Sunday, March 17, 2024

John W. Stephens Slain by Men of His Own Political Party and Not by Ku Klux

Says J. W. Stephens Not A Carpetbagger: Geo. F. Ivey Says Man Assassinated in Yanceyville Probably Was Slain by Men of His Own Political Party and Not by Ku Klux

(Special to The Charlotte Observer) Hickory, Oct. 12 [1935] -- J. W. Stephens, whose assassination in Yanceyville during the reconstruction days led to a declaration of martial law and indirectly to the impeachment of Governor W. W. Holden, was not a carpetbagger and there is evidence he was slain by men of his own political party instead of Ku Klux Klansmen, according to George F. Ivey, well-known Hickory manufacturer.

Mr. Ivey, a brother of J. B. Ivey of Charlotte, says he has information tending to prove that the "inside story" of the Stephens assassination, reported in a recent press dispatch from Danville, Va., is incorrect. The news story told of a deposition which Capt. John G. Lea of Danville made in 1919 and locked in a vault until it was disclosed after his death.

In his witnessed statement, Captain Lea, who was on organizer for the Invisible Empire in Caswell County in 1870 and who died several days ago at South Boston, Va., names Col. J. T. Mitchell and Thomas Oliver, now both dead, as the actual executioners of Stephens. The Lea statement, witnessed and attested by the late Col. Fred Olds, declares Stephens was condemned to die by the Caswell Klan which accused him of arson. The Klansmen swore never to reveal to others who participated in the enterprise until the last one was dead. Captain Lea was the last, according to the Danville story, succumbing at South Boston, Va., in his 92nd year. He did, however, make the deposition in 1919 at the urgent request of the North Carolina Historical Commission and locked in a vault.

Mr. Ivey, who formerly lived in Caswell County, is familiar with the circumstances of the Stephens death, or at least with the local stories there. The courthouse where the man was killed during a political rally is still standing and visitors are shown the very room in which the body was found. Continuing, Mr. Ivey declared:

No Carpetbagger

"J. W. Stephens was not a carpetbagger. A carpetbagger was a corrupt man from the North who came to the South at the end of the war with all his possessions in a carpet bag -- a valise made of carpet instead of leather. Stephens was a native of Rockingham County and was for many years known as 'Chicken Stephens' by reason of his being convicted of stealing chickens from Thomas Ratliffe of Wentworth. He left his watch and pistol to secure his fine, went to Caswell County and was duly elected a member of the Legislature, which was composed almost entirely of negroes and men of Stephens's stamp.

"It seems that at that time the election in North Carolina was held three months before the general election, and Governor Holden and his crowd were exceedingly anxious for the State to go Republican for its effect on the other Southern States. As the election drew near -- remember, it was in July -- the State seemed to be peaceful and there was no excuse for sending Federal troops to guard the polls. According to the story, believed for many years, Stephens was assassinated by his own party in order to have an excuse for drastic action. It was not intended to kill him, but when he recognized his assailants, his death became necessary.

Holden Told Bailey?

"Several years after this, Rev. C. T. Bailey, a Baptist minister, who was the father of the present North Carolina Senator, Josiah W. Bailey, and at that time editor of The Biblical Recorder, stated that Governor Holden, while in a penitent mood, told him that the Republican party had much to do with the crime and that the prosecution was discontinued because there was evidence which would incriminate influential members of that party. A public statement to this effect was published by Rev. Mr. Bailey early in October, 1876.

"It is said that history is never correctly written until long after the events have taken place, in this case, even after 65 years, it is not at all certain who killed Stephens. The statements of a man in contemplation of death (such as that of Captain Lea) will usually receive much weight, but there was no opprobrium attached to the deed in question and thousands of good men thought his death was well deserved. We must remember that the war had been ended only a few years and thousands of men had been killed legally. Much bragging was done about the exploits during the war, and a little about this matter would not seem out of place."

Major Lee Latta expressed the opinion that the minister referred to was Doctor Skinner, pastor of the Raleigh Baptist church, who reported the confession of Holden and that Doctor Skinner was severely criticised for revealing matters told him in confidence by one of his members. Mr. Ivey said it is, of course, possible that Holden told substantially the same story to both Doctor Skinner and Rev. Mr. Bailey.

The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, North Carolina), 13 October 1935, Sunday, Page 31.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

"From Days of Reconstruction: Story of the Arrest and Prosecution of a North Carolina Sheriff in Trying Days" by Captain Ball 1910

 "From Days of Reconstruction: Story of the Arrest and Prosecution of a North Carolina Sheriff in Trying Days" by Captain Ball

"I am here enjoying the fine air and scenery of a most beautiful country. Keuka Lake is a gem among the smaller lakes of New York State. Wild Indian tribes formerly had uncontrolled possession and one can look out upon this charming lake and almost can hear their war-whoops and in imagination can see the canoes of the dusky warriors darting across its pellucid waters.

"All fighting men have some sort of a battle-cry. I do not think the war-whoop would disturb me very much, for I have often heard the rebel yell, which, although disagreeable, was not wholly effacing.

"I lived for twenty-five years among the people who had uttered it and found them with hatreds and affectations like other people. While living there, many things worth of notice and remembrance passed under my observation. I now recall the trial of a North Carolina sheriff by a military commission in Charleston.

"I was employed in the years 1867-8 in the services of the Second Military district, comprising the Carolinas, as assistant judge advocate of the district, under General Ed. R. S. Canby. I have never seen General Sickles but once and I am sure he never heard of me. So the silly story that I was his private secretary was a pure invention. (The insufferable meanness of stating as the truth what is not known to be true, for a supposed political benefit, is inconceivable to honest minds.) It would have been no disgrace, however, to have been private secretary to General Sickles, many of whose General orders have been retained in the statutes of North Carolina.

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Bank of Yanceyville Vault Air Conditioned: The Daily Times-News (Burlington, North Carolina), 25 Oct 1938

 Bank of Yanceyville Vault Air Conditioned: 1938!


There are a number of interesting things about the bank that Sam Bason built at Yanceyville in Caswell County . . . not the least of which is no doubt a seasonal banking policy . . . and at this time of the year the hourly schedule is no more than lettering on the windows a.m. to 3 p.m.

It is 'bacco time in Caswell . . . and growers home from widely scattered markets in North Carolina and Virginia want to stop by on their way home and make a deposit or visit the strong box in the vault . . . and a community like Yanceyville is one in which business is on a community plan, accommodating.

"Its just impossible for us to close when our patrons want to see us," Mr. Bason said. "Of course, it is quite different in the summer when the farmers are in the fields and only the town folk have their banking to attend to. The schedule [on the window] is then maintained."

]Photograph: Samuel Murphey Bason's Yanceyville Rotary Club photograph. It is not associated with this newspaper article.]


Back in 1921 when the bank was built, it was regarded as the best appointed of any bank in a town the size of Yanceyville . . . and even today some of the appointments are more modern than may be found in large city banks. its resources are about $500,000, falling down a bit during summer when it becomes necessary for some to "borrow" from savings to make crops, take care of farm and household necessities and so on.

"It looks like a fine spot for a holdup," a visitor remarked to Mr. Bason.

"Not so good," he answered. "You see, there isn't much money in sight on the counters at any time. Here is what we do with it. Put it through this slot . . . like posting a letter at the post office . . . and it will be fifteen minutes later before we can get a dollar of it.

"We figure that while the bank robber would be waiting for the lock to open, persons would enter the bank and he would be foiled . . . probably walking out and disappearing."

[Photograph: Bank of Yanceyville under construction. Image not associated with this newspaper article.]


The most valuable piece of equipment, however, is an electric ventilating system within the big vault, an emergency air conditioner "just in case."

"Sometimes," Mr. Bason continued, "a bank robber will force members of the office staff into a vault and slam the door in his face. That's bad! Experts say that a man might live in our vault without fresh air for a period of two hours . . . and if two persons were confined the life span would be cut in half. Imagine that!

"But you press this little button here and old air is forced out and new air forced in. It means that such a victim could live without discomfort almost indefinitely, certainly until rescued from the tomb."

[Photograph shows vault in background; not associated with this newspaper article.]

Sam Bason is a product of Alamance County, where he was reared on the Haw River . . . going to Caswell some twenty years ago to become an outstanding citizen of Yanceyville and the surrounding community. He has become thoroughly "acclimated" and wouldn't trade his business address nor his domicile for a swanky front on Park Row.

Now he has become a member of the highway commission from the fifth district . . . and that means laying plenty of bumpy roads and proposed trails on his office desk. It brings visitors by the individual, group and delegation, with a little petty change left on the counter at the drug store and sometimes at the grocers.

He's a genial fellow. He'll talk about the history of Caswell, the rural background, and the coming first industry . . . a hosiery mill . . . and he'll discuss national affairs in business and politics. And before you go, he'll say "Wait just a moment, I want to give you one of the latest road maps. It is a dandy.!"

"I'll say it is," remarked a visitor in his office yesterday. "It's the third one you've given me!"

The Daily Times-News (Burlington, North Carolina), 25 Oct 1938, Tue, Page 4.

Sunday, March 03, 2024

Brothers W. B. Horton and W. P. Horton in NC Senate

 Brothers in NC Senate: W. B. Horton and W. P. Horton

The News and Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), 9 Jan 1927

"Rather an unusual circumstance is that two of the members of the [North Carolina] State Senate are brothers. They are W. B. [William Banks] Horton, of Yanceyville, and W. P. [Wilkins Perryman] Horton, of Pittsboro. . . . 

The following is excerpted from the Chatham Record:

"Thomas Horton brought his wife and children to Chatham from Kansas City, when W. P. was a tot. Both the father and mother of the Senators are Virginians. But the wanderlust carried the father to Texas and later to Kansas City, where he was a merchant, till one Christmas he happened to visit his sister in this county [Chatham County, NC], Mrs. Pete Carter, and found the climate so much to his liking as compared to that of Kansas City, where the snow was then half-leg deep, that he straighway moved his family to Chatham and became a farmer, being located seven or eight miles from Chapel Hill.


"Here the boys grew up. When W. B., was a youth of seventeen or eighteen the wanderlust seized him and he ran away and joined the navy, in which he served 24 years. While Josephus Daniels was secretary of the navy in the first Wilson administration, it will be recalled, he opened examinations for midshipmen to the enlisted men, thus giving them an opportunity to secure rank along with the graduates of Annapolis. W. B. Horton, then having served for nearly a score of years, was fortunate enough to rise from the ranks and thus served as an officer during the World War.

"The war over, he resigned, studied law at the University and at Wake Forest, and began to practice at Yanceyville. He has already served a term in the house of representatives and now goes to the senate, thus rapidly rising in civil affairs after giving 24 years to the navy.




"W. P. can barely remember living in Kansas city and consequently feels himself a native Chathamite. He has already once ably represented his county in the senate [North Carolina Senate]."

Monday, February 26, 2024

History of Journalism in North Carolina: 1881

"History of Journalism in North Carolina: A Story of the Men Whose Labor Has Done More for Progress and Education in North Carolina Than Any other Body of Men"

The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), 14 August 1904

In 1881, in response to an invitation from the North Carolina Press Association, Governor [William Woods] Holden delivered an Address on the History of Journalism in North Carolina, which will be of much interest to every reader of this edition of The News and Observer. It is, therefore, printed below in full:
__________

[Following are excerpts from the Holden address of relevance to Caswell County, NC.]

Among the oldest editors in the State is C. N. B. Evans, Esq., of the Milton "Chronicle." Mr. Evans was born in Norfolk County, Virginia, in 1812. He has worked as a journeyman in Columbia, S.C., in Raleigh with Philo White, in Richmond, Virginia, in Hillsboro, with Dennis Heartt, and elsewhere; and once was on the eve of going to Buenos Ayres, to work on a paper half English and half Spanish, but was deterred by a civil war which suddenly broke forth in that quarter. His first connection with the press as editor was with the Greensboro "Patriot." In 1835, when this paper was sold, Mr. Evans became the purchaser. He conducted the paper for sever years and sold to Lyndon Swaim and M. S. Sherwood.

The first paper in Milton was by a Mr. Perkins, in 1818. He was succeeded by Benjamin J. Cory; he by John Campbell, Jr., who died in Weldon a few years since. Mr. Kenyon succeeded Mr. Campbell, and the former having failed in 1831, Nathaniel J. Palmer, Esq., established the Milton "Spectator." Mr. Palmer died prematurely, from an accident many years ago, at his residence, Cherry Hill, near Milton. He was a native of Orange, a brother of John C. Palmer, Esq., of Raleigh, the latter of whom is a brother-in-law of Philo White.

In 1841 Mr. Evans rented the old "Spectator" office and began the publication of the Milton "Chronicle." At the close of the war the "Chronicle" stopped, and Mr. Evans published for two years a paper in Danville, Va. Next, with his son, Captain T. C. Evans, he published the Hillsboro "Recorder" for two years, and then sold to John D. Cameron. Next and last, in 1873 he revived the "Chronicle," and now, in his 69th year, he is still conducting the paper he established forty years ago. Mr. Evans, though by no manner of means a romantic person, has certainly led an eventful and romantic life. He is a capital editor. Like Xavier Martin, he sets up much of his editorial in his composing stick, without stopping to write it out. "Charley Evans," as he is called by his friends, could not do a dishonest thing if he were to try. It is the wish of the whole press of the State, whether he belongs to this association or not, that his last days may be his best days, and that he may long be spared to his family, his readers and his friends. . . . .

An editorial convention was held in Raleigh, November, 1837. The papers represented were the . . . "Spectator," Milton. [Other papers not listed here.] These men were so modest that their names were not even recorded in the proceedings. . . . .

I am painfully sensible, Mr. President, of the omission and imperfection of this address. I have referred only to the oldest presses and to the oldest editors and ex-editors, with incidental allusions to modern editors and writers for the press. I think have not commended unduly those I have mentioned. I regret I could not sketch the lives and services of all those laborers in the fields of mind, whether present or absent on this occasion. I would respectfully suggest that the Association appoint some one to continue the history of the press at each communication of your body, and when, in the judgment of the Association that history shall have been fully written, that a committee be appointed to condense it into a book, to be printed for perpetual preservation.

Among the dead, not already mentioned, trained writers for the press, but not editors, I recall the following: . . . Archibald D. Murphy . . . Bedford Brown . . . Bartlett Yancy . . . Romulus M. Saunders . . . Others might be added. Some of these were editors for a short time, but editing was not their profession. . . . Archibald D. Murphy was one of the finest scholars and writers of his day. Some of his ablest papers in the way of reports may be found in the journals of the State Senate from 1812 to 1818 inclusive.

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Rabbit Shuffle Pond

Rabbit Shuffle Pond

Not to be outdone by "Frogsboro," "Rabbit Shuffle" now has an acknowledged location -- sort of. Click image to see a larger version.



Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Confederate Amnesty and Pardons

 Confederate Amnesty and Pardons

As Andrew Johnson assumed the presidency, his attitude toward Confederate leaders seemed to signify punishment and prosecution for the rebellion. Many southern leaders fled the United States, going to Mexico, Canada, Europe and other countries. He doubled the number of classes not pardoned under the Lincoln's general amnesty. Johnson's proclamation of May 29, 1865, for example, did not include anyone whose personal property exceeded $20,000. Several mitigating factors however led Johnson to greater clemency, such as the attitude of Lincoln for reconciliation and Secretary of State William H. Seward's similar leniency towards the former rebels.

"President Andrew Johnson Pardoning Rebels at the White House", Harper's Weekly, October 14, 1865.

Those excluded from general amnesty had the option of applying to the president for a special pardon, and much of Johnson's time was spent in granting those pardons.

The following oath was required under Johnson's 1865 proclamation:

I, _____, do solemnly swear or affirm, in presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Union of the States thereunder. And that I will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully support all laws and proclamations which have been made during the existing rebellion with reference to the emancipation of slaves, so help me God.

There were exceptions to the granting of general amnesty:

The following classes of persons are excepted from the benefits of this proclamation:

First – All who are or shall have been pretended civil or diplomatic officers, or otherwise domestic or foreign agents of the pretended Confederate Government.

Second – All who left judicial stations under the United States to aid the rebellion.

Third – All who shall have been military or naval officers of said pretended Confederate Government above the rank of Colonel in the army or Lieutenant in the navy.

Fourth – All who left seats in the Congress of the United States to aid the rebellion.

Fifth – All who resigned or tendered resignations of their commissions in the army or navy of the United States, to evade duty in resisting the rebellion.

Sixth – All who have engaged in any way in treating otherwise than lawfully as prisoners of war persons found in the United States service, as officers, soldiers, seamen, or in other capacities.

Seventh – All persons who have been or are absentees from the United States for the purpose of aiding the rebellion.

Eighth – All military and naval officers in the rebel service who were educated by the government in the Military Academy at West Point, or the United States Naval Academy.

Ninth – All persons who held the pretended offices of Governors of States in insurrection against the United States.

Tenth – All persons who left their homes within the jurisdiction and protection of the United States and passed beyond the Federal military lines into the so-called Confederate States, for the purpose of aiding the rebellion.

Eleventh – All parties who have been engaged in the destruction of the commerce of the United States upon the high seas, and all persons who have made raids into the United States from Canada, or been engaged in destroying the commerce of the United States upon the lakes and rivers that separate the British Provinces from the United States.

Twelfth – All persons who at the time when they seek to obtain the benefits hereof by taking the oath herein prescribed, are in military naval, or civil confinement, or custody, or under bonds of the civil, military or naval authorities or agents of the United States, as prisoners of war, or persons detained for offences of any kind either before or after conviction.

Thirteenth – All persons who have voluntarily participated in said rebellion, and the estimated value of whose taxable property is over twenty thousand dollars.

Fourteenth – All persons who have taken the oath of amnesty as prescribed in the President's Proclamation of December 8, A.D., 1863, or an oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States since the dates of said proclamation, and who have not thenceforward kept and maintained the same inviolate – provided that special application may be made to the President for pardon by any person belonging to the excepted classes, and such clemency will be liberally extended as may be consistent with the facts of the case and the peace and dignity of the United States.

______________

The North Carolina Convention of 1865-1866 was convened to determine the minimum requirements for readmission to the Union.

State Convention, Adjourned Session, 14 June 1866:

"Mr. [Bedford] Brown presented a petition from a number of citizens of Caswell County, in favor of amnesty for offenses committed during the later war, which was read and referred to the committee on General Amnesty."