Newspapers / The Roxboro Courier (Roxboro, … / Aug. 5, 1941, edition 1 / Page 1
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SESQUICENTENNIAL EDITION ^he Roxboro (Courier |60 Pages publisher of the Courier Times. J. W. NOELL, EDITOR HOME FIRST, ABROAD NEXT $2.00 PER YEAR IN ADVANCB VOL. LX (County Correspondents Solicited) ROXBORO, NORTH CAROLINA TUESDAY, AUGUSTS, 1911 (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) NUMBER 86 Courier Presents Sesquicentennial Edition Twenty Square - Mile Area Roxboro’s Main Street As It Looks Today PAPER CELEBRATING PERSON'S Was Organized In 1791 And Called Person County Nine Townships Compose County John L. Gentry Roxboro Was Incorporated In 1854. William R. Reade Was First Mayor Dies Saturday After Illness 1890 MARKED COMING OF FIRST RAILROAD In January, 1791, Person County was erected, the act saying that af ter February 1st Caswell County should be “equally divided by a line already run, beginning on the Vir ginia line and running from thence south to the line of Orange, and that part lying westward of said line, in cluding the four western districts, shall remain Caswell and the part to the eastward including the four eastern districts, is declared to be a distinct county and named Person. The court of Caswell shall be held Rites For Prominent Alles- ville Man Conducted Sun day Afternoon ALMOST EIGHTY-NINE Final rites for Squire John L. Gentry, one of Person county’s most prominent citizens, were conducted Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock, Eas tern Standard Time, from Allens ville Methodist church. Officiating ministers were Rev. J. F. Funder- burke, pastor of Mill Creek Baptist church of which Mr. Gentry was a member, Rev. D. A. Petty and Rev.) S. F. Nicks of Hillsboro. Burial was! This picture, which shows part of the business section of Roxboro, was snapped at the intersection of Main and Abbitt avenue. In the left foreground can be seen a section of the courthouse square, with the gleaming marble monument in the immediate foreground, being one erected several years ago by the Per son County UDC Chapter in honor of Confederate Army captains. Farther down that side of the street can be seen The Peoples Bank building. On the other side, some of the business houses in the city are shown with the names of several stores visible. 150111 BIRTHDAY PUBLISHED TODAY Prize Winners Prize winners in the contest an nounced in connection with gath ering material for the Sesquicen tennial Edition were announced by the judges today as follows: Best picture, for which 85.00 was offered, Miss Bessie Brad- sher; best old document, carry ing a reward of $2.50, .Harvey Snipes; best old letter, for which 82.50 was offered, Mrs. Sue C. Barnette. The judges gave honorable mention to Mrs. L. P. Sherman and Mrs. Rainey Crumpton. The Courier wishes to express its appreciation to all who sub mitted entries in this contest. Through that method they have contributed to the publication of this Sesquicentennial Edition. Beauty Of Mount Tirzah Charmed TODAY’S PAPER IS SIXTY-PAGE EDITION The Roxboro Courier Was Founded Here Sixty Years Ago at Joseph Smith’s, that of Person at the house of Joshua Paine,, but. the justices (who com pose the court) can adjourn to any other place 'until- a courthouse, pri son and stocks -are completed for- **eh? mats ^4 loaned As -Yearly central as possible, regard being had to springs and situation. James Jones, Goodly Warrell, Samuel Wood, John Womack and Stephen Mann are appointed commissioners for Person county, and David Hart, Wyatt Stubblefield, David Shelton, Solomon Parks, John Graves, and William Muzzle, commissioners for Caswell to' fix on a place for the court house,' prison and stocks in each of their respective counties and to contract for the building and completion of the same. The two counties are perfect squares, twenty miles $ach way, and the county seats are almost ex actly in the center of each. Person was named for Brigadier General Thomas Person of Granville county at a time when Revolutionary sol diers were leading citizens. Person is bounded on the north by Virginia; on the south by Orange and Durham counties; on the west Squire John L. Gentry, promin ent citizen of the Allensville com munity, died at his home Satur day. Funeral rites were conducted from Allensville Methodist Church Sunday afternoon at three o’clock. Land For County Seal Donated By Dempsey Moore Deed Dated In 1792 Is On Re cord In Register of Deeds’ Office TRACT IS DESCRIBED by Caswell, and on the east by Granville. Nine townships make up the county; Allensville, Bushy Fork, Cuningham, Flat. River, Holloway, Mt. Tirzah, Olive Hill, Roxboro and Woodsdale with Roxboro township in the center of the checkerboard. The first county court was held at Paine’s Tavern in February, 1791, four miles from the present Rox boro. In 1792 or 1793 the county seat was established at Moccasin Gap which then was no more than a cross-roads hamlet. This spot was selected because it had a “public spring” and was hear the center of the county. Legend has it that the name Moccasin Gap was changed to Roxborough at the suggestion of James Williamson, a well-to-do landowner and native of Scotland who resided two miles from the vil lage. It is said he so named it as an honor to the Scottish shire of Roxborough or to the Duke of Rox- burghe; however, other suggestions are given in this paper by W. L. Foushee as to the possibility of the origin of the name. The first court house was built on the six acres of land given by Dempsey Moore. The building was of logs as was the jail. Of the orig inal six acres barely an acre remains, the other having been taken with out color of title or deed by “squat ters”. The second court house was built in 1810 and was very small, containing only the court room, the clerk, the register of doods, and sheriff being in another building. The third court house was a red brick one built in 1883. The present one was built in 1930. The will By A. M. Burns, Jr. Recorded in the office of the Reg ister of Deeds for Person county is the Deed by which the land was acquired on which is now located the Person County Courthouse and jail. The deed is dated December 11, 1792, and is recorded in Book A on Page 65. The recording is in fine Spencerian script, with the curies and flourishes so stylish in that day and time, and while the chirography is beautiful to look at, it is not so.easy for a quick redding for an eye trained to either- type or more or less plain penmanship. The grantor in the deed is Demp-| made in the church cemetery. Squire Gentry, who would have celebrated his 89th birthday on Au gust 18th, passed away at his home in the Allensville community at 1:50 P. M. Saturday. He had been in de clining health several months but until about a week ago he had been able to be. up and-about his home. He became contineu' to hi^ bed- sev eral days preceding his death and weakened steadily until the end. His death was attributed to a complica tion of diseases pertinent to the in firmities of advanced age. He is survived by 10 children, six sons and four daughters. His sons are: Willie D., George N., Charlie A., A. Watkins, Irving C. Gentry, all of Roxboro, and J. Abner Gentry, of Raleigh; daughters: Mrs. W. H. Turner, Laurel Hill, Mesdames W. T. Kirby, W. Roy Cates and Clyde Gentry, all of Roxboro. His wife, the late Mrs. Gustavie Gentry, preceded him in death several years ago. Mr. Gentry also is survived by numer ous grandchildren and great grand children. Pall bearers for the rites were: Grady Gentry, Charles Gentry, Wil liam Gentry, Abner Turner, Robert Turner and Calvert Turner. Flower bearers: Mary Larkin Gentry, Ruby Gentry, Gracie Carroll Gentry, Billy Kirby, Nancy Gentry, Huldah Gen- dah Gentry, Mrs. Kendall Gentry, Mrs. John Whitt, Mrs. Lester Wat son, Mrs. Giles Gentry, Clarence Turner, Gladys Gentry, Margaret Gentry, Ida Mae Gentry, Melvin Gentry, Harold Lee Turner, George Many Pictures Of Native Sons Throughout the Sesquicenten nial Edition will be found photo graphs of native sons of Person county who have gone away and are making their homes in other Cities or conimuhities. The -list, of course, is incomplete. The pic tures appearing in this edition are of those native sons who have cooperated with us in planning this paper.—the Editors. Person Claims Dolly Madison Was Born Here Paine’s Tavern Regarded As Birthplace of “Little Madi son’s” Wife Among The Oldest Citizens books and deed books begin (Continued On Page Six) General Moore New York Officer In Wash ington’s Army Built His Home There NOW READE HOMEPLACE Wallace Gentry, Polly Turner, Clyde Gentry, Jr., Bennie Gentry, Eliza- , - I beth Turner, Mrs. Cabot Turner, sey Moore, the name of Moore being Bernard Oent Fadine Gentrv , one or the most usual and most dis- Helen slaughter, Mrs. Abner Turner. I Mr. Gentry was widely known and beloved as a successful farmer, a devoutly religious man and one who was active in his community as long as his health permitted. He had been a member of Mill Creek church vir tually all his life, having joined there when he was '12 years of age. It is believed by Person county people that Dorothea (Dolly) Mad ison, wife of President James Mad ison, was born at Paine's Tavern, Person county. This old tavern, which was locat ed three miles southwest of Rox boro on the Hurdle Mills road, was one of the popular colonial inns of its day. Cornwallis with a number) of British soldiers, was said to have ! stopped there during the Revolu- tionary War, stacking the guns Shown here are W. H. Harris. Sr. and W. T. Daniel, two of the old est residents of Roxboro. Both oi these men have observed their 80th birthday, and there is only about six months difference in their ages Mr. Daniel being the elder. Mr. Harris and Mr. Daniel, however, cannot truthfully be said to be ’ old” men, since both are very active and have many interests claiming their attention daily. County Was Named of ! tinguished in the early history of the county, as it is until this day. The grantees in the deed are James Jones Goodly, Warrel Sam’l Wood, John Womack and Stephen Moore, the latter two being men who were frequently mentioned in the early history of the county. According to a recital in the deed, these men were appointed commissioners by an act passed at New Bern, then the capital of North Carolina, on Jan uary 19, 1792, for the purpose of fix ing on a place for a courthouse for the County of Person. According to local traditions this tract was chos en because there was located there on or thereabouts three fine springs, a very essential thing in that day and time for any place that was to be used as a public gathering place. These springs are mentioned in the description of the property in the his company around the large o'ak tree in the front yard. Relatives of Dolly Paine Madison were owners and operators of this tavern and the story has been handed down from one generation tp another in Per son county that Dolly Paine was born here while her parents were on their way from Philadelphia to For Noted General General Thomas Person Was Foremost Patriot In 18th Century deed. According to the description the deed, which is by metes bounds, the commissioners 1 and were deeded six acres of land off a three hundred acre tract. The present tract owned by the county is much less than six acres, and the ques tion as to what became of the other land is often asked. It is to be pre- (Continued On Page Two) Native Of Person Has Served Many Years As Pastor Guilford county where Dolly's grand I SERVED AS TRUSTEE parents lived. It is understood Guilford county! has the record of Dolly's christen-’! ing. A most natural thing would! Dr.. John E. Briggs Has Preached In Several Leading Churches of The World have been for the' mother, as soon as she was able to travel, to. take her daughter home for this event. Therefore Person county contends that the stories handed down from OF STATE UNIVERSITY The Person family settled first in Halifax County, Virginia, but took up land in Granville County, North Caroina about 1740. William Per son, the father of Thomas Person, Dr. Fifth John E. Briggs is pastor of Baptist church in Washing ¬ ton, D. C. which he has served for generation to ; became Granville County’s first ;eneration at least 1 sheriff, which office he held for a have no data to refute them. To further substantiate this story is the card which for years accom- number of years. Thomas Person, who later became known as General Person, was born . evil, wan uui 11 32 years. He has been abroad five panied the oil painting of Dolly in Virginia January 19. 1733 but times, visited the Holy Land, Egypt,' Madison which hangs in the Hall Greece, Rome, Turkey and has;.of History in Raleigh, preached in Spurgeon’s famous! It read: -Dolly Paine church in London. He has been wife of President James guest preacher or supply preacheri born in Person county. North Car- Madison, Madison. grew up in Granville county. N. C., since he was only seven years of ) age when he moved there with his I father. in several of the outstanding chur- ches of the world. Dr. Briggs is one of Person’s dis tinguished native sons and it is re ¬ olina.” Records in Raleigh do not reveal anything definite, and to Person county people, Paine’s Tavern will getted that his picture is not avail- always be considered Dolly Madi- I able to be used in this issue. son’s birth place. Like George Washington he began work in life as a surveyor, at which job he was very successful. He prov ed to be very accurate and careful of details. His work also brought him in close touch with landed in- I terests and it was not Jong before tie had accumulated a large estate IL is recorded that in 1788 he list ed for taxation 82,358 acres of land, lying in Orange, Caswell and other surrounding counties. His first public office was Jus tice of the Peace, to which he was appointed in 1756. Hi s next office was that of sheriff, following in his father’s footsteps by serving Gran ville County in this capacity. In 1764 he was elected to the General As sembly, which position he served off and on for practically the rest of his life. It was during his term in 1769 that he became identified with the “Regulators”, a body of conscientious objectors to Governor Tryon’s sys tem of extortion and oppression. Person’s service to this organiza tion was more in council than in the field, for history does not re cord his name as those present at the battle of Alamance. The result of this uprising was that seven Reg ulators were hanged at Hillsboro, N. C. General Person, however, was indicted by Governor Tryon and was put in jail. How he escaped trial and (Continued On Page Two) During the Revolutionary War an American army came- down the turnpike into North Carolina from Virginia commanded by Gen. Step hen Moore of New York, who owned vast stretches of land that were later converted into West Point. General Moore’s army camped on a beautiful hill in what is now Per son county. The view from the hill top on all sides opened up a vast panorama before the eyes. General Moore was charmed with the view and then and there made a resolve that, should he live after peace once again ruled the land, he was com ing back and build a home on this site. The year 1783 found the land at peace and also found General Moore back on this hill with the vast acres stretching on all sides, his own property, and with a beautiful home Although The Roxboro Courier, established in 1881 by Hunter and Gibbons, has been pul".:.— .: tinuously since 1884 under the edi torship of members of the Noell family, many changes have been ef fected in its mechanical depart ment and in its personnel. The Courier is proud to present today its Sesquicentennial Edition, which is published in observance of the one hundred and fiftieth anni versary of Person county. This issue is one of sixty pages and was or ganized under the supervision of Mesdames B. G. Clayton and A. F. Nichols. The late John A. Noell, who with his brother, J. W. Noell, purchased The Couriers came to Roxboro in 1884 to make his home. He was in dividual manager of The Courier until J. W. Noell arrived here on March 1, 1890 to live. At that time the paper was a six-column, four- page publication printed on a Washington hand press. There were about 400 subscribers. Within a few years, as Roxboro began to expand, The Courier kept in step by installing a later type newspaper press. This was a Coun try Campbell cylinder press print ing two seven-column pages at a time. It was not many years, however, before publishers of The Courier, in order to keep tin step with a rapidly-growing, Roxboro, felt it necessary to discard' thi^ptess and install a more modern one. This time, they purchased a Reliance press, which was considered at that time quite a nice outfit for a coun try weekly. Having been successful and laid by a few dollars, The Courier pub lishers again Went into the market, purchasing the “last word” in newspaper presses for that day and time. This was a Whitlock Prem ier, but still it would print only four pages at a time, requiring two ‘ runs” for an eight-page paper. In September, 1937, again “feel ing their oats,” the publishing firm planked down $7,000.00 for a Model “A” Duplex printing press that is similar in every detail to presses used by the metropolitan dailies. This press will print eight pages at on the very summit of the hill. Aja time, turning out sixty copies per name must be given to the home stead and he named it most appro priately “Mount Tirzah” or in oth er words “Mount Beautiful”. General Moore had a large fam- minute. Each copy is printed, fold ed, cut and made ready for the .ad- dressograph in one operation. The story of printing presses us- ed by The Courier in these fifty- ily, five boys and three girls, which seven years is the story of the pro- naturally caused this beautiful home gress the paper has made in 1 ' ‘- naturally caused this beautiful home to be the center of the social life of the community. In later years other men came into the county and helped to con tinue the traditions started by Gen eral Moore. John Reade of Virginia bought a part of the Moore estate and reared six children here, one of whom, Edwin G. Reade, became Supreme Court Judge and lived in Raleigh. Washington Reade mar- (Continued On Page Two) METHODIST CHURCH IN THREE BUILDINGS Two Methodist churches preceded the present Edgar Long Memorial church on have Long the same site. The first building, which was a frame structure, was moved from Cool Springs to Main Street., Roxboro. When this was torn down, a brick church was built, but in 1921 this building was replaced by present church. PICTURE TOO LATE We regret that a photograph the of Dr. A. J. Warren of New York City came in too late for us to run it in our special edition. Dr. Warren has distinguished himself in the field of medicine, being at present a member of the National Board for the Investigation of Epidemic Dis eases in the United States Army. Editor. this time. After the death of John A. Noell his interest was purchased by J. W. Noell, who is now editor-in- chief of the paper. Later, when the business outgrew a one-man per formance, D. R. Taylor and Mrs. Elizabeth N. Bowles purchased in terests, and the publishing firm to day is known as Noell-Taylor and Company. From 1881 until 1935 The Cour ier was a weekly, being published each Wednesday afternoon. Six years ago it became a. semi-weekly, with issues being published on Mon day and Thursday afternoon. Two years later it became a tri-weekly with issues on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The paper today is of “standard size”. That is, it con tains eight 12-em columns, each of which is 21 inches deep. That is the same size of the predominating majority of the larger newspapers in the nation. The Courier staff today is com posed of the following: J. w. Noell, editor-in-chief; F. O. Carver, Jr.’ associate editor; D. R. Taylor’, ad vertising manager; Mrs. E. P. Dun lap and Mrs. Elizabeth N. Bowles, editors of The Woman's Pi Harkey and Dick Puckett, linotype operators; Fuller Saunders, floor man; Kelly Paylor, commercial job printer and Katherine Hester, sec retary to the editor-in-chief. Treasury offers plan to pay high- ei taxes through savings. 150 Years Of Progress In Person County
The Roxboro Courier (Roxboro, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Aug. 5, 1941, edition 1
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