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Wayne County
Mr. Ralph Yelverton is an undertaker. He lives and does business down in
Fremont, Wayne County, a good undertaker too. But when Mr. J.T. Aycock died
during the early part of the year, he specified that an undertaker from Wilson
County should have charge of the funeral. The reason: several years before,
Mr. Aycock attended a funeral of a friend in Stantonsburg, Wilson County. The
undertaker gave him a chair to sit on. Mr. Aycock never forgot that little act
of kindness.
Man of Frugal Habits
During his lifetime, Mr. Aycock was a man of frugal habits. He never spent a
penny for anything that he could do without. His home was humble. It lacked
electric lights and other conveniences. Mr. Aycock himself always went poorly
dressed and denied himself all the things that might be considered luxuries.
He said he couldn't afford them. When he died, it was found that he had left
an estate in excess of $250,000.
Not only that, but he specified in his will that $5,000 of the above amount
should be put aside to pay for the cost of a tombstone over his grave. Before
the will was made public, however, they had buried Mr. Aycock. It was found
that the lot in the cemetery was not of the type on which an imposing monument
could be erected, so the body was moved to another place, and the stone was
put up. Although it did not cost $5,000, it is by far the outstanding marker
in the Fremont Cemetery. He lived the life of a pauper, but he lies in the
grave of a prince.
The story of Mr. Aycock was one of several things we learned while traveling
through Wayne County last Thursday. Wayne was formed from Dobbs County in
1779. Dobbs, by the way, used to include Lenoir and Greene counties also.
Wayne was named for General "Mad Anthony" Wayne, of Revolutionary War fame.
Goldsboro was named for a civil engineer by that name who had charge of
surveying the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad. The first county seat of Wayne
was known as Waynesboro. It was located on the Neuse River, about two miles
from Goldsboro. When the railroad terminus was established at Goldsboro, a
movement was undertaken to change the location of the county seat and a
terrific debate ensued.
A Clever Trick
A great meeting was held in Goldsboro in a large oak grove, at which eloquent
speeches were made and much barbecue and home-made liquor consumed. There is a
story to the effect that one of the ardent advocates of removal of the
courthouse deposited in the well in the grove several barrels of ice which had
been brought up from Wilmington.
One of the speakers, in presenting his argument, said: "And another thing - we
have here in Goldsboro the finest water in the state. If you don't believe me,
taste it." They tasted it and, sure enough, it was deliciously cold. Some
folks claim that this was the deciding factor in making Goldsboro the county
seat. And do you know what happened? Most of the residents of Waynesboro tore
down their homes, loaded the lumber and other items on wagons, moved it all to
Goldsboro and rebuilt their houses there. A number of those houses are still
standing in the town. And Waynesboro is no more.
There used to be another town in Wayne County by the name of Everettsville,
six miles from Goldsboro. Some of the largest landowners in the county had
their homes there. There was a female seminary, a church and several stores,
but Everettsville, like Waynesboro, faded out of the picture long ago, and
nothing is left of it.
When we went to Wayne County last week, the first person we saw was Tom
O'Berry. We asked Tom who could give us the most information about the town,
and he suggested Frank Castex, Dr. "Reb" Cobb, Lionel Weil, Bob Edwards and
several others. Mr. Castex wasn't home; he was down in Kinston, visiting
relatives. We found out, however, that he is entitled to the distinction of
being known as the oldest native-born resident of Goldsboro. He is 88 years of
age.
"The man you ought to get to go around with you is Bob Edwards," said
Tom. "He's the postmaster, you know, and he knows as much about Wayne County
as anybody living here."
Mr. Edwards Agrees - So we went to the post office. Mr. Edwards wasn't in; he
hadn't returned from lunch. Incidentally, we believe he is the only postmaster
in the country who doesn't live in the town where he officiates. His home is
some two or three miles outside of the city limits. Yes; Bob said he'd be glad
to go around with us.
"Where do you want to go?" he inquired. "How about Seven Springs?" we
suggested. So we got in the car and headed for Seven Springs. "That's the road
to Dudley," said Bob, after we had driven a short distance. "What's
interesting about Dudley?" we asked.
"Well, there's some mighty fine folks living in that section of the county,
but the most interesting thing about it probably is the fact that the railroad
station there is at a higher elevation than any other railroad station between
Wilmington and Weldon." We drove along a few miles further and then, at Mr.
Edwards' suggestion, turned up a dirt road.
"I thought you might be interested driving out to Indian Springs," he
said. "There used to be a famous muster ground there, where the young men
carried out their drills before the Civil War. Then, too, there's still an old
building there which was built 75 or 80 years ago and which was known as a
township courthouse. It's just a small structure, but the magistrates used to
hold court there and all the voting was done in there too. So far as I know,
it is the only building of its kind ever authorized by the county." We saw the
site of the muster ground and we also took a picture of the township
courthouse.
Then, heading back to the paved road, we were traveling toward Seven Springs
when Bob raised his hand again. "Turn to the left here," he directed. We
turned to the left. The road got narrower and narrower. "I believe this is the
wrong road," he said. "Let's go back." After much effort we managed to get the
car turned around and retraced our journey. "Now try this road," said Bob. We
followed it for half a mile. It got steadily worse and worse. "Darned if we
aren't on the wrong road again," said Bob. "Let's go back." Back we went, and
took another road. It brought us to the edge of the Neuse River. "Now get
out," said Bob.
Saponey Cliffs
We've never seen a lovelier place in Eastern North Carolina. Steep cliffs,
more than 100 feet high, rise up from the river. The view from the top beggars
description. You can see for miles and miles and can follow the track of the
winding Neuse for a long distance. What a beautiful place for a home!
"There's a path; you can get down to the bottom by following it and you can
get a good picture of the cliffs," suggested Mr. Edwards. We carried out the
suggestion, although we almost broke our neck getting down to the bottom. The
climb was terrific, getting back.
"There's another path," said Bob. "You'll find a beautiful spring at the end
of it, and you can get another good picture." That time we almost broke a leg.
And the climb back was even more severe.
"There's another path," began Bob, but we interrupted him. We told him with
much fervor that we had all the pictures we needed. So we resumed our journey
to Seven Springs.
By the way, we found out later, in Goldsboro, that Mr. Edwards as had a rather
interesting career. He used to be sheriff of Wayne County; also welfare
officer. Prior to that, he was with Buffalo Bill for three years where he did
fancy riding and trick shooting and, in addition to traveling all over the
United States and Canada, also went to Europe with the show.
Seven Springs is one of the oldest health resorts in the state. The first step
in developing it as a resort was taken in 1865 by W.B. Whitfield. The present
owner is Mr. G.M. Maxwell, who has been running it since 1912. He looks to be
about 65 years old, but he told us that he's really 83.
"First time we heard of Seven Springs," we told him, "was when we lived down
in Washington. Mrs. W.A. Blount used to praise it to the skies, she and her
husband."
“They’re here right now,” said Mr. Maxwell. And, sure enough, we found them at
the pavilion, playing setback with another couple.
Back around 1880 and 1885 Seven Springs was a gay resort. In fact, it was the
Mecca for society in Eastern North Carolina. Dances and all kinds of parties
were staged and there was plenty of fun and frivolity from early morning until
late at night.
With the advent of paved roads and autos, Seven Springs lost its dancing feet
and holiday crowds. In its place are a quieter, more sedate group of mature
men and women who seek its quiet haven for rest and peace which it’s peculiar
beauty gives, and drink themselves back to health with its healing springs.
And there really have been some remarkable cures effected. Indigestion,
diabetes, kidney ailments, stomach trouble, nervousness, liver ailments – they
all respond to the healing waters of Seven Springs. It’s as quiet and restful
a place as you can find anywhere.
On our way back to Goldsboro we passed a well-kept farm and, on both sides of
the highway could see a lot of Hampshire hogs and Hereford cattle.
“Whose?” we asked Mr. Edwards.
“That’s Weil’s stock farms. Would you like to stop?”
We stopped and met Mr. W.M. Redfearn, manager of the farm. He told us that
they have as many as 800 purebred Hampshires a year. And you may be interested
in knowing that there are only five or six farms in the entire nation that
sell more Hampshires for breeding purposes than Weil’s farm does.
Those Weils, we might say in passing, represent one of the finest families in
Eastern North Carolina. This year their mercantile business in Goldsboro
celebrated its 75th anniversary. Two months after Sherman’s army entered
Goldsboro in March 1865, the business of H. Weil and Brothers was founded.
Herman Weil, the oldest brother, just out of service in the Confederate army,
was joined in the new enterprise by his younger brothers, Henry and Solomon
Weil. The brothers worked hard and pulled together and their business
prospered to such an extent that a new store was built in 1870. The business
has been going strong ever since.
You ought to see all the ribbons and other trophies that their hogs have won
in competition at different state fairs and other places.
Sherman’s Invasion
Speaking of Sherman – he and Generals Scofield, Logan and Terry, with a very
large army, encamped at Goldsboro for some time soon after the battle of
Bentonville. They made life miserable for the people of that section, and some
of their followers remained in the vicinity of Goldsboro for several years,
pillaging and marauding the territory for miles around. You can still see some
of the breastworks that were thrown up around Goldsboro by Scofield’s army on
his march from New Bern to Goldsboro to meet Sherman’s army. These breastworks
at one time encircled the town of Goldsboro.
Polly Slocumb’s grave is located between Goldsboro and Mount Olive. She’s the
woman, you may recall, who had a dream about her husband being wounded at the
battle of Moore’s Creek and made that famous ride on horseback from Goldsboro
to the scene of the battle, a distance of about 75 miles.
Wayne County had had two Governors – Governor Brogden and Governor Aycock. The
former’s home is alongside the railroad tracks near the north end of
Goldsboro. It evidently was quite a pretentious mansion in its day and time
and it’s still in comparatively good condition.
In order to find Governor Aycock’s birthplace, you drive north from Goldsboro,
pass through Pikeville and then, after going over the overpass you turn up a
dirt road that leads to the right. The Historical Commission has put a marker
there.
Two-thirds of a mile in, you come to a comfortable-looking home on the left of
the road. We got out of the car and proceeded to take a picture. A lady came
up just about that moment with a somewhat inquiring expression upon her face.
“Just taking a picture of Governor Aycock’s home,” we told her.
“That’s our home,” she said. “The Governor’s home is out back.”
She introduced herself as Mrs. Wiley Aycock and said that her husband was a
nephew of the Governor’s.
The old house – out behind a barn – is in bad state of repair.
It’s a small, one-story structure, and we learned that a movement is now
underway to restore it. Not much has been done about the matter up to the
present time, however. Great man, was Governor Charles Brantley Aycock, and we
hope that something will be done about his birthplace.
Other Interesting Things
There are many other interesting things about Wayne County. There’s the Odd
Fellow’s Orphanage, a mighty fine institution; there’s the town of Mount
Olive, center of a large and prosperous trucking area and the location of one
of the largest pickle plants in this section of the country; there’s the town
of Eureka, a fine little community surrounded by a rich farming section;
there’s the big textile plant of the Borden Manufacturing Company in Goldsboro
as well as a number of other large manufacturing plants. All in all, Wayne
probably is one of the best balanced counties in the state. Goldsboro has made
great progress during the last two or three decades and is the trading center
for a wide area. Its stores are modern and well stocked, it has fine
residential sections, a beautiful Woman’s Club building and many other assets.
There’s a splendid spirit of cooperation among its citizenry, and this same
thing might well be said of every other town and community in the county.
Wayne County raises tobacco, and it also raises cotton. But in addition, its
farmers carry out a program of diversification which has been proved to be
very successful.
A Famous Swimmer
Wayne County has produced its governors, its members of Congress, its great
educators, its judges and its men and women in other high fields of service.
There’s a sixteen-year-old girl in Goldsboro, however, who is bringing
national publicity to Goldsboro. Her name is Prince Nufer. She has been
swimming in competition for four years and is now sixteen years of age. She is
the only athlete in the Carolinas to hold two junior nation records and
titles. She won her first national title in 1937, the Junior National 150-yard
Individual Medly in Pittsburgh, and her second this summer, the 100-meter
Junior National Backstroke in High Point. She also broke the Junior National
Backstroke record at that time.
Prince has more than one hundred medals, trophies and certificates. She has
competed in New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and in many
other towns. On August 30-31 she will swim in the 14th annual Mid-Atlantic
meet in Charlotte. She now holds seven records in this meet.
And, in connection with outstanding people, we can’t refrain from mentioning
one who treads the humbler paths of life but who, nevertheless, has made a
state-wide reputation for himself. He is Adam Scott.
Adam is a colored man and a highly respected citizen of Goldsboro. He started
making barbecue a number of years ago and it was such good barbecue that
people got to talking about it. He opened up a small place and it immediately
proved popular. Then he expanded his service, and today he has a neat little
restaurant adjacent to his home in the colored section of Goldsboro. Great and
near-great, from far and near, have beaten a pathway to Adam’s door. In
addition, he goes all over North Carolina, and into other states as well,
catering to picnics, conventions and other large gatherings.
Wayne County was one of the leaders in the inauguration of the public school
system in North Carolina. Several years ago Judge Frank A. Daniels – a finer
man never lived – wrote a history of Wayne in which he mentioned the vigor
with which the fight for better educational facilities was waged in that
county. Said Judge Daniels: “If a man in Goldsboro who cares for popularity
wishes to destroy himself utterly, let him put himself in opposition to the
progress of our school. Some of the finest educators in the State have gone
from its halls. I might mention Moses, Alderman, Claxton, Joyner, Foust,
Brooks, and others.” And today, Wayne County takes just as much pride in its
schools as it did fifty or more years ago.
The county has produced many great men – it is impossible to mention all of
them, so we won’t even attempt to mention a partial list. But there was one
man whose heart and soul were wrapped up in the welfare and progress of Wayne;
who devoted his entire life to the service of that section of North Carolina
and whose memory will be kept alive for many years to come.
We refer to Colonel Joseph E. Robinson, for many years editor of the Goldsboro
Argus. He died some time ago, and there was sincere mourning over his passing,
not only in Wayne County but throughout that entire section of the state. He
was a man who exemplified the highest type of citizenship.
And so, we bring our story of Wayne County to a close. We have omitted many
things of interest, but we hope that what we have mentioned here will give you
a better idea of that favored area of North Carolina – the land of the Allens,
O’Berry’s, Royalls, Dortches, Weils, Bordens, Kornegays, Aycocks, Humphreys,
Deweys, Robinsons and others.
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