With five decades of mule trading experience, he had many secrets of success to share. Included were prime physical features, prices, and purposes for the farm animal reputed as a hard worker.
April was known for two Durham County anniversaries, one being the 116th anniversary of General Joseph Johnston’s surrender to General William Sherman. The latter event appears to have generated only loss, but the author proved otherwise. Noted was Union soldiers camping near Bennett Place planted a seed of demand for its bright leaf tobacco. Wealth generated from the demand yielded the relocation of Trinity College to Durham. From an endowment by James B. Duke came the transformation of Trinity College into Duke University.
Whether novice or expert, any visitor could venture the great outdoors from mountains to coast. Watercraft activities included canoeing in Chowan River and whitewater rafting in the Ocoee River. Adventure could be found in forests such as Nantahala through hiking and backpacking. For those mountain trekkers, there was horseback riding through the Great Smokies and rock climbing on Shortoff. Coastal Plain adventures included bicycling along the Manteo to Murphy stretch and hand gliding off of Jockey’s Ridge.