNERAL HOMES Whiteville and Fair Bluff, N. C. ker Among Columbus County's Oldest Business Institutions ake Also ELLIS MEARES MUTUAL BURIAL ASSOCIATION Efficient, Sympathetic Service When You Need It Most akan Ambulance Service a kers In our hardware stores, we stock all supplies necessary for the farm and home @ BUILDING SUPPLIES @ FARM IMPLEMENTS 50 @ HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES ELLIS MEARES HARDWARE COMPANY Fair Bluff REFLECTS CHARM OF THE OLD SOUTH In a picturesque setting of live oaks and Spanish moss, bey niscent of the charm of the Old South, Fair Bluff, probably the oe est organized town in Columbus County, was built hard by fe banks of Drowning Creek, now known as Lumber River. This is the same river that has its source up in the hills of Moore County and converges with other streams in lower South Carolina to empty into the Atlantic Ocean. Fair Bluff is a quaint Southern community where the Ee mixed in such proportion with the present as to blend an admirable culture with a progressive business and civic consciousness. Passers- by are deeply impressed with the quiet charm of the roadway through the town, arched with gray streamers of Spanish’ moss fes- tooned from the boughs of oaks interlocking their limbs across the highway. In combination with the black water of the river flowing within a few feet of the road, the moss, the trees and the river make an impression that one does not forget. Of when Fair Bluff was first organized, the record apparently is lost, Best available information is that it was as early as 1850 or sooner. Some of the older residents remember when it was GN Port town, with rafts of logs plying down the river from Princess Ann, located several miles up the river. Among the early indus: tries for the river port town were fur trading and turpentine. Around 1880, there were three turpentine stills in Fair Bluff, two of them owned by I. M. Powell, grandson of Absalom Powell, one of Columbus County's earliest settlers, and one by Bert Anderson Framed against the background of a river and streamers of Spanish moss, Fair Bluff is a delightful community in which to live, 51 whose son, Bish Anderson, built one of the early warehouses in Fair Bluff. One of the stills was located at the site of the present Ellis Meares Hardware Company. How long before 1880 the stills were there, the record has been lost. Dating back as far as the middle of the last century, the river was used exclusively for transferring timber, but with the coming of the railroad, river transportation was discontinued. The west end of the town, located on the more prominent bluff, was originally called Alexandra, while the east end was known as Fair Bluff. How the name “Fair Bluff’ originated, there is no authentic record, but there is a pretty story about it which may or may not be true. According to this purely legendary story, a party of lumbermen were making their way down the river near nightfall, looking for a desirable place to spend the night. When they spied the bluff upon which the town is now located, one of them said, “That's a pretty fair bluff, let's spend the night there.” Tradition says that the name stuck. From then on, it was Fair Bluff. In later years, the name “Alexandra” was dropped and the entire town became known as Fair Bluff. So prominent is the bluff upon which the town is located that seldom ever does high water reach into the streets of the town. The last time this occurred was in 1928. Across the river is Robe- son County where a dense swamp reaches for five miles. This great expanse of swamp accommodates the overflow of the river, thereby protecting the town against floods. Among the original settlers were the Meares, the Andersons, the Powells, the Yates, the Durhams, the Summersetts, the Bar- dens, the Drakes, the Smiths, the Waddells, the Elvingtons, the Williams, the Jenkins, and probably others. Later came the Tuc- kers, the Rogers, and the Townsends. Most of these early families have descendants who still reside there. The oldest house in town is probably the late I. M. Powell home, where his daughter, Mrs. Bessie Renfrow, still lives. This house was probably built before 1845. There was once a large sweet gum tree right in the heart of the business section in front of the Anderson store, with seats built all around it. Here on hot summer days, the townsfolk would exchange their yarns and Confederate soldiers would exchange their reminiscences of the stirring days of the war. Here in Fair Bluff were Col. T. F. Toon, Capt. J. A. Meares, and Lt. Oliver Williams, all three of whom had distinguished themselves for gallantry with the Army of Northern Virginia. A large water oak stood in front of ‘Pat’ Waddell’s store, known as the “skin tree.” Mr. Waddell was a great dealer in all kinds of fur, skins and hides, and on this tree they were often hung to dry or for advertisement. So large was his trade that he was known as the “skin man” throughout a large territory. The adjacent river and swamps provide an abundance of wild animals, such as otters, coons, foxes, minks, and others, thus form- ing a profitable fur industry. The coming of good roads and highways has greatly changed the appearance of things as Fair Bluff. Many of the old trees were cut away to make room for the highway. Only a few of the old homes are still standing, and none of the old business houses. But the town still retains a striking degree of quaint, picturesque charm with its low hanging moss on trees which form an arch over the highway by the river’s bank. No longer a river port town or a turpentine center, Fair Bluff has taken its place alongside other Columbus towns as one of the four major towns of the county. It is situated in the midst of a rich agricultural territory, with its business houses serving an area covering Western Columbus County, some of Robeson County and a part of the upper territory of adjoining South Carolina. The county's greatest agricultural industry had its beginning in and around Fair Bluff. In 1895, from six to eight acres of tobacco were planted near Fair Bluff. During the same year, a tobacco warehouse was built in Fair Bluff by I. M. Powell. That was the beginning of tobacco growing and tobacco marketing in Columbus County, an industry which has grown into a $12,000,000 county industry annually. Fair Bluff also led the way in advertising its market. For quite a number of years, the opening day of sales was a big day for farmers and townsfolk alike. Big picnics were held in the tobacco warehouses to which farmers from the entire area were invited. Oldtimers still remember these picnics as among the greatest days in Fair Bluff history. The Fair Bluff tobacco market now boasts of four large ware- houses which in 1945 sold over 9,000,000 pounds of tobacco. Located in Fair Bluff is the oldest commercial banking institu- tion in an area covering the counties of Columbus, Brunswick, and New Hanover. This institution—the Farmers and Merchants Bank —has operated continuously since 1914 when it was organized. R. C. Tucker, who at the time of the organization was cashier, is now president of this bank. Methodists and Baptists are the predominating religious denom- inations in Fair Bluff, with the Baptists outranking the Methodists numerically. 52 The Methodist Church had its beginning in Fair Bluff before the War between the States. As early as 1855, Rey. Norman A. H. Godwin, the first pastor of the Fair Bluff Methodist Church, held regular services in the Masonic Hall. First reference to an organized church was in 1856. The deed for the lot upon which the first church was built was dated August 8, 1859. The original building stood on this site until 1914 when it was torn down to make way for the present brick structure. At the time it was completed, it was the only brick church structure for a white congregation in Columbus County. The Baptists began their work in Fair Bluff later than the Methodists, but, as previously mentioned, have grown numerically stronger. The Baptists have a neat brick structure located on the main thoroughfare. i An active Garden Club among Fair Bluff women and Civitan Club among the men comprise the civic organizations, while a Masonic Lodge and Order of Eastern Star constitute the fraternal 8roups. There is also an active American Legion Post. Fair Bluff schools are among the better schools of the county. Transportation facilities are excellent. Fair Bluff is located on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad between Wilmington and Augusta. This line makes connection with main north-south At- Jantic Coast Line trains in Florence, S. C., some fifty miles away. The town is also located on the east-west Federal Highway 74-76 over which trucking routes and buses of the Queen City Coach Company operate on regular schedule. Fair Bluff inhabitants constitute a stable, dependable citizen- ship. The people have always been noted for their hospitality, kindness and pleasant manners. Their manner of life is strikingly similar to the warm hospitality and gentle aristocracy of the Old South. Indeed, the stately atmosphere of this quaint, riverside town brings pleasing reminiscence of the South as pictured in story books. The two oldest Baptist churches in Columbus County are Livingston Chapel and White Marsh. Both were organized in 1765, Livingston Chapel probably having been organized prior to White Marsh. According to the late Rev. I. T. Newton, Livingston Chapel, first called Livingston Creek, was organized by one Eze- kiel Hunter, who was pastor of the New River Baptist Church in Onslow County. Mr. Newton wrote in 1938 that “either he (Rev. Mr. Hunter), or possibly some ministers of the Sandy Creek Asso- ciation, must have organized White Marsh the same year (1765).” Vi Columbus County was settled largely by English and Scotch, with a sprinkling of French in’ the southern section. The English came from New Hanover and Brunswick counties, and the Scotch from Bladen County. Looking down the Lumber River from bridge in Fair Bluff after a rare snow Lake Waccamaw RETAINS DISTINCT PRIMEVAL CHARM Lake Waccamaw, the largest natural Jake on the Eastern Seaboard from Maine to Florida, is located in Columbus County on the edge of the great Green Swamp. Seven by five ae ‘feat it is fed by natural springs and fresh water streams, ane eiey adapted to bathing, boating and fishing. On account oh AS on He &radually sloping beach, which deepens almost inch by a fea a bank to center where the depth is from 12 to 15 feet, the f 2 of fords excellent bathing for young and old. Because it 1s ae all impediments, it offers an ideal sheet of water for sail ‘& fish it boating. Because of its wide variety and great quantity of fish, is a paradise for sporting fishermen. n and regular in conformation. On It is saucer shaped, eve fh NRG One side i: igh bluff, some 20 feet above the wat this nee ae oa homes, business establishments, cottages and hotels, all of which are found alongside a surface-treated, state- maintained lakeside road. The remainder of the circumference dense woods and swampland inhabited by a great variety e pare life, including bear, alligators, deer, and many species 0! and migratory birds. Lookin: 57 Bearing the name of an Indian tribe which once lived along its shores, much of the lake is just as the Indians left it. One does not have to strain his imagination to picture Indian canoes bearing red-faces dipping deft paddles into the clear water as they scurry here and there on the lake's surface, or Indian fishermen ensnaring bass and bream among the shadows of the cove or the silent re- cesses of Big and Little creeks. 3 First historical reference to the lake is found in William Bar- tram’s “Journal of Travels,” written after his trip south from Pennsylvania in 1734 to collect botanical specimens for his father, John Bartram, first scientist to create a botanic garden for plants in America. In his Journal, Mr. Bartram wrote: ‘’The next morning we took a particular view of it (the lake), and I think it is the pleasantest place I ever saw in my life. It is at least 18 miles around, sur- rounded with exceeding good land, as oak of all sorts, hickory and fine cypress swamps. There is plenty of deer, wild turkeys, geese and ducks, and fish in abundance. We shot enough game to serve forty men though there were but six of us.” iy g across beautiful Lake Waccamaw A. F. Goldston and a morn‘ng’s catch on the lake Mr. Bartram also made reference to Indian mounds and an Indian field, but declares his belief that Indians had not inhabited the field “for the past fifty years,” since neither the Waccamaw nor Cape Fear Indians had any recollection of an Indian settlement there. Since that was in 1734, the habitation of Lake Waccamaw by Indians must date back as far as 1684, although this does not exclude the possibility that some Indians may have lived on the lake after Mr. Bartram visited it. That fact makes it all the more remarkable that Lake Wacca- maw has lost little of its primeval charm. Mr. Bartram’s description of it in 1734 is almost as accurate now as it was then. With the exception of the settlement on the northern shore, one finds little difference between the physical circumstances surrounding the lake in 1734 and now. Tradition still attaches the name “Indian Mounds’ to the sandy bluff located on the northeast shore of the lake. Both the fact that Indian relics have been found there and that they are located on a sandy bluff lend credence to the theory that once the Waccamaws actually did have a wigwam village there. Tradition also insists that Osceola, half-breed Indian chief- tain of the Seminole War, was born near Dupre Landing, directly across the lake from the residential settlement. It is a fact that Osceola’s father was named John Powell, who married an Indian girl, that there are many Powells in Columbus County, and that some of them have had information passed down to them which tends to authenticate the story that Osceola was born near Dupre Landing. Near the Indian Mounds is the mouth of Big Creek, opening onto the lake out of the dense and jungle-like fastnesses of the 58 northeastern shore. Anyone entering Big Creek is deeply impressed with the deep and mysterious silence brooding over the water and emanating from the luxuriance of the shorelines, a silence broken only by the sudden splash of fish or some incantation from wild creatures to whom that region is a paradise. On the southern shore of the lake the Waccamaw River, emptying into the Great Pee Dee River near Georgetown, S. C., has its beginning. Across the entrance into the river stream, a dam has been built to keep the level of the lake consistent through- out the year. The dam, built in 1925, was by state and county con- struction and was necessitated because the lake's water level be- came low during exceptionally dry spells. Since the construction of the dam, the lake has maintained a consistent water level. From the river mouth to Dupre Landing, a distance of about three miles, is a narrow sand road, the only lakeside road except the state-maintained road along a mile or more of the opposite shore. Lake Waccamaw remains a great body of water set amidst the wild tangle of Nature's primitive charm, where little of man’s spoil- ation has robbed it of its primeval glory. Bird and animal life mingle with the dense growth of. scented swamplands. The bald eagle has been known to nest in the high cypress treetops around Big Creek. Starry-eyed deer roam the highlands and drink from the sandy shorelines. Wildcats blast the night air with their un- earthly sounds, while bear roam the forests and alligators infest the waters of the creeks. In spring and summer, the brilliant colors of migratory birds flash in and out of. the dense foliage and the air is filled with their enchanted music. There are few places in North Carolina from which the charm of elemental wonder has been less removed. Two communities form the north shore settlement, yet in the mind of lake residents there are only the names to distinguish the two. One is Lake Waccamaw, called Flemington until about 1890, and the other is Wananish, which is English for the Indian name, Ouananiche, meaning “landlock salmon." The Indian name was given to the community by the late J. P. Council, but post office authorities anglicized and shortened it to Wananish. The town of Lake Waccamaw is located along the railroad tracks, while Wana- nish is about one mile east of Lake Waccamaw and about one-half mile from the tracks toward the lake shore. Wananish is the home of the Council Tool Company, founded in 1886 by J. P. Council. The history of this interesting enterprise is a story in itself about which more later. Among the earliest white settlers of the lake were the Powells and the Maultsbys, who owned much land around the lake and east and west of it. In 1745, John Powell came to the lake from Virginia, driving a herd of cattle along with him. One of his sons, Absalom, a principal figure in the early history of what became in 1808 Columbus County. The Maultsbys, also prominent in the development of the county, have, along with the Powells, many descendants in the county today, notably in and around Whiteville. The Bridgers of Bladenboro purchased the Wananish property from the Powells and the Maultsbys, and the Bridgers in turn sold it to John P. Council, founder of the Council Tool Company, about 1898. Mr. Council moved his plant from Council to Wananish in 1900, where it has been located since. While the Bridgers and the Councils are a part of the more recent history of the lake property around Wananish, it is with the Short and Beers Lumber Company, which became the North Carolina Lumber Company in 1910, that more recent history around the town of Lake Waccamaw and the adjacent lakeside is related. H. B. Short and C. O. Beers formed a partnership about 1879 for a shingle plant at Hallsboro. On the north shore of Lake Wac- camaw, Short and Beers built a large dock to receive barges of shingles from across the lake. In the 1880's, the company had about 400 shingle makers making hand-made shingles. The shingle At Lake Waccamaw: (1) A ringside se Flemington Hall, ho cil; (4) Boats at anchor; (5) churned by a stiff south wind; (8) Pecan Lane; ( t overlooking the lake; * al me of Mr. and Mrs. (2) Game fish taken from the lake; (3) Home of Mr. and Mrs. K. Clyde Coun- F. B. Gault; (6) Home of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Weir; (7) Lake waters ol Company, K. C. Council and helper. 9) Inside Council To 59 traffic across the lake during those days was very large. A tram railroad track extended from the Atlantic Coast Line track to the lakeside dock to transport the shingles for shipment. Short and Beers Lumber Company was incorporated in 1910 as the North Carolina Lumber Company, with F. B. Gault, a native of Minnesota, as principal stockholder. In recent years, Mr. Gault has sold out his stock but the company still operates as the North Carolina Lumber Company, with its plant still located on the original site of Short and Beers Lumber Company, though, of course, greatly enlarged. “Flemington Hall,” a magnificent home located along the moss- festooned road leading to the lakeshore from the main highway, is the home of the Gaults. The approximately 3,000 artesian wells now in Columbus County date back to the first well dug in this part of the country by John P. Council. Believed to be the oldest well in the county, which has flowed continuously since being dug, is just east of Weaver's pier at Lake Waccamaw. This well is located between the board walk and the lake shoreline, and was dug by Mr. Council about 1900. Today there are from 40 to 50 artesian wells around the lake villages of Lake Waccamaw and Wananish, ranging in depth from 150 to 250 feet. In retrospect, the activities at the lake around the turn of the century were colorful. In the village of Lake Waccamaw itself, Mrs. M. C. Carroll operated a high class hotel on the north side of the railroad tracks. The train stopped there for its passengers to have both breakfast and dinner, and many were the others who enjoyed the good eats and hospitality of ‘Miss Lizzie.” Those were also the days when Captain Sam Potts operated the Bohemian Girl, a single-cylinder steamboat built on the lake. Captain Potts, a colorful character, is, along with Kinchen Coun- cil, a part of the lore of the lake. There appeared in an 1897 issue of The Columbus News, predecessor to The News Reporter, a letter signed, ‘A Stray Geor- gian.” It told of a trip on the lake as a passenger on Captain Potts’ Bohemian Girl. “A few days ago it was my good fortune,’” wrote “Stray Georgian,” “to take a trip on this beautiful lake as a guest of the genial Captain Potts on the Bohemian Girl, with a party of friends. To say that I enjoyed it is to draw it mildly. Enjoy! Why, I was charmed. In fact, the English vocabulary fails me when I attempt to express my pleasure. The captain is a whole host within himself and the B. G. skims the water of the placid lake like a thing of life. The lake is one of the most beautiful sheets of water my eyes ever beheld, and the fishing—well, everybody has a fish tale to tell, but I will say that I caught them so fast I could not count them; one of my counters said 175. The man or the woman who comes in reach of this beautiful lake and does not make a trip with the captain on the B. G. has missed one of the greatest pleasures accorded to us mortals here below. . . . Au revoir, and God speed you and the B. G., my gallant captain.” Captain Potts was a versatile gentleman. He was taxidermist, jewelry salesman, telegrapher, doctor, sportsman, all wrapped up together. They still tell the story of how one day Captain Potts “tooted” orders to the train over the steam whistle of the Bohemian Girl. The train had pulled into the station at Lake Waccamaw where it was to receive orders from Captain Potts before proceed- ing further. But Captain Potts, the only person who knew the orders, was steaming around on the lake in the Bohemian Girl, having left his son in charge of the station. The trainmasters grew irritated and wondered why in the heck the captain wasn’t on hand with orders. Whereupon, the story declares, Captain Potts’ son, who had been taught telegraphy by his father, climbed into the cab of the locomotive and “‘tooted’’ out a request to his father for orders. In a moment, the orders came back from the steam whistle of the Bohemian Girl and the train proceeded on its way. 60 Kinchen Council—"“Mister Kinch’—was equally as versatile as Captain Potts. Around him has already grown up a legendary lore which is intriguing. Poet, historian, traveler, hunter, fisherman, scholar, “Mister Kinch’’ possessed a storehouse of information about people, places and things. He placed greater value upon people and friendship than upon any other thing in the world. For further comment on this delightful Columbus County person- ality, consult “Kinchen Council, Sage of Wananish” appearing elsewhere in this book. The story of Wananish is also the story of Council Tool Com- pany. The history of this industry, unique to Columbus County, began in Council just across the line in Bladen County. There, in 1886, the manufacturing of turpentine tools began in a shop about the size of an ordinary tobacco barn. John P. Council and his brother, James Council, were the original owners. In 1891, James sold his interest to John, and today it is being operated by K. Clyde Cauncil, son of John, as president, and John Council, his brother, as vice-president. Mr. John Council, the founder of the company, was a great fisherman, and it is family tradition that he moved his manufactur- ing plant to Wananish to be nearer his fishing grounds. The Council Tool Company now employs approximately 100 workers, most of whom were born and reared in the section where the plant is located. It consists of three central units, besides the storage houses, the large office and the store building, and the old structures in which manufacturing was done for many years. The total plant occupies a 40-acre tract of land. ___ In addition to supplying turpentine tools for the turpentine industry from North Carolina to Mexico, the company now manu- factures general forestry tools, with sales markets in many parts of the United States. Though many parts of Columbus County are favorite haunts for hunters and fishermen, Lake Waccamaw is the sporting center of the county. Here on this lake may be caught big mouth bass, white perch, red fin perch (locally called trout), sun fish, bream, red breast, crappie or goggle-eye, black fish, jack and pike, among the more abundant varieties. The State Conservation Service has on numerous occasions re-stocked the lake with game fish. Two years ago, 18,000 small bass were placed in the lake. At present, a study is being made relative to the future policies to be followed in keeping the lake supplied, with some taking the view that improved methods of fertilization will result in more fish than re- stocking. Nearby the lake are the 13,000 acres of the North State Hunt- ing Club, part of which is in Columbus County and the remainder in Bladen. The many thousands of acres of dense swamp and wood- lands surrounding the lake provide unsurpassed cover for wild life of every type found in a temperate climate. On the lake itself, the steamboat days of Captain Potts have been supplanted by high-speed motor boating, while on any good fishing day, the drone of outboard fishing motors may be heard on all parts of the lake. The thousands of acres of woodlands adjoining the lake are mainly the property of West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, the Reigel Paper Corporation, and the North Carolina Lumber and Veneer Company. Mr. Clyde Council has recently given two acres on the north shore for a permanent Boy Scout camp site, where building, opera- tions are already underway. On lands close by the lake are pecan orchards totaling ap- proximately 200 acres. The orchards, consisting of improved thin- shell varieties, are mainly the property of F. B. Gault, George T. Sutton, Oscar High, and Dallas Cameron. Seen from the air, Lake Waccamaw and Wananish, together with the pecan orchards, form a patchwork of rare beauty. “Dining . Dancing ° Sports Fun and Entertainment That Keep You Fit FOR AN EVENING OF RELAXATION, FUN AND GOOD FOOD YOU'LL ENJOY A VISIT TO HARRY’S ANCHORAGE LAKE WACCAMAW, N. C. Warm and Comfortable in Winter Cool and Refreshing in Summer — FOR YEAR ROUND REST AND RECREATION COME TO LAKE WACCAMAW Largest Natural Lake from Maine to Florida and Spend Your Time At bath e Dining Service e Open throughout the year t e Fishing and Hunting Parties Rates on Request GOLDSTON’S HOTEL LAKE WACCAMAW, N. C, Rooms with and without Boats for ren! 61 Uberti at JONES HOTEL PHONE 7279 LAKE WACCAMAW Grade fl Dining Room © Home Cooking * 25 Rooms—With or Without Bath SS EI . eae HUNTING VACATION LAND uides and Bait Deer — Quail Sun Bathing — Swimming Ee ee EXPERIENCED GUIDES — GOOD DOGS — LEASED TERRITORY OUT-OF-STATE VISITORS WELCOME W.D. Jones, Owner | Rates on Request ee ee ee ee Brunswick Supply Company enera / Wad seradben BRUNSWICK, NORTH CAROLINA Shipping Point: Whiteville, North Carolina 62 Kinchen Counal, “Sage of Wanansh” By LEANNA GEDDIE Once ever so often, in this whirligig of a world, there comes along a man who has a natural talent for living. He seems to Possess a casual ebb and flow with the universe, a sort of oneness that can be sensed if not defined. Such a man was Kinchen Bascom Council, better known as “Kinch.” Perhaps no more revealing key to his personality is to be found than to have a look in the big old leather-bound book in which he kept his unique memoirs. Started as a ledger for the Council Tool Company, he early discarded such a trivial use as keep- ing money accounts and began to record the things that were real to him. Here we find letters from friends, evidence of exchange of verses with kindred souls, clippings that expressed a philosophy in accord with his own, historical data dug up in his lifelong hobby of “tracing kin” for people he knew, and his own poems written in his angular script. Searching in vain for. newspaper and magazine accounts of facts about himself, one finds instead a simple picture of a fisherman inscribed, “I kept this because it was given me by my brother, John P. Council,” or an old envelope.on which he has written, “What better ambition can a man have than to be of service to his state.” Filed with no apparent order, it is a veritable hodge-podge to the logical mind and proves a puzzle to Betty Lytton, his grand-niece, who is writing the family history. -Yet, in its entirety it presents a rhythmic pattern of creative life. It is no wonder that Ben Dixon McNeill describes Kinchen Council as “a fine, strange, complex, and even bewildering man, bluff in manner, indifferent of opinion, but strangely sensitive and altogether quite beyond appraisal—paradoxical but ever stead- fast in his friendship and sturdy honesty.” Perhaps Kinchen ex- plains something of the mystery in his own lines: “I would not have you think of me As one who sought to write his name Upon the sands of Fantasy, "Tis better far to look beyond Vain, sordid things, and onward fare Through life, a cheerful vagabond Than be a grouchy millionaire.” It was this sense of value that led him to take his team and plant along the highways of Columbus County for twenty-five rules crepe myrtle plants which he had dug up with his own hands. i said that the crepe myrtle, so familiar to us here, was either ee to this section by slaves from their native habitat, or by the cody French Huguenot settlers of which the Formy Duval family was one. So he writes “A Crepe Myrtle Reverie’: “O! Peerless beauty of old lands And days beyond the sunrise sea, That thou art here in alien hands— k What trick hath Fortune played on thee? Kinchen Council was born in Council, the family settlement, in Bladen County. Though his father, Kinchen Kitchen Council, stated in his will that provision be made from the funds of the estate for ‘a liberal education for each of my four younger children, the traditional schooling was not for the son, Kinchen, He had no sooner finished the courses at Clarkton School than he went wan- dering. First to Mississippi, then to the fascinating parts of old -Louisiana—New Orleans, the Bay resorts, and the French Creole country. With a knowledge of telegraphy which he had picked up 63 as a boy, he made his way for five years and many and wondrous were the tales he told of his experiences. It was not so long after that that he, with other members of the Council family, moved nearer Lake Waccamaw where the hunting and fishing he loved could be engaged in without that bothersome two-hour ride by horse and wagon. He writes: “Let's hie away o'er the wide expanse Of Waccamaw where sunbeams dance In lotus haunts of June. Through reeking spume and blinding spray, To what fair scenes we sailed away; What poet land of dreams! Ah, me, what happy days were ours, Wandering in the shady bowers Of robin-haunted streams.”” He had married Miss Sallie Gilliam of Bladen County, and here on the shores of the Lake were his four children brought up. His home was a veritable museum of life in the open. Deer hides, bear rugs, mounted fish, curios from every land, books everywhere, and the best pack of hound dogs in the state, dwelt in harmony together. It was said that “winter evenings he reads and sometimes he sits himself down to write.” Here he lived for the last thirty years of his life, “very simply, content to make tools for a living and all other things for pleasure.” In his trade he was an artist-craftsman. Superintendent of the manufacturing branch of the Council Tool Company, Mrs. Joe Brown says that “much of the success of this now flourishing business was due to his careful supervision and inspection, so that none but perfect tools were allowed to reach the trade.” He said himself that it didn’t worry him when the declining turpentine industry of North Carolina requested fewer of the tools. “Why, these tools are used from India to Argentina, wherever pines are tapped for turpentine.” That love of his trade, perfection of the product, and conception of property for use were characteristic qualities. He found poetry and romance even in his business. Understand that none of the commercial aspects were allowed to interfere with the important job of living. He had a wander- lust which Clyde Council, his nephew, says is as inherent in the family as hunting and fishing. This trait led Kinchen to Alaska ‘once and elicited extravagant words of praise. “Yours is a world in the making, An Eden that no serpent knows, Where saffron dawn is ever breaking, And sapphire sunset sweetly glows.” Though he says in this poem, “Alaska, Goodbye,” that “he would like to live there for aeons,” it is to be doubted that any grandeur could charm him permanently from his native state. What rambles he took around the countryside! Mrs. Dempsey, his daughter, now living atthe old home place in Wananish, said, “Why, any time he would get one of the boys at the Lake to drive for him and go off for a trip in the car. He might be back tonight, tomorrow night or next week. Just stayed as long as he wanted to and found someone interesting to be with.” He knew people in every county of the state and there was not a home from the governor's mansion, to the smallest dwelling on Crusoe Island, in which he was not welcome. Everywhere he went his alert mind soaked up everything he saw and heard so that his was a storehouse of the life and lore of the region. It is said that he knew more of the legends, human interest stories, and historical data of the state, than any other man of his time. How did he achieve this? First, he had a genius for friendship, and, he numbered his friends from all walks of life. “Today he might dine with learned dignataries in gilded halls and measure lances with them over some problem of state policy, and tomorrow swap yarns with some unlettered friend over a camp fire on the banks of his beloved Lake Waccamaw, happy and natural in either environment.” Next he was a master of the art of con- versation, that quality of sharing thought so respected by the French. He had read, listened, studied, learned, and from the store of his remarkable memory “he could bring out old things and new as one would reach up to a library shelf.” Ben Dixon McNeill stated that he was “the most interesting and, in many respects, the most gifted man in North Carolina.” “Kinch” merited the title, “The Sage of Wananish.” Of all his diverse interests, this tool-maker, hunter, fisherman, philosopher, scholar, poet, historian, economist, citizen, and friend, pethaps none was more aptly expressed in his poetry than in the companionship offered in hunting and fishing with his friends. Though he scoffed, “I’m no poet—just a blacksmith,” the lines speak for themselves. He writes a letter in verse to “Sandy” Mc- Kinnon of Maxton, to explain what: happened after “Sandy” had ad had to leave the hunt. To his friend, Captain Barnes, he gives the title, “Old Man of the Lake,” and the poem by that name is filled with references to fishing companions. These are a few lines from a letter to the members of the North State Game Club at a time when he could not join them in the hunt: “Meantime, in dreams I'll grasp your hands And ask about your folks, T'll sit with you around the fire And hear your latest jokes. Now wind your horn and mount the steed And let the hounds run free, And as the merry chase sweeps on Just sometimes think of me.” The inscription on his tombstone, “65 years old, died 1931,” means little. He is ageless and his words and wisdom live among us still, We think about him in “An Angler's Paradise,” with Horace Smith and others of his friends; “Kinch” saying with that all-encompassing grin: “And though my worthless bones may lie Unmarked by monolith, I'll whip the trout streams of the sky With dear old Horace Smith.” The Legend of The Lake Tradition tells us that a long, long time ago, in fact, so long that no one knows when, the large and beautiful lake now known as Lake Waccamaw, was a mound of flowers and in it grew all the flowers we know today, both wild and cultivated, and that the keeper of this garden of flowers was an Indian princess who was known to all the tribes of the earth as the most beautiful and lovely princess in all the world. It was the custom for the chiefs of all the tribes to send their sons, accompanied by medicine men and braves, to the camp of Chief Waccamaw each spring, when the flowers on the mound were in bloom, to receive from the hands of the Princess Waccamaw a blessing and a wild rose that would bring to them and their tribe good luck between the moons. The tribe that had the blessing and the wild rose had plenty of game, corn, and fresh water for drink and play. Manteo, from his home, "way up in the sky, was always watching the Princess Waccamaw as she wandered along in the garden, and protected her from all harm. Chief Ashbow, who was famed for his cunning and cruelty, was located to the north. He had a son who was very brave and strong, who had seen the Princess Waccamaw and asked her to be his wife. The princess told him that he was very kind, and that she liked him very much and thanked him for paying her the high honor of asking her to be his princess, but she told him that she had promised Manteo that she would never marry but would always stay in the garden and teach and send to all the tribes of the earth her blessing and_a wild rose, if he would send the medicine men from all the tribes to her garden each year when the flowers were in bloom, that she might teach them that Manteo was king of all, and that if they would obey Manteo and be very kind, that when they departed to the Happy Hunting Ground in the Great Beyond, that they would find plenty of game and fish 64 and fresh water for drink and play. The prince was very angry, for he wanted her very much for his princess, and he cursed her in the Indian tongue and swore by the law of his tribe that he would destroy the mound of flowers, and he departed to his tribe in the north and assembled all of his medicine men and braves. With their bows and arrows and tomahawks, they came and began to cut and tear and slash, until they thought they had destroyed all of the Waccamaw braves and their chief, and then Prince Ashbow commanded them to bring to him the beautiful Princess Waccamaw. Tradition tells us that the princess knelt and asked Manteo to let her die in the garden, and to change the mound of flowers into a beautiful lake that man could not destroy, and to dedicate it forever to the memory of her father, Chief Waccamaw, and to not let it go dry but to always keep its waters pure and crystal, and filled with fish for the use of the good braves who love and honor Manteo. The Great Spirit in his home far away in the sky, heard the prayer of the beautiful and good princess, and he was very angry and commanded that the garden of flowers should sink and that the enemies of the Princess Waccamaw should perish. The beauti- ful garden went slowly down and the crystal waters came gushing forth, and so, even unto this day, this large and beautiful lake is dedicated to the memory of the lovely and devoted keeper of the mound in the garden of flowers. When she joined her tribe in death, she was buried in one of the mounds now to be seen overlooking this lake at sunset. All the tribes form the face of the earth sent messengers with ivory, precious stones and gold, and these were buried with her on the east bank of Lake Waccamaw where there is a large Indian burying ground. Small Communes Form Patchwork Over Columbus Small rural communities, inspired by lumber manufacturing plants or country stores dealing in general merchandise, constitute an integral part of the life of Columbus County. Here, where turpentine once was a major industry, and where lumber ee facturing still maintains an exalted place in the Gage) of the county, one finds some small rural communities lite now are only the ghost of what they once were, while still others are bustling with activity. Typical among those of the Go category are Pireway, where once the turpentine and log rafting business made of this community a prosperous little incorporated town; Cerro Gordo, where once the Williamson and Brown Land and Lumber Company manufactured about 75,000 board feet of Has per day; and Boardman, once the home of the Butters Lumber Company, whose operations created one of the most prosperous communities in the county. Typical among the communities of the latter aie is i i a Hallsboro,- with the largest payroll in the county, and site a plywood plant, a veneer mill, and three lumber manufacturing Plants. Rural communities in the southern section of the cousisy af clude Dulah, Guide, Dothan, Iron Hill, Bug Hill, Nakina, Dock, Bethel, and Pireway. The lands around Old Dock were first deeded to Patrick Henry. Located on the Waccamaw River, Old Dock was once the site of naval stores and that probably accounts for the eae Here is located the Old Dock-Nakina School, to which a high school unit was added in 1945. For several years the Old Dock School has been a fully accredited elementary school. Just across ihe Waccamaw River from Old Dock is Crusoe Island, about which @ separate story appears in this magazine. The only Mormon church in the county is located at Due The church is not located at Dulah but nearby, and is one of the few Mormon churches in North Carolina. Pireway is located near the Waccamaw River, a short distance below Reeves’ Ferry. This community was once the scene of large f these turpentine still operations, as were numerous other o} southern Columbus rural communities. It was the home of the ite Sheriff John George Butler, who was a large Jand-owner and in- fluential man in Columbus County. From Pireway also came Clyde Gore, another ex-sheriff of Columbus County. Pireway is axe] to be the site of a skirmish which took place between the Whigs and the Tories during the Revolutionary War. It is today a thriving agricultural community. In the nearby Waccamaw River STALE much hunting is done, while the river itself affords excellent fishing. Brunswick, located about four miles south of Whiteville, came into existence in 1925 when Jackson Bros. Lumber Company of Salisbury, Md., built a large lumber mill there and a model mill Village, The mill operated from 1925 to 1932 when it discontinued. 65 At the time Jackson Bros. bought the property for a mill site and mill village, there were only three dwelling houses in what is now Brunswick. When the village came, the population grew to about 600 persons. The company commissary was managed by E. L. Vinson, who came to Brunswick with Jackson Bros. When the mill discontinued operations, a corporation was formed by W. T. Sledge, E. L. Vinson, and L. C. Brown, which bought out the commissary. To this business was given the name Brunswick Supply Company. In 1934, Mr. Vinson bought the stock of Mr. Sledge and Mr. Brown and dissolved the corporation. The Brunswick Supply Company still operates as one of the leading rural business establishments of Columbus County. The office of Jackson Bros. was transformed by Mr. Vinson into a beautiful country home where the Vinsons now live. Brunswick is now one of the most delightful rural villages in Columbus County. It is incorporated, though the incorporation is now inactive. The Brunswick Post Office in 1944 did a $35,000 business. On the northwest border of the county is Boardman, once the site of one of the largest sawmills in the South—the Butters Lumber Company—which, during the latter part of the last century and the first of this, contributed a major share to the development of Columbus County. In 1896, E. B. Wright, an experienced mill man, moved to Boardman from Michigan and accepted the general management of this plant. In subsequent years, Boardman became an ideal mill community with some of the most handsome homes in the county, large Colonial residences, with almost every home of consequence possessing steam heat, with all modern conveniences, hot and cold water, sewerage and electricity for the entire town. The town, during those years, had about 800 population, with good churches, schools, recreational facilities, and stores. The output of the mill averaged 18,000,000 feet a year. In 1905, Cerro Gordo, then an old village, was stimulated by the coming of the Williamson and Brown Land and Lumber Com- pany, a manufacturing plant of considerable capacity. This plant was owned and operated by Dr. J. C. Williamson, Dr. F. P. Coving- ton, and D. W. Brown. The mill was destroyed by fire about 1915 and was never rebuilt, During the ten-year-period of its operations, Cerro Gordo developed into a prosperous little town, with a bank and drug store as indications of its progress. With the loss of the mill and the depression which followed the war, general business conditions suffered a decline from which they have never recovered. Dr. Floyd Johnson, county health officer for the past 25 years, practiced in Cerro Gordo for 15 years. Cerro Gordo boasts one of the best schools in Columbus County, with a physical plant second to none in the county. Cerro Gordo is said to have received its name from the arrival of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad track there on the date of the Battle of Cerro Gordo during the War with Mexico. North of Cerro Gordo is Evergreen, located at the junction of Highway —, with the Myrtle Beach-Elrod branch of the At- lantic Coast Line Railroad. During the early part of the century, this, too, was a sawmill community. Today, it is a small village located in the heart of a rich agricultural area. A depot, several stores, and a high school are the main physical assets of the com- munity. Both here and at Cerro Gordo live some of the county's most substantial and cultured citizens. On the eastern half of the county are Acme, Delco, Bolton, Wananish, Lake Waccamaw, and Hallsboro. Acme is the home of the Acme Fertilizer Company, a large plant around which the life of the village centers. Delco was developed by people of German descent. Once called New Berlin, the name was changed during World War I. Located here are several stores, a post office, and the Acme-Delco Consolidated High School. Bolton has been the center of lumbering activities since early in the century. The first sawmill was built about 1907. This plant was destroyed by fire and was subsequently rebuilt. It is today the headquarters of the Reigel Paper Corporation. At Hallsboro are located the North Carolina Lumber Com- pany, the largest manufacturing plant in the county, the J. E. Thompson Lumber Company, and the sawmill plant of Pierce and Company. Here also are excellent community stores, churches, a public library and women's civic organizations. The weekly payroll at Hallsboro is the largest industrial payroll in the county, amounting to approximately $8,000. (For information about Lake Waccamaw and ‘Wananish, con- sult the story about Lake Waccamaw, appearing elsewhere in this magazine.) Though varying in size and relative Prosperity, these com- munities form a patchwork over much of the county. Some of them belong definitely to the past. Few, if any of them, will ever grow into large towns. But all of them have, and continue to contribute their proportionate share toward the development of Columbus County. The First Presbyterian Church in Whiteville was also the first Presbyterian Church in Columbus County. Early reports, which are fragmentary, show the reception of the first members in 1869. The first church building was erected near the courthouse and was used by the congregation until the erection and completion of the present building in January, 1930. The bell used in the old build- ing was removed to the new, and still calls worshipers to church each Sunday morning. Tobacco, strawberries, cotton, sweet potatoes, peanuts, corn, string beans, watermelons, cantaloupes, scuppernongs, hay, and small grain are the principal crops produced in Columbus County. Look for the New G-E Appliances First at Our Store REFRIGERATOR —RADIOS =BICYOUES —GIFTS —APPLIANCES ELECTRIC SINK —BOOKS —RECORDS —PHONOGRAPHS BRAXTON-WARREN CO. ELECTRIC RANGE NEXT TO GUITON’S. “Everything Electrical” WHITEVILLE ELECTRIC WASHER [areas ee | Lewis Funeral Home TABOR CITY, N. C. J. L. Lewis, Owner aaa Sponsors of TABOR CITY MUTUAL FUNERAL ASSOCIATION, Inc. Sepeis RN eet nes ia oe eet SS Day Phone 281 Night Phone 126 AMBULANCE SERVICE [LE reese oe sete a nia es Na Western Auto Associate Store S. T. RoGers, Owner PHONE 667 e TIRES e BATTERIES e RADIOS e SPORTING GOODS Auto Accessories and Electric Appliances TABOR CITY, N. C. 67 TABOR HARDWARE COMPANY TABOR CITY, N. C. J. L. Lewis, Owner Dealers in Hardware e Furniture e Fertilizer Farm Implements e Building Supplies Electrical Equipment Agents for Naco Fertilizer Company Virginia-Carolina Chemical Co. International Minerals & Chemical Co. Acme Fertilizer Company Gainey Tobacco Curers Smith Oil Curers Coal Stokers A Complete Line of Crosley Electrical Equipment A TELEPHONE SERVICE TO COLUMBUS COUNTY SINCE 1925 Columbus ‘Telethon Co. WHITEVILLE, N. C. RAYMOND Cook, Manager GUY H. CULPEPPER JOHN C. MAULTSBY J. A. MAULTSBY Home Builders and Supply Company WHITEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA OUR FIRM WILL BE DEVOTED TO FURNISHING COMPLETE SERVICE New Constructions Repairs and Additions Building Supplies Hardware Concrete Blocks Brick and Tile Columbus Red Cross Chapter Did Remarkable Job During World War II No finer chapter in Columbus County's history has been written than that concerning its participation in World War II. In services on both the home front and the military front, Columbus citizens did their part. This story will attempt to summarize in broad out- line some of the more notable contributions made by Columbus during the war. According to the records of the Columbus County draft boards No. 1 and 2, located at Whiteville and Chadbourn, respectively, a total of 3,337 Columbus men were drafted into the service from the beginning of Selective Service until operations ceased against Japan, This does not include the number of men who voluntarily enlisted in some branch of the service. Of the total number, 2,228 were white persons and 1,109 were Negroes. Columbus men fought in every theater of operations and served in every branch of the service. They ranged in rank fiom private to full colonel. In proportion to population, they won their share of awards for meritorious service. Operations of Columbus men and their comrades were ably supported by war activities on the home front. During the eight bond drives, the records show that a total of $14,957,978.50 SES invested by Columbus citizens in all types of bonds. Contributions to the United War Fund were in excess of $56,000 and to the Red Cross in excess of $72,000. These figures represent the type of financial support Columbus Citizens gave to the war effort. The finest loyalty, however, was demonstrated in the many volunteer services rendered by Columbus county citizens. In no field did this show up to a better ackanlge than in Red Cross activities. Here, indeed, was a labor of loving sacrifice in which Columbus citizens, and especially Columbus women, played a magnificent part. To tell the full story of the service rendered by the Columbus County Chapter of the American Red Cross would be too great an undertaking for the space per- mitted here. However, a summary of the highlights of the program will serve to show something of the type of work done. A resume of this work must. begin in June, 1939, when the Whiteville Production Corps of the Columbus County Red Cross Chapter was organized. This was prior to the organization Volun- teer Special Services in 1940. Tabor City organized in September, 1939; Lake Waccamaw and Hallsboro early in 1940; Chadbourn, Fair Bluff, Cerro Gordo, Bolton, Evergreen, Delco, China Grove, and Piney Forest followed in the order named, The home economics classes of the schools, both white and colored, participated in the program in 1940-41. Women’s clubs throughout the county gave enthusiastic support, while small groups . in rural churches participated in sewing programs in 1942-43. 69 In July, 1942, the surgical dressing program was inaugurated in Whiteville, Lake Waccamaw and Tabor City branches. Because of its intimate relationship to the men on the battlefronts, this work was perhaps closest to the hearts of volunteers, and, there- fore, represented the most diligent and consecrated service rendered. The first quota of sewed and knitted garments for foreign war relief was accepted in July, 1939. The production of sewed items for foreign war relief continued through 1944. After then, sewing was confined to hospital garments and comfort articles for camp hospitals and kit bags for the Armed Services. Knitted items for the latter included sweaters, helmets, scarfs, mufflers and wrist- lets; and for foreign war relief, sweaters and shawls. The following is a classified summary of the garments and other items made and shipped from June, 1939, through June, 1945: Genel GANGS 5 5cqossnconsodeuonuae sacs 10,174 Kit bags, filled ... 2,076 Kit bags, unfilled . 2 532 Bedside bags for camp hospitals . Paes WAOO) Drapes for camp day rooms ................. 132 Comfort items . 375 Knitted items . 2,602 el otal eet, cones cheered Leendert 16,291 The total number of surgical dressings made from July, 1942, through August, 1944, was 4,320,000. In the overall production program, there were approximately 1,500 volunteers enrolled. Some of these, however, were active for only a limited period of time. A relatively small number have given service throughout the duration. A faithful few scattered in various sections of the county are still knitting for occupational troops. Upon completion of quotas by the various Production work units, items were sent into the chapter administrative production center in Whiteville where final inspections were made. Items were then classified as to type and sizes, coded and tied into bun- dies. All shipments were made from the administrative production office in Whiteville. Other phases of Red Cross activities were equally as success- fully conducted. There were 11 home nursing classes trained with 157 trainees receiving certificates. A class of sixteen staff assistants was trained. These assistants gave their service to the chapter in typing and making up reports for the surgical dressing program. The Home Service Department: of the chapter was organized in March, 1942. Through October of 1945, the department had served 6,931 individual cases. The Whiteville Motor Corps and the Tabor City Motor Corps with 21 members took the required First Aid training, also a course in simple mechanics and school bus driving. They were called on for any driving for the Red Cross until the chapter bought a special Red Cross car. Thirteen nurses’ aides gave 2,764 hours at the Columbus County Hospital. Ten junior staff assistants were trained in the required course. It is regrettable that space allotted for this article does not permit the enumeration of the many individuals who did voluntary work in Columbus County in connection with the War Bond drives, the United War Fund drives, the Red Cross activities, clothing campaigns, and many other types of service. It is likewise regretta- ble that the war service records of the civic, patriotic and fraternal organizations in all parts of the county cannot be enumerated. Home front activities were carried on by a very large number of persons whose names are too many to list in limited space. No report of the Red Cross program as conducted by the Columbus County Red Cross Chapter would be complete without giving due recognition to the sympathetic and cooperative attitude of the general public. Commercial groups, public agencies, churches, civic and patriotic organizations were responsive and cooperative in every request made of them, Work rooms were supplied rent free from time to time, merchants discounted all bills and in many instances expedited production by making special orders for supplies needed. The town commissioners aided greatly in the vast shipping program by furnishing city trucks for transporting shipments to the freight depot, and also for all moving projects. Carolina Motors PRESENTS Pontiae Dependable Service for almost half a century J. A. MCNEILL & SONS Druggists Since 1900 WHITEVILLE, N. C. JOHN A. McNEILL GeorGE R. MCNEILL CHARLES R. MCNEILL Net H. McNEILL Finest of the Famous “Silver Streaks” Buick “When Better Cars Are Built Buick Will Build Them” AS SUCH THEY REPRESENT A PLUS VALUE IN MOTOR CARS WHICH IS OUTSTANDING TODAY, AND WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BE OUTSTANDING FOR ALL THE YEARS AHEAD. Carolina Motors PAUL J. WILLIAMSON, Owner WHITEVILLE, N. C. ji Irvin Tucker, Leader of Men When Irvin Burchard Tucker died Dec. 23, 1943, there passed from the scene in Columbus County, a recognized leader of men who had directed his efforts through a lifetime toward the better- ment of his community, his state and his nation. On all three levels, he served with distinction. In his community, he was the champion of good government, good schools, good churches, good roads, and good citizenship. He served as mayor of Whiteville, member of the school board, chairman of the Board of Deacons of the Baptist Church, member of the Board of Trustees of the Columbus County Hospital, presi- dent of the Rotary Club, chairman of the draft board of Columbus County during World War I, Red Cross disaster chairman, and in other positions of responsibility where character and leadership were in demand. In his state, he was supervisor of census for the Sixth District of North Carolina in 1910, United States district attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina from 1922 until 1930, a trustee of the University of North Carolina and a member of the executive committee, a trustee also, at one time, of North Carolina State College ‘and president of the State College Alumni Association, and district governor for Rotary District No. 188. From 1903-1909, he was Grand Master of Masons. ‘As a citizen of the nation, he served as United States com- missioner from 1902 until 1916, and as a member of the United States Board of Parole from June, 1930, until 1935. The above citation of service is an imposing record, but no such statement could do justice to the high intelligence, unbounded energy, and stalwart character which he applied to each undertak- ing. Within every outstanding personality, there is an intangible moral and intellectual force which, in the final analysis, accounts for the man, Within Irvin Tucker, these forces crystallized in a character whom high and low respected and placed unquestioned confidence in. Mr. Tucker was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Sep- tember 17, 1878, the son of Francis A. and Nannie E. Tucker, the former a manufacturer at Tabor City. He acquired his early educa- tion in the schools of Fair Bluff and afterwards attended the North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering at Raleigh from 1896 until 1899, when he became a student in the law de- partment of the University of North Carolina. Admitted to the bar in September, 1900, he began practice in Whiteville, where he continued until his death, with only occasional interruptions when his services were called into larger fields. After following his profession independently for a time, he was joined by E. K. Proc- tor and Irvin Tucker, Jr. He served from 1922 until 1930 as United States district attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, His name was on the rolls of the Columbus County, Sixth District, North Carolina and American Bar Associations, and he served as vice-president of the North Carolina Bar Association in 1935. On October 19, 1910, he was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Richardson, daughter of Captain Van V. and Amanda (Smith) Richardson of Whiteville. Two sons and a daughter were born to this union, Irvin B. Tucker, Jr., now a practicing attorney in Whiteville, Mrs. John Maultsby of Whiteville, and Charles R. Tucker, who died in October, 1918. Mr. Tucker held the office of supervisor of census for the Sixth District of North Carolina in 1910. During World War I, * he was chairman of the draft board of Columbus County. He 71 served on the United States Board of Parole in Washington, D. C., from June, 1930, until 1935, by appointment of President Hoover. He served as United States commissioner from 1902 until 1916, and for two years thereafter was mayor of Whiteville. In 1920, he was Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of North Car- olina, and a delegate to the na- tional Republican convention in 1916, 1920, and 1932. He was a member of the local school board, a trustee of the University of North Carolina and a member of the executive committee. At one time, he was also trustee of the North Caro- lina State College alumni associa- tion and president of that body. In 1943, he was elected governor of the 188th Rotary District, a position which he later resigned on account of failing health. Fra- ternally, he was affiliated with the Masons and Knights of Pythias. That is the record of Irvin Burchard Tucker. What about Irvin Burchard Tucker himself? IRVIN B. TUCKER There is in the possession of Mrs. Tucker a scrapbook con- taining letters received by her husband at the time he resigned from the United States Board of Paroles. The letters were received from prisoners and prison officials throughout the United States. Excerpts from these letters speak eloquently of Tucker, the man. Here are some of them: From a parole officer for the United States Penitentiary, Mc- Neil Island, Washington: “I have always been impressed with the conscientiousness and efficient manner in which you conducted your meetings here and proud of having had the honor of being asso- ciated with you in parole work.” From an inmate of the United States Industrial Reformatory, Chillicothe, Ohio: “I can truthfully state that never, even among the ‘unlucky ones’ have I heard an inmate find fault with the consideration which you gave him, whatever the result might have been.” From a paroled inmate of a Federal institution: “The news of your resignation from the U. S. Parole Board was received with much regret by me and I know I can speak for all men in Federal institutions.” From an inmate at Chillicothe, Ohio: “Your fair and impartial hearings will leave behind you a hard mark for your successor to aim at.” From an inmate of a Federal institution: “Justice tempered with a keen understanding of human hearts . a From an inmate in Federal Prison, Atlanta, Ga.: “The quali- ties I have in mind are your patience under most trying and exasperating conditions frequently present during a prisoner's hearing before the Board; your unfailing courtesy wherever de- served; your desire and ability to weigh the bad against the good in a man’s record and strike a balance fair alike to prisoner and society. . MY From an inmate: “When I appeared before you last Septem- ber I somehow felt secure and confident that my individual case would be given fair and impartial consideration.” From the Attorney General of the United States: “Your single-minded devotion to the onerous duties of your position dur- ing the last five years and the high character of the service which you have rendered to the Government merit gratitude and appre- ciation... . From the assistant director of the Bureau of Prisons of the Department of Justice: “I cannot help but feel that all who know of your keen insight, kindly and humane understanding, and your sympathetic interest, will regard you as irreplaceable.” From the warden of the United States Penitentiary, Atlanta, Ga.: . . . loyal to duty, without fear or favor.” From the warden of the United States Penitentiary, Leaven- worth, Kansas: “honesty, fearlessness, faithful and_ intelligent service... . These excerpts from the 100 or more letters contained in the collection reflect the character of the man. It remained, however, for a Greek inmate of the Federal Prison in Atlanta to pay the ultimate compliment. Though facetious on the surface, the letter reflects the confidence in which prisoners held Mr. Tucker. It read: “Dear Honorable Sir: I very much sorry that you no come here anymore because I like to tell you—'You are d good fellow.’ When I told you I wanted to stay in prison because the girl I married just a few weeks before I came here turned out to be terrible—you denied my parole. Thats a good. “But now I gotta go out pretty soon and I want you to take her off my hands if you are really a lawyer. Please write me. “Your friend, For obvious reasons, the name of this inmate must not be signed to his letter. Though the years on the parole board were pleasant years for Mr. Tucker, greatly enlarging his contacts and the scope of his influence, he never quite got away from the fact that it took him away from Columbus County. Afterwards, he told his daughter that the years spent on the parole board might more usefully have been spent in promoting the interests of Whiteville and Columbus County, both of which were a passion of his. He was not a person who made it a habit of beginning things. Few, if anything, in Columbus County may be said to have been started by him. But his influence on the side of something which had already been begun was so potent that the cause was practically guaranteed success because of his support. For 25 years, he was a member of the Whiteville Rotary Club, in which organization his influence and leadership were so pronounced and valuable that no Whiteville civic organization has acquired a greater stability. His influence was so powerfully felt in securing the Columbus County Hospital that one instinctively associates the hospital with I. B. Tucker. For better schools, churches, roads and city government, he was a natural and powerful champion. In the courtroom, he was eloquent in his appeals to the jury and uncanny in his cross- examination of witnesses. In a eulogy written for the Whiteville Bar Association, R. H. Burns, Sr., said: “He followed the rules and the canon of ethics to the letter. He was differential to the Court, respectful to his fellow members of the bar, broad and liberal in the matter of his pleadings, but maintained the cause of his client with all the meritorious resources at his command, and in the discharge of his duty to his client, he asked no quarters and gave none to either friend or foe.” 72 Though dominant among men, he was not domineering, In politics, a staunch Republican, he numbered many of his closest friends among those of opposite political faith. He was universally popular and greatly beloved by his fellow citizens. One instinctively looks for the secret of such a life. Tucked away in a scrapbook, part of which contains the letters quoted from in this article, and part of which is a helter skelter of articles, pictures and clippings, one comes across this quotation neatly glued to the page, and thinks that he finds within it the sought- after secret. It reads: “The harder you try to pursue happiness, the more elusive it is. This is because happiness is a by-product. It always comes as a result of some action—usually work, because then you feel necessary and useful. If you are idle, you feel selfish and unnecessary. Find some worthwhile occupation, lose yourself in it, and suddenly some day you'll find yourself happy and wonder how it happened.” Columbus County has approximately 572,000 acres of rural land of which 78.7 per cent is in woodland, ee ee There are 45 sawmills in Columbus County, six concentration yards with a sawmill,-two veneer plants, and three furniture block plants. Dr. Hubert Inman Hester, president of William Jewell Col- lege in Liberty, Mo., was reared in Columbus County. Columbus County's largest manufacturing plants are the North Carolina Lumber Company of Hallsboro, and the Council Tool Company of Wananish. Phone 326-J Night Phone 209-W U JOE D. SIKES General Insurance and Real Estate aN WHITEVILLE, N. C. Year "Round Food Freshness For fresh strawberries in December, fresh vegetables in January, fresh meat in July, use Freezer Locker service, the greatest forward step ever made in the preservation of foods. Our 601 locker cold storage plant is dedicated to serving Columbus County food producers. COLUMBUS COLD STORAGE COMPANY Whiteville, North Carolina Locker Service Food Storage Meat Curing Sausage Making Chicken Processing ESTMORELAND Mr. Farmer! We will buy your logs, or standing PINE timber at the highest cash price at any time ... See us when you are ready to sell! GEORGIA HARDWOOD LUMBER Co. TABOR CITY, N. C. Phone 677 P. O. Box No. 315 Rev F I. Wooten WAS FATHER OF MODERN EDUCATION IN COLUMBUS COUNTY By Mrs, J. A. BROWN The Rev. Frank Thomas Wooten, minister and educator, was a prominent figure in the development of the educational and spiritual life of Columbus County for four decades covering the period from 1890 to his death in 1930. ‘As a youth, he determined upon attaining a college education. In the bankrupt South of the seventies and early eighties, only the valiant-hearted dreamed of a college education. But Frank Wooten dreamed and dared, entering Wake Forest College in 1884, graduat- ing four years later, and not satisfied to undertake his life's work of Christian ministry without more training, spent two years in a theological seminary in Philadelphia. What carried him through these years of strain and toil? Frank Thomas Wooten was of Revolutionary ancestry, and came of pioneering blood that could endure hardship. Said the great woman of Shunem to Elisha, “I dwell among mine own people.” Frank Thomas Wooten was born, lived and died in Columbus County, spending the greater part of his life “among his own: people,” striving to uplift them spiritually, educationally and morally, and with a high degree of success. Much of his work as minister was in the rural churches of the county, though he served as pastor of the Baptist Church in Chadbourn for a number of years, and also at Fair Bluff. His longest pastorate was at Piney Forest, a rural church near Chadbourn which he served for twenty-nine years. He preached the gospel with dignity, authority and tenderness, his stern “Thus saith the Lord” being al- ways followed by the gentle invitation, “Come unto Me.” Men and women do not retain a man as minister for twenty-nine years unless his ministry has in it the strength of Divine truth, thoroughly studied, sincerely believed and earnestly proclaimed. Always an earnest advocate of education, when the call came to him to head the county school system, he accepted the call as a real opportunity for service. His great work for education in the county for nineteen years was recognized not only by the people of the county, but by the State Department in Raleigh. Dr. J. Y. Joyner, for years State Superintendent of Public Instruction for North Carolina, said of him in a tribute at the time of his death: “His splendid work for the public schools of the county attracted wide attention and commendation, and will be an everlasting monument to him.” H. De Browning, Jr., late Superintendent of Education for the county, in his excellent history of Columbus County Schools, gives the following summary of the development of schools during Mr. Wooten’s term of office, 1902 to 1921: 1. Increase in school building values from $11,168.00 to $238,930.00. 2. Length of term increased from an average of two and one- half months to six months. e 75 3. Development of the administrative department of the school system. 4, Establishment of more than fifty rural libraries. 5. Improvement of teacher training. 6. Inauguration of rural su- pervision. 7. Beginning of consolida- tion of schools. 8. Introduction of vocation- al training. 9. Introduction of health clinics. 10. Popularization of public schools. 11. Increase in enrollment from 5204 to 7911. Dr. Samuel Judson Porter of the First Baptist Church of Wash- ington, D. C., one of the greatest pulpit orators of his day, left his big church in the nation’s capital to attend his friend’s funeral, and to acknowledge his debt to him as the one who had encouraged him to enter the ministry and planned his education for him. In a published tribute by him to Mr. Wooten, we quote the following extracts: “The late Rev. F. T. Wooten was one of the friendliest, REV. F, T. WOOTEN most radiant souls I ever knew. . . . He was a pioneer in the educational awakening of North Carolina. As superintendent of public schools of his native county he labored untiringly with re- sults amazing and gratifying. He was a pastor who had the shep- herd heart. . . . My noble friend lived unselfishly. His vision was forward looking. His touch was gentle and constructive. He helped people think well of God.” Mr. Wooten has been called “The Father of Education” in Columbus County, a title his nineteen years of valiant service as county superintendent in lean years, richly deserves. To this title should be added that of “Character Builder’ of Columbus County, for as a minister of the gospel for forty years, most of this service in Columbus County, and also during his nineteen years as Super- intendent of Education, he missed no opportunity to stress the importance of training for character along with educational train- ing. In his public talks to patrons and pupils he reiterated the thought that “the character of its citizens is the greatest asset of the county”; that “an educated mind without an educated heart is dangerous.” He stood for equal educational advantages for all the children of the county, in town-and country, white and colored. A man of cultivated mind, gentle heart and devout life, Frank Thomas Wooten’s name stands high among those whom Columbus County delights to honor. FARMING is our business, too MEN ce N RENIN es aN oe BNR EEN Ger ca oN ree Yes, tree farming. For many years, Tabor City Lumber Company has carried on a policy of careful and constructive cutting and reforestation. The wisdom of this plan will be felt by generations to come if only our annual growth is harvested each year, thus providing a perpetual supply of highest quality of Southern Yellow Pine for the future. — —- _§ Se REMEMBER ALWAYS THAT IT IS THE FOREST BEHIND THE MILL THAT COUNTS MOST, AND TABOR CITY LUMBER COMPANY ALWAYS PAYS HIGHEST PRICES FOR MERCHANTABLE TIMBER TABOR CITY LUMBER COMPANY TABOR CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 76 Theres a Little Touch of Normandy im Columbus Occasionally, you will find some of the same general type still standing. Once Eastern North Carolinians built them by the thousands, for there was little clay with which to make bricks and few tools for brick-making even if the clay could be found. But other Carolinians didn’t build them as they built them in Crusoe. Here on the edge of the Great Green Swamp, along the black waters of the upper Waccamaw River, and only a short distance removed from the waters of the great smooth lake, they built them like they build them in Normandy. The stick and mud construction of these chimneys was cov- ered over with glistening white plaster and gave the appearance of having been carved from some smooth white stone. The outer wall belies the crude construction of the sticks and mud within. There was a deft craftsmanship about their construction that stem- med from the artistic bent of their forebears. North Carolina chim- ney builders have developed no such architecture. They were the sort that one expects to find on comfortable farm houses in Nor- mandy. In 1926, there appeared first in The News and Observer of Raleigh, and later in The News Reporter of Whiteville, a story written by Ben Dixon MacNeéill which told of the origin of Crusoe Island, a Columbus County spot in the remote swamps of the Wac- camaw River, where the hardy inhabitants once lived both in utter ignorance and almost completely out of touch with the rest of the world. Their story is a strange, tragic tale, fraught with bitter irony and stark destitution, yet withal, displaying an indomitable will to survive and keep alive in the new world the type of courage which was a part and parcel of the settlers who followed in the wake of Columbus. Mr. Dixon declared that “those chimneys are the last material survival of the first new world civilization.” How they came into the deep, remote swamps of the Waccamaw and remained to give a touch of Normandy to the remoteness of a new world settlement, is a tale of heroic struggle and epic sorrow which only recent years have begun to reward. It’s a story, the beginning of which reaches back 440 years ago, when the Island of Haiti fell under the scourge of Spain's new policy of colonization. Unable to bring the Haiti Indians to terms, the Spaniards instituted a campaign of extermination and for ten years hunted them through jungles, drove them into the mountains and killed them wherever they found them, until the natives were forced to sue for peace. With the natives out of the way, the Spaniards set about the establishment of a civilization of their own, only to find that they must have help. There followed one of the greatest slavery invest- ments in history, resulting in the bringing of thousands of Negroes to Haiti. The Spaniards grew fat and prosperous, and Haiti be- came the “gem of the Spanish settlements in the new world.” But, alas, the very wealth of Haiti became its own undoing. A century and a half later, when the Buccaneer was organized to prey upon the wealth of the Indies, Haiti became the most coveted island of the pirates who seized it and turned it into the capital 77 Logging on Crusoe of piracy in the Indies until the Spanish drove them out and off the seas. The island then passed into the hands of France, under the terms of the Peace Ryswick. In order to neutralize the Spanish population, the French began to heavily colonize the island, but unlike the Spanish, the French were destined to have a head-on clash with the Negroes who, as the only instance in history, de- feated the whites: In the Negro uprising in 1790-91, the cruelty of the blacks in their extermination of the whites was ten times greater than that of the Spanish in exterminating the natives nearly 300 years before. Among the few who escaped the island was a handful of French settlers who found refuge on a small boat that had escaped falling into the hands of the triumphant Negroes. “They brought nothing with them. Of their household properties, of their money, of their cattle, nothing was left. A few simple tools and a few pieces of firearms were the remnant of -their estates with which they escaped,” Intent only on escape, they sailed with the ship wherever it was bound. It so happened that Wilmington was the destination port. Landing on the west bank of the Cape Fear River somewhere on the coast of Brunswick—according to prevailing tradition— they pushed inland “fearing lest they be pursued by the rampant blacks.” When they arrived on the river Waccamaw, they found scattered settlements of people to whom they were related, a peo- ple of Portuguese extraction who had pushed inland from the river when the Buccaneers were combing the South Atlantic. “Among these people, they began their lives anew. Probably no colonists ever came to America in so destitute a state as were these fugitives from Haiti when they landed in Brunswick in 1792, and probably none came to a wilder land than is the swamp country lying on either side of the Waccamaw River between the lake and the sea. But they were safe from the menace of the savage blacks.” The wilderness swallowed them up. The state government, unaware of their presence, let them alone. They cleared some land and engaged in primitive agriculture. From the river they gathered fish and from the swamps, game. Only the river was their outlet and that led to the sea. Egress from the island was so difficult that few ventured to market to sell their furs and to bring in a few tools to help them till the soil and carry on their simple means of making a livelihood. During a century of struggle in which they grappled with the stark realities of necessity, they lived shut up to themselves. They had their own way of doing things, a way which was primitive socially, economically and religiously. From the great cypress tim- bers of the swamplands, they hewed their own boats. Informality marked their social contacts, yet a stern code of morality governed their island society. They made their own liquor, did their own fighting and attended to their own killings. Traditions brought with them from happier days in France and bloodier days in Haiti grew dim. What was not absolutely necessary to their existence, they forgot. As Mr. MacNeill put it, “They forgot the art of written speech, and slowly they began to forget the mother tongue of France. Rudimentary English, pro- nounced in a strange accent, began to take its place. “They forgot even how to spell their names, they called them as they were pronounced in the happier days of France and the bloodier days of Haiti. They forgot the ways of the priest at con- fessional and the holy rites that had place in their lives . . . “But their chimneys, they did not forget, When they built their first houses and put chimneys at the end of them, built of sticks and mud, they shaped them as they had learned in France to shape them. They kept the gentle curving grace of line, and the ‘uncouth sticks and mud, they covered with white clay that is found there in the swamps, and polished them and smoothed them until they looked like weathered marble.” The influence of a new language took its toll of French spelling and French pronunciation. Their names changed under the weight of English influence. DeSaucierre became Sasser without the “de” prefix. Cluveiries became Clewis. Still among them are names of definite French extraction—Dubois, Hewitt, Formy Duvall, Dupre, and others. One must use his imagination now to picture the Crusoe Is- land of those earlier, darker years. A bridge has been built across the river and roads run onto the island. The children of Crusoe Islanders attend school at Old Dock-Nakina, an accredited gram- mar school across the river, to which a high school has this year 78 been added. Skirted by the torturous windings of the Waccamaw River, the island is no longer the remote, secluded region of those other years. They have their own cars and what was once a three- day journey to Whiteville, may now be made in less than an hour. And even the chimneys now are gone. The island population, once neglected by county officials, has accepted Columbus County and in turn Columbus County has ac- cepted them. Roads, schools and legislation are adapted to the island's needs. They are good farmers and a fine, friendly folk who are admired for the courage they and their forebears have dis- played. But the definite French flavor remains—the musical accent with its lingering emphasis on final syllables, the robust gusto with which they tell their stories, their picturesque gestures in conver- sation, and their fine, friendly manners. ; In recent years their story has been dramatized by the Carolina Playmakers, whose story, “Crusoe Islanders,” is one of the finest expressions of Carolina folklore. ‘Waccamaw Indians inhabited Columbus County prior to the coming of the white man. A few people of mixed blood still live in the northern section of the county. Columbus County has four tobacco markets—Whiteville, Tabor City, Chadbourn, and Fair Bluff. The four markets have 16 ware- houses. Making shingles on Crusoe John George Butler CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN The southern section of Columbus County has produced no more outstanding and influential citizen than the late John George Butler (1857-1929) who served for eight years as sheriff of the county, one term as member of the House of Representatives from Columbus County, two terms as member of the Board of Audit and Finance Committee (this board was abolished in 1915), and two years as a member of the County Board of Commissioners. It would be unfair, however, to cite his political offices alone as evidence of his position as a county and community leader. Of greater influence than his public life, were his personal qualities reflected day after day through his generosity, his neighborliness, his honesty, his business integrity, and his sincere Christian char- acter. Mr. Butler was born in Pireway June 1, 1857. He was educated in part in the rural schools’ adjacent to his home and in the old Whiteville Academy. Upon the completion of his education, he joined his father, Joseph F. Butler, in business at Pireway. During the horse and buggy days this business was a godsend to the peo- ple of that section of the county, there being times when two to three hundred buggies could be seen around the store at one time. People still distinguish between Old Pireway and New Pire- way. Old Pireway was the village about one mile from the river ferry which is the site of the New Pireway. In 1888, Old Pireway was an incorporated town. Turpentine stills were operated by G. K. Gore and Sam Thomas at Old Pireway, while Mr. Butler operated a still at New Pireway where his general store was also located. On January 8, 1882, Mr. Butler was married to Christiana Virginia Butler, who still survives him at the age of 90 years. To this union were born six daughters and two sons, all of whom were strongly influenced by the unassuming prosperity and quiet happiness of their. parents. In business, Mr. Butler was a marked success, he at one time during his life having been wealthy. The fact that he was less financially secure at the time of his death was attributed to his kindly concern for all in need and his generosity toward them. He early became one of the most extensive landowners in Columbus County. In 1898, he was elected sheriff cf the county, which position he held for eight years. In this capacity he was both fearless and conscientious. In 1908, he was elected a member of the House of Representatives for Columbus County. This position he held for one term. In 1913, he became a member of the Board of Audit 79 and Finance Committee. He served on this board until it was abolished in 1915. In 1924, he was elected to the County Board of Commissioners, holding this position for two years. Converted in his youth, Mr. Butler lived a devout Christian life, serving for 40 years as a member of the Board of Stewards of the Methodist Church and choir leader until his death. In 1920, he and his family moved to Tabor City. Nine years later, January 1, 1929, he died. He was a refined type of gentleman, holding the respect of all who knew him, Strong in poli- tics, he was never the cheap or JOHN G. BUTLER unfair politician. A great human- itarian, he never coveted wealth except for the use he could make of it in serving his community and county. Dead now for 17 years, his influence is still strongly felt in Columbus County, par- ticularly in that section to which he was native and to which he gave his life. In an issue of The News Reporter published shortly after his death, the following tribute to Mr. Butler appeared: “We learn from his life what a splendid thing truth is when one has courage to speak it. We acknowledge with profoundest respect what a won- derful thing religion becomes when inseparably entwined with the activities of a long and useful life, full of charity and kindness to all who knew him. “Deeds are the milestones along the road we travel, and so it was that he, with kind, considerate, courteous and generous actions, bound to himself thousands of friends in all the divergent path- ways of business and pleasure, and thus with his own sympathy and understanding so freely given, he received in return love and honor wherever known, and was best loved and best honored where best known.” There are 933 square miles within the limits of Columbus— the third largest county in area in North Carolina. Columbus County was named for Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of America. Hogs and poultry are grown in Columbus County in quantities and shipped out to the markets at satisfactory prices to producers. S. L. FULLER & BROTHER Sales - Stables HORSES MULES WAGONS HARNESS FARM IMPLEMENTS IN BUSINESS SINCE 1910 Whiteville, North Carolina ee over Half a Garlury | Devoted to Service and Building Our Community | —Your Grandfather —Your Father —Now You .. SERVING RETAILERS I BLADEN, BRUNSWICK AND COLUMBUS COUNTIES R. B. McROY & GOy;, Inc. 2: Wholesale Grocers WHITEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA Here and there in Columbus County 1931—1 Employee 1946—45 Employees 15 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA BRAXTON’S WHITEVILLE, N. C. WHOLESALE AUTO PARTS SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT COMPLETE MACHINE SHOP FACILITIES WHOLESALE DEPARTMENT—BRAXTON AUTO PARTS H. L. Seriers, Manager GARAGE — SALES — SERVICE Oldsmobile Cars — G.M. C. Trucks Goodyear Tires — Batteries and Accessories BRAXTON AUTO SERVICE Noau Braxton, Manager BRAXTON’S AUTO LOAN AND FINANCE SERVICE AUTO LOANS—$50 to $1500 OR MORE — Upstairs Auto Parts Building Corner Main and Franklin Streets PROMPT COURTEOUS CONFIDENTIAL “Through Service We Grow” Columbus Men MADE PROUD RECORD IN WAR BETWEEN THE STATES Obviously, it would be too great an undertaking to attempt to portray the deeds of heroism of Columbus County men in a great war within the space of a brief article. The number of Columbus men who served in the War between the States were far too many to chronicle their deeds, even if all were known, in so short a treatment as this article permits. All that we can hope to do is to trace in broad outline the major engagements participated in by Columbus men in that con- flict, with occasional references to individuals whose names appear in the record. In doing this, we are painfully conscious that the greatest heroism cannot be recorded, because, as in all wars, the biggest job is done by the combat infantrymen whose deeds of heroism are too numerous for the historian to record, and whose names become Jost in the sheer mass of numbers. The information contained within this article has been gathered from numerous sources, chief of which has been Clark's five- volume ‘North Carolina Regiments.” Included in that record is the history of the Twentieth North Carolina commanded by Col. T. F. Toon, native of Columbus County, and highest ranking officer from this county in the Confederate armies. For a roster of Columbus County troops, we have had avail- able, two; one compiled by Mrs. H. L. Lyon of Whiteville and the other by Mrs. Mary Taylor Anderson. In some instances, the rolls of these two rosters do not coincide, with one or two glaring instances of disagreements. Available also have been the records of the Columbus County Chapter of the United Daughters of the Con- federacy. It would be interesting, indeed, if these U. D. C. records could be produced in full, but since all of them can't, we are refraining from reproducing any. They have been used in this study largely for cross-checking purposes. The members of that organiza- tion have lovingly kept alive the memory of those gallant sons of the South who wrote their heroism in the blood and sacrifice of the sixties. The record of Columbus men during that war is written ‘Vargely in the records of the following regiments: the 18th, the 20th, the 36th, the 51st, the 54th, the 72nd, and the 73rd. Mrs. Mary Taylor Anderson’s roster also lists the 64th as containing a company of Columbus men. Her roster lists the names of 79 men who served in this regiment, while Mrs. Lyon’s roster lists only 12. Since this regiment was composed largely of men from the western part of the state, we are inclined not to accept the accuracy of the Anderson roster. Moreover, the names listed as Columbus County men are by and large unfamiliar names in this county. A small number of Columbus men were found also in the 4th, 15th, 7th, 33rd, and 61st regiments, and the 1st battalion. For a record of Columbus men during the Confederacy the history of the 18th, 20th, and 36th regiments forms the most com- 85 plete account. For within these regiments were the bulk of Colum- bus men, there being a total of six companies in the three regi- ments. This, however, does not give the complete record, for there was one company in each of the following: the 51st, 54th, 72nd, and 73rd. The 72nd regiment was composed of junior reserves between the ages of 17 and 18 years, while the 73rd consisted of senior reserves from 45 to 50 years of age. The main effort of this article shall be to trace in broad out- line the operations of the 18th and 20th regiments with their three companies of Columbus men totaling near 600. According to Mrs. Lyon's roster, there were 316 men in the 18th, and 232 in the 20th. The Anderson roster lists approximately the same number of men as Mrs. Lyon’s in the two regiments but adds the following footnote at the end of her roster of the 20th: “The above is but a small portion of the men of this company (Co. K). It was not reported at all in the Roll of Honor (compiled by Major John W. Moore), and only these names could be found in the archives (of the U. S. War Department) ...” The 18th regiment was organized in May or June, 1861, and was composed of ten companies of Cape Fear men, two of which were from Columbus County—Company C which enlisted as The Columbus Guards, and Company H as Columbus Vigilants. Captain Forney George was in command of Company C at the time of the organization, and Captain D. H. Gore in command of Company H. In March, 1862, Captain George was made major of the regiment and was subsequently promoted to lieutenant colonel. He was wounded at Chancellorsville. Since he was a mem- ber of the North Carolina legislature, he resigned prior to Gettys- burg. His descendants live in the Western Prong section of Colum- bus. Upon his promotion to major, Lt. C. C. Gore succeeded him as company commander. In April, 1862, the regiment was re- organized, with almost an entire change of officers. Lt. W. K. Gore became commander of Company C, and Lt. M. A. Byrne captain of Company H.1 Other company officers listed in the roster are:2 Company C—Captain John W. Meares, Captain Henyard Long, 2nd Lt. Owen Smith, 2nd Lt. John George Butler, 2nd Lt. Samuel ‘A. Long, 2nd Lt, Edward A. Fowler, and 2nd Lt, W. V. Richard- son, Company H—Captain John W. Ellis, Captain D. N. Gore, Captain V. V. Richardson, 1st Lt. W. G. Baldwin, 2nd Lt. F. J. Simpson, 2nd Lt. Alexander Lewis, 2nd Lt. Archibald McCullom, and 2nd Lt. John D. Elkins. In the spring of 1862, thé regiment was attached to Branch’s brigade, which became Lane’s brigade when General Branch was killed at Sharpsburg. Thereafter, the history of the 18th North Carolina is also the history of the Branch-Lane brigade. The regiment participated in every major engagement fought by the Army of Northern Virginia from Seven Pines to Appomatox. Prior to Seven Pines, which was an engagement preliminary to the famous Seven Days around Richmond, the regiment was with Stonewall Jackson in the Valley of Virginia, from which it was detached only to be rejoined for the Seven Days around Richmond when the splendid genius of Jackson was displayed in all its grandeur. Crossing the Chickahominy River at or near Mechanics- ville with his corps, Jackson opened the fight by attacking the Federal reer. Upon the opening of Jackson's men in the rear, Gen- eral Lee advanced in front, and from then on, the 18th North Caro- lina, with its more than 200 Columbus men, as a part of Jackson's corps, drove the enemy, defeating General McClellan with his splendidly equipped army until they were compelled to take shelter under the guns of their James River fleet. Casualties among the men of this county were heavy during the “seven days,” with the Battle of Frazier’s Farm taking an especially heavy toll. With Richmond safe, the Eighteenth, still with Jackson, was transferred to Gordonsville, east of Richmond, to meet the threaten- ing advance of the Federal Army now under command of General Pope. At Cedar Mountain, Columbus men helped stem a Federal attack which had put to rout the famous Stonewall brigade. In recognition of this feat, Jackson rode before them with his head bared.? Columbus men of the 18th were with Jackson on his celebrated flanking march around Pope's right, which resulted in the utter rout of that general at Second Manassas. At Sharpsburg, the Eighteenth arrived with A. P. Hill just in time to prevent a Federal break through Lee’s sagging right. At Chancellorsville, the Eighteenth fired the shots which killed Stonewall Jackson.t The command to fire was given by Colonel Purdue of Bladen County, who, the next day was killed while gallantly leading his command. It is, therefore, entirely possible that Columbus men, in their eternal vigilance, may have fired the shots which proved fatal to their beloved leader. At Gettysburg, the Eighteenth, as a part of Lane's brigade, supported Pettigrew, and its dead were found eighty yards further into the Federal works than Pickett’s famous command. The Eighteenth was the last to leave the field at Gettysburg and among the last to recross the Potomac with Lee into Virginia.> The discovery of men of the Eighteenth 80 yards further into the Federal works at Gettysburg than men of Pickett’s command, is the basis for the Gettysburg angle of North Carolina's historic Confederate slogan, “First at Bethel, farthest at Gettysburg, and last at Appomatox.”” From Gettysburg to Appomatox, the Eighteenth and _ its Columbus men fought in every major engagement, first the Wil- derness, then Spottsylvania; Second Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and then the march to Appomatox where General Grant passed through the ranks of the Eighteenth to meet Lee, stationed several hundred yards to the rear of its lines.6 At Spottsylvania in the Wilderness, the Eighteenth’s corps of sharpshooters, picked men from the regiment, performed gallantly in the presence of General Lee who spoke to General Lane in 86 high praise of their conduct. That was on May 12, 1864. Just previously on May 5, in the Wilderness, Captain V. V. Richardson of Columbus County, of the Sharpshooters Corps, “a gallant of- ficer and second in rank,”’? was severely wounded. The regiment fought in not less than thirty-five battles, and double that number of skirmishes. It was in both the Maryland and Pennsylvania campaigns, forded the Potomac five times, and crossed it once on a pontoon.§ Finally, at Appomatox, the Eighteenth was preparing to attack when Lee surrendered to Grant. The roster of the Eighteenth North Carolina contains familiar Columbus County names. There were: Gores, Butlers, Boswells, Bellamys, Meares, Fowlers, Hinsons, Longs, McNeills, Rhodes, Richardsons, Wards, Williams, Williamsons, Baldwins, Bests, Lewis, Thompsons, and Wootens, among the more familiar ones. The Twentieth North Carolina was organized June 18, 1861, and contained ten companies, three of which were companies of Columbus County men. The history of this regiment is particularly interesting from a Columbus County standpoint, not only because of its three companies of Columbus men, but because in 1863, com- mand of it was given to Col. Thomas F. Toon, Columbus County native, who entered as a private, and who, following the Battle of Spotsylvania when the brigade commander was seriously wounded, was placed in command of the brigade with the temporary rank of brigadier general. It is also interesting because Col. Toon’s half brother, W. H. Toon, also of Columbus County, was first major and subsequently lieutenant colonel of the regiment. The officers of the three Columbus County companies were as follows:? Company C—Captain Burwell Smith, ist Lt. Arthur N. Jones, 2nd Lt. William H. Smith, 2nd Lt. Henry Coleman, 2nd Lt. Oliver Williams, 2nd Lt. James B. Williams, 2nd Lt. Giles H. Watson. Company D—Captain J. B. Stanley, Captain J. Franklin Ireland, 1st Lt. William Jasper Stanley, 2nd Lt. Jonathan L. Gore, 2nd Lt. Elisha Collins, 2nd Lt. John F. Garrell, 2nd Lt. William H. Ward, 2nd Lt. John Mills. Company K—Captain William H. Toon, Captain T. F. Toon, Captain James B. Williams, Captain William Gaston Baldwin, 2nd Lt. James Coleman, 2nd Lt. William Johnston, 2nd Lt. McGwin Coleman, 2nd Lt. George W. Cross. Prior to enlistment in the Confederate Army, the three com- panies were Columbus Guards Nos. 1, 2 and 3. In his history of the Twentieth North Carolina contained in Clark's History, Vol. Il, Col. Toon describes his regiment as “initiated at Seven Pines, sacrificed at Gettysburg, and surrendered at Appomatox.”” The Twentieth was engaged in most of the major battles dur- ing both the rise and fall of the Confederacy. Its baptism of fire came at Seven Pines, soon after it had arrived in Richmond with 1,012 men in its ranks. The first man in the regiment to be wounded was a Columbus County man, Cpl. Alonzo Williamson of Com- pany K. The ball which struck Williamson passed through him and struck T. F. Toon, then captain of Company K. The regiment missed the Battle of Second Manassas, but sub- sequently fought at South Mountain and Sharpsburg in the Mary- land campaign, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Spottsylvania. From thence, it was detached and assigned to the Army of the Valley under General Early. In the summer of 1864, the regiment, under Toon as brigade commander, took part in an expedition down the Valley against Washington, sighting, on July 10, “the dome of the capitol.” The winter of 1864 was spent doing picket duty on the Roa- noke River. In March, 1865, the regiment fought at Hare’s Hill, near Petersburg. Of this battle, Col. Toon, commanding the brigade, wrote: “My regiment led the charge on the works. It was a com- plete surprise, many of them were killed coming out of their tents by our men, using their guns as clubs. . . . Here I fought my last battle, being desperately wounded, standing on our breastworks rallying our troops to resist an expected enemy attack.” Subse- quently, the regiment surrendered with Lee at Appomatox. Instances of individual valor of Columbus County men are recorded by Col. Toon. He observed the “cool and daring bravery” of Lt. Oliver Williams at Fair Bluff, at Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. He relates an instance of outstanding bravery displayed by J. E. Kelly at Winchester in the Valley Campaign. At Fredericksburg, the first man wounded was W. H. Enzor. At Sharpsburg, the Twentieth fought at Bloody Lane, known to military historians as the scene of one of the bloodiest struggles of history. At Gettysburg, nearly two hundred of the regiment were captured. At Spottsylvania, the enemy planted his colors upon temporary breastworks erected by the Confederates, but the men of the Twentieth drove him from the works and captured his flag. For this accomplishment, the regiment received the special com- mendation of General Lee, who ordered that the colors be presented to the State of North Carolina, ‘‘as another evidence of the valor and devotion that have made her name eminent in the armies of the Confederacy.” THE THIRTY-SIXTH NORTH CAROLINA This regiment contained one company of Columbus men num- bering 102.10 William W. Floyd was sergeant major on the regi- mental staff. Captain O. H. Powell was in command of Company E—Columbus Artillery. Other officers were: 2nd Lt. John Stancell and 2nd Lt. Gabriel G. Pate. The regiment was organized May 14, 1862, at Fort Caswell. It participated in the coastal defense of Confederate blockade runners around Fort Fisher, and assisted brilliantly in the defense of Fort Fisher until it fell in 1865, then retired to Kinston to check a Federal advance from New Bern, fought at Bentonville, and surrendered with Johnston. THE FIFTY-FOURTH NORTH CAROLINA The Fifty-fourth had one company of Columbus men, with the following men listed as officers: Captain W. B. Hampton, Cap- tain James A. Thorn and Captain D. V. Rhodes. Upon completion of its organizations, it was sent to the coast of North Carolina, and after three months’ service on picket duty, was ordered to the Army of North Virginia and temporarily placed in Law’s brigade. Its baptism of fire was received at Fredericks- burg. During the Gettysburg campaign, the Fifty-fourth was in the Valley, but rejoined Lee after Gettysburg. From then until the end of the war, the regiment saw service in Virginia and North Carolina. It surrendered at Appomatox. THE FIFTY-FIRST NORTH CAROLINA Company H of the Fifty-first was composed of Columbus men. Company officers were: Captain S. W. Maultsby, severely wounded May 16, 1864, at Petersburg; Lt. Lennon, resigned in 1862; Lt. J. A. Meares, wounded at Fort Hafrison September 30, 1864; Lt. Jordan Hughes. We Believe in Columbus County and Its Great Opportumities JONES-GOLD FURNITURE CO. Whiteville PIANOS FURNISHINGS For Complete Home Comfort Buy Furniture That Is Tops In Quality and Styling from _JONES-GOLD FURNITURE Co) The regiment was organized April 13, 1862, and went into camp near Wilmington. Attached to Clingman’s brigade. Saw baptism of fire December 17 at Neuse River bridge near Golds- boro. In February, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Charleston, S. C., thence to Savannah, Ga., then ordered returned to Charles- ton, where it distinguished itself in defense of Battery Wagner on Morris Island in Charleston Harbor. In December, 1863, the regiment was sent to Tarboro, then in January, 1864, to Peters- burg. Fought at Second Cold Harbor and Fort Harrison. In Decem- ber, 1864, ordered to Wilmington for defense of Fort Fisher. Fought at Bentonville and surrendered with Johnston at Bush Hill, N. C., May 2, 1865. THE SEVENTY-SECOND NORTH CAROLINA This regiment was composed of junior reserves between the ages of 17 and 18 years. Thirty-three Columbus lads were in Com- pany B composed of men from New Hanover, Brunswick and Columbus counties. The company formed a part of the Seventh Battalion of the Seventy-second Regiment. ‘The regiment was organized in June, 1864, near Wilmington. It did guard duty in Wilmington until the middle of July when it was ordered to Smithville (now Southport) for its protection. On December 9, 1864, was ordered to Belfield, Va., to repel a Federal attack on the Confederate communications system at Wel- don. For this achievement, it won a North Carolina legislative commendation. Returned to Wilmington where it participated bril- liantly in the defense of Fort Fisher. “One little fellow from Columbus County, whose name is not remembered, being too small to shoot over the parapet, mounted a cannon and fired from there as cooly as if he were shooting squirrels, until he was wounded.”1! Later the regiment saw action at Goldsboro, Kinston, South West Creek, and Bentonville. It surrendered with Johnston May 2, 1865. Ideal County Ideal Homes i © ; TOD “Quality Furn THE SEVENTY-THIRD NORTH CAROLINA The Seventy-third consisted of senior reserves between the ages of 45 and 50 years. Mrs. Anderson's roster lists 97 men from Columbus County in this regiment. There is no complete regi- mental record of this organization. It was organized in July, 1864, at Salisbury. A portion of the regiment was assigned to duty guard- ing bridges on lines of railroads along which flowed men and supplies. Others were assigned to guarding prisoners at Salisbury. Their services were useful and indispensable and relieved other troops for service in the field. The regiment was paroled when Johnston surrendered. These are the records as we have been able to find them. They make a proud story for descendants of these grey veterans to ponder over. Columbus County men did their part in helping to win for the cause of the Confederacy, but when victory had been wrested from them, Columbus men who had won their laurels with Lee and Jackson returned home to take up tasks of peace in the same heroic fashion they had met the foe on the field of battle. Footnotes— 1. Clark’s History, Vol. II, Page 20. Mrs. Anderson's Roster. Clark's History, Vol. II, Page 29. Clark's History, Vol. II, Page 39. Clark's History, Vol. II, Page 43. Clark’s History, Vol. II, Page 62. Clark’s History, Vol. IV, Page 475. Clark’s History, Vol. II, Page 77. Mrs. Anderson’s Roster. 10. Mrs. Lyon’s Roster. 11. Clark's History, Vol. IV, Page 49. LEIA RYN Ideal Furniture a perfect blending of beauty, luxury and prosperous living. A Home in Columbus County with Quality Furniture from TODD'S. FURNITURE CO. Whiteville, North Carolina iture for Less” Strawberry Culture Began in Chadbourn in 1895 (Continued from Page 22) Two conditions contributed largely to this early success of the industry in this county. First, the soil of Columbus County was highly adaptable to strawberry cultivation, and second, because the fruit reaches Eastern markets after Florida has stopped shipping and before Northern markets begin to ship. The Columbus County harvest comes also when the weather in Eastern cities has begun to warm up and the appetite calls for acid fruits. The market has never regained the proportions of those ear- lier years, but in some respects it operates on a sounder basis. Prior to 1930, there was no organized system of marketing. In that year, the Chadbourn Marketing Association was organized and a similar association organized for the Tabor City market. The associations set up a system of marketing calling for rigid inspec- tion of berries. The “annual operations of the markets are con- trolled by the officers of the association corporations. The result has been a better type of berry being shipped from both the Tabor City and Chadbourn markets and an even quality in the crates. C. L. Tate of Chadbourn is president of the Chadbourn Marketing Asso- ciation, while Ben Nesmith of Tabor City is president of the Tabor City association. Both men have been tireless in their efforts to promote the industry, Mr. Tate having made many trips to Washington in the interest of the strawberry producer. Complete figures on county sales from 1926 through 1929 are unobtainable, but there are figures to indicate sales since 1930 on 55 YEARS OF SERVICE Dealers in Furniture, Stoves, Ranges ° Bigelow-Sanford Rugs and Carpets Philco Radios and Refrigerators Boss and Perfection Oil Stoves and Heaters Sherwin-Williams Paints American Farm Fence Hardware, Seeds, etc. OSCAR HIGH Courthouse Square Established 1889 WHITEVILLE, N. C. the Chadbourn market and since 1940 on the Tabor City market. The banner production year during that period was 1942, when combined sales on the Chadbourn and Tabor City markets totaled 306,379 24-quart crates which brought $939,707.87 to Columbus County strawberry farmers. This year was the record low production year since 1930, when 64,327 crates sold on Chadbourn and Tabor City markets for a war-time ceiling price of $579,425.91. The season's average per crate was $9.26. This mammoth industry, which has brought millons of dollars in income to Columbus County farmers, stemmed from the vision of one man, With a farseeing eye, Mr. Brown perhaps did not foresee the enormous proportions to which the industry would grow, but he saw clearly that there was strawberry gold in the soil of Columbus County. To the end of ferreting out this gold and seeing it in the pockets of farmers of Columbus, he bent his efforts. Until his death he was the champion of the strawberry. Fortunately many others caught the vision and bent their efforts in the same direction. Against 50 years of background in Columbus County, the strawberry industry has become a permanent feature of Columbus County agriculture. While the market has not returned to the pro- portions once attained by it, it has remained vigorous and will (Continued on Page 93) COMPLETE AND DIGNIFIED FUNERAL SERVICE Our Funeral Home Jessup-Inman Funeral Home and Burial Association TABOR CITY, N. C. Ambulance Service At All Hours THE News REPORTER ROSCOE @ C@OlrVeANN FAITHFULLY SERVING COLUMBUS COUNTY AND HER PEOPLE FOR OVER 50 YEARS. | WABOR QUIN, Ib C- OLUMBUS COUNTY’S LARGEST TOBACCO W AREHOUSEMAN The News Reporter is published semi-weekly for over G LHS : 6,000 paid-in-advance subscribers, covering an area of diversified farming and markets—an area also rich in many natural resources. The News Reporter is a progressive local Newspaper, published for progressive people in one of the South’s most progressive counties. Member Associated Press—North Carolina Press Association 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE a 24 YEARS EXPERIENCE AS WAREHOUSEMAN "eS : ; AS TOBACCO GROWER FOR CLEAN, EFFICIENT LAUNDRY SERVICE, SEND YOUR LAUNDRY TO Roscog C. COLEMAN WHITEVILLE LAUNDRY WHITEVILLE, N. C. 204,000 SQUARE FEET OF WAREHOUSE SPACE Serving Columbus County NEW FARMERS WAREHOUSE, Tabor City, N. C. FARMERS WAREHOUSE, Mebane, N. C. MOUNTAIN BURLEY, Nos. 1 and 2, Boone, N. C. FINISHED WORK—THRIFT-T-W ASH—DAMP WASH — ROUGH DRY ROUGH-DRY STARCHED—BACHELOR BUNDLE—FLAT WORK FAMILY FINISH—DRY CLEANING Se Ge ort for the Columbus County way of living Simplicity, grace and comfort are reflected in furniture bought from McKenzie’s. Taking the best from the old masters and adapting them to fit the modern tempo of our own living—that’s McKenzie’s way of selecting furniture. Let us help you enjoy a comfortable, easy, smartly furnished home PRICE — QUALITY — SERVICE KELVINATORS BENDIX HOME LAUNDRY DUO-THERM STOVES Oe ee CK ENV All eat Dee © Pi, WHITEVILLE, N. C. Experience... The ability to pay farmers top prices for their tobacco year after year, comes from long experience both in the handling and the selling of tobacco. For many years, TUGGLE’S has accumulated such an experience along these lines as to be able to offer Columbus farmers the best service and the best ptices obtainable. More than from any other single factor, the knowledge of TUGGLE’S tobacconists, derived from long experience, has contributed to year in and year out success in the field of tobacco marketing. TUGGLE'S WAREHOUSE WHITEVILLE, N. C. DIAL GRAy AND JACK NEAL, Proprietors Strawberry Culture Began i Chadbourn in 1895 (Continued from Page 89) BAILEY’S__ DRUG STORE Fair Bluff, North Carolina continue as an attractive feature of this area. In the words of Mrs. J. A. Brown, who along with her distinguished husband, has championed the cause of the strawberry, “There's a reason for the popularity of the strawberry. It tastes good. You do not have to learn to like it like grapefruit or olives. It appeals to the eye as well. It is wholesome food eaten just so, with sugar and cream, in congealed desserts, or perhaps in its most delicious form— yk strawberry shortcakes. Seated before a strawberry shortcake, you wonder why some highbrows speak contemptuously of eating, The Rerall Indeed, it appears at such a moment to be the summum bonum, the supreme object of existence, and you long for the neck of a giraffe so as to prolong the gastronomic joy. You discover with Store a shock that you have become a gross sensualist, living for the sheer joy of eating, and you want to lynch the man who suggested that the time would come when all food would be taken in con- SHAEFFER FOUNTAIN PENS WHITMAN'S CANDY PRESCRIPTIONS densed form end swallowed as pills or some such horrible way. With your first taste, you know that Fate is your friend. Life's an iridescent dream. The calamity howlers are frauds. Prosperity is abroad in the land. There just ain't no devil. All’s right with the world. There’s a good time coming, boys, and nothing is too good to [he tame” GUY L. BAILEY The story of the strawberry in Columbus County is one of the SoS ES oa ee ee great stories of the county's history. You'll always find Dorcas Jiars We today KRAMER’S FASHIONS ARE SPOTLIGHTED FOR SPRING FRESHNESS —SOFTLY TAILORED FOR FALL AND WINTER—DRESSY OR SPORT THE YEAR ROUND. YOU ARE INVITED TO COME IN AND SEE OUR NATIONALLY ADVERTISED ADVANCE COLLECTIONS AS SEEN IN CHARM, GLAMOUR, MADEMOISELLE, AND OTHER LEADING MAG- AZINES. Suits Coats Dresses Hats Gloves Lingerie Shoes Jewelry FOR MEN—CLOTHES OF DISTINCTION AND QUALITY Suits Knox Hats Coats Shirts Shoes Sweaters Gloves Robes Work Clothes KRAMER'S DEPARTMENT STORE WHITEVILLE, N. C. Old Roads in Columbus P. H. SEARS AGENCY The pattern of roads in Columbus County in 1840 was essen- tially the same as it is today. AGENT There was a road from Tabor City to Whiteville which con- ; Ape tinued from Whiteville to Clarkton and intersected in Whiteville United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co. with the Whiteville-Lumberton, the Whiteville-Fair Bluff, and the Whiteville-Wilmington roads. WABDNDENAMLIUEL INL G, A road from Whiteville to Shallotte followed essentially the site of the present road bed. There was also a road from Fair Bluff to Reeves Ferry via Clarendon, and a road from Sandy Bluff in South Carolina to Pireway. This road entered Columbus County one mile due south of Tabor City. Sas tn— Insurance Service for 24 Years But though the road pattern is essentially the same, the 1840 road type was far different. According to Minos Mears of Tabor == City, ane of the oldest residents in Columbus County, the White- ville-Tabor City road, which extended on to Conway, S. C., was INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER FARM MACHINERY AND TRUCKS es off press, oitile alll citar sends fin ihe Guat wie (cei: “Don't Take a Chance— roads withierassigcowing betweentthel tracker hel three tracke}eone Take a Policy’ sisted of one for each pair of buggy wheels, and one in the center for the animal drawing the vehicle. The road law then required the road to open 16 feet across, with 14 feet clear of stumps. The roads were maintained by free labor, with an appointed overseer for assigned road sections. The overseer would summon helpers who were required by law to help keep the roads in condition. P. H. SEARS EUGENE SEARS In Columbus County Where Tobacco Is King— Golden weed producers were paid two and one-half million dollars for their 1945 crop on our warehouse floors. Our experienced personnel annually brings top prices to thousands of farm- ers in Columbus County and throughout the Border Belt. a Skilled Mechanics in Diesel tractors, conventional type tractors, and trucks. Ilse ; aml MARKS TRUCK & TRACTOR COMPANY | “Your International Harvester Dealer’ | WHITEVILLE, N. C. | i FARMERS WAREHOUSE WHITEVILLE, N. C. i SERVING COLUMBUS COUNTY TOBACCO FARMERS FOR 15 YEARS A. H. Moore — Proprietors — L. R. JACKSON 95 For the High hin Columbus County S@GEI@O@ll: Sau Elissenes Bring your TOBACCO, SWEET POTATOES, STRAWBERRIES and OTHER PRODUCE to Ages 6-21 Bonded Indebtedness for Value of buildings, sites and School Purposes. equipment Year ‘Year $ 26,000.00 $ 10,000.00 B. ALTON GARRELL : sim Hag e0 2 . e i goo - 378,300.00 28290100 705,380.00 TABOR CITY, NORTH CAROLINA : 212:109-00 1,005,610.50 250,160.00 1,152,140.75 No. of School Districts 1869 . w 1884 . It is indeed a privilege to serve No. of Consolidated Schools 1902 - 1921 . the farmers of Columbus - set 1934. 1938 . County in the marketing of their crops, and it will be our endeavor to pay them the highest market prices in years to come, as we have in the past. Ww GARRELL SALES COMPANY «22ers ° TABOR CITY, NORTH CAROLINA The average price paid for tobacco last year by our warehouse surpassed the highest average of any border belt market Average Length of Term 2 months 2Y, months 31% months .. 6 months ... 8 months Number of Teachers Expenditures for school purposes $ 1,697.00 7,219.07 8,210.57 237,954.16 269,249.96 390,230.76 679,271.75 An Inshtution in Columbus County for 25 years Our many friends and long association in this county make us feel that we have contributed no small amount toward the building of a great county. In the tobacco industry, the name LEA means the best in marketing facilities and the highest prices to the thousands of farmers who sell their tobacco in our warehouse annually. We shall continue to exert our best effort toward furthering tobacco culture and all other worthwhile industries in Columbus County. LEA’S WAREHOUSE Townes LEA HUNTER LEA Come to MANN’ss for all the things to wear for the entire family MEN’S WEAR LADIES’ WEAR Manhattan Ties and Shirts Barbizon Lingerie Underwear and Pajamas Dresses, Suits and Coats Hart-Schaefner and Marx Suits Archer Hosiery Florsheim, Nunn-Bush Shoes Heel-Latch Shoes Work Clothes Star Brand Shoes J. S. MANN’S DEPARTMENT STORE WHITEVILLE, N. C. A Dollar’s Worth of Merchandise for a Dollar 98 ortrait TELEPHONE 293 and commercial Pp hotography QUALITY WORK “PICTURES YOU WANT TOMORROW, YOU MUST MAKE TODAY” WHITEVILLE, N. C. Staustics Relating to Columbus County LITERACY IN COUNTY* AGRICULTURAL FACTS MALE Rural land area (3 or more acres) ... 576,000 acres Total acres in farms (1945 census) . . 287,691 acres Male, 25 years old and over .............02..0000000e 9,632 GREE a vsponcne sco. ‘120,000 acres e ou r oO a cco at t e No school years completed (and thus classed as illiterate) 892 Idle farm land . - 7,000 acres Grade school Pasture land .. i 5,800 acres rade Woodlands .. 443,000 acres 1 to 4 years ... 2,545 Work stock 5,900 head 5 or 6 years . 1,816 Milk cows . 3,100 head 7 or 8 years ... 1,972 Brood sows 2,360 head 6 Laying hens . 130,000 head High school People living on farms (1940) 32,299 UL 5) SETSlo os booddonsdoupddaesooacsnpedcvecs 1,207 Number farms in county .. 5,776 AS years Me ss ence moe Oe ate oa Dns a 520 Number white operators 4,102 E Number non-white operator: 1,861 College 1 to 3 years 251 N. C. Farm Survey, 1945 Crop Reporting Service, 4 years or more 219 N. C. Department of Agriculture. Not Reported ... 210 POPULATION DISTRIBUTION CAROLINA WAREHOUSE Se oe oe ier Female, 25 years or older .. + 9,168 Bogue .. 2,837 South Williams .... 3,891 No school years completed ..... Fe 736 ae aah ets pata Ae ee . OA . ug Hill .. ‘ ‘accamaw in Tabor City, North Carolina Grade school Cerro. Gordo 2,634 Welches Creek 1,569 1 to 4 years . 1,948 Chadbourn 4,632 Western Prong . 1,103 5 or 6 years . 1,727 Fair Bluff . 2,436 Whiteville . 8,947 2 1,965 WEES 5000 2,878 Williams .. 4,284 _ 7 or 8 years ° : Ran 2732 High school MAL coceosds 45,633 1 to 3 years . 1,273 - 1940 Census 4 years 50 687 College SUMMARY OF COLUMBUS COUNTY TOBACCO YIELD 1 to 3 years 60 403 AND PRODUCTION ef leet eae se 1933 through 1944 Not Reporte % County Border Belt Indian school years completed .........+--++0-e+ees eee TA eat Proatiction Average Price S) bodbes [oP *Facts about Columbus County, by B, Gordon Lewi ee 8° 719 52,000 tbs f1g80 ° ° th |7 1b Coe TAFE 1934 . 11,911,000 Ibs. 22.60 Ihe fastest growing market in the order bett roscn 17604000 Ibs. 19:50 | 1936 . 15,681,000 Ibs. 20.71 PERSONS OF VOTING AGE, 1940 1937. BEAU 000 Ibs. 21.56 1938 . 20, : x Male (21 years of age and older) ... io38 2 BOR EAGUG ie Feta | Female (21 years of age and older) . 10,978 1940 19,153,000 Ibs. 15.34 otal een 22,300 1941 . 15,846,000 Ibs. 25.57 1942 . 20,393,000 Ibs. 37.81 1943 . 19,230,000 Ibs. 39.25 POPULATION BY AGES, 1940 1944 . 26,376,000 Ibs. 43.25 Us 5 se ve pee iS 2 . ise TOBACCO" AND SWEET POTATO ACREAGE BY 0 SHAE WN: ie 10 to 14 years . - 5,565 50 to 54 years HOVAD EWES 15 to 19 years ...... 5,215 55 to 59 years Tobacco Sweet Potatoes 20 to 24 years ...... 4,468 60 to 64 years Bore oa 1100.00 138.4 25 to 29 years . . 3,763 65 to 69 years Beg Hill ; eae oe 7 2 30 to 34 years ...... 3,004 70 to 74 years .. 6 GerromGordc, 1726.1 474.7 ee Seasoned tobacconists, experienced 35 to 39 years ...... 2,466 75 years and over .... 441 Chadbourn 2845.6 1011.9 GEORGE WALDEN personnel, many years of faithful Fain Bluth mess a268 ‘AND service to the tobacco farmers of the MANUFACTURER'S CENSUS, 1939 Ransom. 77 226.6 J. W. “BUCK” PEAY Percy beth : South Williams . 1458.5 517.9 PROPRIETORS Number of. Establishments: 36. uatans Bic Hee 273.4 Wace E Ieinversce) aioe ‘accamaw 8.0 50.1 ea ee ier ) Welches Creek . 11166 111.0 5 Orteey - ‘estern ong 0 2 Cost of Materials, supplies, fuel, purchased electric energy, and Whiteville ane oH 4 contract work: $1,179,272. Williams .. 2413.0 925.2 100 101 IN COLUMBUS COUNTY WHITEVILLE, N. C. There's a FORD in your future at the new home of Waccamaw Motor Co. WACCAMAW MOTOR CoO. J. Davi BuLLarpD, Manager WHITEVILLE, N. C. FORD SALES AND SERVICE Commerce Street For Fiigher Tobacco Prices NELSON'S in Whiteville M. O. NELSON, JR. 24 Years M. O. NELSON, SR. 52 Years JOHN H. NELSON 15 Years 91 Years of Tobacco SELLING EXPERIENCE Every year in the past of those 91 years of combined selling your tobacco has been a pleasure. We strive at all times to get you more money for your crops, and hope that you will continue to bring your tobacco to the place where your father and your grandfather sold. NELSONS WAREHOUSE "A House Whose Growth Has Been Based Upon the Confidence of Its Customers” M. O. NELSON, SR. M. O. NELSON, JR. JouN H. NELSON WHITEVILLE, N. C. 102 Timberland Owners and Operators Jor over 60,000 acres of Columbus County REIGEL PAPER CORPORATION 342 Madison Avenue New York 17, N. Y. Bolton, North Carolina 103 What More Gad You Ay} for... Riding In A New Ford and Living in Columbus County Ai Winning Griction Buy anew FORD . . . excellent for farm, travel. Just the automobile for hauling your rich crops to market. And for pleasure and luxury . . . it has large, roomy seats, most modern and easy-to-drive styles. LEWIS-PEAY MOTOR CO., Ine. SALES — SERVICE J. L. Lewis, President James W. Pray, Sec’y.-Treas. TABOR CITY, N. C. Select Your Farm Mules and Mares from Lewis-Peay Stables STANDARD OIL PRODUCTS ii a Flighest Te obacco Prices to Columbus County Farmers for B Years e loyal patronage of our thousands of farmer friends We appreciate th and pledge our continued best service CRUTCHFIELD’S WAREHOUSE WHITEVILLE, N. C. GAITHER CRUTCHFIELD RAYMOND CRUTCHFIELD 104 BLACK’S WHEELS Service Station W. CROWELL BLACK, Owner Whiteville, N. C. Phone 110-1 Ww enlientc TI 105 R E § RECAPPING ee nae or your POST-WAR needs in urniture, General Hardware, Fertilizers And arm Implements .. . W. E COX eo ) crnibure Company TABOR CITY, NORTH CAROLINA C. C. LEGGETT A. P. ROGERS 106 The D. J. HUGHES Company “Tabor Citys Oldest Manufacturing Plant? CRATES (strawberry and dewberry) e CUSTOM HAULING e SAWING 2 e DRESSING ¢ Tabor City, North Carolina MOTLEY BROS. AT BROOKS Knows Tobacco Growers’ Interest on the Farm and Warehouse Floor. YOUR INTEREST IS OUR FIRST THOUGHT “Service That Satisfies™” BLAIR AND LATANE MOTLEY 107 Si @10) Rl The Aim — the Goal of Every Thinking Man Today, more than ever before in the history of the world, Security is the vital thought in the minds of thinking men and women everywhere. Life Insurance provides the security for which everyone is constantly striving. As long as men and women grow old and die—as long as fathers say “Hats off to Columbus County.” and mothers love their children—as long as bread and milk are bought with money—life insurance will continue to satisfy the longings of human nature for better things in a better world. Atlantic Life writes all regular plans of Life, Endowment and Term Insurance to cover all specific needs from birth to age 65, and at low guaranteed cost. Provide now for security for yourself and family through the purchase of adequate life insurance. Organized in 1899, Atlantic Life is the oldest Southern Company writing ordinary life insurance exclusively. G. GARLAND FOWLER General Agent ATLANTIC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY Tabor City, North Carolina ASSOCIATES Bit Wricut, Tabor City, N. C. A. B. PowE.t, Whiteville, N. C. JoHN M. BARKLEY, Whiteville, N. C. J. H. Warp, Clarendon, N. C. Exuis D. MEARS, Fair Bluff, N.C. B.S. Troy, Rose Hill, N.C. E. H. Munrog, Clarkton, N. C. GLENN W. Bowers, Kenansville, N. C. 108 Produced by The Lassiter Press, Inc., Charlotte, N. Cc. LEDER BROTHERS Serves Columbus County For 20 years we have served this county have watched the upward trend toward industry, until, now it stands out among the with an unprejudiced devotion. We a greater county in agriculture and leading counties of the state. We OUR SUCCESS and GROWTH Have been boosted by your loyalty. As a f serve you by giving you the best in merchan For Women e@ GORGEOUS FROCKS by Georgiana, Lynbrook, Carol King, Clara Kay, Clara Jane. @ COATS by Mary Land @ FOUNDATION GARMENTS by Gossard : @ HOSIERY by Claussner, Kyser { @ HATS by Brewster @ FINE SHOES by Foot Rest, Air Step, / Tweedies STORES IN: } WHITEVILLE, N. C. CLINTON, N. C. WILSON, N. C. GOLDSBORO, N. C. When we speak of the best we mean tiend, we pledge to continue to dise at reasonable prices. nationally advertised brands, such as: For Men e@ SHIRTS by Arrow and Wings @ SUITS AND OVERCOATS by Griffon and Curlee @ HATS by Dobbs @ TIES by Wimbley and Arrow e BELTS by Hickok @ PAJAMAS by Jayson @ UNDERWEAR by Hanes @ FINE SHOES by Jarman and Fortune | Daily Radio Broadcasts | LEDER BROTHERS HOME OFFICE: Whiteville, North Carolina STORES IN: SMITHFIELD, N. C. MARION, S. C. HOLLY RIDGE, N. C. JACKSONVILLE, N. C. FIRST NATIONAL BANK Complete Banking SGhe Officers S. L. BRAXTON..... Chairman of Board IB ITT LOOKS eet teteere te ene cence President (Rigplos SHOLARGT nace cs: Vice-President SES AMUM Raa op gouboo5 Vice-President (Gh SH ASsacGsbesegcougsoed Cashier JAS SL WeyagiS5cg5o08 oe Ass't. Cashier WHITEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA CAPITAL STOCK, SURPLUS AND UNDIVIDED PROFITS $100,000.00 Checking and Savings Accounts Invited Commercial and Industrial Loans Daurectors aR MARKS) eee ot Farm Implement Dealer W..-F. SLEDGE... .- Lumber Manufacturer IIE SOV NR So aot coo unace Auto Dealer L. A. MEARES.... Hardware Dealer & Mfgr. 5 SW GSB IZA GK ti oty cer rneaeirinnare Tire Dealer Jp, Ek TUIDIR oss cus oo Department Store WUE EOL) GO Risso acasosgauc sac 6 Farmer LLOYD, GOLLIER.~. 2.6... -. 2.02 Jeweler Shotts JMOL oom naoage Livestock Dealer S. L. BRAXTON..... Member Federal Reserve System Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, all deposits insured up to $5,000.00. JOYNER NOW-CiACULATING TTT 372 0081 7270 9 . ARSE EEE Nmaen es - amet a = —_ eons ene A teen ween ea Sens nett Oe ee ee ne eee cat