A LITTLE BIT OF
COUNTY HISTORY
The Old Smithfield Academy
During Its First Years of Ex
istence. Contract Let for Its
Building One Hundred And
Eight Years Ago Today.
(By John A. Mitchener.)
I am enclosing for publication is
the issue nearest to August 10, this
year, a bit of history concerning the
“old Smithfield Academy” which or.ee
stood near the cemetery when I was a
student there (in 1866) under instruc
tion from Rev. W. B. Jones, a Baptist
minister, assisted by the late Lieut.
(C. S. A.) J. T. Ellington and Mrs.
Lina Beckwith-Webb. The old Acad
emy was tom down about the year
1900. Its site and the playground of
school boy days is now a part of the
cemetery and the last resting place
perhaps of many who once played
there. Very few are mow living who
stood in the long spelling class held
every evening and his stand in the
class was on his merits as a speller
alone—for some one was ready to
“cut you down.” Of those who were
in the A, B, C, department there are
more to answer the roll-call, but like
the old veterans of 1861-1865 all are
getting old and the line shorter and
shorter—soon there will be one, and
then—none.
As the official or public record en
closed will take up considerable space
I shall make this shorter than you
hope I otherwise would and before
closing I wish to make this sugges
tion, that all who ever attended the
“Old Academy” send to you their
names, the year and the teachers.
Let’s call the roll again and perhaps
there are enough left on deck to form
a class and have a spelling class and
to start a dollar subscription list to
put a marker on the spot where once
stood the first and biggest Academy
in Johnston County. Now, as will be
seen by the P. S. to this letter, in
history Aversborough is given the
honor of being the first to build an
Academy. The advertisement for bids
is eight years ahead of the Smithfield
“Notice to Carpenters,” but Aversbor
ough Academy, according to the best
information I can get is not now and
never was a part of Johnston County
—an error. So Smithfield claims the
honor of being first and I reckon also
stands head with the idea of a Lot
tery to raise money for building an
Academy. To those who never knew
this history of the “Old Academy”,
this may be worth clipping and can
be used for reference without fear of
contradiction.
JOHNSTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
Averasborough Academy, 1804
On the 23rd Day of June next, at
Averasborough, will be let bo the low
est bidder, the building of a framed
house in said town, thirty-six by
twenty feet and twenty feet pitch,
for a Seminary of Learning. Ma
terials are now on the spot. Further
particulars will be exhibited on the
day by the Commissioners.
ISAAC WILLIAMS,
ROBERT DRAUGHON,
GERARD BANKS,
Commissioners.
Raleigh Register, June 11, 1904.
P. S.:—As will be seen by this ad
vertisement, Averasborough asked
for bids in 1804. Smithfield eight
years alter, 1812. Averasborough not
being in Johnston County and never
has been from the best information
I have, Smithfield is the first place
to build an Academy or Big School
House. I have no record of how the
Lottery, authorized by law, turned
out. Several schools in the State
tried to raise money by Lottery for
“Literary Advancement,” but no rec
ord of how it turned out is published
that I have seen. Some abandoned
the plan owing to “the scarcity of
cash” and called in all tickets sold.
Newton Academy near Asheville and
the town of Asheville for one after
having tickets on sale for over a year
to raise $7,000 for Newton Academy
and a “Female Seminary” in the town
of Asheville.
I hope this may prove worthy of
space and not too long, and that on
the 10th of next August a reunion of
the “Old Academy” students may be
held in Smithfield and that a suita
ble marker will then be unveiled. It’s
an historical spot and I believe the
State assists in marking those spots.
Time is short. The roll over yonder
is being called, and if the passing gen
eration is to take part, action must
be taken quickly.
SMITHFIELD ACADEMY, 1812.
To Carpenters:—
Will be let to the lowest bidder, in
the Town of Smithfield, Johnston
County, on Monday the 10th day of
August next, the building of an Acad
emy in said town. The dimensions
will be 22 feet, by 40 feet, two stories
high, with such conveniences as is
necessary for an Academy. This un
dertaking will be well worth the at
tention of woi’kmen. The terms of
pay will be made known on the above
day. Bond and approved securities
for the faithful performance of the
contract, will be required by Com
missioners:
DANIEL BOON,
DAVID TURNER,
WILLIAM SASSER,
W. W. HOPKINS,
ROBERT H. HELME,
HENRY GUY,
ELLICK SANDERS,
W. W. BRYAN,
SAMUEL MITCHNOR.
Smithfield, Johnston County, N. C.,
July 21, 1812.—The Star, July 31,
1812.
SMITHFIELD ACADEMY UNDER
DR. WHITE, 1813
The exercises of the Smithfield
Academy will commence on Monday
the 11th day of October next under
the direction of Dr. W'illie N. White.
Board can be had at four or five dol
lars a month at convenient and re
spectable houses.
WILLIAM SASSER, Sec’y.
Oct. 7, 1813.—The Star, Oct. 8, 1813.
SMITHFIELD ACADEMY LOTTE
RY, 1820.
Lottery for the benefit of Smith
field Academy.
The subscribers having been ap
pointed by an act of the Legislature
of North Carolina, managers of the
above lottery; and having entered in
to bond for the faithful performance
of duties; and the payment of all
prizes according to law, now offer the
public the following
SCHEME.
1,400 Tickets at $5 are $7,000
1 Prize of $1,000 is__$l,000
2 Prize of 500 is 1,000
5 Prize of
15 Prize of
30 Prize of
165 Prize of
250 Prize of
100 is 500
50 is __ 750
20 is — 600
10 is 1,650
6 is -- 1,500
468 $7,000
Subject to a deduction of 15 per
cent, and not two blanks to a prize.
The managers trusting to the pub
lic spirit, which has hitherto and still
ought to animate every town in sup
port of education, upon which more
than anything else, our national hon
or and independence depends confi
dently hope that the patronage of en
lightened individuals and the public
at large will soon enable them to
complete the sale of tickets, aad the
drawing of the Lottery.
The present scheme does not em
brace the capital for which the man
agers have given bond, nor does it
contemplate to raise the sum autho
rized by law; yet as the experiment is
untried, they have thought proper to
propose the first class on as small a
scale as possible, reserving to them
selves the right of proceeding ia fu
ture to one or two additional classes.
As soon as a sufficient number of
tickets are disposed of, the drawing
will commence, and the public will
be notified through the medium of
papers when the drawing is closed. %
The prizes will be paid in sixty
days after the drawing, and all priz
es not demanded within one year
from the drawing will be considered
as forfeited for the benefit of the in
stitution.
SAMUEL MITCHNER,
THOMAS RICE,
M. LLOYD HILL,
Managers.
Smithfield, Johnston Co. N. Carolina.
N. B.—If mo drawing takes plaee
within twelve months of the first day
of March next, the purchase money
is to be refunded for all tickets bought
when demanded.—The Star, January
28, 1820.
SMITHFIELD ACADEMY UNDER
ROBERT POOR, 1820.
Smithfield Academy.
The exercises of this institution
will commence on the first Monday in
March mext, under the superintend
ence of Mr. Robert Brevard Poor, A.
B. Mr. Poor graduated at Cambridge
(Mass.) last August, with the dis
tinguished honor of that University,
and comes recommended to us in the
most flattering terms.
By order of the Trustees.
M. LLOYD HILL, Sec’y.
February 21, 1820.—The Star, Feb
ruary 25, 1820.
SMITHFIELD ACADEMY UNDER
A. W. GAY, 1827.
Smithfield Academy.
The public are informed, that the
exercises of this institution are in
successful operation, under the im
mediate superintendence of Rev. A.
W. Gay. The Trustees can with
pleasure state, that their expectations
concerning this gentleman, have been
more than realized since witnessing
his superior management in the busi
ness of instruction. The school year
in this Academy, is divided into two
sessions, of 5 months each; provides
for two examinations, a private and a
public, and but one vacation, to con
tinue from the middle of August un
til the middle of October, allowing
the scholars the privilege of being at
home two months in the fall. Students
may here prepare themselves for
either of the classes in the University.
SAMUEL MITCHNOR, Pres’t.
—Raleigh Register, March 9, 1827.
Teachers in Smithfield Academy, 1827
SMITHFIELD MALE AND FEMALE
ACADEMY.
The third quarter of this institu
tion will commence on Monday the
15th of October next.
The subscriber is happy to be able
to inform the public that he has em
ployed Miss A. D. Salmon of Fay
etteville, to take charge of the Female
Department.
Instruction will be given in all
branches usually taught in Acade
mies.
A. W. GAY, Principal.
The Editors of the Newbern Senti
nel will please insert the above once
a week for 3 weeks.
Sept. 17.—Raleigh Register, Sep
tember 28, 1827.
Smithfield Academy Under J. War
nock, 1828.
SMITHFIELD ACADEMY
This Institution will be opened af
ter the Christmas vacation on the
1st January, 1828, under the superin
tendence of Rev. J. Warnock, as Prin
cipal. Mr. W. is a graduate of Glas
gow University, from his testimonials
which are numerous and satisfactory,
from his experience and success in
teaching during the last six years in
this country, the Trustees feel confi
dent in saying that the advantages of
this Academy will equal any in the
State. The classical course will be
adapted to that observed at Chapel
Hill. From the unremitting atten
tion which will be paid to the morals
and improvement of students sent to
this Academy, the Trustees expect
that it shall receive a liberal share of
public support.
Six or Eight Students can be ac
commodated with boarding in the
family of the Principal.
By order of the Board of Trustees.
SAM’L MITCHNER, Pres't.
Smithfield, Dec. 20.—Raleigh Regis
ter, December 28, 1827.
Smithfield Academy Under Wm.
Brome, 1835.
SMITHFIELD ACADEMY
The exercises of this institution are
now in operation, under the superin
tendence of the subscriber. Having
for some years been engaged in school
teaching, he flatters himself that he
will be able to render general satis
faction. Eight or ten boarders can
be conveniently accommodated in the
family of the subscriber. Payments
to be made quarterly, for board and
tuition. Terms of tuition:
Spelling, reading and writing,
pr. session _$ 6.00
Arithmetic _ 8.00
English Grammar and Geogra
phy -18.00
The art of Surveying_10.00
Wm. BROOME.
Smithfield, Johnston County, Feb
ruary 19th, 1835.—The Standard,
Raleigh, February 27, 1835.
Thanks for the Fine Tomatoes
Mr. James H. Woodall, one of
Smithfield’s successful gardners,
brought us a half dozen fine tomatoes
of the Ponderosa variety Saturday af
ternoon, for which we return our
thanks. The six weighed six pounds
and are the finest half dozen tomatoes
we have seen this season. Mr. Wood
all has given his garden his personal
attention and has kept his tomatoes
staked and tied up and he is now
reaping the reward for his labors.
ABSENCE OF BUZZARDS
IS VERY NOTICEABLE
Even Where Many dead Animals
Are Found There is No Buz
zard in Sight—Many Tunnels
Passed Through in Mountains
From Seattle to Los Angeles
(By Dr. R. J. Noble)
ARTICLE V.
It may have been my fault that
many mistakes were made in my last
letter for I was interrupted so many
times that I lost connection with my
thoughts often. So I will not fault
the printer. I intended to say that
we saw no buzzards on all that trip
even where the dead horses were plen
tiful. I would like to know why there
are no buzzards in that country. I
have read of birds of prey being1 in
that region and as soon as a deer or
wild animal was killed there was a
race between man and bird for the
animal killed. Now, in Charleston,
South Carolina, there is a heavy fine
for killing a buzzard. Once when I
was in Charleston I went to the mark
et house about four o’clock to see the
buzzards. Not one was to be seen. I
spoke to an attendant at the market
about it. He said, if you will be here
tomorrow morning soon after nine o’
clock you will see them come in from
the swamps about ten miles from
here where they roost. All of them
have been at two o’clock in the after
noon and come back about nine is the
morning. Said he, there is another
thing about them. They know when
Sunday comes for not a buzzard is to
be seen here o» Sunday. Who would
have thought that a buzzard knew
when Sunday comes. I am going to
find out why there are no buzzards in
that section. Having crossed the di
vide going down the Columbia, or
Kootenai river, for three hundred
miles is one of the wonders of the
West. The railroad follows the river
as best it can, going through the
mountains, twisting and turning in
every conceivable direction. Once
when coming down the mountain I
saw away down the mountain a pret
ty little house, from where I was on
the train it seemed behind us; just
j here I looked at the mountains and
thought we were shut in completely;
that we would never see that place
again. Just then we started in a
tunnel. Before going in the tunnel I
looked down the mountain and saw
the railroad in four places—that is
the railroad on four levels—and about
one hundred feet below us I saw a
tunnel in the mountain. We had to
look quick to see these places for we
were running in snow sheds nearly all
the time, and could only see down or
up the mountain at openings in them.
Then in the tunnel we went for some
ten minutes it seemed to me, and
when we came out it was at the tun
nel I saw down the mountain. We
had made a circle in the mountain,
coming out something like one hun
dred feet below where we went in.
Our car was an observation car and
we could see all around. After going
around and about for sometime we
came to a halt at the pretty little
house mentioned above, and found it
to be a hotel. There were beautiful
roads all through the mountains for
it never rains to wash them. I saw in
a paper a few days ago an account
of an automobile accident on one of
the roads on the side of the mountain
where we went, in which three out of
the four of the people in the auto
were killed. The accident was caused
by the woman, who was the wife of
the driver, getting scared and grab
bing the wheel which turned the auto
over the side of the mountain some
three hundred feet. When an auto
goes off the road there is nothing to
stop it till it hits a tree or big rock.
We had stopped so lo»g at Glacier
Park, which we did not regret, that
when we arrived at Spokane, Wash
ington, we had to go right on to Seat
tle.
Spokane is the second city in Wash
ington, and well worth a day’s stop
over, but we had to be in Portland o*
Tuesday and we had to stop in Seat
tle which is the metropolis of Wash
ington and the West and terminal of
the Great Northern Railway. There
our train was turned over to the
Southern Pacific. Before we arrived
at Spokane we wemt through a tun
nel three miles long. We were pulled
through this tunnel by an oil burning
engine or an electric engine, for I
remember we had very little smoke in
(Continued on page 8)
/
SMITHFIELD LADIES IN
CAMP AT ASHEVILLE
Observe Strict Military Regula
tions—Drills and Exercises
Make Full Program for Day—
Entertained at Grove Park
Inn Organ Recital.
(By Cora Belle Ives.)
The first camp of three camps of
the United States training camps for
women was opened at Asheville on
July 15th, 1920. This camp is under
the supervision of Commandant Sus
ana Cocroft, of Chicago, 111. The
camp is located on a beautiful knoll
northeast of that wonderful resort
hotel, Grove Park Inn. In the first
camp which ended July 29th, there
were 13 states represented and 150
women enrolled. In the second camp
there are 25 states represented and
over 225 women enrolled. This camp
is operated on a strictly military bas
is. Reveille is sounded at 6:30 in the
morning, setting up exercises at 7:15
and breakfast at 8. Then comes in
spection of tents and streets. We
have a relaxation period of one-half
hour, during which time not one word
is spoken and absolute quietness
reigns. (If you don’t believe 225 wo
men can be quiet, you should come
and see.) At 11:15 we have a lec
ture. Mess at 12:30. From 2 to 3
we have nature study, and from 3 to
4 drill. Then comes another half
hour of relaxation. Then another
lecture. Supper at 0 and rerreat at
7. Usually every night we have a
concert, so the day is pretty well fill
ed up. One of the prettiest scenes
any one could witness is at retreat,
when all of the companies are in dress
uniforms and in formation.
The first camp was very fortunate
to have Dr. Alfonso Smith, who is
professor of English at Annapolis,
speak on “O Henry,” and to hear Mrs.
Jane Gentry, of Hot Springs, N. C.,
sing the old English ballads. Mrs.
Gentry is the only person in the world
who knows these old English ballads.
She knows over 100, and to hear this
dear old lady sing is a treat no one
should miss. Then we were invited
over to Grove Park Inn for dinner on
Thursday, July 22nd, when seven
courses were greatly enjoyed by the
150 camp girls. Mr. Suley, the man
ager of Grove Park Inn, has been un
usually nice to the girls, and on Sun
day, July 1st had the camp over to
hear the most wonderful pipe organ
in America. There are two stops in
this organ which have never been
used in any other organ. The organ
ist can also play a piano from the
key board. This organ is strictly an
orchestral organ, and differs from the
other pipe organs. There are six or
gans, three in the north end of the
room, two including the solo and or
chestral organs in the south end, and
the echo organ in the hallway of the
next building to the south. It re
quired over 60 miles of wire to do the
electrical work in this organ. It re
quires a 15-horse power motor to blow
it, and there are 7,000 pipes. It re
quired three freight cars to bring this
organ from the factory and it took
four months to install it.
The second camp will end August
12th.
The following people from Smith
field attended the camp.
lone Abell, Sadie Puckett, Virginia
Puckett, Mrs. E. F. Ward, Mildred
Young, Cora Belle Ives, Bettie Adams,
Mrs. H. D. Ellington.
What Defeated Gore.
Oklahoma support of the policies
of the President was shown emphati
cally in the defeat of Senator Gore by
Scott Ferris. Mr. Gore voted for the
McLemore resolution warning Ameri
cans to keep off vessels of the bellig
erent nations, did not vote at all on
the resolution declaring a state of
war, voted against the draft law and
was lukewarm if not neutral to the
food control law. Wherever the peo
ple have had the opportunity they
have registered their disapproval of
an attitude of this sort. Their ver
dict was emphatic in Oklahoma.—
News and Observer.
Struggling in Vain.
Dobbins—I hear that your daugh
ter’s married a struggling young man.
Jobbins—Well, yes, he did struggle,
but he couldn’t get away.—Edinburg
Scotsman.
OUTLINES POLICIES
IN RINGING SPI
Great Throng Witnesses Nc
nee’s Acceptance of Leac
ship of Party—Marches
Parade of Hosts of Denu
cy —Raps Republican Polici
Fair Grounds, Dayton, 0., Aug 7.
The Democratic presidential stands
with the League of Nations and
gress its chief issues, today wa
marched into the 1920 campaign
Governor James M. Cox.
A throng of cheering Democrat
estimated variously at between 40,C
and 75,000, witnessed Governor Coa
acceptance of party leadersip in
presidential contest, following for
notification by Senator Robinson,
Arkansas, chairman at the San Ft
cisco convention, of its choice.
To the ceremonies at the Montgo
ery county fair grounds Governor
with Franklin D. Roosevelt, his
ning mate, at his side, marched for
mile in a broiling sun at the head
a parade of Democratic delegation
reviewed at the grounds. Their pre
ence was an eleventh hour thought
the governor, who had planned mei
ly to review the Democratic host
which came in thousands from Ot
and also other States. The para
line alone, sprinkled with two scor
of bands, was estimated to contai
20,000 marchers.
For two hours the governor, in
address of acceptance, kept the va
throng cheering as he gave, with e®
phasis his campaign policies,
made the league his paramount de
laration, declaring he stood for Ame
ican and world peace by its adoptic
with “interpretations” preserving it
vital plan. He declared the leag
was a part of the Democratic offering
of progress as against Republican
action. His advocacy of the lea
drew lengthy demonstrations fr©t
his audience and statements of
proval from party leaders gather
here for the Democratic ceremonia
Two reservations he has suggest
to the league covenant were empl
sized by the governor regarding
controverted Article Ten. He
cheered loudly in comparing it to
Monroe Doctrine, with its peace
ord. The Democratic legions
shouted approval of declarations
women suffrage, law enforcement
his only inferential reference to
hibition—reduction of taxation
scores of other issues he proclaimed^
The candidate’s address closed,
evening fell a day of Democratic ju
lation. Rain early in the day, wb
threatened to mar the event, gave
to bright sunshine by afternoon, wit
sultry humidity, but shortly befotfl
the governor concluded, another lig
rain poured upon the crowds, causi:
many to leave and somewhat ms
ing the closing.
With pointed forefinger to vigoro
arm thrusts, the Governor got me
applause as he emphasized his indi
ment of the Republican platform
leadership. The crowd also voiced if|
approval of his declaration that
loss of the league would mean m«
armament expense.
The candidate’s tribute to Preside
Wilson, and his depreciation of
publican “discourtesy,” given in lc
ered voice, were given further rolls
applause. A prolonged demonst
tion followed his assertion that
publican “sleuthing” had failed to
earth dishonesty in the administi
tion direction of the war. This
hammered in, pounding his table
clenched fist.
More cheers approved the cand
date’s pledge to aid ex-service men. ]
Several demonstrations marked
declarations for consideration for
men, including ratification of
equal suffrage amendment.
Repeated thumps of his fist p®
tuated the Governor’s criticism
Senator Harding’s stand on
government,” and the audience
denced its sympathy frequently.
The Governor delivered only
sentence of his statement an ed®
tion, jumping to the subject of ca
paign contributions, and he was che
ed in declaring the Democrats wc
not attempt campaign dollar comj
tition with the Republicans.
As he closed his address, the Go®
nor’s collar was wilted, and In
peared somewhat tired, but he tu
happily to meet groups of congr
latcrs.—Associated Press.
K