Newspapers / The Pilot (Southern Pines, … / Sept. 24, 1964, edition 1 / Page 12
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Page TWELVE THE PILOT—Southern Pines, North Carolina THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24,1964 LOCAL LEADER HONORED FOR BIRTHDAY Richardson, Others Recall Past At last week’s First Baptist Church supper and program hon oring Sam B. Richardson—in con nection with his 84th birthday which falls today (Thursday), two old friends—Vf. L. Baker of Southern iPines and J. Talbot Johnson of Aberdeen—remin isced about Sandhills business and other ventures ranging back to half a century and more ago. A partial report of the program appeared in last week’s Pilot. Active Buildler Mr. Baker, a close friend for 34 years, summarized the life story of “Mr. Sam,’’ a native of Jefferson, Maine, who moved to Southern Pines as a young man in 1906, and became a busy and active builder of the town. He had various business interests through the years, was one of the first growers of Sandhills peaches and made probably his greatest contribution to the community’s development as organizer and promoter of the Knollwood sub division, in partnership with J. Talbot Johnson of Aberdeen. Through their activity, both the Mid Pines and Pine Needles re sort hotels (the latter now St. Joseph’s Hospital) were con structed in the 1920’s and an area of fine homes built up. Mr. Baker recalled that Mr. Richardson served on the town board and school board, was mayor for seven years, was a charter member of both the Ki- wanis and Lions Clubs, and serv ed in every office of the Baptist Church from janitor (without pay) on up to Sunday School su perintendent. Trusted Adviser “He has been a trusted adviser and counselor in this church for more than 50 years and his life can best be summarized in four words, ‘a spokesman for God’, ’’ Mr. Baker concluded. Mr. Johnson, an attorney and member of the Bethesda Presby terian Church, reminisced con cerning those early years, when fortune alternately frowned and smiled on two young men seek ing their fortunes in the Sand hills. He summoned up a picture of the two gaily riding the trolley to Pinehurst and back, dashing figures admired by all the girls. (Editor’s Note: A local historian tells us that this trolley line went out of operation the year before Mr. Sam came to Southern Pines —but, as Mr. Sam said himself, this week, “One of the advantages of being so old is that there’s no body around to dispute what you say.’’) While Sam “lost his shirt” in Sandhills peaches, Mr. Johnson gave hiin credit for great vision and enterprise in the develop ment of the Knollwood section, which greatly expanded the town, spread its fame and brought many fine people and families here. Though the de pression later wiped out their personal investments in this pro ject, the course had been set for the best sort of resort communi ty. Mr. Johnson summarized, “Nothing finer has come into rny life by way of friendship than my association with Sam. He is honest to a fault, on* of the Sandhills'’ best-loved ■ men and one of God’s chosen gentlemen.” One Advantage “Mr. Sam,” responding, de clined to take all the credit that was handed him about Knoll wood—“We were in that togeth er”—and noted that, after nearly member of the United Church of Christ”—sat beside him. Also an honored guest was Mrs. Talbot Johnson, with her husband. “Mr. Sam’s” son George, of Waterloo Iowa, died in June of this year. His daughters are Mrs. Emily Simmons of Jefferson, Maine; Mrs. William Wonderly of Mexico City, Mexico, and Mrs. Raymond Johnson of Ashburn, Ga. KEEP UP WITH LATE VALUES IN PILOT ADS * Clarendon Gardens Charlotte — Linden Road. Plnehurat, N. C. — Fayetteville Landscape Design & Planting — Nursery Sales — Tree Moving — Tree Care See Our Catalogue You Will Find In Our “Horticulture Center” Rhododendrons Many Rare And Usual Plants. '* Camellias Azaleas Hollies Many Other Evergreens Stop By And Visit Our Sales Area & Gardens GROW WITH TOWN— S. B. Richardson, in this photo made several years ago, examines a pine tree which is one of several he planted along Bennett St. about 50 years ago. The tree has grown since then—and “Mr. Sam,” still spry, is marking his 84th birthday today (Thursday). 60 busy years, “retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” It has one big advantage—“Ifls. won derful to wake up in the morning and know you don’t have to get up.” Expressing appreciation for the birthday observance, he said so many changes had taken place, “when I go to the post office ex cept for Whiskey McNeill and Glen Rounds I hardly recognize anybody any more, and even in the church, I don’t know half the people. But we all have our pride —^we want so much to be re membered. So I thank you.” He recalled that when he came to Southern Pines, there were just four churches here, the Bap tist, then at the corner of Page and Connecticut: the Episcopal, at Page and New Hampshire; the Catholic and Congregational Churches. Small and Poor “Our church was very small and poor, made up practically en tirely of old folks. Each time a new church opened up it took some of our members. I remem ber when they built the Presby terian church, it almost cleaned us out. “We became a training ground for young ministers on their way to larger churches. We have had fine men, who built up the church while the rest of us had a lot of errands to run. That is the way I look on anything I have done—errands I could run for the church. “When I brought my new bride here, she started immediately teaching Sunday School; our son and three daughters, as they came along, came to Sunday School and were baptized here; in this church my four teen-agers looked for the last time on their mother; my three daughters were married here; my second wife and I were married here. When the time comes, not too soon, I hope, I want my services held right upstairs. But,” he re minded his hearers, with a laugh, “I’m not dead yet.” His wife, who, he reminded his audience, “isn’t a heathen just because she doesn’t come to church with me—she’s the oldest SPECIAL (WHILE THEY LAST) Full SO Ft Garden Hose Closing Out Below Cost S-yr. guarantee ^ Big 7/lS bore ^ Heavy duty solid brass couplings ^ Double ply for extra strength ^ Unconditional 8-year guarantee $1.19 CRAIG $3.00 Value DRUG CO. ABERDEEN. N. C. (Pilot photo) e BUILDING ? + BUYING ? Current Dividend Rata ^oAjrs. LOW INTEREST — CONVENIENT TERMS NO DISCOUNT FEES Southern Pines Savings & Loan Assn 205 S. E. Broad Street Tel. 695-6222 V. Buick ’65 Buick i J ■■ak We changed the Buick a lot this year. And you may never be the same again yourself. We doubt you’ll want to be the same. Not once you set eyes on our new Buicks. On the Buick Special and the Skylark.The LeSabre, Electra 225, Riviera. And on the sleek, modified fastback of the wild, wilder. Wildcat in the picture. True, there’s a new high-style touch. But that’s hardly all. Engineering still has the emphasis. It’s a Buick tradition. So are the extras Buick spends a little extra on. Like finned brake drums that do a little better. And smoother drivelines. A tuned suspension to smooth ribcage roads. Now add Buick’s Super Turbine transmissions-and you have an idea of what Buick owners have always liked about Buick. We think you’ll feel the sanies rn Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick SEE YOUR LOCAL AUTHORIZED BUICK DEALER. AUTHORIZED BUICK DEALER IN THIS AREA:. MARTIN MOTOR CO. 201 West South Street Aberdeen, N. C. License No. 2486 I I
The Pilot (Southern Pines, N.C.)
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Sept. 24, 1964, edition 1
12
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