North Carolina Newspapers

VOL. XXII (TUESDAY) WARRENTON, N. C, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, 1917 (FRIDAY) Number 115 $1.50 A YEAR A SEMI-WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF WARRENTON AND WARREN COUNTY 3c A COPT DR. TAYLOR'S OLD TIMES IN WARREN Interesting Sketch of Colonel John Laughter Republished By Special Request. By request I am republishing the sketch of Colonel John Laughter which appeared in the issue of the Record of March 25th, 1916: There are very few peopb now liv- in who knew Colonel John Laughter. iJa00a Wp not manv of waa- generation who ever heard his i ' ent name; A Wa wns io r Colonel Laughter was one of our most prominent citizens, and was known throughout the county. weU It is remarKaoie now soon a man, even a prominent man, is forgotten. John R. Johnson died in 1889. He had been a conspicuous figure in Warren- ton for nearly fifty years, and yet very few of the present citizens of the town remember him. The same is true of the late John White, Dr. R. U. Fleming, apt. mugger, vr. rooze, Henry A. Foote and a host of others, who were the leading citizens of War renton when I came here thirty-one years ago. Judge Walter A. Mont gomery moved from Warrenton to Ral eigh in 1891, and yet within the last year one of our leading business men, who was raised here, informed me that he had no recollection of Judge Mont gomery. Thus it always is. We live we pass on, and are forgotten. There is comfort in the thought that, though we are forgotten by men, God keeps us in everlasting remembrance. John Laughter, the father of Colonel Laughter, came from England to this country in Colonial times, and settled in Bute County some time previous to the Revolutionary War. He purchas- .u a k ul tutu on nawiree ree J i, .J. i 1 J TT L 1- auuuc live nines iruiii wie present town of Warrenton, where he raised his family; and where Jie died and was buried. John Laughter. Sr.. was aL,t,J-t-nl2ws;'' man of affairs. He stood well in the county and left to his descendants the heritage of a good name. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and doubtless fought under Sumner at Guilford Court House and Eutaw Springs. Being a "hatter" he was de tailed to make hats for the soldiers This he would do, when conditions did not require his services in the field. It is more than probable that the stories which he told his family of his stirring soldier life had much to do with the irilitary trend of his son's mind. J ohn Laughter, Jr., was a soldie: in the war of 1812. He went out as captain of a company of dragoons, but was soon promoted and served until the close of the War as Colonel of tne Second North Carolina Dragoons. His regiment was stationed during the en- tire war in Norfolk, Va. He had . a high ideal of military life, and was aj strict disciplinarian; but he was kind to his men, and was a very popular, oincer. As lone as anv of his men, m this section lived, they would fre quently visit him to talk over their army life; and he often visited them, and was always a welcome guest in their homes. After the war. Colonel Lauerhter re turned to Warren and for many years lived the life of a farmer. He was iiso a survevoTv nnd was in rrpat de- - r 7 - o I wand in surveying land in this and joining counties. In the course of time he met with reverses, lost his to be told illustrative of this peculiar plantation, and gave up farming. Sub- jty He i went to a store to purchase sequently he devoted himself to school a yest pattern. The clerk spread sev teaching and surveying. He had re- erai before him, one of which pleased ceived the best educational advantages the WOuld be purchaser. He asked the available in this section. He was Probably a student in the old academy " the first years of its existence, where ..1QHU1.1CU in tuc ui auv;uc9 u,o- u taught in such schools, at that Lime. Eithpr fhon fy 1 n for- lindpr U Pnyate tudor, he studied surveying, icn was considered an exceedingly VAAX&Aa A. 1M VVA uvtj. spectable and profitable profession. A'ie Into Tov a Ee-erton and other surveyors of the two past generations jiis county were taught surveying by Colonel T.nnw rerhacs. ns n toooi, rir0! T .on... te5 mocf n i i I piuiounaiy impressea mm- lived. x-- uic cummunuy in wnicn ne additi I umg, and military tactics. As a re- he J tnere were several good survey- rs m Warren County, and the whole . hawtree sppffnn rOC, t;i, mii 1 ry enthusiasm. This was. doubtless . . v ii v i ui Co reason that the yoong men of that the fw y urned into the army at - of the War Between the States. After the war of 1812, Colone Laughter, was for many years, gener al of the militia of this district. He insisted, however, on being addressed as Colonel instead of General; because as he said, he won the former title m aclual warfare in the face of the When the Nat Turner insurrection spread terror through all this section of North Carolina and Virginia, Col onel Laughter led his command to ths scene of conflict, and was present at the capture and execution of Turner. His daughter, Mrs. Pegram, who died about seven years a0 at the riPe old age of ninety informed me that she was about twelve years old when her J?.T , . . . , . .,. ; La"ier wenTi to aia m suemng tne JNat i 1 uu. - i - . liri . x umer insurrection, wnen ne return 1?e- broufht with him blooding curdling stories of the cruelties per petrated upon the defenceless people by Turner and his band. One of them was of the murder of a school teacher and her pupils. When the soldiers came upon the bloody scene, and saw the teacher and the children lying dead in their blood, they began at once to search for any that might have es- caneo. Alter awm a rnpv tnnnri rm 1 A I 1 . 1 4 the outside of the house, between the fnnT1pi nf -ujp, aH 0 little girl, who on the first alarm climbed to this safe retreat, and lay snugly hidden, crazed with fear, while the cruel negroes were murdering her teacher and schoolmates. ,, It is a remarkable co-incident that on the same plank road where Nat Turner devised his scheme for killing the whites, and liberating the slaves, General Grant matured-his plans for the overthrow of the Confederacy and the liberation of the slaves. Here. is a. fertile suggestion to any one that mav be in search of material for a thrilling story. A former pupil and admirer ol Coi- onel Laughter told me of his famous duel with a Mr. Andrews. Andrews felt that Colonel Lauerhter had so "." deebly offended him that nothing but the blood of the "old war horse of Haw- tree could atone for the ocense. He, fViovofnr! fViallpncftd the Colonel to promptly - accepted, and the weapons and conditions of the duel were agreed upon. They met at a picturesque nlAPA- nn the banks of the historic Hawtree. News of the duel had gone abroad, and a large concourse of peo ple assembled to witness the fight. The Colonel and his second were first the ground. After a time An drews and his second were seen ap proaching. When he saw the Colonel waiting to receive him, in the attitude of a god of war, his heart failed him, and he cried out in terror: "Don". shoot, Colonel, don't shoot! I'll with draw the challenge!" The people shouted with laughter. ,The Colonel kindly refrained from' shooting, and the affair passed off without blood- sne(j Colonel Laughter was a proud man, an(j very ambitious. He aspired to the best society for hinr-slf and fam- hiv an(j stiove to maintain, -under the adverse circumstances of later year, Ui,fl viim manner of livintr and social relations to which he had been accus tomed in the more prosperous period . i r -C of his life. His lonaness ior nne clothing, made so as to set off his sol dierlv figure to the best advantage, rpsulted in part perhaps from, his mil- itary life and training. He was not oniv fon(i cf fine clothing, but refused oc onv thinfr that was oirerea piillltlOV jr to him below what he regarded a re UM - nhle nrice. A . good story . used price, and being told that it was only two dollars, he exclaimed in disgust: j Came to buy a vest pattern, and this you mSUll me """o ( cheap stuff! Show me a vest pattern 1, 1 -P.t. o ffontl PTY1 &.YI to kear " The clerk quietly removed the oft-ending goods, and exhibited several other Willi XIII fT I 1 C l W Dieces. -alter awnno i .--- me Dattern that nad ueen Contemptously rejected, and sam: "Colonel, here is a piece of goods for -i. i,c no demand, cn acccar.,. j? , ;a Wh.it do you tlim 01 ... m, -1 1 ryiinoH it for 8k I it" ine voiunei u.. - . moment wiwi eviuwi quired the price. On being torn M Gftxr rents. promtply said: "I willtake it; for I do not like to wear common gooas. Colonel John Laughter was aman .j? a T-Wcinne. clear cut feat-urea or,H striking personality. A stranger t w vv r---mf i would recognize him at once ataman f rrrZT: Vae ROAD ENGINEERS IN GREAT DEMAND War Department Sends Letter to Mr. E. L. Green Asking His Services as Road Builder Chief E. L. Green received a com munication Thursday morning from the War Department. The letter was from the Twenty-third Engineers, Na tional army, which is to mobilize the road building engineers and contrac tors of the country in a highway con struction regiment of 10,500 volun teers for immediate service in the war zone of France. In the new regiment no pick and shovel men are wanted; the heavy manual labor will be done by German prisoners and service battalions. Re cruits must be experienced in some line of road construction, or mechan ics skilled in operating road-building machinery. A limited clerical staff is also needed. Not only is this appeal for Chief Green but others of experience are asked to offer their services to the Government in this line of endeavor. Promotion for good men is rapid. Ex; tracts from the. letter follow: Load Must Be Distributed Every contractor can contribute a few! men without disrupting his or ganization. Do your share. Show that nation's , engineers and contractors, who opened the eyes of the world by the record-breaking construction of the Army cantonments, can also man this new highway unit with the pick of the construction men of America. Mature Men Needed as Bosses For men under 40 with proper road building experience, the prospect for promotion to non-commissioned and special ranks is excellent. Practical ly all construction men, who have the ability will be assigned, not as Labori ers, but as Bosses of gangs, which will include German prisoners. Men of Draft Aee Acceptable tuven ir-wunnrrae. arait age limits you can volunteer tor- the highway regiment if you have not already been called by your local board. You can not volunteer if you have been called in the draft, or exempted. You must be in good physical condition. Your Opportunity Here is your opportunity to help the country along the lines of your specialty We know that the Nation will not call Upon its Road Builders in vain. SIX MORE MEN TO JACKSON. CAMP Six Men to Report Here Monday at Ten O'clock and Leave That Day for Columbia. The following six men, all white, have been called for military service by the Local Board for Warren coun- y and have been duly passed upon by the proper Local and District Board and are hereby certified as selected for military service and are not exempt or discharged: . k 289 656 Luke Ham, Henderson. 290 1339 Vivian G. Shearin, Macon. 293 1070 Claude F. Paynter, Wise. 297 1191 Tom H. Riggan, Littleton. 308 293 Daniel I. Capps, Areola. 311 1064 Lewis M. Paschall, Mansojx. These men are called to report here Monday morning at ten o'clock, and are scheduled to leave during the day for Columbia, South Carolina, to en ter military service at Camp Jackson. These six men complete Warren quota of whites ct the nrst aratt, n none are rejectu ai twe Lcmiviiiuciiv. No indication has come to the Local Board as to when or where the col ored drafted men will be sent. Of the number in the first 182, War ren quota, ons-tfiirdl are white, and two-thirds colored. WARREN PHARMACY AND BUR WELL DRUG CO: CONSOLIDATE Effective from Tuesday night, the Warreir Pharmacy and - the Burwell Drug Co. became one firm with the firm name of the Burwell Drug Co. It is understood that the consolidat ed firm will occupy the building for- rly oceavieo. by the Warren Phar- macy. HIGHWAY QUES TION LIVE ONE. Question of . Proposed Bankhead Highway Live One; County and Town Interested. The people hi Warren and Warren ton are deeply interested in the pro posed Bankhead Highway from Wash ington to Atlanta and in . its coming through this section, and are express ing their willingness to invest in bonds for the construction of a bridge over the Roanoke, and thus making an ef fort to secure the highway for this section. Warrenton is to raise $10,000 of this stock; Henderson $25,000; Nor- lina $2,000 and other towns along the way from Richmond to Raleigh and Durham to raise the remainder; This money is to be pledged right away in order that the bridge may be assur ed when the Pathfinder party comes through on October 31st. Mr. J. R. Paschall, a native of this county and a capitalist of note is in terested in the bridge and has agreed to take $10,000 in bonds of the com pany. As a business investment this investment promises to be a bonanza Messrs. N. M. Palmer, W. G. Ro gers and J. J. Tarwater will begin an active canvas for Warrenton and Warren county's allottment on Satur day. Of Warrenton's ten thousand, Hon. Tasker Polk, agreed at the meet ing held in Henderson on Monday night to take one thousand of "this if the road came by Warrenton. It is the opinion, from indications observ ed, that the committee will have no trouble in raising our allottment. The people of the town and county are becoming alive to the possibility offered as a money investment and of the returns expected rightfully from the purchase :pf bonds. The bridge is to remains the property of the bond ed company for all time,and will from the fir:pay With fifteen cars crossing the bridge each day " each way, the return from tolls at one dollar a trin--would be $10,950 dollars in a year, which would be over fifteen percent on the invest ment, and many nfore cars can be con fidently expected over such a route. Warren people are alive to the op portunity offered, and it is believed that no trouble will be experienced by the committee in raising the town and county's share. CITY TO HAVE A NIGHT POLICEMAN Commissioners Elect Mr. E, L. Green for Night Policeman at Tuesday Night Meeting. At a meeting Gf the Town Com missioners on Wednesday night, Mr. E. L. Green was employed as night policeman for Warrenton. The ser vices of Mr. John Allen were retained as Day policeman and Tax collector. "The night speeders had better be on their guard," said "Chief" in an interview this morning. "It it my purpose to break up this late night speeding, especially from Ihe depot to Burroughs corner," he continued, "and I'm going to do it." "The people of the town are asked to call me at any time of night should trouble occur. I will make it a point to let Central know where I am, and I will be ready at all times to enforce the law." The election of Mr. Green as night policeman is a step which will break up the speeding which has become a menace. That the town authorities acted wisely and well in this action and the choice expressed, is the opin ion of Warrenton citizens. Interesting News From Areola Section Large Number Attend Fairs; Local and Personal Mention from Areola Section. Our town has been well represented at all the nearby county fairs, Ricn- jmond -Fair, and several will attend the State Fair this week. All report splendid exhibits and a general good time. r, iv Miss Mamie Smith, of Dublin Coun ty, arrived Saturday to take charge of the High School Grades in our school. Miss Smith comes to us highly rec ommended and we are sure of good results in this department. Miss Lula Hunter, of Littleton Col lege, spent the week end with her people here. r Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Cooper, of RocKy Mount, were Sunday visitors among relatives in this community. Misses Ethel Capps, Myrtle and Eva Duke have returned from a visit to Wood and Louisburg. Mr. and Mrs. Joe King, Mr. -and Mrs. T. S. Tharrington and Mr. Perry Conn visited relatives near Gold Rock Sunday. They made the trip in 'Mr. King's new car. Miss Mary Tharrington spent tne week end with her people here return ing to school duties at Hollister Mon day. The High School opened here Mon day with very good attendance. Messrs. Robert and Billie Harris and families, of near here, recently moved to their old home at Grove Hill Farmers are busy diggin potatoes, picking cotton, saving late vegetable and etc. from Jack Frost. A MEETING HELD FOR EVERYBODY. Meeting To Begin in Methodist Church Here Next Wednes day; Pastor Assisted. The pastor of the Methodist church here announced last Sunday that he would begin a revival meeting in his church on Wednesday evening, Octo ber 24th, ,1917, and that he would be assisted from October 29th to' Novem ber 2nd by Rev. F. M. Shamburger, pastor of Weldon Methodist jchurch. at 7:30t o'clock on Wednesday, Thurs day and Friday evenings. - On the fourth Sunday the plan of the meet ing will be more definitely stated. As the meeting will be for the good of the entire community, the pastor earnestly desires that it may be large ly and regularly attended, and that all may receive needed blessing. Let all believers prayerfully ponder the Palm ist's pertinent petition: "Will thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?" Psa. 85:6. R. C. ENTERTAIN MENT TO-NIGHT. Interesting Program of Play To Be Given Tonight at Graham -School Auditorium. The Red Cross play will be pro duced tonight in the Graham High School auditorium at 8:30. The en tertainment is of a patriotic nature and promise to be of interest . thru- out. America, Here's My . Boy" Crich- ton Thome and James McKoy. The Spring Dance. . .Crichton Thorne rtOh Johnny" and "Your Great Big Baby Smile". ..... .James McKoy Two Interesting Scenes r"Henry Com mits Suicide". '. . .Henry Cunning- ham and Sumner Watson; "The - Telephone Booth". . . .H. Cunning ham, S. Watson, Will Jones, Sally- Davis and J ames McKoy. Using a Telephone . . . .James McKoy Two of a Kind .James McKoy and Oscar Williams. Quartet "The Old Oaken Bucket," "There's a Quaker Down in Quak er Tcwn,". and "The Animal Fair" ! N. Cunningham, S. Watson, O. Williams and J. McKoy. "Ketchin the Chicken" Crichton Thorne Honky Tonky .James McKoy "Go to Sleep My Baby" .Agnes Henderson Just One Day". .. .Agnes Henderson - arid James McKoy. The Cabaret ".Tell. Me Pretty Maid- : en," The Spanish Dancer, "Amer ica Here's My Boy," and the "Star Spangled Banner". . . .Agnes Hen derson and James McKoy, Oscar Williams and Janice Watson, Sum ner. Watson and Sally Davis, Will Joneff and . Henry Cunningham; Spanish Dancer, Crichton Thorne. PUT YOUR DOL LARS TO WORK. Your Dollars Cannot Be Neutral Buy a Liberty Bond and Help Win the War. You must be either for or against the soldier boys now marching to the trenches in France. You must be either for or against your Country. There is no half-way station; no be twixt or between. Your dollars cannot be neutral. ' Uncle Sam needs your financial as sistance. American success in this war depends upon our sending an ar my fully equipped, efficiently trained, amply upplied with every requisite of the field. Every link in the military chain must be strong. We dare not take chances. Germany's tremendous aggressive ness in this conflict has been made pos sible only .by the highest efficiency in every detail. The Germans were pre pared at every point when they loosed the dogs of war and sent their armies hurtling through Belgium on.the way to Paris. - ,- ; Let's not send to France the pride of America's young manhood,the boys for whom in any other emergency we would make any sacrifice, any whit less prepared. . ... .jt v Take care of your loyalty to -the army, and your loyalty to the Country,,, will take care of itself. ; There are numerous ways .of serv-:; ing the Kaiser. And withnolding your support from the boys we have sent, . and will yet send to the front, the boys whom the world at large is watch ing closely and expectantly, is by no means the least of these. . A v You would bitterly and instantly re sent any other charge of disloyalty to your country. Probably you haven't considered this phase of the situation, but calmly think it over for a moment and you'll get the point You cannot afford, even unconscious ly; to leave open this wee loophole for question. . . It wilL be far cheaper and more self satisfying to buy a Liberty Bond, r REV. AND MRS. LANIER TO CELEBRATE SILVER WEDDING The following invitation have : been received by friends in Warrenton. Mr. Lanier was for sometime Rector of Emmanuel church here, a preacher of ability, and a gentlemen who made friends here. The following invita tion is of interest. 1892 1917 ' . . ' Rev. and Mrs. John J. Lanier Request the pleasure of your presence at the Twenty-Fifth . Anniversary of their wedding c Friday evening, November 2nd from eight until eleven The Rectory Fredericksburg, Virginia. BRAVID HARRIS, WINS COM- : MISSION AS 1ST LIEUTENANT. Bravid Harris has just returned from, the Reserve Officers' Training Camp at Des oMines, Iowa, where he receiv ed a commission as first Lieuten ant. He is a on of Washington Harris, who for twenty years has conducted a barber shop here, and who is a highly respectable and valuable color ed citizen. Bravid Harris will be at home for a few days, and then leaves for the colored cantonment at Camp Grant, 111., where he will take charge of his command. INVITATIONS TO MARRIAGE OF MR. CAREY PRICE RECEIVED. The following invitations have been re ceived by friends of Mr. Carey Price of this town who is to marry in Rog- ersville, Tenn., this month: Mr. and Mrs. William D. Kenner invite you to be present at the marriage of their daughter Elsie Clay to Mr. John Carey Price on Saturday evening; October the twenty-seventh one thousand nine - hundred and seveteen at half after six o'clock Presbyterian Church -Rcgersville, Tennessee. , eau tor men, at the beginning CContmuea v,