Newspapers / The Carolina Indian Voice … / May 26, 1977, edition 1 / Page 7
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Thotsdoy, May 26, 1977 LUMBEES AND THE ROANOKE RIDDLE CMtiaoed from First Page Engll8l» colonists who vanished late in the 16th century from Sir Walter Raleigh’s “Lost Colony’’ on Roanoke Island off the coast of North Carolina. The colonists, including Viiginia Dare, the first English child bom in the New World, disappeared between 1587 and 1590, the years it took (3ov. John White to sail from the colony to yirwland and return. Jwo historians who propound the ‘TM Colony” origin of the Lumbees leach at Pembroke State University here. Addph L. Di^, a Lumbee, and Da- .vid K. Eliades, a Caucasian, are the authors of “The Only Land I Know: A History of the Lumbee Indians,” pub lished in 1875 by the Indian Historian* Press In Sah Francisco, with evidence ibr their argument ;. li»y. write that the “lost colonists” ind talked witl. Gov. White in 1587 about the possibility of moving 50 relies inland and that White was not worried that they had left the island when he returned in 1590. Hie colo- idsU had carved “Croatoan” on a gate wst Croatoan was a.place inhabited bv friendlv Indians, and. the histori ans write, Wwte was confident thal the ceUmists had gone to live with the ’ Hatteras tribe under the Indian leadei* Uanteo. The belief among many Lumbees is ' that the Indians freely accqitedthe '• bokmists as full partners. At a historic Lumbee funeral in ifl66» Qborge Lowrie is reported to lisa said, "We took the ^Ush to Bw with us. There is the white man’s * Hood in these veins as well as that of the Indian. In order to be great like the Skt^h we took the white man’s religion and laws." In 1914, the Federal govemmenl sent qieclal Indian agent 0. M. Mc- Rierson to look into the Lumbee : band. After studying historical rec ords and tailing to county residents, he wrote, "At the coming of the firs* white settlers to what is now knowr as Robeson County (in the early 1700b), there was found located on the banks of the Lumbee River a large tribe of Indians speaking the Qiglish language, tilling the soil. owning slaves, and practicing many ivill2edllfe.” of the arts of civ Travelers in the early 17008 wrote ■ * iboirt “gray-eyed’' or “blue-eyed' Indians wno spoke English and Jived' hkeSkiglishmen. I Special Indian agent McPherson "woduded, “I have no hesitancy in iqvessing the belief that the Indians /erisinal^ settled in Robeson and ad- IjolDlng counties , in North Carolina , lAere an amalgamation of the HaUe- ns Indians with Gov. White’s Lost ijOdmy." Jfiny Lumbees seem noticeably in the appearance of their I a and hair, but l^ans cmne in all .ifideahaw. A dark-haired Caucarian was asked by a Lumbee, irtat is your tribe?” “Xndwha I “Many of us can pass for Cauca sians, and most of us who left that area did, so we could final^ break out of that caste system there, where we were discriminated against,” ex plained Archie Lowery of Los An- E eles, one of many thousands rf umbees who have migrated to achieve economic opportunity. The Lumbees are regarded as Indi ans in North Carolina, and in previous decades have encountered overt dis crimination. In the not-so-distant days of Southern segregation, there were three school systems in Rol^n County—for whites, blacks, anJindi^ ans—three different washrooms and water fountains in the courthouse and three places for the rSces to sit in the movie theaters. There has been a long-standing tradlUon here Uiat Lumbees should marry people of their own race and not "marry white” or marry blacks. | Lumber say that there seem to be other Indian tribes mixed in their heritage, including Cherokees, Tusca- roras and the Eastern Siouan Indians such as the Cheraw and Keyauwee. There are some Indians here who reject the name Lumbee and the Lost Colony theory and say that they are Tuscaroras. There are alM white historians who are skeptical of the theory. *'yqu couldn’t prove that they are descen dants of the Lost Colony. It may be true. II m^ not be. It’s one of those iffy things, said Hugh Lefler, emeri tus professor of history from the Uni versity of North Carolina at Ch^ Hill in a telephone interview. But. historian Dial asked, “If they didn’t come from the Lost Colony, where did they come from?” Another advocate of the Lost Colo ny theory was (Lucasian historian Stqihen R Weeks, who wrote in 1891 of the Indians along the Lumbee, that, “their language is the E^lish of 300 years ago, and their names are in many cases the same as those borne by the original colonists.” There are no “Indian” names among the Lumbees. And Dial con tends that several of the names of the lost colonists have been found among the Lumbees. John Sampson was one of those colonists. Sampson is a com mon name among the Lumbees but. Dial said, is not found among blacks or whites in Robeson County.^ John Brooks was one of those who vanished with the Lcwt Colony. While the name BtooIm is a common English name, almost all the people in Robe son County with the name “Brooks” -are Lumb^, Dial said. Other names of lost colonists which appear among the Lumbees include'Wilkinson, Harris, Jones, Taylor, Scott, Lucas, Woods, and Sutton. Dial said in an interview Uiat the widespread Lumbee name of Chavis might be a corruption of Cheven, a name of a lost colonist, and that the common Lumbee name of Dial mig^ be derived from Dare. Some of the most common Lumb Niahl; 738-5404 Over 11 Years Experience COMPLETE SELECTION OF FABRICS Grover l.ocklear-Owner^ Comptere Furniture ftebuHdIng & Uphobtery ESTIMATES GIVEN 521-4990 ! names are Locklear, Oxendine, Hunt, Lowry, Cummings and Bullard.’ One Robeson County Lumbee said that he always looked in the tele phone book in any city he visited to see if a “Locklear” or “Oxendine” was listed. If there is such a listing, he calls, confident that he has found a brother Lumbee. ProponenU of the Lost Colony theory argue that the Indian-whit* group sought refuge in North Caroli na swamps and that the forbidding nature of the landscape helpM the grcnq) keep its identity. The Lett Colony theory and the Lumbee seem quite well accepted among most of the 82,000-plu8 Indl- fw, whites and. blacks in Robeson County. Thf^ were not always so easy fdt the Indians. “The total (Lumbee) story is one of strMrie to gain accep tance as Indians,'^Dial and Wrote. The relationship between fcdians and whites seems to have been fairly harmonious here until the decades immediately before the OvU W# when restrictive laws were passed against nonwhites in North Carolini Tensions reached a high during the Civil War and the years immediatety following when the “the Lowrie War” wracked this Caroling swampland. Henry Berry LowriS, Urt leader of the outlaw Lowrie Indian Band of this period, has been regard^* ed as a great hero of the Indians here. He disappeared mysteriously in 1872;’ The Lumbees have long disputed the contention of whites and son^ other Indian tribes that they are 4 mixture of black and wlute. ‘While Lumbees acknowledge that there are' some black ancestors in the group, ^ey say that the overwhelming ma jority of Lumbee ancestors were Indi an and white. "^e Indians here bitterly resisted white efforts to treat them like blacks and refused to go to black schools in the 19th century. In 1887, the Indians opened the Croatan Normal School tere. The first graduate of that school. Doctor FuUer Lowry, now 96, still lives near, the school in Pem broke. “We’re a mixture of Lost Colo- ^ and Indian. The Indians and •Whites worked together and churched together through the Revolutionary War until the Civil War. That's when things got bad for us,” Lowry said in an interview.' ;• The Croatan Normal School grew .and, in 1941, was renamed Pembroke ,State College for Indians. For a dozen years afterward it was the only state- supported four-year college for Indi ans in the country. Whites were ad mitted in the mid-1950s after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed segregation. The name of the institution has now been changed to Prembroke State University, and the school now has a Lumbee chancellor, Dr. English E. jones. Of the more than 2,000 students, about two-thirds are white, 20% In dian and the rest are black, Dial said, as he strolled across the spacious pine-studded campus. The college has provided a focal point for Lumbee identity and has helped the tribe produce a large per centage of college graduates com pared to other American Indian tribes. The Lumbee fight to avoid being sent to inferior, segregated schools and to create their own Indian college and schools has given the group an impetus and opportunity thal many other tribes have not had Robeson County is a true-tri-racial area. Citing 1970 census figures, the Rev. Bob Mangum, a Methodist min ister in Lumbertpn, notes that 42% of the county’s inhabitants are white, 30% Indians and 27% black, with In- dans being the most populous group in the under-14 age group. In the last five years there has been a great in crease in the percentage of registered voters among the county’s Indians and blacks, in good part due to the ef forts of the United Methodist Church’s Commission on Religion and • Race. In recent years, Lumbees have started electing their'own people to- county office in force and to the state Legislature. Three of the county’s seven commissioners are now Lum bees. This is one of the few places in the country where there are large enough groups of Indians and blacks living together to act as important political allies. An Indian-Black- Coalition of political leaders operates in Robeson County. One result of the coalition’s effort is the election of the first non-white Democra^- Party chairman in the county’s nistory— Eugene Burns Turner, a biack minis ter from Lumberton. The Lumbee fight over the centu ries to avoid being labeled black, however, has made some Indians wary of too close an association with blacks. Robeson County, center of population for Lumbee Indians. bank, a shopping center and ever- larger Lumbee land holdings. Outside Pembroke the Lumbees have established p larse country club with golf, tennis, a swimming pool and boating.. There are a fair number of well-to- do and middle class Lumbees, but there are still plenty of poor Indians as well. Mangum, citing 1972 state figures, said that 47% of the county’s Indians, 59% of the blacks and 18% of the whites lived below the poverty level. Many well-to-do Lumbees seem to give part of the credit to their success to the fact that they have never had a reservation and never had the federal government around to hold their land or, as one said, “mess us over.” Oscar Sampson, a retired Lumbee teacher, explained. “There’s been a remarkable lifting up of people by their own boot straps here.” “At one time, to be a Lumbee—it was a stigma and it was an enigma,” Archie Lowry said, “but now I’m very proud of our people and the strides thal they’re making. Page 7, The Carolina Indian Voice PEMBROKE VFW POST Third Dirrhday INSTALLS OFFICERS Observed Locklear-lx)wery VFW Post 2843 of Route I, Pembroke, NC on May 10, 1977 held their regular monthly business meeting at the Post Home. The two main items on the agenda were the installation of officers for the coming year and presentation of Special Awards. Democracy of VFW Post 2843 and the 8th District of the VFW, was given special recognition for his outstanding service rendered this past year. ■ In January, 1958, the Lumbees achieved national attention when they came into conflict with the Ku Klux Klan. The klan had burned crosses in the yards of two Lumbee ■families, and scheduled a rally in a field 10 miles east of Pembroke. Both bands were armed and shots were ifired, but no one was seriously in jured. The klan was routed and learned not to interfere with the Lumbees on their home turf. People tend to keep with their own kind here. “In Robeson County we don’t murder across racial lines aiid we don’t seduce across racial lines,” Barton said. In the last 10 years there has been a great increase in^the return.of Lum bee professionals to this Robeson County Lumbee homeland. While there is only one practicing Indian physician here. Dial notes that the number of Lumbees in medical school has risen to a dozen. There are three Lumbee pharmacists in Pembroke and seven lawyers in Robeson Couni-- ty, a county which had no Lumber awyers until the 1970s. There are two Lumbee-owned tex- farfories in Pembroke, a Lumbee Past Post and 8th Commander, Bobby D. Locklear, was installing officer and he was assisted by Comrade Hubert - Oxendine. The following were installed as officers: Commander, Monroe F. Lowry; Sr. Vice-Commander, Jimmy Goins; Jr. Vice-Commander, Homer L. Benton; Quartermaster, William D. Oxendine; Judge Advocate, William L. Hunt; Chaplain, Archie Oxendine; Three-year Trustee, Sam Carter; Two-year Trustee, Lacy Collins; One-year Trustee, Curt L^klear; Adjutant. William C. Chavis; Service Officer, Buddy T. Johnson; Post Historian, Hubert Oxendine; Legislative Officer, James W. Thomas; Hospital Chairman. Josh Locklear; Public Relations, William C. Chavis: Voice of Democracy, Archie Oxendine; Health, Recreation Community Activities. Rudy Locklear; Officer of the Day, Buddy T. Johnson. Comrade Lacy Collins won the National Aide-de-Camp Award by recruiting or signing 50 members or more into the VFW. Comrade Collins was awarded a tie clasp and will receive a National Aide-de-Camp VFW Camp. ■' '• . Special plaques of recognition went to Bobby D. Locklear for services rendered as Post Commander for eight years; to Monroe Lowry for eight years as Quartermaster; and to William C. Chavis for nine years as Post Adjutant. KeMn Roy StrfcMontf Any veteran interested in Joining the VFW may contact any VFW member of Locklear-Lowry Post 2843, Pembroke, or call Monroe Lowry, Post Commander at 521-4169. Kelvin Ray Strickland was honored on his 3rd birthday with a party at his home on May 13, 1977 from 5:00 til 7:00 p.m. Kelvin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Strickland of Route I, Rowland. The following Comrades received the VFW Recruiter Award: l^cy Collins, Lee Ancil Maynor, Buddy T. Johnson, Monroe Lowry, William D. Oxendine, William L. Hunt, and William C. Chavis. Comrades earned this award by recruiting a minimum of 10 new members during the past year. Each Comrade was presented a Bull Dog Tie Tac and an autographed picture of the Commander in Chief R. D. (Bull Dog) Smith. The Ladies Auxiliary of Iwocklear-Lowry VFW Post 2843 of Pembroke elected the following officers for the ensuing year President, Daisy Demery; Sr. Vice-president, Clara M. Chavis; Jr. president, Lela Brooks Locklear; Chaplain, Katie Collins; Patriotic Instructor, Annie R. Chavis; Secretary, Sally Brooks; Treasurer, Rose Moore; Guard, Pearlie Oxendine; three-year trustee, Lillian Chavis; two year trustee, Connie Lowry; one year trustee Annie R. Locklear. The theme for the party was “The Circus Parade For Kids.” The picnic area was colorfully decorated with the theme decor. A menu consisting of hot dogs, potato chips, a circus parade party cake, drink and ice cream were served. to the following guests: Terry, Gerry, Perry Brayboy, Brian Stewart, Doreen Bullard, Enez Rogers, Raymond Oxendine, Hope. Tye and Kip Hunt and Jermie Locklear. The Life Member Recruiter Program Awards went to the following Comrades: William L. Hunt, William D. Oxendine. and Lacy Collins. Also, each received a Distinguish Ornate Life Member L^pel Button. The Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW has had a very successful year. They have participated in many projects, such as Cancer. Aid and Research. They visited the Veterans Hospital, gave aid to the bum center, aid to veterans and their dependents, also Buddy Poppy Sales and many other community activities. The honoree received many birthday gifts which he enjoyed. His favorite gift was a “Take Apart Tool Set.” Kelvin is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Silas Strickland and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Jones of Rt, I, Kowland. N. C. THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICX 521-2626 To certify for this award a life member of the VFW must recruit and sign 10 new life members for the VFW between July ,1. •■1976.'- and June 30'. , 1977. Anyone seeking information concerning the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW should contact Daisy Demery of Pembroke at 521-4388. theouhhjna naMANTQKZ Comrade Archie Oxendine, Chairman of the Voice of 521-2626 BKHES: SEHICES HlCllllff YOUR "UP-TO-THE-MINUTE" GUIDE TO BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE I ♦ I I I ♦ ♦ a. TUSCARORA INDIAN HANDCRAFT SHOP •Turquoise •Leather Goods •Bead Work Tuscarora Craftsmen 2 Miles Northeast Of Maxton CfllTIFIHI I VIOLA’S GRILL TTraveling in Detroit C ♦ ♦ Union Chapel Road Pembroke, N.C. 521-9345 -Coll DOWNRIVER THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE 521-2826 ’Annie Lois Vest T)orothy Godwin^ I iocksmith:„,,3 , Kevs Made Ranairpri T THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE 521-2826 MOORE'S CHAIN SAW SERVICE "We Service Whot We Sell" (Pro.spect School) ror the latest hair styles! THAT CURL UEAUTY SALON THURSDAY NI5HT IS MEN'S NIGHTI Phone 521 -9942 Located on Highway 7I0 521-9527 come .SCI. Gladys Maynor and Doris Droyboy JEFF'S PROFESSIONAL CARWASH We wash it sparkling clean! MUmuil minimi ' Union Chajiel Road-Peinbrokc Moynor's Exxon And Cucumber Market For. First Closs Sfivice 'Grocery •Oil aOas •Notions Home Cooked Meals... 0 vegetobles, Meat, tea S2.00 Specialing in Pit Cooked Bar-B-Que Short Order Sandwiches Telephone 383-3666 3800 Fort Street Lincolr Park, Mich. 48146 LOWRY'S COUNTRY STORE Now Selling Seed At Wholesale Price! •Complete line of seed and All Kinds of Feed •Grocery •Hardware and Notions Joe Lowry. Proprietor CAU521-4026 IvOcated on Red Banks Road I.es’s Than A Mile East Of Prospect High School BLUE'S PIT COOKED BAR D Q Open 6 am-11 pm For Carpentry. Masonry And All Kinds of Repair Work Additions Monday through Saturday Nights CALL 521-4720 EARL C. JACOBS t ♦ % 1 I McC3iRd‘'s CABiriET Shop •Mantels •Cabinets •Bookcases •Picture Frames FEATURING FRAMES FOR PICTURES •Needlepoint and Diplomas Pembroke. N.C. 521-9353 Located ot Intersection of Hwys. 74 and 710 R AND H WRECKER SERVICE ■ *24 Hour Soi vice Call 521-2737 or 521-3578 Pembroke, N.C. Harvey Revels and Roy Hunr, Owners HUNT'S REPAIR I *««« I • JIMMY RAY HUNT. SERVING THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE 521-2826 ANN'S BRIDAL & FORMAL SHOP West 3rd St., Pembroke 521-9822 EXCLUSIVE SERVICES: Invitations, Bridal Gowns. All /- Types of Wedding Stationary, fk Bridal Veils, Bridesmaids Y Dresses, Mother’s Dresses,' ■ Rental Formais for Meik-Crystal .Rental Service and Wedding Decorations. RUDY'S RESTAURANT Good Home Cooking Open 5 a.m.-6 p.m. Spedollzing In breakfast every morning. (GrHs, Two Eggs, Sausage, BiscuHs) S1.25 FEATURING... LJhicken and Pastrv on Tuesday and Saturday* ^ Wcanesday f I .spagnetti and Meatballs Dinner 51.00 4 ! t Ihicken anu nice on Thursday, only ^ i.i THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE NEWSPAPER AND PRINT SHOP 521-2S26 Classified Ads Rate $1.50'first 25 words 5 cents each odditionol word MR. BUSINESSMAN: THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE CENTRAL AUTO SALES (Across from Pembroke Texaco, Pembroke get the lob done t Deals in Town 521 -402
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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May 26, 1977, edition 1
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