VOL. XI., NO. 26
"REMINISCENCES." ,
Biographical and Historical Sketch
by Dr. P. S. Hicks, Treating of
Local Persons and Scenes.
He gave me Bill Hicks and Stan
Stancil;. He also gave me six horses
and pointed me to a pile of gear to fit
them out with. Pretty soon we were
hitched up and the bugle sounded,
"drivers mount" and we drove off.
Tom was allowed to go with me and
ride on the forge, but after a few miles
he fell off and hurt himself so the cap
tain sent him back home to Tarboro.
We will hear from him again later on.
That evening after leaving Richmond
there came a terrible thunder storm,
wind and rain were so terrific that we
had to stop in the road until it was
•over. Of course we got soaking wet
but no time to change clothes in war
where business is brisk. That night
we camped in the water, I soon got
used to that if I didn't like it. The
next day we got to Gordensville and
went in camp near there for about two
days. The pickets were
near there. Jackson w~., in command
of about 2000 men at that time, he ad
vanced on the pickets, they fell back to
Cedar Run to their main army where
they took a stand for a fight. On the
way there from Gordensville I could
see bee hives that had been robbed,
hogs killed and the hams cut off and
the balance of the hog lying on the
ground and other outrages committed.
My company had orders to halt in
the edge of a large opening. Pretty
soon we heard firing ahead of us about
a mile and a half off. It lasted about
two or three hours, wounded men were
coming and being brought to the rear.
I cannot well describe the battle. It
ended in Jackson's capturing about 800
prisoners by flanking them and killing
about 75 or 100. A little before sunset
Capt. Latham was ordered to the front.
The enemy had fallen back in a piece
of woods as we were advancing and had
&u'v to about wh'oro the t.vtA had .iiiaci
been fought, the main fight had been
in an open field. We were going up
the road by the side of the field, I was
close up behind the artillery with my
forge when General Branch came riding
by and asked me where I was going
and whose forge I had. I told him it
was Captain Latham's and that I was
keeping up with the company. "Has
Latham got no more sense than that,"
he said, ".drive right out there in that
field." I could have gotten orders that
would have pleased me more for 1
wanted to drive in some other direction
About that time I drove in the field
battle ground) there were moans
and groans all around us, our men and
the yankees. It was then getting dark
except what light the moon gave which
was but little. I shall never forget
that night, but I would rather been
there than to have kept on shooting the
yankees with my forge. Of course I
did not think 1 would have to shoot the
forge at them but I -did think I would
have to heat the balls that were to be
shot at them, for I had enough of
"shootinghot shot at the enemy."
We didn't unhitch our horses from
t£e fcrge all night. Our battery
boomed the woods that wereoccupied
by the enemy, two or three hours the
first part of the night then all wa.%
quiet nntil day. After all wa3 still. I
walked around over the battle field. It
is a distressing sight to be on a field
at night there has been a battle
fought that day, when the dead and
wounded have not been moved and you
not able to help them. I gave several
of the wounded water, I remember
giving a wounded yankee some water,
his comrade was dying by his side. He
told me that his friend had a good
watch and for me to take it, if I didn't
some one else would, but I told him I
had no use tor a watch then and did
not know that I ever would. That bat
tie was fought on Saturday; Sunday
we buried the dead and sent the
wounded back. At dark there were
nundreds of small fires built every
where. I thought all of the Confederate
army had come there, but no —it was
to make the yankees think so by having
BO many camp fires. I thought our
next move would be to advance on the
yankees but after dark we were
ordered to harness up and were off in
double quick time. By that time I had
learned that place for the forge was at
the rear of the battery, and that It was
lucky for me that I had got that posi
tion as it turned out to be what we
called a bomb-proof. Yes I had rather
been a forge driver than a general in
the army. The yankees that night
were reinforced to 40,000 strong and
intended to attack Jackson in front and
in the rear next morning and to have
bagged his whole army, but we by mid
night had fallen back 15 or 20 miles.
9ke iH.6eH.il Mount £%eee^
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY BY THE ROCKY MOUNT PUBLISHING COMPANY.
The next morning the enemy attacked
Jaekson as they thought, in his front
and rear, and had advanced so near to
each other that they had begun firing
thinking that they were the rebels they
were shooting, but no Jackson was
there, every rebel was gone, and not a
trace of there where-abouts known to
them. We went in camp near Orange
Court House for about a week, and for
the balance of that vear it was rebels
and yankees chasing each other up and
down over hitls and valleys of Va. I
am not able to give names of places
and dates but will give a few incidents
of what occurred now and then.
After my officers found out who I
was (that I was Prof. Hicks, the great
Southern Magician and ' Ventriloquist)
I was permmitted special privileges, so
occasionally I would give a concert or
show. On one occasion I gave a show
near Cordenville and as we had not
been paid off in some time money was
scarce, but cabbage plentiful and in de
mand, so I took cabbage as currency.
One good size cabbage would admit one
man in the show, a small size one would
admit a child according to age etc. It
was a success. I took in one night
PTwnsrh cabbage to start a store so far
us caboage were concerned. A while
after that I gave a show in the town
of Gordensville that will be long re
membered. I hired a large room over
a store that was intended to be used as
a hall but had never been finished. I
rigged it up the best I could and got
out my hand bills. The commander of
that part gave me a special guard to
aid me in keeping order. Well, the
hour arrived, the doors were opened
and the people poured in, both citizens
and soldiers, including some ladies,
until the house was completely packed,
so much that the ladies retired before
the performance i>egan. The soldiers
had climbed up there and were packed
up on every joist as close as possible.
The hall was lighted with candles put
up in blocks nailed up around the hall.
About the time I was ready to begin
showing I think the greater part of
Cooks brigade came and crowded in as
fofcg Us ons touki and slanJmg ro&m.'
I had a program of my tricks etc., and
the last thing was a trick I called
"Raising the Devil." Right here I
will give that trick away as it is a good
one. Take a heaping table spoon-full
of fine salt, mix with it half a cup of
alcohol or strong brandy or whiskey.
Mix it well together, put in a dish, set
on a small table, and be sure not to
have a table cloth on the table or any
thing else as it might get burned. Let
the crowd get around the table (and
remember if there is any one in the
room who does not want to be frightened
they had better leave the room,) put
all the lights out then light a straw and
put in the mixture, stir it while burn
ing, then look at each other and it will
do the rest.
(To be continued.)
What was one of the boldest bank
robberies ever committed in the State
took place at Granite Falls, a small
town near Hickory, N. C. Saturday
evening at 6 o'clock when three masked
men held up at the point of guns Cash
ier W. G. Whisuant and robbed the
bank of $2,700. They then locked the
cashier up in the vault of the safe,
where he stayed until next morning,
being 15 hours in the vault. Whis-.
nant's people became alarmed when he
failed to show up at breakfast Sunday
morning and organized a searching
party, who heard him in the vault try
ing to givejthe alarm, he having survived
through the night by reason of a small
ventilation in the vault. The robbers
made eood their escape after the rob
bery and there is no trace of them so
far. The bank was capitalized at only
SIO,OOO but burglar insurance to the
amount of $5,0C0 will cover loss.
Rocky Mount is to be visited this l
(Thursday) evening by Miss Davies,
Cor. Sec. of the young people's depart
ment of the W. F. Mis. Society, wh>
will deliver an address in the Methoiis
church in the interest of the wo-i*.
Every one who comes will be delighted
with the gifted and consecrated worker.
No collection. The second treat will be
on Tuesday, Bp. m. March 3rd when
Miss Mabel Head, of Washington, N.
C. will address our people on the work
of the Woman's Home Mission Society.
Make a date for that also.
One home built each month for the
past six years is the record of Rocky
Mount Homestead and Loan Association
Subscribe to the 12th series of stock
due and payable February Ist, 1908.
R. L. Huffines, i-ecretary & Treasurer.
Cashier Locked in Vault.
Two Treat?.
ROCKY MOUNT, N. C., I'HJJRSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1908.
HAPPENINGS IN POLICE COURT.
Comedy and Tragedy of a Week as
Enacted In Calamity Hall Before
Mayor Thorp.
He was from Sampson county and
the fact stuck out all over him when he
appeared before the mayor's court
Thursday morning to answer to the
charge of being drunk. Geo. Mat
tl* ews, that was his name, said it was
his first time out from home and his
unsophisticated innocence verified
every word of it. With a capital of
sls on his inside pocket George for
swore the plow handles and gathering
of hig blues some two months ago and
after taking a long farewell of his
folks and his favorite coon dog he left
the comfortable home where life seemed
too monotonous, to go out into the
hard, cold world to do or die. His
former advent in this city, when George
was on the outward bound voyage, is
also recorded on the police blotter of
this city, for the same reason that his
name was again there last week. After
leaving this part he went to Roanoke
Rapids and not finding the "long green"
hanging from the trees as he believed
he would when he started out to make
his fortune, he took counsel of himself
and like the prodigal son decided to
arise and return to his father's house,
wherej the hig blue 3 flourish
and the plow handles awaited him.
George had found the world large and
full of delusions. All of which he ex
plained to his honor Thursday morning
when he was at the bi r on the charge
of drunkenness. "Your honor, sir,
please let me off this time, and let me
return to my father's home. I will
promise you I will stay there here
after. I have traveled enough and
have seen enough of the world." The
special pleading of the prisoner touched
the compassionate heart of Mayor
Thorp and George was allowed to go
home with the promise that he would
send to the city $5 fine for the trouble he
had put the officers to. Aftej shaking
the "hands of ixia^oTarid^o7n!e r otii&.
and expressing the hope that he would
meet them all in heaven, George passed
out of the court room and perhaps out
of the life of Rocky Mount forever.
Back to the plow handles and the hig
blues for him, his action plainly said.
Other cases disposed of at Thursday's
session were, Peyton Williams, colored,
for nuisance, $5; Jim Stricklin, colored,
SSO for his part in a fight S. T.
Shirley, and the latter $5; Jim Todd,
drunk, $lO.
Friday morning Mayor Thorp bound
over under $l5O bond to Nash court to
answer to the charge of burglary, Mat
thews Davis, colored. The office of
Mr. H. C. Farmer, who runs a wood
and cbal yard, was broken into and a
small safe taken out and battered up in
an attempt to break it open. The rob
ber failed to get the safe open. Sus
picion rested on Davis and he was ar
rested and tried before Judge Thorp,
who found probable cause and bound
him over to higher court.
The "morally stunted" have been
behaving better for the past few days
and.thite namber of derelicts hauled up
before the court has been small. Mon
day only one, a white man from Middle
sex, appeared before his honor, for
being drunk when he alighted from the
trsiin Sunday, and he was fined $5.00.
Tuesday there was nothing doing and
Wednesday John Devine, colored,
for drunk and down was fined $7.50.
D. B. Brinkley and Howard Bryant,
two young white fellows, were charged
with haying a row in a pool room, but
the case was continued on account of
one of the defendant's absence for
witnesses.
Mr. T. K. Druner Dead.
Secretary Thomas K. Bruner, of the
North Carolina department of agricul
ture, died in Raleigh Sunday morning
after an illness extending from last
September immediately upon his return
froTi Europe, where he had been in the
interest of immigration to this State.
He was 52 years old and was born in
Salisbury. Mr. Bfun- r was one of the
best known men in the State and one
of North Carolina's most valuable citi
zens. For 21 years he held the position
of secretary of the department of ag
riculture and labored always to exploit
his Sjtate's advantages to the world,
especially at expositions where he was
in charge of North Carolina's exhibits.
* The best investment ever desired for
small savings is a well managed Local
Building and Loan Association. The
Rocky Mount Homestead and Loan As
sociation has stood the test of -time.
Six years of successfdl operation with
out the loss of one dollar is our record.
Call on R. L. Hnffines, Secretary and
Treasurer for full information.
HOLD ANNUAL MEETING.
Stockholders and Directors of Under
writers Fire Insorance Co., of
Rocky Mount In Annual Session.
Tuesday afternoon in the company's
I office in this city the annual meeting 6f
the stockholders and directors of the
Ljfcderwriters Fire Insurace Company
of Rocky Mount was held and besides
other bnsiness of importance transacted
officers were elected for another year,
old officers were reelected without
exception. There was a large attend-
the meeting, 402 out of 515
shares being represented in person, and
the reports of the officers on the past
year's business were very gratifying
indeed. These were commended highly
fo3*tr»ie conservative methods employed
to bi ild up a strong home insurance
company.
I A dividendpf 6 percent was declared
and the surplus account was increased
30 per cent. The report of Secretary
and General Manager W. S. Wilkinson
showed an increase in income for the
past year of 40 per cent; premiums in
.creuse, 30 per cent; surplus increase,
30per cent.; loans increase, 19 per
cent.; insurance reserve increase, 60
per cent., total assets increase, 11 per
•cent.; increase in amount of business,
*25 per cent., all of which shows a
heafthy growth "for this young home
company, an enterprize that Is doing
so jnuch towards Jhe upbuilding of
Rocky Mount.
The Underwriters Fire Insurance Co.
of Rocky Mount is a home institution,
of and for North Carolina people ex
clusively and does not seek business
outside the State. The officer?, direc
tors and stockholders are leading busi
nessmen of this section, who are in
terred in its development and know
the value to a community of such an
institution. Thousands of dollars in
premiums are brought here annually
an?' invested, instead of being sent
away from the State to enrich other
nderwriters is an in
vVhli.ii Olil ClwiiVxi'i
proui and it is indeed gratifying to
knov that it is prospering so well
under its present efficient management.
Among the prominent business men
from out of the city in attendance on
the stockholders meeting were, Mr.
Geo. Hackney, of Hackney Buggy Co.,
Wilson; Mr. W. L. Banks, Wilson; Mr.
W. T. Braswell, president of the Bank
of Whitakers, of Whitakers; Mr. S. C.
Bellamy, president of the Farmers &
Commercial Bank of Enfield; Mr. W. J.
Webb, president of the Pinetops Bank
ing Co.. of Pinetops; Mr. Jones Mayo,
of Tarboro* Mr. J, M. Sherrod, of
Whitakers; Mr. M. C. Braswell and
Dr. H. B. Marriott, of Battleboro.
Following are the officers and di
rectors:
Officers:—M. R. Braswell, president;
T. J. Hackney, vice president; J. C.
Braswell, treasurer; W. S. Wilkinson,
secretary.
Directors: —W. L. Sherrod, Dr. J. C.
Braswell, j. B. Philips, H. B. Bryan,
M. C. Braswell, Geo. B. Curtis, R. S.
Wells, S. C. Bellamy, J. M. Sherrod,
S. F. Austin, W. J. Webb, W. T. Bras
well, Dr. J. P. Wimberley, W. D.
Hackney* Dr. R- H. Speight, W. L.
Banks, Dr. W. P. Mercer, F. C. Fer
guson, E. L. Daughtridge, Dr. G. L.
Wimberley, T. J. Hackney, J. C. Bras
well Dr. H. B. Marriott, Frank Shield,
J. D. Bulluck, G. S. Edwards D. J.
Rose, Dr. M. R. Braswell.
The money stringency has apparently
subsided and the Rocky Mount Home
stead and Loan Association has emerged
from the period of depression with a
feeling of pride that loans have been
granted and all stock surrenders have
been paid on demand without discount.
The 12th series of stock will be open
for subscription February Ist, 1908.
Call on R. L. Huffines, Secretary and
Treasurer.
A. C. L Enter Raleigh?
The following from the Raleigh Cor
respondent of The Charlotte Observer
is of much interest to people in Rocky
Mount, inasmuch as it will, if accom
plished, give a direct route to the capi
tal city from this city:
Over twenty years ago the Atlantic
Coast Line made a survey for what
was known as the Spring Hope branch
to Raleigh, but work stopped at Spring
Hope, a mass of material being stored
there ready for the extension. Some
sort of an agreement was made by the
big railways, including the Southern
and the Seaboard A.ir Line, that the
road should not be extended to Raleigh
but that there should be a sort of divis
ion of territory, but this agreement has
n>w lapsed by limitation and has also
in a general way, withdrawn or
#
ended, and now it seems that the
Spring Hope branch is coming on to
Raleigh. A lumber company is now
making the survey for it. There is
splendid timber along the route, the
distance being not quite twenty-five
miles, and there is also some very fine
land. It is understood that the road
will be a standard one and will handle
passenger travel, etc , and very natur
ally the Atlantic Coast Line will be
interested in it. Raleigh will be an
important point for this road, and the
rivalry between this road and the Nor
folk & Southern, which is now so
marked in the eastern part of the State,
naturally makes the Coast Line more
desirous to get into Raleigh. When
the union passenger station was built
here, space was left for the Atlantic
Coast Line to have its tracks and this
space yet remains. It was felt by the
authorities that some day the Coast
Line would come in, and it now seems
probable.
The Fiddlers' Convention.
The fiddlers* convention in this city
Friday and Saturday nights was not a
financial success but to lovers of the
old time tunes it was a most enjoyable
affair. The weather interfered to a
great extent, both in the attendance
of fiddlers and audience, but when the
curtain rose on Friday nightlthere were
20 musicians playing the "Mississippi
Sawyer" for dear life, and the audience
greeted the opening with vociferous
applause. Twenty-five dollars in prizes
was given away each night, but we
failed to learn all the prize winners,
hence are unable to give a list of them.
Such tunes as make one hark back
to the old times were played by the
contestants with a zest, and it was
music that set the blood atingling and
in many instances the feet amoving.
AH of tfce players did well, but it, was
when Mr. W. C. Hill, venerable with
white hair and a soul filled with music,
played "Twinkle, twinkle little star"
that the audience went of their feet.
There be masters of the violin, but to
s±v zfs KT''"
Paganini's master pieces will never ap
peal the simple melodies rendered
by a roaster of the fiddle. Long live
the fidrfje!
There was banjo picking, guitar
music and dancing, all of which was
good, and it is to be
the weather prevented a large crowd
from attending the fiddlers-convention.
—= -
Assistance For Mrs. W. D. Shaw.
PromptecLby $ generous heart and
the urgent needs of the F. S.
Gardner circulated among
a subscription to. raise money .to assist
Mrs. W. D. Shaw, who was -shot two
weeks dgo, for which her bus Mud is in
jail pending trial in the suserioK court.
Mrs. Shaw's case is a most pitiable
one, as she is confiried to h§} bed from
the woftnds and' with two children to
take care of nq nipney. The citi
zens whpm Mr. Gardner saw contri
buted s26.2sand some other things- for
which Mrs. Shaw expresses her grati
tude in the following card:
To whom it may concern: ft wl&fftb
thank $ people of Rocky Mount, who
have contributed so liberally toward
helping me in this hour* of distress .
- .'Respectfully
* ■•■■ ■ Mrs\ W. D; Shaw.
Cffil Service Examination.
The Spring competitive examinations
under the rules of the U. S. civil service
commission will be held at Goldsboro
for this district and will embrace a
varied list of positions in Uncle Sam's
service, in the states, department and
in our insular possessions. Any one de
siring to take the examination for any
branch of the service can get applica
tion forms and all information needed by
applying to Mr. R. L. Ray, at the
Rocky Mount postoffice, Who is secre
tary of the local civil service board.
A Notable Auto Race.
Six automobiles started on a race from
New York to Paris Wednesday. They
will go via San Francisco, thence to
Alaska and after being transported
across Behring strait will travel
through Siberia and into Europe. The
trip is expected to take from six to
nine months.
Sevety-five families in Rocky Mount
are now owning their own homes, who
would otherwise be paying rent but for
assistance afforded by Rocky Mount
Homestead and Loan Association. The
12th series of stock will be due and pay
able on and after February Ist. 1908.
Call on R. L. Huffines, Secretary and
Treasurer for full information.
PRICE 5 CENTS
ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE REORGANIZED.
Temperance Forces Prepare For The
Campaign For State Prohibition
By Perfecting Organization.
The local temperance forces organ
ized Tuesday night in the First Metho
dist Church for th 3 campaign for State
prohibition by reviving the Rocky Mount
An ti-Saloon League, and will co-operate
with the leagues of Nash and Edge
combe counties during the struggle
which will last until May 26th, the day
for the vote on this momentous ques
tion. The occasion was the celebration
of memorial exercises to Francis E.
Willard under the auspices of the W. CL
T. U. of Rocky Mount.
Owing to the train on which State
Organterß. L. Davis, of the Anti-
Saloon League, not reaching here in
time he was not at the meeting to
speak, as advertised. Rev. S. W.
Taylor, of the Protestant Methodist
church, read a paper on the life and
work of Francis Willard and there were
some other exercises, after which Dr.
Morton, who was president of the old
Anti-Saloon League announced the
purpose to reorganize the leag >3 to
carry the work through in the campaign
for State prohibition. A list of well
known temperance workers was read
out, who are to act as an executive
committee of the league and the minis
ters of the city are to act with these in
all matters. Mr. J. H. Westbrook
was elected temporary chairman of the
committee and Mr. W. L. Groom vice
president. The committee, whose
names are given below, are to meet
Friday night and effect a permanent
organization.
The meeting was well! attended and
was marked by deep earnestness an the
part of all taking a part in it A num
ber of new names were added to the
roll "of members of the Anti-Saloon
League, The Rocky Mount league will
cooperate with similar leagues in every
township iin Nash and Edgecombe
counties, and wage unrelenting war
| xt»its UpOli acniiOiitt t;\ is Ul
1 the election May 26th.
.■ A CALL TO THE COMMITTEE.
The following; gentlemen, named as
members of a working committee of
the Anti-Saloon League, will please
meet me at the Presbyterian Church on
Friday night, the 21st, at 7:45 for per
manent organization and other work:
,S, K. Fountain, Benj. Weatherford,
L. F> Tillery, Murtloek McCrea, K. G.
Ba«ret** E» W. Shearin, G. L. Parker,
J. Q. Robinson, Thos. C. Rowland, J.
D. Christian, C. W. Coghill, H. M.
Avent, J. P. Bulluck, F. C. Furgeson,
Jno. Moore, V. Pet way, W. V. Boyle,
E. W. Smith, E. H. Crews, E.
Daughtridge, C. L. Gay, W. C. Miller,
W. L. Groom, James Fox, J. C. Ar-
J. W. Hines, J. H. Cuthreß,
'W. H. Spears, T. C. Gorham, G.
Smith, J. 1; : Crayton, J'. F. Kersey,
Jacob Battle',.Sr., J. P. Daughtry. T.
T. Thorne.
J. H. Westbrook,
Temporary Chairman.
WHITAKERS ITEMS.
Mr. John W. Blount, the genial and
versatile editor of "The Mirrow," who
had been sick for several days spent
Saturday and Sunday here the guest of
W. C. Taylor.
. Mr. B. A. Brooks, of Nashville was
in town Sunday. *-> -
Mr. T. S. Coffin, of Wilson, was here
Sunday. )
Sam Cobb, who went to Raleigh last
Monday, has returned home. He sajs
things are pretty lively over "prohibi
tion."
Messrs. Joe Dickens and Telfer
Ricks went to Rocky Mount, Sunday.
There seems to be some trouble brew
ing in the republican camp of the sec
ond congressional district. W. W.
Watson, Secretary of the excutive
committee, is being urged to call a
convention to elect delegates to the
Chicago convention. Watson is a bust
ler and a leader with his party and will
make things pretty lively in the ranks
of his party. He is in communication
with die chairman of the republican
committee. And there is likely to be
two conventions and two sets of dele
gates to the Chicago convention.
"Rolyat." -
Are you a stockholder in a home build
ing and loan association? If you are
not, come and let me convince you that
stock in Rocky Mount Homestead and
Loan Association will pay you a better
rate of interest on your small
than any investment you can make..
The 12th series of stock will be open
for subscription February Ist, 1908 i B.
L. Huffines, Secretary and Treasurer.
.-fee