Newspapers / The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, … / Feb. 18, 1917, edition 1 / Page 11
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THE CHARLOTTE SUNDAY OBSERVER, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1917. BRIEF SKETCH OF UNION COUNTY - ' : Legislative Act of 1842 Under Which It Was Organized Something About Its Climate and Sketch" of Its DevelopmentIts Pride Is Part People Played in the vyar Between the States. BY COUX d. SIUV. Monroe," Feb. 17. In 1342 Union County waa formed and 4 neat c-f gov- , rnment establiRhed at Labatt's Cross 1 Roada, where the first session of the pleas and quarter session court was , held, In the month of April 1 8 4 3, These sessions were continued until , October.- 1844, the new court house at the permanent county -set, , Morti I roe, not being ready until January, f 1845, when the first session. 01 court was held. - - " 1 The first officers elected by . whs ; court were William Wilson, sheriff? Hugh Stewart, clerk of pleas an$ ' quarter sessions court; David A.Cov ington. Clerk of the Superior Court; Joseph H. Wilson, county attorney; ( Thomas , P. Dillon, register; James , Blount, coroner. The first board of county commissioners was established , in April, 1888. and the members elect- ed were as follows: L. Burton Finch-; er, Elijah M. Walker, Calvin Trull. Elisha W. Griffin and Eeekiel Gurley. This board was empowered under the law, or rather the new Constitution of the State, to assume and perform cer tain duties that had previously occu pied the attention of the county courts, such as settling claims against the county,, appropriations for necessary improvements, etc. Prior to its establishment, accord ing to records, .the county was a por tion of Bladen, Robeson, Anson, Kicn- 1 mond and Mecklenburg Counties. This ' is not verified. However, it is a known 1 fact that Union was created f rom j Mecklenburg and Anson Counties. A J committee of Whigs and Democrats) was appointed by the courts to es tablish a name for the new county 1 and, from a previous arrangement, a meeting was held that lasted for sev eral days. The result was a dead lock and no decision could be reached. Half of the committee wanting to call it Clay and the other half Jackson. As there was no one to cast a de ciding vote, the situation was peculiar. At a subseauent meeting, however, a compromise was effected and each I party agreed upon the name Union I and thus the county was named. 11 was a sparsely settled region occupied by a sturdy and a determined citi zenship. - It was considered, at that time, one of the poorest sections of the State and but little consideration was given hy outsiders as to its de velopments. When it became known that It was one of the most fertile sections and would ; produce a finer t staple in cotton than any other land in the South, it began to be populated, and from that day, cotton has always sold in Monroe for a higher price than any town- or city in the State. It is claimed by buyers in adjoining counties that it Is because of the prop erties in the land that produces a longer fjbre In the lint and a whiter grade of cotton. This is perhaps true, but the spirit of the cotton brokers here at this day. at least, is to pay the top prtoes and about as much cot ton Is purchased from neighboring counties, and even from South Caro lina farmers, as is raised In Union. Topography of Union. The topography of Union County might be described as a rolling sur face, without any abrupt elevations and very .little depression, well tim HENDERSON GARAGE & MACHINE COMPANY AUTOMOBILE REPAIRING AND SUPPLIES. Full Accessories Forfl Full Force Mechanics rOTV Phone 256 25 North. Chnrch Auto Transfer Careful Drivers. Ten Good Machines. Centrally Located and Transfers Special Attention Green Traveling Men. Courteous Drivers, Well Acquainted With Roads in All Adjoining Counties. B. C. HINSON SOI W. Franklin Street Phone 227 HAMILTONLILES COMPANY CLOTHING, SHOES AND GENTS FURNISHINGS. H. S. & M. and Alco Clothing, Boyden and Steadfast Shoes, Stetson and Kline Hats. Duchess Trousers, 1 0e a button ; $ 1 .00 a rip. LEADERS IN QUALITY AND PRICES. HAMILTON LILES COMPANY Your Patronage Appreciated. Mam Street MONROE, N. C. CHOOSE A I FIRST Of MONROE, N. C Has Over Half Million Dollars in Combined Resources, and will protect your interests in Deposits or accommo . dations in Loans., Four per cent on Time Deposits, Courteous Treatment and every consideration consistent with Safe Banking. " . North Main Street " t" " Monroe, N. C, bered with all kinds of wood, In many cases hundreds of acres, to this date, containing original forest pines that could , be converted tpto fine lumber.. The elevation, above the sea and general contour -combined fur nish ample means for natural drain age throughout the whole county. It is free- from swamps- ana drainage basins that are so prominent In some of the counties of ' the State. " The court house . now at Monroe stands just 576 feet above the sea level, and at no point in the cpunty will these figures vary more than-154 feet above or below. The soil Is of a red clay variety, with here and there a trace of sandy loam 'and -light gravel, all haying a strong clay subsoil. Fruit ful fields' have always followed a care ful cultivation of the lands and no where In the State does the 'yield sur pass Union In any ordinary crop un less it should be wheat In the western part "of the State. Monroe. ' Although Monroe, the county seat of Union County, has been the central figure in itt development and growth, the county's real Importance more readily became known with the es tablishment of the first railroad here in 1874, when the Seaboard Air Line established the old Carolina Central from Wilmington to Charlotte. Land values immediately Increased, new en terpri8es sprang Into existence and the Dopulation of town and county great- ly increased. In 1896 when the Sea board completed connections between the northern cities and Atlanta, Ga., Monroe became a junction and a sta tion of great importance on the main line of that railroad. With these add ed facilities for transportation the ad vance in conditions was very marked and among the cities of North Caro lina none surpass Monroe for Advant age in development and enterprise. At this day there is a harvest field In her boundary for factories and en terprises untold. Advantages that would necessitate pages of printed matter to enumerate lie unawakened in her borders and not many moons will escape until it will be heralded to the world of the unparalleled ad vancement of Union County. Within the past-two or three years there has been such a transformation In Monroe as well as the county, that former citizens are at hazards to rec ognize familiar places when they re turn here. The residences, streets, churches business houses and busi ness blocks are In keeping with cities of far greater population and indus tries. The schools and all public en terprises are well up to the require ments of the population and the in telligence and refinement of the whole county will equal those that have had far greater opportunities of develop ment than has Monroe or Union County. Formation of Union. The Legislature In 1842 passed the following resolution: "Be It enacted by the General Assembly of the Statu of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That a new county by the name of Union, be and the same is hereby laid oft and established of parts of the 9fV?ri OCTViCC Quick Service Expert Mechanicians MONROE, K. C. Street HAMLET wADlSBORQ MONROE, N .C. GOOD BANK counties of Mecklenburg and Anson." (Here a description of the boundary is given.) A supplemental act was passed by the same General Assembly la January, 1843. as follows: Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of isortn Carolina, and it is hereby en acted by the authority of the same. mat the county of Union shall be and Is Hereby invested with all the rignts, privileges and Immunities of the other counties in this State. exceDt as is hereafter provided. "Section 2. Be it further enacted, that William Wilson. James A. Dunn. Silas Stewart Moses Cuthbertson and James Marsh are hereby- appointed commissioners to select and deter mine upon a site for a parmanent seat of justice for said county, who shall locate the same as near the cen ter as a puiuble location can be ob tained, provided it shall be within two miles of the center of said county, which center shall be taken to that point in a diagonal line, running from the northeast to the southeast ex tremity of said county, which is equidistant from said extremities. Section 3. Be it enacted that a majority of the said commissioners shall have power to purchase, or re ceive by donation for the county of union, a tract of land consisting of mot less tban 50 acres, nor more than 100. to be conveyed to the chairman of the county court of said county, and his successors in office upon which a town shall be laid off and called Monroe, where the court house and Jail shall be erected, and where after the completion of said court house the courts of said county shall be held and the clerks and register shall keep their offices. And the said commissioners shall lay off the lots of said town, and after designa ting such as shall be retained for pub lic uses, shall whenever required by the county court of said county, ex pose, after due notice, the residue to sale at public auction, upon a credit of one and two years, and shall take from the purchasers bonds and se curity for the purchase money, made payable to the chairman of the coun ty court and his successors, and upon payment of the purchase money, the chairman or his successors shall ex ecute titles therefor; which moneys shall be appropriated to the building of a court house and jaiL 'Section 4. Be it further enacted, that the Justices of the peace and the officers of the militia, who reside within the limits of the county of Union, shall -continue to hold and ex ercif ' - the official powers and author'-' in and for said county, that th is ive hitherto held and exercised the counties of Mecklenburg and .:son. "Section 5. Be It further enacted, that the constables residing within the limits of the county of Union, shall continue to hold office and per form all duties appertaining thereto, un;il the first county court to be held for said county, under the same rules, regulations and penalties as constables are subject to in the State." Section 6 authorizes the first Su Monroe Hardware Co. JOBBERS SHELF AND HEAVY HARDWARE We have the largest stock of diversified Hard ware in the history of our business and are pre pared to make Quick Deliveries. Monroe Hard The largest Dealers, in the State Main, Franklin, Morgan, Hayne SU. Monroe, N. C, H. J. HINSON MANUFACTURER OF SHOES, HARNESS AND SADDLES SHOE REPAIRISP No. 2 South Main Street See Monroe First A city of 8,000 population. Concrete sidewalks, sheet asphalt streets. On the main line of the great Southern Power Company and the Seaboard Air Line Railway Com pany. Hydro-electric.power in unlimited quantity at the lowest rate. Monroe offers exceptional advantages to Manufactur ers, Investors and Farmers. Monroe is recognized as the best cotton market in the. State 35,000 bales produced annually in this county.- - Best opportunities for manufacturing sites, with a plentiful supply of intelligent labor, climatic conditions and transportation facilities unsurpassed. Y There is now available a modern "three-story brick building 65x200 feet with cement basement 65x117 feet, thoroughly equipped for electric power and fire protection, and located on railroad siding. - ; For information, write, ' MONROE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, perior Court of law and equity to be ! held at IJabatt s Cross Roads on the second Monday in February, 1844. Section 7 authorizes the justices of peace residing within the limits of the new. county to hold a court of pleas and quarter semons on the first Monday in April. IS 44, and continue the same on the first Monday in April. July and October, at Labatts Cross Roads until a seat of Justice should be 'established for the said new county. At the first session they were enjoined to elect all the officers of the new county that have already been named and enumerated, provided a majority of said justices were pres ent, and these officers to hold until their successors should be elected and qualified to serve. , Political Formation. Before the formation of townships the affairs of Union County were managed by military districts, there being 13 of them, each containing a company of soldiers commanded by a Captain. Owing to this fact the dis tricts were known as Captains' Beats, and took the name of the Captain in their respective localities. At central points In each district voting places were established and returns were made from them in much the same manner as is now made from the voting precincts in the townships. In 1869, after the new Constitution of the State was framed under the Recon struction act, the townships of Goose Creek, New Salem. Sandy Ridge, Lanes Creek. Jackson and Buford were laid off and their boundaries defined in addition to Monroe Town ship. In 1879 the township of Vance was formed from parts of Goose Creek and Sandy Ridge .ind a few years later Marshvllle Township was formed from portions of Lanes Creek and New Salem. These constitute the townships of Union County to this date. Eight Incorporated Towns. In addition to Monroe there are eight incorporated towns as follows: Marshvllle, Wingate. Wa.xhaw. Union vtlle. Mineral Springs, Indian Trail, Benton Heights and Icemorlee. all situated on the railroad with the ex ception of Unionville. AH these towns are thriving, progressive and co-operate with sister towns and the rural districts for all that will advance he citizenship of the county. Marshvllle has a Chamber of Commerce and held a Community Fair this Fall that would cope with those held in the larger cities. Union County has an area of 630 square miles, or 403.200 acre, and lies in the southern part of North Caro lina and borders on the State of South Carolina. The soil is adapted to botn general and specialized farming. The climate Is healthful and favorable to agriculture and the rainfall is abun dant and evenly distributed through out the year. The best of water is obtained from deep wells, and in Mon roe from artesian wells more than 1.000 feet deep. Sixteen soli types were mapped in Union County by B. B. Derrick, of the U. 8. Department of Agriculture, and S. O. Perklnay-of the State Department of Agriculture, in 1915. These have been grouped into series according to their origin, color and agricultural characteristics. They state that these eolla have been formed by the weath ering of underlying rock, principally "Carollns Slates." granites, gneisses, schists, gabbros and various dlorites. all of which are full of productiveness for all classes of crops. Of he 400,000 acres of land there are less than (.000 farms of open and cultivated land. Before the Civil War there were land holdings from 1,000 to 4,600 acres, but the latest statistics ware Co. A SPECIALTY MOSROE. S. C rhow that the average land owner now has 74.1 acres of the farms utilized. 43 per cent are operated by the own ers, 56.8 per cent by tenants and 0.2 per cent by managers. The county is noted for its splendid school facilities, both rural and city and most especially for its telephone connections. The county is a net work of wires and practically every farm home has a direct communication to every point In the county. The tele phone system inaugurated has connec tion with the central at Monroe and thence to Charlotte and from there to any city in the United States. Climate. The average date of the first killing frost is about November 1 each year and the last about March 15. thereby giving seven and a half months that the land can be utilized for almost any crop, and during the cold months, the temperature is of such a mild nature that vegetables and many crops of a like nature are grown. During the Winter the major portion of the grain is grown in the county and harvested in the early Summer and another crop of corn or peas is produced from the same land. The county is tioted for its improved stock and cattle and hogs. There are no common breeds of any variety in the county. Jersey and Gurnsey cow take the lead and mules are princi pally raised for 'the farms. Jersey red hogs and Berkshires are the favorites in the swine breeding. Union County is free from debt and has special tax districts to maintain her splendid clay roads, possessing all the latest Improved machinery, fully paid for, to do this work. The roads are of a clay variety, none having been macadamized, but they are kept in good condition the year round with a convict force, so that there are no impassable or bad roads at any time during the year. Factories and Industries flourish In Monroe and there are a number in operation here. There is a rich field, however, for many mere and ad vantages are offered that are not parallel elsewhere. Land is cheap in price and locations are ideal. The citizens furnish ample assistance and encouragement to all industries locat ing here. With the building of the new rail road from here to McBee, 8. C. that Is anticipated at an early date, Mon roe cannot be surpassed in transpor tation facilities and with aU other con veniences combined .the future Is bright for the development of the best county in the State and prospects are abundant for the bigger and bet ter Monroe. Union County in Clril War. During the war between the States Union County furnished two thousand, five hundred men, the number being greatly in excess of the voting strength of the newly established county. Ten companies of Infantry and one battalion of artillery were enrolled as volunteers for active ser vice. The names and dates of en listment are as follows: Company B, 15th Infantry. May, 18(1; Company B. 2(th Infantry. June. 18(1; Com pany F, 37th Infantry. October. 18(1; Company D. 37th Infantry, Septem ber. 18(1; Company B, 48th Infantry, February. 18(2; Company F, 48th In fantry. March, 18(2; Company 'L &3d Infantry. March, 18(2; Company C. 10th Battalion of Artillery. March. 18(2. On April 8. ltil. Miss Vir ginia Davis, of this city, read a paper before the district meeting of the United Daughters of the Confederacy in this city, in which she stated In part in regard to Union County's war record as follows: "The natives of this country are a BANK of UNION MONROE, N. C Strength Safety, Efficiency, Service. W. S. Blakeney. . . .President Warren Stack.'. Cashier OVER 86,000 SATISFIED KIMBALL Piano Customers Find a worn- out KIMBALL, you will get a new one in its place. In the Homes of the World's Greatest Artists. For sale by J. T. tlolloway Piano Company No. 5 East Franklin St MONROE, N. C Pastime Theatre Latest Model Machines, 300 Sealing Capacity, Opera Folding Chain, v Steam Heat The most Popular Films shown, Centrally Located. ' " ,. . ; Opposite Court House, fine mixture, having Inherited the high standard of the Anson Regula tors and the Independent spirit of the Mecklenburg Signers. It was de cided that the new county seat was to be, if not In the center, within a radius of the diagonal center of the county. Two miles north of Monroe, just this side of High Hill on the Concord road, is the center of the county and that spot was considered for the county seat, but Mr. Helms ( not caring to have mischievous town boys so near his farm and as land only brought from two and a half to four dollars per acre) wanted five dol lars an acre for this land, and Mr. Chaney offered fifty acres, including (he present site of the court house, gratis, and it was accepted. "The commissioners felt that they needed more land west of the court house, but Mr. Chaney did not feel inclined to donate the twenty-five acres wanted, because they would In clude three large apple trees which stood on the lot on which James T. Shute now lives. So the extra twenty five acres and the trees were pur chased from Mr. Chaney for fifty dol lars. "This county has the honor of hav ing given President Andrew Jackson to the Nation. "Union County was In Its youth, or scarcely of age, when the duty of . preparing her sons for their work of J death fell upon her in 181. What an arduous task this must have been to change from the care of its fields te life in camp. Yet our men entered heartily into the service and in less than a year 10 volunteer regimental companies and one artillery company. C Tenth Batallion) commanded by Capt C. M. T. McAulay, had taken up I arm. First Companies, "Col. William McRae organized the first company to go from this county. Company B, Fifteenth North Carolina Regiment They left In May 181, and were followed by Company B. Twenty-sixth Regiment with Capt. J. J. C. 8teele as commander. These were the only uniformed companies from this county. Company F. Thirty-fifth Rlgement. with Dr. T. W. Redwine as captain, left in September and Oc- I tober. Major John B. Ashcraft took! Company D, Thirty-seventh Regiment. This company had some expert sharp shooters, chief among whom was Bryant Williams, as strong and brave as ft hearty fronuefsman. who. while on duty at Spottsylvanla Courthouse, shot down 17 men. "There were seven companies to volunteer between October, 18(1. and March, 18(2. six going at one time, and four of them in the Forty-eighth Regiment Other officers ..rom "this county were CoL Walkup. T. E. Ashcraft. Doctor Alexander. Eber 'Jerome, Frank Wyatt, Captain Richardson and C. A. Walden, who was later disabled, and William Laney took bis place. Frank Wyatt was promoted to Colonel of his regiment and L. A. W. Turner succeeded him as captain. Colonel Walkup had the honor of General conferred upon him two weeks before the surrender, and Capt Frank Rich ardson was to succeed him as ColoneL Major Ashcraft was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment about the same time, but neither ever took command. "There were two mixed companies, made up of Union and Mecklenburg men, with Captains Warren and Sid B. Alexander in charge. In the 8prtng of 18(4 the Junior Reserves went te aid those already In the field. "Our' soldiers shared the glorious victories, the bitter defeats, the hard ships and sufferings of the Army to E. G. Fletcher EMPIRE and DIXIE The cars of Quality and Service. Agency for ' Union and Anson Counties. ' - 14-16 South Main St. MONROE, N. C Savings, Loan & Capital, $25,000 Fourteen Years Successful Business. Four Per Cent on Tims Deposits. Liberal in Loans and Appreciative of Patronage. INSURANCE DEPARTMENT U. B. Itedwtne, Presldeat S. O. BUlr, Vice Preddeat Philadelphia Life . Insurance Company THE CAROLOTA AGESCT WROTE TWO MILLION DOLLARS INSURANCE IN 1916. And Bare Planned to Writ - T THREE MILLION DOLLARS INSURANCE IN 1917. ' Safest Mmt Krtiabte Pepalar aad Perfect " Af enU wasted In unoccupied territory. Gordon Insurance and Investment State Agents For Xorth Opera Uooae Balldia. GLOUCESTER HOTEL X. C RrssrXI ProprVtoc. Comfortable Aecomomdationa. Home-like. Lajy Rojm and Table Serrtoe. Xorth Main Street "J. M0XROE, C TRY THE DeLUXE CAFE v , , SI North Mala Street V MOXROE, . ft . -. (Ncxt'Dvor to Flrat National Bank) GOOD COOKS BEST SERVICE Northern Virginia. We follow them In every step, their triumphs and mis fortunes. Ia the heroic engagements of Bull Run and the stormy sieg of Richmond. We recall with glowing interest their courageous work, in the battle of Fredericksburg. "We have not forgotten the bare footed men, ail tattered and torn, with clear eyes and strong, determined hearts, set upon the right desperately disputing the bloody fields of Sharps burg, and the sorrowful faces over the calamity at ChancellorsvlUe. be- mourning the loss of the beloved Jack son. . : , Gettysburg. "Oar hearts thrill with pride when we remember the grand and undis mayed march to the disaster of Get tysburg, where one of our companies . In the Twenty-sixth Regiment lost more men than any other In the en gagement They were literally torn to pieces.' The only soldier to go over . that stone wall was a Union County man. bearing his flag. Our soldiers were in that grand and undismayed march of Pickett and his division and -Holts Division on the left Into the very mouths of the enemy's cannon, a charge more glorious than that of the Ught Brigade.' We dwell with delight upon the fortitude and pa- , trlousm that lived in those soldiers of Union, defying the hand of adversity. None fought with more strength, none died with more glory. "On July 4. 1110, we embalmed their memory In stone. With each re turning Springtime, the graves of our soldiers blooms afresh as we lay our hands upon it "In the twilight of years to come the women of North Carolina will tail to their children and their children's children the old, but ever new, story that has been swelling our hearts with pride and tenderest love for half a century. "The year of 18(1 found us happy and prosperous. The year of 11(5 v miserable and poverty-stricken. "The Home Guards had done splen- did work in caring for the soldiers" wives and children. "Union County was fortunate In es caping Sherman's raid. Only a frag - ment of Kirkpatrickw Cavalry dashed . upon Monroe, from the Fox Place In South Carolina (now Page land) and looted around an hour or two, for Wheeler's men were close upon their heels. - "Back from trenches to the furrow. eur soldiers came, their ranks painful ly thinned, to take up the work of Reconstruction as brave In peace as they were strong In war. "OurVounty suffered comparatively few of the Indignities of carpet-bag . rule. "In 18(7 there sprang up a political party called The Union League,' composed of the discontented element, the general kickers, and they were especially antagonistic to strong se-. ceaalonfata. They were designated by. a little red string, worn in the button' hole of the left lapel of the coat, and were commonly called 'Red Strings.' This party was very annoying but its days were numbered. Calvin and ' Brown Laney. Bill Blakeney and eth ers were largely Instrumental In sup-, pressing It Xt the years roll on and times and customs change; let new ideas, new methods and new pleasures attract our strict attention; let allurement of , wealth and the fascinations of eom mere absorb oar best efforts, bat we still will cherish the memory of oar heroes, and the spirit of patriotism, truth and duty that Inspired ' our fathers, will spring eternal hi the Southern breast.' Automobiles. Trust Company: Surplus, $10,0C3 IL B. dark, Caahjer I. n. Blair, Mgr. IasonuN Dept. Company aad Soatb Carolina v , , ' MOXROK, If. C lilOSSTKietorir J. LEE, President D A. HOUSTON, Cainier H- Y; SCOTT, Secretary. MONROE, N. C
The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Feb. 18, 1917, edition 1
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