HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF WILKES COUNTY
Published in Wilkesboro, N.C. by John Crouch in 1902
Introduction | County
Formation | Early Settlers | The
Moravians in Wilkes | First County Officers | Benjamin
Cleveland | First Will Probated | General
William Lenoir | Zebulon Baird | First
Church | Early Schools | To
Thumb the Notch | Daniel Boone | King's
Mountain | The Siamese Twins | The
Show Fight | James Henry Spainhour | Col.
W.H.H. Cowles | Rev. George W. Greene | Dr.
Tyre York | Montford Stokes | C.C.
Petty (Col.) | The Cleveland Oak | Rufus
A. Spainhour | Lover's Leap | Courthouses
and Jails | Harry Holland | Agricultural
Possibilities | Fort Hamby | Simmons
Gang Robbers | Stoneman's Raid | Montford
Sidney Stokes | General John Sevier | Charley
Gordon | General James B. Gordon | The
Buzzard Roost | General James Wellborn | Hon.
Anderson Mitchell | Col. Wm. M. Barber | Lee
Carmichael | Col Thomas C. Land | Rev.
W.R. Bradshaw | Newspapers | Lawyers
| Physicians | James Gordon Hackett
| Calvin J. Cowles
INTRODUCTION
Wilkes County has been the scene of many historic occurrences. From the time
that the Moravians first made their appearance within her borders her inhabitants
have boon making history by the wholesale. During the Revolutionary struggle
I dare say there was not another county throughout the colonies that figured
so prominently as Wilkes.
At Kings Mountain the turning point of the Revolution, about one-half the American
forces were from Wilkes. And gallantly they did their country's service until
the enemy's commander, who swore he had found a place "where God Almighty
could not drive him from," lay dead upon the battle field and his forces
either killed or taken prisoners. And when the Tories and Indians needed attention,
"Cleveland's Devil's, as the Tories called them, were always equal to the
occasion, and there always had to be some tamest "cleaning up" on
the part of the Tories and Indians or some of their party would dangle from
a limb.
In the conflict with Mexico Wilkes furnishod a company which did valiant service
in behalf of the American cause, and our illustrious Colonel Sidney Stokes was
so admired by those under his command that a beautiful sword was presented him
as a token of respect and love.
And when it came to the Civil war our record stands without a paralel. Some
men from Wilkes made excellent soldiers in the Union army, but most of the men
of Wilkes took their stand with the Confederacy. Such leaders as Gordon, Stokes,
Barber, Cowles, and others, with their brave subordinates, won the esteem and
love of the whole Confederate army; and their achievements on the battle fields
show the display of such courage and bravery as has never been excelled in the
world's history.
In the recent wars with Spain and the Filipinos Wilkes soldiers have served
with distinction.
It is a lamentable fact that the history of our country has been strangely neglected.
Any of our school teachers and scholars can tell us about the history of Rome
and Greece but few of them know anything of the history of their own county,
not even the formation data. The fair records of her early fame are almost forgotten.
It is the purpose of this little book to gather such as can be obtained of those
records; and give them to the people of the county in a shape that they may
be preserved, and that future generation may know of and share in the glory
of our ancestors. It is more than probable that I have made mistakes in recording
those sketches, but all available information has been obtained, and every statement,
according to my view, is as near correct as could as could be ascertained.
The author does not aspire to be an historian. If in collecting and compiling
and composing this little book, I shall succeed in "rescuing from the dust
of age or the obliterating hand of time" only a few of the names of old
time persons that so charactarized our county in days gone by, my efforts will
not be in vain. It is my desire that the people ow Wilkes County may read the
pages of this book and thereby prompted to increase their patriotism and take
a deeper interest in the history of their own county.
Surely the younger people will take an interest in reading this book If only
the youths of North Carolina and Wilkes County could get a foretaste of our
history, our records would not be hidden in darkness but our history would be
given to the world, that not only ourselves, but all people might know of our
achievements and profits thereby. The young people ought to be encouraged to
emulate the noble record of our worthy ancestors. We are told by Sallust and
Maximus, when looking upon the statues of their illustrious countrymen became
violently agitated. He says, "It could not be the inanimate marble which
possessed this might power. It was the recollection of noble actions which kindles
this generous flame in their bosoms, only to be quenched when they too, by their
achievements and virtues, had acquired equal reputation.
"And by their light
Shall every gallant youth with ardor move
To do brave deeds."
Free from the shackles of parties and sects I have tried to divert myself of
all partialities or prejudices, and present Wilkes County and her sons as Cromwell
would have Lely to paint his portrait: "True, as it is." Nothing has
been omitted from personal views, nor have I neglected to express my views and
opinions of any man or events sketched; in this book because of party affiliations
or sectarian principles. Wilkesboro, NC - December 12, 1901.
Formation
Wilkes County was formed from Surry county in 1777, and was named in honor of
John Wilkes, a distinguished English statesman and member of Parliament. He
was elected by the Ministerial party from Parliament on account of his leberal
political views; and as often was returned by the people. He died in 1797.
The county is situated in the north-western part of North Carolina, and is bounded
on the north by the Blue Ridge, which separates it from Ashe and Alleghany counties;
on the east by Surry and Yadkin counties; on the south by Iredell and Alexander
counties, and on the west by Caldwell and Watauga counties. The larger portion
of the county lies between two great mountain ranges and the Yadkin river flows
between, thus forming a valley of unexcelled fertility and picturesque beauty.
Besides the Yadkin there are Mitchell's, Roaring and Reddies rivers and numerous
large creeks in the county. These rise in the mountains and flow into the Yadkin,
running sometimes through broad and fertile bottom and sometimes leaping over
rocks and breaking through ridges, thus affording immense water power and delightful
scenery.
Wilkesboro, the capital, is a beautiful town of about 800 population, situated
on the south bank of the Yadkin near the center of the county. It was founded
in 1778 by John Parks, John Barton, George Morris and John Witherspoon, who
were appointed by the General Assembly to select a county seat for Wilkes County.
It is about 175 miles north-west of Raleigh.
The commiittee appointed by the General Assembly to survey the dividing line
between Wilkes and Surry made the following report of their work, which is the
first paper recorded in the county records:
Wilkes County Line &c.
"A return of the proceedings of the commissioners who were appointed to
run the dividing line between the counties of Surry and Wilkess to wit: Beginning
on Rowan county line about half a mile below Daniel Rash's at a white oak standing
in the head of a branch of Hunting creek thence north crossing Mulberry Field
road about half a mile below Hamlin's old store house, thence through Solomon
Sparks' plantation, leaving the said Sparks' home in Surry county, thence crossirig
the Brushy mountain at the head of the north fork of Swan creek, then crossing
the adkin river a little below Capt. Parks (and through the lower end of Carrol's
plantation on the north side of said river thence crossing the south side of
said river thence crossing the Big Elkin at the Long Shoals, thence crossing
the south fork of Mitchell's river about half a mile above Bigg's road, thence
crossing the top of the Poiney Knob to the main ridge of mountains about two
miles west of Fisher Peak thence to the Virginia line; being run exactly 26
miles west of Surry court house, agreeable to act of Assembly by:
Robt. Lanier
Henry Speer
Joseph Hendron
Commissioners
From the best information the county of Wilkes origionally embraced all the
territory included in the following boundary lines: Beginnimg at the white oak
mentioned as the starting point in the above report and running west to the
Mississippi river, then north with said river to the Virginia line (now the
Kentucky line), then east with Virginia line to the north-west corner of Surry
County, then south with the Surry county line--as given in the above report--to
the beginning. When the county was formed it included all of the counties of
Ashe, Alleghany Watauga and Mitchell, and a portion of the counties of Iredell,
Alexander, (the line ran a mile or so south of where Taylorsville now stands)
Caldwell, Burke and Yancy, and probably others, and also a large portion of
Tennessee. In what is now Tennessee there was local governments organized within
the borders of Wilkes and later were admitted as counties to the State of Franklin
but until Tennessee was organized Wilkes County was the legal division of all
the territory included in the borders of the county.
Wilkes is not near so large now. She has given up her territory and other counties
have grown out of her. Like a venerable mother she now nestles between the Brushies
and the Blue Ridge with her d.aughters settled around her. We look upon the
meadows of her counties beyond at the Blue Ridge, the broad bottoms of the Yadkin
in Caidwell, and on beyond the Smokies we see a section well developed and prosperous.
Cities have sprung up; railroads have been built, and mines that produce millions
of dollars worth of coal, iron, mica, copper, etc., have been developed. They
are all the offspring of the mother county. We look upon them today and bid
them God speed in their march of progress.
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Early Settlers
One hundred and seventy-five years ago Wilkes.: county had never been trod by
the feet of Anglo-Saxons. All this vast country was inhabited only by savage
Indians and the wild beasts of the forest. How little did the Indian think that
in a short time he would be driven from his model hunting ground by the whites,.
who would clear away the giant trees of the forest and the dense jungles in
the swamps along the banks of the Y adkin and other streams and cultivate the
lands that were the home of the deer, elk, bear, wildcat, fox and other wild
animals.. But the goodly lands of this section were not intended to be always
inhabited by the savages and wild animals. A nobler race of people needed the
territory in which to live and build homes and churches and schools.
Tradition tells us that the swamps along the Yadkin were the scene of many hard
fought battles between different tribes of Indians before the whites made their
appearance in this sectione there is good evidence to sustain this tradition.
Indian war implements, such as arrow flints, tomahawks, etc., have been found
in large numbers since the lands have been cleared. Also many Indian skeletons
have been found. The jungles along the streams furnishea excellent hiding places
for the savages who would conceal themselves and lay in wait for the whites,
and so the swamps were also the scene of many fights between the Indian and
the whites. The freshets in the spring of 1901 unearthed several skeletons;
minie balls were also found after the freshet.
Just when the first white settlers came to what is now Wi1kes county is not
known. As early as l740 the crack of the white man's rifle had brought the timid
deer to the ground and frightened the other animals of the forest. Governor
Rowan wrote that "In the year of l746, I was in the territory from the
Saxaphaw (now Haw river) to the mountains, and there was not above one hundred
fighting men in all that back country." According to the Colonial Records
there were, in l749, only three hundred taxable men in North Carolina west of
Haw river.
About the year of l750 three streams of imigrants began to pour into this section
of the state - one from south-eastern Pennsylvania, one from eastern North Carolina
and one from South Garolina. But most of the settlers coming within the present
borders of Wilkes county came from eastern North Carolina. Among them may be
mentioned the Stokes, Greenes, Mitchells, Wellbornes, Browns, and others. Most
of these were of English descent.
The Moravians were probably the first whites to explore the upper Yadkin valley,
but few, if any, of them became permanent settlers. They came, surveyed some
land, made some exploration and returned to the Moravian Settlements about Salem.
Different motives prompted the first settlers to come here. Some come seeking
relibious freedom which was not accorded them by the provincial government.
Others grasped the opPortunity to come and take up lands, while others came
probable to gratify their desire for a frontier life.
The desire for absolute freedom from British rule was spreading all over the
Colony, and in this section, remote from the seat of the provincial government,
the inhabitants could exercise more freedom than other settlers who were in
closer proximity to the British agents. Thus it was that such men as Col. Cleveland,
Gen. Lenoir, and others were ready to make their mark when the struggle came
on. They cherished the thought of independence and ke pt adding fuel to the
flame.
The early settlers found certainsections clear of tember. The places whore Wilkesboro,
and North Wilkesboro now stand were among these sections. The early settlers
supposed that the Indians had cleared away the timber, but it is my opinion
that the matural state of the land in these sections at that time were barren
of trees. There are certain sections in the western part of the state yet where
trees will not grow. Among them may be mentioned the Elk Gardens on White Top
mountain and several places along the Blue Ridge. There is a small mountain
in Trap hill township called Grassy Knob that used to be barren of trees. Addison
Spencer, in a recent letter, said that, "In the year of l854 my-father
moved from Randolph to Wilkes county and settled on the Elkin near the foot
of the Blue Ridge, between two knobs known as Wellsey and Grassy Knobs, in the
McCann neighborhood. The oldest man in that section at that time was James McCann,
ancestor of the McCann generation. He was then about 80 years old and was one
of the first settlers. I have heard him say that when he was young Grassy Knob
had nothing but grass on it, from which it derived its name and that he had
soon large herds of deer grazing on it. It is now and was forty-five years ago
heavily timbered.
The Cherokee Indians were ci,uite numerous in those days, and where North Wilkesboro
now stands seemed to be their capital village. Here the Indians held their annual
corn dance, which was their festival of harvest. There they reeled and frenzied
and made merry for days and weeks. In the bottoms along Yadkin and Reddies rivers,
which wore then heavily timbered with stately cedars, were hundreds of Indian
wigwams.
On the hill where Gus Finley lived and died was erected by early settlers a
kind of fort known as the "Black House." Here the whites were attacked
by the Indians, would flee for refuge. They could spy the approaching enemy
in every direction and bring him down with their deadly rifles before he could
get close enough to do any injury to the whites. This house, or fort, seems
to have been burnt by the Indians, but another was built on the same spot. The
last one was called the "Red House." How long the "Red House"
stood or how it was destroyed-is not known. But it is probable that before it
was destroyed the savages had been driven from the Valley of the Yadkin and
it was not longer needed as a fort for protection from the attacks of the Indians.
The early settlers had to go nearly two hundred miles to Cross Creek to get
salt, sugar, iron and other necessities that they could not produce here. The
women of those days were more industrious than the bontons of the elite of society
that we have with us today pretending to be wives and mothers. They would work
in the fields all day, and at night they had the cotton to seed, flax to spin,
carding, weaving, knitting and many other things to do. The meals had to be
prepared too but it required only a short time to do that; the principal articles
of food were and hominy, and such other articles as could be produced on the
plantation. Coffee and tea were rarities. Tea made from spicewood twigs, sassafrass
roots and sage leaves and "coffee" made of parched corn or rye was
commonly used.
In the spring of the year all the stock was belled and turned loose in the woods
to shift for themselves. Trought were hewn in logs were the stock was salted
about twice a week. These troughs were called "salt licks." In those
days there was a kind of wild pea vine that grew abundantly in the woods and
the stock would graze upon these pea vines and do well until cold weather. These
wild pea vines ceased to grow about 50 years ago.
There is quite a contrast in society then and now. In other days the dwellings
usually consisted of two log houses--the kitchen and the Big House, and occasionally
the "Big House" had "up stairs." The "Big House"
was the parlor, sitting room and bed room combined. There was neither organ
nor piano, but the fiddle, banjo, flute and fife were the musical instruments
in those days. Courting was carried on in those days, you bet, but, but the
bontons of today wouldn't have recognizod the style in those days. There were
no drives in costly vehicles nor expenaive bridal tours. When the distance to
be traveled was too far to walk they rode on horseback. Bride and groom or beau
and sweetheart would both ride the same horse and hie away over the rough roads
as merrily as the mated sparrows fly about their nests. The courting at home
was done in the "big house" in the corner by the fire while the old
folks were in bed and pretondedly asleep in the backend of the room. Corn shuckings,
quiltings, etc., were gret social events. At night after the work was complete,
the neighborhood fiddler came in and the fun began. Until an hour or two before
day both old and young, male and female, would dance and skip and play keeping
step with the rausic all the while. Every body believed in helping his neighbors
do their work and in turn his neighbors would help him. The whole community
would engage in shucking corn, etc. and keep moving about until every man's
work was done, keeping up the frolicks every night. When a man killed a hog
or a yearling he would divide with his neighbors who would repay when butchering
day came with them.
The principal sports among the men were hunting and horse racing, and in later
years, mustering. In those days, there was no tax on grog as they called it,
and from all information it was freely used.
It is peculiarly interesting to study the habits and customs of our fore fathers
who first inhabited their country; think of them chasing the deer, elk, bear
and other game; their conflicts with the Indians; the everyday association with
such pioneers as Daniel Boone and Benjamin Cleveland. But the frontier life
is a thing of the past; the pioneers have long since passed away, and all that
is left is the county which they founded and nurtured in its infancy. Let us
honor them by keeping the record of our county spotless and clean.
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The Moravians in Wilkes
Lord Granville was one of the eight Lords Proprietors of North Carolina. Ho
did not sell his interest in the lands of North Carolina back to the King of
England as did the other seven Lords Proprietors. In l752 he granted ten thousand
acres--8773 acres-- within the present border of Wilkes. Two surveyors were
made, known as the upper and lower Moravian surveys. The lower survey included
the site of Wilkesboro and extended down the river to the Blair's island, and
up the river a mile above North Wilkesboro crossing the river ana running on
the north side then again crossing the river between the Hackett and Stokes
farm, leavin the latter cut of the survey. The line crossed the Wilkesboro and
Moravian Fall roads near where R.C. Lowe now lives, and ran out near Oakwoods
and back to the beginning. The upper survey included the sections about Morvian
Falls and Goshen. The exact lines of either survey can not now be located.
It is said that the Moravians intended to include in their survey the bottons
on the north side of the Yadkin about where North Wilkesboro now stands, but
when the surveyors came to the heights on the south side of the river and looked
over and saw so many smokes rising from Indian wigwams they concluded it would
be best to leave the savages unmolested so they went a mile further up the river
before crossing.
It is said that the Moravians were in search of potter's clay, and failing to
find it in desired quanities they failed to pay Lord Granville.for the land.
Lord Granville afterwards sold the lands of the Moravians had surveyed to a
man in Ireland named Cassart. His son, Christian Cassart, sold the lands, by
power of attorney, to Hugh Montgomery of Salisbury. Montgomery made a deed of
trust to James Kerr, David Nesbit and John Brown, who were to divide the lands
to his daughtors, Rachel and Rebecca. Rachel married Gov. Montford Stokes and
Rebecca married General James Wellborn.
First County Officers
Wilkes county was formed in 1777, but it was not organized until in the spring
of the next yeare Following this is a list of the first county officers, who
took charge of the affairs of the new county on the 2nd day of March, 1778:
Sheriff Richard A11en
Treasurer, Richard Allen.
Entry Taker, Benjamin Herndon.
Surveyor, Joe Hendron.
Register, John Brown.
Ranger, John Brown.
Coronor, Charley Gordon.
Clerk County Court, William Lenoir.
Representatives, Benjamin Cleveland and Elisha Isaacs.
Benjamin Cleveland Ancestry
A story has it that a beauty in the time of Charles the First named Elizabeth
Cleveland, a daughter of an officer of ithe palace of Hampton Court, attracted
the attention of her sovereign, and an amount was the result. When Oliver Cromwell
became the rising star of the empire the same charms won his sympathies, and
a son was born unto them. The mother retired from public gaze and subsequently
married a man named Bridges. When this illigitimate son grew up he took his
mother's name and was the reputed author of a book "The Life and Adventures
of Mr. Cromwell, Natural Son of Oliver Cromwell," published after his death
by consont of his son, first in 1731, a second edition, with a French translation
in l741, and yet another edition in 1760.
Whether or not Benjamin Cleveland descended from this man and from Oliver Cromwell
is a matter of conjecture. But whether or not the story is a romance or records
a series of facts it is nevertheless true that Colonel Cleveland had a copy
of the book and claimed in this way to have descenddd from th Illustrious Oliver
Cromwell. Others of the Cleveland family made the same claim.
The Clevelands derive their name from a tract of country in the north Riding
of Yorkshire England, still called Cleveland.
John Cleveland was one of the early migrants to Virginia. He settled on the
since famous Bull Run, and his occupation was that of horse joiner. His son,
Benjamin Cleveland, the subject of this sketch was born there on the 26th day
of May, 1738; and while yet very young his father moved some sixty miles to
the south-west, located in a border settlement on Blue Run, some six or eight
miles above its junction with the Rapidan near the line of Albemarle.
Boyhood
When little Benjamin was about twelve years old, some drunken rowdie came to
Cleveland's home one day when both parents were away from home. The rowdies
commencd throwing the steels in the fire when little Ben snatched his father's
rifle from the racks and simply said, "gentlemen -do not you see this?"
They saw the gun and the determined attitude of the youth, which led them to
think discretion the better part of valor, when one of the party said to his
follows: "we'd better be off; we don't know what this excited child might
do." So little Ben's conduct caused the rowdies to leave.
Young Cleveland did not "fancy" farm life, but like Daniel Boone,
he preferred a dog and gun and the forest. He spent much of his time from early
youth in the wilderness, securing pelts and furs which found a market. Firehunting
at that day was a very common and popular mode of entrapping the deer in warm
weather, when they repaired to certain localities at night in shallow streams,
where they could find food suiting their taste. The torch lights of the hunters
would so dazzle the attetion of the deer that he would stand in amazement watching
the strange light, while the hunter had only to blaze away at its glaring eyes
and bring it down.
There was an old Dutchman in that region who had a good stand for fire hunting,
and young Cleveland wanted it himself, One day he peeled some bark off a tree
and placed it ing the water to resemble a deer. At night he concealed himself
nearby where he could watch operations. In due time the Dutchman made his appearance--fired
upon the supposed deer without bringing him down; he repeated his shot -but
still the deer remained unmoved, The Dutchman became alarmed and exclaimed,
"It's do duv-vil," and at once abandoned that hunting ground. Young
Cleveland chuckled not a little over the success of his stratagem.
Cleveland Marries
At length young Cleveland married Miss Mary Graves, in Orange county whose father
was quite wealthy. But his marriage did not reform his wild and reckless habits.
He still loved gaming, horse-racing, and the wild frolicking common in frontier
life. In company with Joseph Martin afterwoods General Martin--he put in a field
of wheat on Pig river, about the year 1767, where he settled some four years
before; but they were to indolent to fence it properly. When harvest time came
there was something of a crop. As was the custom of that time they invited their
friends to join them in cutting the grain; for which occasion some liquor and
a fiddler were proveded, and a good time was necessary before entering upon
the work, which ended in a debauch, and the grain was never harvested.
Tradition tells us that Cleveland took an active part in the French and Indian
wars, but the facts are lost to history. No doubt he was initiated into the
military service in that border conflict which proved a training school for
his Revolutionary career.
Cleveland Moves To Wilkes
In order to break away from reckless habits and old associates, Cleveland, about
1769, removed, with his father-in-law and family, to North Carolina and settled
on the waters of Roaring River, then in Rowan, later in Surry, and a few years
later Wilkes county. Here Cleveland raised stock and devoted much of his time
to hunting, Some time later he located or the noted tract on the north bank
of the Yadkin, near Ronda, where Dr. James Hickerson now resides, known as the
"Round About," taking its name from the horse-shoe shape of the land,
nearly surrounded by the river.
Cleveland's Kentucky Experience
Daniel Boone, on one of his visits from Kentucky, have such charming description
of the "Dark and Bloody Ground" -- that land of cane and pea vines,
abounding with deer and buffaloes - its wild charm, its rich soil and its teeming
game- that Cleveland could not resist the temptation. -- In the summer of about
1772, in company with Jesse Walton, Jesse Bond, Edward Rice and William Hightower,
he set out to visit the hunting grounds of Kentucky. Whon they had safely passed
Cumberland Gap, and entered upon the borders of the famous Kentucky, with cheerful
hopes and glowing prospects, they were unexpectedly met and plundered by a band
of Cherokees, who relieved them of their guns, horses, peltry, and all that
they possessed even to their hats and shoes. An old sorry shot gun was given
in turn; with two loads of powder and shot, when they were threateningly ordered
to leave the Indian hunting grounds. There was nothing else they could do. On
their way home they kept their ammunition as long as possible; with one load
they killed a small deer - the other was spent with effect. They were so fortunate
as to catch a broken-winged wild goose, and at last had to kill their faithful
little hunting dog. In after years Cleveland said that this dog, owing to the
circumstances, was the sweetest meat he ever ate. With this scanty supply, and
a few berries, they managed to hold out till they reached the settlements, but
in a nearly famished condition.
Several months afterwards Cleveland, with a party of chosen men wended his way
to the Cherokee towns, determined to recover the horses that had been taken
from him and his associates. Cleveland applied to a noted Cherokee chief, known
as Big Bear, who told him that the Indians who had his horsos would be likely
to kill him as soon as they should learn the object of his visit. Big Bear sent
an escort with Cleveland to several towns to aid him in recovering his property.
He succeeded without much difficulty except in the last place. The Indian having
the horse showed fight, raised his tomahawk and Cleveland cocked his rifle,
when his friendly escort interrepted, and saved his red brother from a fatal
shot by throwing him to the ground, but not before he had hurled his battle-axe
at his antagnoist, which did no harm than cutting away the bosom of Cleveland's
hunting shirt. Then Cleveland, at the instance of the Indian guide, mounted
the horse which was a hand and was riding away when the enraged Indian fired
at him wounding the horse in triumph.
Some Hunting Experiences
Reuben Stringer was a noted woodsman of the upper Yadkin Valley, and was often
Cleveland's associate in his hunting adventures. They took an elk hunt together
in the month of August, when these animals were in their prime. The elks were
large and very wild, and gradually retired before the advancing settlements.
A few years before the Revolutionary war they were yet to be found at the foot
of the Mountain ranges on the head waters of New river. Pursuing a wounded elk,
Cleveland attempting to intercept him at a rocky point of the river, where he
expected the elk to cross the stream, found himself surrounded by a large number
of rattlesnakes, coiled, hissing, and fearfully sounding their alarm rattles
on every hand. From this dangerous dilemma his only deliverance seemed to be
an instaneous plunge into the river, which he made without a moment's hesitation,
and thus probably escaped a horrible death.
One day while Stringer was busy in preparing a fire to cook some of their wild
meat for a repast, Cleveland spread his blanket on the grourd under a large
oak and lay down to rest himself and soon fell asleep. In a few moments he suddenly
awoke in a startled condition-why, he couldn't tell-and casting his eyes into
the treetops above, he saw a large limb directly over him, nearly broken off,
hanging only by a slight splinter to the parent tree. He said to his companion,
pointing at the limb, "Look Reubin, and see what an ugly thing we have
camped under" "It has, indeed, an ugly appearance," replied Reubin,
"but since it has apparently hung a great while in that condition, it may
likely do so a good while longer. "Ah," said Cleveland, "As it
has hung there there ia a time for it to come down, and I will not be in the
way of danger," and gathered up his blanket to spread it in a safer place.
As he was passing the fire he heard a crack above the splinter had broken and
the limb came tumbling down directly upon the ground where Cleveland but a few
moments before had lain. They pulled the limb and found that its prongs had
penetrated into the earth to the depth of fourteen inches. Stringer congratulated
his comrade on his fortunate awaking and removal, he added, "in one minute.
more, you would have been inevitably killed." "Ah Reubin" said
Cleveland, "I always told you that no man would die till his appointed
time; and when it comes there can be no possible escape."
His War Record Begins
In l775, when Cleveland's neighbors and friends had occasion to go to Cross
Creek to sell their surplus products and buy salt, iron, sugar and other necessaries,
they wore compelled, before they were permitted to buy or sell, to take the
oath of allegiance to the King. When Cleveland heard of those tyrannical acts,
and attempts to forestall the politics of the people, he swore roundly that
he would like nothing better than to dislodge those Scotch scoundrels at Cross
creek. Soon an opportunity was given him. In February 1776, the Highland Tories
of that locality raised the British standard, when Capitan Cleveland marched
down from the mountains with a party of volunteer rif lemen; and traditition
has it that he reached the front in time to share in the fight and in the suppression
of the revolt. He scoured the country in the region of Wake Forest, captured
several outlaws, some of whom he hung to trees in the woods, one of whom was
Capt. Jackson, who was executed within half a mile of Ransom Southerland's homestead,
whose house and merchandise Jackson had caused to be laid in ashes a few days
after the battle of Moore's Crook Bridge. "I don't recollect," said
Colonel Southerland in the University Magazine for September 1854, "af
ter Cleveland had done with them, to have heard much more of those wretches
during the war."
First Senator From Wilkes
When the British invaded Georgia in 1778 Colonel Cleveland and his regiment
from Western N.C. served with distinction under General Rutherford. Returning
from this service, in 1779, he was chosen to represent Wilkes county in tho
State Senate, being the first senator from the county. The year previous he
and Elisha Issacs were chosen to represent the county in the House of Representatives,
or House of Commons,. as it was then called, as the first representatives of
the county. In 1780 Col. Cleveland marched with his regiment against the Tories
assembled at Ramsour's Mill, but reached that place too late for service as
Colonel Bryan's band was chasing them from the state. He also scoured the New
River settlements, checking the Tory uprising in that section, capturing and
hanging some of their notorious leaders and outlaws.
Cleveland at King's Mountain
Then his King's mountain campaign-the crowning achievement of his life-the wounding
of his Brother Larkin Cleveland, while on the way near Lovelady Shoals, near
the Catawba river; and then hurrying to "grapple with. the indomitable
Ferguson." The great service of Cleveland at this fight will be given in
another chapter under the heading, "Battle of King's Mountain." Col.
Cleveland had assigned to him one of Ferguson's war horses which lived to an
uncommon old age; he also carried home with him a snare-drum which he kept as
long as he lived, pointing to it with pride as a trophy of King's Mountain.
Trouble for the Tories
James Coyle and John Brown, two notorious Tory plunderers, passed through Lincoln
county and robbed the house of Major George Wilfong of everything they could
carry away and then made ofi' with a couple of his horses, using the clothesline
for halters. Major Wilfong with a party following the culprits, overtaking them
near Wilkesboro, recovering the horses, but the ruffians made good their escape.
Major Wilfong left the halters made of his clothesline with Cleveland, with
which to hang the rescals, should they ever be captured. Not long after, as
they were returning to Ninety Six, they were captured by some of Cleveland's
scouts and brought to Wilkesboro and Col. Cleveland had them hung with Wilfong's
clothes line on the oak tree that is yet standing just north of the court house
in Wi1kesboro.
Captured by Tories -His Timely Rescue
On the south fork of New river in the extreme southwestern portion of Ashe county
(formerly a part of Wilkes) with a large boundary of land that was clear of
timber and heavily set in grass. These lands-called the "Old Fields,"
and known by that name to this day-belonged to Col. Cleveland, and served as
a grazing place for his stock in peaceful days.
In 1781, having occasion to visit his New River plantation, Colonel Cleveland
rode there accompanied only by a negro servant, arriving at Jesse Duncan's,
his tenant, on Saturday the l4th day of April. Unfortunately for the Colonel,
Captain William Riddle, a noted Tory leader, son of Loyalist Riddle, of Surry
county, was approaching from the Virginia border with Captain Ross, a Whig captive.,
together with his servant, now enroute for Ninety Six, where, it sems, the British
paid a reward for Whig prisoners. Riddle, with his party of six or eight men,
old Whig and an associate of Daniel Boone, who was just recovering from a spell
of fever. The Tory Captain, probably from Curbirth's residence regarding solicited
information, shamefully abused him and placed him under guard.
Descending the river to the upper end of the Old Fields where Joseph and Timothy
Perkins lived-about a mile above Duncan's-both of whom were absent in Tory service,
Riddle learned from their women that Cleveland was but a short distance away,
at Duncan's with only his servant. Duncan and one or two or three of Callaway
family there. Every Tory in the country knew full well that Cleveland was probably
their worse enemy; how prominently he had figured at King's Mountain, and had
given his influences for the Tory executions at Bickerstaff's and caused the
summary hnanging of Coyle and Brown at Wilkesboro, Riddle thought that such
a prisoner would be a valuable prize to offer to his British at Ninety Six,
or it weeld be a crowning honor to the Tory cause to rid the county of probably
their worst enemy.
The prospect was too tempting and he at once set about to capture Cleveland.
His force was too small to run any great risk, so he concluded to resort to
strategy. He resolved to steal Cleveland's horse in the quite of the night,
judging that the Colonel would follow their trail the next morning, supposing
they had strayed off, when he would ambush him at some suitable place, and thus
take "Old Round About," as he was called, unawares and at a disadvantage.
The horses were taken at night and a laurel thicket, just above Perkins' house,
selected as a fitting place to waylay their expected pursuers. During Saturday,
Richard Callaway and his brother-in-law, John Shirley, went down from the neighboring
residence of Thomas Callaway to Duncan's to see Col. Cleveland, and appear to
have remained there over night.
Discovering that the horses were missing on Sunday morning, immediately pursuit
was made. Having a pair of pistols, Colonel Cleveland retained one of them,
handing the other to Duncan, while Callaway and Shirley were unarmed. Reaching
the Perkins place, one of the Perkins women, knowing of the ambush, secretly
desired to save the Colonel from his impending fate; so she detained him as
long as she could by conversation evidently fearing personal consequences should
she divulge the scheme of his enemies to entrap him. His three associates kept
on with Cleveland some little distance behind, Mrs. Perkins still following
and retarding him by her inquiries. As those in advance crossed the fence which
adjoined the thicket, the Tories fired from their place of concealment, one
aiming at Cleveland, who, though some distance in the rear, was yet within range
of their guns. But they generally shot wild only one shot, that of Zachariah
Wells, who aimed at Callaway, proving effectual, breaking his thigh, when he
fell helpless by the fence, and was left for dead. Duncan and Shirley, escaped.
Cleveland from his great weight-fully three hundred pounds knew ho could not
run any great distance, and would only be too prominent a mark for Tory bullets
dodged into the house with several Tories at his heels. Now flourishing his
pistol rapidly from one to another, they pledged to spare his life and accord
his good treatment if he would quietly surrender, which he did.
Wells by this time having reloaded his rifle, made his appearance on the scene,
swearing that he would kill Cleveland; and aiming his gun, the Colonel instantly
seized Abigail Walters, who was present, and by dint of his great strength,
and under a high state of exicitement dextrously handled her as a puppet, keeping
her between him and his would-be assassin. Wells seemed vexed at this turn in
the affair, and hurled his imprecations on the poor woman, threatening if she
did not get out of the way that he would blow her through as well. Cleveland
got his eye on Captain Riddle, whom he knew, or judged by his appearance to
be the leader, appealed to him if such treatment was not contrary to the stipulations
of his surrender. Riddle promptly replied that it was and ordered Wells to desist
from his murderous intent, saying they would take Cleveland to Ninety-Six and
make money out of his capture. The terrified woman, who had been made an unwilling
battery, was now released from Cleveland's grasp from a vice; and the whole
party with their prisoners and his servant wore speedily mounted and hurried
up New River. This stream, so near its source, was quite shallow, and the Tories
traveled mostly in its bed to avoid being tracked, in case of pursuit.
After Riddle and his party had called at Curbirth's on their way down the river,
young Daniel Curbirth and a youth named Walters, who were absent at the time
returned, and encouraged by Mrs. Curbirth, they resolved to take their guns,
select a good spot, and Ambuscade Riddle on his return, and perhaps rescue whatever
prisoners he might have. But on the return of the Tory party the next day, they
made so much noise and gave so many military commands, that led the youthful
ambuscaders to conclude that the Tories had received reinforcbments, and that
it would be rashness for two single-handed youths to undertake to cope with
numbers so unequal. So Riddle and his party reached undistrubed and ordered
dinner for himself, men, and prisoners. Riddle abused and even kicked one of
the Curbirth's girls who did not willfully aid in preparing the dinner. After
dinner they proceeded up New River, mostly along its bed, until they came to
the mouth of Elk creek, up which they made their way in the same manner, Col.
Cleveland managed to break off overhanging twigs and drop them in the water
to float down as a guide to his friends, who he knew would make early pursuit.
From the head of the south fork of Elk they ascended up the mountain to what
has since been known as Riddle Knob, in what is now Watauga and about 14 miles
from Old Fields where he was captured; here they camped for the nights. Early
on the morning of Cleveland's capture Joseph Calloway and his brother-in-law,
Berry Toney, wanting to see Cleveland on business, called at Duncan's and learned
of the missing horses and the search for them; and at that moment they heard
the report of the firing at the upper end of the plantation and hastened in
that direction, soon meeting Duncan and Shirley in rapid flight, who could only
tell that Richard Callaway had fallen and that Cleveland was either killed or
taken. It was at once agreed that Duncan, Shirley and Toney should notify the
people of the scattered settlements to meet that afternoon at Old Field while
Joseph Callaway should go to his father's close by, mount his horse and hasten
to Captain Robert Cleveland's on Lewis Fork, a dozen miles distance. His brother,
William Callaway started up the river and soon came across Samuel McQueen and
Benjamin Greer, who readily joined him and all being good wooksmen, they fellowe-d
the Tory trail as best they could, till night overtook them some distance above
the mouth of Elk Creek and about ten miles from Old Fields, William Callaway
suggested that he and McQueen would remain there while Greer should return to
pilot up whatever men may havegathered to engage in the pursuit of the Tories.
By night-fall Captain Robert Cleveland and twenty or thirty others, good and
tried men, who had served under Col. Cleveland, had gathered at Old Fields,
determined to rescue their old commander at every hazzard-- even though they
had to follow the Tory party to the gates of Ninety-Six. Greer made his appearance
in good time and at once they were on the trail of the enemy. They reached William
Callaway and McQueen a while before day; and as soon as light began to appear
John Baker joined Callaway and McQueen to lead the advance as spies. A little
after sunrise, having proceeded four miles, they discovered indications of the
enemy's camp on the mountain, but little arrangement was made for the attack;
nine men only were in readiness--the others seem to have been some distance
behind. Only four or five of these wore ordered to fire on the enemy, the others
reserving their shots for a second volley, or any emergency that might happen
of these was William Callaway.
Part of the Tories had already breakfast, while others were engaged preparing
their morning meal, Cleveland was seated on a large log while Riddle had Cleveland's
own--pistol at him, also Zachariah Wells had his pistol pointed at Cleveland,
forcing him to write out passes for the several members of Riddle's party certifying
that each was a good Whig--to be used when in tight places, to help out of difficulty
by asserting that they were patriots of the truest types. Cleveland's commendations
passed unquestioned along the borders of Virginia and the Carolinas. But the
Colones had a strong suspicion that, since his captors were in such haste for
the passports, as soon as they were out of-his hands his days would be numbered;
and thus, naturally but a poor penman, he purposely retarded his task as much
as possible, hoping to gain time for the expected relief, apologizing for his
blunders and renewing his unwilling efforts. Several of the Tory party were
now saddling their horses for an early start, and Cleveland wa-s receiving threats
if ho did net hurry up the last passport.
Just at this moment the relief party was silently creeping up; and the next
moment several guns were fired and the Whigs rushed up, uttering their loudest
yells. Col. Cleveland, comprehending the situation, tumbled off behind the log,
lest his friends might accidently shoot him, and exclaiming at the top of his
thundering voice, "Hurrah for Brother Bob! That's right, give 'em hell.'"
Wells alone was shot as he was scampering away by William Callaway in hot pursuit,
and supposed to be mortally wounded; he was left to his fate. The rest fled
with the aid of their fresh horses, or such as the could secure at the moment,
Riddle and his wife among the number. Cleveland's servant, a pack-horse for
Tory plunder, was overjoyed at his sudden liberation. Cleveland and, Ross were
thus fortunately rescued; and having gained their purpose the happy whigs retainad
to their several homes. William Callaway was especially elated that he had shot
Wells who had so badly wounded his brother, Richard Callaway, at the skirmish
at Old Fields the morning before.
Riddle Captured and Hung
A short time after this occurance, Captain Riddle ventured to make a night raid
into the Yadkin Valley, where, on King's Creek, several miles above Wilkesboro,
they surrounded the house where two of Cleveland's noted soldiers, David and
John Witherspoon, resided with their parents. The two were taken prisoners and
carried to the Tory camp on Watauga river, where both were sentenced to be shot--blindfolded,
and men detailed to do tha fatal work. It was then proposed, if they would take
the oath of allegiance to the King, return to their home and speedily return
with a certain noble animal belonging to David Witherspoon, known as the O'Neal
mare, and join the Tory band, their lives would be spared. They gladly accepted
the proposition-with such hesitation as they thought best to make.. As soon
as they reached home David Witherspoon mounted his fleet-footed mare and hastened
to Col. Ben Herndon's several miles down the river, who quickly raised a party
and piloted by the Witherspoons, they soon reached the Tory camp, taking it
by surprise, capturing three and killing and dispersing others. The young Witherspoons
fulfilled their promise of speedily returning to the Tory camp bringing the
O'Neal mare, but under somewhat different circumstances from what the Tories
expected. The prisioners were Captain Riddle and two of his associates named
Reeves and Goss. They were brought to Wilkesboro and tried by court martial
and sentenced to be hung. But in order to gain favor with the Whigs or get them
in a condition so that they might escape Riddle treated them freely to whiskey.
Col. Cleveland informed him that it was use less to be wasting his whiskey as
he would be hung directly after breakfast. The three Tories were accordingly
hung on the notorious oak that is yet standing in Wilkesboro. Mrs Riddle, wife
of the Tory leader, was present, and witnessed the execution of her husband
and his comrades.
How The Tories Hated Him
Col. Cleveland was the Tories' worst enemy in this section. He was determined
to break up the Tory bands that infested the frontier. Cloveland and his regiment.
were known far and near for their courage. They were known among the Whigs as
Cleveland's Heroes, or Cleveland's Bull Dogs, while the Tories demominated them
"Cleveland1s Devils." Cleveland himself rated each of his well tried
followers as equal to five soldiers.
It was not long until one of Cleveland's men captured Zachariah Wel1s who had
not yet recovered from the wounds received at Riddle Knob. He was taken to High's
bottom about a mile below Cleveland's Round About residence. Here James Gwyn,
a youth of thirteen, with a colored boy, was at work in the field, when Cleveland,
who had joined those having the prisoner in charge, took the plow-lines from
the horse with which to hang Wells, to a tree on the river bank. Young Gwyn,
who knew nothing of the stern realities of war, was shocked at the thought of
so summary an execution. Being well acquainted with Col. Cleveland he begged
him not to hang the poor fellow, who looked so pitiful and was suffering from
his former wound. This excited the Colonel's sympaties, and he said, "Jimmie,
my son, he is a bad man; we must hang all such dangerous Tories, and get them
out of their misery." Captain Robert Cleveland who at present was cursing
the wincing Tory at a vigorous rate. With tears coming down his cheeks, the
Colonel adjusted the rope, regretting the necessity for hanging the trembling
culprit--remembering very well the rough treatment he had received at the hands
of Wells at the Perkins place at the Old Fields; and firmly C nvined that the
lives of the patriots of the Yadkin Valley would be safer,.and their slumber
all the more peaceful, when their suffering country was rid of all such vile
desperadoes. Wells soon dangled from a convenient tree and his remains were
buried in the sand on the bank of the river.
Other Tories See Trouble
Many other Tories fell into the hands of Cleveland's brave troopers and summary
punishment was meted out to them in Cleveland's usual way. Once a Tory leader
named Tate and eight others were captured and Cleveland and his men had them
near old Richmond, in Surry county. When Cleveland was about to execute the
leader, Colonel William Shepherd protested against such summary justice. "Why,"
said Cleveland, "Tate confessed that he has frequently laid in wait to
kill you." "Is that so?" inquired Shepherd, turning to the Tory
captain. Tate confessed, and Shepherd yielded to Cleveland's plan and soon Tatc
dangled from a limb. Tate's associates suffered only imprisonment ~s other prisonors
of war.
On another occasion Col. Cleveland visited Col. Shepherd at Richmond where ho
had two notorious horse-thieves in prison. Cleveland insisted on swinging them
to the nearest tree lest they should make their escape and yet further endanger
the community--at least one of them, whose crimes rendored him particularly
obnoxious to the people. One end of a rope was fastened to his neck when he
was mounted on a log and the other end tied to a limb; t:i'en the log rolled
from under him and he dangled from a limb in plain view of the prison. The other
culprits was shown his comrade swinging from the limb and he was given his choice,to
take his place beside him or cut off both his own ears and leave the country
forever. The Tory knew it would not do to meddle with old Round About, so he
called for a knife. He was handed a case knife, and after whetting it on a brick
he gritted his teeth and sawed off both his ears. He was then liberated and
he loft with the blood streaming down both cheeks and was never heard of afterwards.
"I'll Show You Prepetual Motion"
John Doss was the faithful overseer of Col. Cleveland's plantation while the
Colonel was absent from home during the Tory troubles in 1780-81, Bill Harrison,
a noted 1eader in this region, with the aid of his followers, not only stole
Cleveland's stock and destroyed his property, but arrested his his overseer,
took him to a hill-side, placed him on a log, fastened one end of a grape vine
around his neck and the other end was fastened to the prong of a drooping dogwood;
then one of the party went up the hill so as to gain sufficient propelling power,
then rushed down headlong, butting Doss off the log into eternity. It was not
long until Harrison was caught and brought to Cleveland's home. Accompanied
by his servant Bill and one or two others Cleveland led Harrison to the same
dogwood on which he had hung poor Doss. "I hope you are not going to hang
me, Colonel," muttered the trembling wretch. "Why no?" "Because,"
said the Tory, "you know I am a useful man in the neighborhood--am a good
mechanic--have worked for you in peaceful days, and cannot well be spared; besides
I have invented prepetual motion and if I am now suddenly cut off, the world
will loose the benefit of my discovery. I, too, have heard you curse Fanning
and other Loyalists leaders for putting prisoners to death-where are your principles--where
is your conscience?" "Where is my conscience," retorted C1eveland;
"where are my horses and cattle you have stolen; my barn fences you have.
wantonly burned--and where is poor Jack Doss?" "Fore God I will do
this deed and justify myself boore high Heaven and my country'. Run up
the hill, Bill and but him off the log--I'll show him perpetual motion."
The Boys Hang A Tory
On one occasion when Col. Cleveland was away from home, a Tory horse thief was
captured and brought and turned ovbr to Cleveland's sons, to await their father's
return. The Colonel, not returning as soon as expected, and fearing if they
sheuld undertake to keep the prisoner over night he might escape or give them
trouble, they appealed to their mother what was best to do under the circumstances.
Mrs. C1eveland said to the boys, "What.would your father do in such a case?"
The boy. promptly replied, "Hang him." "Well then,"said
the old lady, "You must hang him," and the thief was accordingly hung
at the gate.
Cleveland's Generosity
The reader must not suppose that Col. Cleveland always deemed it best policy
to resort to the severest treatment of Tory thieves brought before him. He was
a keen judge of human nature and lost no opportunity nor spared no pains in
reforming those who would reform. Once he had a pretty hard case to deal with,
"Waste no time, swing him off quick,"said Cleveland. "You need'nt
be in such a D--d hurry about it." cooly retorted the condemned man. Cleveland,
who was toddling along behind was so pleased with the cool retort that he told
the boys to let him go. The Tory, touched with sudden generosity, turned to
Cleveland and said: "Well old fellow, you've conquered me; I'll ever fight
on your side," and proved it and himself one of Cleveland's sturdy followers.
On another occasion he met an old whig who had been led astray by the Tories
and addressed him in this style: "Well Bob, I reckon you are returning
from a Tory trip, are you not?" "Yes, Colonel, I am." "Well.
continued the Colonel, "I expect when you become rested you will take another
jaunt with them, eh?" "No, Colonel, if I ever go with them again I'll
give you leave to make a button of my head for a haltor." "Well, Bob,
that shall be the bargain." So he gave Bob a stiff drink of grog, in accordance
with the fashion of the tines, and a hearty dinner, and started him off home
rejoicing on his way and declaring that, after all, old Round About had a warmer
heart and a kindlier way with him than any Tory leader he had ever met, and
ever.after Bob proved himself as true a Whig almost as the Colonel himself.
Besides trying to put down Tory influence the Colonel endeavored to make good
citizens as well. Eleven miles above Wilkesboro on the south bank of the Yadkin
lived one Bishop, one of a class who tried to shirk the responsibilitios of
the war, and was wanting in patriotism and energy of character. At heart he
was thought to be a Tory. Passing Bishop's on one of his excursions, Cleveland
observed that his corn, from neglect, presented a very sorry appearance. He
called Bishop out and asked if he had been sick. He. said that he had not. "Have
you been fighting for your country then?" "No," said the neutral,
"I have not been fighting en either side." "In times like these,"
remarked Cleveland, "men who are not fighting, and are able to work, must
not be allowed to have their crops as fould as yours." The indolent man
had to "Thumb the Notch" and receive the lashes as a penalty for his
negligence. It is not necessary to say that Bishop's corn was, from that time
on, in as good condition as any man's in. the country.
His Last Military Service
Cleveland was "all things to all people." His love for the American
cause was unbounded. His numerous friends loved and admired him for his bold
and fearless simplicity, while his ~nemies hated him for the same reason that
his friends loved him.
But the war was now rapidly drawing to a close. In the autumn of 1781, Col.
Cloveland performed his last military service-a three month tour of duty on
the waters of the Little Peedee, in the south-eastern part of the State, under
General Rutherford. At this time the British Colonel Craig was confined to Wilmington,
while Fanning and other Tory leaders were yet scouring the country, and needed
such a force as the mountaineers to successfully cope with them, Cleveland's
men routed severalof these scattered Tory detachments before returning home.
Moves To South Carolina
At the close of the war Col. Cleveland lost his fine Round About plantation
on the Yadkin by a better title, when he turned his attenion to the region of
the Tugalo, on the western boarder of South Carolina. In 1784 he selected a
plantation in the Tugalo valley and moved there the following year. Quite a
number of his kinsmen followed him and became came his neighbors in the newly
settled valley of Tugalo.
In l785 the Cherokee Indians were. yet trouble some. They stole some of Cleveland's
stock and carried it to the Indian village. Cleveland buck1ed on hIs hunting
knife and wont in person to the Indian town and told them that unless his stock
was promply returned they would pay the penalty--the last one of them--with
their lives. The Indians were greatly surprised at his enormous size, and judged
that it would take a hundrad warriors to cope with him single-handed. The stock
was promptly restored.
Hangs Another Horse Thief
Col. Cleveland did not lose his hatred for the Tories in his new home. Henry
Dinkins, a Tory of the Revolution, who had taken refuge among the Cherokees,
became a notorious horse-thief. Cleveland learned of their approach in the Tugalo
valley and he snatched up his rifle and waylaid their trail and captured Dinkins
and two negroes associated with him. Dinkins was promptly hung on the spot.
So notorious was Dinkins' reputation for evil that the whole country was overjoyed
at his sudden execution without waiting to consider whether or not the mode
of his exit was in accordance with the niceties of the law.
His Last Days and Death
Col. Cleveland held positions of trust and honor in his new home, but he loved
quiet home.life best and spent most of his time about his plantation. He continued
to increase in weight until he weighed the enormous sum of four hundred snd
fifty pounds.
For several summers preceding his death ho suffered with dropsy in his lower
limbs, and during the last year of his life his excessive fat considorably decreased,
and he, at last died while sitting at breakfast, in October, 1806, in the sixty-ninth
year of his age. His wife died about six years previous. Ho loft two sons and
a daughtor, whose descendants are numerous and resspectable. Our county man,
Esq. R. M. Staley is a great-grand-son of Col. Cloveland. Wilkes county has
no better citizon and no man a better neighbor than Esq. Staley.
With hardly an education and little improvemnts in later life, Col. Cleveland,
with a vigorous intellect, exerted a commanding influence among the frontier
people; and though despotic in his nature and severe on the Tories, his patriotic
activitity did much to preserve the western portion of North Carolina from British
and Tory ascondency. North Carolina deservedly commorated his services by naming
Cleveland county for him.
The remains of this noble hero sleep in the family burial groun in the valley
of the Tugalo. No monument-no tombstone-no inscription marks his silent resting
place. The spot is marked by several pines that have grown up since his interment-one
of thorn, it is said, shoots its tall spire from his grave. There he lies in
a sister State with not even a gravestone to mark his resting place, where scattered
bands of Cherokees may look upon the pine that rises out of his grave and wonder
among themselves, "Is this the goal of ambition-this the climax of glory?"
How strange are the ways of men!
Return to top
THE FIRST WILL PROBATED
The first will probated in Wilkes county was probated and recorded in the year
l778, at the December term of the county court. In the early history of the
county wills wore only probated during the session of the County Court and not
before the Clerk at any time convenient as in now the case.
This will, first on record in the county, starts off like this:
"The Last Will and Testament of John Witherspoon, Dec'd. Dec. Term, 1778.
"Novomber the first in the year of our Lord Christ, 1778. In the name of
God, Ame, I John Witherspoon, and of Wilkes County, being weak in body but sound
of memory, blessed be God, do this day and in the year of our Lord make and
publish this my last will and testament in the following manner, that is to
say, first I appoint, _____", etc.
The subscribing witnesses are Thomas Harbin, Alexander Holton and Jno, Robinson.
GENERAL WILLIAM LENOIR
The subject of this sketch was one of the early pioneers of this section. He
did much in building the county of Wilkes and the establishment of law and government
in this section of the State . The name of William Lenoir appears oftonor in
early records of our country than the name of any other person. His life, character
and services are recorded in such an able and familiar manner in an extract
from the "Raleigh Register:" of June 22, 1839, that we give the article
here:
This venerable patriot and soldier died at his residence at Fort Defiance, in
Wilkes county, on Monday, the 6th of May, 1839, aged eighty-eight years. Perhaps
no individual new remains in the state of North Carolina who bore a more distinguished
part during our Revolutionary struggle, or who was more closely identified with
the early history of our government than the venerable nam whose history and
public services it is our purpose to sketch.
General Lenoir was born in Brunswick county, Va., on the 20th of May l75l, and
was descended from poor but respectable French ancestry. He was the youngest
of ten children. When about eight years old his father removed to Tar River,
near Tarboro, where he resided until his death which happened shortly after.
The opportunities of obtaining even an ordinary English education that day were
extremely limited, and General Lenoir received no other than such as his own
personal exerperince permitted him to acquire after his father's death. When
about 20 years of age he was married to Ann Ballard of Halifax, N.C., a lady
poessessing in an eminent degree those domestic and heroic virtues which qualified
her for sustaining the privations and hardships of a frontier life, which it
was her destiny afterwards to encounter.
In March, l775 General Lenior removed with his family to the county of Wilkes
(then a portion of Surry), and settled near the place where the village of Wilkesboro
now stands. Previous to his leaving Halifax, however, he signed what was then
familiarly called, "The Association Paper," which contained a declaration
of thd sentiments of the people of the colonies in r.gard to the relations existing
between them and the crown of Great Britain, and which their scattared condition
ren dered it necessary to circulate for signatures in order to ascertain the
wishes and determination of the people. Soon after his removal to Surry he was
appointed a member of the Committee of Safety for that county and continued
to discharge his duties as such, and as clerk to the Committee until their authority
was superseded by the adoption of the Constitution of the State. On the commencement
of hostilities with Great Britain, General Lenoir very early took a decided
and active part. It is well known to all those acquainted with the history of
the times that about the beginning of the war of the Revolution the Cherokee
Indians were exceedingly annoying and troublesome to the white settlements in
the Western part of North Carolina. The Whigs therefore in that section of the
country were obliged at the very outset to be constantly on the alert--they
were frequently called on to march at a moment's warning, in small detachments,
in pursuit of marauding bands of Indians, in the hope of chastising them for
depredations committed on the settlements-they were also compelled to keep up
scouting and ranging parties, and to station guards at the most accessible passes
in the mountains. In this service General Lonior bore a conspicuous part, which
was continued until the celebrated expedition of Gen. Rutherford and Gem. Williamson
in 1776, put an end to the difficulties with the Cherokees. In this expedition
General Lenoir served as a lieutenant under the distinguished Ccl. Cleveland,
who as then a captain, and frequently has he been heard to recount the many
hardships and suffering which they had to undergo. They were of ton entirely
destitute of provisions-there was not a tent of any kind in the whole army-very
few blankets and these only such as could be spared from their houses for the
occasion, and their clothing consisted principally of rude cloth made from hemp,
tow, and wild nettle bark-and as a sample of the uniform worn by the General
officers, it may be mentioned that General Rutherford's consisted of a tow hunting
shirt dyed black and trimmed with white fringe. From the termination of this
campaign until the one projected against the British and Tories under Major
Ferguson, Gen. Lenoir was almost constantly engaged in capturing and suppressing
the. Tories, who, at that time, were assuming great confidence and exhibiting
much boldness. Indeed, such was the character of the times that the Whigs considered
themselves, their families and property in continual and imminent danger. No
man ventured from his housr witheut his rifle, and no one unless his character
was well known, was permitted to travel without undergoing the strictest examination.
Gen. Lenoir has frequently been heard to say that owing to this perilous situation
he has often been compelled on retiring at night, to place his rifle on one
side of him in bed while his wife occupied the other.
In the expedition to King's Mountain he hold the position of captain Col. Cleveland's
regiment, but on ascertaining that it would be impossible fer the footmen to
reach the desired point in time, it was determined by a council of officers
that all who had horses or could procure them should advance forthwith.
Accordingly Gem. Lenoir and his company officers volunteered their services
as privates, and proceeded with the horsemen by a severe forced march to the
scene of action. In the brilliant achievement on King's Mountain he was wounded
severely-in the arm, and also in the side-and a third ball passed throught his
hair just above where it was tied. He was also at the defeat of the celebrated
Tory, Col. Pyles near Haw River, and in this engagement had his horse shot and
his sword broken, He also raised a company and marched toward the Dan River,
with the hope of joining Gen. Greene, previous to the battle of Guilford, but
was unable to effect a junction in time. Many other services of a minor character
were performed by him, which it would be tedious to enumerate.
In the militia of the State he was also an active and efficient officer, having
passed through different grades from that of an Orderly Sergeant to a Major-General
in which latter of office he served for about eighteen years.
In a civil capacity also General Lenoir discharged many high and responsible
duties. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace by the convention which met
to form the State Constitution, and was appointed by the first General Assembly
which met under its authority. He continued to discharge the duties of this
office until he died with the exception of a temporary suspension of about two
years, whilst he acted as Clerk of County Court of Wilkes. It is therefore more
than probable that at the time he died he was the oldest magistrate in the State,
or perhaps in the United States. He also filled at different periods the various
offices of Register, Surveyor, Commissioner of Affidavits, Chairman of County
Court, and Clerk of Superior Court for the county of Wilkes. He was one of the
original trustee of the University of NC., and was the first president of the
Board. He served many years in both branches of the State Legislature, embracing
nearly the whole period of our early legislative history, and during the last
five years of his service in the Senate was unamimously chosen Speaker of that
body. It was also remarked that he p rformed the duties of that important station
with as much general satisfaction, probably, as was ever given by the presiding
officer of any deliberate assembly. He was for several years elected a member
of the council of State, and when convened, was chosen President of the Board.
He was also a member of both the State Convention which met for the purpose
of considering the Constitution of the United States; and in the discussions
of those bodies he took an jealousy the rights of the States. Owing to the difficulties
which existed among the States in the adoption of the Federal Constitution,
as opinion prevailed that another General Convention would be called to revised
and amend it. The Convention of North Carolina, acting upon this supposition,
proceeded to elect five delegates to represent the State in the proposed General
Convention, of which number General Lenoir was one. It is also in honor of him
that the respectable county of Lenoir bears its name.
These, together with many other services of a minor character, though important
in themselves, or in futherance of the due execution of the law, constitute
the sum of that portion of the public burdens which have been borne by this
venerable man, for many of which he declined to receive any compensation. Those
who knew Gen. Lenoir will readily concur in the opinion that it is questionable
whether any man ever performed a public duty with a more punctilious regard
to the promotion of the public welfare or in more strict accordance with the
requirements of the authority under which he acted.
For the last several years of his life ho devoted much of his time to reading
and reflection on public affairs, and manifested great concern and expressed
much apprehension lost from the signs of the times, our inestimable government,
which cost so much blood and treasure, hardship and suffering, was destined,
at no distant period, to share the fate of the republics of other days. Indeed,
so great were his fears on this subject that it was a source of real disquietude
and unhappiness to him.
In private life Gen. Lenoir was no less distinguished for his moral worth and
generous hospitality than in public life for his unbending integrity, firmness
and patriotism. His mansion was open at all times, not only to a large and extensive
circle of friends and acquaintances, but to the stranger and traveler. Although
he lived for many years upon a public highway and received and entertained all
persons who chose to call upon him, he was never known in a single instance
to make a charge or receive compensation for accomodations thus furnished.
In his manners and habits of life he was plain and unostentatious. Steadily
acting himself upon principles of temperance and frugality in all things he
endeavored both by example and precept to inculcate similar principles upon
others. To the poor he was kind and charitable and by his will made liberal
provisions for those of his own neighborhood. He had long enjoyed almost uninterrupted
health while he was careful to preserve by moderate but almost constant exercise
either on horseback or in his workshop, of which he was very fond. As evidence
of his physical ability, it may be mentioned that he attended the Superior Court
of Ashe county, a distance of more than 100 miles from his residence, traveling
the whole distance on horseback, and crossing the Blue Ridge, and also attended
the court of his own county, a distance of 214 miles not more than three weeks
before his death. During his last illness he suffered much pain, and often expressed
a desire that the Supreme Disposer of all things would terminate his sufferings.
He often said "Death had no terrors for him-he did not fear to die."
His remains were interred in the family burying-ground, which occupies the spot
where Fort Defiance was erected during the Revolutionary war.
ZEBULON BAIRD Grandfather of Zebulon B. Vance
Zebulon Baird Vance's grandfather, Zebulon Baird, was a native of Wilkes County.
It was after this Wilkes county ancestor that the noted General, Governor, Senator
and Statesman was named. Notwithstanding the fact that he lived nearly a century
ago and is very little known at his day, Zebulon Baird would be counted as one
of the great men of Wilkes County for the reason that he was the grandfather
of the most beloved man that ever lived in North Carolina.
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FIRST CHURCH IN COUNTY
Surry county was formed in 1770 from Rowan county, which, until this date, comprehended
a large portion of Western North Carolina from beyond the Yadkin to the Mississippi
river, including all the upper valley of the Yadkin to the Virginia line. In
l770 Surry was a frontier county. The Mulberry Field Meeting House was the only
church in the entire county. This church, or meeting house as it was called,
was situated where the town of Wilkesboro now stands. Some of our oldest citizens
think this church stood about where the Chronicle building now stands, or probably
a few yards further south. It was a Baptist church and the first to be built
in the county.
It required no little zeal and Christian energy to prompt our early settlers
to expose themselves to great danger and hardship to come to this church, traveling
scores of miles through dense forests and jungles and over the rudest kinds
of roads, knowing that an attack of the treacherous Indians to the take their
lives was probable at any moment. But is was a gracious privilege to those sturdy
Christians to be permitted to worship God according to their own will and as
their own conscience directed, even though they did so at the peril of their
lives. They knew what it was to be deprived of that previlege by tyrannical
rules and laws, and from such oppressions they had fled to this country, and
erected Mulberry Fields Meeting House, where they might worship when and in
whatever manner they saw fit. The Holy Spirit of Almighty God must have directed
them and stayed the tomahawk and arrow in the hands of the treacherous enemy.
I admire such faith and zeal, and it is no wonder that these faithful, sturdy,
reign and tyrannts can not live. We cannot too much appreciate the perseverance
and patriotism of our ancestors who came to Wilkes to build homes and plant
civilization for us.
Early Schools
Until 1839 there were no public schools in North Carolina; and for several years
after that date the system of public schools did not reach all the people in
all sections of the State. In the early history of the county the opportunity
of obtaining an education was scant. There were only two or more private schools,
with school houses made of logs, sticks and mud, scattered about over the county.
The following account of some of our early schools is taken from the report
on Education by the State Superintendnet of Public Instruction for 1898:
"Incorporated Schools--Philomathian Academy, chartered 1804; Wilkesboro
Academy, chartered 1810, and again in 1819.
"At a very early period in this centruy there was a notable 'Grammar School'
with John Harrison as principal. It was described as 'ten miles below the court
house.' Latin and Greek were offered. The tuition was $10 for ten months, and
board could be had at $25 per year.
"The only teacher of the Wilkesboro Academy whose name I have been able
to discover is that of Rev. Peter McMillan, whose tuition was fifty percent
higher than Mr. Harrison's and the board from 75 to 100 percent higher."
"TO THUMB THE NOTCH"
Revolutionary times wore indeed trying to the settlers along the frontier. Both
Indians and Tories gave much trouble. The way in which punishment was inflictod
in those days was severe and effective. The following account of the punishment
of Shade Laws will give the reader some idea of the character of those times:"The
depredations of the Tories were so frequent and their conduct so savage that
summary punishment was demanded by the exigencies of the times. This Cleveland
inflicted without ceremony. General Lenoir relates a circumstances that ocourred
at the Mulberry Meeting House. While there an some public occasion, the rumor
that mischief was going on by the Tories. Lenoir went to his horse tied at some
distance from the house, and as he approached a man ran off from the opposite
side of the house. Lenoir hailed him but he did not stop; he pursued him and
found that he had stolen one of the stirrups off his saddle carried the pilferer
to Col. Cleveland, who ordered him to place his two thumbs in a notch for that
purpose in an arbor fork and hold them there while he ordered him to receivo
fifteen lashes. This was his peculiar manner of inflicting the law and gave
origin to the phrase "to thumb to notch." The punishment on the offender
above named was well inflicted by Captain John Beverly whose ardor did not stop
at the ordered number. After the fifteen had been given, Col. Herndon drew his
sword and struck Beverly. Captain Beverly drew also and they had a tilt which,
but for friends, would have terminated fatally."
The tree in which the notches were cut was still standing in 1850. Wheeler in
his history of North Carolina, says, "There is a tree in Wilkes county
which bears the name of "Shade Laws Oak" on which the notched thumbed
by said Laws under the sentence of Cleveland, are distinctly visible."
The tree stood about half a mile west of the Village of Moravian Falls on the
top of the hill just above the Old Shiloh church. The tree was cut down several
years ago by some one who, probably from personal reasons, wanted the tree destroyed.
The stump is still visible.
Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone was not a native of Wilkes, but it was here he spent a portion
of his life, and here it was that he was trained in our forests for the life
he afterwards lived. His name is loved and cherished all over the country but
nowhere more than in Wilkes county. His history is a part of the county's and
it would be an injustice. not to give a sketch of this pioneer in this book.
The sketch following is from the pen of John H. Wheeler and is the best short
sketch of Boone I have ever seen:
Daniel Boone was born in l746 in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, near Bristol, about
twenty miles from Philadelphia. When he was but a child, his father emigrated
to North Carolina, and settled in one of the valleys of the Yadkin. Here Boone
was reared and here he married Miss Bryan.
In May, 1769, Boone informs us himself, "accompanied by John Findley, John
Stuart, Joseph Holden, James Nonay and William Cool," left his home and
quiet joys for the "dark and bloody ground" of Kentucky. Then inhabited
only by wild animals and savages. But in the boundless forests he seemed to
be in his appropriate sphere. Here he pursued the deer, buffalo and wild beasts.
After a hard day's hunt, as Boone and Stuart were returning to their camp, they
were seized by a horde of savages who made them prisoners; that night they escaped,
but what was their surprise when they came to their camp and found their comrades
were gone, either prisoners or murdered, for the camp was deserted. But the
spirit of Boone knew no despair. He called all the resources into action, husbanded
his game and ammunition, and prepared to return to North Carolina. At this time
Boone's brother, fired by the same ardor for wild excitement, came out to their
camp with one companion. This infused fresh joys and new hopes. But soon after
Stuart fell in a foray with the Indians, no persuasions could induce their companion
to remain, and he left Boone and his brother alone in the vast wilderness. They
erected a house to protect them, and supplied plentifully with game, they passed
the winter in comfort. But their ammunition and salt becoming scant, the brother
of Boone return for a supply, and Daniel Boone was left alone in the wild forests
of Kentucky. This voluntary exile was not unpleasant to his temper. In his journal
he assures us that his mind was filled with admiration of the boundless beauties
of nature. The magnificent forest was clothing itself in the rich attire of
spring, the gergeous flowers wore unfolding their glories to his eye alone,
the wild deer and buffalo were not fearful of his presence.
He continued in these solitary quarters until the 27th of July when his brother
returned loaded with ammunition and salt, to them more precious than the mines
of California. They made an expedition to the Cumberland river, naming the rivers
they passed, and making such observations as might be of future use.
In March, 1771 they returned to North Carolina. He was so charmed with the rich
soil, the bountiful productions of nature, and the abundant game that he sold
his farm on the Yadkin, and by his representation, five families and his own
set out for their return to Kentucky, on the 25th day of September, 1773. As
they passed Powell's valley then one hundred and fifty miles from the settled
parts of Virginia, forty hardy sons of the forest joined them. They pursued
their journey until the 10th day of October, when they were furiously attacked
by a large body of Indians. By their skill, unflinching courage and resoultion,
the superior force of the savages was beaten off, but Boone's party lost six
men killed and one wounded. Among the killed was Boone's oldest son, a youth
of much promise and daring.
This repulse forced them to retreat to the settlement on Clinch river. Hero
he remanod with his family until the 6th of June, l774 when the Governor of
Virginia (Dunmore) engaged him and an adventured by the name of Starer to conduct
a party of surveyors to the falls of the Ohio, near eight hundred miles; this
he performed on foot in sixty-two days. On his return Dunmore gave him the command
of the garrisons on the frontier, which he maintained during the war at this
period against the Shawnee Indians.
In March, l775, he attended at the request of Judge Richard Henderson, a council
of the Cherokees, by which they ceded their lands south of the Kentucky river.
In April he erected a fort a the spot where the town of Boonsboro now stands.
The Indians wore very much dissatisfied at the erection of this fort. After
it was finished he returned in June for his family on Clinch river. Mrs. Boone
and her daughter were the first white women that ever stood on the banks of
the Kentucky river.
In December the Indians made a funious assault on this fort by which Boone lost
one man killed and another wounded; but the Indians were repulsed with great
sluughter. This defeat was so severe that the Indians treacherously appeared
reconciled and seemed to give up all ideas of assaulting the fort or molesting
the whites. This caused the inhabitants of the fort to be less guarded, and
they made visits and excursions into the forests around. On the 14th day of
July 1776-just seven from their last attack--as three young ladies, two daughters
of Col. Caloway and the third of Col. Boone were leisurely strolling in the
woods they were pursued by the Indians and caught before they could reach the
gates of the fort. At this moment Boone was off hunting, but when he returned,
without any aid he followed alone the tracks of the Indians. He knew that if
he waited to collect a force the cunning robbers would be entirely beyond pursuit.
With a sagacicty peculiar to hunters, he followed their trai1 without the least
deviation, while the girls had the presence of mind to snap off twigs from time
to time as they passed through the shrubbery in their route. At last he came
in sight of them, and by the aid of his unerring rifle, killed two of the Indians
and recovered the young ladies, and reached the fort in safety.
The crafty foe now made open war. On the l5th of April, 1777, the united tribes
made an attack on the fort, but it was unsuccessful.
In July twenty-five men arrived from North Carolina, and in August Captain Bowman,
with one hundred men, arrived from Virginia. By this powerful reinforcement
they no longer dreaded the savages, but rallied and made attacks on the Indians
and drove them from the vicinity.
On the first of January, 1778, Col. Boone with thirty men commenced making salt
for the first time in that region at the Blue Licks, or Licking river, and he
made enough of this essential of life for a civilized inhabitants of the infant
community.
On the 7th of February as Col. Boone was hunting alone, he was surprised by
one hundred Indians and two Frenchmen. They took him prisoner. He learned then
that a famous attack was to be made by a strong force on Boonesboro. He captitulated
for the fort, knowing its weak state, as it had only twenty-seven men, the rest
had gone with salt into the settlements of Virginia.
The Indians, according to their treaty, carried their prisoners to old Chili
Cothe, the principal town of the Miami, where they arrived on the 18th of Feb.
and according to their terms, the Indians him kindly.
In March they carried Boone to Detroit to offer him for ransom to the Governor;
but on the route the Indians became so much attached to him that they refused
to part with him; and after leaving at Detroit the other prisoners, they returned
with Boone to Chili Cothe. He was adopted as one of the tribe and pretended
to be very fond of his new father and mother, and take great interest in their
sports and his plan of escape was hurried by an alarming circumstances; while
meditating upon it he was astonished to see an assemblage of four hundred warriors
at Chili Cothe. An attack on Boonesboro was planned.
On the 16th of June he escaped and reached Boonesboro on the 20th a distance
of one hundred and sixty miles, during which he ate but one meal. He found the
fort in bad condition and set all hands a repair it. The Indians, finding that
he had escaped, postponed the attack.
On the 1st of August with nineteen men, Boone set out to attack an Indian town
called Paint Creek, on the Sciota. Within four miles of the fort they met forty
Indians on their way to attack them. A desperate fight ensues, in which Boone
conquered, without the loss of a man.
On the 8th of August the largest force that they ever had appear before Boonosboro
orders it to surrender. The assailants were four hundred and forty-four Indians
and eleven Frenchmen, command by Capt. Duquesne. Boone requested a parley of
three days during which he made every preparation for an active and vigorous
defense.
On the 9th Boone informs the French commander that "he would defend the
fort as long as a man could raise a rifle."
The wily Frenchman, knowing the prowess of his oppoent, seeks to effect by stratagem
what he dares not attempt by arms. A treaty is agreed to. Boone with the required
number go forth to sign the document. He is informed, after signing, that it
was an Indian custom from time immemorial for two Indians to shake the hands
of one white man. This he reluctantly consented to, and the moment the savages
took hold of each white man they endeavored to hold him fast. Boone feels the
sinewy grasp of two athletic Indians, and his companions are betrayed into a
like perilous condition. Now arose the mighty struggle for liberty and for life.
"Now gallant Boone now hold thy own,
No Maiden arm is round thee thrown;
That desperate grasp thy frame would feel
Through bars of brass and triple steel."
Fortunate favors at this moment of peril her gallant son; the knife of of Boone
finds a bloody sheath in one of his opponents; the other is thrown down, and
Boone and his men escape to the fort.
His name can never die. The memory of this chilairic exploit, and the name of
Boone will live as long as the Kentucky river rolls its troubled tribute to
the "Great Father Waters;" and when the marble in our National Capitol,
which corimemorates this deed, shall have crumbled to its original elements.
The Indians, after an unsuccessful attack, raise the seige, after a loss of
several killed and wounded.
During the absence of Col. Boone in captivity among the Shawnees, his wife,
thinking her husband was killed, returnbd with her family to her father's on
the Yadkin North Carolina. Boone came to North Carolina after them.
He returned with them in about two years to Boonesboro, during which time many
battles had been lost and won.
As he and his brother were returning from the Salt Licks, they were attacked
by the Indians, his brother w~s killed by a shot from the Indians. Boone was
not hurt and only escaped by rapid flight, killing the dog the Indians had sent
on his trail.
Such was the life Boone led until the defeat of the Indians by Wayne (1792)
introduced peace and quiet in this dark and country.
Between this time and the time (1792) the now territory came into the Union,
Virginia had enacted so many laws, which Boone in the simplicity of his nature
had failed to comply with, or his business was done so loosely, that the very
land he had bought and paid for, in the sacrifices of himself and the blood
of his son and his brother was wrested from him. How sad a commentary upon human
nature. How mournfully true the Latin adage, "home hom mi lupus" (man
is a wolf to man). In 1798 he shoulders his rifle and goes to the wilds of Missouri.
Here was a country as wild and unclaimed as his heart desired. The republic
was that of the forest, and the rifle and the hunter; and Boone was commander-in-chief.
He never sighed for what was lost. He said Kentucky was too crowded, he wanted
more elbow-room. Here he lived until 1813, when he lost his wife; the faithful
companion of all his trials and troubles exchanged this for a brighter world.
This was the severest blow Boone received. He left Missouri and come his son,
Major Nathan Boone, where he lived, employing his leisure with his favorite
rifle and trapping beavers until 1818 when he calmly and resignedly breathed
his last, in the eighty-fourth year of his age surrounded by affection and love.
It was stated in the papers at the time of his death that he was found dead
at a stand, watching for a deer with his rifle sprung and raised ready to fire.
In the Indian idea he had gone to hunting ground of the warrior alone, where
his spirit would be happy when the stars would cease to give their light.
The Character of Boone is so peculiar that it marks the age in which he lived;
and his name has been celebrated in the verses of the immortal Byron:
OF ALL MEN
Who pass for in life and death most lucky,
Of the great names which~in our faces stare.
Is Daniel Boone, backswoodsman of Kentucky.
Crime came not near him-she is not the child
Of solitude. Health shrank not from him, for
Her home is in the rarely trodden wild.
And tall and strong and swift on foot were they,
Beyond the dwarfing city's pale abortions,
Because their thoughts had never been the prey
Of care or gain: the green woods were their portion;
No sinking spirits told them they grew gray,
No fashions made them apes of her distortions;
Simple they were, not savage; and their rifles,
Though very true, were not yet used for trifles.
Motion was their days, rest in their slumbers,
And cheerfulness the handmaid of their toils;
Nor yet too many, nor too few their numbers;
Corruption could not make their hearts her soil;
The last which stings, the splendor which encumbers,
With the tree foresters divide no spoil;
Serene, not sullen, even the solitudes
Of this unsighing people of the weeds.
Don Juan, Canto VII, LVI
In North Carolina was Boone reared. Here his youthful days were spent; and here
that bold spirit was trained, which so fearlessly encountered the perils through
which he passed in after life. His fame is a part of her property, and she has
inscribed his name on a town (Boone) in the region where his youth was spent.
I am indebted to a sketch in the National Portrait Gallery, by W.A.C., for the
leading facts and dates in the life of Boone.
It was on a farm near Holman's ford that Boone's early life was spent. There
are objects still existing in that locality which were associated with him in
his hunting expeditions and travels. There are trees standing to this day bearing
marks which indicate that at or near the spot Daniel Boone killed a bear. Boone's
Gap in the Brushy mountains, near Boomer, is so called because it was in Boone's
route across the mountain on his hunting expeditions. A short distance from
this gap, on a tributary of Warrior creek, is a beautiful water--fall which
owes its name--Boone's Falls--to this great hunter.
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KING'S MOUNTAIN
The battle of King's Mountain is very closely connected with the history of
Wilkes County. Nearly or probably mere than, half the American soldiers, engaged
in this famous battle for freedom of the American people were from Wilkes county,
as her boundary lines were at that time. Wilkes furnished three distinguished
leaders for this battle-Col. Benjamin J. Cleveland, Col. John Sevier and General
Isaac Shelby. The forces - assembled at Watauga, in Wilkes county (now in Carter
county, Tenn.) and decided to attack the British forces under Major Ferguson.
At that time the Western part of North Carolina was a strong-hold for the Tories
and many of the men in the British ranks at King's Mountain were Tories.
Following is a circular letter issued by Major Ferguson to the Tories just seven
days before the battle of King's Mountain:
Donard's Ford, Tryon Co.
Oct. 1, 1780
Gentlemen: Unless you wish to be sut up by an inundation of barbarian, who have
begun by murdering the unarmed son before the aged father, and afterwards lopped
off his arms, and who by their shocking cruelty and irregularities, give the
best proof of their cowardice and want of discip1ine; I say if you wish to be
pinioned, robbed and murdered, and to see your wives and daughters, in four
days, abused by the dregs of mankind--in short, if you wish desire to live and
bear the name of men, grasp your arms in a moment and run to camp.
The backwater men have crossed the mountains; McDowel1, Hampton, Shelby and
Cleveland are at their head, so that you will have to depend upon. If you choose
to be p--d upon for ever and ever by a set of mongrels, say so at once, and
let your women turn their backs upon you and look out for real men to protect
them.
Pat Ferguson
Maj. 71st Regiment
Ferguson was expecting an attack from the Americans and directed a letter to
Lord Cornwall at Charlotte, soliciting aid. At this time Ferguson and his divison
of the army were at Gilbert town, from place he began his march to King's Mountain.
He camped the first night at Cowpens (soon to become famous for the success
of our aims over Tarleton, Jan, 17, 1781). On the 5th of Oct. he crossed Broad
river at Deep Ferry and marched sixteen miles; on the 6th he marched up the
ridge road, until he came to a right hand fork across King's creek and through
a gap towards Yorkville, about l4 miles; and on the summit of King's Mountain
he encamped. Here he declared was "a place where God Almighty could not
drive him from."
About 3 o'clock on tha 7th of Oct. 1789, after being in the saddle for 30 hours,
without rest, and drenched by a heavy rain, the fearless Americans approached
King's Mountain.
This mountain is in Cleveland county, on the borders of North and South Carolina;
it extends East and West and on the summit is a plateau about five hundred yards
long and sixty or seventy broad. On the sumit was Ferguson posted. The Americans
divided into three wings, The right wing under the command of McDowell, Sevier,
and Winston; Campbell and Shelby commanded the center, while the left wing was
under the command of Cleveland and Williams. The plan of battle was to surround
the mountain and attack each side simultaneously. The center commenced the attack
and marched boldly up the mountain. The battle here was fierce, furious and
bloody. The center gave way, but rallied and rinferced by Campbell's regiment,
returned to the charge. Towards the latter part of the action the enemy made
a furious onset from the eastern summit and drove the Americans to the foot;
there they rallied and in close column returned to the attack and in turn drove
the enemy before them to the western end, where Cleveland and Williams had been
contending with another part of their line, Campbell now reached the summit
and poured in on the on my a deadly fire. The brave Ferguson, like a lion at
bay, turned on these new adversaries and advanced with fixed bayonet. They gave
way for the moment, and rallied under their gallant leaders to the attack. "The
whole mountain was vocered with smoke and seemed to thunder." Attacked
on all sides, the circle becoming less and less, Ferguson in a desperate move
endeavored to break through the American lines and was shot dead in the attempt.
This decided the day. The British flag was lowered, and a white flag raised
for quarters.
One hundred and fifty of the enemy, including their commander, lay dead on the
field, 810 wounded and prisoners. 1500 stands of arms and the American authority
restored, were the fruits of this victory.
This was the turning point of the fortunes of America. This decisive blow prostrated
the British power for the time, vanquished the Tory influence, and encouraged
the hopes of the patriots.
Lord Corwallis left Charlotte and fell back to Winnsboro, desiring any proximity
to such fearless men unsafe for the main army, nor did he advance until reinforced
by General Leslie with troops from north.
The total loss on the American side was 28 killed and 60 wounded.
THE SIAMESE TWINS
The ce1ebrated Siamese Twins, Chang and Eng after traveling all the world and
seeing the advantages and disadvantages of every country, chosee the quiet of
glens of Wilkes as the loveliest spot retirement and repose.
They were born in May, 1811, at Maklong, Siam, and died in Wilkes county, near
Hays postoffice, about the year 1880.
In 1829 they left their country for America, and since they have traveled over
the whole of this continent, England, France, and other countries, exciting
the admiration of the crowd, and the investigations of the scientific Sir Ashley
Cooper, of London, Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell of New York, and others, who have
reported upon this singular phenomemon in the natural world.
They were united together as one by an ensiform cartilage from the side. The
blood vessels and nerves of each communicated. There seemed to be a perfect
sympathy, for when one was sick so was the other. They went to sleep at the
same moment, and woke at the same. Both died the same day, only a few moments
intervening between their deaths.
A time or two was appointed to seperate the twins but the scientific doctors
decided that such an operation would terminate their lives.
They were wealthy, well settled, and both happily married and had interesting
families around them. They married twin sisters named Yates, late of this county.
Ex-County Commissioner, Robert Yates, who lives near Boomer is a nephew of the
wives of the Siamese Twins. Several of their descendants yet live in Surry county
and they have adopted the name Bunker as their surname. The house now owned
and occupied by Ambros Wiles was built by the Siamese Twins, and they lived
and died there.
They differed widely in appearance, character and strength. One was sober and
patient; the other intemperate and irritable. It is said that they frequently
fell out--generally about their movements- when they should or should not go
somewhere-and sometimes fought like dogs. In 1870 Chang was stricken with paralysis
from which he died a few years later. In a short time-probably about 30 minutes-Eng
followed him to the great beyond. They were the most interesting persons that
ever lived in the county. In the natural history of the world there is not another
case like them.
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THE SHOW FIGHT
Between the years of 1855 and 1860, in Wilkesboro, occurred one of the most
remarkable fights in the history of the county. Robinson's show had pitched
their tents in the vale on the north side opposite the place where the new Methodist
church now stands. The show people had a stand where they sold candy, lemenade,
etc. It was at this stand that the trouble arose. George Johnson went up to
the stand to buy seme candy; the showmen wanted to charge him about three times
the usual price in the stores at that time, when finally Johnson told him to
take the candy and go to h--l with it. This insulted the showman who in turn
insulted Johnson, who was something of a fighter he at once began to fight.
The showman's partner came to his aid armed with sticks, single trees and such
other weapons as they get their hands on. Johnson' s friends came to his aid
about as fast as the showmen to the aid of their comrade. A desperate battle
followed.
Among Johnson's friends who engaged in the fight may be mentioned the following:
Ellis Anderson, Andy Porter, "Bill" Transou, Wesley Nicolls, Peter
Johnson, Jones Transou, and others.
Such weapons were used as were most convenient and several on each side were
badly hurt, but no one killed.
Sheriff Staley was informed of the fight and he soon had the participators under
arrest and under guard. After the showmen who had engaged in the fight had been
released, a party who were absent with the horses during the fight, came up.
They were attacked by the Wilkes party, who by this time had procured sticks,
axes, and other deadly weapons, and were prepared to do some fatal execution.
The showmen told them they knew nothing of the trouble and were not concerned
with it, but the enraged citizens were not disposed to hear them. About that
time Sheriff Staley appeared on the scene and informed the citizens that the
showmen who had engaged in the fight were under under arrest; then the citizens
calmed down and another bloody fight was averted.
The showmen under arrest were marched to the court house and a preliminary trial
was held before Dr. R.F.Hackett, who was a Justice of the Peace at that time.
The trial lasted until about midnight when the whole party was bound to court.
The showmen did not want to go to jail and the jail was not sufficient to hold
them, so they were kept in the courthouse, under guard, until morning when,
after the showmen had paid him $500, Gen. James B. Gordon stood surety for their
apperarance at court, They never appeared and finally the case was dismissed
upon payment of the cost by Gordon. The cost in the amounted to about $130,
so Gordon cleared about $370 in the transaction.
After the ones engaged in the fight were arrested the the show proceeded and
a large crowd witnessed the exhibit.
JAMES HENRY SPAINHOUR - By Frank B. Hendron
James Henry Spainhour was born in Burke county in 1835 and came to Wilkes county
in 1858. New Hope Academy in Lewis Fork township, had just been completed and
was in quest of a principal. Maj. Jas. H. Foote recommended Mr. Spainhour to
the position and he was e1ected. He remained in this position until the outbreaking
of the war, when he enlisted in Company B, Capt. Stokes., which company was
attached to First Regiment N.C. Volunteers. Mr. Spainhour being a licensed minister
of the Baptist church, was appointed Chaplin of this Regiment in which capacity
he served until his death at Fredericksburg, on the 17th day of October, 1861.
It was under Prof. Spainhour's principalship, that New Hope Academy enjoyed
its brief period of ascendency among the schools of this county and had its.
career not been cut short by the war it would doubtless become one of the 1eading
instituations in the western part of the state. It was located in what was justly
considered at that time the most progressive community in the county. The Academy
was burned during the war and after that unhappy struggle still-houses took
its place and the community long suffered from their blighting influence. Recently,
however, the Acadamy has been rebuilt and the community, which contained some
of the best people in the county, is regaining some of its old time activity
and progress.
The late Maj. H. Bingham, as well as many of the leading citizens of this county,
of the older class received their education of New Hope Academy.
COL. W. H. H. COWLES
(For the loading facts in this sketch the author is indebted to Jerome Dowd1s
sketch of Col. Cowles in "Sketches of Prominent Living North Carolinians,"
and to the sketch by W. W. Barber, which in "The Wilkesboro Chronicle"
Jan. 8, 1902.)
Colonel Cowles, subject of this sketch, was born Hamptonville, Yadkin county,
April 22, l840 and spent his youth in his father's store and on his farm. He
attended the common schools and academies of his county. He was fond of outdoor
exercise and delighted in hunting.
In 1861 he volunteered as a private in a cavalry company formed by T. N. Crumpler,
but upon the organization of the company he was elected First Lieutenant. Much
caution was used in se the company; every member was strong and soldierly.
In the latter part of 1861 Col. Cowles company marched to Centerville, then
the seat of the war, where the First N. C. Cava1ry became a part of the First
Cavalry Regiment of the Confederate army, and was connected with the Armyof
Northern Virginia until the surrennder. Cowles was promoted to Major and later
to Colonel of his Regiment. His dashing bravery and courage won the admiration
of his superior officer so much that in the First Maryland raid he was put in
command of the extreme advance guard of the cavalry by stewart. On return he
was placed in command of the extreme rear guard.
At Auburn, where Col. Thomas Ruffin fell, Cowles rallied the the men and continued
the charge. At Brandy Station he led the charge that drove the 10th New York
Cavalry out of line and to the rear. Hefollowed them up for several miles toward
Kelly's Ford, capturing Maj. Forbes, Maj. Gregg's commissary and Wm. Buckly,
private correspondent though at the' end of the charge he was entirely within
the enemy's lines. In the beginning of the charge, Preston Hampton, son of Wade
Hampton, joined Cowles for a short distance but his horse was shot from under
him and when he had obtained another horse he found that his squadron had passed
ahead and that Gregg's entire column was moving down the road in the direction
that Cowles had just gone. As Hampton could not rejoin the squadron, he returned
to the Confederate lines and reported that Cowles was surely captured.
When Cowles attempted to retrace his steps he was met by a Confederate coming
at full speed with the news that a large body of Federal Cavalry were in the
road a short distance off, coming in that direction. Cowles passed with his
men and prisoners through the field and across a deep stream where there was
no ford; he crossed safely and just in time to witness the advance of General
Gregg's column at the point in the road where Cowles had left.
At the beginning on the battle Mine Run General Ewell was in need of a competent
officer to take command of the skirmish line in his front and requested General
Stuart to suggest the man. General Stuart detailed Captain Cowlos for the duty
and directed him to take in addition cavalry he would find with General Ewell
one hundred picked men, which he did, quickly joining General Early. He went
to the front and established his skirmish line and next morning met the enemy's
adv~ gallantly checking its movements every inch of the way to the Confederate
main lines, In this engagenemt he redeived his first wound by a mine ball through
the body. His wound was thought to be fata1but the following spring he rejoined
his command in time to take part in the first of that memorable campaign of
l864, and was in command of the right wing of General Gordon's forces at Brook
church near Richmond, where Gordon fell. He continued in active service until
the 31st of March, 1865, when, in leading a desperate assault on the right of
the enemy near Petersburg, and after his horse was shot leaving him on foot
and knee deep in water he was shot in the head. Those who saw him thought he
was killed and he was left unconscious to fall into the hand of the enemy. He
was taken to.the hospital where he heard the news of the surrender of Lee. It
happened that he met there an officer of his own name and probably his kinsman,
Maj. Cowles, of Federal army, who promised him the best treatment and who allowed
number of his friends to go home on parole. Colonel Cowels took the boat for
Norfolk under guard. At Norfolk he was imprisoned for a day then he left for
New Bern. He was badly treated on the vessal and he came near being thrown overboard.
At New Bern, by the aid of a friend, he managed to get across the Federal lines.
He went to Raleigh, then to Sa1isbury with Thad Coleman. They reached Third
creek in private conveyance and attempted to walk the rest of the way to Statesville,
but it was too much for men who apparently wore nearer their graves than their
homes. When within three miles of Statesville, Col. Cowles offered a farmer
$3.00 in greenback and $20.00 in Confederate money to take them to Statesville,
and aftor much persuasion prevailed upon the farmer to comply. Cowles finally
reached Wilkosboro.
At the close of the war he came home poor, and in suffering intensely from the
wounds received March 31st, 1865. As soon as health would permit ho began the
study of law under Judge Pearson, his roommate being Hon. Charles Price of Salisbury.
After obtaining license in 1868 he located in Wilkesboro and immediately entered
into a lucrative and successful law practice. This was during the dark days
of North Carolina, and he had stood by his State in time of peril and war so
in the great political battles in 1868 and 1870 he did not shrink duty or responsibility,
but entered actively into tho campaign and did good work for his party. In 1872
he was elected Reading Clerk of the State Senate. In 1874 he was elected Solicitor
of the 10th Judicial district, which office he held till 1879, and was an able
and fearless prosecuting officer.
In 1882, he was nominated by the Democrats for the Legislaure, and although
he was defeated, he made a campaign that won a great reputation for him.
In 1884 Colonel Cowles was nominated for Congress and was elected by an handsome
majority. He entered his duties as Congressman March 4, 1885, the same day President
Cleveland was first inducted into office. He was re-elected in 1886, 1888 and
1890, and voluntarily withdrew in 1892 before any county conventions were held.
He represented his district with fidelity and credit during the 8 years in Congress,
always glad to attend to any business for any of his constituents, and was noted
in Washington for his interest in and fidelity to his constituents.
As a commander he ranked among the best in the state, and during the four canvasses
he made for Congress he made many able and interesting speeches.
After his retirement from Congress he devoted himself to farming and was one
of the best farmers in the county.
Colonel Cowles was twice married, first in 1870 to Miss Cora Worth of Ashe county.
She died in 1877. By that marriage two children survive-Carrie Lizzie who married
T. B. Fineloy and Cora who married J. A. Gaither of Newton. In 1883 Col. Cowles
married Miss Lura Best of Newton, who survives him with six children.
On the 30th day of Dec. 1901, with scarcely any warning, death claimed him as
a victim. He was taken with pneumonia on Saturday and died on the following
Monday. He was buried in the Wilkesboro cemetery.
REV. GEORGE W. GREENE - By Frank B. Hendren
The subject of this sketch was born in Watauga county. He come to Wilkes and
took charge of Moravian Falls Academy upon its completion about the year of
1877, and remained there for about 15 years. Under his principalship the school
enjoyed a high degree of popularity, becoming the leading school in all this
section. Many of the officials and leading business men of the county received
their education under the tuition of Prof. Greene. It is to be doubted if any
other man ever gave a greater impetus to the educational progress of the county.
He is a ripe scholar and a man of unsullied honor. He is at present a missionary
of the Baptist church to China.
DR. TYRE YORK
Dr. Tyre York, son of Mike York, was born at Rockford, Surry county, in 1836.
He was educated in the common schools of his county. He studied medicine at
the Charleston Medical College, from which institution he is a graduate.
He was married to Eliza Crumpler, of Surry county, daughter of Thomas Crumpler
and sister of the famous T. N. Crumpler. By this union was born three children-all
girls. The oldest married Hilliary Cockerham; the next married H. F. Bryan,
and the third married Benjamin Taylor, of Alleghany county.
About 1859 Dr. York located in the Traphill section where he practiced his profession
and tended his farm. When the Civil War broke out, he being a physician, was
exempt from military service. He was very friendly to those who chose to conceal
themselves in the mountains and caves rather than enter the army, and he would
go to their dens to give them medical attention in the time of affliction. Many
a poor soul was kept out of the army by his certificates of unsound health.
Immediately after the war Dr. York sold his property at Traphill and started
for the State of Arkansas to make his future home. He and his wife and children
started on the long journey many days of weary traveling they reached the Mississippi
river. There they camped on the bank of the "Father of Waters." In
the morning after their arrival Mrs. York began washing some clothes that had
been soiled during the journey and the Doctor stated for a day's tour in Arkansas
where they intended to make their future home. In the evening the Doctor returned;
Mrs. York had finished her washing and the clothes were hanging out to dry.
The Doctor had seen enough of Arkansas and was satisfied that Wilkes was the
best place to live, and without waiting for the clothes to dry, he pulled up
his tent and started back to Wilkes.
After he returned from his Arkansas trip he purchased a farm a mile and a half
from Traphill and here he lived since, except what time he was in the Legislature
and Congress.
York has always taken a lively interest in politics, and in 1870 he was elected
to the Legislature. He was again elected to the same position in 1887. He was
elected to the State Senate in 1879 and Republican candidate for governor and
made a brilliant campaign but was defeated by Alferd L. Scales, the Democratic
candidate. In 1882 he was elected to Congress an independent. In 1896 he was
elected as Presidential Elector for the 6th NC district.
Dr. York is remarkable for his wit and he did not withhold his jokes in his
campaign speeches. He always attracted the crowd and his jokes told in his own
original and familiar way, always brought "side-splitting laughter."
Public speakers, and especially politicians often reiterate his jokes, and it
is only necessary to say that they are Doctor York's to assure closest attention.
After Dr. York was elected to Congress and was making arrangements to start
to the National capital he included among his vesture a pair of hip boots made
by a first class country boot and shoe maker. This is told to show the Doctor
in his simplicity, representing his constituents as they were.
Dr. York was the owner of a mule that was alnost as celebrated as the Doctor
himself. The mule was known as "General Jackson." York rode "General
Jackson" on his campaign tours, and they were the subjects of much comment
both among the people and in the newspaper. The newspapers sometimes had cartoons
of Dr. York riding "General Jackson. It has been told that York rode "General
Jackson" all the way to Washington to attend as a member of Congress, but
I am informed that the statement is untrue. "General Jackson" died
a few years ago and York has quit politics and is content to live quietly on
his farm under the shadow of the towering mountains round about his country
home.
He is surroundud by multitudes of friends who love him for his efforts in their
behalf while a public official and for his professional services in time of
affliction.
MONTFORD STOKES
The subject of this sketch, and the first of the Stokes family that was afterwards
to play an important part in the affairs of Wilkes county, was born on the 12th
of March, 1762. He entered the American army during, the Revolutionary war and
was taken prisoner near Norfolk in 1776, being then only fourteen years of age,
and was confined as a prisoner of war for sevon months on a British warship.
Montford Stokes was Clerk of the County Court of Rowan county for several years
when that county embraced the territory of Wilkes and other counties in this
section.
He was also Clerk of the State Senate for a number of years, where he was very
popular.
Montford Stokes was the first and only man to refuse a seat in the United States
Senate. He was elected to that position while he was Clerk of the State Senate
but refused to accept. In 1816 he was again elected to fill the important position
of United States Senator; this time he accepted and served in that branch of
the National Legislature until l825, when he voluntarily retired.
After his retirement from the United States Senate Stokes wanted to lead the
life of a private citizen on his Morne Rouge plantation (now known as the Gray
farm), but the people again called him into public service and in 1826 elected
him to the States Senate. In 1829, he was elected to the House of Commons, and
also in 1830.
In 1830 he was elected Governor of North Carolina, but resigned in 1831 to accept
the appointment from President Jackson as Indian Agent in Arkansas, where he
lived until his death in l842 at Port Gibson.
On Dec. 17th, l842, Hon. D. M. Barringer introduced the following resolutions
in the House of Commons:"Whereas the House of Commons have heard with regret
of the death of Ex-Governor Montford Stokes, whose life has been connected with,
for more than half a century, the history of North Carolina, and has occupied
many distinguished stations in her gift, therefore resolved unanimously.
"That as a mark of respect to the memory of Montford Stokes, this House
do now adjourn until Monday morning, ten o'clock."I am sorry that I am
unable te give more information of the public life of this man, but it has been
iripossible to obtain further data.
Governor Stokes was one of the great men of his time. From the account of his
public sarvices given in this short skatch, it will be seen that he felt the
responsibility of his position as representative of people. Governor Stokes
was one of the early settlers of Wilkes. He married Rachel, daughter of Hugh
Montgomory, one of the two heirs who inherited the Moravian lands in Wilkes,
embracing nearly ten thousand acres. By this union was born Montford Sidney
Stokes on Oct. 6, 1810.
Gov. Stokes was very fond of card-playing, and while he was at Fort Gibson,
after being absent from home for several years, his only son Sidney paid him
a visit. Sidney called at the house where was staying and was informed he was
upstairs playing cards. Sidney went up to the room and found his father seated
at the card table. Gov. Stokes at once recognized his son but was so deeply
absorbed in the game that he only said, "Hellow, Sid, is that you? Have
a seat, I'll be through here in a few minutes." After the game was ended
he gave Sidney a royal welcome.
C. C. PETTY (Col.)
One of the smartest negroes of the 19th century was a native of Wilkes county.
That negro was Charles Calvin Patty. He was born in the year of l850, about
four miles east of Wilkesboro, and was the son of Jordan and Fannie Petty. He
was educated at Biddle University and was a graduate of that institution.
Early in life he associated himself with the M.E. Zion chuch. He began his career
as a local preacher at Charlotte, and displayed such talent and ability that
his denomination soon promoted him to Presiding Elder. About 1890, at Newborn,
N.C., he was elected Bishop, in which capacity he served his church and race
until his death in 1899.
He was emigrant agent to California for about a year, before he was elected
Bishop; with this exception his life was spent in the service of his church.
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THE CLEVELAND OAK
The old oak tree that stands north of the court house and in front of the old
I. T. Prevette residence is a relic of Revolutionary times when Colonel Cleveland
was engaged in suppressing the Tories. Several Tories were hung to this tree
by Cleveland and his associates. Among the number was Captain Riddle and two
other Tories who had previously captured Cleveland at Old Field and would have
killed him doubtless, had it not been for the timely rescue by his brother Captain
Cleveland. There was several other Tories hung to this tree. Coyle and Brown,
two notorious horse thieves were hung there with the clothesline they had stolen
from Maj. Wilfong and converted into halters to lead away Wilfong's horses.
It is not known whore nor in what manner the remains of the Tories were executed
here were buried; but is reasonable to suppose that they were not taken very
far away and that no great pains were taken to inter them vary securely. Dr.
F.H. Gilreath recently found a joint of the spinal column of a human being in
the lot back of I.S. Call & Co.'s store. It is thought that, that was a
part of the remains of some one of the Tories executed by Cleveland, and doubtless
the remains of all those Tories are scattered in the same locality.
RUFUS A. SPAINHOUR - By Frank B. Hendron
Rufus A. Spainhour was born in Burke county in 1839 and came to this county
first in l859 and entered New Hope Academy. He remained here part of the time
as pupil and part of the time as an assistant to his brother, who was principal
of the academy, until the commencement of the war when he together with his
brother and several of the pupils of the school enlisted in company B, First
Regiment N.C. Troops. He served throughout the war. He was made quartermaster
of his regiment.
Returning to his native county, Burke, after the war he engaged in teaching
school for about two years, and again returned to Wilkes county and taught school
at Oak Forest for about two years. He then bought out the late W. H. Reese's
mercantile business at that place and conducted it two years. He has been in
the mercantile business ever since either at Moravian Falls or at Wilkesboro
and is one of the most successful merchants and business men in the county.
Being one of the most public- -spirited and liberal men in the county he has
done as much for the material and educational upbuilding of the county as any
man who has ever lived in it. It was largely through his energy and influence
that Moravian Falls Academy was built and maintained through so many yeers of
conspicuous usefulness to this and many surrounding counties. He represented
this county in the lower house of the General Assembly in 1880 and has held
several other positions of trust and usefulness, being at present chairman of
the County Board of Education.
LOVER'S LEAP
About a mile west of Wilkesboro there is a precipice that overhangs the south
side of the Yadkin river which is known as Lovers' Leap. Tradition has it that
many years ago when there were but few white people in this country, a young
Indian fell in love with a native Squaw and were engaged to be married. The
father of the Indian girl refused to give her up, and she and her lover consented
to end their 1ives by 1eaping from the cliff into the rover, which they did.
Ever since the place has been known as Lovers' Leap.
COURT HOUSES AND JAILS
Although it we's decided -- by the committee appointed by the General Assembly
in 1777 that the courthouse should be located where the Mulberry Field Yecting
House stood it was not until about 1799 that the question was finally decided
and a wooden courthouse built. From the formation of the county to that time,
embracing a period of about 22 years, the regular courts were held at various
places, some-times in houses and sometimes out in the open air under the trees.
It is said that many times the courts were held near Brown's Ford and at other,
times over near Fairplains and on the hill where the late John Finley lived.
There was strong opposition to building the courthouse at the Mulberry Fields
notwithstanding the State's committee had decided that it should be built there
and Rachel Stokes and Rebecca Wellborn had deeded to the county fifty acres
for the site. The people across the Blue Ridge contended that the county seat
should be located nearer the center of the county. Hamilton Horton had secured
a charter for a turnpike from Holman's Ford to New River and the road was built;
a stage line was them put into operation from Guilford Courthouse to Knoxville,
Tenn. Emigrants from the east came this way and many of them settled across
the Blue Ridge about the Old Fields on New River, along the Watauga river and
Beaver Dam creek. A considerable settlement had sprung up across the mountains
which was protesting against building the courthouse at Mulberry Fields. The
settlements across the mountains continued to grew and the agitation about the
location of the courthouse was not ended until Ashe county was formed and all
the territory across the Blue Ridge was given to the now county, embracing all
of the present counties of Alleghany, Ashe, and Watauga, and probably more.
There is some dispute as to when the first courthouse was built and where it
was located, but I think it safe to say that it was built about the year 1799
and was located near where the Chronicle building now stands. The fifty acres
of land-including the Mulberry Fields given to the county for a courthouse site
by Rachel Stokes and Rebecca Wellborn was divided into lots and sold, with the
exception of the courthouse plot and two public lots, one at the old North spring
and the other at the old bouth spring. The money accruing from the sale of the
lots was usod to erect the courthouse. The house was made was of logs and fastened
together with wooden pins. Part of the logs of the old courthouse wore used
in constructing Dr. W. C. Greens' residence which is still standing.
Between the years of 1820 and 1830, in order to accomodate the rapidly increasing
population, it was necessary to build a larger courthouse. Then was the old
brick building-35 x 45 feet-with the stone foundation was built. Frank D. Hackett
tells me that his father was appointed to superintend the construction of that
house and he was placed under a bond of $l0,000 for the faithful performance
of his duty. It was one of the best courthouse in the State at the time of its
construction. This building was torn down this year, 1902, and the new house
now being. constructed by L. W. Cooper & Co., of Chaarlotte will be completed
by Nov. 1st, of this year.
There is much pathetic remembrance connected with the old court-house that has
just been torn down. Within its walls wives and mothers have heard the sentence
of death passed their husbands and sons. Within its walls have been tried those
who had taken the lives of father and child. The ablest jurists in the State-such
as Col. Polk, Armfield, Linney, Pearson, Glenn, Bower and others-have made the
old temple ring, with their pleadings for mercy and justice. And the politicians
and statesmen-such as Settle, Linney, Pritchard, Ransome and Vance-have cheered
the multitudes and fired the patriotism and ambition of thousands by their oratory.
This volume is too small to give the history of this old building. Its walls
have been pulled down but it will be many a day before it is forgotten.
Wilkes county's first jail was built immediately after the county was formed
and was located on the southwest corner of the present courthouse lot. The stocks,
whipping post and pillory were near the jail. The first jail was a wooden structure
and it is said that Col. Cleveland kept Tory prisoners in it during the Revolutionary
war. About the year 1828 this jail was sold and torn down and a part of the
timber used in the building of the old Noah hotel. A new jail was built on the
hill where Esq. R. M. Staley lives, and that jail remained until about 1860,
when the present jail was completed.
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HARRY HOLLAND
Who has not read the story of the Indian in the hogskin during the Revolutionary
war? An Indian had been disguised in this way and had been deceiving the pickets
of the patriots army and when they got within range of the ficticious hog he
would shoot them down. Harry Holland being a soldier in the patriot army, was
on picket duty and discovered what he thought was a large hog. After watching
the supposed hog for a short time he noticed that it had actions peculiar for
a hog, and instead of being frightened away was coming nearer him. Holland suspicioned
that it might be a false hog and he shot and killed it, and no, it proved to
be an Indian in a hog skin with rifle cocked ready shot the patriot soldier.
Harry Holland was a native of Wilkes county; was born and raised near Millers
Creek, and was buried on the W. B. Owings plantation. After the war was over
and our independence was won, and the soldiers had returned home, Holland would
take great delight in telling this story, and probably there are people yet
alive who have heard him it.
Agricultural Possibilities
At this time agriculture is not regarded as a very profitable industry in Wilkes,
but the fault is in the people and not in the natural resources. There is not
a section in the world of equal area that surpasses Wilkes county in agricultural
possibilities. And in a few years when the people shall have learned the truth
of this statement Wilkes will be one of the finest agricultural counties in
the State. Our climate is so diversified that we can grow the sugar beet in
one end the county and cotton in the other. In fact almost anything grown in
a temperate climate may be found in Wilkes.
The red clay soil so abundant in.the county is the richest land to be found.
There are thousands of acres of this kind of land that have been turned out
as worthless. This land will all be reclaimed and make old Wilkes county rich.
It is not the purpose of this book to tell how that can be done, but the State
Department of Agriculture will cheerfully give any information you may desire
along this line, other item discussed in this chapter.
Several years ago stock raising was an important industry in this county but
it has been neglected until there is not a thousand dollars worth of stock exported
in a whole year. Before the Civil War the stock raisers of Wilkes drove their
cattle on foot to Philadephia and other northern markets. How a market is at
the door, but the cattle are not here. This condition will not always exist.
The broad valley of the Yadkin will one of these clays be the best stock regions
in the world. This is rather premature history but I varily believe it is true,
nevertheless.
One of the most important branches of agricultural industry is that of' fruit
raising. Wilkes county is situated in what is known as the isothermal belt and
is the best fruit-growing section in the world. The Blue Ridge on the north-west
rising to the height of about 4,500 feet above sea level forms a wall to protect
us from the cold north-west winds. On the south side are the Brushy Mountains
about 2,000 feet above sea level. Many years ago it was discovered that orchards
planted in the elevated coves and on the mountain sides along the Blue Ridge
and Brushies were very seldom damaged by frost in the spring, and that the fruit
was not subject to the attacks of harmful insects abounding in the valleys and
that the fruit attained a perfection in shape, color and flavor not known in
other localities. For the the quality of f'ruit raised in this section has attracted
of the whole country, and parties from New York and other markets have come
to buy our fruit and investigate the orchards, and they have pronounced this
the finest fruit growing section in the world.
It is not my purpose to establish a "scientific theory" in regard
to this state of things but it is a fact, proven by scientific investigation
and established by abundant testimony that, by reason of the nocturnal radiation
of heat absorbed during the day, the stratum of air in the bottom of a valley
after nightfall is colder than the air some distance above the surface. Here
this condition is intensified by the greater amount of heated air and being
surrounded by mountain walls leaving no avenue by which the heated air may escape,
thus it gradually rises and escapes through the gaps of mountains. I quote the
following paragraph from the Handbook of North Carolina, issued by the Department
of Agriculture: "The fact renains that within the limits of these frost
belts fruit never fails, and at the height of l500 to 2000 feet (hoar) frosts
never falls. Such localities are found... along the face of the Brushy Mountains
in Caldwell, Alexander, and Wilkes. In the future this phenominal section must
become of inestimable value, for nowhere is there such certain assurance of
the security and maturity of peaches and other tender fruit crops, or of the
grape; to the successful cultivation of the grape the soil and the general conditions
of the climate offer numerous inducements."
There is a large portion of soil in the county that is especially adapted to
tobacco. At the World's Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia several years
ago tobacco raised near Boomer, this county, was awarded the first prize. Tobacco
raising could be made an important industry, and is an excellent crop to put
in rotation with wheat, corn and clover.
Another industry that might be mentioned at this time is the cultivation of
Genseng or Sang. The roots of' this plant sell for fabulous prices, as the plant
has been almost extinguished. Wilkes is the natural home of this plant and it
will grow luxuriantly if it can be protected f'rom thieves. The United States
Department of Agriculture has sent out a bulletin on Sang culture, and anyone
contemplating trying to raise this plant should write to the Secretary of Agriculture,
Washington, D. C., and ask for a copy. It's free.
Sheep raising could be made a profitable branch of agriculture Industrey. Before
the stock law was enacted nearly every farmer had a herd of scrub sheep running
"outside" on mountains and hills. These herds of scrub sheep paid
better than anything else the farmer raised considering the cost and labor.
The wool furnished the whole family in winter clothing and lots of wool to sell
to the factory besides, and the sheep still left for mutton or market. When
the stock law was enacted the people thought that since their sheep could not
run at large their sheep raising industry was destroyed, so they sold their
sheep and quit the business. That was a very foolish step indeed. Nearly every
farm in the county has some land that is too rough to plow that would make excellent
pasturage for a herd of' sheep. Suppose you fence in such a scope of land, say
25 acres, and put in it 25 the best improved stock of sheep. Each year you can
clip $75 worth of wool and you will have the increase of the herd besides. This
is simple logic and the people won't be long in catching the idea.
When all the agricultural advantages of Wilkes county are considered it is hard
to find a county that will compare with it. We can raise almost anything that
is grown in a temperate climate, live "under our own vine and fig tree,"
and live sumptuously from the products of the plantation, and besides sell a
surplus each year. We have the the purest free-stone water and the purest air
in the world and the healthfulness of our climate is not surpassed. After considering
the blessings the Creator has so lavishly spread over our county why will our
young man leave the old "State of Wilkes" and seek better chances
elsewhere? They can be but one answer to that question: they lack information
about the resources of their own county.
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FORT HAMBY
In the spring of l865 about the time of the surrender of General Lee and immediately
following, there was a band of desperadoes under the leadership of a man named
Wade a deserter of the Yankee army who made headquarters at Fort Hamby. Fort
Hamby was an old fashioned residence built of logs; there were two buildings,
the larger one was two stories high and was the one used as the fort. The other
building was about thirty feet from the main building, only one story high and
was used as the kitchen.. Those buildings. were on the north side of the Yadkin
river near the mouth of Lewis Fork, about eight miles west of Wilkesboro. They
were. situated on top of a hill looking the bottoms of the Yadkin river and
Lewis Fork creek, and from the fort windows was an excellent view on either
side. It was an ideal location for a fort and no doubt Wade and his gang of
robbers felt secure inside the heavy log walls.
The gang consisted of Wade and Lockwood, two renegade Yankee deserters, and
about 85 men from this and adjoining counties. They were a terror to the people
round and committed many depredations, robbing dwellings, smoke-houses, stores
and anything else they could plunder and destroy, killing innocent women and
men as well.
On one occasion a woman (the wife of Frank Triplett) was passing along the road
on the opposite side of the creek several hundred yards away in a covered wagon
when one of the robbers decided to try his rifle. He fired upon the wagon and
the ball struck the woman and killed her.
The last raid of Wade and his gang of robbers was a raid into Alexaner county.
John Greene, father of Dr. W.C. Greene, was one of the most prosperous planters
in Alexander county. He had learned that the robbers were marchin& in the
direction of his home, and supposing that they would attempt to rob him ho set
about making preparations to resist them. He supplied all his negroes and laborer
with arms and stationed them in the house. The negros were stationed in the
dining house and the old man Greene and son W.C. Greene, whom Wade's men had
threatened to kill, took position in the front part of the house. About bed-time
Wade's men surrounded the house and Wade and two others went to the front door
and tried to deceive Mr. Greene by pretending to be Confederate soldiers returning
from the war. Their story was not believed and while Wade and Greene were talking
the robbers tried to force an entrance at a back window. Young Greene rushed
to the window and began firing on the robbers who at once retreated. The robbers
went up on the Brushies and stayed until about daylight and then made their
way back to Fort Hamby. W.C.Greene at once set about to raise a company to pursue
the robbers and capture them before they could reach Fort. Hamby, but they soon
found that they could not overtake them.
The people wore enraged at the conduct of these robbers and determined to drivo
them out of the country.or capture them and destroy them. A company was soon
made up--mostly of men from Alexander county which was prepared to make an attempt
on Fort Hamby. The company came across the Brushy Mountain by Solomon Davis'
who had been robbed by Wade's gang. Davis told the men that he was too old to
attack, but he wanted to encourage them all he could. He had some four year
old peach brandy to which he told the men to help themselves. They drank what
they wanted and some of them filled their bottles and carried them with them.
Jones Brown who had just returned from the army was in the company, and was
riding a mule beside Parks Gwaltney. When they were riding along the bank of
the Yadkin river Brown was in a very solemn mood. Suddenly he drew his bottle
of brandy from his pocket and tossed it over the river bank and said:"Parks,
I never intend to touch that again." Gwaltney, in relating the incident
several years later said that "coming events seem to cast a shadow before
them." But they marched on, and when they were near the fort a consultation
was held and a plan of attack was agreed upon.
The company, which was composed of about 26 men, was divided into two squads-one
under the command of Captain Evan Ellis, of Wilkes, the other under the command
of Colonel Sharp of Alexander. One squad was to dash by and be ready to commence
the attack on all sides simultaneously. When this was done the fort was surrounded
and firing began. The robbers within the fort returned the fire and the battle
was hotly contested. James Linney was shot and killed during the engagement.
The robbers had all the advantages of the fight, as they were protected from
the fire of the citizens by the thick log walls of the fort, the citizens were
in open view of the robbers. After seeing that the attack could only result
in disaster to the citizens they retreated under a heavy fire from the robbers.
Parks Gwaltney said that he was marching back and forth firing into one of the
windows of the fort where the robbers wore constantly passing when he discovered
that their comrades were retreating. He followed them and again happened to
get with Jones Brown.
They were riding side by side when they came to the ford of Lewis Fork creek.
While they were in the ford the mule which Brown was riding became stubborn
and would not go along. The balls from the fort wore flying thick and fast all
around them. Gwaltney was aiding Brown in trying to get the stubborn mule along.
While they were yet in the ford a ball struck Brown on the thigh and the blood
spouted and the clear mountain stream flowed on toward the sea crimsoned with
the blood of a Southern hero. When the ball struck Brown, he said, "Parks,
take care of yourself, I'm killed." The blood was flowing in a stream from
the wound and the bullets from the fort coming thicker and faster. By this time
the mule had become managable and the two comrades were riding along the road
on the bank of the stream whilo the balls knockod up the sand all around them.
Gwaltney was trying to hold his wounded comrade on the mule, but Brown was getting
weaker every sccond from the loss of blood, and he again told Gwaltney to take
care of himself as he was already killed. Brown fell from his mule upon the
sand and died, and Gwaltney hurried on to get beyond the danger line.
A company of men from Caldwoll county had previously attacked Fort Hamby, and
has succeeded in gotting to the fort but were unable to capture it. In the engagement
the Caldwell crowd lost two men--Clarkand Hensely-who were shot and killed by
the robbers.
Although defeated in the first engagement, the people were more determined than
over to burst up the gang of robbcrs congregated at Fort Hamby, and immediate
preparation was made for a second attack. The first company was reinforced by
men from Wilkes, Alexander and Caldwell counties, and about 3 days later they
went more determined than ever to capture the robbers. The intention was to
camp on the south side of the Yadkin and wait until just bofore day to surround
the fort. When the citizens approached the placed where they intended they saw
several lights and they supposed that Wade and his gang had started out on anothor
raid and Sharp's men thought they would intercept them and give battle. They
charged down on the men but to their surprise and delight instead of finding
Wade's band found a company of about 75 men from Caldwell awaiting to attack
Wade's gang.
The Ca1dwell men and the Alexander, Iredell and Wilkes men joined forces and
awhile before day they surrounded the fort and began the attack. All that day
and all that next night the firing was kept up but no man on either side was
killed. Awhile before daylight the second night Wall Sharp slipped up to the
kitchen under the cover of darkness of night and set it on fire. Then Wade and
his men discovered that the kitchen was burning they thought the fort would
be certain to catch on fire and that they would either have to surrender or
be cremated in the fort, so Wade asked what quarters would be given if they
would come out and surrender. One of the men replied: "We'll give you a
passport to h*l1."' But Wade thought it better to surrender than to remain
and be burned up in the fort; so he announced that they would come out and surrender.
But by some means resumably by jumping from a window, Wade got out of the fort
without being detected and instead of surrendering made a break for the river.
He dashed through the citizens' line and was fired upon a number of times but
without effect. Wade reached the river in safety. The others came out and surrendered.
The robbers under the leadership on Wade numbered 86, but during the seige all
had escaped but four-Bill Leck, Bill Wood, Enock Wood and Lockwood. After these
had surrendered the fort was searched and all the articles that had been stolen
by the robbers that could be identified were returned to the proper owners.
Then the fort itself was fired and the people who had been robbed and their
friends a watched Fort Hamby by dessolve to ashes and smoke.
After the fort had burned to the ground a court martial was organized and the
four robbers were tried and condemned to be shot at the stake. They were taken
a few paces east of the burned fort and tied to stakes. Revs. William R. Gwaltney
and Isaac Oxford, two Baptist ministers, were in the company of citizens, and
they both offered prayer for the robbers about to be shot at the stake. Wells
Linney asked to be allowed to shoot Beck, who confesed that he had shot James
Linney in the engagement on the previous Sunday. The signal was given and the
detailed men fired upon the four robbers tied to the stakes; their bodies riddled
with bullets their souls went back to the God who gave them.
The citizens then searched along the river for Wade but failed to find him.
Then they dispersed loading the four robbers hanging to the stakes, and returned
to their homes. Wade told some of his friends in the community that he sank
himself under the water and got breath through a reed and stayed concealed that
way until late in the evening he went up and looked at his comrades hanging
to the stakes dead; immediately left this country; and has not been heard of
since.
The bodies of the robbers were probably cut down in the evening after they were
shot, then they lay about the ruins of Fort Hamby for three days and nights;
finally the people of the community put in boxes and hauled them away and buried
them.
SIMMONS GANG ROBBERS
There was another gang of robbers under the leadership of another renegade Yanke
deserter named Simmons. They made headquarters out on the Brushy Mountains.
They were as mean and daring in their deviltry as the Fort Hamby gang, and sometimes
the two gangs would raid together. A number of innocent people wore wantonly
murdered by this gang for no purpose what ever except to satisfy their hellish
desire to kill. On one occasion a young man who was rather idiotic was captured
by one of the gang who thought they would take him to camp and have all the
fun they wanted out of him and then kill him. The young man was put in the road
before the robber and made to march at his command. As they were marching through
a dark hollow the robber was sighting at the back of the boy's5 head and the
opportunity to commit murder was so tempting that he pulled the trigger and
the innocent man fell dead.
About 20 years before the outbreak of the Civil war one morning there was a
boy baby found lying on the courthouse steps. The child's parent could not be
found so a Presbyterian Minister named Pervis, who lived on the lot east of
the courthouse known as the Cowles place, adopted the child into his home and
raised it. Since the boy was found at the courthouse he was named John Wilkes
after the county. He grow up manhood and was a bright young man. He was watonly
killed by a member of the Simmons gang.
When the Stoneman's division of the Federal army marched through Wilkes the
people hid their horses in the woods and mountains for fear they would be stolen,
and it was several clays that the people were afraid to venture out. About three
days after the raid William Transou ventured up to Wilkesboro to hear the news.
Simmons captured him on his way home and intended to kill him. He told him if
he wanted to pray he would give him a moment. Transou fell to his knees and
he too begging Simmons not to kill him. One of the Simmons' associates was touched
by Transou's plading and he too begge'd Simmons to spare him. Simmons finally
consented to spare Transou if he would toll where his horses were at.
The Simmons gang committed some daring robberies mostly in Alexander and Iredell.
After the Fort Hamby gang was broke up the bank dissolved and Simmons left the
country.
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STONEMAN'S RAID
In April, l865, a detachment of the Federal army numbering about 25 thousand
men marched through Wilkes county burning houses, barns, etc., robbing and plundering
everything in sight leaving their trail a howling wilderness. They came to Wilkes
by way of Boone where the burned the court house as well as much private property,
thence by Patterson's Factory where they burned the woolen mills located there
thence down the Yadkin into Wilkes.
They crossed the Yadkin at Holman's ford, and the river being swollen, it was
with difficulty that they succeeded in crossing; but they crossed in safety
to the men and horses but a wagon of ammunition and a cannon wore overturned
and lost in the river. The cannon and a lot of the arnmunition was found after
the war was over. Here the army was divided into two sections; one section was
put under the of General Palmer while General Stoneman commanded the other section.
Palmer and his detachment wont on the north side of the Yadkin, Stoneman's section
on the South side.
When the wing of the army under Stoneman's command reached Cub Creek, it was
too high to ford so he pitched his tent on the hill this side, just east of
where W.N, Barber now lives, and camped there several days, during which time
his soldiers were plundering and burning. One morning one of his men had entered
and was preparing to set fire to the tithes the Confederates had collected here,
which were stored in the old Hall store house just north of the courthouse.
Just at that moment Calvin J. Cowles stepped in and persuaded the soldier not
to burn the building. He argued that the provisions ought to be distributed
among the poor womenn and children of the Union men in this county. The soldier
told him he would wait until he could run to Stoneman's camp end see him. This
Cowles did at the peril of his life and succeeded in saving the stores and the
court house and jail and buildings as well.
Stoneman sent Cowles with a number of soldiers with a message to General Palmer
who was encamped on the opposite side of the rive with the other wing of the
army. Cowles urged Palmer not to burn the factory at Elkin; this request was
compiled with and the army soon left the county. They went down the river to
Elkin, then to Mount Airy and then to Salisbury.
The people wore left in a desolate condition. Many families were left entirely
without provisions with their houses and barns burned; the men were nearly all
in the army, robbers abundant in the county and it was with difficulty that
starvation was averted.
MONTFORD SIDNEY STOKES
The subject of this sketch was born at "Morne Rouge," in Wilkes county
on October the 6th, 1810. He was the son of Montford Stokes who was a U.S. Senator
and later Governor of North Carolina. Stokes was appointed a cadet to the United
States Navel Academy at Annapolis, where he graduated. Upon his graduation at
Annapolis he entered the Navy and served for ton years or more when he resigned
and returned to his plantation to engage in farming.
Stokes was appointed Major of the N. C. Volunteers in the war with Mexico. As
an officer in the Mexican war he displayed his ability to command troops and
proved himself a man of superior courage. He was the soldiers' favorite officer,
and as mark of their love and admiration for him they presented him a beautiful
sword. The sword is now in the possession of his daughter, Mrs. C.N. Hunt. It
is mounted in gold and silver and furnishes a handsome apperance. On it are
the following inscriptions:
"Presented to Maj, H.S. Stokes, of the N.C. Col. by the non-commissioned
officers and privates under his command in Mexico."
"Major H.S. Stokes, the Soldier's Friend."
After terms of peace were made with Mexico Stokes returned to his farm in Wilkes
and was one of the most successful farmers in this section. He raised many fine
cattle and often drove them on foot to Philadelphia to market them. On one occasion
as he was returning from Philadelphia, where he had been with a drove of cattle,
he stopped for a few days with friends in Washington. It was during Andrew Jackson's
administration as President and Jackson and Stokes had been schoolmates at Annapolis.
While in Washington Stokes was invited to attend a banquet where the President
was to be the- guest of honor. Stokes was tall athletic with long limbs and
large hands. He rented a conventional suit for the occasion but it was impossible
to find a suit that would fit the athletic figure. But he went to the b~nquet
and when the reception was being given Stokes went up to shake the hand of the
President. "Is that you, Sid Stokes?" exclaimed the President, and
old schoolmates embraced and gave a singular coincidence to Washington society.
Sidney Stokes was a perfect gentleman and tried to regard everybody else as
such. The writer asked one of his old slaves--Sam--what kind of a man Stokes
was. The old darkey replied that he was one of the best men that ever lived.
He said that the worst fault he had was that he put too much confidence in everybody.
When the Civil War came on Major Stokes formed the first company that left this
county to join the Confederate army. He was elected captain of the company,
and when the First North Carolina Regiment was organized on May 11th, 1861,
at Warrenton, Stokes was put in that Regiment and was known as Company B, and
he was elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment.
Stokes was highly regarded by his superior officers as well as by the privates
under his command and he had been recommended for promotion in recognition of
his able services and daring courage. But unhappily on the 26th day of June,
1862, he was mortally wounded at Chicahominy during the Seven Days fight around
Richmond. On July 3rd 1862, this gallant hero died from the wound he had received
a few days before. His remains were brought home and buried in front of the
old Stokes residence.
GENERAL JOHN SEVIER
General John Sevier was not a native of Wilkes county but in that section of
the country west of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains that was in the time
of Sevier a portion of Wilkes county he was the most conspicuous man. In 1790,
he was member of Congress from North Carolina, living at that time in Wilkes
county, the portion now Tennessee. This year Tennesse was organized and admitted
into the Union State and General Sevier was made the first Governor.
John Sevier was born in Virginia about l740. He came to the Holston river with
an exploring party about 1769. He directed and aided in the construction of
the first fort on the Watauga river. While in defense of Watauga Fort he discovered
a young lady of tall and erect stature coming with fleetnsss of the doe towards
the Fort closely pursued by Indians; but turning suddenly she eluded her pursuers
and leaped the palisades at another point and fell into the arms of Captain
John Sevier. This resolute woman was Miss Catherine Sherill who in a few years
became the devoted wife of the Colonel and the bosom companion of the General,
the Governor, the Congressman, the Senator, the man and the patriot, John Sevier.
Sevier a contemporary of Daniel Boone, and devoted much of his time to hunting.
He was constantly engaged in defending the fort the attacks of the Indians and
from the beginning the people of the settlement regarded him as their leader.
During the Revoltionary war he and his associates went into the Indian territory,
scatter the hostile bands, burnt the Indian towns and returned to their homes
in better security and some more confidence of peace.
At the of King's Mountain Sevier commanded a sedtion of the American army and
shared in the victory at that battle. The North Carolina Legislature passed
a resolution thanking Sevier for his br work at King's Mountain.
In l784 came the scenes of the State of Franklin. The people beyond the Smokies
organized a government of their own under the name of the State of Franklin.
Sevier was made Governor of Franklin, and received his salary in coon skins
which was the currency of the State. The measures adopted by Nerth Carolina
to cede the territory to the general government caused Sevier and the supporters
of the State of Franklin to come into the sures of adjustment. Franklin ceded
her claims to the territory to the United States and the territory south of
the Ohio river was organized. The State of Franklin quietly died; the stage
of territorial government was passed; the State of Tennessee was established
and admitted to the Union, and General Sevier was chosen Governor.
The authorities in North Carolina had Sevier arrested and he was taken to Morganton
and put in prison on the charge of rebelling against the State but was released
because of his services at King's Mountain.
In l8ll he was elected to Congress; he was re-elected in 1813. He was a member
of the Hilitary Committee during the war of 1812.
In l8l5 President Madison appointed him on a commission to adjust some difficulties
with the Creek Indians. He engaged in the duties of a commissioner, was taken
sick and died at an encampment on the east side of the Tallapoosa river, near
Fort Decatur, Ga., on the 24th of September, l8l5, and was buried with honors
of war.
CHARLEY GORDON
Charley Gordon was a native of Wilkes county and was a Captain under Col. Cleveland
during the Revolutionary war. He was at the battle of King's Mountain and distinguished
himself by seizing a British soldier by the "Q" of hair on the back
of his head and dragging him down the side of the mountain. Finally the soldier
was enabled to draw his sword and immediately Gordon drew his revolver and killed
him. The subject of this sketch was the great-grandfather of General John G.
Gordon, late Governor of the State of Georgia, and a cousin of our illustrious
Gen. James B. Gordon.
GENERAL JAMES B. GORDON
Among the great men of Wilkes county the name General James B. Gordon stands
in the front. He was born in Wilkesboro on the 2nd of November 1822, and was
a descendant of a respectable Scotch ancestry. He was educated in the common
schools and academies of this section and at Emory and Henry college. He engaged
in the mercantile business and was probably the most successful business man
in the county in his day. Gordon always took a lively interest in politics and
he became the leader of his party in the county. In l850 he was elected to represent
the county in the lower house of the General Assembly.
At the outbreak of the Civil war he was one of the first to answer the call
for volunteers. He enlisted in Company B, formed by Sidney Stokes, and was elected
Lieutenant of the company. This company was attached to the First North Carolina
Regiment upon its organization at Warrenton.
When the Ninth Regiment (afterwards known as the First Cavalry) was organized
Governor Ellis appointed him Major of the regiment. The regiment was composed
of picked men and only men of courage and bravery were chosen for this regiment.
In a few days Gordon was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. On the 25th day of
July, 1862, the cavalry was reorganized and the Ninth Regiment was placed in
the Hampton Brigade. Gordon's regiment was soon called to the retreat at the
second Manassas where he showed his skill as a cavalry commander, checking the
enemy and giving. time for the Confederates to successfully retreat with their
men and artillery.
At the Gettysburg the fighting was mostly by infantry and artillery and the
cavalry was not so extensively engaged. However, Hampton's Brigade bore the
brunt of a severe fight. Gordon commanded the First N.C. Cavalry and bravely
held his ground. After the fall of Colonel Evans he was put in command of the
63rd Regiment and he commanded that regiment during the remainder of the Gettysburg
campaign.
At the battle of Culpepper, Jack's Shop and Brandy Station, Gordon did such
brilliant work as to receive the commendation of General Stuart and which led
to his promotion to Brigadier General.
In March l864, the Fifth N.C. Cavalry returned to their several homes for new
horses and recuperation. On May 2nd, they returned to the army and were ordered
to report to General R. E. Lee for assignment in Gordon's Cavalry Brigade. At
that time Gordon's brigade consisted of the First, Second, Fourth and Fifth
N.C.Cavalry Regiments.
On April 30th, l864, a special order was issued taking, Gordon's Brigade out
of Hampton's divisions and placing it in the division of General W. H. F. Lee.
Hampton regretted to have this done, and his order in executing this transfer
is here given in full, as it shows the high esteem in which Gordon and his men
were held:
Headquarters Hampton's Division Cavalry,
Cavalry Camp, Army of Northern, Va., Milford, May 5, l864
Brigadier General J. B. Gordon, Commanding Cavalry Brigade:
General:
In pursuance of Special Orders No. 118, Department of Northern Virginia, of
April 30th, and of instructions from Major General J. E.B. Stuart, commanding
cavalry, you are directed to proceed without delay with your command to the
vicinity of Shady Grove, where you will concentrate your brigade and report
for further orders to Major General Stuart. I am directed by Major General Hampton,
in communicating the above orders, to express to you, and through you to your
whole brigade, the surprise with which he has received the orders and the pain
it causes him to execute them. He indulges the hope that his wishes may be consulted,
and that a new assignment may be made as soon as the present emergency shall
have passed, which will return your brigade to his division and ,give him back
the troops to whom he has become so attached and whom he has learned to trust
in times of danger and trial.
Indulging this hope, he refrains from saying fareweell, but will watch the performance
of affairs and men in the approaching contest, with the same anxious interest
as if they were under his own command, confident that if your regiment should
be eventually returned to him they will bring back unsullied banners and a record
of glory increased and illustrated by new achievements in the coming campaign..
I am, General, very respectfully
Your obedient servant,
Theo. G. Barker,
Major and Assistant Adjt. Gen."
At the battle of the Wilderness Gordon's Brigade did valiant service. He was
continually riding and walking along the lines of his dismounted regiments.
On the return of the Confederate forces from Mine Run to Spotsylvania C. H.
Gordon's Brigade made the whole distance of 66 miles in 23 hours, without rest
or sleep, reaching Spottsylvania about sunset. Immediately he was ordered to
attack the enemy's right. He responded and succeeded in driving the enemy back
before he or his men slept.
In the famous retreat from Petersburg to Appomattox when the Confederates came
to Sailor's creek they found the bridge burned. The enemy was close behind and
the Confederates were in a perilous situation. The enemy was held in check by
Gordon's regiments until the bridge was rebuilt and the retreat continued.
At Hagerstown Gordon repulsed an attack that General Stuart had said saved the
trains of the Confederates.
On May 9, l864, Sheridan bogan his raid on Richmond. He had with him his who1e
corps, thre divisions of cavalry, at least 12,000 mounted men and one brigade,
and six batteries of artillery. To contend with this great invading force Stuart
could command but three brigades--Lomax and Wickham's , Fitz Lee's division,
and Gordon's brigade, and of artillery Johnson's battery and a section of Hart's.
All told not over 4,000. By forced marches the two brigades of Fitz Lee succeeded
in getting in Sheridan's front at Yellow Tavern on the Brook turnpike early
in the morning of the 11th, and began the battle of Yellow Tavern. About the
same time ferociously, the Federals burned the bridge. Gordon's forces attacked
his rear, the Ground Squirrel bridge over the South Anna river but Gordon found
an old ford, almost impossible to pass on where he and his men crossed, rushed
up the hill and drove the enemy back in confusion. While Sheridan claimed the
victory at Yellow Tavern it was about such a victory as Cornwallis won at Guilford
Court House. It was Sheridan's aim to march into Richmond on the llth and had
it not been for Gordon and his gallant men the capital of the Confederacy would
have fallen into the hands of the Yankees that day.
On the 12th came the fight at Brook Church. Gordon was in Sheridan's rear. He
had ordered some artillery from Richmond which in due time and fired upon the
enmy. Immediately one or more Sheridan's guns wore turned upon it. Gordon was
furious. He raved and begged, and called it "band box artillery" but
his men stayed in the trenches. He became disgusted and went in a gallop the
fire down that military road, and there he received his death wound. He was
taken to the hospital but six days later he died.
General Stuart also received his death wound at Brook Church when at last he
was sorely pressed and his squadron broken, just before his death, his last
words were: "Would to God, Gordon was here." But Gordon, too, had
received his death wound.
Gordon's remains wore brought home and buried in the Episcopal cemetery in Wilkesboro.
His last resting place is marked by a beautiful monument, and the evergreens
and flowers that grow about his grave show the lasting admiration of his comrades,
friends and relations. Wilkes is glad that the whole country glories in the
achievements of her noble son, but his fame, his glory, and his tomb are. all
her own.
In his history of the 5th NC Cavalry, Col. Paul B. Means has this to say: "Our
great loss at Brook church was the gallant and glorious James B. Gordon. The
Fifth loved him as its commander the Gettysburg campaign and as his entire brigade
did for his splendid courage and merit in all respects. He was the the Murat
of the army of Northern Virginia, and had he lived he would have added increased
lustre to our North Carolina Cavalry.
Of him Gen. Julian S. Carr said:"On the 28th of Sept., 1863, James B. Gordon,
Col. of the 9th, was commissioned Brigadier General and took command of the
Brigade. Under Gen. Gordon it made its famous name "The North Carolina
Cavalry Brigade," and was thus to the end of the war widely known throughout
the army of Northern Virginia and by a very great many in the army of the Potomac.
Of course, it was often spoken and written of as Gordon's and afterwards Barringer's
Brigade.
"Gordon was a genius of war, 'veritable god of battle,' He did more than
any other one man to maky; his brigade what it was, and had lived his brigade
would have place his name as high on North Carolina roll of honor as that of
any Confederate, if not higher. At Brook Church on the 12th of May, 1864, he
received wound which proved mortal within a week."
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THE BUZZARD ROOST
In the early days of Wilkes county the bottoms along the Yadkin and Reddies
River at the junction of the rivers was heavily timbered with tall cedars. The
buzzards of all the adjacent country would gather there to roost in those cedars.
The bottoms were cleared by the late John Finley and were so productive that
the name "buzzard roost," was very appropriately, and as long as Mr.
Finley lived the bottoms were known as "John's buzzard roost."
GENERAL JAMES WELLBORN
In his day General James Wellborn was probably the most prominent man in the
county. He married Rebecca Montgomery, one of the two heirs to the large tracts
of land known as the Moravian surveys.
James Wellborn was appointed General of the militia about the close of the Revolutionary
War. From the year 1796 to 1835 General We1lborn served in the State Senate
thirty years. He served in succession from 1796 to 1811, from 1817 to 1821,
in 1823 and l824, in 1828 to 1829, in 1832 and in l834 and 1835. Prior to 1835
members of the General Assembly wore elected each year, so Wellborn was elected
thirty times in 39 years. The fact that a men can stand so popular for 39 years
is honor enough for one man. I doubt if the world can furnish a like example.
During his terms in the Senate General Wel1born made streneous efforts to have
the State build a turnpike road from the nountains to the sea, but he failed.
That was before any railroads were built in North Carolina and the turnpike
would have been a great thing for the people of the west, but east had the majority
and they knew that the people of the west had to come to them for their necessities
turnpike or no turnpike, and they were not willing to be taxed to build the
road for accomodation of the people of the west.
It was largely through the efforts of General Wellborn that his brother-in-law
Montford Stokes, was twice elected to the United States Senate and once elected
to Governor of the State.
He was buried on his plantation about 3 miles west of Wilkesboro.
HON. ANDERSON MITCHELL
Anderson Mitchell was at one time a distinguished citizen of Wilkes. He was
born in Caswell county in the year 1800; was educated at Bingham School and
at the State University at Chapel Hill where he graduated in 1821. He read law
under George Henderson and admitted to the bar in 1823.
Mitchell located in Jefferson, Ashe county, to practice his profession. In 1827,
and 28 and 29 he represented Ashe county in the lower branch of the Legislature
and in 1838 he was elected to the State Senate. In l840 he moved to Wilkesboro
and the same year was elected to the State Senate from Wilkes. In l842 he was
elected to Congress but resigned in l843 to devote his entire time to the practice
of law.
In 1859 he removed to Statesville. In 1866, he was appointed Judge of Superoir
Court, and in 1872 was elected, without opposition, to succeed himself as Judge
and he served until his death in 1876 when Governor Brogden appointed D. M.
Furches to succeed him.
On Dec. 24th, 1876, he died and was buried in the cemetery in Statesville.
Judge Mitchell's conduct during the Ku Klux era in North Carolina has won for
him lasting fame. In his district there was no such thing as Ku Klux allowed;
neither was there any necessity for such, for all the vio1ators of the law were
punished without fear of favor. Our distinguished county man Anderson Mitchell
Vannoy was named after him and was a close companion of the Judge until his
death. Mitchell was an able lawyer, an excellent Judge, and a great and noble
man.
COL. WM. M. BARBER
The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 24th, 1834. He enlisted in the 37th
N. C. Regiment and on its organization at High Point, Nov. 20th, 1861, he was
elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment.
At Fuzzell's Mill Lane's Brigade, led by Ccl. Barber, recaptured the Confederate
entrenchments, which had been lest by other Confederate troops, on the Darbytown
road in the presence of General R. E. Lee. At Gravely Hill helped the regiment
in a hot fight and was wounded in the engagement.
The officers of Lane's brigade presented their leader with a sword and a General's
sash at Moss Neck and Col. Barber was chosen to present the presents which he
did in a neat and graceful speech.
Col. Barber was engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg and performed his duty
bravely. At Chancellorville he grappled with the enemy bravely and drove them
back but he described the fight by his regiment as the bloodiest battle he ever
saw.
He was wounded in the fight at Jones' farm near Petersburg on Sept. 30th, l864,
and died from the wounds on the 3rd of the following October. His remains wore
brought to Wilkesboro and buried in the Episcopal cemetery.
LEE CARMICHAEL
Lee Carmichael was a prominent man in Wilkes before the Civil War. He was a
fine lawyer and was a candidate for Congress against General Thomas L. Clingman.
He represented the county in the Legislature a number of times. He died about
the close of the war.
COL. THOMAS C. LAND
Thomas C. Land is one of the landmarks of the county. He was born March 18,
1828, and was raised on a farm, attending the old field schools a few weeks
for a part of the winters. He attended old Beaver Creek Academy for a short
time while High Stokes was principal.
At the outbreak of the war he joined Col. Sidney Stokes company as a private
and served during the war. He was appointed commissary and later corporal. In
the Seven Days Fight around Richmond he was wounded and was allowed to come
home on furlough. During his absence from army he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel
of the 53rd Regiment, which position he assumed on his return to the army. He
was wounded at the battle of Winchester and a number of other times but not,
seriously.
After the war Col. Land returned to Wilkes and engaged in teaching school and
farming. In 1870 he went to Oregon and took up land and lived there until 1884
when he returned to Wilkes. In 1891 he again went to Oregon and lived there
until 1898 when he returned to Wilkes and where ho has lived since. While in
the West he engaged in farming, teaching and mining.
Col. Land has considerable literary talent and is the author of the popular
ballad, "The Death of Laura Foster." It and a number of poems.
Col. Land has been fond of hunting and while in the West he had a little experience
in hunting deer, bear, and elk. He has the horns of a large elk that he killed
which he prizes very highly. Col. Land is at present a member of the county
Board of Education the only office he ever held.
REV. W. R. BRADSHAW - By F. B. Hendren
Rev. W.R. Bradshaw, the pastor of the Baptist church in Wilkesboro and North
Wilkesboro respectively, was born in Burke county, N.C. on the 14th day of July,
1866. His father was a farmer and young Bradshaw worked on his father's farm
until he was 18 yers old. He attended district school a few months in the winter,
and at 18 years of age he entered Amherst Academy, situated near his father's
farm, under tuition of Rev. R.L. Patton, one of the ablest ministers and educators
in the State. Here he was fitted for college and, having decided to enter the
ministry, matriculated at Wake Forest College in the fall of 1888 and graduated
in the class of '92. The following fall he assumed the principalship Moravian
Falls Academy and also took charge of the Baptist church at Moravian Falls,
and during the year had charge of other churches in this county. Soon after
his remova1 to his county he took charge of the Baptist churchs at Wilkesboro
and North Wi1kesboro respectively. These pastorates he has most acceptably and
successfully filled up to the present time. He has received several calls to
good churches in other towns in this State but has uniformly declined them.
Under his eloquent sermons and wise ministry the churches in the two Wilkesboros
have enjoyed a most gratifying and steady growth. Nor does his influence cease
at the borders of the two towns, but reaches out all over the county, throughout
which he is well known. He is also a prominent personage on the floor of the
Baptist State Convention and occasionally electrifies it with his bursts of
eloquence. He is often referred to as the "Boy Orator of the Mountains."
Pure in life and chaste in demeanor, he is yet the stern and uncompromising
enemy of evil in every form, especially of the liquor evil. He is prominently
connected with the educational interests of the county.
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NEWSPAPERS
The Hustler, North Wilkesboro
The Hustler was established in July, 1896, by T. J. Robertson, the present owner
and editor. It was a three column, 8 page paper. On Jan. 2, 1898, the entire
outfit was destroyed by fire and not a cent of insurance on the plant. Mr. Robertson
assumed the proportions of the name of his paper and in two weeks a new outfit
was put in and re-appeared in an enlarged form--a 5 column, 8 page paper. The
Hustler has made steady advancement and now has a firm hold on the people of
North Wilkesboro and the county.
The editor and owner, T.J. Robertson, was born in Pittsylvania county, Va. Feb.27,1865.
In 1877 his parents moved to Kernersville, NC., where he received an academical
education. He came to North Wilkesboro in 1895 and was editor of the North Wilkesboro
News until 1896 when he estab1ished The Hustler.
The Chronicle, Wilkesboro
The Chronicle was established at Lenoir by H. S. Blair in 1887, but a month
or so later was moved to Wilkesboro, and has been published continuously ever
since. Soon after the paper--moved to Wilkesboro, R. A. Deal bought it and has
owned and conducted it ever since. In 1899 he bought the Mountain Breeze and
the two offices were consolidated.
Robert Avery Deal, editor and owner of The Chronicle, was born in Caldwell county
Dec. 6, 1863, and was raised on the farm, attending the public schools a part
of the sessions. He attend Rutherford College under Prof. R. L. Abernathy for
about two years, going in debt for his tuition. After leaving Rutherford he
taught school, and and when The Chronicle was established he worked with it
until he bought the paper, paying the last of his Rugherford College tuition
after coming to Wilkesboro. On Feb. 7, 1900, he was married to Miss Mamie Wa1lace,
by which union two children have been born. Mr. Deal is a man of deep thought,
and by close application has made a reputation for thoroughness in whatever
he undertakes. He is an ardent democrat and an earnest worker for his party,
having served for a number of years as chairman of the county executive committee.
He was postmaster at Wilkesboro during Cleveland's last administration.
The Yellow Jacket, Moravian Falls
The Yellow Jacket was established by R. Done Laws in June, 1895, as a three
column, four page, monthly paper. When the paper was started out in the country,
away from any public road and two miles from the postoffice, many people predicted
the thing a failure. As the name implies, the Yellow Jacket was from the beginning
a "warm baby." It discusses politics almost exclusively from a republican
standpoint. The paper has been enlarged from time to time until now it is a
five column folio and is issued twice a month. The circulation has built up
wonderfully. The paper now has about 20,000 subscribers in every State in the
Union. In order to issue the paper in such quantities it was necessary to install
now machinory from time to time. Now the Yellow Jacket outfit is the best printing
plant in this section of the State. The paper is about to outgrow its present
equipment and Mr. Laws is making arrangements to put in a perfecting press.
R. Don Laws, the editor and proprietor of the Yellow Jacket was born in Wilkes
county in 1868, and worked on the farm till he was 21 years old. Mr. Laws printed
the following account of himself in his paper sometime ago:"We were born
in Wilkes county, North Carolina, in 1868, lived on a farm, ate corn broad and
fat meat and plowed a steer until we were 21 years old. We were blessed with
the opportunity of get school for about eighteen months, all told. At the age
of thirteen we made the first printing press we ever saw, carving the the type
from ivy wood. When we obtained money enough a small hand press of type were
purchased. Printing seemed to be our fort so we stuck to it. Somehow we get
the idea in our noggin that we wanted to be a one hoss editor, so in June, 1895,
without any money, and with a printing outfit that was not worth twenty-five
dollars, we founded the Yellow Jacket. For a long. time it looked like the game
was not worth the candle, but we worked the harder, hoping that a brighter day
will come by and by. At last our hopes are partly realized. Today we have a
larger paid-up circulation than any other paper published in North Carolina,
and have at last succeeded in replacing the little old printing outfit with
an up to date plant and have that paid for."
Mr. Laws is a man of more than ordinary talents with and seems to be specially
suited to the work he has adopted. He married Miss Dora Wallace and they have
three children.
The Patriot, Moravian Falls
The Patriot is a three column four page paper established a few months ago by
James Larkin Pearson. Mr. Pearson is a 23 years old. He is widely known throughout
this county as a poet, having been writing verse since his youth. He made his
first printing press out of wood.
The Blue Ridge Baptist, North Wilkesboro
The Blue Ridge Baptist was established in Wilkesboro in 1900 with Rev. W. R.
Bradshaw and F. B. Hendren editors. The next year the paper changed hands and
A. C. Hamby became editor and D. W. Lee manager, and the paper was moved to
North Wilkesboro. The Baptist is a clean religious paper and speaks well for
its young editor and manager.
A. C. Hamby, editor, was born in Wilkes county Aug. 28, 1876, and worked on
his father's farm until ho was 17 years old. He attended Bethel Hill Institute,
Traphill Institute, Whitehead Academy, and he also spent nine months at Wake
Forest College. He paid his tuition and board by teaching and wrking as a farm
hand. He also attended the Blue Ridge Institute for one session. He was licensed
to preach by his church, but has not yet been ordained.
D. W. Lee, manager of the Baptist, was bern June 23, 1875, was raised on the
farm and attended school at Bethel Hill, Traphill and Whitehead. At the last
named place he taught a commercial department for one session, He was principal
of New Hope Academy in l898 an 1899. In 1900 he, in copartnership with his brother,
established the Baptist Instructor which was consolidated with the Blue Ridge
Baptist in 1901.
The Curfew, Brewers
The Curfew was established in 1898 by W. L. Brewer and J. J. Spicer at first
it was a 3 column, 4 page paper but it has been enlarged to a 6 column, 4 page
paper. Mr. Brewer, the present editor is a man of character and ability. (Further
particulars about the Curfew have not reached the author.)
LAWYERS
John S. Cranor
John Samuel Cranor was born at Rockford, in Surry county, April 26, l847. When
he was about ten years old his father moved to Wilkesboro and engaged in running
a hotel. In l864 he entered the Confederate army, being then only 17 years.
Ho enlisted in Company B, and was tended to be assigned to the First Battalion
North Carolina Reserves and was stationed at Camp Vance for instructions. Here
he was captured by Col. Kirk of the Federal army and was carried as a prisoner
of war to a prison camp at Chicago, where he was kept for twelve months. While
in prison he endured many hardships and witnessed the death of many comrades
from exposure and hardships. After being paroled after peace was proc1aimed
he returned to Wilkesboro, studied law and was admitted to the bar in l868.
On Nov. 27, 1872, he was married to Miss Sarah Taylor and to them were born
nine children. Mrs. Cranor died in May, 1902.
Mr. Cranor was Register of Deeds from l884 to (blank). In 1893 he represented
the district in the State Senate; he was elected by 745 majority when the majority
was usually about that much for the opposition party. Mr. Cranor is at present
mayor of the town of Wilkesboro.
Frank B. Hendren
The subject of this sketch was born Feb. 24, 1860, and worked on the farm until
he was 21 years old attending the public schools about two months during the
winter for a part of the winters. He entered Moravian Falls Academy and was
prepared for college by Rev. Geo. W Greene principal of the academy. Before
entering college he taught school in Ashe county one year and at Vashti academy,
in Alexander county, one year. In l884 he entered Wake Forest College and graduated
in l888. After his graduation he taught school for ten years, teaching in Montgmery
county, in High Point Female College, in the Winston Graded Schools, in Jackson
county, and finally for four years was principal Moravian Falls academy. In
1895, he was admitted to the bar, but taught school two years after. In 1898
he moved to Morganton and formed a partnership with J. F. Spainhour for the
practice of law. He returned to Wilkesboro in 1900 where he has since resided
practicing his profession. While he was at Morganton he was elected County Superintendent
of Schools of Burke county. Mr. Hendron is a ripe scholar and an able jurist.
He is an enthusiastic member of the Baptist church.
William W. Barber
The subject of this sketch was born in Wilkesboro Oct. 14, 1855 and was educated
by his father, Rev. R. W. Barber; he read law at Lenoir under Col. Geo. N. Folk
and was admitted to the bar in 1879. In 1882 he formed a copartnership with
Col. W.H.H. Cowles and the practice law; the partnership existed until l887,
several years after Col. Cowles had been elected for Congress and was mutually
dissolved; since that time he has practiced law alone in Wilkes and adjoining
counties.
In early life he showed a fondness for politics and since l876 he has been an
active worker for his party. He has several times been chairman of the County
Executive Committee of the Democratic party; he served eight years as a member
of the executive comnuttee for the judicial district, four years as chairman;
for ten years he has been a member of the Congressional Executive Comirittee,
two years as chairman, and is still a member of the committee; he also served
six years as a member of the State Executive Committee. He was clerk to the
committee in Washington of which Col. Cowles was chairman, but he resigned in
1889 after serving nearly two years, to take his seat in the State Senate to
which he was elected the previous year.
In 1890 he was the Democratic candidate for Solicitor in this district; he canvassed
the district against Hon. Thomas Settle, the Republican candidate.. As the district
was largely Republican Barber was defeated but he ran ahead of the ticket. Mr.
Settle resigned in 1893 and Gov. Thos. M. Holt appointed Mr. Barber to succeed
him and he served till 1895. In l894 he was again nominated by his party for
Solicitor but with his party he went down in defeat in that memorable campaign
of l894, again running ahead of his ticket.
In 1891 he was married to Miss Wilcox, daughter of Dr. J.O. Wilcox of Ashe county,
and four children bless their home. Mr. Barber stands in the fore front in his.
profession.
Frank D. Hackett
Mr. Hackett was born near Wilkesboro June 14, 1857. His father was a distinguished
educator and his mother was a Miss Sturgis, daughter of Judge Sturgis of the
Georgia Supreme Court. He studied law under Maj. Bingham of Statesville, and
was admitted to the bar in 1890. He was Distillery Surveyor during Cleveland's
second administration. In the Legislature of 1899 he was assistant to the Principal
Clerk of the House; in 1901 he was again selected for the same position. In
1900 he was a candidate before the Democratic convention for the nomination
for State Auditor, but retired in favor of Maj. Dixon.
Lytle W. Hickerson
The subject of this sketch was born in Boone county, Arkansas, Aug. 20, l874.
When he was about seven years old his parents moved to this county. Lytle worked
on the farm and attended to the academic school at Ronda; he also went to Moravian
Falls Academy two years and finally took the four years course at the State
University at Chapel Hill, after which he studied law at Statesville. under
Judge R.F. Armfield and was admitted to the bar. He located at North Wilkesboro
where he has since lived. He married Miss Jarvis, daughter of L.A. Jarvis, of
North Wilkesboro.
Richard N. Hackett
The subject of this sketch was born in Wilkesboro on the 4th of Dec. 1866. He
was educated at the State University at Chapel Hill where he graduated in June,
1887. Then he took up the study of law under Col. Geo. N. Folk, and in September,
1888, was admitted to the bar. He located in his native town and has become
one of the ablest jurists and advocates in this section of the State.
Mr. Hackett has always taken a lively interest in politics, and when he was
only 21 years old he was chosen as chairman of the county Democratic Executive
Committee and he served continuously for six years. While he was chairman his
party made steady gains until in the election following the last campaign under
his direction a part of the Democratic nominees were elected. For more than
ten years he has been a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee.
At all times he had taken an active personal interest in the advancement and
campaigns of his party, and he is one of the most forceful orators in the West.
In 1889 he was Commissioner of State to represent North Carolina in New York
at the centennial anniversary of Washington's Inaugeration.
In 1896 he was a candidate for the Legislature but was defeated though he led
the Democratic ticket by 300 votes. In 1898 he was a candidate for the nomination
for Congress from the eighth district and was defeated by only four votes. In
1900 his name was again brought before the convention, but he was defeated by
J. C. Buxton, after which he gracefully took the stump and canvased his district
for Buxton.
In the campaign preceeding the August election of 1900, Mr. Hackett canvassed
the northwest portion of the State in behalf of the State ticket and the constitutional
amendment.
In 1901 he was appointed Assistant Secretary of State for the purpose of annotating
and indexing the laws of the General Assemby for the session of 1901.
He is an officer of the Grand Lodge of Masons of North Carolina, and is an earnest
worker for the order, especially for the orphanage of the order. He is a distinguished
looking gentleman of pleasant and agreeable manner, a man of unsulllied honor,
a lawyer of much ability, and one of the coming statesmen of North Carolina.
Herbert L. Greene
Mr. Greene was born in Wilkesboro Nay 28, 1866, and was educated at the Wi1kesboro
Academy and at the State University. He read law under Co1. Geo. N. Folk and
was admitted to the bar in 1887. Instead of becoming a candidate for office
he stuck to the practice of law and, in partnership with T. B. Finley, has built
up a large practice. Although against his wishes, he was nominated for the Legislature
in 1900 by the Democratic party, and he reprsented the county in the next General
Assembly. Mr. Greene has been chairman of the County and also the Congressional
Executive Committes of his party.
Mr. Greene is the author of the bill enacted by the Legislature of 1901 commanding
the commissioners of Wi1kes county to build a new court house. He also helped
to secure the passage of the bill to build the Wilkesboro and Jefferson turnpike
by the penitentiary convicts.
He was married in 1898 to Miss Davie Wellborn.
Hugh A. Cranor
Mr. Cranor is a son of John S. Cranor and was born in Wilkesboro Nov. 20, 1875.
He attended Wilkesboro Academy and the State University; studied law at the
law department of Wake Forest College and was admitted to the bar in 1902. He
is a bright young lawyer and has a promising; future.
Col. Thomas J. Dula
The subject of this sketch was born in Caldwell county and was raised on the
farm; he attended the common schools and Emory and Henry college. He studied
law under Judge Anderson Mitchell and was admitted to the bar about 1855 and
located at Lenoir; in 1858 he was elected to the Legislature from Caldwell.
When the Civil war broke out he entered the Confederate army as a private in
company I, 26th NC regiment. He was detailed to return home and form a new company;
he was elected Major and later was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel [of the 58th
North Carolina Infantry]. During the war he was twice wounded. In 1871 he moved
to Wilkesboro and the next year was elected to the Legislature, and also in
1875 he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. In 1876 he
was the Republican nominee for Congress but was defeated by Maj. Robbins. In
1900 he was elected to the State Senate.
L. C. Carter
Littleton Calhoun Carter was born May l4, 1871, and was raised on the farm.
He was educated in the common schools and at Fair View College, Traphill. For
a number of years he engaged in teaching schoo1. At the age of 22 he began the
study of law under Maj. Bingham of Statesvil1e, and seven months later was admitted
to the bar.
Thomas B. Finley
The subject of this sketch is the son of the late Augustus W. Finley, one of
the wealthiest and most influential men that ever lived in the county. His mother's
maiden name was Miss Martha Gordon. On his farm--where North Wilkesboro now
stands--in the year l862 was Thomas B. Finley born, During his boyhood he worked
hard on the farm, keeping his work apace with that of the negroes hired by his
father. He was educated at Wilkesboro Academy, Finley High School at Lenior
and at Davidson Col1ege he won a gold medal for declaiming. He read law under
Col. Geo. N. Folk and was admitted to the bar in 1885. After receiving his license
he located at Wilkesboro to practice his profession. He formed a partnership
with H.L. Greene which exists up to this time.
Mr. Finley has been the promoter of many of the business institutions of this
county. He was one of the men who planned and founded the town of Nurth Wilkesboro;
he was the first man to advocate the establishment of the Bank of North Wilkesbero
and it was largely through his efforts that the bank was established. At present
he is a director of the bank. In 1888 he canvassed the county in favor of the
county issuing, $100,000 bonds for the construction of a railroad to Wilkesboro.
He had helped to promote several other business institions.
Although streneously urged by his friends Mr. Finley has never been a candidate
for office. In 1902 he was specially urged to become a candidate for Judge of
the Superior Court; although as assured of the nomination he declined to abandon
his practice. He has appeared in a majority of the civil cases tried in the
county since he was admitted to the bar.
In 1893 he was married to Miss Carrie Lizzie Cowles, and five children bless
their home.
James W. McNeill
The subject of this sketch was born in Beaver Creek township Feb. 3, 1872. Until
he was ten years old he lived on a farm and attended the public schools; in
1882 his father, Rev. Milton McNeill, was elected Sheriff of the county and
moved his family to Wilkesboro where they have since resided. The subject of
this sketch attended Wilkesboro Academy, and in 1892 entered Wake Forest College
and took a special course preparatory to the study of law, He studied law at
the State University and was admitted to the bar in 1895. Before entering college
he was Deputy Clerk of the Superior Court under his father. After obtaining
license to practice law he located at Winston for six months. In 1896 he located
in Wilkesboro and became the law partner of Solicitor Mott. During this partnership
and since he has done much work for Mr. Mott, acting as Solicitor pro tem. In
1899 he formed a partnership with his brother R.H. McNeill and they now have
offices in Wilkesboro and Jefferson, and at each place they have a large practice.
In 1900 Mr. McNeill was nominated for the Legislature by the Republican party
and was elected by 259 majority, but by means of the trickery of political machines
four largely Republican precincts were thrown out by the Canvassing Board, thus
giving the place to another man by 4l majority.
In 1900 he was married to Miss Anna Gertude Johnson of Raleigh.
At the present time Mr. McNeill is the chosen candidate of his party for Solicitor
in this district; his chances of election are good. The experience he has had
as Solicitor pro tem, makes him specially qualified for the office, while his
services as Solicitor have distinguished him as an able prosecuting officer.
Mr. McNeill is a distinguished looking gentleman and is one of the most gifted
orators in this section. He had made a marked success as a lawyer- -seldom equaled
in so short a time -and a bright future is before him.
Luther N. Lyon
Mr. Lyon was born in Wilkes county Jan. 24 1871, was raised on a farm and was
educated in the common schools and academies of his section. He taught school
for a number of years, and then read law at the State Unviersity and under Chas.
H. Armfield and was admitted to the bar in l899. He is located at Wilkesboro.
His great-grandfather Jacoblyon, was a soldier in the revolutionary war and
was in the battles of Brandy Wine and Kings Mountain.
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PHYSICIANS
Dr. J. W. White
Dr. White was born near Hamptonville in Yadkin county March.9, 186_ and was
raised on the farm. When he was only six years old his father died leaving three
children, two younger than the subject of this sketch. Upon he became old enough
the duty fell upon him to take the lead in caring for his mother and plantation.
He received his literary education in the public schools academies of his community,
and he attended Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated
in 1889. He practiced Medicine at Osbornville four years and then moved to Wilkesboro
where he has since resided. He has also taken two post graduate courses. He
is a member of the North Carolina Medical Society and in 1898 was elected Vice
President of that body. He was county physician for about four years. In 1898
he was married to Miss Pearl Sydnor and one child blesses their home.
Dr. Geo. Doughton
The subject of this sketch was born in Alloghany county in 1860 and was raised
on the farm; was educated in the prblic schools and academies of the community,
and is a graduated of the Baltimore college of Physicians and Surgeons and a
post graduate of the New York Polyclinic in the class of 1891. He has also attended
sevoral other shot courses--at John Hopkins and e1sewhere. At present he is
local surgeon for the Southern Railway, surgeon for the Penitentiary convict
camp. In 1888 he was married to Miss Nannie B. Edwards and they now; have four
children.
Dr. Wm. P. Horton
The subject of this sketch was born in Watauga county in 1867, was raised on
the farm and was educated in the public schools and academies. He studied medicine
under Dr. Council and at the Baltimore Co1lege of Physicians and Surgeons. At
first he located at Southerlands, and in 1892 he moved to North Wilkesboro.
He has been physican for the Southern Railway and he is now physician for the
county. He was married to Miss Emma Wynn and they have four children.
Dr. James M. Turner
Dr. Turner was born in Iredell county on the30th of April, 1858 was raised on
the farm and was educated at Cool Springs Academy. For a short time he taught
school in this State and Tennessee. He studied medicine under Dr. John Anderson
and at Louisville University where he graduated in 1881. He first located in
Davie county and remained there for more than five years, then moved to Wilkesboro
in 1886 where he has since lived. He has been Co. Supt. of Health at least half
of the time since he has been in the county. He is half owner of one of the
first roller flouring mills established in the county. Dr. Turner has taken
much interest in the material development of the town and county and owns considerable
property. He has been married twice, first to Miss Nollie F. Howell who died
in 1887; in 1889 he was married to Miss Sallie Ble&soe. He has had eight
children, three his first wife (two of whom are dead), and five by his last
wife.
Dr. Comodore L. Hamby
Dr. Comodore L. Hamby was born in Rowan county June 23, 1857 was educated in
the common school and academies of his section. He graduated at Louisville Medical
College in 1886. He first located at Traphill where he remained ten years and
then moved to Myers where he now lives. For the last six years he has been a
member of the U.S. Examining Board of Surgeons for pensioners. In 1878 he was
married to Miss Evaline Darnell and they have six children.
Dr. F. H. Gilreath
Dr. F. H. Gilreath was born in Wilkes county March 15th, 1869, was educated
at Moravian Falls Academy and at Vanderbilt University and at the Medical University
at Nashville where he graduated in 1898. He served for more than three years
as stewart in the U.S. Army at Fort Myer. In 1901 he was appointed by the Superintendent
of the Peniteniary as physician for the convict camp in Mitchell county.
Drs. R. W. S. Pegram and L. P. Somers are among our county physicians but the
author is unable to give sketches of them. Both are members of the U. S. Board
of Examining Surgeons.
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SCHOOLS OF WILKES COUNTY - By C. C. Wright,
Co. Supt. of Schools
Wilkes county had had and now has a number of excellent schools of high grade.
Among these are Moravian Falls, one of the oldest higher institutions of learning
in the county. It flourished for a number of years under the wise and prudent
manaGement of Rev. G. W. Greene and in later years of Rev. W. R. Bradshaw, F.
B. Hendron, Rev. J. J. Beach, Profs. Patton, Surratt and others. Another one
worthy of mention is Boomer High School, which for a number of years was a prosperous
under the care of Profs. A. E. Booth and W. S. Surratt. The school is now in
the hands of Prof. J. A. Boldin and bids fair to be one of our best schools.
The college at Traphill and the Institute for quite a while did great good unuer
the management of Prof. Wagoner, Smith, and others sending out many teachers
for the public schools of this and adjoining counties. The schools in the towna,
Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro, have usually been under the care of competent
and able instructors and in the main have been successful. The Blue Ridge Institute
now under the care of Rev. W. R. Bradshaw bids fair to be the leading preparatory
school in western N.C. There are academies at Beaver Creek, Sulphur Springs,
Poach Orchard, New Hope, Cross Roads, Bugaboo and Ronda but for some time no
school has boon taught in these save the public school.
James Gordon Hackett
James Gordon Hackett is one of the prominent citizens of the county. He was
appointed by Gov. Aycock as one of the Penitentiary Directors. He was one of
the promoters of the Jefferson turnpike. He is the brother of Richard N. Hackett.
Calvin J. Cowles
Mr. Cowles, the subject of this sketch is one of the pioneer citizens of this
county. Probably he knows more of the histsory of the county than any other
man now living. The author of this work is largely indebted to him for his assistance
in getting up this volume.
He was born at Hamptonville in old Surry county Jan. 6th, 1821. When 13 years
old he entered his father's store as a clerk where he spent most of his time
until he was 21 years old. In his school days there were no free schools and
he got his education at the old field subscription school and by studying his
books at home. At the age l2 he was afflicted with white swelling from which
he has suffered more or less ever since. He was appointed by Congressman Lewis
Williams as a cadet to the Naval academy at Annapolis but declined in favor
of his step brother.
In l846 he moved to Wilkes and put up a store at the mouth of Elk hauling his
goods in wagons from Fayettevil1e, NC and Co1umbia, SC., the nearest railroad
points at that time. He was the first man in the county to deal in roots and
herbs. In 1858 he moved to Wilkesboro.
During the war Cowles was an avowod Union man but would have been conscripted
into the Confederate service had it not been for his physical disability. After
the war he took a prominent part in reconstruction. In 1866 he was a candidate
for a seat in the Constitution Convention but was defeated. In 1867 he was again
a candidate for the same position and was elected and was made President of
the Convention receiving 101 of the 109 votes cast. The convention was composed
of 87 Carolinians, 18 carpet baggers and 15 negroes all elected by the people
under martial law. To this convention we are indebted for our present constitution
(with a few changes), including our splendid court system. (Hon. J.Q.A. Bryan
was a member of this Convention.)
During the Ku Klux regime Mr. Cowles went to Gen. Grant for aid in protecting
life and property in the State.
In '67 Cowles was a candidate for the State Senate but was defeated by one vote.
In '68 he was a cadidate for Congress but was defeated by Nathaniel Boyden.
Cowles was a director of the W.N.C.R.R. and only lacked one vote of being elected
president.
In '68 he was appointed by President Johnson as Assayor in charge of the mint
at Charlotte, which position he held for 16 years. In '75 Congress failed to
make any appropriation for the mint, and the Collector of Internal Revenue sold
the property for $7,000. Cowles was successful in getting the sale canceled.
Mr. Cowles has been married twice; first to Martha T. Devaul by whom he had
eight children, three of whom died in infancy; in 1868 he was married to Ida
A. Holden, daughter of ex-Governor Holdon; by his second wife he has eight children--five
living and three dead.
For the last few years he has lived the life of a private citizen in Wilkesboro.
He is the largest real estate owner in the county and among the largest in the
State.
THE END