The Robesonian from Lumberton, North Carolina • Page 20

Pagt 4-A-THE ROBESONIAN HISTORICAL EDITION, FEBRUARY 1951 The History Of Lumberton Were Different Then- Fishing Parties, Cider Shops (Continued from Page 1) of on hoi bUS Civil War Hardships. Lurberton went through of the Civil a all o( the men town away army. were made even harder than i other parts of the South because of the outlaws. Of course Lumbcrton and the county was harnsseed by the "carpetbaggers" and There was a Freedmmis Buieau located at Lumberton most of the time Ch'il rights had been taken those who had participated Se move to establish a Confederacy, but these were restored camping ground for tobacco, whiskey and produce wagons. Chest- nu ls cre hauled from the moun- ilh tains in wagon loads and retailed five cents the quart.

'Mud tne Confederate Mal as this location was nam- open warfare was i cc was not in town, so that the Henry Berry Lowry Saturday afternoon scraps were lllt onn. i ookec a fter by the township constables or deputy sheriffs. "Back in those days there was a timber landing on the town side! of the river, a short distance south of the present iron bridge Rebuilding on these ruins was difficuU indeed-but the business foundations of the county and of --Lumberton-began to be made oun founded in this year, when the population of Lumberton was a little over 500. Berr' Godwin was one of the early builders of Lumbcrton; he began operation of a turpentine distillery and and a mercantile SaSment. Arthur Me.ke, a German, John H.

Caldwell, A White. Col. N. A. McLean and Angus Wilton McLean, M.

Biggs, M. M. Rozier, Aaron Wemstein. J. H.

Wishart, C. M. Fuller Deese, W. I. Kinkhaw built up Lumberton in a busincw way.

Wishart was lor years Lumberton's historian, having lived through the Reconstruction days and having watched the town grow as a commercial center. He lived to the age of 91 and died in December 1050. A number of articles written by him were published, in The Robe- in the 1920's and 1930's. Here are some excerpts: Mayor A Saloon Keeper. "Fourth Street used to be lined with saloons, and the mayor of the town and the chief-of-police were saloon keepers, and good ones too.

(around 1870). "Information traveled slowly in that day. One night a prisoner in the jail, a wooden structure, set it afire, and it all but burned down on him before he could be let nut. The chief-of-policc lived two miles in the country, and it was next day before he knew about the fire. Mail Service Slow.

"Mail came to Lumberton three times a week from Wilmington and three times a week I'rom Old Hundred, near Hamlet. The postal service was rotten because the postmaster, due to lack of help, had to close the i and carry the mail to the train. When he would get the mail back to the time, he would let the mail a i until after he had his meal. Could Shoot Gun In Town. "It wasn't against the law to shoot a gun in town in those days, and the shade trees in the courthouse square, 'round the old red fresh from the plant i a of buying from the saloons.

(About 191)0) "A wave of pros- sold, and women at home sewed these onto home-spun shirt bricks for their men. Farmer Brought Jug "Usually a farmer coming to town town would bring his molasses (sincc replaced by a wooden bridge) at the foot of Fifth street. Here large quantities of hewn timber were rolled down the hill into the river where it was rafted and floated down the river to Georgetown, a distance of about 300 miles by water. Male And Female Academies. "(About 1870 Elm street from what is now Second Street to what is now Tenth Street.

At that time the town had two two-story wooden school buildings, the one at the southern terminal of Elm street being known as the 'Male Academy. 1 The Female Academy was located a short distance above the present Tenth street In 1868 the 'Male Academy' was moved over on the corner now occupied by the city hall. "The second story of this building was used as a Masonic hall until destroyed by fire a little more than fifty years ago. The second story of the 'Female Academy' was used as a lodge room by the 'Sons of 'Friends of as a ball room, and also as a school room. "I have seen many people laid to rest in the old cemetery, now City Hall park.

The western half of the cemetery was used for white people while the southern half was used for colored people. Immense Turpentine Plant. "1 have seen the lot now bounded by Elm, First and Chestnut streets and railroad tracks covered by one immense turpentine distilling plant. Shipments of rosin and spirits were so great that at times freight trains were chartered to come here and load to capacity. "When an extra was ordered a large force of laborers was engaged to begin loading on a i a of train and i i three or four hours the old woodburner wa.s ready to leave for Wilmington i tonnage.

I have eleven barrels of rosin 'coopered up' ready for shipment at one lime. I those days 20,000 pounds was a maximum car load. "The first and only building recall on the square on the West of Kim street between the present Second and Third streets, was a small wooden used as a general store. back of it wa.s a large lot where large guard house was in order. True, it was seldom needed.

A prohibition came along it was but natural to suppose that would be few and far between. The new prison was erected. A short distance north of the present iron bridge, on the town side, a section of the river bank was cut away. A or cell 7 feet building was erected and the town had a new guard house invisible to people passing along Water Street. was and some- things had to happen.

One night a party of young men staged a sham fight and were oy the night policeman. a new guard house soon became too small, was discarded, and for several years the county jail has taken care of town as well as other prisoners. Slaves Sold I'rivalely. 'My redollection is that most slaves were sold at private, sale. I do remember the old whipping- post which was located in the corner of the courthouse yard, just opposite the Lorraine hotel, remember also seeing a white man receive thirty-nine lashes on his bare back for stealing a horse.

days' brought crowds to town and business, was good the old 'ginger cake' line." The late K. M. Biggs, who came to be one of the most powerful merchants of gave some recollections of Lumberton in 1875 to the Rotary club in 1942. A report of his speech was published in The Robesonian August 31 and some of the interesting things he said are as follows: Notched Milcposls. "Public roads leading into the town were marked by notched mileposls showing the of miles to town, and were maintained by public labor, two days each month usually being required of each man.

'Sonic men refused to work, and when warrants were sworn out for their, to appear before a justice of peace they would deny they had received the summons. Later, summonses were taken by man who carried a witness i i and when convictions resulted, the was fined $3 or required to dig a ditch 10(1 feet lung. Wooden "About 1875, had no town waterworks or electrical and its streets and sidewalks were of dirt, except fur occasional wooden sidewalks in the business section, i hail 10 be scoured about twice a week to get rid of tobacco juices. I i the ne Kt-L i i t- 1 11 i i office, if it happened to be dinner droves of mules were ollered for i stock buying Wine Company. "On the vacant lot just north of bus station 1 have seen car loads of barrels of wine made.

A large wooden structure was used for the wine making business. brick courthouse, were China Farmers gathered their grapes, trees. There used to be in these trees thousands of robins, which townsmen would shoot out at will. "Just below the old bridge, on the town side, in 1868 the late Rev. A.

R. Pittman, pastor of the Baptist church, baptized a large number of converts as the result of a protracted meeting held by the pastor, assisted by the Rev. Havnes Lennon. Among white and black, by barrels sold them to the wine company. Still In Front Of Church.

"On the west side of Elm Street between the present Tenth and Eleventh Streets, was a a i i cent pine grove in which the Baptist church was located, where services were held once a month. Directly in front of the church, probably 50 or 60 yards in distance, wa.s a large whiskey dis- those baptized, I remember Shcr-Itillery owned by a mercantile iff Reubin King, who later was i The stiller charge was a murdered by the Lowry outlaws, white woman well known in this section at that time. "On the still yard might be and the late Mr. and Mrs. Berry Godwin and daughter, Miss Edna.

Rally Day-1 908 stores, wooden boxs i served as cuspidors. "The town had thr.ee i tills operated by Horry Crulwin, and a 280-pound ban-el tine sold anywhere from $1.50 to $3 a barrel, i as i as being paid for first-year i i Next to cotton, the forests provided the biggest money crop, with their i and timber. a i of logs were floated down Lumber River to Georgetown' by crews of three men, who spent 15 to 18 days on the downstream received $180 to $200 for the a of logs, and walked most of the way back home. "Storckcepins 1 Different. 'Slorekeeping' wns very i ferent from at present.

Dry- goods wcrc packed loose in large wooden boxes, and ready-to-wear was for men only. Ladies' ready- to-wear did not a its appearance here i about 1890. There were no elastic suspenders or belts for men, and no dress shirts Maxton Editor Writes Of Visit Here (Scottish Chief Editor W. B. Harker wrote in his paper some things that impressed him on his visit to Lumberton on Rally Day.

This was reprinted in The Robe- sonian October 8, 1908.) With what we have already written of toe rally at the county seat last Tuesday, we can have Space for but word of the many old familiar faces we were permitted to gaze upon once more; the hearty handshakes and the kindly greetings, as old acquaintances were renewed. The snow-crowned were there, those whom we have met in the old court house, now vanished, in the old strenuous days when gatherings of the Democratic hosts means in the near future a battle royal on their part against the black hordes then being marshall- ed by the Republican generals, who had only to say to them "do this," and it was done. Yes, the old gruy-beard was there, with new vigor sparkling in often dimmed eye, and the old man with the young heart, with memory revived, and determination to let the young man know that it would be treason to falter IK the presence of the same old enemy that vanished Trom the field before the charge of the fathers, as the mist of the morning before the rising sun. We simply made it too hot for them, and behold the present glorious Robeson that stands at the head of the list of counties of the slate, forced there by Democratic vigor intelligently guided, Silver Among The Gold. The "silver among the gold" were present--the kids of the day when Col.

N. A. McLean, the elder, Hon. Alfred Rowland, Capt. W.

S. Nonnent, Col. W. Foster French, the McNeilis, W. Wallace McDiarmid, Col.

Murdock McRae, J. H. Morrison, Dr. Lewis, D. P.

McEachin, Tom McBridc. and many others were in the fight to win. They were there still in vigor, as were the mothers of their children; but the vast crowd was largely made up by the descendants of these men. Putting On City Airs. We had but little opportunity to see the great improvements in the town of Lumberton itself.

It is putting on airs, city airs. Its fine systems of water and sewerages; its magnificent graded school; the handsome court house, the pride of the people of the county: the many fine residences, would attract attention anywhere. We took time from business and pleasure to walk around the old Godwin square, upon which A. Wilton McLean, has erected cue of the most handsome residences and accessory conveniences in eastern or central Carolina. It is magnificant, and homelike, too.

Host Of The Waverly. Col. A. Bicherey, mine host of the Waverly (Hotel), was equal to the occasion, and catered to the large number of Maxtonians, as well as the ether overflow from the spread at the courthouse, in a most satisfactory manner. We could not pass the block occupied by White and Gough without entering their mammoth store or combination of stores thrown into one floor space where they have piled up seventy-five thousand dollars worth of goods bought at sacrifice sales all over the country.

The people seem to be appreciative of their enterprise, loo, for there were crowds there waiting to be waited on. Yes, Lumbcrton is growing into a city. May harmony dwell within its borders. storekeeper, having no paper bags, would fold and roll a sheet of irown paper in such manner as to iold the goods satisfactorily." 'All buildings in town were of frame construction except the old Proctor building and the McLeod built in 1876. "Bucket brigades were the only means of fire protection, and although they did efficient work, Mr.

Biggs said he had seen the town burn four times, each time making greater progress thereafter." I Town Dsstroyed By Fire. A story in the special edition of The Robesonian, November 1937, reported that Lumberton's business district has been destroyed twice by fire--in 1870 and in 1876. Other fires partially destroyed the business districts. A booklet, "All About Robeson County," was published by order of the county commissioners in 1884. The following is part of the description of Lumberton: "The population of the place is about 1,200.

There are 20 stores, five churches white and colored, good schools, a weekly newspaper, several saw mills and turpentine distilleries, and four good hotels. The lands' about Lumberton are fine for growing cotton, corn, sugar-cane, peas, potatoes, melons, peaches, pears, figs, pomegranates and rice, and vegetables for early market. Fishing Parties. "Lumber River is noted at this place for the quantity and quality of its excellent fish. Fishing par- lies often make Lumberton their headquarters, whilst indulging in this pleasant pastime.

Farming lands can be purchased in the neighborhood from S5 to $20 per acre." In a story entitled, "Lumberton, Its Past And Present," by the late Woodbcrry Lennon, published in The Robesonian May 6, 1915, il is stated that up until around 1800, Lumberton had made little progress. The following is quoted from the ,1915 story: "A quarter of a century ago the town had made but little progress. There were but few brick buildings in the town and each building standing in striking contrast with its neighbor. Thus, before a nicely proportioned brick building, wa.s located a blacksmith shop, and at its sides extended a row of cheap, dirty wooden structures. In the residence sections, a church, a nice residence and a cheap Negro hut stood in calling distance of each other.

Ladies Stayed Home. "The town then being a liquor almost every other business i house was a bar-room and on Saturday afternoons on account of and rowdyism, the ladies of the town would not vent upon the main streets. Lumberton in its early days suffered mure at the hands of 'king alcohol 1 than any town its size in the slate. "Murders, suicides and bold robberies were common upon its streets, and the waters of Lumber river were the grave of numbers of murdered and drowned so much so that for many years it bore the name of 'Drowning but thanks to the prohibition laws and the growing influences for right, those -condition no longer exist. "The streets were a mass oJ mud and black dirt and in dry weather 'rickety and A ride- upon them suggested the sensation of a ride upon the back of a runaway camel.

Tlve Cider Merchants. "Where the courthouse is now stood a small red brick structure the county courthouse, and before it stood the whipping post The corner bricks were knockec out of the old building by cider merchants who, humming a strain of 'Mississippi Sawyer' or 'Leather reeling from intoxication, drove their teams across the court yard and ran into the corners of the building. "On a dark night, here and there on an occasional corner the little oil street lamp sparkled, a mere star, casting a tiny ray afai into the darkness 'the good deed in a naughty world'. "The old courthouse is replaced with a beautiful white press brick structure and the days of the whipping post have passed. Where the little old white jail and gallows stood is a large up-to-date red press-brick prison." Railroads Change Things.

The corning of the railroads die much to develop Lumberton. In 1860 a railway from Wilmington to Lumberton was completed. Before this railroad supplies had been transported up Lumber River from Georgetown, S. C. After the Civil War, the railway was extended westward to Rutherfordton.

This road now is known as the Hamlet-Wilmington branch of the Seaboard Railway company. Before the turn of the century the railroad from Lumbcrton to (Continued on Page 8-A) KEEP ROBES WE DIDBT START OOT TO SET THE WORLD OH FIRE WE ONLY WANTED TO HELP RTON AND UNTY WARM For twenty years we have had the pleasure of serving the people of this area with high quality coal and fuel oils. We have prospered because of our many friends who have heen a part of the progressive development of our county. For them we are grateful. This growth reaffirms our faith in Lumberton and Robeson County as the best place to work and live.

COAL FUEL OIL FUEL CO. H. P. ALLEN President S. ELM STREET DIAL 6081 B.

G. FRENCH LUMBERTON BLUEC BLUE SHIELD Fifteen years of health service to Tar Heels congratulates THE ESONIAN for its.80 years of communiiy service to the people of Lumberton and Robeson County. HOSPITAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATION and THE ROBESONIAN have tire- lessly devoted their efforts toward better service for the people they serve. HOSPITAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATION has constantly improved its service to North Carolinians through more complete health service for members and their families. THE ROBESONIAN always endeavors to furnish its readers complete and faith- ful coverage needed for an understanding of our changing times.

Hospital Saving Association At Chapel Hill Blue Cross-Blue Shield Health Service E. J. Britt, Jr. 301 Carolina Theatre Building DIAL 3515 LUMBERTON.