THE TRIBUNAL All^
A VIABLE, VALID REQUIREMENT
RESPONDING TO
BLACK NORTH CAROLINA
VOLUME IV, NO. 16
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22,1976
$6.00 PER YEAR
2.5 CENTS
^lEMBER|__^2ujrt!]^CaroliiwBlaokPubli6her8A880oi^^
North Carolina Press Association. Inc.
The 1976 Editions of THE TRIBUNAL AID will
be dedicated lo America s bicentennial Cele
bration, with emphasis on contributions our Race
has made in the making of America, from
birth to the present.
In 1976 there should not be a need to lift these
contributions from isolated sources. Our past
should ne interwoven into the fabric of our ci*
viLization. bt'cause we are, except for the Indian.
America’s oldest ethnic minority.
We have helped make America what it was.
and what it is, since the founding of Virginia.
We ha\e been a factor in many major issues in
our history. There have been many misdeeds
Faye Ashe, Black History Editor
against us, yet ’ave been able to li\e through
them and Hght back. This is li\ine^ oroof of our
history.
Our role In the making of America is neiih‘r
well known or correctly knoun. Many po8iti>e
contributions ha>e escaped historians and have
not found their \^av into the pages of many
histon lx>oks.
\X 0 uill ’stri\e to give readers. Black and
white, many little-kmn\n facts about our past
and it is hoped that a proper pers|H‘ctive of our
history \»ill b(‘ of \alut' to persons who may
belie>e thni as Black peopU' we hav‘ au urt-'
worthy past: and hence, no strong claiitts lo
all rights of other AnuTicaiis.
FORMER HIGH POINT RESIDENT
RHYMES FROM THE DELTA
PART TWO
A few years ago I found a book entitled
RHYMES FROM THE DELTA. The cover of the
book was worn and I had no idea at the moment
the author of the book. When I turned to the title
page I discovered that the author was a High
Pointer and a member of my church.
RHYMES FROM THE DELTA is a collection of
Narratives and Poems by Mr. George W.
McCorkle. In the words of Mr. McCorkle, I would
like to share with you some of his recollections
about the schools he attended, his first composi
tions written and first poem published.
I am sure some of the recollections given here
and names mentioned will bring back memories to
many people in the City of High Point and other
states and cities visited by Mr. McCorkle.
Many of his poems are dedicated to people of
this city, many of whom we have known.
Coniinued From Last Week
SENT TO SHELLBANKS FARM
My stay on Hampton campus was short-lived,
for after being there about a week, I was sent to
Shellbanks Farm. This farm was not a place of
punishment, but had been provided by some
philanthropist for boys who were unable to pay
their way over at the Institute. Unfortunately, I
was classed in that number. I do not know how
this farm got its name, possibly from the donor,
but anyhow it a was a lovely spot, out there in the
woods, located six miles from the Institution.
Those boys who were sent to this division of the
school worked on the farm during the day, and
attended night classes out there. A short while
after arriving at Shellbanks, I was put in charge of
the boys out there. My examination over at the
school proved that I was. in a class to myself at
Shellbanks, and, so, the teachers didn't bother me
with any classroom work. I had the freedom of
just sitting in class. I felt much uphfted, for I had
found one school where I didn't have to study.
This gave me more time for writing.
It was really an inspiration to be out there in the
woods with the location as it was right on the
Chesapeake Bay, so 1 made myself happy, feeling
that even though I had been sent to the woods, my
time would eventually come.
OPPORTL^TY COMES
One evening, the lady who was secretary to the
head of the Agricultural Department of Hampton
Institute, visited Shellbanks for the purpose of
giving the boys the benefit of some moving
pictures. For a while the little machine acted
nicely, but finally it grew stubborn and failed to
function. There the lady was in a situation which
puzzled her. At that time, I went forward and told
her that I could entertain from Dunbar and other
authors, and would be glad to entertain the boys
the rest of the evening. She gladly consented for
me to entertain the group. My program was so
well taken that at the conclusion, the lady asked if
I would give another number, she would be glad to
give a selection. I gave another number, and she
gave a selection with great satisfaction. This same
lady went back to the Institution and told Mr.
Graham, head of the Agricultural Department of
the School, of my ability, and in a few days Mr.
Graham came out to make me a visit. He called
me down to the office one morning through his
sceretary, and advised me to be patient, and in a
few days I would be returned to the Institute.
LEAVES SHELLBANKS FARM
Sure enough, one morning they sent for me to
return to the schoo;. On my arrival to the campus,
I found out that my reputation had gone before
me. The first person I met was Capt. George W.
Blount, to whose office I was taken. Captain
Blount said, "You're back, are you?" And he
made this very significant statement, "McCorkle,
its hard to keep a good man down."
Once more back on the Hampton Campus, I
soon entered upon the poetical field in a big way.
, In a short while I had invitations to speak to diffe
rent groups on the campus. My first invitation
was to give a program one Sunday afternoon
before the Young Men's Christian Association.
The auditorium was packed. At Hampton, in
those days, they had what was known as "The
Annual Oyster Roast." The guests at this affair
were the faculty, officers of the school and their
friends. I was the only student invited to share in
that program. I soon succeeded in publishing,
there at Hampton, my first collection of verses,
"Poems of Thought and Cheer." My second collec
tion, "Poems of Perpetual Memory," was also
published there.
Mr. Betts who was head of the printing depart
ment at Hampton was very kind to me. He knew
that I was without means and so after seeing my
manuscript for my booklet, readily consented to
print them for me. There and then I was made to
feel I was getting somewhere.
OTHERS AT HAMPTON WHO EXPRESSED
INTEREST IN ME
I've never been at a place where I received so
much honor as I received at Hampton Insitute
because of my talent to write and to entertain. I
had some staunch friends both on the faculty and
in the student body. Mr. Aery, one of the officers
of the school, took great interest in my writing.
Among others were Mr. P. L. Prattis, editor of the
Hampton Student, the school publication, and who
is now Executive Editor of the Pittsburgh Courier,
Pittsburgh, Pa., Rev. Laurence Finninger, Chap
lain of the school, Mr. Lorenzo White, Mr. Walter
Brown and the late Dr. R. Nathaniel Dett. In one
of the issues of the Hampton Student, Mr. Prattis
spoke vey complimentary of my published volume
of verses and even quoted some of the poems with
comment. The very fine comment given my
booklet by Mr. Prattis gave my poems a ready sale
on the campus among both teachers and students.
IN THE CITY OF NORFOLK
Just across the Chesapeake Bay from Hampton
Institute, an hour's ride on the boat, lies the city
of Norfolk, Va. Here I had the pleasure of meeting
Mr. J. H. L. Baxter, who was also striving for
recognition as a writer of verse. Through the
kindness of Mr. P. B. Young, Editor of the Norfolk
Journal and Guide, Mr. Baxter succeeded in pub
lishing a monthly Magazine of verse, "The Praise
worthy Muse." Mr. Baxter asked me to serve on
the editorial staff of this magazine. The late Dr.
John R. custus, who was principal of one of the
public schools there in Norfolk, as well as Prof. D.
G. Jacox who was Principal of the Booker T.
Washington High School, showed me many favors
in giving me opportunities of giving recitals and
speaking before their student bodies.
It was also in Norfolk where I met the late
Bishop George Lincoln Blackwell of the A. M. E.
Zion Church. During an annual conference that
was being held in Norfolk, I was so impressed with
the wonderfully personality of the Bishop that I
wrote a poem as a tribute to him. Bishop Black-
well seemed to have been equally impressed with
me, for in a short while he asked me to accept the
Principalship of the Edenton Normal and
Industrial School, Edenton, North Carolina, which
I did. I served as principal of that school for one
year after which time I resigned and recommend
ed Prof. and Mrs. J. M. Foust of High Point, North
Carolina, for the position. They were elected and
accepted the position and served very acceptibly
for quite some time.
EN WASHINGTON, D. C.
During the First World's War, I went to
Washington, D.C., to serve as Y. M. C. A. Secre
tary at Camp Meade, between Washington and
Baltimore. When mustered out, I returned to the
city of Washington and took up work with "The
Washington Tribune," a colored weekly news
paper, of which Mr. W. 0. Walker was editor. I
served in the capacity of City Circulation
Manager. Mr. Walker who is now editor of The
Call and Post of Cleveland, Ohio, showed me
many favors and allowed me every opportunity to
make good. Here, at the capital of the nation, I
also met Dr. W. 0. Carrington who was at that
time pastor of John Wesley A. M. E. Zion Church.
I had succeeded in publishing the third edition of
my poems, "Poems of Perpetual Memory." Dr.
Carrington spoke very encouragingly of my book
let of verses one Sunday morning before that great
congregation at John Wesley.
On account of the illness of my father who lived
with my brother, Rev. E. A. McCorkle, at Gaffney,
South Caroina, I left the Capital to be at his bed
side. My father remained sick for sometime, and
so I gave.up the idea of returning to Washington.
ENTERS GAMMON THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY
In the fall of 1924,1 entered Gammon Theologi
cal Seminary, Atlanta, Ga., graduating in the
spring of 1928. My stay in Gammon was spiced
with some very fine contacts. Here I had fine
opportunity for writing and study, for Atlanta is
really a city of culture. Those on the campus who
showed interest in me by giving me an opportunity
to appear before audiences with my verse were
President M. S. Davage and Dean Brawley and
the late Dr. Luther Brooks of Clark University.
Dr. John Van Pelt, Professor in Gammon, Prof.
Fredrick Hall, Instructor of Music at Gammon,
Clark and Morris Brown Colleges, and the late Dr.
J. W. E. Bowen who was also a Professor at
Gammon, did not fail to express and show their
interest in me as a writer of verse. It was through
these and other friends that I got an opportunity to
read my poems before the three schools mention
ed above, including Morehouse College. The late
Dr. Archer, who was President of Morehouse
College at that time, expressed deep interest in
my writing.
E\ THE CITY OF ATLANTA, GA.
While a student in Gammon Theological Semi
nary, I was also associated with The Atlanta
Independent, a colored weekly newspaper of
which the late Benjamin J. Davis was editor, in
the capacity of City Circulation Manager. Mr.
Davis was nationally known as National Com
mitteeman from the state of Georgia for the
Republican Party. While with the Independent I
contributed articles every week.
GOES TO NEW ORLEANS, LA.
I left Atlanta in the spring of 1928 after complet
ing my work at Gammon Theological Seminary.
My destination was further south. I finally landed
in New Orleans, Louisiana, The Metropolis of the
South. I made a host of friends in that great city.
There in the Cresent City, I was fortunate in pub
lishing the fourth edition of "Poems of Perpetual
Memory." Mr. W. G. Carradine, one of the
wealthiest Negroes in the Cresent City, consented
to have my poems published for me. Another very
staunch friend was Prof. L. D. Crocker, who at that
time was the principal of the J. W. Hoffman Junior
High School, but at present is principal of the New
Booker T. Washington High School. It was
through the kindness and thoughtfulness of Prof.
Croker that my poems had a ready sale in the city
of New Oreleans. He not only bought a number of
books for the school library and encouraged the
teachers to buy copies from me, but also gave me a
letter of introduction to all the other principals of
the schools of the city. Others in New Orleans who
sought to encourage me in my efforts were Dr. W.
T. Handy, Dr. and Mrs. G. W. Carter, Dr. J. W.
E. Bowen, now Bishop Bowen, President 0. E.
Driege, Dean Robert B. Hayes and Prof. and Mrs.
S. C. Walker of New Orleans University, the late
Mr. S. W. Green, Miaa Anita L. Johnson, Rev. T.
R. Albert and Mrs. Robinson.
SWINGS INTO MISSISSIPPI
My last stop in the Deep South was in the state
of Mississippi. Up until this hour, I am unable to
give any reasonable excuse for landing in the state
of Mississippi, but I did take up my abode there,
and remained in that state for four years unmolest
ed. And I have never regretted my visit to this
much talk of "backward" Southern state. Even
though Mississippi is backward, so far as racial
relations are concerned, in my line of work, my
- r|./, ' •
seorge W. McCorkle
reception was most cordial among the whites. I
was really surprised how I was received and
appreciated by the white people of Mississippi.
STOP IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, FOR A
SHORT WHILE
On my way to Canton, Mississippi, a lumber
town 20 miles south of Jackson, I stopped for
sometime in the capital of the state. I had some
fine contacts with the people of Jackson. The
pleasure was mine to visit all the colored schools
and to give recitals at most of them. Jackson and
Campbell Colleges were among the schools which
I visited. I also read some of my poems at both of
these colleges. Persons in Jackson who were very
considerate of me were Dr. Scott, President of
Campberll College, Rev. J.W. Hair, Presiding
Elder of the Jackson District of the A.M.E.
Church, the late Professor M.C. Collins, Prof. I.S.
Sanders, Principal of Lanier High School and the
late Dr. S. D. Redmon.
GOES TO CANTON, MISSISSIPPI
After remaining in the city of Jackson for a few
months, I finally took my hop to Canton,
Mississippi. I was invited to this lumber center by
Rev. Frazier whom I met in the city of Jackson
where he had an opportunity to observe some of
my writings. He at once sought to interest me in
going to Canton for the purpose of working with
him on his paper.
During my stay in Canton there was organized
"The City Chorus," which was made up of
members of the choirs of the various churches of
the city. Being a member of this chorus, I had the
opportunity of reading some of my poems on all of
its programs. These programs were given before
both white and colored audiences, in and out of the
city.
On one occasion I was invited to give a recital by
one of the leading churches there, and the Chorus
was invited to make music. This was one of the
most successful recitals I have ever given.
During my four year's stay in Canton 1 had the
pleasure of meeting some fine people, both white
and colored. The whites who expressed interest in
my writings were Mr. J.M. Smith, Supt. of Public
Schools of Canton; Mrs. George Harvey, Social
Service Worker; Mr. George Smith, businessman;
Capt. Mims, Mr. E. A. Howell, president of the
First National Bank, of Canton, and Mayor Harris.
Those among the colored people who showed
interest in me were: Rev. Frazier, editor of the
weekly newspaper, and pastor of the A. M. E.
Church; Mr. & Mrs. S. L. High, Undertakers;
Miss Sadie Williams, Public School Teacher; Prof.
Mackey, County Farm Demonstration Agent; Rev.
and Mrs. W. H. Hightower, of the A.M.E. Church
where my recital was given, and Prof. and Mrs.
A. M. Rogers, of Cameron Street High School.
Continued Next Week
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1776 Honoring America's Bicentennial 1976
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