North Carolina Newspapers

PAGE 4^SECTI0N A’ HISTORY OF MURFREESBORO (By LLOYD J. LAWRENCE) W ITH the exception of Winton, which was incorporated in the year 1.768, Murfreesboro is the oldest incorporated town in Hertford County. It was incorporated in 1787. From its earliest history, Winton became, and still is, the County Capitol, and around which has centered the governmental affairs of the County. Murfreesboro, in the early hours of its history, made as its goal, the development of educational and cultured, interests of its people. Its place, in the history of the State, resulted from the e.stablish- ment of two leading female colleges, one created in 1848, then and for many j’ears known as Chowan Baptist Female Institute, later and at present known as Chowan College; and the other, as Wesleyan Fe male College. Chowan College remains still,as a Christian Institution, and a cul tural and educational light to our community. Wesleyan Female College, which was founded by tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, South, had a less fortunate career. It was twice burned; first in 1877, and next in 1893. Not only have each of these Colleges benefitted and blest the young of our County and community, but young ladies from practi cally all of the Southern States have received from these schools, mental and religious training. Nearly a century ago, these Colleges threw open their doors to the young ladies of the South, and more especially to those of North Carolina and Virginia, The work that each THE AUTHOR OF THIS HISTORY OF MURFREESBORO A member cf the bar and an outstandingly active citizen of Hertford County for almost half a century, Llcyd J. Laivrcnce is perhaps the best qualified of any individual tc xvrite the history of Murfreesboro for this volume. K S' net only ivit- ^ nessed and studied the history of , Hertford County but has helped to ■ ' guide its coitrse. Five times he u>as » Y gA represented the county in the Gen- ‘ " eral Assembly, twice as a repre~ sentative and three times as senator * f'Tom this dwtrict. After serving as I p A ; Mayer of Murfreesboro for eight 5 f WiO i elected to the loxaer J hevse cf the General .Assembly in ^ 1901, Tweniy-tivoyearslaterhewas £i ^ elected to serve another term. For three consecutive hiemiiums bepin- ning in 1927, he was chosen sena tor from this district. In 1911, he was chosen president cf the Citizens Bank of Murfrees boro, serving for eight years and then serving for three years as pre sident of the First National Bank. Since 1931, Mr. Lawrence has serv ed as xrresident cf the Hertford County Bar Association and is past president of both the Murfreesboro Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. He is one of the few North Carolina lawyers to be admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. | Lloyd J. Lawrence was boim 67 years ago, son of James N. and Mary E. (Pruden) Lawrence of Murfreesboro. Prior to graduatoin at the University cf North Carolina, he attended the Murfreesboro High School and the Mxirfreeshoro Military Academy. In 1919 Mr. Lawrence was married to Olive B. Vinson. He has one sister and two brothers, Mrs. L. M. Cox of Murfreesboro; Wallace Lawrence of Norfolk, Va.. and Nathaniel Laxvrcnce of Bristol, Tenn. did, and that Chowan continues to do, is reflected in the quality and type of citizenship here and elsewhere. For three quarters of a century, our people were more or less content with these educational and cultural advantages, and made little effort to develop the commercial and industrial life of the town. It then boasted of its river transportation and trade with the West Indian Islands. It was not in the least interested in promoting or backing railroad lines to or through the town, because such trans portation lines, as they argued, would cripple or destroy its vessels and steamship trade. It therefore turned a deaf ear to suggestions, made many years ago, that the Seaboard Air Line was interested in constructing that part of its main line between Portsmouth, Va., and Weldon, N. C., through the town of Murfreesboro. n This status of a self satisfied people, in respect to its commerce and trade, remained as characteristic of the town and its people, up to some 12 or 14 years ago. About the year 1924 or 1925 the wheels of progress were set in motion by the pioneering spirit of Mr. Jas. A. Campbell, a citizen who made Murfreesboro his home, in order to engage in banking activities. Briefly mentioning some of his activities and promotions in the industrial life of the town, and as a first step to accomplish that end, he suggested the organization of a national bank. It became more than a ‘suggestion. His dream was realized, and the First National Bank of Murfreesboro opened its doors in one of the most credit able banking houses in eastern Carolina. Following the organization and opening ■ of this bank, was the construction and operation of a Hosiery Mill, Ice Plant, Murfreesboro Manufacturing Company, and the original water system of the town. The corporation known as the Murfreesboro Manufacturing Co., formed for the purpose of the manufacture of baskets and crates, be came the foundation of a swift and remarkable change in the town’s development. It was later acquired and developed by Riverside Manufacturing Company, in consequence of which one of the largest plants of its kind, anywhere in the South, operates here. Riverside Manufacturing Co. not only has expanded and developed its own properties, but it has materially added to and stimulated the activities of others. In short, the turning point in the industrial life of the town is to be found in these important corporations, which have con tributed their full share, and have loft for the emulation of others, “footprints on the sand of time.” These “footprints” have proven of incaiuiable value, since the spirit of progress may now bo traced in many other ways; and among the many other changes and improvements that have followed, these mpy bo mentioned— (1) The branch office, fertilizer factory, and residential buildings of Smith-Douglass Company, Noi'folk; Va., a valuable contribution to the'life of the town; (2) A Watorwoi'ks system, supplying an exceptional quality and quantity of water, from which is received a self-liquidating revenue; (3) A Sewer System that materially aids in preserving healthy conditions; (4) Pastime Theatre Corporation, a popular place of amusement; Fire Department Building, equipped with truck, hoes, and (5) the like: (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) buildings: (17) Fire Siren for turning in fire alarms; Traffic Signals; Municipal Building; Jail and Cells; Hard Surfaced Streets; Paving of Sidewalks; Jhiblic Scliocl Annr.x and Auditorium; Chowan College, iiiLerior iinprovcmculs; Red Apple Cafe, a credit to any town; Clinic Rooms for the Board of Health; Numerous modern residences and creditable business North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Com mission Repair Shop and District Office; (18) The Norlheastcrn Carolina News, a weekly newspaper. This becomes only a part of the story of the awakening town HERTFORD COUNTY HERALD, AHOSKIE, N. C. 1939 HISTORICAL EDITION POURING CONCRETE IN MURFREESBORO Though rich in history and possession a background of culture and good breeding, Murfreesboro does not rest upon its past, as this scene will indicate. The town has all modern improvements and is Hert ford County’s No. 2 town in size and importance. and its progressive strides; all of which has been accomplished through a spirit of conservative-progre.ssiveness, a looking ahead to better things, but moving with cautious steps. Four years ago, the taxable property of the town was $355,496.00. Today, it is above $600,000.00. Ib bonded debt is $54,000.00, while the tax rate is held at 80 cents on the hundred dollar valuation of property,—one of the smallest rates to be found in any town of the State. With this tax rate, plus its water rents, the town is promptly making payment of its general ex penses, its bonds and interest, and in addition thereto ib public im- provemenb. MURFREESBORO’S AVER.AGE TEMPERATURE Average Temperature for;_ January , February .. March Api Ma; June Jul;- August September October ........ November .. December . 72 ,,..59 2- 3 3- 5 1-3 This average temperature of Murfreesboro was ascertained by accurate diary of the thermometer kept for each day throughout the year. HERTFORD COUNTY’S OLDEST AND LEADING DEPARTMENT STORE IS WYNN BROS. For More Than Fifty Years, this Establishment Has Served Customers Throughout a Wide Territory (By BUCK KELLY) An integral part of the town of Murfreesboro for more than fifty years, the firm of Wynn Bros. Department Store is today famous throughout Northeastern North Carolina as a store of unquestioned value of each item of merchandise no matter how large or how small. Aside from ib reputation as an institution of integrity, Wynn Bros, has maintained ib leadership among the department stores of this section by its style policy that sees it, year in and year out, stock ing the identical merchandise styles that fill the shelves of the largest stores of the United States. Jealously guarding that reputation of stocking only current style merchandise, buyers from Wynn Bros, make frequent trips to the great markeb of New York and Philadelphia. And, in addition to these regular trips, the firm is linked up with the largest buying syn dicate in New York for the immediate replenishing of stock during the interims between buying trips. Maintaining and increasing their clientele has been made easy for Wynn Bros, by the firm’'s financial stability and its continual alert ness to style and merchandising ti’ends. Although Wynn Bros, achieved ib early growth before the period of sixty-mile-an-hour highways and mass> ownership of automobiles, the institution has .suffered not a whit by the readj^ accessibility of city competitors. Wynn Bros, often make sales after customers have visited the largest cities for the very fact that Wynn Bros, overhead expenses are much lower than the overhead in the cities which is a considerable item. Situated in a comparatively small town, the firm is not bui’dened with the rents that are an item in budgets of virtually all department stores. Wynn Bros, occupies its own building and is financed solely by ib owner and as a consequence does not have to meet heavy inter est and dividend payments. Wynn Bros, throughout the fifty-odd years of ib existence, has never failed to discount ib bilb before they came due and has thus built up an enviable credit and is .on the A-1 Ibts of every credit agency in the United States. Because of this excellent credit rating it is enabled to buy at the most favorable terms offered any store, large or small. All of these savings are passed along to patrons of the store through reduced prices and additional services, personal and credit, and the loyal clientele of the store b ample testimony that the policy pays. Throughout ib existence Wynn Bros, has employed only the high est type sales people and has always boasted one of the finest employee staffs of any store in the country. Its staff is composed only of highly trained individuab who know • quality, style and fitting thoroughly. Courtesy, and consideration for the customer, plus their knowledge, have made the store one of the favorite shopping places for a large section of North Carolina and "Virginia. The close personal touch with customers’ wishes and needs have built up for the store a,large volume of mail order business from customers who for reasons of distance or other inconvenience are unable to attend to their shopping in person. For the benefit of these and all other customers, the store is and always has been a steady advertiser with weekiy, up-to-lhe-minute advertisements appearing regularly. In addition to the smartest lines of men’s, women’s and children’s style ready-t(j-wear, Wynn Bros, is agent for the country’s leading tailoring concerns. Complete lines of notions, drygoods and other re gular department store lines, are augmented by hardware, building supplies and enough staple lines to make it a source of the family’s complete needs. Through ib continual sensitiveness to rnarket changes and style trends and through ib buying connections with the best syndicates of the United States. The House of Wynn has continued to serve ib customers during this long period while others have ceased to function before changing conditions of business and style. A firm believer in the business maxim, “Merchandise bought right, is half sold”, Wynn Bros, has stressed that phase of ib business continually and, as atteslectby ib permanent clientele of old customers and daily new customers, the policy has paid constant dividends. Not only docs W.ynn Bros, maintain ib up-lo-the minute buying connec tions but it is iinaucialiy able to take full advantage of quantity price discounb and frequently buys carloads of inerdiandisc. Ib alertness in keeping abreast of styles is well attested by the vulunie of business it commands from the college students of Chowan College, situated in Murfreesboro. Notoriously one of the hardest to please of any consumer group of the population, the college studenb trade with Wynn Bros, not only during their years of residence at Chowan College but throughout their lives after' leaving the college. Although many of the students leave the college to reside from 50 to 200 miles away from Murfreesboro, they continue to make periodic \-isits to Murfreesboro to buy tireir style cloUfing and family needs, or ebe send in their orders to be filled by the efficient mail order de partment of the store. Thomas B. Wynn, tlie present owner of the store, became sole proprietor more than 25 years ago when he bought out the interest of his brother, John S. Wynn. Previous to the acquisition of the store by the two brothers it had been owned by their father, Col. Jas. Madison Wynn, for more than two decades. The name of Wynn has stood for merchandising leadership in Murfreesboro for more than half a century. All classes 55 to t Census Figures for Hertford County and Subdivisions (Continued from page 3, Section A) Hertford County 1910 Hertford County 1900 Ahoskie township 1930 Ahoskie township 1920 Ahoskie township 1910 Ahoskie town 1930 Ahoskie town 1920 Ahoskie town 1910 Ahoskie town 1900 Harreilsville township 1930 Harrellsville township 1920 Harreilsville township 1910 Harrellsville township 1900 Harreilsville town 1930 Harrellsville town 1920 Harrelbville town 1910 Harrellsville town 1900 Moneys Neck township 1930 Moneys Neck township 1930 Maneys Neck township 1910 Maneys Neck township 1900 Murfreesboro township 1930 Murfreesboro township 1920 Murfreesboro township 1910 Murfreesboro township 1900 Mapleton town 1930 Mapleton town 1920 Mapleton town 1910 Murfreesboro town 1930 Murfreesboro town 1920 Murfreesboro town 1910 Murfreesboro town 1900 St. Johns Township 1030 St. Johns township 1920 St. Johns township 1910 St, Johns township 1900 Union town 1930 Union town 1920 Union town 1910 Union town 1900 Winton township 1930 Winton township 1920 Winton towmship 1910 Winton township 1900 Tunis town 1930 Tunis town 1920 Tunis town Winton towm 1930 Winton town 1920 Winton town 1910 Winton town 1900 ...15,436 ...14,294 4,391 3,482 2,804 1,940 1,429 924 302 2,348 2,250 2,309 2,425 159 131 140 109 1,724 1,834 1,756 1,861 2,980 2,509 2,398 2,379 74 52 1,000 621 809 657 . 3,654 . 3,791 3,584 . 4,392 140 147 139 . 2,445 . 2,428 . 2,585 . 3,237 156 . 142 43 582 489 624 POPULATION BY AGE, COLOR, NATIVITY, AND FOR HERTFORD COUNTY—CENSUS 1930 All Classes in Hertford County Male of all classes Female of all classes. Native white male.... Native white female Foreign-born white male Foreign-born white female Negro male ^ Negro female All classes under 5 years of age All classes of males under 5 All classes of females under 5 Native white male under 5 Native white female under 5 Negro male under 5 Negro female under 5 All classes under 1 Male of all classes under 1 Female of all classes under 1 Native white male under 1 Native white female under 1 — Negro male under 1 Negro female under 1 All classes between 5 to 9,„. ....17.542 .... 8,782 8,760 3,648 3,573 12 Male of all classes between 5 to 9 Female of all classes between 5 to 9 Native white male between 5 to 9 Native white female between 5 to 9 Negro male between 5 to 9 Negro female between 5 to 9 All classes between 10 to 14 Male of all classes between 10 to 14 Female of all classes between 10 to 14 Native white male between 10 to 14 Native white female between 10 to 14 Negro male between 10 to 14 Negro female betv/een 10 to 14 All classes between 15 to 19 •. Male of all classes between 15 to 19 Female of all classes between 15 to 19 Native white male between 15 to 19 Native white female between 15 to 19 Negro male between 15 to 19 Negro female between 15 to 19 All classes between 20 to 24 Male of all classes between 20 to 24 Female of all classes between 20 to 24 Native white male between 20 to 24 Native white female between 20 to 24 Foreign-born white male between 20 to 24 Negro male between 20 to 24 Negro female between 20 and 24 All classes between 25 to 29 Male of all classes between 25 to 29 Female of all classes between 25 to 29 Native white male between 25 to 29 Native white female between 25 to 29 Foreign-born white male between 25 to 29.; , Foreign-bom white female between 25 to 29 Negro male between 25 to 29 Negro female between 25 to 29 All classes between 30 to 34 Male of all classes between 30 to 34 Female of all classes between 30 to 34 Native white male between 30 to 34 Native white female between 30 to 34 Foreign-born male between 30 to 34 Negro male between 30 to 34 Negro female between 30 to 34 All classes between 35 to 44 Male of all classes between 35 to 44 Female of all classes between 35 to 44 Native white male -between 35 to 44 Native white female between 35 to 44 Foreign-born white male between 35 to 44 Foreign-born white female between 35 to 44 Negro male between 35 to 44 Negro female between 35 to 44 All classes between 45 to 54 Male of all classes between 45 to 54 Female of all classes between 45 to 54 Native white male between 45 to 54 Native white female between 45 to 54 Foreign-born white male between 45 to 54 Foreign-born white female between 45 to 54.... Negro male between 45 to 54 Negro female between 45 tg 54 6 . 5,122 . 5,181 . 2,132 . 1,099 . 1,033 423 , 367 . 676 . 666 . 402 208 . 194 79 70 129 124 . 2,558 . 1,297 . 1,261 . 459 447 . 838 814 . 2,436 . 1,297 . 1,180 . 477 . 419 . 779 . 761 . 2,100 . 1,065 . 1,035 , 375 , 354 690 681 . 1,522 706 816 . 269 330 1 . 436 , 486 . 1,077 , 493 584 . 239 . 271 2 253 311 931 446 485 226 227 . 219 . 258 . 1,775 818 . 957 449 416 508 . 1,496 , 762 . 734 . 359 , 360 400 375 Male of all classes between 55 to 64 Female of all classes between 55 to 64 Native white male between 55 to 64 Native white female between 55 to 64 Foreign-born white male between 55 to 64 Foreign-born white female between 55 to 64.... Negro male between 55 to 64 Negro female between 55 to 64 ; All classes between 65 to 74 Male of all classes between 65 to 74 Female of all classes between 65 to 74 Native white male between 65 to 74 Native white female between 65 to 74 Foreign-born white female between 65 to 74.... Negro male between 65 to 74 Negro female between 65 to 74 All classes from 75 and over Male of all classes from 75 and over Female of all classes from 75 and over Native white male from 75 and over Native white female from 75 and over Npgro male from 75 and over. Negro female from 75 and over 831 461 370 244 185 3 214 183 476 271 205 129 111 208 108 100 COMPOSITION OF THE POPULATION COIINTY:1930—SEX. COI,OR, Total Population Male OF HERTFORD ETC. Female Native white Male Female Native parentage Foreign parentage Mixed parentage Foreign-born white Male Female Negro Male Female Per cent native white Per cent foreign-born white Per cent Negro 1920; Total population Native wite . Foreign-born white Negro Per cent native white Per cent foreign-born white.,,. Per cent Negro 17,542 8,782 8,760 7,221 3.648 3,573 7,193 17 11 18 12 B ,...10,303 5,122 5,181 41.2 0.1 58.7 16,294 6,324 16 . 9,954 , 38.8 0.1 55.3 CITIZENSIIII* Males 21 years old and over Native white—Native parentage Native white—Foreign or mixed parentage Foreign-born white Naturalized ;. Negro . Females 21 years old and over Native white—Native parentage Native white—Foreign, or mixed parentage.... Foreign-born white Naturalized Alien Negro , 3,909 1,850 2,041 4,070 1,908 3 , 2,147 SCHOOL ATTENDANCE Total 7 to 13 years, inclusive Number attending school Per cent attending school Total 14 and 15 years Number attending school Per cent attending school Total 16 and 17 years Number attending school Per cent attending school Total 18 to 20 years, inclusiye. Number attending school— Per cent attending school ILLITERACY Total 10 yeai's old and over Number illiterate Per cent illiterate Per cent illiterate in 1920 Native white Number illiterate Per cent illiterate Foreign-born white Number illiterate Negro Number illiterate Per cent illiterate 3,494 3,049 88.1 934 790 84,6 912 549 60.2 1,079 272 25,2 12,852 2,021 15.7 18.8 5,525 291 5.3 18 7,309 . 1,727 23.6 MARITAL CONDITION Males 15 years old and over Single Married "Widowed Divorced Unknown Females 15 years old and over. Single 5,130 1,879 3,023 210 15 Married .... Widowed . Divorced . Unknown . 3 5,286 1,664 3,108 489 22 3 URBAN AND RIJRAJj Rural population Rural-farm Rural-nonfarm 1920: Rural population COMPOSITION OF THE RURAL POPULATION, FARM NONFARIM OF HERTFORD COUNTY; 1930 Total rural population RURAL-FARM -SEX, COLOR, ETC. Total rural-farm population Male - 17,542 12,573 4,969 16,294 AND ,.17,542 Female Native white Native parentage Foreign or mixed parentage Foreign-born, white Negro CTlTZENSlilP Males 21 years old and over Native white Foreign-born white Naturalized Negro Females 21 years old and over ..12,573 .. 6,431 .. 6,142 4,558 4,556 1 8,014 2,642 1,123 1,518 2,669 (Continued on page 6, SectionlA). MURFREESBORO BAPTIST CHURCH "i