WARRENTON, N. C, FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1918
$1.50 A YEAR
A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF WARRENTON AND WARREN COUNTY
v.
VOL. XXII
NO. 39
r - y -J
VX 5e. A COPY
OLD TIMES WARREN
A NEW YEAR
In ante-bellum times, New Year's
Day was a great day in old Warren.
It meant the closing up of the bad
ness of the old year, and start irg
afresh on the business of the New
Year. It was regarded by all as a
new beginning.
For the most part, all business
was done on a credit basis. The mer
chant bought his goods on long time,
the farmer procured the supplies he
had to purchase on credit, and almost
everyone transacted business on the
same plan. As a rule only the poorer
class of people paid for their pur
chases when they bought them. The
retail merchant had to settle with
the wholesale man at least once a
year, and the farmers usually paid
for their annual supplies once a year.
The aim was to make a full settle
ment all around once a year, and New
Year's Day was usually selected as
the time for this universal settle
ment. In those days, crops liens were un
known, and it would have been un
pardonable offense for a merchant to
demand a mortgage on the growing
crop, or indeed any kind of a mort
gage to secure payment for goods
purchased on an open account. But.
in those days our people had never
heard of a Home-Stead Law, and a
man's property was responsible for
his debts.
As before said, New Year's Day
was the time for settlement, and
debtors made arrangements to close
their accounts by that time. There
fore the first day of January was a
busy day in Warrenton. Planters
from the Fork. Shocc'o, Shatter, Six
pound, and indeed from all parts of
the county came to town to close up
the previous years business and to
attcr.d to such other matters as were
necessary to begin life in the new
year.
It was Tuesday inc court -magni-?d,
for as a large number of .leading
citizens would be present. Persons hav
rig anything to sell, would also be
present.
The horse trader was sure to be in
evidence, and Cedar Hfdl was the
sctuvi os :r"ar.y a transaction. And
many a worthless horse changed
owners; and many a badly bitten man
went home to regret that he had
swapped his old plug for a more worth
less nag.
Cedar Hill was not only the scene
of great activity in horse trading but
there was also much fun and frolic,
and sad to say it was not all in
nocent. Perhaps an incident may be
interesting.
The dandy horse trader was sure
to be here. We will call him "Kiah
Levingseed," just because that was
not his name.. The swapping busi
ness goes on lively, but "Kiah" al
though he had bantered every man on
the ground for a trade, had failed to
make a swap. Finally, he began to
ride up and down the street and in a
loud voice proclaimed the good points
of his horse. Hear him:
"Gentlemen, and fellow-citizens,
behold 'Spitfire.' He is the best horse
in the county, he can outjump, out
run, oat-pace, out-lope any horse on
the top-side of this green earth. He
is good in the wagon, at the plow, in
the buggy and is equally good in sin
gle or double harness. But his best
point is as a saddle horse. Although
he is full of life and holds a high head
and looks like a war horse, he is per
fectly safe and a woman or child can
handle him with perfect safety; why
you might fire off a gun over the top
of his head and he wouldn't wiggle
his ears or bat his eyes. He's the
safor-t horse en the top r. the groui.d.
About this time "Bill Shanks" came
Tiding up and hearing "Kiahs" procli
mation asked him how he would trade
for old "Ball," which he declared to
be superior to any horse that ever
wore a shoe.
Kiah said, "I am ready to trade
with anybody, for anything and any
way. I'm a trading man, I am."
"What kind of a horse is yourn?"
said Bill.
"Well," answered Kiah, "He's not
an elephant nor a lion nor yet is he a
lurnn of gold. He is just a chunk of
good honest horse flesh. How much
boot will you give me?"
''Loot!" exclaimed Bill," why boot
is on the other leg. I never give boot,
but J tell ye what I'll do. I'll give you
my 'Ball' for .your 'Spitfire,' and I
only offer to do this to see how quick
a bragging man like you will back
down from a good trade."
"But I don't back," sa'u' 'Kiah', get
down and take of your saudle an! 1 11
do the same."
Both dismounted and removed their
saddles, when a sickening spectacle
ON KEEPING ONE'S TEMPER
Keep good natured and polite, as you
jog along the path,
Though sometimes you want, to fight,
don't give way to sudden wrath.
Kf.ep.your "patience right on tap, be
unruffled and serene,
Always let the other chap be the first
to make' a scene,
But, although you're calm at heart,
always let him know, somehow
That, if crowded, you can start
A great big row.
Mviet your troubles with a grin, k3ep
a steady, level head;
Be assured you cannot win if you
walk 'round seeing red,
Do hot swell your chest and bluff at
things that you will do,
If some self-complacent stuff tries to
make it hot for you,
But if he insists on war, sail right in
and smash his map,
Show him you are ready for
A first-class scrap!
All the highest prizes go to the men
who suffer long, . -
Though their fortunes ebb and flow,
though their luck goes right or
wrong,
Do not let your temper rise, keep your
passions under rein,
Pretty soon jou'll realize that it's
wiser to keep sane.
i But sometimes you'll meet with men
So remember, now and then,
You must get mad!
James J. Montague, in New York
American.
He who does evil that good may
come, pays a toll to the devil to let
him into heaven.
i Inflict net on an enemy every envy
I in your power, for he may after
i wards become your friend.
'was revealed.. Old Ball's back was a
mass of sore, only limited by the sizn
of the back.
J When the cowd .began to lgugh.and
! jeer 'Kiah' for being so badily cheat
1 er, he said, "Oh, I'm not hurt, I can
; cure that sore but he can't cure 'spit-j'fire-'
of his complaints. He's as blind
i as a bat and as deaf as a post." Such
exchanges often took place.1 -
New Year's Day was also the negro
hiring day. Negroes belonging to es
! tates and all others that were to be
hired out for the year were brought to
Warrenton and hired out at public
j auction on New Year's Day. For
j many years, Peter Turnbull was the
auctioneer and the negro to be hired
was required to stand on elevated
places while old man Peter described
his good points, and offered him to
the highest bidder, who in addition to
his bid was required to furnish him
regularly a sufficient quanty of good
food, two suits of clothing and pro
vide, medical attention and medic f e
when necessary. A good hand often
brought one hundred dollars a year,
and sometimes much more. A good
cook, seamstress, or ladies maid
brought high prices, and blacksmiths,
carpenters, and shoe makers were in
great demand. Valuable servants
soon acquired a reputation that pro
duced great rivalry among the bidders.
One would think that under the cir
cumstances, the people to be hired out
would be gloomy, morose and sullen
but as a rule, they were not, many of
them were singing, patting, dancing,
playing the fiddle and . guitar and
banjo. With many it seemed to be a
tiftu for ft n and frolic.
Sometime a shrewd n?.- w..uM
manage, -o as to keep anvone from
hiring him. In my boyhood there
lived in the town where I vvus raised
a free woman of color by the euphon
eous name of "crazy Bet," tor seme
minor offense she was ordered to be
sold for twelve months. When she
appeared on the block, her head was
bandaged so that her face could hard
ly be seen. One of the bidders de
manded that the bandage be removed
when lo! a cap of wheat dough was
found on the top of her head. Some-
une liiuuiieu, Yiitii, aic .y -'-i wearing
that for, Bet?" To which she re
plied, "I has fits every full and change
oh de moon and I wears dis to keep
'em off." Nobody bid and "Crazy
Bet" continued to roam at large a
free woman. Bet was not as much of
a fool as she appered to be. She was
not much of a cook but she was a
good washer, and when the war com
menced, she went with Company E.
1st Regiment into the army as a
washer-woman and died at Yorktown.
Times and customs have changed
but New Year's Day is still regarded
as a new beginning. Everyone should
come into the new year with a clean
balance sheet and go forward through
the whole year shaping his life by the
Golden Rule.
T. J. TAYLOR
DELIGHTFUL DANCE
On Wednesday night, December the
27th, the young men gave their annual
Christmas dance. Music was furnish
ed by an Italian Orchestra. A large
number of spectators enjoyed the mu
sic and looking at the dancers.
Those dancing were: William Bur
roughs with Miss Jennie Jackson; Mr.
Loujack Peoples with Miss Marion
Alston, of Raleigh; Mr. William Bur
well with Miss Mamie Williams; Mr.
Walter Gardner and Miss Mary Har
ris; Mr. Boyd Davis with Miss Anni
bel King, of Louisburg; Mr. Francis
Macon, of Henderson, with Miss An
nie Burwell; Mr. J. B. Boyce with
Miss Mariam Jones; Mr. John D. Ellis
with Miss Laura Burwell; Mr. John
Harris with Miss Lucy Polk; Mr. Har
well Burwell with Miss Byrd Jones;
Mr. William Davis with Miss Hodgie
Williams, of Louisburg; Mr. Walter
Egerton with Miss Elizabeth Tarry, of
Townsville;. Mr. McRobert Booth with
Miss Routh Mercer, of Elm City; Mr.
Hal Macon with Miss Mary Tasker
Polk; Mr. Jack Palmer with Miss
Mary Nicholson, of Littleton; Dr.
Swindell and Miss Julia"" Barrow, of
Louisburg; Mr. Joe Macon with Miss
Mary Garland Allen, of White Plains,
New York; Messrs. Crayton, Stroe
hecker, and Russell and Bernard Mer
edith, and Misses Turnbull, Stroe
hecker and Miss Massey, of Larence
ville, Va; Nathaniel Macon, of Hen
derson with Miss Mary Elsie Thomas;
Mr. George Peoples and Miss Louise
Graham, of Townsville.
Stags Tom Harrison and Sterling
Nicholson, of Littleton; James Roys-
J ter and Will Tarry, of Townsville; Gid
Macon, Keppel Falkener, Cary Price,
and Yvfilliam Day. -
ARCOLA ITEMS
The New Year has arrived! All
together for a better Sunday School,
a better day school, . more painted
houses, better and more livestock,
more and better farm machinery,more
ejrpressions of neighborly kindness
we might say an Ideal Rural Com
munity. Christmas passed quietly. A num
ber of former residents of. this com
Vnjjxdty rpent the Holidays "with "relti-
fives and friends. Among them we
noticed the following: Mr. and Mrs.
Grover Modlin, and children and Miss
Arnie Duke, of Rocky Mount; Miss
Manie Davis, of Virginia; Mrs. Atlas
Hicks and daughter, Miss Bertha, of
Warrenton; Mr. Jimmie Tharrington,
of Rosemary, and Miss Theora Gup
ton, of Rocky Mount; Miss Lula Hun
ter, of Littleton College; Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Radford, of Wood; Mr. Robert
Arrington, of Holister.
Tuesday was spent by the young
and middle-aged in decorating the
church for the marriage on the follow
ing day, which proved to be one of the
most beautiful ever witnessed in Beth
lehem church.
Tuesday night, the 26tli, the people
of the Community gave Miss Harriet
Tharrington bride-elect, a Miscellan
eous Shower at the school building.
Many substantial and useful articles
jwere presented to the bride and
groom.
Much interest was manifested in
i the marriage of Miss Harriet Thar-
rington to Mr. Edward Davis on last
Wednesday afternoon. Rev. R. H.
Broom officiated. Amid hearty con
gratulations and a shower of rice.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis ieft for the home
of Mr. Billie Davis, the groom's fath
er. Tuesday night oysters were served
at the school building for the benefit
of the Orphan which the church here
clothes. About $22 was cleared.
j The Sunday School presented Mr.
' Conn, our faithful Superintendent, a
solid gold ring with a large blood
stone set as a token of their appre
ciation of his earnest and constant
I service in the Sunday School.
1 The Farmers' Union will have a
(meeting Saturday afternoon, January
j 6th. Important business will be trans
' acted and some new members are ex-
pepctea to join at this meeting also.
Mr. and Mrs. Trvin Coleman spent
the Christmas holidays with their rel
atives in ofner parts of the County.
I A iarge number of people attende 1
the sale of Mrs. Linda Arrington's
Friday. Mrs. Arrington has a num
ber of friends here who regret her
leaving this section. Our good wishes
for her in her new home.
Mr. and. Mrs. Linnie Gupton and
little Arrington visited near Ransom's
Bridge Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Claude Coleman visit
ed in Nash County last week. Mrs.
Coleman will remain with her people
for some time.
Very little moving in this section
for 1917.
EGERTOII-ALSTON
The home of Mrs. Laura Daniel was
the scene of a beautiful wedding on
Thursday, December 28th, at 1:30 p.
m., when her cousin, Miss Annie Belle
Alston, daughter " Of Mrs. Pattie D.
Alston of Warren county, was mar
ried to Mr. .Robert Egerton, son of
Mr. Hugh Egerton, of Franklin coun
ty. While no cards were issued, quite"
a number of relatives and friends were
gathered at the appointed hour to
witness the . ceremony, which took
place in the parlors of the home
which had been made strikingly beau
tiful i.T the decorations of green and
white. Just before the ceremony Miss
Jo-ie Da meron, accompanied by the
piano, sang in a very sweet voice,
"For Love's Sweet Sake."
To the ever thrilling Mendelsshon's
wedding march, the bridal party en
tered. First came the maid of honor.
Miss Estelle DaviSj beautifuly gown
ed in white Georgette crepe, carrying
pink carnations, then entering by op
posite doors came the bride dressed
in a handsome blue coat suit, leaning
on the arm of her brother, Mr. Robert
Alston, carrying'.' bride's roses and
fern. They were' met by the groom
and his brother, Mr. Walter Egerton
who acted as best, man, in front of the
improvised-altar,' where the marriage
vows were given, by Rev. R. W. Bai
ley, former pastor of the bride.
Mr. and Mrs ' Egerton left imme
diately for a short wedding trip, after
which, they will be at home in . Peters
burg, Va.j where the groom holds a
prominent position. Their general
popularity, was 'liberally attested by
che large -number of lovely presents
they received.
The Record- joins with a host of
lends in wishing them a happy and
prosperous married lif e.
EMRO'ITEMS '
i
Greetings for "1917 a Happy New
Year to all ! . ; ' '
Mr. W, B. lliiris, of Winston Salem,
spent the, holidays with his parents.
, Mr. Manly jllunter and family are
going to mo?e to Oakville. We re
gret to see 'them go.
Mr. Waltiif Collier and Miss Eileen
I lltfbinson v&iVmarrisd' by Mr, J. B.
Harris recently. We- wish them all
sucess and happiness.
Mr. T. M. Allen, who has spent
some time in the eastern part of the
State, is at home to the delight of
his friends.
Mr. E. A. Harris, of Franklinton,
spent Christmas day with his uncle,
Mr. J. B. Harriss.
Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Harriss had the
pleasure of having all their children
with them during the Christmas holi
days. Misses Blanche and Minnie Harriss
will return to Littleton College Wed
nesday after spending the holidays at
the home of their parents.
Miss Shaw took charge of her school
Wednesday.
Professor Grover Harriss will re
turn to his school duties at Oakville
next Monday.
Mr. T. J. Stallings went to Macon
one day last week on business.
Mr. Reuben Shearin and Miss James
were married last Saturday.
ALPHA.
MURDER AT AFTON
Returning from a Christmas Tree
on last Monday, Biglow Trupe killed
Isham Davis at Mr. Willis Pinnell's
place.
Trupe was arrested promptly by
Deputy John Bell and Chief Police
Hay and lodged in jail here.
Both were young negroes. Trupe
claims that the murder was acciden
tal. The huntsmen enjoyed the sport dur
ing the holidays.
This community was shocked at the
sudden death of Mr. Edgar R. Robert
son on December 17th. He was a
faithful member of the Methodist
church here, and will be missed at tfie
regular church services. We extend
our sympathy to the bereaved.
Mr. and Mrs. Dotsey, of Hollister,
visited in the home of Mr. Richard
Conn Sunday. We are glad Mrs. Conn
is. improving after several days of
suffering. .
Mr. S. R. '"Duke, of Marmaduke, vis
ited his brother . Walter and family
Thursday night.
Little Settle Cooper Davis, daugh
ter of Mr. and -Mrs. Weldon Davis,
has been very ;ill for the past few
days.
The Canning Club, the Poultry Club,
The Corn Club, and the Pig Club will
each have interested members in our
neighborhood for 1917. Good!
FRIENDSHIP
Within the storehouse of our hearts
we place our friends;
And friends are not just those to
whom we say
A blank and cheerless "Howdy-de-do"
whose ... coldness blends
With those who merely pass the
time of day.
The consciousness of love doth weld
a id mold as one
The hearts of those whom friend
ship doth abide;
And joy eternal is the recompense,
and none
Their fullest measures e'er shall be
denied.
4
No mortal counterfeit or sham shall
e'er deceive
No seeming sense of doubt shall e'er
offend,
But on the perfect loom of life each
one shall weave
The warp of brother with the woof
of friend.
And from this cloth shall charity for
each one make '
"The undivided garment" fit and
free;
And man with every eye so clear shall i
in the wake
Of honor, friendship, love find lib
erty. Frank C. Reighter in the Chicago
Sunday Herald.
DELIGHTFUL PARTY
The boys of the "younger set" gave
to the girls of the younger set a de
lightful party at the home of Mr. and
Mrs. C. R. Rodwell Friday evening
December 29th. After various games
had been played, delightful refresh
ments were served consisting of Am
brosia, Nabiscoes, various kinds of
cake and candy daintily served. The
following were present: 11
Douglas Henderson with Miss Janice
Watson; Will Price with Miss Cate
Gardner; Robert Broom with Miss
Sally Davis; John Kerr with Miss
Agnes Henderson; M. Pet. Burwell
wTith Miss Gayile Tarwater; Frank
Hunter with Miss Will Jones; Stags,
Harwell Burwell, Bignall Jones, Earl
Macon and Roger Dowtin. '
MRS. ALICE H. JONES
In the death of Mrs. Alice H. Jones,
many in Petersburg have lost a genial
and loyal friend. She was the widow
of Stephen W. Jones, a captain in the
Confederate army. Although Mrs.
Jones has made her home in New
York City for many years, she has
come to Petersburg sufficiently often
to keep up with her old friends and to
make many new ones among the
younger people of the city.
Her genial wit and humor, and her
persistent youth made her a favorite
with all. She outlived many of her
other friends, but she never lost her
interest in young folks a host of
whom are numbered among her
friends.
Mrs. Jones was born in Petersburg
in 1846. She was taken ill suddenly
on Dec. 23rd at the home of her daugh
ter, Mrs. Wm. Hodges Mann, of New
York. Her sickness developed into
pneumonia and the end came on Wed
nesday, Dec. 28, at 3 p. m.
The funeral services and interment
were at Blandford. The body was
brought down from New York Friday
morning. A large number of friends
met the funeral party at the station
and went out to the cemetery. The
service was conducted by the Re-.
Mr. Williams of the Market Street
M. E. Church, which Mrs. Jones at
tended when she was in Petersburg.
The pall-bearers were: John Arthur
Johnston, Dunn Martin, Mortimer Wil
liams, Edward Spots wood, Dr. M. C.
S. McGill, Tucker Whyte, Alex D.
Hamilton, Wm. Hodges Mann, Jr.
Mrs. Jones is survived by her son,
N. Robert Jones, of Boise, Idaho, and
by two daughters, Mrs. Mary V. Butt
widow of Mr. James Butt, and Mrs.
Wm. Hodges Mann, 2nd.,both of whom
live in New York City.
:je $i
Mrs. Stephen W. Jones was the sister-in-law
of Miss Mary Alice Jones ,
and Mr. William B, Jonesf of this town
and the widow of one of Lee's bravest
and best officers. -
Editor Record.
WATCH NIGHT SERVICES
Inspiring and .well attended Watch
Services were held in the Methodist
and Episcopal churches here Sunday
night.
It is always safe to learn, even from
our enemies seldom safe to venture
to instruct, even our friends.
STARTED HEW YEAR RIGHTl
POPULAR COUPLE MARRY
Miss Alyce Rodwell, the charming
daughter of Judge James R. Rodwell,
was married Monday to Dr. William D.
Rodgers. Jr. The ceremony was per
formed by Rev. T. J. Taylor, D. D. at
the home of the bride with only the
relatives of the two families in at
tendance. Mr. James R. Rodwell, Jr.
of Baltimore, the talented brother of
the bride, was at the piano and ren
dered beautiful wedding music. f
The bride has a charming personali
ty and possesses a host of friends. The
groom is a very prominent young
physician and is a graduate of Wane
Forest and Jefferson Medical Colleges.
Dr. and Mrs. Rodgers left imme
diately on a Seaboard train for New
York and will be at heme in Warren
ton after January 15th.
The Record extends its best wishes
for health, happiness and prosperity
MACON ITEMS
Misses Susie and Katie Shaw, hy.vtv
been at home during the holidays.
Miss Carrie Brame ccompanied by
her friend, Miss Ellis from Cary, has
been visiting her parents, Mr. and
Mrs. A. F. Brame.
Mr. Arthur Brame, a dignified
Senior of Trinity College, has been at
home for several days.
Messrs Lcuis and Bracy Bobbitt
have spent Christmas at the home of
their , f ather, Mr. Fletcher Bobbitt,
and regaled themselves with hunting.
The one is a student at the Univer
sity; the other a druggist at Winston
Mr. Joe White and daughter, Miss
Tessie, have been visiting their rela
tives Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Coleman.
Their home in now in Zebulon.
Mr. Edward Harrirs. of Franklin
ion, was a visitor in the home of Mr.
and Mrs. W. G. Egerton last week. He
also visited his brother Mr. Ben Har
riss at Embro.
Miss Lucy Byers spent a few days
in Richmond last week, and has re
turned accompanied by her sister who
will remain in our midst a? f ew days.
Master Dan Lawrence and his sis--ter,
Miss Rebekah, of Xf,Sanford, are
vlsitlni: their Van, i!5: Ltrcy Them- 1
ton.
Mrs. Sallie Twitty, f Warrenton, is
spending a few days with her niece,.
Mrs. S. S. Reeks.
Mr. Henry B. Hunter, of Afton,
paid a visit to his niece, Mrs. P. M.
Stallings, a few days ago.
Miss Mary Westc passed the holi
days with friends in Morganton, N
C, and reported a pleasant visit.
Mrs. Alice Russell accompanied
Mrs. Rowan to her home in Hamlet
N. C. this week.
Mr. Russell Betts has given up his
position as pharmacist in Raleigh and
will enter the University at the open
ing after the holidays.
A marked improvement has been
seen here during the week just passed,
in the consumption of liquor, over
similar occosions in the past. Ther
quart law is responsible.
Mr. and Mrs. Agelasto returned to
their home in Norfolk last Sunday
after a week's stay at the bungalow.
Mr. Malvern Harris accompanied
by Messrs Lewis and Eugene Harriss
went to Raleigh and Durham in their
automobile during the Christmas,
Mr. William B. Harriss, Jr. of";
Winston, came to see his parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Ben Harriss of Embro last .
week.
Rev. Herbert Scholz went to Ral- -eigh
last Friday to spend a few days -with
friends.
MtCon High School will re-opeuj
Monday the 8th, with a full attend
ance. Miss Lucy Reeks, of the Methodist
Orphanage at Raleigh, spent a few
days here last week with her sisters.
Mr. and Mrs. J. F. J. Milam were
in town last week visiting relatives.
Miss Pauline Newell visited her-
aunt, Miss Lucy Reeks, last weeks
STORM PARTY
A delightful time was had when
Miss Will Jones was stormed by some
j of her friends Monday evening, Jan.
1 st. The storm burst upon her sud
denly, but she was equal to the oc
casion and soon everybody was have
ing a "large" time. Various games
were played, and the time all but flew. ,
Refreshments were served and the
stormers returned to their various
homes thinking of the good time they
had enjoyed.
To look up and not down,
To look forward and not back,.
To look out and not in, and -
To lend a hand. ,
V
i
T7"