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VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1 25$ \?i %% ^<g> joj THURSDAY. MAI
ROBESON PEOPLE SUFFER
GREAT LOSS OR
MINORITY LEADER
by Barbara Brayboy-Locldear
Kobe son County lost a giant of a person on Tuesday
afternoon when minority rights activist John Langford Godwin
died in Southeastern General Hospital in Lumberton. He died
of complications resulting from injuries received in a March 10
automobile accident.
Godwin, 72, a Lumbee Indian and a Pembroke resident, was
one of the founders of Concerned Citizens for Better
Government, a tri-racial coalition formed in December 1986,
after the November shooting of a Lumbee Indian by
Robeson County Sheriff s Deputy Kevin Stone, son of Sheriff
Hubert Stone. Godwin served as chairman of the group until
December 1987. He said the organization was founded to
dispel the belief that: "It's always been like that. There's
nothing you can do about it. There's something you can do
about any situation."
His work with the group helped earn for him in 1987 a Nancy
Susan Reynolds Award for service. The award is given
annually by the Z.Smith Reynolds Foundation to three North
Carolinians who have worked without recognition on behalf of
others.
"Mr. Godwin wanted justice for all people. He felt that
justice consists in taking from no man what is his. He lived
many years in a very short period of lime. And he's going to
live on and right on with our race of people, " Lumbee Wilson
Chavia said on Wednesday. "Some people were critical of
Godwin and his work for social justice, but having seen the
achievements of his efforts...Its going to mean a lot to our
people," he added.
Godwin organized an Easter Monday protest March in 1987
to help publicize a coalition which he said represented eight
diffemt organizations and thousands of citizens.
Hie Rev. Jerry Lowry, pastor of Sandy Plains Methodist
Church, said of Godwin: "He acted as an instrument of peace
and equality in the county. He was a bridge builder, and he
viewed people as people and dealt with principles. His
actions in fighting social injustice in the county were wise and
timely."
Godwin, a long time advocate for unity among minorities in
the county understood that the function of wisdom was
discriminating between good and evil. And that wisdom
often times comes through suffering.
Connee Brayboy, editor of the Carolina Indian Voice, said
Godwin was ahead of his time for his race of people simply
because the county is so far behind.
"Or it could be said, he was on time. It's just the county
isn't on time in addressing its social issues and injustices, she
said from her newspaper office in Pembroke.
"We as a people should learn something from Mr.
Godwin's life. We should learn that we must take a stand for
what's right no matter who turns against us."
Brayboy, a close personal friend of Godwin, said his work
for social justice and equality will be carried on by his people.
"He said the merger vote March 8 gave people the courage to
recognize the need for social change in the county."
Godwin, the son of the late John Henry and Kitty Godwin of
Pembroke, was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude
Godwin. He is survived by three sons: Reginald Vance of Ft
Lauderdale, Fla.; Robert Glenn of Miami, Fla.; and Dale
Anthony of Wakulla; one daughter, Minnie Barbara Godwin of
Pembroke; one brother, Rudolph Godwin of Orlando, Fla.; one
sister, Stella Godwin Oxendine of Pembroke; eight
grandchildren. Godwin resided with a granddaughter, Jonette
Godwin.
A "Song Fest" funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, 3
p.m. in First Baptist Church, Pembroke. Burial will be in
Revels FamOy Cemetery, Union Chapel Road, Pembroke.
The family wll receive visitors at Locklear and Son Funeral
Heme FHda> night 7-9 p.m. ? . ??
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO...
Charles David McNell
Charles David McNeil displays one of his prized antique guns.
by Barbara Brayboy-LocUear
Special to The Carolina hdian Voice
There are among all three races of people in Robeson
County who say Charles David McNeil is a walking miracle.
Hie life of the 66-year-old Scot-Irishman epitomizes the claim.
By all the reckoning of electrical experts, the Lumberton
resident should be dead. In November, 1959, 110.000 volts of
electricity passed through his body. Yet, the Robeson native,
who owns an automobile repair and wrecker company, lives to
tell the story about the day he got that big charge.
He was working under contract to demolish a theater near
Lumberton. Hie building had been built under a main line of a
power company. With his big boom cnme, McNeil was tearing'
down steel beams. Suddenly, one of them tilted toward the
high-voltage lines. He tried to drop the beam, but its weight
carried it to the line.
"There was a loud explosion," he recalls. " My body lighted
up like a fireworks display." He says it was as if the whole sky
was afire, and in the middle of the fire he could see the face of
Jesus. The six-foot one-inch, 290 pounds man lost
consciousness. He remembers saying, 'Tm dead. Tm dead!"
When the tremendous voltage hit him, it burned the heels of
his feet and etched their imprints in the concrete floor. After a
64-day stay in a Wilmington hospital and medical care from a
personal friend/ physician, he returned home for an
eight-month convalescence.
"To this day, they haven't figured out why I wasn't
electrocuted. I guess the good Lord had other work for me to
do," he aays. Philosophically, he points out that he isn't the
man today that he was. Even so. he's still quite a man.
: This man's attitude towards his fellowtnan is said to be a
miracle. He has aknack for getting along well with Macks,
Indians and whites in the county. He gives Ms parents, the
late Elmer S. and Leita McGuill McNeil, credit for instilling in
him the value of respecting people of all races.
'Tve always treated my fellowman like I'd like to be
treated," he comments. He says his father who was a
Lumberton merchant, contractor and boarding house owner
and operator, always got along with everyone. He remembers
a time years ago when he was a young boy, he called an
elderly black man a name which degraded the man's race. "I
still remember the severe beating my daddy gave me over the
incident," he adds.
He, too, tells of the time Rhoda Lowrie, accused of selling
whiskey, was jailed in Robeson County. It was after the
mysterious disappearance of her husband, Henry Berry
Lowrie, and she had just been released from jail in Lumberton.
"She walked over to my daddy's meat market on Fourth
Street and asked if he would help her in getting a meal and a
way back to Pembroke," McNeil says. His father bought her
the meal and walked with her to a nearby delivery stable
where she was given a horse and buggy for her return home.
"From that day until the day Rhoda died, my daddy was one of
her favorite people."
The history of the Lowrie era fascinates McNeil, who admiti
to having a curious mind. When he was a young boy growing
up in the county, he visited his grandmother often to listen to a
neighbor, Amanda Nash, tell of tales of Lowrie and his gang.
When young McNeil wasn't in school or listening to Lowrie
tales, he was boxing-using young neighbors as opponents. He
did it for sport and competition. "I loved to box,' he laughs.
He became so good at the sport that at the age of 16, he
became heavy weight Golden Glove champion of the
southeastern U.S. He fought from 1934 until he went into the
U.S. Navy in 1942. He then fought in military boxing meets for
three years. And how did he do in that competition? "I won
there, too," he chuckles. He served overseas in South Pacitk
for 26 months.He says he once tin up with a long time Indian
friend, J.W. Thomas while on overseas duty. "And we had old
home week."
He is endowed with community spirit and has strong
feelings about those who don't return service to their
community. "1 don't have much to do with people who aren't
willing to contribute to their community."
He is a longtime volunteer fireman and Is a staunch
supporter of civic group activities. This past winter on
Saturday mornings, he could be found at woods sites sawing
wood with fellow KJwanians to give to needy families. He
never ssks for monetary rewards in helping those in need. And
his modesty lends little room for glory or aeeolades either. "I
always like to help my feUowman if J can." he says.
His expertise in roasting mullets is recognised throughout
the southeast. Fbr forty years, he's fed hundreds on fish he
prepares "Indian style" on hot oak sods. Even he claims,
"It's the mostrdelicious fish in the world."
Occasionally McNeil steals away soaae time to engage in a
favorite hobby of game hunting oa a 1,900-sera camp in
Bladen County. A lover of nature, he admits he'd rather feed
the ducks, deer and bean than hunt them. During a recent
anowstorm, he delivered t^> truck loads at com to the camp's
wild animals. He collects antiques, guns Included. He is quid
to say he has soma prised firearms in his collection. "I don't
keep them at boms, though," he mote quickly states.
And wbsn time allows, his ever curious mind Ions MeNsO to
the bosh shsfoss whish Una the house he built on a 100 acre
tract of land off 1-96. The pages oa American history consume
him. He la especially intonated in American Indian history
and call Voll off passed down tales of the Lowrie Gang.
Listeners become spellbound at them. The tales am of
personal interest to McNeil In that his aunt Nancy McNeil was
married to Robeson County Sheriff. Reuben King who died
k from the hand of a Lowrie Gang member.
It could be the mason God spared the life of McNeil 28 years
ago was so as he could carry on with a life in human service to
other*. And Just that, the easy-going "Bear" has dona... And
done well.
|
OXEN DIME BACK Tol
DIRECT SATW
^ *
DAVID OXENDINE
Director
David Oxendine formerly of Pembroke now living in New
York City will return after a two?year absence to direct
Randolph Umberger's STRIKE AT THE WIND! Ihis summer.
David is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Grady G. Oxendine of
Pembroke. He graduated from Pembroke Senior High in 1978.
He graduated from Catawba College in 1982 with BA in
Theatre. After graduation he toured the U.S. for a year with a
national touring company performing in 38 states. He
returned to Pembroke and SATW! in 1983 as Assistant
Director and playing the role of Boss Strong. In 1984 & '85 he
directed SATW! During that tiem also he arranged for himself
and local people to be involved with the NC 400 Minutes a
series a commericals for UNC Public TV, and the American
Playhouse Production of Roanoak in which he acted as well as
being the Indian Extras Casting Director.
In 1986 Daivd went to New York City to study at the
American Academy of Dramatic Arts where the likes of Robert
Redford, Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall and many others have
studied. David graduated in April 1987 and since has worked
in several commericals and many voices in New York.
David is married to the former Be than n Souza of Lumberton
who is an educator and dancer in New York.
David urges alUhrough a telephone interview to audition for
SATW! which wul be held March 26 and 27 at the Riverside
Country Club three miles West of Pembroke. All who are
interested can call for more information at the SATW! offices
at 521-2480.
AUDITIONS
STRIKE AT THE WIND
March 27 & 27, 1988
12:00NOON- 8:00P.M.
ADOLPH DIAL
AMPHITHEATRE
AIL ACTING PARTS A VAJLABLE
Trial Lawyers Endorse
Dr. Ado lph L . Dial
Raleigh-Dr. Adolph L Dial has received the endorsement of
the political action committee of the North Carolina Academy
of Trial Lawyers for the North Carolina State House of
Representatives. Raleigh lawyer James Fuller, PAC chair,
said, " There was no limtmus test for the statewide selection of
our candidate." He added, "All endorsements were based on
candidates' records and their platforms."
The trial lawyers' PAC was formed in 1976 to support
candidates who would help preserve citizens' rights, including
the jury system, according to Fuller. It operates independently
of the Academy of Trial Lawyers, with a separate board of
trustees and officers. He added, "Our primary concern is the
election of someone with a history of supporting the rights of
> working men and women often represented by trial lawyers
and a fair jury system in which everyone has the same chance
to achieve justice."
Kobeson Three Defense
Fundraising Activities
Hie Robeson Three Defense Fund is planning several fund
raising activities to raise funds for the defense of Eddie
Hatcher and Timothy Jacobs.
The Robeson Justice Committee and The Robeson Three
Defense Fund are sharing offices at the Gathering Pace in
Pembroke (next to Johnson Shoe Shop). Shirts, caps and
bumper stickers are on sale at the office.
A hot dog sale is planned for Saturday, March 26, in the
Pembroke Park beginning at 11:00 am.
On April 8,1988 beginning at 11:00 am Barbecue and chicken
plates will be on sale at the Prospect Head Start Center. Pates
w01 sell for $3.50.
Tickets are available for $1.00 for a drawing on a beautiful
home-made quilt Tickets may be purchased Monday thru
Friday 8:80-5:00 pm at the Gathering Pace. The drawing will
be held April 25th at the office.
v Supporters of Hatcher and Jacobs meet every Monday night
at 7:80 at^ the Gathering Race in Pembroke.
For further information call 621-0488 or stop by the
Gathering Pace.
??S&lUJiHiaU
Over seven# years ago, 700.00
people from across the nation gathered together in
Washington, D.C. to humble themselves, repent of their sins, ?
and seek God's face to heal our land.
The next Washington for Jesus" prayer is planned on the
mail on April 29, 1988.
It is conservatively estimated that over one million Christians
will be coming in the greatest congregation of people this
nation has ever known, to pray.
TENTH ANNUAL ST. PA ULS POUt FESTIVAL PLANNED
Do you crochet, knit, crave, paint, grow vegetables, bake
cakes? If so, you should be part of this year's Saint Pauls Folk
Festival on Saturday. May 14th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year's event will be the Tenth Annual Celebration of
the Heritage and Culture of the Area, with music, dancing,
food, arts and crafts.
There will be almost continuous stage shows, featuring
singing, instrumental music, and clogging. Festival organiz
ers invite anyone who wants to sell their wares to do so.
"Anything that is home-made or home-grown can be sold.
There is no charge for the exhibition space, and no
pre-registration is necessary. All you have to do is
bring your own card table or whatever to display your wares."
Some of the things people could sell are pottery,
woodcarving, leather crafts, knit goods, hand-made jewelry,
crocheting, macrame. string arts, cross stitch, needlepoint,
decoupage, cloth flowers, latch hook, home-made' stuffed
animals and dolls, home made clothing, weaving baskets,
quilts, original paintings, prints, etchings, photographs and
sculptures.
Also, home cooked and canned goods, baked goods,
pickles, jelly, canned fruits and vegetables, honey, home
grown vegetables, fruits, house plants, and herbs.
Does that leave you out? Festival planners say, "Surprise
us." Anything that is home-made or home-grown is welcome.
We don't want to turn it into a yard sale, so don't bring yard
sale junk keep it home made and home grown. It'll be a place
for people to show their work and make a little cash there's no
admission charge, no entry fee, no red tape Just folks getting
together.
The festival will be held on the grounds of the Saint Pauls
Middle School, and is sponsored by Saint Pauls City Schools
and the N.C. Arts Council. For more information call Tommy
R Belch at (919 ) 865 4288 or 865 4070.
Miss Lumbee Pageant 1988
The Miss Luntbee Pageant Committee is now acrevthig
applications for the 1988 Miss lumber Pageant. Applications
may be picked up at the Revels Plaza, Room 8 4, or will be
mailed upon request. Requests for mailing may he made to
Ms. Madeline Deese, at 521-8602.
All applicants must meet the following criteria;
1. A contestant must be single and "never been married, or
had her marriage annulled and must not be and never have
been pregnant.
2. A contestant must be a high school graduate by the Labor
Day immediately preceding the National Finals in which she
will compete.
3. A contestant must be a female whose age shall not be less
than seventeen, nor more than twenty-six years on the Labor
Day immediately preceding the National Finals in which she
will compete.
4. A contestant must be of good moral character and shall not
have been convicted of any crimes and shall possess talent,
poise, personality, intelligence, charm and beauty of face and
figure.
NELL LOWRY ELECTED
TO MEMBERSHIP IN
AMERICAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION
Nell Lowry, Pembroke, NC, has been elected to
membership in the American Angus Association, reports Dick
Spader, executive vice-president of the national organization
with headquarters in St. Joseph, Missouri.
The American Angus Association, with over 30,000 active
adult and junior members, is the largest beef cattle registry
association in the world. Its computerzied records include
detailed information on nearly eleven million registered
Angus.
The Association records ancestral information and keeps
records of production on individual animals for its members.
These permanent records help members select and mate the
best animals in their herds to produce high quality, efficient .
breeding cattle which are then recorded with the American
Angus Association. Most of these registered Angus are used
by the U.S. farmers and ranchers who raise high quality beef
for U.S. consumption.
FUND RAISER PLANNED FOR JULIAN PIERCE
The Committee to Elect Julian Pierce Superior Court
Judge will sponsor a supper at the Parkview Terrace
Recreation Center in Lumberton on Thursday, March SI,
beginning at 6 p.m. The Center is located on Inman Street in
Lumberton, off Martin Luther King Boulevard.
RALLY PLANNED IN MAXTON
A Rally is planned in Maxton on Wednesday, March 30 at
7 p.m. The rally will be held at St Matthew AME Church,
Hwy 130, Maxton. The Rev. Franklin Reaves will be the guest
speaker. The rally will be held to give people an update on the
Patterson case.
SKATE A THON PLANNED
A Skate-A-Thon is being sponsored by the Pembroke
Optimist Club and will be held at Pembroke Skate land on
Thursday, April 7, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
You may sponaora youth by pledging 10, 25, SO or 75 cents or
a dollar or more per hour for a day of skating fun. Proceeds to
be used for youth projects in the Pembroke area.
* *
U-H CAMPS PLANNED
The 1988 4-H Horsemanship Camp will he held at Millstone
4-H Camp in Richmond County near Slecbe Jane 12-18. TV
camp is open to all youth, ages 9-19. who are lets rests dto
learning more about hones and equitatiea, according to Gdthy
M. Lowery, aseoeiate Extension agent, 4-H.
Campen should bring their own horses and will partiotpeto la
home shows, demonstrations, judging i nntsals. trail rides.