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^{ittjnglywe honor our Pioneer Fathers
by
I
Brace
Barton j
SIM OXENDINEt
A LUMBEE TREASURE
Pembroke is fortunate to
have Simeon Oxendine in her
ranks, and the Lumbee people
rightly consider him a trea
sure. He has been in the
forefront of every progressive
movement affecting Lumbee
people over the last forty
years or so. A successful
businessman, Sim has also
been a civic leader of some
note. Fireman, politician, one
of the leaders who routed the
Ku Klux Klan in 1958, he has
never backed down from a
fight. Now 65, the fires still
burn bright in his breast. He
is well known for simply
helping people on a one on
one basis.
But Sim Oxendine is pro
bably best known for his war
exploits and his activities
within Pembroke's fabled Ve
terans of Foreign V^ar Me
morial Post #2843. Sim rode
on the first bombing mission
over Berlin in World War II.
His plane was hit on that most
memorable of his many mis
sions as engineer-gunner, but
he escaped with only frost
bite.
His plane was part of the
303rd Bomb Group, and he
ended his military career with
a Distinguished Flying Cross
and an Air Medal with three
Oak Leaf Clusters among his
many honors.
After the War, Sim return
ed home and on October 9,
1944 he joined with O'Quinn
Brooks, Samuel V. Chavis,
Albert Hammond, Lonnie W.
Jacobs, Harrison Jones, John
W. Jones, Miles Jones, Ben
son Locklear, Riley Locklear,
Burleigh Lowry, James R.
Lowry, John R. Lowry, Arber
Oxendine, Charlie L. Oxen
dine, Herbert G. Oxendine,
and Alford Y. Jones as charter
members of Locklear-Lowry
I S '#? i JMBuif
VFW Post #2843. Only Sim
OxefdiM and Artecr Oxen
dine remain active in the post.
The post, located on Union
Chapel Road, is also home to
a very active and concerned
# DAV Post #47.
Noted for the comradery of
its veteran members, VFW
Post #2843 is named Locklear
Lowry Memorial Post in honor
of Winslow Locklear of Pros
pect, the first Indian from
Robeson County killed in
World War I, and Wade
Lowry of Pembroke, the
first Indian from this area
killed in World War II.
The post meets monthly,
and the present Post Com
mander is Harold Hunt. There
are more than three hundred
members, and the post is
known far and wide for the
honors it has earned.
Sim was visible again Sa
turday as the annual Veterans
Day Parade was held in
downtown Pembroke. Sim has
been co-Chairman or chair
man of the parade for many
years. He is always some
where along the parade route,
making sure the floats and
beauty queens, ROTC units,
veterans and sundry parade
entries move along at a brisk
and orderly pace.
Sim has served in just about
every capacity of leadership at
Locklear-Lowry VFW Post,
including stints as post com
mander. He has also served
as 8th District Commander
and has attended the National
VFW Convention as a dele
gate from this area.
It's always assuring to see
Sim Oxendine along the pa
rade route of the Veteran's
Day Parade in Pembroke, and
this year was no exception.
Here, he is shown (right)
conferring with Walter Jack
son, Band Director at West
Robeson Senior High School,
one of the many entries taking
part.
We depend on men like Sim
Oxendine to see that our
country is secure in the time
of war, and veterans are
national treasures and should
never be forgotten in times of
peace.
Youth's
body
found
A house fire claimed the life
of a 17-year-old West Robe
son student on Tuesday. The
fire was reportedly caused by
a gasoline explosion caused
when it came in contict with a
kerosun heater.
Deceased is Lanford Lock
lear, of Route 1, Pembroke.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs.
Sanford Locklear, Jr. His
grandfather is the Rev. San
ford Locklear of the Mt. Airy
Community.
The body is at Locklear and
Son Funeral Home and fune
ral arrangements were in
complete at press time.
Jack Dempsey fought only
138 minutes as world
champion. During that
time he made $2,137,000?
or $15,000 per minute.
The Greek national an
them has 158 verses.
Letters
Reader suggests Signs
Saying where PSU is ? ??
Dear sir:
I have a few comments oto
why no one knows where
Pembroke State University is.
That is the reason Paul Givens
(Chancellor) gives for wanting
to change the name to the
University of North Carolina
at Pembroke.
The reason PSU's location
is known ij| so few people is
evident. All one has to do is
circle around the community
surrounding PSU and watch
for signs pointing to the town.
Pembroke reminds me of
riding in South Carolina. No
reflection on the great State of
South Carolina, but if one
doesn't know where he's
going in that state, he cer
tainly will not find the place.
If you are driving in this
county, for example, before
turning off Highway 301 onto
Highway 711 there is a big
sign that reads: Red Springs
and Parkton. Red Springs is
15 miles away from Pem
broke. With a university so
near and that such a well
traveled roUte, there should
oe a sign indicating one'* I
entrance into the direction of I
Pembroke State University- I
Also, if one is leaving
Maxton there should be a sign
indicating Pembroke or the
University. I have found signs
pointing to Maxton when I
was as far as twenty miles
from Maxton; but one has to
come within onje mile of
Pembroke before he can fold a
sign that indicates where PSU
is. The exception is the sign
on Interstate 95 entering
Route 72. It took legislative
action to have that one
erected. It seems like the PSU
Board of Trustees would do
the university, not to mention
Pembroke, a great favor by
trying to get some signs up
where people will know where
it's at. This would be far more
productive than changing the
name.
The old theory is still true.
If one doesn't know where one
is, one certainly cannot tell
one where to go.
James D. Dial
Pembroke
Prospect Class of '64
Plans Class Reunion
Dear Graduate of Prospect
High:
Twenty years have come
and gone since we took that
memorable walk to receive
those longed for diplomas
from Prospect High School. It
is in remembrance of this
event that we are planning a
class reunion for the Class of
1964. The event will be held
December 28, 1984 at the Red
Carpet Inn, Lumberton, North
Carolina, beginning at 7:30
p.m. The cost for the dinner
gathering will be S35 per
couple or $20 per single.
We are planning an excit
ing night. Won't you make
every effort to join us for a
night of reminiscing, fellow
ship and renewing of old and
previous acquaintances?
As you already know, the
Prospect Community is the
most unique area in our
county. There is much his
tory, culture and pride ex
hibited there. Many memo
ries are there, although the
school is no longer a high
school. It is our hope that
many of the teachers and the
principal who was there dur
ing our tenure will be able to
attend. This is the most
opportune time to say thank
you to those members of the
faculty and staff who made a
lasting impression on your
life.
Please plan to attend. We
would like to have the entire
class in attendance. Make
checks or money orders pay
able to Prospect Gass Re
union and mail to: John R.
Bray boy, Route 1, Box 423,
Pembroke, N.C.
I am really looking for
ward to seeing you there.
Sincerely Yours
John R. [Bender] Brayboy
n '
if'/* A
yy STZtg^J?:i?%SZ
l^ANTiNG *
AVAVING with 5m|^
" ' ' 1
THANK GOD! IT AINT TUESDAY!
. Well, folk. The votes from Tuesday's
election have been tallied. The voters of otir
fair land have made known their choices of
who they wish to represent tbem-or, at least
the ones who voted did. The ones who failed
to see die wisdom in going out to vote need to
keep their griping, moaning, groaning and
complaining down to a dull roar. Afterall,
abstaining from voting is actually a vote in
favor of whoever goes into office. So, if you
didn't vote, there's no need to bellyache.
Take your medicine like a big boy or girl. No
matter how bitter the pill may be to swallow
later on.
PRESIDENT REAGAN STILL A HALF-WAY
DECENT ACTOR
I wasn't all that surprised that Reagan
handed Mondale such a thrashing. Afterall,
the Democrats turned me off and turned my
stomach by seemingly embracing every
faction or group from homosexuals to hobos.
Indeed, the Democrats didn't have a whole
lot to offer. It's small wonder so many
Democrats voted a straight Republican ticket.
Too, ol' Reagan was a half-way decent
actor in his hey day and... needless to say...
still is today. Heck! He's had four years to
study his latest role of President. So, it's
small wonder that he always seems to say and
do just the right things. The truth of the
matter is that the whole world's a stage, for
him. And, no doubt, his main passion in life is
to put on the performance of his lifetime. I
just hope he doesn't go out with a bang,
signaling World War m.
But, Mondale didn't help matters much by
coming out and promising to raise our taxes if
we voted for him. That was pretty stupid,
son. You ought to have been smart enough to
not make a big issue of raising taxes until you
went into office, like ol' Reagan. No doubt,
Reagan will raise our taxes. But, he'll
probably sneak it by us or find something to
blame it on. I wonder if of Mondale was
naive enough to think there's a place in
politics for honesty? You ought to have known
better, son.
And Mondale even had the gall to make a
big issue about something to the effect that
God shouldn't be in politics. You reap what
you sow, son. Evidently, God decided that
Mondale shouldn't be in politics.
Oh, yea! Any sane-thinking fella knows
there are two issues that are taboo if you're
running for public office. One is promising to
raise folks' taxes. The other is attacking
religion. Mondale was naive enough to try
and milk votes out of both those sacred cows.
And he ended up with clabbered milk.
GIVENS IS A PAIN
"When in Rome do as the Romans do."
Evidently, Chancellor Givens of Pembroke
State University takes that saying to heart. It
didn't take him long to' join in with the
countless others who have been persecuting
and crucifying Indians of this area for
centuries. Givens is responsible for the
campaign underway at PSU to change die
name to the University of North Carolina at
Pembroke.
In fact, Givens reminds me of the Roman
soldier who pierced Jesus' side long ago with
his spear to hasten his death on the cross.
You see, the Indian blood at PSU, which
began as an alt-Indian school, has been
steadily dripping, like sands in an hour glass,
from the gaping wound inflicted upon Indian
pride and heritage for years now. Indeed,
since whites began meddling in Indian affairs
almost immediately afer Indians began the
all-Indian school in 1887 by using good ol'
mother wit and "INJUN-nuity." The all-Indi
an school was a sore point of contention for
white folk back then. Now, they have
managed to turn the cards. What began as a
sore has turned out to be an ugly, gaping, 1
festering wound to Indian pride and heritage.
So, you see, it doesn't surprise me in the
least that Chancellor Givens wants to be the
one to make that final thrust with his spear,
the final thrust that will open up that gaping
would to our heritage again and start it
bleeding profusely. He seems intent upon
continuing to gouge and irritate the wound
until the last drop of Indian blood disappears
forever from the campus of Pembroke State
University. I
Well, man. I ask you, for God's-and my
children's-sake! Leave the name alone. Quit
gouging us. Quit aggravating us. Quit
irritating us. Quit tampering with something
as sacred as a people's heritage. Put away
your spear Gladiator Givens. Would it be so
terribly out of character for you to do the right
thing simply because it is the right thing to , >
do? The right thing, my friend, in this
instance, is to leave the name alone.
No matter the outcome of your name
change fiasco, Gladiator Givens, I feel no ill
will toward you or others who think as you do.
Indeed, my prayer for you is: "God, forgive
him. For he knows not what he does."
Or does he?
We'll talk later, folk.
The Name-changers f
Are Back
Ho, Hum!
by Lew Barton
Knight of Mark Twain
Alumnus of PSU & UNC-CH
"What's in a name?"
asked Shakespeare. "A rose
by any other name would
smell as sweet!"
And so would an onion by
any other name smell just as
oniony!
Still there is a move afoot to
change the name of Pembroke
State University, "now a
branch of the consolidated
University of North Caroli
na," to "The University of
North Carolina at Pembroke."
Ho, hum!
What for?
What good would that do?
Will it make the bigots any
less prejudiced against the
Indians who established the
Robeson institution which
continued to thrive and grow
while every "White" insti
tution in the same area fal
tered. died and is now all but
forgotten?
1 think not. The fact that
the Jews were--and still
are-.the chosen people of God
made other people no less
prejudiced against them. In
deed, ironical as that is. the
fact of who and what they
were seems to have intensifi
ed the ignorance and pre
judice and hatred against
them.
Do you think Hitler would
have been less inclined to
wipe them all off the face of
the earth if only they had
changed their name to
"something more palatable"?
Of course not! Even the
vow of the Almighty to "bless
them that bless thee and
curse them that curse thee,
a promise God has never
failed to keep, had little or no
effect upon Hitler. The burn
ing passion of his life w*s 1?
eradicate the Jews, and he did
so by the million.
You say, that was stupid of
him. It was. But it took a long
time for his stupidity to catch
up with him. In the meantime,
God's favored people suffered
and died.
I see the name-change
movement at PSU as one
more move to disassociate the
now White university with its
Indian past
That, too, is stupid. Shall
the thing created ask of the
craftsman who created it,
"Why hast thou made me
thus?"
The thing created ought to
be grateful for its existence to
whomever created it, and by
whatever means.
Why should we, the Indians
of Robeson, be interested in
adding to the already awe
some power and prestige of
the consolidated University of
North Carolina hierarchy,
which is the only rational
reason for such a change?
Get out of my face with your
gnats, man! Your motivation
smells to high heaven!
Is there no longer any room
for individuality in this God
blessed land of the free? Let
the community institutions
retain whatever little bit of
originality they have left!
Like the late Dr. George R.
Swann of Pembroke State
College, I detest gigantic
conglomerations. For as he
used to say, "They have
neither tails to kick nor souls
to damn. And though they
have the power to do great
harm to a great many people,
you can't throw them in jail."
No, let the name alone. It's
about the only part of the
University the Indians have
left.
You took the "for Indians"
out of the institution's name
long ago. Why are you still
dissatisfied?
I'll tell you why! Your real
and ultimate goal is to rid
yourself of all Indian students
and all faculty members who
are Indian.
As for Blacks, you've never
admitted any, to any appre
ciable degree, from the very
beginning. You've never
really had any "Black prob
lem." Only an "Indian prob
lem."
I've news for you!
You've still got an "Indian
problem." if that's what you
wish to call us. And we aren't
going to go away, just be
cause you change the name of
the institution we chartered.
We've been in North Caro
lina for mora than 10.000
years. I am told. And we sure
don't plan to go anywhere.
4 'I would
Still
feel my
Heritage"
1 read the different com
ments in last week's paper
and it really made me start
thinking. I feel I am about as
Indian as anyone who claims
the name Lumbee. After
having played in Strike at the
Wind for seven years and
owning Lmnbee Indian Arts
and Crafts, I think I can speak
with a little knowledge of our
people.
At one time, I felt we
(Indians) would lose some
thing if the name was chang
ed. Then, I was fortunate
enough to start work with this
fine University in the Insti
tutional Advancement Office
(the fund raising depart
ment). Until that time I had no
idea how little Pembroke
State University was known. I
call different foundations and
corporations and the first
thing they want to know is
"Are you a private school?"
"Where are you located?"
Well, whenever people are
trying to keep the University's
doors open, these questions
could be answered in the
introduction of the caller.
"Hello, 1 am , from the
University of North Carolina
at Pembroke."
1 would still like for some
one to explain how we would
be losing our heritage by the
name change I It does not say
one thing about "Lumbee" or
"Indian" at this time. Are we
so insecure about our roots
that we are grasping at
straws?
I feel improving the Uni
versity should be all our
goals. But some of our minds
haven't opened to that point
yet. I am proud to have the
school in Pembroke and I
don't feel threatened in the
least.
I am saying the name
change to the University of
North Carolina at Pembroke
would open more doors for
this school and keeping the
doors open "I thought" is the
whole idea.
I have also noticed some of
the people who are doing the
laudoal talking, did not even
feel PSU lis the place their
own children should attend.
Does that make sense to you?
a
Wagram Prisoner ,
Registers Complaint '7
against Sheriff, etc.
Mr. Barton,
I'm writing regarding an
article being printed regar
ding the brutal treatment I
suffered during die arrest of
August 27, 1983 and actions
resulting therefrom.
I've been a resident of
Robeson County for a number
of years, residing in Red
Springs, North Carolina.
Sheriff Hubert Stone, Officers
Ben Smith, James Edwards,
Jerry Parker and several other
Robeson County officers came
to my residence on August 27,
1983 in pretense of investiga
ting an alleged assault report,
but faded to identify themsel
ves as officers, instead began
discharging firearms into
my home, which at the time
was occupied by my grandson
of seven and myself.
After being shot, my home
riddled and officers finally
identifyng themselves, I sur
rendered to officials. My
hands were then cuffed be
hind my back & I was brutally
beaten with b|itts of guns
until relatives and neighbors
complained. 1 was then taken
to Southeastern General Hos
pital where it was determined
that 1 had suffered gunshot
wounds of the left hand with
nerve injury and flex or
tendon injury to the little and
nng fingers, blunt trauma to
the abdomen, right and upper
area and tenderness of the
liver. Three bruises in the
uPPer mi<lepig?strium and
the right upper guadrant with
bruises in the skin. Photos
were made and submitted to
the Federal Bureau of Inves
tigation to investigate the
matter. I was then tried,
convicted and imprisoned
with a term of six years for
assualt upon officers. Since
that time I have brought civil
action against Sheriff Hubert
Stone. Officers Ben Smith.
James Edwards. Jerry Par
ker. the City of Red Springs
and the County of Robeson.
The defendants now claim
that there was only the
necessary amount of force to
arrest me, but disputed such
injuries until medical records
reflected treatment.
The defendants contend
that no such photos were
within FBI flies when letters
dated August 9, 1984 and
August 15, 1984 reflect such
copies being released to me as
exhibits for my complaint.
Defendants hired four attor
neys, including Mr. Rufus
Edmisten of the N.C. Dept. of
Justice. The basic issues are
based clearly on Constitution
al deprivations.
1. The right to be secure in
person and property.
2. Excessive Force adminis
tered as a result of personal
prejudice.
3. Officers failure to inform
me of Miranda Rights and
arrest without showing of
cause to initiallly be at my
home- no records reflect the
alleged reported assault.
4. Endangering the life of my
grandson and other possible
occupants of my house with-'
out lawful authorization.
5. The City of Red Springs
and County of Robeson are
cited as defendants due to
elections and employing in
competent members to serve
the populaion of Robeson
County. The people of
Robeson County are respon
sible for the person chosen to
hold public servant office
throughout Robeson County.
I submit this letter in hopes
of making the citizens of
Robeson County aware of
official actions so that thef
may more closely view people
elected to such official posi
tions. I'm sure the many
parents and grandparents
share my concern for the
children as well as simply
being unjustifiably taken ad
vantage of by the people we
as voters appoint to these
offices. Any family could be
next. It was me this time,
might me you next.
A Battered and
Concerned Citizen
. Sincerely Yours.
Early B. Loddear
>r. Shtowood Hinaon. Jr.
LUMBERTON
go CHIROPRACTIC CENTER
4904 Fay?tt?vill? Rd.
S3 IN SALEM SQUARE
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Noah Young ran a mile in
t minutes 30 seconds car
rying a ISO pound man on
his back. Young weighed .
198 pounds. He made the Jfl
run on April 12. 1915, at
Melbourne. Australia
m
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