THE TRIBUNAL AI0
A VIABLE, VALID REQUIREMENT
RESPONDING TO
BLACK NORTH CAROLINA
VOLUME IV, NO. 17
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29,1976
$6.00 PER YEAR
25 CENTS
MEMBER: North Carolina Black Publishers Association
North Carolina Press Association, Inc.
The 1976 Editions of THE TRIBUNAL AID will
be dedicated to America's bicentennial Cele
bration, nith 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, because 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
against us, yet we have been able to live through
them and fight back. This is living proof of our
historv.
Our role in the making of America is neither
well known or correctly known. Many positive
contributions ha>e escaped historians and have
not found their wav into the pages of many
history iKK>ks.
\Xe will strive to give readers. Black and
white, many littie-known facts al>out our past
and it is hop‘d that a prop*r p*rspective of our
hlstor) will be of value to p«Tsons who may
beli«*>e that as Black people we ha>e au urt-
worthy past: and hence, no strong claims to
all rights of other AnuTicans.
Faye Ashe, Black History Editor
FORMER HIGH POINT RESIDENT
RHYMES FROM THE DELTA
PART THREE
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.
Continued From Last Week
LEAVES MISSISSIPPI
In the spring of 1941, my brother, Rev. E. A.
McCorkle, who is Pastor of Allen Chapel Presby
terian Church, Fountain Inn, South Carolina,
wrote and asked me to come out of the state of
Mississippi. He made no explanations to give me
his reasons for asking me to leave the state. The
big question in my mind was how would I get out
of Mississippi without walking. But I had the
courage to write my brother that I would leave
Mississippi. So in his next letter he told me that if
I would come and stay with him, he would pay my
from Canton, Mississippi, to Fountain Inn, South
Carolina. This scattered the clouds that were
hanging over my head. I at once began to get
together my few belongings and in a short while I
said farewell to the state of Mississippi.
My brother and I had a happy meeting, for we
had not seen each other in fourteen years. Regard
less to the size of a town or community where my
lot happened to be cast, I have always been able to
contact and interest somebody in my writings. I
had been in this small town but a short while when
my writings began to attract attention, and
especially among the whites. I must say that in
this small South Carolina town the whites showed
and expressed unusual interest in my efforts to
write verse. The whites in Fountain Inn who did
fail to give me a hearing were: Revs. J.L. Shannon
and W. Chester Keller, pastors of the Presby
terian churches; Messrs. Chiple, Superintendent
of Public Schools of Fountain Inn; George P.
Wenk, President of Citizens Savings Bank of
Fountain Inn, and Robert Quillen, editor of a
weekly newspaper in Fountain Inn, and also con
tributor to various daily and weekly periodicals,
including the Charlotte Daily Observer.
RETURNS TO fflGH POINT, NORTH CAROLINA
TO LIVE
In the fall of 1941, while still with my brother.
Rev. E. A. McCorkle in Fountain Inn, South
Carolina, my brother. Rev. T. J. McCorkle, wrote
me from High Point, North Carolina, inquiring
if I would come to that city and give a recital at
St. Mark Methodist Church under the auspices of
the Brotherhood of the church. I readily consented
to make the trip and give the recital. Arrange
ments then went forward for my appearance in a
recital at St. Mark. It was really one of the
greatest pleasures of my life to return to High
Point after being away for something over twenty
years.
It was here in St. Mark Methodist Church
(then Morris Chapel M. E. Church) where I gave
my first successful recital. While a student in
Hampton Institute, Hampton, Virginia, I visited
High Point on account of the illness of my father,
Ned McCorkle. While in the city arrangements
were made for me to give a recital at Morris
Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. This recital
was sponsored by the late Miss Ava Robinson,
Mrs. Lola B. Curtright, and Mrs. J. M. Foust.
A large crowd came out that night to hear one of
its boys in recital. I received a great ovation at the
close of the program.
George W. McCorkle
The late Rev. Rossie Lee Brower, who was a
student in Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta
Georgia, was serving the church as minister in the
absence of the pastor. At the conclusion of my
program, Rev. Brower was asked to make
remarks. I remember very vividly the remarks
made by the young theologian pertaining to my
future success.
At that time my father lay very sick in the
section of High Point known as "Macadonia."
When I returned to his sick room that night and-
related to him the story of my successful recital at
Morris Chapel, my father made this prophecy,
"Son, you'll be a power in the world some day."
I felt then and feel it more keenly today that those
words were divinely inspired. I hope to fulfill the
prophecy, not only to Rev. Brower and my father,
but also the good wishes and hopes of hundreds of
others whom it has not been my good fortune to
meet.
THE RECITAL ON MY RETURN TO
HIGH POINT
The Recital which was given under the auspices
of the Brotherhood of St. Mark Church was spon
sored by Messrs. T. A. Brower, L. E. Whitaker,
J. M. Foust and others was a big success from
every angle. The large audience expressed its
appreciation in its hearty applause. It was a great
pleasure to greet old friends and a host of others I
did not know after being out of the city for such a
long time. I was so impressed with the rousing
welcome given me that I decided to take up my
abode in High Point again.
VARIOUS CONTACTS IN THE CITY OF
HIGH POINT, NORTH CAROLINA
So far, 1 have given a brief account of the con
tacts and rich experiences that have been mine
with individuals in other states and cities, in'my
travels for almost twenty years. My account now
is to be centered in High Point and near-by
communities. Not one moment have I regretted
my return to High Point, my old home town. The
city stood with open arms to welcome its son's
arrival after an absence of 20 years, and its
citizens, both white and colored, continue to open
to me doors of opportunity.
THE CHURCHES
The churches have spared no pains in securing
me to give recitals from time to time. My first
recital at St. Mark Methodist Church, shortly after
my arrival in the city, was the opening wedge to all
the other churches of the city. All of the pastors of
the city have, at sometime, shown or expressed
themselves in someway in appreciation of mv
work.
THE SCHOOLS
During the past several years, I hr.ve had an
opportunity to take part in a program or to give
recitals at each of the colored schools in the city of
High Point. I have also been invited to give
recitals at schools in the following nearby towns:
Trinity, Florence, Thomasville, Gibsonville, Deep
River, Burlington, Hamlet and Graham.
CLUBS
I have also had rich experiences in my contacts
with various clubs of the city. Among the clubs
entertained in the city have been the Young
Women's Club of Main Street Baptist Church,
Daughters of Dorcas of First Baptist Church,
Youth Fellowship Group of the First Methodist
Church, the Civitan and Cooperative Clubs at the
Sheraton Hotel, and two years in succession I had
the pleasure of entertaining the Medical and Nurs
ing Staff at the City Lake and Brotherhood and
Woman's Society of Christian Service of Brooks
Memorial Methodist Church.
ON THE AIR
Through the influence of Rev. W. F. Wlliott,
Pastor of First Baptist Church, High Point, North
Carolina, for the past two or three years, it has
been my good pleasure to broadcast over station
WMFR of High Point. In these programs, I have
used not only my own writings, but the writings of
other authors as well. It has been encouraging
through these years to have received so many
compliments from a host of both races who have
listened in on my programs. Mr. Bill Smith, the
announcer, has been very considerate of me at
all times.
SOME STAUNCH FRIENDS
I take this opportunity to express my deepest
appreciation to the citizens of High Point and also
of the surrounding communities for kindnesses
shown me in my efforts and endeavors to achieve.
But among the host of friends, there are those who
have gone the "Second Mile." I take pleasure in
mentioning the following persons: Prof. S. E.
Burford, Principal, William Penn High School;
Mr. W. A. Bivins, of the High Point Enterprise;
Mr. T. A. Brower; Prof. S. S. Whitted, Principal
Leonard Street School; Dr. H. L. Brockman; Prof.
C. E. Yokeley; Mr. Robert L. Thompson, Editor
of the High Point Enterprises; Mr. W. R. Peters,
Superintendent, High Point Memorial Hospital;
Prof. Victor Blackburn, Principal, public school at
Gibsonville, N.C.; Miss Mytrolene L. Graye,
Principal, Fairview Street School; Mrs. Lilian E.
Donnell; Mrs. Alma McRae; Rev. W. F. Elliott,
Pastor, First Baptist Church; Dr. J. C. Morgan;
Mrs. W. E. Merritt; Dr. C. T. Whitten; Dr. W. 0.
Weldon, Pastor of First Methodist Church; Dr. A.
M. Greenwood; Mrs. J. B. Jones; Rev. I. P.
Harris; Mrs. Carrie L. Mayfield; Mrs. Marvin
Slate; Dr. H. H. LeMon; Miss Emma L. Chaffin,
Superintendent of Nurses High Point Memorial
Hospital (Washington Street Unit); Mr. H. L.
Garner, Sr.; Mrs. Alice McLeod; Mr. J. P. Laffoon
the printer of this book; Rev. T. W. Blankenship,
and Postmaster, S. C. Clark.
CONCLUSION
Believing that I posess some little abihty to
write verse, I have consecrated this talent to the
Master, and have applied myself to the task of
speaking a rhythmic language which has appealed
to me greatly from childhood.
My higest ambition is to leave something on
record, a thought, a word, a deed that might make
the world better because of my having lived in it.
Through my feeble efforts, I hope to leave the
world a little better than I found it.
These verses come from a soul that is continual
ly reaching out for more light and inspiration; from
a heart that is continually praying for better con
ditions to be brought about for my people, especi
ally in the Southland, where I was born and reared
and where my rave so often must stand before a
bar of injustice.
In my travels through the Deep South, I have
had an opportunity to see and to study the con
ditions of my race. Quite often my blood has been
made to boil because of galling conditions faced by
my people.
SIGN OF HOPE
But in the midst of the most trying and heart
rending conditions, there often burst forth a ray of
hope which has given me new faith and courage.
And in the words of Paul Laurence Dunbar, I have
been able to "Keep Plugging Away." There are
rising up from time to time, even in the very
hottest beds of prejudice, young white men and
women who have the courage of their convictions,
and who have the daring to speak and write in
defence of an underprivilaged group. Thank to
our Maker, this number is being greatly augment
ed as the days, weeks, months and years go by.
Through faith in God and love for all manking, we
shall eventually come into our own.
Finally, in my writings I hope to encourgae
rising youth of all groups to aspire to higher and
nobler things. In spite of handicaps, if one has it
in his sould to put up a struggle, success is
assured. With immeasured appreciation to those
of both races, men and women, who have been so
very generous in their thoughts of me in my
endeavors, and who have sacrificed greatly that I
might get a hearing, and thanking those in
advance whom I have not had the privilege to
meet, and who possibly would have shown as
many kindnesses as others; and thanking all those
who shall read this collection of verses with
interest and meditation, I now take the liberty of
sending forth "RHYMES FROM THE DELTA "
(REVISED) on its mission, praying that God might
further use me for the advancement of His cause,
and for bringing of His kingdom into the hearts of
men.
Continued Next Week
[Hisforical Landmark^^
1 O f Black America |
I by Fay Ashe |
No more substantial testimony to the role of the Black in the
growth and development of America can 1m* found than the nu-
m‘rous historical landmarks in various regions of the country
which are associated with Black Americana. Many of these—like
the Alamo and Bunker Hill—are not conventionally known as
sites involving chapters of Negro history.
OSAWATOMIE:
JOHN BROWN
MEMORIAL STATE
PARK
This state park, named
in honor of the fiery in
surrectionist, contains
the cabin in which he
lived during his brief
sojourn in Kansas.
WALLACE:
FORT WALLACE
Only a roadside marker
and a cemetery are left
as identifying marks of
Fort Wallace, another of
the military outposts
used by the 10th Cavalry
One white officer who
came to Fort Wallace as
commandant of the 5th
Cavalry after having
refused a regiment of
Negro troopers changed
his attitude in the field
when Negro soldiers
whom he fought along
side proved their mettle
in battle against the
Cheyenne. The black
cavalrymen marched 230
miles in nine days, and
killed 10 Cheyenne who
had surrounded the
escort party which was
taking the major to his
new regiment.
LOUISIANA
BATON ROUGE;
Southern University
Located in Baton Rouge
since 1914, Southern
University is the succes
sor to an institute
founded in New Orleans
after the Civil War. The
modern and well-financ-
('d plant now serves
some 12,000 students on
a breathtakingly land
scaped site that includes
a huge lake. The two
university satellites now
in existence are located
in Shreveport and New
Orleans.
New Orienas: Chalmette
National Historical Park
Louisiana State Museum
Chalmette National His
torical Park is the more
precise site of what is
usually recorded in
history as the Battle of
New Orleans, fought
during the War of 1812.
The battle pitted the
motley forces of General
Andrew Jackson against
5,400 seasoned English
veterans of the Napole
onic campaigns fighting
under Sir Edward Paken-
ham.
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1776 Honoring America's Bicentennial 1976
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