Cfass,
Book__
COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT
Historical Sketches
OF
Willies County
By
John Crouch
'rite ■pi'incipal office of JiUtory I take to he thi><: to prcrcnt
v: :-t 11 011^ actions froiii tteinrj forgotten, — ■Tacitus.
PriiilL'd and Bound bv John Crouch at
THE CHRONICLE JOB OFFICE
WILKESBORO, N. ('.,
m)2.
THE LIBRARY OF
CONGRESS,
T^nf) Cow 68 Reosived
3£5^. ^0 1902
COPVRIQHT ENTRY
AvfL . / i - / 'f 0 ■2-
CLASS tx.-XXa No.
COW b;
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1902, bj
JOHN CROUCH',
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
Introduction
Formation
1
Early Settlers
4
The Moravians in Wilkes
9
Benjamin Cleveland
11
First Will Probated
8(3
General Wm. Lenoir ' '
86
Zebulon Baird, Grandfather of Zeb Vance,
48
First Church in the County
44
Early Schools
45
'^To Thumb the Notch"
46
Daniel Boone
47
Kings Mountain
56
The Siamese Twins
59
The Show Fight
61
James Henry Spainhour
68
Col. W. H. H. Cowles
()4
Rev. Geo. W. Greene
68
Doctor Tyre York
()9
Montford Stokes
71
C. C. Petty (col.)
74
The Cleveland Oak
74
Rufus A. Spainhour
75
Lovers' Leap
76
Courthouses and Jails
77
Harry Holland
80
Agricultural Possibilities
81
Fort Hamby
85
Simmons' Gang of Robbers
91
Stoneman's Raid
98
Montforcl Siclne}^ Stokes 95
Gen. John vSevier 97
Chas. Gordon 99
Gen. John B. Gordon 100
The "Blizzard Roost" 105
Gen. James Wellborn 10(5
Hon. Anderson Mitchell 107
Col. Wm. M. Barber 108
Lee Carmichael 108
Col. Thomas C. Land , 109
Rev. W. R. Bradshaw 110
Newspapers 112
Lawyers * 119
Physicians IBB
Schools of Wilkes County 1B7
James Gordon Hackett 1B9
Calvin J. Cowles 1B9
JOHN CROUCH.
INTRODUCTION.
^ILKES county has been the scene of many
historic occurrences. From the time
that the Moravians first made their ap-
pearance within her borders her inhab-
itants have been making history hj 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
..evolution, about one-half the American forces
were from Wilkes. And gallantly they did their
country's service until the enemy's commander, who
sworf^ he had found a place "where God Almighty
could not drive him from," lay dead upon the bat-
tle fi<4d and his forces either killed or taken prison-
ers. And when the Tories and Indians needed at-
tention, "Cleveland's Devils," as the Tories called
them, were always equal to the occasion, and there
always had to be some earnest "cleaning up" on the
partV)f the Tories and Indians or some of their par-
tv would dangle from a limb.
" In the conflict Avith Mexico Wilkes furnished a
company which did valiant service in behalf of the
American cause, and our illustrious Colonel Sidney
Stokos was so admired by those under his command
that a Ijeautiful sword was presented him as a token
of respect and love.
An-^ when it came to the Civil war our record
sta ■ ^ without a parallel. Some men from Wilkes
madt Kcellent soldiers in the Union army, but
mo '. ( ^ the men of Wilkes took their stand with
fhe " 'ederacy. Such leaders as Gordon, Stokps.
TXTHODUcTTOX.
Barber, Cowlos and others, with their brave subor-
dinates, won th(^ esteem and love of the whole Con-
federate army ; and their achievments on the battle
tields sliow the display of such courage and bravery
as has never ))een excelled in the world's history.
In the recent wars with Spain ^ and the Filipinos
Wilkes s()ldiers have served with distinction.
It is a lamentable fact that the history of our
county has been so strangely neglected. Any of
«^ur 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 date of its formati(m. The fair records
of her early fame are almost forgotten. It is the
purpose of this little l)ook to gather such as can be .,
obtained of these records and give them to th(^ peo-
ple of the county in a shape that the}^ "^^^J ^^' '^^'^--
served, and that future generations may know ,of ,
and share in the glory of our ancestors. It is more J
than probable that I have made mistakes in recoi-d- |
ing these sketches, but all the available inforniatiop j
has been obtained, and every statement, according I
to my view, is as near correct as could l)e asce ''twin-
ed.
The author does not aspire to be an IiistoriMiu
in collecting and compiling and composing,
little book, T shall succeed in "rescuing from
dust of age cr the obliterating hand of time'' - •
few of the events and a few of tlie names "t
time persons that so characterized our comt.v
days gone by, my efforts w411 not be in vain. 11' i^ {
my desir(- that the people of Wilkes county]
read the pages of this bo(-k and there1";y l-e p <
ed to increase their ]mtrioiism and take a{ I
interest in the history of tlieir own county. /
Surely the young peoj^e will take an int/ '^^^
reading this hook. If only the voiiijis /
INTRODUCTION.
)i'ar()liiia and Wilkes county could get a forctasto <>1
our liiBtory, our records would not be hidden in
darkness but our history would be given to the
Avorld, that not only ours -Ives, but all people might
I k^w of our achiev^ements and profit tlierel)y. The
young *people ought to be encouraged to emulate the
noble record of our worthy ancestors. We are told
l>y Sallust tluit Scipio and Maximus, when looking
upon the statues of their illustrious countrymen.
!)ecanie violently agitated. He says, ''It could not
l)e the I inanimate marble which possessed this
mighty power. It was the recollection of noble ac-
tions which kindled this generous flame in their
l)osoms, only to be quenched when they, too, by
I heir achievements and virtues, had acquired equal
I'eputation."
"And by their light
Shall every gallant youth with ardor move
'^o do brave deeds."
Free from the shackles of parties and sects I have
tried t<> divest myself of all partialities or preju-
dices 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 motives, nor have I neglected to express
yiews and opinions of any inan or event sketch-
fi this book because of party affiliations or sec-
m principles.
'ilkesboro, N. C,
Dec. 12, 1901.
ISTORIOAL SKETCHES OF WILKES
COUNTY.
FORMATION.
, .^iLKES county was formed from Surry county in
r7, and was named in honor of John Wilkes, a
...,tinguished English statesman and member of
■Vliament. He was ejected by the Ministerial par-
.- rom Parliament on account of his liberal polit-
':^%\ dews; and as often was returned by the people.
\m . led in 1797.
I'lie county is situated in the north-western part
porth Carolina, and is bounded on the north by
I Blue Ridge, which separates it from Ashe and
Lghany counties ; on the east by Surry and Yad-
couiities ; on the south by Iredell and Alexan-
, counties, and on the west by Caldwell and Wa-
i[TSi counties. The larger portion of the county
j; between two great mountain ranges and the
|<;kin river flows between, thus forming a valley
■ unexcelled fertility and picturesque beauty.
|^;des the Yadkin there are Mitchell's, Roaring
ill Red dies rivers and numerous large creeks in the
^uity. These rise in the mountains and flow into
M Yadkin, running sometimes through broad and
te ile bottoms and sometimes leaping over rocks
It breaking through ridges, thus affording im-
Ji se water p^wer and delightful scenery.
V- I kesboro, i he capital, is a beautiful town of
,al o t 800 population, situated on the south bank of
^le^iadkin near the center of the county. It was
^- HISTORICAL SKETCHES
founded in 1778 by John Parks, John Barton, Cf _
Gordon, Francis Hardgrave, Rowland Jiidd, Georgia
Morris and John Witherspoon, who were appointed
bv the General Assembly to select a county seat for
\ViLk'3s county. It is about 175 miles north-west of
Raleigh.
The committee appointed by the General Assem-
bly 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 commission-
ers who were ap|x>inted to run the dividing line Be-
tween the counties of Surry and Wilkes, to wit : '
"Beginning on Rowan county line about half a \
mile below Daniel Rash's at a white oak standing 'iii '
the head of a branch of Hunting creek, thence noi^li
crossing the 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 crossing the
Brushy mountain at the head of the north fork "of
Swan creek, then crossing the Yadkin river a little
below Capt. Parks' and through the lower end 'of \
Carroll's plantation on the north side of said rivWj i
thence crossing the Big Elkin at the Long Shojils, ,
thence crossing the south fork of Mitchell's riveic a- '
bout half a mile above Bigg's road, thence cross&g ;
Mitchell's river a little below John Scott's, crossfn
the top of the Poiney Knob to the main ridge^
mountains about two miles west of Fisher Pe:
thence to the Virginia line ; being run exactly :
miles west of Surry court house, agreeable to act
Assembly, by Robt. Lanier, )
Henry Speer, > Commissionei
Joseph Herndon." )
OF WILKS COUNTY. 8,
F/oiii the best information, the county of Wilkes
origiiuilly embraced all the territory included in the
follo^ving boundary lines : Beginning at the white
o«k mentioned as the starting point in the above re-
port and running west to the Mississippi river, then
north with said river to the Virginia line (now the
"Tentncky line), then east wdth said Virginia line to
le ijorth-west corner of Surry county, then soutli
[th the Surr}^ county line — as given in the above
)rt — to the beginning. When the county was
:med it included all of the counties of Ashe, iVlle-
iny, W^atauga and Mitchell, and a portion of the
^unties of Iredell, Alexander, (the line ran a mile
or so south of where Taylorsville now stands) Cald-
f, Burke and Yancy, and probably others, and
a large portion of Tennesse. In w^hat is now
n<^ssee there w^ere local governments organized,
they were hardly recognized as counties by the
"l^^te government. The districts of Washington.
1 • 't. :i^•a and Greene were organized within the bor-
Wilkes and later were admitted as counties
^^ate of Franklin, but until Tennessee was or-
; ! Wilkes county was the legal division of all
itory included in the borders of the county.
.- is not near so large now. She has given
!,;-> I .;i territory and other counties have grown out
>|' ^^L. Like a venerable mother she now nestles
•i't'*. 'en the Brushies and the Blue Ridge with her
i^^ -"era settled around her. We look upon the
^■i'-i ^W8 of the counties beyond the Blue Ridge, the
llpv bottoms of the Yadkin in Caldwell, and on
^\ o d til!; Smokies we see a section w^ell developed
I msperous. Cities have sprung up; railroads
l"e )een built, and mines that produce millions of
lla s worth of coal, iron, mica, copper, etc., have
in evelo]»ed. They are all the otif'spring of the
d V ilif"- countv. We, look u[)on th(^m to-day and
' ■ \
4. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
bid th'^m God speed in their march of progress,
EARLY SETTLERS.
One hundred and seventy-five years ago Wills^
county had never been trod by the feet of Anglor-
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 hupting 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 Yadkin and oth. ji^
and cultivate the lands that were the hoir"
deer, elk, bear, wildcat, fox and other wild ..k.
But the goodly lands of this section wer ^ m :•:
tended to be always inhabited by savagen -xnu. : '
animals. A nobler race of people needed th<.'
tory in which to live and build homes ar'd
and schools.
Tradition tells us that the swamps along J 3
Yadkin were the scene of many hard fought bf-itles
between different Indian tribes before the w'-^.
made their appearance in this section. 7^ u
good evidence to sustain this tradition. Indi5- ■
implements, such as arrow flints, tomahawk-
have been found in large numbers sinc-^
have been cleared. Also many Indian ^<^
have been found. The jungles along ilu- \
furnished excellend hiding places for the ^avag.
would conceal themselves and lay in
whites, and so the swamps were also t1
many fights between the Indians and
The freshets in the spring of 1901 unea
skeletons ; minie balls* were also fo.
i> i
OP WILKES COUNTY. O.
freshet.
Just when the first white setth^rs came to what !>
now Wilkes county is not known. As early as 1740
the crack of the white man's rilie had brought tlie
timid deer to the ground and friglitened the otlier
animals of the forest. Governor Rowan wrote tliat,
"'In the year 174(3, I was in the territory from the
Saxapahaw (now Haw river) to the mountains, and
there were not above one hundred fighting men in
all that back country." According to the Colonial
Records there were, in 1749, only tliree hundred
taxable men in North Carolina west of Haw river.
About the year 1750 three streams of i migrants
began to poiir into this section of the State — one
from south-eastern Pennsylvania, one from eastern
North Carolina and one from South Carolina. But
most of the settlers coming within the present bor-
ders 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, -sur-
veyed sonie land, made some exploration and re-
turned to the Moravian settlements about Salem.
Different motives prompted the first settlers to
come here. Some came seeking religious freedom
which was not accorded them by the provincial gov-
ernment. Others grasped the opportunity to come
and take up the lands, while others came probably
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 sec-
tion, remote from the seat of the provincial govern-
ment, the inhabitants could exercise more freedom
han other settlers who were in closer proximity to
2
6. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
the British agents. Thus it was that such men as
Colonel Cleveland, General Lenoir and others were
ready to make their mark when the struggle came
on. They cherished the thought of independence
and kept adding fuel to the flame.
The early settlers found certain sections clear of
timber. The places where 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 natural state of the land in these sections at
that time was barren of trees. There are certain
sections in the western part of the State yet where
trees will not grow. Among them may be mention-
ed the Elk Gardens on White Top mountain and
several places along the Blue Ridge. There is a
small mountain in Trap Hill township called Gras-
sy Knob that used to be barren of trees. J. Addison
Spencer, in a recent letter, said that, "In 1854 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 Gras-
sy Knob had nothing but grass on it, from which it
derived its name, and that he had seen large herds
of deer grazing on it. It is now and was forty-five
years ago heavily timbered.
The Cherokee Indians were quite numerous in
those days, and where North Wilkesboro now stands
seemed to be their capital village. Here the Indi-
ans held their annual corn dance, which was their
festival of harvest. There they reeled and frenzie^
and made merry for days and weeks. In the botj
t ..
OF WILKES COUNTY. 7
toms along Yadkin and Reddies rivers, which were
then heavily timbered with stately cedars, were
hundreds of Indian wigwams.
On the hill where Gus Finley lived and died was
erected by the early settlers a kind of fort known as
the "Black House." Here the whites, when attack-
ed 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 no
longer needed as a fort for protection from the at-
tacks 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 bon tons of the elite of society that we
have with us to-day 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 "hog and hominy,"
and such other articles as could be produced on the
plantation. Coffee and tea were rare ties. Tea
made from spicewood twigs, sassafras roots and sage
leaves and "cofl'ee" made of parched corn or rye
was commonly used.
In the spring of ';he year all the stock was belled
<'^. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
;in(i turned loose in the woods to shift for theni-
^ielves. Troughs were hewn in logs where the stock
w.is salted about twice a week. These troughs were
c-illed ''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
(•eased to grow about fifty years ago.
Thei'e is quite a contrast in society then and now,
[n those days the dwellings usually consisted of two
log houses — the kitchen and the "big house," and
occasioucilly the "big house" had "up stairs." The
"big house" was the parlor, sitting room and bed
room combined. There was no organ nor piano, but
the tiddie, banjo, flute and fife were the musical in-
^^truments in those days. Courting was carried on
in those da}^, you bet, but the bon tons of to-day
\V(VLildn't have recognized the style in those days.
There were no drives in costly vehicles nor expensive
hridal 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 nest.
The courting at home was done in the "big
house" in the corner by the fire while the old folks
WHi'e in bed and pretendedly asleep in the back end
of the room. Corn shuckings, quiltings, etc., were
great social events. At night after the work was
('om})lHte, the neighborhood fiddler came in tind 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 music all thf
while. Everybody believed in helping his neighbors
do their work and in turn his neighbors would hel{)
him. The whole comtniiriity would engage in shuck-
iii.L;- coi-M, (4('.. and keep moving j.bout until every
OF WILKES COUNTY. 9.
inan'8 work was done, keeping up the frolickR every
iijight. 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 this
country ; think of them chasing the deer, elk. bear
and other game ; their conflicts with the Indians ;
the eyery day association with such pioneers as
Daniel Boone and Benjamine 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 in-
fanc3^ Let us honor them by keeping the records
of our county spotless and clean.
THE MORAVIANS IN WILKES.
Lord Granville was one of the eight Lords Propri-
etors of North Carolina. He did not sell his inter-
est m the lands of North Carolina back to the King
of England as did the other seven Lords Proprietors.
In 1752 he granted ten thousand acres of land to the
Moravians, who surveyed a part of the ten thousand
acres — 8778 acres — within the present borders of the
county of Wilkes. Two surveys were made, knowni
as the upper and lower Moravian surveys. The
hnver survey included the site of Wilkesboro and
^'xtended down the river to Blair's island, and up
t he river about a mile above North Wilkesl)or(»
10. HISTORICAL SKETCHEg
crossing the river and running on the north side,
then again crossing the river between the Hackett
and Stokes farm, leaving the latter out of the sur-
vey. The line crossed the Wilkesboro and Moravian
Falls road near where R. C. Lowe now lives, and
ran out near Oakwoods and back to the beginning.
The upper survey included the sections about Mo-
ravian 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 bottoms 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 con-
cluded it would be best to leave the savages unmo-
lested, so they went a mile further up the river be-
fore crossing.
It is said that the Moravians were in search of
potter's clay, and failing to find it in desirable
quantities, they failed to pay Lord Granville for the
land.
Lord Granville afterwards sold the lands that the
Moravians had surveyed to a man in Ireland named
Oassart. His son. Christian Frederick Cassart.
sold the lands, by power of attorney , to Hugh Mont-
gomery, of Salisbury. Montgomery made a deed of
trust to James Kerr, David Nesbit and John Brown,
who were to divide the lands to his daughters, Ra-
chel and Rebecca. Rachel married Gov. Montford
Stokes and Rebecca married General James Well-
born .
OF WILKES COUNTY. 11.
FIRST COUNTY OFFICERS.
Wilkes county was formed in 1777, but it was
not organized until in the spring of the next year.
Following is a list of the first county officers, who
took charge of the affairs of the new county on the
^nd day of March, 1778:
Sheriff, Richard Allen.
Treasurer, Richard Allen.
Entry Taker, Benjamin Herndon.
Surveyor, Joe Herndon.
Register, John Brown.
Ranger, John Brown.
Coronor, Charley Gordon.
Clerk Coui^ty 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 the palace of Hampton
Court, attracted the attention of her sovereign, and
an amour 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 Bridge. 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 Cramwell/' published after his
12. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
death by consent of his son, first in 1731, a second
edition, with a French translation in 1741, and yet
another edition in 1760.
Whether or not Benjamin Cleveland descended
from this man and from Oliver Cromwell is a mat-
ter of conjecture. But whether or not the story is a
romance or records a series of facts it is novertheless
true that Colonel Cleveland had a copy of the book
and claimed in this way to have descended from the
illustrious Oliver Cromwell. Others of the Cleve-
land 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 imigrants to
Virginia. He settled on the since famous Bull Run,
and his occupation was that of house-joiner. His
son, Benjamin Cleveland, the subject of' this sketch,
was born there on the 26th of May, 1788; and while
yet very young his father moved some sixty miles to
the south-west, locating in a border settlement on
Blue Run, some six or eight miles above its junction
with the Rapidan, near the line of Albemarl.
Boyhood.
When little Benjamin was about twelve years old.
some drunken rowdies came to Cleveland's home
one day when both parents were away from home.
The rowdies commenced throwing the stools in the
fire, when little Ben snatched his father's riflle from
the racks and simply said, "gentlemen do you see
this?" They saw the gun and the determined atti-
tude of the youth, which led them to think discre-
tion the better part of valor, when one of the party
"said to his fellows : "We'd better be off ; we don't
know what this excited child might do." So little
Ben's conduct caused the rowdies to lenvp.
OF WILKES COUNTY. 18.
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 parly
youth in the wilderness, securing pelts and furs
which found a ready market. Fire-hunting at that
day was a very common and popular mode of en-
tra])ping the deer in warm weather, when they re-
paired to certain localities at night in shallow
streams, where they could find food suiting tlieir
taste. The torch lights of the hunters would so daz-
zle the attention 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 Cleve-
land wanted it himself. One day he peeled some
bark off a tree and placed it in the water to resem-
ble 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 re-
peated his shot but still the deer remained unmoved,
The Dutchman became alarmed and exclaimed, "It's
de duy-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 — afterwards
General Martin — he put in a field of wheat on Pig
river, about the year 1767, where he settled some
8
14. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
four years before ; ]:>ut they were too indolent to
fence it properly. When harvest time came there
was something of a crop:. As w^as the custom at
that time, they invited their friends to join them in
cutting the grain ; for which occasion some liquor
and a fiddler were provided, and a good time was
necessary before entering upon the work, which end-
ed 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 ca-
reer.
Cleveland Moves to Wilkes.
In order to break away from reckless habits and
old associaltions, Cleveland, about 1769, removed,
with his father-in-law and family, to North Caroli-
na and settled on the waters of Roaring river, then
in Rowan, later 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 on 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,
gave such a charming description of the "Dark and
Bloody Ground"-^that land of cane and pea vines,
abounding with deer and buffaloes — its wild charms,
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, Je^^se
OF WILKES COUNTY. 15.
Bond, Edward Rice and William Hightower, he set
out to visit the hunting grounds of Kentucky. When
they had safely passed Cumberland Gap, and enter-
ed upon the borders of the famous Kentucky, with
cheerful hopes and glowing prospects, they were un-
expectedly met and plundered by a band of Chero-
kees, 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
threat ningly ordered to leave the Indian hunting
grounds. There was nothing else they could do.
On their way home they kept their amunition as
long as possible ; with one load they killed a small
deer — the other was spent without 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 sweet-
est 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
horses 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 dificulty except in the last place. The Indi-
an having the horse showed fight, raised his tomma-
hawk, and Cleveland cocked his rifle, when hie
friendly escort interrupted, and saved his red broth-
16. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
er from a fatal shot by throwing him to the ground :
but not before he had hurled his battle-axe at hi.s
antagoni^)t, which did no other 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 at hand and was riding
away when the enraged Indian fired at him wound-
ing the horse but not severely ; and Cleveland and
party returned with their horses in triumph.
Some Hunting Experiences.
Reuben Stringer was a noted woodsman of the
upper Yadkin Valley, and was often Cleveland's as-
sociate 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
N nv river. Pursuing a wounded elk, Cleveland in
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 rat-
tlesnakes, coiled, hissing, and fearfully sounding
th3ir alarm rattles on every hand. From this dan-
gerous dilemma his only deliverance seemed to be an
instantaneous 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 ground 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 could not tell —
OF WILKES COUNTY. 17-
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 appear-
ance," replied Reubin, "but since it has apparantly
hung a great while in that condition, it may likely
do so a good while longer." "Ah," said Cleveland,
"as long as it has hung there, there is a time for it
to come down, and I will not be in the way of dan-
ger," 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 liml)
came tumbling down directly upon the ground
where Cleveland but a moment before had lain.
They pulled over the limb and found that its prongs
had penetrated into the earth to the depth of four-
teen inches. Stringer congratulated his comrade on
his fortunate awaking and removal, "for," he add-
ed, "in one minute more, you would have been in-
evitably 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 1775, when Cleveland's neighbors and friends
had occasion to go to Cross Creek to sell their sur-
plus products and buy salt, iron, sugar and other
necessaries, they were compelled, before they were
permitted to buy or sell, to take the oath of allegi-
ance to the King. When Cleveland heard of these
tyrannical acts, and attempts to forestall the poli-
tics of the people, he swore roundly that he would
like nothing better than to dislodge those Scotch
scoundrels at Crop ■ Creek. Soon an opportunity
18: HISTORICAL SKETCHES
was givon liim. In February 1776, the Higlilaii;!
Tv)ries of that locality raised the British stanJarcI,
when C I ptain Cleveland -marched down from the
mountains with a party of volunteer riflemen ; and*
tradition has it that he reached the front in time to
share in the fight and in the suppression of the re-
volt. He scoured the country in the region of Wake
Forest, capturing 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 houses und
merchandise Jackson had caused to be laid in ashes
a few days after the battle of Moore's Creek Bridge.
"I don't recollect," said Colonel Southerland in the
N. C. University Magazine for September, 1854,
''after Cleveland had done with them, to have heard
much more of those wretches during the war."
In 1776, when the Cherokees were inveigled into
hostilities by the British, Captain Cleveland with a
. company of mountaineers marched into the Indian
territory and laid waste their vilages and crops, and
the hostile Indians had to sue for peace.
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 the State Senate, be-
ing the first Senator from the county. The year
previous he and Elisha Isaacs were chosen to repre-
sent 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 Colo-
nel Cleveland marched with his regiment against the
Tories assembled at Ram^our's Mill, but reached
that place too late for service as Clolonel Bryan '.<^
OF WILKES COUNTY. 1 '.
band was chasing them from the State. He als >
scoured the New River settlements, checking th3
Tory uprising in that section, capturing and liang-
ing some of their notorious leaders and outlaws.
Cleveland at King's Mountain.
Then his King's Mountain campaign — the crown-
ing achievment of his life — the wounding of his
brother Larkin Cleveland, while on the way, near
Lovelady Shoals, on the Catawba river; and then
hurrying forward to "graj^ple with the indomital^le
Ferguson." The great service of Cleveland at this
fight will be given in another chapter under the
heading, "Battle of King's Mountain." Colonel
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 every
thing they could carry away, and then made off with
a couple of his horses, using the clothes-line for hal-
ters. Major Wilfong with a party followed the cul-
prits, overtaking them near Wilkesboro, recovered
the horses, but the ruffians made good their escape.
Major Wilfong left the halters made of his clothes-
line with Cleveland, with which to hang the rascals,
should they ever be captured. Not long after, as
they were returning to Ninety Six, they were capt-
ured by some of Cleveland's scouts and brought to
Wilkesboro and Colonel Cleveland had them hung
with Wilfong's clothes-line on the oak tree that is yet
standing just north of the court house in Wilkesboro.
20. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
Captured by Tories; His Timely Rescue.
On the South fork of New river in the extreme
south-western portion of Ashe county (formerly a
part of Wilkes) was a large ])oundry 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 Colonel Cleveland,
and served as a grazing place for his stock in peace-
ful days.
In 1781, having occasion to visit his New river
plantation, Colonel Cleveland rode there accompa-
nied only by a negro servant, arriving at Jesse Dun-
can's, his tenant, on Saturday, the 14th day of
April. Unfortunately for the Colonel, Captain
William Riddle, a noted Tory leader, son of Loyal-
ist Riddle, of Surry count}^, was approaching from
the Virginia border with Captain Ross, a Whig
captive, together with his servant, now en route for
Ninety Six, where, it seems, the British paid a re-
ward for Whig prisoners. Riddle, with his party of
six or eight men, reached Benjamin Cutbirth's,
some four miles above Old Fields, a fine old Whig
and an old associate of Daniel Boone, who was just
recovering from a spell of fever. The Tory Captain,
probably from Cutbirth's reticence regarding solic-
ited 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 a-
way, at Duncan's, with only his servant, Duncan,
and one or two of the Callaway family there. Every
Tory in the country knew full well that Cleveland
was probably their worst enemy ; how prominently
OF WILKES COUNTY. 21.
he had figured at King's Mountain, and had given
his influence for the Tory executions at Bickerstalf'8
and caused the summary hanging of Coyle and
Brown at Wilkesboro. Riddle thought that such a
prisoner would be a valuable prize to offer to the
British at Ninety Six, or it would be a crowning
honor to the Tory cause to rid the country of prob-
able 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 re-
sort to stratagem. He resolved to steal Cleveland's
horses in the quiet of night, judging that the Colo-
nel would follow their trail the next morning, sup-
posing they had strayed off, when he would ambus-
cade him at some suitable place, and thus take **01d
Round About,'* as he was called, unawares and at a
disadvantage. The horses were taken that night,
and a laurel thicket, just above Perkins' house, se-
lected 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 Colonel Cleveland, and appear to
have remained there over night.
Discovering that the horses were missing on Sun-
day morning, immediate 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
ambuscade, secretly desired to save the Colonel from
his impending fate ; so she detained him as long as
she could by conversation, evidently fearing person-
al consequences should she divulge the scheme of
his enemies to entrap him. His three associates
kept on with Cleveland some little distance behind.
22. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
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 places of concealment, one aiming at Cleve-
land, 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 hun-
dred pounds — knew he could not run any great dis-
tance, 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 rap-
idly from one to another, they pledged to spare his
life and accord him good treatment if he would qui-
etly 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 in-
stantly seized Abigail Walters, who was present, and
by dint of his great strength, and under a high
state of excitement, dextrously handled her as a
puppet, keeping her between him and his would-be
assassin. Wells seemed vexed at this turn in the
afl'air, and hurled his imprecations on the poor
woman, threatning if she did not get out of the way
that he would blow her through as well. Cleveland
* Richard Callaway had been seriously wounded on the
head, arms, shoulder and hand by Tarleton's cavalry, at
8umpter's surprise, Aug. IS, 178l>, and left for dead; yet re-
covered, though he had a crippled hand for life. In due
time his broken limb, so hadly disabled by Wells' unerring
shot, healed up and he lived njany years. He aided in run-
ning the boundary line from the "White Top mountain to the
Mississippi, and died in Tennessee in 1822.
OF WILKES COUNTY* 23.
got his eye on Captain Riddle, whom he knew, or
juiged by his appearance to be the leader, appealed
to him if such treatment was not contrary to the
stipulations of his surrender. Riddle promptly re-
plied that it was and ordered Wells to desist from
his murderous intent, saying they would take Cleve-
land to Ninety Six and make money out of his
capture. The terrified woman, who had been made
an unwilling battery, wa^ now released from Cleve-
land's gntsp as from a vice ; and the whole party
with th ur prisoner and his servant were speedily
mounted and hurried up New river. This stream,
so nexr its source, was quite shallow, and the Tories
traveled niosfcly in its bed to avoid being tnicked, in
case of pursuit;
A^'ter Riddle and his party had called at Cut-
birth's on their way down the river, young Daniel
Cutbirth and a youth named Walters, who were ab-
sent at the time returned, and encouraged by Mrs.
Cutbirth 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 milita-
ry commands, tint led the youthful ambus waders to
conclude that the Tories had' received a reenforce-
meht, and that it woiild' be rasiin3ss for two single-
handed youths to undertake to cope with numbers
so unequal. So Riddle and 'his party reached Cut-
birth's undisturbed, and Ordered dinner for himself,
men, and prisoners: Riddle abused and even kicked
one of the Cutbirth girls who did not willingly aid
in preparing the dinner. After dinner they pro-
ceeded up New rivef; mostly along its bed, until
• they cjime to the moutfh of Elk creek, up which they
"made their way in the same manner. Colonel Cleve-
land managed to break off overhanging twigs and
24. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
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 ascend-
ed up the mountain to what has since been known
as Riddle Knob, in what is is now Watauga county,
and about 14 miles from Old Fields where he was
captured ; here they camped for the night.
Early on the morning of Cleveland's capture Jo-
seph Callaway and his brother-in-law, Berry Toney,
wanting to see Cleveland on business, called at Dun-
can'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 Fields, while Joseph Callaway
should go to his father's close by, mount his horse
and hasten to Captain Robert Cleveland's, on Lewie
Fork, a dozen miles distant. 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 woodsmen, they fol-
lowed the Tory trail as best they could, till night
overt-ook 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 have gathered to engage
in the pursuit of the Tories.
By night-fall Captain Robert Cleveland and twen-
ty or thirty others, good and tried men, who had
served under Colonel Cleveland, had gathered at Old
or WILKE8 COUNTY. 2 .
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 Will-
iam 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 were 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 breakfasted, while
others were engaged preparing their morning meal.
Cleveland was seated on a large log while Riddle
had Cleveland's own pistol pointed at him, also
Zachariah Wells had his pistol pointed at Cleveland,
forcing him to write out passes for the several mem-
bers of Riddle's party certifying that each was a
good Whig — to be used when in tight places, to help
out of dificulty 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 Colonel had a strong
suspicion that, since his captors were in such haste
for the passports, as soon as they were out of hie
hands his days would be numbered; and thus, natur-
ally but a poor penman, he purposely retarded hie
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
26. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
vstart, and Cleveland was receiving severe threats if
he did not 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, utteri.ig their
loudest yells. Colonel Cleveland, comprehending
the situation, tumbled off behind the log, lest h^is
friends might accidently shoot him, and exclaiming
at the top of his thundering voice, "Huzza for
BiioTHEK 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
b} mortally wounded; he wa-^ l^ft to his fate. The
rest fled with the aid of their fresh horses, or such
as they 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 g lined their pur-
pose the happy \vhigs returned to their several
homes. William Callaway was especially elated
that he had shot Wells who held so badiv w jund'ed
his brother, Richard Callaway, at the skirmish )xt
Old Fields the morning before.
Riddle Capture'd and Hung.
A short time aftpr this occirrence. Captain Rid-
. die ventured to make a night raid into the Yadkin
Valley, where,, on King's creek, several miles above
v Wilkesboro, they surrounded the house where . two
:;of Cleveland's noted soldiers, David and John With-
».;erspoon,;resided, with their parents. The two were
.taken prisoners and carried to the Tory camp on
: Watauga rivjer, ^^^here.both were sentenced to be shot
' •rT-rbiindfold.edi, and men detailed to do the fatal
work. .. It was then propps.ed, if they would take the
oath of allegiance to the King, return to their home
OF WILKES COUNTY. 27*
and speedily return with a oertain noble animal ber
longing to David Witherspoon, known as the O'Neal
mare, and join the Tory band, their lives would be
spared. They ghidly 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 Wither-
spoons, they soon reached the Tory camp, taking
it by surprise, capturing three and killing and dis-
persing others. The young Witherspoons fulfilled
their promise of speedily returning to the Tory camp
bringing the O'Neal mare, but under somewhat dif-
ferent circumstances from what the Tories expected.
The prisoners 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 fa-
vor with the Whigs or get them in a condition so that
they might escape Riddle treated them freely to
whiskey. Colonel Cleveland informed him that it
was useless to be Wasting his whiskey as he would
be hung directly after breakfast. The three Tories
Avere accordingly hung on the notorious oak that
is yet standing in the town of 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,
Colonel Cleveland wa;s the Tories' worst enemy
in this section. He was determined to break up
the Tory bands that infested the frontier. Cleve-
land 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,
28. HI8T0KICAL SKETCHES
while the Tories denominated them ''^ Cleveland'' s
Devils.'''' Cleveland himself rated each of his well-
tried followers as equal to five soldiers.
Zachariah Wells Captured and Hung,
It was not long until one of Cleveland's men capt-
ured Zachariah Wells, who had not yet recovered
from the wounds received at Riddle Knob. He was
taken to Hughes' bottom, about a mile below Cleve-
land'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 noth-
ing of the stern realities of war, was shocked at the
thought of so summary an execution. Being well
acquainted with Colonel Cleveland he begged him
not to hang the poor fellow, who looked so pitiful
and was suffering from his former wound. This ex-
cited the Colonel's sympathies, and he said, "Jirr-
mie, 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 was pres-
ent, was cursing the wincing Tory at a vigorous rate.
With tears coursing down his cheeks, the Colonel
adjusted the rope, regretting the necessity for hang-
ing 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 convinced 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 dan-
gled from a convenient tree and his remains were
buried in the sand on the bank of the river.
t>F WILKES COUNTY. 29.
Other Tories See Trouble.
"Many other Tories fell into the hands of Cleve-
land'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
tjld Richmond, m Surry county. When Cleveland
was about to execut^e the leader, Colonel William
Shepherd protested against such summary justice.
''Why," said Cleveland, '*Tate confesses that he
has frequently laid in wait to kill you," *'Is that
so?" inquired Shepherd, turning to the Tory cap-
tain. Tate confessed, and Shepherd yielded to
Cleveland's plan and Tate soon dangled from a limb.
Tate's associates suffered only imprisonment as oth-
er prisoners of war.
On another occasion Colonel Cleveland visited
Colonel Shepherd at Richmond, where he had two
notorious horse-thieves in prison. Cleveland insist-
ed 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
rendered 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; then the log wa^, rolled from under him and
he dangled from a limb in plain view of the prison.
The other culprit was shown liis comrade swinging
from the limb and he was given liis choice, to take
his place beside him. or cut <>tf Ix^th his own ears and
leave the country forever. The Tory knew it would
not do to meddle with, old Round About, so Iih
called for a knife. He was handed a case knife, and
ufter whetting it on a brick lie gritted his teeth and
<sawed otT })oMi f»ars. He was then lil)or.-jted niul h<'
30. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
left with the blood streaming down both cheeks and
was never heard of afterwards.
''I'll Show You Perpetual Motion.'^
John Doss was the faithful overseer of Colonel
Cleveland's plantation while the Colonel was absent
from home during the Tory troubles in 1780-81.
Bill Harrison, a noted Tory leader in this region,
with the aid of his followers, not only stole Cleve-
land's stock and destroyed his property, but arrested
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 stooping 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. Accom-
panied 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 not?" "Be-
cause," 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 perpetual
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 Loyalist leaders
for putting prisoners to death — where are your prin-
ciples— where your conscience?" "Where is my
conscience," retorted Cleveland; "where are my
horses and cattle you have stolen ; my barn and
fences you have wantonly burned — and where is
poor Jack Doss? 'Fore God I will do this deed and
justify myself before high Heaven and my country I
OF WILKES COUNTY. L
Run up the hill, Bill, and but him off the log — I'll
show him perpetual motion 1"
The Boys Hang a Tory.
On one occasion when Colonel Cleveland was away
from home, a Tory horse-thief was captured and
brought and turned over to Cleveland's sons, to
await their father's return. The Colonel, not re-
turning as soon as was expected, and fearing if they
should undertake to keep the prisoner over night he
might escape or give them trouble, they appealed to
their mother to know what was best to do under the
circumstances. Mrs. Cleveland said to the boys,
"What would your father do in such a case?" The
boys 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 Colonel Cleve-
land always deemed it the best policy to resort to
the severest treatment of Tory thieves brought be-
fore him. He was a keen judge of human nature
and lost no opportunity nor spared no pains in re-
forming those who would reform. Once he had a
pretty hard case to deal with. "Waste no time,
swing him off quick," said Cleveland. "You
needn't be in such a d d hurry about it," coolly
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 To-
ry, touched with such sudden generosity, turned to
Cleveland and said: "Well, old fellow, you've con-
quered me; I'll ever fight on your side," and proved
himself one of Cleveland's sturdy followers.
On another occasion he met an old Whig who had
been led astrav bv the Tories and addressed him in
S2. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
this style: "Well Bob, I reckon yon are returning"
from a Tory trip, are yoii not?'' "Yes, Colonel, 1
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 halter." "Well Bob, that shall be
the bargain." So he gave Bob a stiff drink of grog,
in accordance with the fashion of the times, 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 < ^f
the Yadkin lived one Bishop, one of a class who
tried to shirk the responsibilities of the war, and
was wanting in i:)atriotism and energy of character.
At heart he was thought to be a Tory. Pa-^sing
Bishop's on one of his excursions, Cleveland observ-
ed that his corn, from neglect, presented a very sor-
ry appearance. He called Bishop out and asked if
he had been sick. He said he had not. "Have you
been fighting for your country, then?" "No," said
the neutral, "I have not been fighting on 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 foid tm
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*
<*orn was, from that time on, in as good conditiori
as any man's in the country.
OF WILKES COUNTY. U8.
His Last Mil it a nj Service.
Cleveland was "all things to all people." His love
for the American cause was iin bounded. His nu-
merous friends loved and admired him for his bold
and fearless simplicity, while his enemies hated him
for the same reason that his friends loved liim.
But the war was now rapidly drawing to a ch^sp.
In the autumn of 1781, Colonel Cleveland performed
his last military service — a three months' tour of
duty on the waters of the Little Pedee. 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 lead-
ers were yet scouring the country, and needed sucli
a force as the mountaineers to successfully cope wilh
them. Cleveland's men routed several of these scat-
tered Tory detachments before returning home.
Moves to South Carolina.
At the close of the war Colonel Cleveland h^st his
fine Round About plantation on the Yadkin by a
better title, Avlien he turned his attention to the^ re-
gion of the Tugalo, on the wester.) border of South
Carolina. In 1784 he selected a plantation in the
Tugalo valley and moved there tlie following year.
Quite a number of his kinsmen followed liim and
became his neighbors in the newly settled valley of
the Tugalo.
In 1785 the Cherokee Indians were y^t trouble-
some. They stole some of Cleveland's stock and
(•arried it to the Indian village. Cleveland buckh'd
on his hunting knife and went in person to the In-
dian town and told them unless ' his stock was
promptly returned they would pay the penalty — tlie
last one of them — with their lives. The Indians
were greatly surprised at his enormous size, an<)
84. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
judged that it would take a hundred warriors to cope
with him single-handed. The stock was promptly
restored.
Hangs Another Horse Thief,
Colonel Cleveland did not loose 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 associ-
ated 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.
Colonel Cleveland held positions of trust and hon-
or in his new home, but he loved quiet home life
best and spent most of his time about his planta-
tion. He continued to increase in weight until he
weighed the enormous sum of four hundred and fifty
pounds.
For several summers preceeding his death he suf-
fered with dropsy in his lower limbs, and during the
last year of his life his excessive fat considerably
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.
He left two sons and a daughter, whose descendants
are numerous and respectable. Our county man,
Esq. R. M. Staley, is a great-grand-son of Colonel
Cleveland. Wilkes county has no better citizen and
no man a better neighbor than Esq. Staley.
OF WILKES COU^JTY. 85.
With hardly any education, and little improve-
ments in after life, Colonel Cleveland, with a vigor-
ous intellect, exerted a commanding influence
among the frontier people ; and though despotic in
his nature and severe on the Tories, his patriotic ac-
tivity did much to preserve the Western portion of
North Carolina from British and Tory ascendency.
North Carolina deservedly commemorated his ser-
vices by naming Cleveland county after him.
The remains of this noble hero sleep in the family
burial ground in the valley of the Tugalo. No mon-
ument— no tombstone — no inscription marks his si-
lent resting place. The spot is marked by several
pines that have grown up since his interment — one
-of them, it is said, shoots its tall spire from his
grave. There he lies in a sister State with not even
a grave-stone to mark his last 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 — tliis the
<*limax of glory 'r'
How strange are the ways of men !
86. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
THE FIRST WILL PROBATED.
The first will probated in Wilkes county was pro-
bated and recorded in the year 1778, at the Decem-
ber term of the County Court. In the early history
of the county wills were only probated during the
sessions of the County Court and not before the
Clerk at any time convenient as is now the case.
This will, first on record in the county, starts oil'
like this :
''The Last Will and Testament of John Wither-
spoon, dec'd. Dec. Term, 1778.
"November the first, in the year of our Lord
Christ, 1778. In the name of God, amen. I, John
Witherspoon, and of Wilkes county, being weak in
body but of sound memory, blessed be God, do this
day and in the yei;r of our Lord make and publisli
this my last will and testament in the manner fol-
iowdng, that is to say first I appoint — " etc., etc.
The subscribing witnesses are Thomas Harbin,
Alexander Holton and Jno. Robison.
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. Tlie
name of William Lenoir appears oftener in early
records of our county than the name of any othei'
person. His life, character and services are record-
ed in such an able and familiar manner in an ex-
tract from the Ealeigh Register, of June 22, 18J^9.
OF Wn.KE8 COUNTY. S7.
that we give the article here :
Thi8 venerable patriot and soldier died at his resi-
idence at Fort Defiance, in Wilkes county, on Mon-
day, the 6th, of May, 1889, aged eighty-eight years.
Perhaps no individual now 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 gov-
ernment than the venerable man whose history and
public services it is our purpose to sketch.
General Lenoir was born in Brunswick county,
Va., on the 20th of May, 1751, and was descended
from poor but respectable French ancestry. He was
the youngest of a family of ten children. When
about eight years old his father removed to Tar Riv-
er, near Tarboro, N. C, where he resided until his
death which happened shortly after. The opportu-
nities of obtaining even an ordinary English educa-
tion at that day were extremely limited, and Gener-
Lenoir received no other than such as his own per-
sonal exertions permitted him to acquire after his
father's death. When about 20 years of age he was
married to i\nn Ballard, of Halifax, N. C. — a lady
possessing 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, 1775, General Lenoir 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 familiar-
ly called "The Association Paper," which contained
a declaration of the sentiments of the people of the
colonies in regard to the relations existing between
them and the crown of Great Britian, and whicli
their scattered condition rendered it necessarv t<>
38. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
circulate for signatures, in order to ascertain the
Avishes 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 con-
tinued to discharge his duties as such, and as clerk
to the Committee until their authority was super-
seded by the adoption of the Constitution of the
State. On the commencement of hostilities with
Great Britian, General Lenoir very early took a de-
cided 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 fre-
quently 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
Lenoir bore a conspicuous part, which was contin-
ued until the celebrated expedition of Gen. Ruther-
ford and Gen. Williamson in 1776, put an end to
the difficulties with the Cherokees. In this expedi-
tion General Lenoir served as a lieutenant under the
distinguished Colonel Cleveland, who was then a
a captain, and frequently has he been heard to re-
count the many hardships and sufferings which they
had to undergo. They were often entirely destitute
of provisions — there was not a tent of any kind in
the whole army — very few blankets and those only
such as could be spared from their houses for th^'
occasion; and their clothing consisted principally of
OF WILKES COUNTYi 6\f.
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 project-
ed against the British and Tories under Major Fer-
guson, Gen. Lenoir was almost constantly engaged
in capturing and suppressing the Tories, who, at
that time, were assuming great confidenee and ex-
hibiting much boldness. Indeed, such was the char-
acter of the times that the Whigs considered them-
selves, their families and property in continual and
imminent danger. No man ventured from his house
without 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 his
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 held the
position of captain in Col. Cleveland's regiment, but
on ascertaining that it would be impossible for 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 forth-
with.
Accordingly Gen. 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 in the arm, and
also in the side, though not severely — and a third
ball passed through 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 en-
40. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
gagement had his horse shot and his sword broken.
He also raised a company and marched toward Dan
river, with the hope of joining General Greene, pre-
vious 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 that of an Orderly Sergeant to a
Major-General, in which latter office he served for
about eighteen years.
In a civil capacity also General Lenoir discharged
many high and responsible duties. He was appoint-
ed a Justice of the Peace by the convention which
met to form the State Constitution, and was reap-
pointed by the first General Assembly which met
under its authority. He continued to discharge the
duties of this office until his death, with the excep-
tion of a temporary suspension of about two years,
whilst he acted as Clerk of the 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 Reg-
ister, Surveyor, Commissioner of Affidavits, Chair-
man of County Court, and Clerk of the Superior
Court for the county of Wilkes. He was one of the
original trustees of the University of N. C, and was
the first president of the Board. He served many
years in both branches of the State Legislature, em-
bracing nearly the whole period of our early legisla-
tive history, and during the last five years of his
service in the Senate was unanimously chosen Speak-
er of that body. It may also be remarked that he
performed the duties of that important station with
as much general satisfaction, i>robably, as was ever
OF WILKES COUNTY. 41.
given by the presiding officer of any deliberate as-
sembly. 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 mem-
ber of both the State Conventions which met for the
purpose of considering the Constitution of the Uni-
ted States ; and in the discussions of those bodies he
took an active and distinguished part — insisting
strenuously on the adoption of the amendments pro-
posed to the Constitution, and guarding with great
jealousy the rights of the States. Owing to the dif-
ficulties which existed among the States in the
adoption of the Federal Constitution, an opinion
prevailed that another General Convention would be
called to revise and amend it. The Convention of
North Carolina, acting upon this supposition, pro-
ceeded to elect five delegates to represent the State
in the proposed General Convention, of which num-
ber 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 mi-
nor character, though important in themselves, or
in furtherance of the due execution of the law, con-
stitute the sum of that portion of the public bur-
dens which have been borne by this venerable man,
f jr many of which he declined to receive an y com-
pensation. Those who knew Gen. Lenoir will read-
ily 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 he devoted
much of his time to reading and reflection on public
affairs, and manifested great concern and expressed
much apprehension lest, from the signs of the times,
42. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
our inestimable government, which cost so much
blood and treasure, hardship and suflPering, was des-
tined, 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 dis-
quietude and unhappiness to him.
In private life Gen. Lenoir was no less distin-
guished for his moral worth and generous hospitali-
ty 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 per-
sons who chose to call upon him, he was never
known in a single instance to make a charge or re-
ceive compensation for accomodations thus furnish-
ed.
In his manners and habits of life he was plain and
unostentatious. Steadily acting himself upon prin-
ciples of temperance and frugality in all things, he
endeavored both by example and precept to incul-
cate similar principles upon others. To the poor he
was kind and charitable, and by his will made lib-
eral provisions for those of his own neighborhood.
He had long enjoyed almost uninterrupted health
which 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 evi-
dence of his physical ability^, it may be mentioned
that he attended the Superior Court uf Ashe county,
<i distance of more than 50 miles from his lesideuce,
traveling the whole distance on horseback, and
('rossing the Blue Ridge, and also attended the court
uf his own county, a distance of twenty-four miles,
not more than three weeks before his death. During
his last illness he suffered much pain, and often ex-
OF WILKES COUNTY. 43,
pressed 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 Revolutionarv war.
S. F. P.
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. Not-
withstanding the fact that he lived nearly a century
ago and is very little known at this day, Zebulon
Baird should be counted as one of the great men of
Wilkes county, for the reason that he was the grand-
father of the most beloved man that ever lived in
North Carolina.
44. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
FIRST CHURCH IN THE 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
1775 Surry was a frontier county. The Mulberry
Field Meeting House was the only church in the en-
tire county. This church, or meeting house as it
was called, was situated where the town of Wilkes-
boro now stands. Some of our oldest citizens think
this church stood about where the Chronicle build-
ing now stands, or probably a few yards further
south. It was a Baptist church and the first to be
built in this section of the country.
It reqiiired 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 kind of roads, knowing
that an attack of the treacherous Indians to take
their lives was probable at any moment. But it was
a gracious privilege to those sturdy Christians to
be permitted to worship God according to their own
will and as their own consciences directed, even
though they did so at the peril of their lives. They
knew what it was to be deprived of that privilege
by tyrannical rulers and laws, and from such oppres-
sions they had fled to this country and erected the
Mulberry Field Meeting House, where they might
worship when and in whatever manner they saw fit.
The Holy Spirit of Almighty God must have direct-
ed them and stayed the tomahawk and arrow in the
hands of the treacherous enemy. I admire sucli
faith and zeal, and it is no wonder that these faith-
OF wn.KES COUNTY. 45.
ful, sturdy, energetic pioneers should build up a
s^ection where tyranny cannot reign and tyrants can
not live. We cannot too much appreciate the per-
severance and patriotism of our ancestors who came
to Wilkes to build homes and plant civilization for
us.
EARLY SCHOOLS,
Until 1889 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 educa-
tion was scant. There were only two or more pri-
vate 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
Superintendent 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 century there was
a notable 'Grammar School,' with John Harrison as
principal. It was described as 'ten miles below the
court house.' Latin and Clreek 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 recover is that of
Rev. Peter McMillan, whose tuition was fifty per
cent, higher than Mr. Harrison's, ami the board
from 75 to 100 per cent, higher."
46. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
*'T0 THUMB THE NOTCH."
Revolutionary times were indeed trying to the
settlers along the frontier. Both Indians and Tories
gave much Trouble. The way in which punishment
was inflicted 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 punish-
ment was demanded by the exigencies of the times.
This Cleveland inflicted without ceremony. General
Lenoir relates a circumstance that occurred at the
Mulberry Meeting House. While there on some
public occasion, the rumor was that mischief was
going on by the Tories. Lenoir went to his horse
tied at some distance from the house, and as he ap-
proached a man ran off from the opposite side of the
horse. Lenoir hailed him but he did not stop; he
pursued him and found that he had stolen one of
the stirrups off his saddle. He carried the pilferer
to Colonel 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
receive fifteen lashes. This was his peculiar manner
of inflicting the law and gave origen to the phrase
"to thumb the notch." The punishment on the of-
fender above named was well inflicted by Captain
John Beverly, whose ardor did not stop at the order-
ed number. After the fifteen had been given, Colo-
nel Herndon ordered him to stop, but Beverly con-
tinued to whip the wincing culprit. Colonel Hern-
don drew his sword and struck Beverly. Captain
Beverly drew also, and they had a tilt which, but
OF WILKES COUNTY. 47.
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 notches thumbed by said Laws under the sen-
tence of Cleveland, are distinctly visible." The tree
stood about half a mile west of the village of Mora-
vian 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 rea-
sons, 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 1746, 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, "accom-
panied by John Findley, John Stuart, Joseph Hol-
den, James Monay and William Cool," Ipft his
home and quiet joys for the "dark and bloody
48. HISTOKTCAL SKETCHED
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 return-
ing 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 they found their comrades were gone,
either prisoners or murdered, for the camp was de-
serted. But the spirit of Boone knew no despair.
He called all his resources into action, hus-
banded his game and amunition, 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 persua-
sions could induce their companion to remain, and
he left Boone and his brother alone in the vast wil-
derness. They erected a house to protect them, and
supplied plentifully with game, they passed the
winter in comfort. But their amunition and salt
becoming scant, the brother of Boone returned 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 for-
est was clothing itself in the rich attire of spring,
the gorgeous flowers were 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
amunition and salt, to them more precious than the
mines of Cvilifornia. They made an expedition to
OF WILKES COUNTY. 49.
the Cumberland river, naming the rivers they pass-
ed, and making such observations as might be of fu-
ture 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 represen-
tations, five families and his own set out for their
return to Kentucky, on the 25th of September, 1778 ;
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 of October, when they
were furiously attacked by a large body of Indians.
By their skill, unflinching courage and resolution,
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 settle-
ment on Clinch river. Here he remained with his
family until the (5th of June, 1774, when the Gov-
ernor of Virginia (Dunmore) engaged him and an
adventurerby the name of Starer to conduct a party
of surveyors to the fiills of the Ohio, near eight hun-
dred miles ; this he performed on foot in sixty-two
days. On his return Dunmore gave him the com-
mand of the garrisons on the frontier, which he
maintained during the war at this ptriod against
the Shawnee Indians.
In March, 1775, he attended, at the request ^ of
Judge Richard Henderson, a council of the Chero-
kees, by which they ceded their lands south of the
Kentucky river.
In April he erected a fort at the spot where the
town of Boonesboro now stands. The Indians were
verv much dissatisfiid at the erection of this fort.
50. HISTOKTCAL SKETCHES
After it was finished he returned in June for his
family on Clinch river. Mrs. Boone and her daugh-
ter were the first white women that ever stood on the
banks of the Kentucky river.
In December the Indians made a furious assault
on this fort, by which Boone lost one man killed
and another wounded ; but the Indians were repulsed
with great slaughter. 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 fre-
quent visits and excursions into the forests around.
On the 14th of July, 1776 — -just seven months from
their last attack — .is three young ladies, two daugh-
ters of Colonel Caloway and the third of Colonel
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, with-
out any aid, he followed alone the tracks of the In-
dians. He knew that if he waited to collect a force
the cunning robbers would be entirely beyond pur-
suit. With a sagacity peculiar to hunters, he fol-
lowed their trail 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 shrub-
bery 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 15tli
of April, 1777, the united tribes made an attack on
the fort, but it was unsuccessful.
In July twenty-live men arrived from North Caro-
lina, and in August Captani Bowman, with one
hundred myn, arrived from Virginia. By this pow-
OF Wn.KES COtTNTY. 51.
•erful reinforcement they no longer dreaded the
savages, but sallied out and made attacks on the
Indians and drove them from the vacinity.
On the first of January, 1778, Colonel Boone with
thirty men commenced making salt for the first
time in that region at the Blue Licks, on Licking
river; and he made enough of this essential of life
for all the civilized inhabitants of the infant com-
munity.
On the 7th of February, as Colonel Boone was
hunting alone, he was surprised by one hundred In-
dians and two Frenchmen. They t<x)k him prisoner.
He learned then that a furious attack was to be
made by a strong force on Boonesboro. He capitu-
lated for the fort, knowing its weak state, as it had
only twenty-seven men, the rest had gone with salt
into the settlements in 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
used 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 hunting. His plan of escape was hurried
by an alarming circumstance; while meditating up-
on 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 dis-
tance of one hundred and sixty miles, during which
52. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
he eat but one meal. He found the fort in bad con-
dition, and set all hands about to repair it. The In-
dians, finding that he had escaped, postponed the
attack.
On the 1st of August, with nineteen men, Boone
sets 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 ever
appeared before Boonesboro orders it to surrender.
The assailants were four hundred and forty-four In-
dians and eleven Frenchmen, commanded by Cap-
tain Duquesne. Boone requests 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
opponent, 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 en-
deavored 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 th.y own,
No maiden arm is round thee thrown;
That desperate grasp thy frame wouhl feel.
Through bars of brass and triple steel."
OF WILKES COUNTY. 53.
Fortune favors at this moment of ])''iil iiprg'Ulant
son; ^he knife of Boone finds a bloody nliPaOi in one
of his opponents ; the other is thrown down, and
Boone and his men esca])e to the fort.
His name can never die. The memory of this
chivalric exploit, and the name of Boone will live
as long as the Kentucky river rolls its troubled trib-
ute to the "Great Father of Waters;" and when the
marble in our National Capitol,* which commemo-
rates this deed, shall have crumbled to its original
elements.
The Indians, after an unsuccessful attack, raised
the seige, after a loss of several killed and wounded.
During the absence of Colonel Boone in captivity
among tha Shawnees, his wife, thinking her husband
was killed, returned with her family to her father's,
on the Yadkin, in 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 was killed by a shot from the Indians.
Boone 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 t\w
Indians by Wayne (1792) introduced peace and
quiet in this dark and dangerous country.
Between this time and the time (1792) the new
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
*In the rotunda at VVashinjrton, in sciilptnre, over tl.e
door as you enter the House of Bet'iesentalives, is this
.scene, by an eminent sculptor.
54. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
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,
homo homini 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, 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 1818, 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 ever received. He left Missouri and
came to his son. Major Nathan Boone, where he liv-
ed, employing his leisure with his favorite rifle and
trapping beavers, until 1818 when he calmly and re-
signedly breathed his last, in the eighty-fourth year
of his age, surrounded by affection and love. It wa»
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 In-
dian idea he had gone to the hunting ground of the
warrior above, 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, hackwoodsman of Kentucky.
Crime came not near him — she is not the child
Of solitude. Health shrank not from him, for
OF WILKES COUNTY. 55.
Her home is in the rarely trodden wild.
—Bon Juan, Canto VII, L VI.
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 spiritM 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 lash which stings, the splendor which encumbers,
With the free foresters divide no spoil;
Serene, not sullen, even the solitudes
Of this unsighing people of the woods.
In North Carolina was Boone reared. Here his
youthful days were spent ; and here that bold spirit
was trained, which so fearlessly encountered the per-
ils 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 Hoi man'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 was in Boone's route a-
cross the mountain on his hunting expeditions. A
short distance from this gap, on a tributary of War-
56. HTSTOIMCAL SKETCHES
rior creek, is n beautifal waterfall which owes its
name — Boone's Falls — -to this great hunter.
KING'S MOUNTAIN.
The battle of King's Mountain is very closely con-
nected with the history of Wilkes county. Nearly,
or probably more than, half the American soldiers
engaged in this famous battle for the 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. Ben-
jamin Cleveland, Col. John Sevier and General
Isaac Shelby. The forces assembled at Watauga, in
Wilkes county (how in Carter county, Tenn.) and
decided to attack the British forces under Maj. Fer-
guson.
At that time the Western part of North Carolina
was a stronghold 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 Fer-
guson 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 cut up by an
inundation of barbarians, who have begun by mur-
dering the unarmed sou before, the aged father, and
afterwards lopped olf his arms, and who by their
shocking cruelty and irregularities, give the best
proof of their cowardice and want of discipline ; T
say if you wish to be pinioned, robbed and murder-
ed", and to see your wives and daughters, in four
days, abused by the dregs of mankind — in short, if
vou wish or desire to live and bear the name of men,
OF WILKES COUNTY. 57.
grasp your arms in a moment and run to camp.
The backwater men have crossed the mountain ;
McDowell, Hampton, Shelby and Cleveland are at
their head, so that you know what 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 Amer-
icans and directed a letter to Lord Cornwalis at
Charlotte, soliciting aid. At thi^ time Ferguson and
his division of the army were at Gilbert town, from
which place he began his march to King's Mountain.
He camped the first night at Cownens (soon to be-
come famous for the success of our arms over Tarle-
ton, Jan. 17, 1781). On the 5th of October he
crossed Broad river at Deep Ferry and marched six-
teen miles ; on the 6th he marched up the ridge road ,
until he came to a right hand fcrk acr.s^ King's
creek and through a gap towards Yorkville, about
fourteen miles ; and on the summit of King's Moun-
tain he encamped. Here he declared was "a place
where God Almighty could not drive him from."
About 8 o'clock on the 7th of October, 1789, after
being in the saddle for thirty hours, without rest,
and drenched by a heavy rain, the fearless Ameri-
cans 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 this summit was Ferguson posted. The Ameri-
cans were divided into three wings. The right wing
was under the command of McDowell, Sevier and
Winston ; Campbell and Shelby commanded the cen-
ter, while the left wing was under the command of
i8. HlfffOKTCAL SKETCHES
Cleveland and Williams. The plan of battle was to
^surround the mountain and attack each side simiil-
taneously. The center commenced the attack and
marched lx)ldly up the mountain. The battle here
was fierce, furious and bloody. The center gave way,
but rallied, and reinforced 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 thev rallied and in close column return€>d to
the attack, and in turn drove the enemy. They gain-
ed the summit and 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 on
the enemy 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, but rallied under their gallant leadere
to the attack. '*The whole mountain was covered
with smoak. and seemed to thunder." Attacked on
all sides, the circle becoming less and less, Ferguson
in a desperate move endeavored to brake 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 wound-
ed 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 patiots.
Lord Cornwall is left Charlotte and fell back Uj
Winnsboro, deeming any pr^)ximity to such fearless
OF WTLKIJS COUNTY, 59.
mBn unsafe for the main army, nor did he advance
tintil reinforced by Oeiieral Leslie with troops from
the north.
The total loss on the American side was twenty-
eight killed and sixty wounded.
THE SIAMESE TWINS.
The celebrated Siamese Twins, Chaner and Eng,
after traveling over all the world and seeing the ad-
vantages and disadvantages of every country, chose
the quiet glens of Wilkes as the loveliest spot for re-
tirement and repose.
They were bom 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 con-
tinent, England, France and other countries, exci-
ting the admiration of the crowd, and the investiga-
tions of the scientific Sir Ashley Cooper, of London,
Dr, Samuel L. Mitchell, of New York, and others,
who have reported upon this singular phenomenon
in the natural world.
They were united together as one by an ensiforni
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 on the same day,
only a few moments intervening between their
deaths.
A time or two was ap])ointed to separate the twins
but the scientific doctors decided that such an oper-
ation would terminate their lives.
60.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
They were wealthy, well settled, and both happily
married and had interesting families around them .
They married twin sisters named Yates, sisters of
Austin and Jesse 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 descendents yet live in Sur-
ry county and they have adopted the name Bunker
as their surname. The house now owned and occu-
pied by Ambros Wiles was built by the Siamese
Twins, and there they lived and died.
They differed widely in appearance, character and
strength. One was sober and patient; the other in-
temperate and irritable. It is said that they fre-
quently fell out — generally about their movements
— whether 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 l^ter. In a short time — probably about
80 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.
OF WILKES COUNTY. 61.
THE SHOW FIGHT.
Between the years 1855 and 18t)0, in Wilkesboro,
occurred one of the niOvSt remarkable fights in the
history of the county. Robinson's Show had pitch-
ed their tents in the vale on the north side of Main
street, ju«t op]>osite where the new Methodist church
now stands. The show people had a stand where
they sold candy, lemonade, etc. It was at this
stand that tlie trouble arose. George Johnson went
u':; to the stand to buy some candy ; the showman
wanted to charge him about three times the usual
l^rice of candy in the stores at that time, when final-
ly Johnson told him to take the candy and go to
h — ] with it. This insulted the showman who in
turn insulted Johnson, who was something of a
fighter, and he at once began the fight. The show-
man's partners came to his aid, armed with sticks,
singletrees and such other weapons as they could
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 An-
derson, Andy Porter, "Bill" Transou, Wesley Nich-
olls, 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.
Sherifi' 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 arrested, a party who were absent
wi^h 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
62. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
weapons, and were prepared to do some fatal execu-
tion. The showmen told them they knew n :)thing
of the trouble and were not concerned in 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 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
was not sufficient to hold them, so they were kept
in the court house, under guard, until morning,
when, after the showmen had paid him $500, Gen,
James B. Gordon stood surety for their appearance
at court. They never appeared and finally the case
was dismissed upon payment of the cost by Gordon.
The cost in the case amounted to about $180, so
Gordon cleared about $870 in the transaction.
After the ones engaged in the fight were arrested
the show proceeded and a large crowd witnessed the
exhibit.
OF WILKES COUNTY. 63.
JAMES HENRY SPAINHOUR.
BY FRANK. B. HENDREN.
James Henry Spainhour was born in Burke coun-
ty 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 of a princi-
pal. Maj. Jas. H. Foote recommended Mr. Spain-
hour to the position and he was elected. He re-
mained in this position until the outbreaking of the
war, when he enlisted in Company B., Capt. Stokes,
which company was attached to the First Regiment
N. C. Volunteers. Mr. Spainhour being a licensed
minister of the Baptist church, was appointed Chap-
lain 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 ascen-
dency among the schools of this county and had its
career not been cut short by the war it would doubt-
less became one of tbe leading institutions in the
western part of the State. It was located in what
was justly considered at that time the most progress-
ive community in the county. The Academy was
burned during the war and after that unhappy strug-
gle still-houses took its place and the community
long suffered from their blighting influence. Re-
cently, however, the Academy has been rebuilt and
the community, which contains 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 at New H(>]3e Academy.
64. HTSTORICAL SKETCHES
COL, W, H. H. COWLES.
[For the leading facts in this sketch the author fa
indebted to Jerome Dowd's sketch of CoL Cowles in
' ' Sketches of Prominent Living North Carolinians, ' '
and to the sketch by W. W. Barber, which appeared
in The Wilkesboro Chronicle Jan. 8, 1902.]
Colonel Cowles, the subject of this sketch, was
born at Hamptonville, in Yadkin county, April 22,
1840, 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 being formed by T. N. Grumpier, but upon
the organization of the company he was elected
First Lieutenant. Much caution was used in select-
ing the company ; every member was strong and sol-
dierly.
In the hitter part of 1861 Col. Cowles' company
marched to Centerville, then the seat of war, where
the First N. C. Cavalry became a part of the First
Cavaliy Regiment of the Confederate army, and was
connected with the army of Northern Virginia until
the surrender, Cowles was promoted to Major and
later to Colonel of his Regiment. His dashing bra-
very and courage won the admiration of his superior
officers so much that in the First Maryhmd raid ht-
was put in commiiid of the extreme advance guard
of the cavalry by Stewart. On return he was placed
in command of the extreme rear guard.
At AubuiTi, where Col. Thomas Rufiin fell, Cowles
rallied tl^e men and continued the charge. At-
Jirandy Btati <n he led the charge that drove the
10th New York Cavalry out of line and to the rear.
He fuihjWciJ them iii) f Ji: ses'eral aiiies toward Kol-
OF WILKES COUNTY. 05,
ly's Ford, capturing Maj. Forbes, Maj. Gregg's
commissary and Wm. Buckly, private curresponclent
of the New York Herald, and others, whom he suc-
cessfully brought out, though at the end of the
charge he was entirely within the enemy's lines. In
the beginning of the charge, Preston Ham})ton, son
of Wade Hampton, joined Cowles for a short dis-
tance 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 en-
tire column was moving down the road in the direc-
tion that Cowles had just gone. As Hampton could
not rejoin his squadron, he returned to the Confed-
erate lines and reported that Cowles was surely capt-
ured. 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 prison-
ers 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 which Cowles had left.
At the beginning of the battle of Mine Run Gen-
eral Ewell was in need of a competent ofHcer to take
command of the skirmish line in his front and re-
quested General Stuart to suggest the man. Gener-
al Stuart detailed Captain Cowles for the duty and
directed him to take in addition to the cavalry he
would find with General Ewell one hundred picked
men, which he did, quickly joining General Early.
He went to tlie front and established his skirmish
line and next morning met the enemy's advance
gallantly checking its movements every inch of the
way to the Confederate's main lines. In this en-
gagement he received his first wound by a minie ball
through the body. His wound was thought to be
60. inSTOKICAL SKETCHES
fatal hut the following spring he rejoined his com-
mand in time to take part in tiie first of that me-
morable campaign of 1864 and was in command of
the right wing of General Gordon's forces at Brook
church near Richmond, where Gordon fell. He con-
tinued in. active service until the 81st of March,
18(35, when, in leading a desperate assault on the
right of the enemy near Petersburg, and after his
horse was shot leaving him on fo(3t 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 hands of the enemy. He w^as taken
to the hospital where he heard the news of the sur-
render of Lee. It happened that he met there an
officer of his own name and probably his kinsman,
Maj. Cowles, of the Federal army, who promised him
the best treatment and who allowed him and a num-
ber of his friends to go home on parole, . Colonel
Cowles 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 vessel
and he came near being tlirown overboard. At New
Bern, by the aid of a friend, he managed to get
across the Federal lines. He went to Raleigh, then
to Salisbury with Thad Coleman. They reached
Third creek in a private conveyance and attempted
to walk the rest of the way to Statesville, but it was
too much for men ^vho apparently were nearer their
graves than their liomes. When witliin tiiree miles
of Statesville, Col. Cowles offered a farmer $B.OO in
greenback and i|5iK).00 in Confederate money to take
them to Statesville, and after much persu ision pre-
vailed upon the farnier to comply. Cowles finally
reached Wiikesboro.
At the close of the war he came home poor, and in
addition he whs suffering intensely from the wounds
received March 81st, 180^. As boou as health would
OF WILKES COUNTY. 67.
peTiiiH he began the study of law under Judge Pear-
son, his room mate being Hon. Charles Price, of
Salisbury,
After obtaining license in 1868 he located in
Wilkes boro and immediately entered iiito a lucre-
tive and su<€essful law practice. This was during
the dark days of North Carolina, and as he had
stood by his State in time of peril and war so in the
great political battles of 1868 and 1870 he did not
shrink duty or responsibility, but entered actively
into the campaigns and did good work for his party.
In 1872 he was elected Reading Clerk of the Senate.
In 1874 he was elected Solicitor of the 10th Judicial
district, which oiBce he held till 1879, and was an
able and fearless prosecuting officer.
In 1882 he was nominated by the Democrats for
the Legislature, and although he was defeated, he
made a campaign that w^on a great reputation for
him.
In 1884 Colonel Cowles was nominated for Con-
gress and was elected by a handsome majority. He
entered upon his duties as Congressman March 4th,
1885, the same day President Cleveland was first in-
ducted 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 his eight 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 compaigner he ranked among the best in the
State, and during the four canvasses he made for
Congress he made many able and intere^sting speeches.
After his retirement from Congress lie devoted
himself to farming and was one of the best farm-
ers in the ccunty.
68. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
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. Finley and Cora who married J.
A. Gaither, of Newton. In 1888 Col. Cowles mar-
ried Miss Lura Bost, of Newton, who survives him
with six children.
On the 80th day of December, 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 came to Wilkes and took charge of
Moravian Falls Academy uj^on its completion about
the year 1877, and remained there for about fifteen
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 schollar and a man of unsullied honor.
He is at present a missionary of the Baptist church
to China.
OF WILKES COUNTY. 69.
DR. TYRE YORK.
Dr. Tyre York, son of Mike York, was born at
Rockford, Surry county, in 1886. 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 coun-
ty, daughter of Thomas Crumpler and sister of the
famous T.N. Crumpler. By this union were born
three children — all girles. The oldest married Hil-
liary Cockerham; the next married M. F. Bryan,
and the the third married Benjamin Taylor, of Alle-
ghany county.
About 1869 Dr. York located in the Trap Hill sec-
tion where he practiced his profession and tended
his farm. When the Civil war broke out, he being a
physician, was exempted 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 time of affliction. Many
a poor soul was kept out of the army by his certifi-
cates of unsound health.
Immediately after the war Dr. York sold his prop-
erty at Trap Hill and started for the State of Arkan-
sas to make his future home. He and his wife and
children started on the long journey in a wagon.
After 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 a*rrival Mrs. York began washing some of their
clothes that had been soiled during the long journey
and the Doctor started for a day's tour in Arkansas
where they intended to make their future home. In
the evening t^ ^ ^ctor returned; Mrs. York had
70. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
finished her washing and the clothes were hanging
out to dry. The Doctor had seen enough of Arkan-
sas, 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 pur-
chased a farm a mile and a half from Trap Hill and
here he has lived ever 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 tu the Legislature. He
was again elected to the same position in 1887. He
was elected to the State Senate in 1879 and also in
1881. In 1884 he was the Republican candidate for
Governor and made a brilliant campaign but was
defeated by Alfred M. Scales, the Democratic candi-
date. In 1882 he was elected to Congress as an in-
dependent. In 1896 he was elected as Presidential
Elect(»r for the 8th N. C. 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, ahvays brought
"side-s])litting" 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 the closest attention.
After Dr. York was elected to Congress and was
making arrangements to start to the National capi-
tal he included among his vesture apr,irof kip 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 almost
as celebrated as the Doctor himself. The mule was
known as "General Jacks^sn." York rode "General
Jackson" on his campaign tours, iv ^ "^ey were the
OF WILKES COUNTY. 71.
.subjects of much comment both among the people
and in the newspapers. 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 that 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 tower-
ing mountains round about his country home.
He is surrounded by multitudes of friends who
love him for his efforts in their behalf while a pub-
lic official and for his professional services in times
of affliction.
MONTFORD STOKES.
The subject of this sketch, and the first of the
Stokes family that was afterwards to play an impor-
tant part in the affairs of Wilkes county, was born
on the 12th of March, 1702. He entered the Ameri-
can army during the Revolutionary war and was
taken prisoner near Norfolk in 1776, being then on-
ly fourteen years of age, and was confined as a pris-
oner of war for seven months on a British war ship.
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 num-
ber of years, where he was very popular.
Probably 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
72. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
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 1823, when he voluntarily retired.
After his retirement from the United States Sen-
ate Stokes wanted to lead the life of a private citi-
zen 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
State Senate. In 1829 he was elected to the House
of Commons, and also in 1880.
In 1880 he was elected Governor of North Caroli-
na, but resigned in 1881 to accept the appointment
from President Jackson as Indian Agent in Arkan-
sas, where he lived until his death in 1842 at Fort
Gibson.
On Dec. 17th, 1842, Hon. D. M. Barringer intro-
duced the following resolutions in the House of Com-
mons:
"Whereas the House of Commons have heard
with regret of the death of Ex-Governor Mont-
ford Stokes, whose life has been connected with,
for more than half a century, the history of
North Carolina, and has occupied many distin-
guished 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 to give more infor-
mation of the public life of this man, but it has
been impossible to obtain further data. Governor
Stokes was one of the great men of his time. From
the account of his public services given in this short
sketfh it will be seen that he felt the responsibility
of his position as representative of the people. Gov.
Stokes was one of the early settlers of Wilkes coun-
OF WILKES COUNTY.
78.
ty. He married Rachel, daughter of Hugh Mont-
gomery, one of the two heirs who inherited the Mo-
ravian lands in Wilkes embracing nearly ten thous-
and acres. By this union was born Montford Sidney
Stokes on Oct. 6, 1810.
Governor Stokes was very fond of card-playing,
and while he was at Fort Gibson, after being absent
from home for several year-j, his only son Sidney
j)aid him a visit. Sidney called at the house where
his father was staying and was informed that he was
up stairs playing cards. Sidney went up to the
room and found his father seated at the card table.
Governor Stokes at once recognized his son but was
so deeply absorbed in the game that he only said,
Hello Sid, is that you? Have a seat ; 1*11 be
through here in a few minutes." After the
was ended he gave Sidne}^ a royal welcome.
game
.ac(
74. HISTOKICAL SKETCHES
C, C. PETTY (Col.),
One of the smartest negroes of the 19th century-
was a native of Wiikes county. That negro was
Charles Calvin Petty. He was born in the year
1850, about four miles east of Wilkesboro, and was
the son of Jordan and Faniiie Petty. He was edu-
cated at Biddle University and was a graduate of
that institution.
Early in life he associated himself with the M, E.
Zion church. He began his career as a local preach-
er at Charlotte, and displayed such talent and abil-
ity that his denomination soon promoted him to
Presiding Elder. About 1890, at Newbern, 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 tt
year, Vjefore he was elected Bishop ; with this excep-
tion his life was spent in the service of his church.
THE CLEVELAND OAK.
The old oak tree that stands north of the court
house and in front of the old I. T. Prevette resi-
dence is a relic of Revolutionary times when Colonel
Cleveland was engaged in supi)ressing the Tories,
Several Tories were hung to this tree by Cleveland
and his associates. Among the number was Captain
Riddle and two other Tunes who had previously
captured Cleveland at Old Fields and would have
killed him, doubtless, had it not been for the time-
ly rescue by his brother Captain Robert Cleveland.
There were several other Tories hung to this tree.
Coyle and Brown, two n(^torious horse thieves, were
OF WILKES COUNTY. 75.
hang there with the clothes-line they had stolen
from Maj. Wilfong and converted into halters to
lead away Wilfong's horses.
It is not known where nor in what manner the
remains of the Tories that were executed here were
buried; but it is reasonable to suppose that they
were not taken very far aw^ay and that no great
])ains were taken to inter them very 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 & Go's, store. It is thought that that was n
part of the remains of son)e one of the Tories execu-
ted by Cleveland, and doubtless the remains of ^ili
those Tories are scattered in the same localitv.
RUFUS A. SPAINHOUR,
BY FRANK B. HENDREN^
RuFUS A, Spainhour was born in Burke county in
1889 and came to this county first in 1859 and en-
tered New Hope Academy. He remained here, part
of the time as pupil and part of the time as an as-
sistant to his brother, who was principal of the
academj'-, until the commencement c»f the war when
he together with his brother and se\eral of the pu-
pils of the school enlisted in company B, First Reg-
iment N. C. Troops. He served throughout the war.
He was made Quarter Master 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. Reeves' mercan-
tile business at that place and conducted it two
70. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
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 upbuild-
ing of the county as any man who hi»s ever lived in
it. It was largely through his energy and influence
that Moravian Falls Academy was built and main-
tained through so many years of conspicuous useful-
ness to this and many surrounding counties. He
represented this county in the lower house of the
General Assembly in 1880 and has held several, oth-
er positions of trust and usefulness, being at pres-
ent Chaiiinan of the County Board of Education.
LOVERS' LEAP.
About a mile west of Wilkesboro there is a preci-
pice 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 lives by leaping from the cliff into the river,
which they did. Ever since the place has been
known as Lovers' Leap.
OF WILKES COUNTY, 77.
COURT HOUSES AND JAILS.
Although it was decided by the committee ap-
pointed by the General Assembly in 1777 that the
court house should be located where the Mulberry
Field Meeting House stood it was not until about
1799 that the question was finally decided and a
wooden court house built. From the formation of
the county to that time, embracing a period of
about twenty-two years, the regular courts were held
at various places,. some times in houses and some
times 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 court
house at the Mulberry Fields notwithstanding the
State's committee had decided that it should be
build there and Rachel Stokes and Rebecca Well-
born 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 se-
cured a charter for a turnpike from Holman's Ford
to New river and the road was built ; a stage line
was then put into operation from Guilford Court
House 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 againt building the
court house at Mulberry Fields. The settlements
across the mountains continued to grow and the
agitation about the location of the court house was
not ended until Ashe county was formed and all the
11
78. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
territory across the Blue Ridge was given to the
new county, embracing all of the present counties of
Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga, and probably more.
There is some dispute as to when the first court
house 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 court
house site by Rachel Stokes and Rebecca Wellborn
was divided into lots and sold, with the exception of
the court house plot and two public lots, one at the
old North spring and the other at the old South
spring. The money accruing from the sale of the
lots was used to erect the court house. The house
was made of logs and fastened together with wooden
pins. Part of the logs of the old court house were
used in constructing Dr. W. C. Greene's residence,
which is still standing.
Between the years 1820 and ISW, in order to ac-
comodate the rapidly increasing population, it was
necessary to build a larger court house. Then was
the old brick building — 35 x 45 feet^with the stone
foundation built. Frank D. Hackett tells me that
his father was appointed to superintend the con-
struction of that house and he was placed under a
bond of $10,000 for the faithful performance of his
duty. It was one of the best court houses in the
State at the time of its construction. This build-
ing was torn down this year, 1902, and the new
house now being constructed by L. W. Cooper & Co.,
of Charlotte, 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 upon their hus-
OF WILKES COUNTY. 79.
bands and sons. Within its walls have been tried
those who had taken the lives of father or child.
The ablest jurists in the State — such as Col. Folk,
Armfield, Linney, Pearson, Glenn, Bower, and oth-
ers— have made the old temple ring with their plead-
ings for mercy and justice. And the politicians and
statesmen — such as Settle, Linney, Pritchard, Ran-
some and Vance — have cheered the multitudes and
fired the patriotism and ambition of thousands by
their oratory. This volumn 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 court house lot.
The stocks, whipping post and pillery were near the
jail. The first jail was a wooden structure and it is
said that Colonel Cleveland kept Tory prisoners in
it during the Revolutionary war. About the year
1828 this jail was soJd and torn down and a part of
the timber used in the building of the old Noah ho-
tel. 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.
hv.A
e/
80. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
HARRY HOLLAND.
Who has not read the story of the Indian in the
hog skin during the Revolutionary war? An Indian
had disguised himself in this way and had been de-
ceiving the pickets of the patriot 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 discov-
ered what he at first thought was a large hog. After
watching the supposed hog for v 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 lo, it proved to
be an Indian in a hog skin, with rifle cocked ready
to shoot the patriot soldier.
Hari*y 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 tell
it.
bn
OF WILKES COUNTY. 81.
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 supass-
es 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 of the county and cotton in the
other. In fact, almost anything grown in a tem-
perate 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 has been turned out
as worthless. This land will all be reclaimed and
will 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 Agricalture will cheer-
fully give any information you may desire along
this line, or any other item discussed in this chap-
ter.
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
Philadelphia and other northern markets. Now 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 days be the
best stock growing regions in the world. This is
rather premature history but I varily believe it it?
true, nevertheless.
82. HISTOEICAL SKETCHES
One of the most important branches of agricul-
tural industry is that of fruit raising. Wilke&
county is situated in what is known as the isother-
mal belt and is the best fruit-growing section in the
world. The Blue Ridge on the north-west rising to
the hight of about 4,500 feet above the sea level
forms a wall to protect us from the cold north-west
winds. On the south are the Brushy mountains,
about 2000 feet above the sea level. Many 3^ears
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 perfec-
tion in shape, color and flavor not known in other
localities. For the last few years the quality of fruit
raised in this section has attracted the attention of
the whole country, and parties from New York and
other great fruit markets have come to buy our fruit
and investigate the orchards, and they have pro-
nounced 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 estab-
lished 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 intensi-
fied by the greater amount of heated air and being
surrounded by mountain walls leaving no avinue by
w^hich the heated air may escape, thus it gradually
xises and escapes through the gaps of mountains. I
quote the following paragraph from the Handbook
OF WILKES COUNTY. 83.
of North Carolina, issue by the Dei^artment of Ag-
riculture:
"The fact remains that within the limits of these
frost belts fruit never fails, and at the hight of 1500
to 2000 feet (hoar) frosts never fall. Such locali-
ties 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 in-
ducements."
There is a large portion of soil in the county that
is especially adapted to tobacco. At the World's
Centenial 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 menti(>ned ds 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 from thieves. The United States De-
partment of Agriculture has sent out a bulletin on
Sang culture, and any one contemplating trying to
raise this plant should write to the Secretary of Ag-
riculture, Washington, D. C, and ask for a copy.
It's free.
Sheep raising could be made a profitable branch
of agricultural industry. Before the stock law was
enacted nearly overy farmer had a herd of scrub
isheep running * 'outside" on mountains and hills.
84. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
These herds of scrub sheep paid better than any-
thing else the farmer raised considering the cost and
Jabor. The wool furnished the whole family in
winter clothing and lots of wool to sell to the facto-
ries besides, and the sheep still left for mutton or
market. When the stock law was enacted the peo-
ple 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 twenty-five the
best improved stock of sheep. Each year you can
clip $75 worth of wool and you will have the in-
crease of the herd besides. This is simple logic and
the people wont 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," live sumptuously
from the products of the plantation, and besides
sell a surplus each year. We have 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 wall our young men
leave the old "State of Wilkes" and seek better
chances elsewhere? There can be but one answer to
that question : they lack information about the re-
sources of their own county.
OF WILKES COUNTY. 85.
FORT HAMBY.
In the spring of 1865 about the time of tlie sur-
render 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 ar-
my, 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 w^as used as the
kitchen. These 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 overlooking 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 in-
side the heavy log walls.
The gang consisted of Wade and Lockwood, two
renegade Yankee deserters, and about eighty- five
men from this and adjoining counties. They were a
terror to the people round about and committed
many depredtitions, robbing dwellings, smoke-hous-
es, stores and anything else they could plunder and
destroy, killing innocent women as well as men.
On one occasion a woman (the wife of Frank
Triplett) was passing along the road on the oppo-
site 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
12
86. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
was a raid into Alexander 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 marching in the direc-
tion of his house, and supposing that they would
attempt to rob him he set about making preparation
to resist them. He supplied all his negroes and
laborers with arms and stationed them in the
house. The negroes were stationed in the dining
room and the old man Greene and his 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. Green by pretending to be Con-
federate soldiers returning from the war. Their
story was not believed and while Wade and Greene
were talking some of the robbers were trying to
force an entrance at a back window. Young Greene
rushed to the window and began firing on the rob-
bers 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. 0.
Greene at once set about to raise a company to pur-
sue the robbers and capture them before they could
reach Fort Hamby; but they soon found that they
could not overtake them.
The people were enraged at the conduct of
these robbers and determined to drive them out of
the country or capture and destroy them. A com-
pany was soon made up — mostly of men from Alex-
ander county — which was prepared to make an at-
tack 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 engage in the attack, but he
OF WILKES COUNTY. 87.
wanted to encourage them all he could. He had
some four-year-old peach brandy to which lie 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 Confederate army waa 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 on the river bank
and said: "Parks, I never intend to touch that
ai^ain." Gwaltney, in relating the incident several
years later, said that "coming events seem to cast
a shadow before." 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, and
the other under the command of Colonel Sharp
of Alexander. One squad wa» to dash by and be
ready to commence the attack on all sides simulta-
neously. When this was done the fort was sur-
rounded and firing began. The robbers within the
fort returned the fire and the battle was hotly con-
tes.ted. James Linney w^as shot and killed during
the engagement. The robbers had all the adv^an-
tages of the fight, as they were protected from the
fire of the citizens by the thick log walls of the fort,
while the citizens were in open view to the rob?jers.
After seeing that the attack could only, result in dis-
aster 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 tbe
windows of the fort where the robbers were con-
88. HISTOllICAL SKETCHES
staiitly passing when he discovered that his com-
rades were retreating. He followed them and again
happened to get with Jones Brown. They were ri-
ding 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 were
flying thick and fast all around them. Gwaltney
was aiding Brown in trying to get the stubborn
mule along. \¥hile 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 1" Tlie blood was flow-
ing in a stream from the wound and the bullets
from the fort were coming thicker and faster. By
this time the mule had become manageable and the
the two comrades were riding along the road by the
bank of the stream while the balls knocked up the
sand all around them. Gwaltney was trying to hold
his wounded comrade on his mule, but Brown was
getting weaker every second from the loss of blood,
and he again told Gwaltney to take care of himself
as he was already killed. Brown then fell from his
mule upon the sand and died, and Gwaltney hurried
on to get beyond the danger line.
A company of men from Caldwell county had
previously attacked Fort Ham by, and had succeeded
in getting to the i*ort but were unable to capture it.
In the engagement the Cildwell crowd lost two men
— Clark and Hensely — who were shot and killed by
the robbers.
Although defeated m the first engagement, the
people were more determined than ever to burst up
the gang of robbers congregated at Fort Hamby,
OF WILKES COUNTY. Oy.
and immediate preparation was made for a second
attack. The first company was reinforced by men
from Wilkes, Alexander and Iredell counties, and
about 8 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 un-
til just before day to surround the fort. When the
citizens approached the place where they intended
to camp they saw several lights and they supposed
that Wade and his gang had started out on another
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 gang found a company of about sev-
enty-five men from Caldwell awaiting to uttat-k
Wade's gang of robbers.
The Caldwell men and the Alexander, Iredell
and Wilkes men joined forces and awhile b«fore day
they surrounded the fort and began the attack. All
that day and all the 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 the darkness of
night and set it on fire. When 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 W^ade asked what quarters
would be given if they would come out and surren-
der. One of the men replied: "We'll give you a
passport to h — 1." 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, presumably by
jumping from a window, Wade got out of the fort
without being detected and instead of surrendering
90. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
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 safe-
ty. The others came out and surrendered.
The robbers under the leadership of Wade num-
bered eighty-six, but during the seige all had escap-
ed but four— Bill Beck, Bill Wood, Enoch 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 stood by and watched Fort Hamby dis-
solve 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 con-
fessed that he had shot James Linney in the engage-
ment on the previous Sunday. The signal was giv-
en and the detailed men fired upon the four robbers
tied to the stakes ; their bodies were riddled with
bullets and 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,
leaving 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 un-
der the water and got breath through a reed and
stayed concealed in that wa\^ until late in the even-
OF WILKES COUNTY. 91.
ing; he went up and looked at bis comrades hanging
to the stakes dead ; he immediately left this country
and has not been heard of since.
The bodies of the robbers were proba])ly cut down
in the evening after they were shot, then they lay
about the ruins of Fort Ham by for three days and
nights; finally the people of the community put
them in boxes and hauled them away and buried
them.
SIMMONS' CxANG OF ROBBERS.
There was another gang of robbers under the
leadership of another renegade Yankee 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 were wontonly mur-
dered by this gang for no purpose whatever except
to gratify their hellish desire to kill. On one occa-
sion a young man who was rather idiotic was capt-
ured by one of the gang who thought he would take
him to the camp and have all the fun they wanted
t)ut 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 mai'ching
through a dark hollow the robj^er was sighting at
the back of the boy's head and the opportunity to
commit murder was so tempting that he pulled the
trigger and the innocent man fell dead.
92. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
About twenty years before the outbreak of the
Civil war one morning there was a boy baby found
lying on the court house steps. The child's parent
could not be found, so a Presbyterian minister
named Pervis, who lived on the lot east of the court
house known as the Cowles place, adopted the child
into hii home and raised it. Since the boy was
found at the court house he was named John Wilkes
after the county. It grew up to manhood and was
a bright young man. He was wontonly killed by a
member of the Simmons gang.
When 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 ovit. About three days after the
raid Willian Transoii 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. Tran-
Hou fell to his knees and began beggiiig Simmons
not to kill him,. One of Simmons' associates was
touched by Transou's pleading and he too begged
Simmons to spare him. Simmons finally consented
to spare Transou if he would tell where his horses
were at.
Th© Simmons gang committed some daring rob-
berie« MioHtly in Alexander and Iredell. After the
Fort Hamby gang was broke up the band dissolved
and Simmons left the country.
OF WTLKES COUNTY. 98
STONEMAN'S RAID.
In April, 1865, a detachment of the Federal army
numbering about twenty-five thousand men marched
through Wilkes county burning houses, barns, etc.,
robbing and plundering everything in sight leaving
their trail almost a howling wilderness. They came
to Wilkes by way of Boone where they burned the
court house as well as much private property, thence
by Patterson's Factory where the}^ burned the wool-
en 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 safe-
ty to the men and horses but a wagon of amuniticu
and a cannon were overturned and lost in the river.
The cannon and a lot of the amunition was found
after the war was over. Here the army was divided
into two sections ; one section was put under the
command of General Palma while General Stoneman
commanded the other section. Palma and his de-
tachment went on the North side of the Yadkin,
and Stoneman's section on the South side.
When the wing of tl e army under Stoneman's
command reached Cub creek it was too high to ford
eo he pitched his tent on the hill this side, just east
of where W. W. Barber now lives, and camped there
for 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 court house. Just at that moment Calvin J.
Cowles stepped in and pursuaded the soldier not to
burn the building. He argued that the provisions
« 13
94. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
ought to be distributed among the poor women and
children of the Union men in this county. The sol-
dier told him he would wait until. he could run to
Sto»*man's camp and see him. This Cowles did at
the peril of his life and succeeded in saving the
stores and the court house and jail and other build-
ingi ai well.
Stoneman sent Cowles with a number of soldiers
with a. message to General Palma who was encamp-
ed on the opposite side of the river with the other
wing of the army. Cowles urged Palma not to burn
the factory at Elkin ; this request was complied
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 were 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 avert-
ed.
OF WILKES COUNTY. 95.
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.
Sidney Stokes was appointed a cadet to the United
States Naval Academy at Anapolis, where he gradu-
ated. Upon his graduation at Anapolis he entered
the Navy and served for ten years or more when he
resigned and returned to his plantation to engage in
farming.
Stokes was appointed Major of the North Carolina
Volunteers in the war with Mexico. As an officer in
the Mexican war he displayed his ability to com-
mand 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 appearance. On it are the following in-
scriptions ;
"Presented to Maj. M. S. Stokes, of the N. C. Vol,
by the non-commissioned officers and privates under
his command in Mexico."
"Major M. S. Stokes, the Soldiers' 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. Pie
raised many fine cattle and often drove them on
foot to Philadelphia to market them. On one occa-
sion 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 dur-
ing Andrew Jackson's administration as President
96. HISTOltlCAL SKETCHES
and Jackson and Stokes had been school mates at
Ananolis. While in Washington Stokes was invited
to attend a banquet where the President was to be
the guest of honor. Stokes was a tall athlete with
long limbs and large hands. He rented a conven-
tional suit for the occasion but it was impossible to
find a suit that would fit the athletic figure. But
he went to the banquet 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 the two old schoolmates em-
braced and gave a singular coincidence to Washing-
ton 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 darky 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 confi-
dence 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 Regi-
ment was organized on May 11th, 1861, at Warren-
ton, Stokes' company was put in that Regiment and
was knowai as Company B. and he was elected Lieu-
tenant-Colonel of the Regiment.
Stokes was highly regarded by his superior offi-
cers 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 Brd,
1862, this gallant hero died from the wound he had
received a few davs l^jfore. His remains were
OF WILKES COUNTY. 97.
brought home and buried in front of the old Stokes
residence.
GENERAL JOHN SEVIER.
Genral John Sevier was not a native of Wilkes
county but in that section of country west of the
Blue Ridge and Smoky mountains that was in the
time of Severe a portion of Wilkes county he was
the most conspicuous man. In 1790 he was a mem-
ber of Congress from North Carolina, living at that
time in Wilkes county, the portion now Tennesse.
This year Tennessee was organized and admitted
into the Union as a State and General Sevier was
made the first Governor.
John Sevier was born in Virginia about 1740.
He came to the Holston river with an exploring par-
ty about 1769. He directed and aided in the con-
struction 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 the
ileetness of the roe towards the fort closely pursued
by Indians ; her approach to the gate was cut off by
the 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 Catharine Sherrill, who
in a few years became the devoted wife of the Colo-
nel, and the bosom companion of the General, the
Governor, tlie Congressman, the Senator, the peo-
ple's man and the patriot, John Sevier.
Sevier was a contemporary of Daniel Boone, and
devoted much of his time to bunting. He was con-
98. HISTOKICAL SKETCHES
stantly engaged in defending the fort from the at-
tacks of the Indians, and from the beginning the
people of the settlement regarded him as their
leader. During the Revolutionary war he and his
associates went into the Indian territory, scattered
the hostile bands, burnt the Indian towns and re-
turned to their homes in better security and some
more confidence of peace.
At the battle of King's Mountain Sevier com-
manded a section of the American army and shared
in the victory at that battle. The North Carolina
Legislature passed a resolution thanking Sevier for
his brilliant work at King's Mountain.
In 1784 came the scenes of the State of Franklin.
The people beyond the Smokies organized a govern-
ment 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
North Carolina to cede the territory to the general
government caused Sevier and the supporters of the
State of Franklin to come into measures of adjust-
ment. 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 into the Union, and General Sevier
was chosen first Governor.
The authorities in North Carolina had Sevier ar-
rested and he was taken to Morganton and put in
prison on the charge of rebelling against the State,
but was relea^sed because of his services at King's
Mountain.
In 1811 he was elected to Congress: he was re-
elected in 181B. He was a member of the Military
Committee during the #ar of 1S12.
OF WILKES COUNTY. 99.
In 1815 President Madison appointed him on a
commission to adjust some difficulties with the
Creek Indians. He engaged in the duties of a com-
missioner, was taken sick and died at an encamp-
ment on the east side of the Tallapoosa river, near
Fort Decatur, Ga., on the 24th of September, 1815,
and was buried with the honors of war.
CHARLEY GORDON.
Charley Gordon was a native of Wilkes county
and was a Captain under Colonel Cleveland during
the Revolutionary war. He was at the battle of
King's Mountain and distinguished himself by
siezing 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^B. Gor-
don, late Governor of the State of Georgia, and a
cousin of our illustrious Gen. James B. Gordon,
100. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
GENERAL JAMES B. GORDON.
Among the great men of Wilkes county the name
of 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 KScotch
ancestr}^. He was educated in the common schools
and academies of this section and at Emory and
Henry college. He engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness 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 lead-
er of his party in the county. In 1850 he was elect-
ed 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 ap-
pointed him Major of the regiment. The regiment
was composed of picked men and only men of cour-
age and bravery were chosen for this regiment. In
a few days Gordon was promoted to Lieutenant-
Colonel. On the 25th of July, 1862, the cavalry
was reorganized and the Ninth Regiment was placed
in the Hampton Brigade. Gordon's regiment was
Boon 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 Con-
federates to euCcessfully retreat with their men and
artillery.
At Gettysburg the fightiijg was mostly by infantry
OF \\aLKES COUNTY, 101
and artillery and the cavalr}" was not so extensively
engaged. However, Hampton's Brigade bore the
5)riint of a severe fight. Gordon commanded the
First N. C. Cavalry and bravely held his ground.
Alter the fall of Colonel Kvans he was put in com-
mand of the 6-3rd Regiment and he commanded that
regiment during the remainder of the Gettysburg
c'ampaign.
At the battles 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, 1864, the Fifth N. C. Cavalry returned
to their several homes for new horses and recupera-
tion. On May 2nd, they returned to the army and
were ordered to report to General R. E. Lee for as-
signment in Gordon's Cavalry Brigade. At that
time Gordon's brigade consisted of the the First,
Second, Fourth and Fifth North Carolina Cavalry
Regiments.
On April 80th, 1804, a special order was issued
taking Gordon's Brigade out of Hampton's division
and placing it in the di\ ision of General W, H. F.
Lee. Hami)ton regretted to have this done, and his
order in executing this transfer is here given in full,
4is it shows the high esteem in which Gordon and
ills men were held :
"Headquarters Hampton's Division Cavalry,
"Cavalry Camp, Army of Northern Va.,
"Milford, May 6, 1864.
"Brigadier General J. B. Gordon, Commanding
Cavalry Brigade:
"General: In pursuance of Special Orders No.
lis, 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
102. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
vicinity of Shady Grove, where you will concentrate
your brigade and report for further orders to Ma-
jor General Stuart. I am directed by Major Gener-
al Hampton, in communicating the above orders, to
express to you, and through you to your whole
brigade, the suri3rise 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 con-
sulted, 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
farewell, 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 com-
mand, 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 Spottsylvania C. H. Gordon's brigade made
the whole distance of of sixty-six miles in 23 hours,
without rest or sleep, reaching Spottsylvania about
sunset. Immediately he Avas 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 Appo-
OF WILKES COUNTY. 108.
mattox 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 said saved the trains of the Confed-
erates.
On May 9, 18G4, Sherridan began his raid on Rich-
mond. He had with him his whole corps, three di-
vieions of cavalry, at least 12,000 mounted men and
one brigade, and six batteries of artillery. To con-
tend with this great invading force Stuart could
command but three brigades — Lomax and Wick-
ham'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 suc<'eeded in getting in
Sherridan '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
Gordon's forces attacked his rear ferociously. The
Federals burned the Ground Squirrel bridge over
the South Anna river but Gordon found an old ford,
almost impassable, where he and his men crossed
rushed up the hill and drove the enemy back in con-
fusion. While Sheridan claimed the victory at Yel-
low 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 11th, and had
it not been for Gordon and his gallant men the cap-
ital 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 came in due
104. HISTOKICAL SKETCHES
time and was trained and fired upon the enemy. Im-
mediately one or more of Sheridan's guns were-
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 disgust-
ed and went in a gallop right into the fire down that
military road, and there he received his death
wound. He was taken to the hosi^ital but six days
later he died.
General Stuart also received his death wound at
Brook Church, and when at last he was sorely press-
ed and his squadron broken, just before his death,
his last words were: "Would to God, Gordon were
here." But Gordon, too, had received his death
wound.
Gordon's remains were brought home and buried
in the Episcopal cemetery at Wilkesboro. His last
resting place is marked by a beautiful monument,
and the ever<^reens and ftowers that grow about his
grave show the lasting admiration of his comrades,
friends and relatives. Wilkes is glad that the whole
country glories in the achievement of her noble son,
but his fame, his glory, and his tomb are all her
(nvn .
In his history of t?he 5th N. G. Cavalry, Col. Paul
B. Means has this to say : "Our great loss at Brook
church was the gallant and glorious James B. Gor-
don. The Fifth loved him as its commander during
the Gettysburg campaign and as his entire brigade
did for his splendid courage and merit in all re-
spects. He was the Murat of the army of Northern
Virginia, and had he lived he would have added in-
creased 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 com-
mand of the Brigade. Under General Gordon it
OF WILKES COUNTY. 105.
made famous its name of "The North Carolina Cav-
alry 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, a "veritable god of
battle." He did more than any other one man to
make his brigade what it was, and had he lived his
brigade would have placed his name as high on
North Carolina's roll of honor as that of any Con-
federate, if not higher. At Brook church on the
12th of May, 1864, he received a wound which prov-
ed mortal within a week."
THE "BUZZARD ROOST."
In the early daj^s 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. So it became
known as the "buzzard roost." The bottoms were
cleared by the late John Finley and were so produc-
tive that the name, "buzzard roost," was very ap-
propriate, and as long as Mr. Finley lived the bot-
toms were known as "John Finley's buzzard roost."
106. BISTOKTCAL SKETCHES
GENERAL JAMES WELLBORN.
In his day General James Wellborn was probably
the most prominent man in the county. He mar-
ried Rebecca Montgomery, one of the two heirs to
the large tracts of land knc^iwn as the Moravian sur-
veys.
James Wellborn was appointed General of the
malitia about the close of the Revolutionary war.
From the year 1796 to lcSB5 General Wellborn serv-
ed in the State Senate thirty years. He served in
succession from 1796 to 1811, from 1817 to 1821, in
1823 and 1824, in 1828 and 1829, in 1832, and in
1834 and 1835. Prior to 1835 members of the Gen-
eral Assembly were elected each year, so Wellborn
was elected thirty time-! in thirty-nine years. The
fact that a man can stand so popular for thirty-nine
years is honor enough for one man. I doubt if the
world can furnish a like example.
During his terms in the Senate General Wellborn
made streneous efforts to have the State build a
turnpike road from the mountains 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 peo-
ple of the west had to come to them for their neces-
sities turnpike or no turnpike, aud they were not
willing to be taxed to build the road for the accom-
odation 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 as Governor of the State.
He was buried on his plantation about 3 miles
west of Wilkesboro.
OF WTLKES COUNTY. 107.
HON. ANDERSON MITCHELL,
Anderson Mitchell was at one time a distin-
guished citizen of Wilkes; he was born in Caswell
county in the year 1800; was educated at the Bing-
ham School and at the State University at Chapel
Hill where he graduated in 1821. He read law un-
der George Henderson and was admitted to the bar
in 1823.
Mitchell located in Jefferson, Ashe county, to
practice his j^rofession. In 1827, '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 1840 he moved to Wiikesboro and the
same year was elected to the State Senate from
Wilkes. In 1842 he was elected to Congress but re-
sigried in 1843 to devote his entire time to the prac-
tice of law.
In 1859 he removed to Statesville. In 1866 he
was appointed Judge of the Superior Court, and in
1872 was elected, without opposition, to succeed
himself as Judge and he served until his death in
ISlic^ when Governor Brogden appointed D. M. Fur-
I'hes to succeed him.
On Dec. 24th, 1876, he died, and was buried in the
1-emetery at 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
a Howled ; neither was there any necessity for such,
for all the violators of the law were punished with-
out fear or favor. Our distinguished county man
Anderson Mitchell Vannoy was named after him
^nd was a close companion of the Judge until his
death. Mitchell was an able lawyer, an excellent
Judge, and a great and noble man.
108. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
COL. WM. M. BARBER.
The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 24th,
1884. He enlisted in the 87th 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 Col. Bar-
ber, recaptured the Confederate entrenchments,
which had been lost by other Confederate troops, on
the Darbytown road in the presence of General R.E.
Lee. At* Gravely Hill he led 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 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 Freder-
icksburg and performed his duty bravely. At Chan-
cellorsville he grappled with the enemy bravely and
drove them back but he descri'^ed 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. 80th, 1804, and died from the
wounds on the 8rd of the following October. His
remains were brought to Wilkesboro and buried in
the Episcopal cemetery.
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 Legis-
lature a number of times. He died about the close
of the war.
OF WILKES COUNTY, 1(X\
COL, THOMAS C. LAND.
Thomas C, Land is one of <^he landmarks of thr^
«couaty. He was born March 18, 1828, and was
raised on sl farm, attending the old fi-eld schools a
few weeks for a part of the winters. He attended
Did Beaver Creek Academy for a short time while
Hugh Stokes was principal.
At the outbreak of the war he joined Col. Sidney
Stokes' company as a private and served during the
war. K« was appointed ^commissary and later cor-
poral. Inn the Seven Days Fight around Richmond
he was wounded and was allowed to come home on
furlough. During his absence from the army he was
iippointed Lieut»8nant-Colonel of the 58rd regiment,
which position he assumed on his return to the ar-
my. He was wounded at the battle of Winchester
jand a number of other times but not seriously.
After the war GoL 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 tx) Wilkes where he has since lived.
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," and a number of other poems.
Col. Land has been fond of hunting and while in
the West he had quite 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 t:>nly office he ever held.
15
no.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
REV. W. R. BRADSHAW.
BY F. B. HENDREN.
Rev. W. R. Bradshaw, the pastor of the Baptist
church in Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro respect-
ively, was born in Burke county, N. C, on the 14th
of July, 1866. His father was a farmer and young
Bradshaw worked on his father's farm until he was
eighteen years old. He attended the district school
REV. W. R. BRADSHAW.
a few months in the winter, and at eighteen years of
age he entered Amherst Academy, situated near his
father's farm, under the tuition of Rev. R. L. Pat-
ton, one of the ablest ministers and educators in the
OF WILKES COUNTY. 111.
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 of 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 removal to this county
he took charge of the Baptist churches at Wilkesbo-
ro and North Wilkesboro. These pasturates 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 uni-
formly declined them. Under his eloquent sermons
and wise ministry the churches in the two Wilkes-
boros 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 coun-
ty, 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 promi-
nently connected with the educational interests of
the county.
1I2\
HTSTOKlCAt SKETCHES
NEWSPAPERS,
The Husffler, North Wilkesboro.
The HugTPi>MK was e^ablished in July, 1896, by T,
J. RobertsoD, the present owner and editor. It was
a three column, 8 page paper. On January 2, I8C67
T. J. ROBERTSON.
tlie entire outfit was destroyed by fire and not a cent
of insurance on the phint. Mr. Robertson assumed
the proportions of the name of his paper and in tw ?
weeks a new outfit was put in and the paper re-ap-
peared in an enlarged form — a 5 colun n, 8 page
paper. The Hustler has made steady advancement
OF WILKES COUNTY.
and now has a firm hold on the people
118.
of North
Wilkesboro and the county.
The editor and owner, T. J. Robertson, was born
in Pittsylvania county, Va., Feb. 27, 18(^5. In 1877
his parents moved to Kernersville, N. C, 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 estab-
lished The Hustler.
ROBERT A. DEAL.
The Chronicle i Wilkesboro,
The Chronicle was established at Lenoir by H.
S. Blair in 1883, but a few years later was moved
114. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
to Wilkesboro, and has been published continnously
ever since. Soon after the paper moved to Wilkes-
boro R. A. Deal bought it and has owned and con-
ducted it ever since. In 1899 he bought the Moun-
tain 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 attended Ruth-
erford College under Prof. R. L. Abernethy for
about two years, going in debt for his tuition.
After leaving Rutherford he taught school, and
when The Chronicle was established he worked with
it until he bought the paper, paying the last of his
Rutherford College tuition after coming to Wilkes-
boro. On Feb, 7, 1900, he was married to Miss
Mamie Wallace, 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 thor-
oughness in whatever he undertakes. He is an
ardent democrat and an earnest worker for his par-
ty, having served for a number of years as chairman
of the county executive committee. Pie was post-
master at Wilkesboro during Cleveland's last ad-
ministration.
The Yellow Jacket, Moravian Falls.
The Yellow Jacket was established by R. Don
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 Yel-
low Jacket was from the beginning a "warm baby."
It discusses politics almost exclusively from a re-
publican standpoint. The paper has been enlarged
OF WILKES COUNTY.
Ill
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. I]i
order to issue the paper in such quantities it was
necessary to install new machinery 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
R. DON LAWS.
Mr. Laws is making arrangements to put in a per-
fecting press.
R. Don Laws, the editor and proprietor of the
Yellow .Jacket, was born in Wilkes county in 1868,
und worked on the farm till he was 21 years old.
Mr. Laws printed the following account of himself
in his paper some time ago :
116. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
"We were born in Wilkes county, North Carolina,
in 1868, lived on a farm, ate corn bread and fat
meat and plowed a steer until we were 21 years old.
We were blessed with the opportunity of getting to
attend school for about eighteen months, all told.
At the age of thirteen we made the first printing
press we ever saw, carving the type from ivy wood.
When we obtained money enough a small hand
press and a few fonts of type were purchased. Print-
ing seemed to be our fort so we stuck to it. Some-
how we got 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. To-day 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 wit and
seems to be specially suited to the work he has a-
dopted. 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 young man, about 23
years old. He in widely known throughout this
county as a poet, having been writing verse since
his youth. He made his first printing press out of
wood.
OF WILKES COUNTY.
117.
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
A. C. HAMBY.
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 man-
ager.
A. G. Hamby, editor, was born in Wilkes county
Aug. 28, 1876, and worked on his father's farm un-
118. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
til he was seventeen years old. He attended Bethel
Hill Institute, Trap Hill Institute, Whitehead Acad-
emy, and he also spent nine months at Wake Forest
College. He paid his tuition and board by teaching
and working as a farm hand. He also attended the
Blue Ridge Institute for one session. He was licens-
ed to preach by hiB church but has not yet been or-
dained.
D. W. Lee, manager of the Baptist, was born
June 28, 1875, was raised on the farm and attended
school at Bethel Hill, Trap Hill and Whitehead.
At the last named place he taught a commercial de-
partment for one session. He was principal of New
Hope Academy in 1898 and 1899. In 1900 he, in
copartnership with his brother, established the Bap-
tist Instructor which was consolidated with the
Blue Ridge Baptist in 1901.
The Curfew, Breivers.
The Curfew was established m 1898 by W. L.
Brewer and J. J. Spicer ; at first it was a 3 colum, 4
l^age 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.)
OF WILKE8 COUNTY.
119.
LAWYERS,
John S, Cranor,
John Samuel Cranor was born at Rockford, in
Surry county, April 26, 1847. When he was about
JNO. S. CRANOR.
ten years old his father moved to Wilkesboro and
engaged in running a hotel. In 1864 he entered the
Confederate army, being then only seventeen years.
He enlisted in Company B, and was intended to be
assigned to the First Battalion North Carolina Re-
serves and was stationed at Camp Vance for instruc-
tions. Here he was captured by Col. Kirk of the
120. HiaTOKlCAL SKETCHES
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 com-
rades from exposure and hardships. After being
paroled after peace was proclaimed he returned to-
Wilkesboro, studied law and was admitted to the
bar in 1868.
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 1884 to
'86. In 1893 he represented his district in the State
Senate ; he was elected by 745 majority when the
majority was iisually about that much for the oppo-
sing 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 en-
tered 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 1884 he entered
Wake Forest College and graduated in 1888. After
his graduation he taught school for ten years, teach-
ing in Montgomery county, in High Point Female
College, in the Winston Graded Schools, in Jackson
county, and finally for four years was principal of
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 partner-
OF WILKES COUNTY. 121.
ship 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 Superin-
tendent of Schools of Burke county. Mr. Hendren
FRANK B. HENDREN.
is a ripe scholar and an able jurist. He is an en-
thusiastic member of the Baptist church and is a
great Sunday School worker.
William W, Barber,
The subject of this sketch was born in Wilkesboro
Oct. 14, 1855, and was educated by his father, Rev.
122.
HISTOKICAL SKETCHES
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 for the practice of law; the partnership
existed until 1887, several years after Col. Cowles
had been elected to Congress and was mutually dis-
WILLIAM W. BARBER.
solved ; since that time he has practiced law alone
in Wilkes and adjoining counties.
In early life he showed a fondness for politics and
since 1876 he has been an active worker for his par-
ty. He has several times been chairman of the
County Executive Committee of the Democratic
party ; he served eight years as a member of the ex-
OF WILKES COUNTY. 128.
ecutive committee for the judicial district, four
years as chairman ; for ten years he has been a mem-
ber of the Congressional Executive Committee, 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 Sen-
ate to which he was elected the previous year.
In 1890 he was the Democratic candidate for So-
licitor in this district ; he canvassed the district
against Hon. Thomas Settle, the Republican candi-
date. As the district was largely Republican Bar-
ber was defeated but he ran ahead of the ticket.
Mr. Settle resigned in 1898 and Gov. Thos. M. Holt
appointed Mr. Barber to succeed him and he served
till 1895. In 1894 he was again nominated by his
party for Solicitor but with his party he went d«:)wn
in defeat in that memorable campaign of 1894,
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 chil-
dren bless their home. Mr. Barber stands in the
fore front in his profession.
Frank D. Hackeff.
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 Distiller}-
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
124.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
FRANK D. HACKETT.
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 N. Hick er son »
The subject of this sketch was born in Boone
OF WILKES COUNTY. 125.
'County, Arkansas, August 20, 1874. When he 'Was
:jibout seven years old his parents movfed td'this
■county. Lytle worked on the farm and attended
the academic school at Eonda^ he also went to Mo-
ravian Falls Academy two years and finally took
the four years course at the State University at
Ohapel Hill, after which he studied law at States-
ville under Judge R. F. Arnifield and was admitted
to the bar. He located at North Wilkesboro where
he has since lived. He married Miss Jarvis, daugh-
ter of L. A, Jarvis, of North Wilkesboro.
Ewkard N. Hackett,
The subject of this sketch was born in Wilkesbo-
ro on the 4th of December, 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. Has always taken a lively interest in politics,
and when he was only twenty-one years old he was
chosen as chairman of the county Democratic Exec-
utive 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 Demo-
cratic nominees were elected. For more than ten
years he has been a member of the State Democratic
Executive Committee, and is also a member of the
Judicial Executive Committee. At all times he has
taken an active personal interest in the advance-
ment 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 repre-
16
126.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
sent North Carolina in New York at the centennial
alnniversary of Washington's Inaugeration.
In 1896 he was a candidate for the Lesjislature but
OF WILKES COUNTY. 127.
was defeated though he led the Democratic ticket by
f]00 votes. In 1898 he was a candidate for the nom-
ination 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 grace-
fully took the stump and canvassed the district for
Mr. Buxton.
In the campaign preceeding the August election
of 1900 Mr. Hackett canvassed the north-western
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 G-enoral Assembl}^ of 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, especiall}^ for the orphanage of the order. He
is a distinguished looking gentleman of pleasant
and agreeable manner, a man of unsullied honor, a
lawyer of much ability, and one of the coming
statesmen of North Carolina.
Herbert L. Greene.
Mr. Greene was born in Wilkesboro May 28,
1865, and was educated at the Wilkesboro Academy
and at the State University. He read law under
Col. 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 represented the county in the next General
Assembly. Mr. Greene has been chairman of the
128.
HISTOKTCAL SKETCHIT^
Coimty and also the Congressional Executive Cbiii-
niittees of his party.
Mr. Greene is the author of the bill enacted by
the Legislature of 1901 commanding the commis-
sioners of Wilkes county to build a new court house.
HERBERT L. GREENE.
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 John S. Cranor and was born
OF WILKES COUNTY. 129.
in Wilkesboro Nov. 20, 1875. He attended Wilkes-
boro 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. Dida.
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 Le-
noir ; 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 N. C. regiment. He was detailed to return
home and form a new company ; he was elected Ma-
jor and later was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel.
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 1874. In 1875 he
was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Con-
vention. 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 14,
1871, and was raised on the farm. He was educated
in the common schools and at Fair View College,
Trap Hill. For a number of years he engaged in
teaching school. At the age of twenty-two he be-
gan the study of law under Maj. Bingham, of States-
ville, and seven months later was admitted to
the bar.
130. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
Thomas B. Finley.
The subject of this sketch is the son of the late
Augustus W. Finley, one of the \yelthiest 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 1862 was Thomos B. Finley born. Dur-
ing his boyhood he worked hard on the farm, keep-
ing his work apace with that of the negroes hired by
his father. He was educated at Wilkesboro Acade-
my, Finley High School at Lenoir and at Davidson
College, completing an elective or scientific course
at the latter place in three years. At Davidson
College he won a gold medal for declaming. Re-
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 ex-
ists 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
North Wilkesboro ; he was the first man to advocate
the establishment of the Bank of North Wilkesboro
and it was largely through his efforts that the bank
was established. At present he is a director of the
I)ank. In 1888 he canvassed the county in favor of
the county issuing $100,000 bonds for the construc-
tion of a railroad to Wilkesboro. He has helped to
promote several other business institutions.
Although streneously urged by his friends Mr;
Finley has never been a candidate for office. In
1902 he was speciallv urged to become a candidate
for Judge of the Superior Court ; although assured
of the nomination he declined to abandon his prac-
OF WILKES COUNTY. 131.
tice. 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. 8, 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 prac-
tice 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 tern. 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 Leg-
islature by the Republican party and was elected by
259 majority, but by means of the trickery of polit-
ical machines four largely Republican precincts
were thrown out by the Canvassing Board, thus giv-
ing the place to another man by 41 majority.
In 1900 he was married to Miss Anna Gertrude
Johnson of Raleigh.
132.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
JAMES W. M NEILL.
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 tern, makes him special-
ly qualified for the office, while his services as So-
licitor have distinguished him as an able prosecu-
ting officer.
Mr. McNeill is a distinguished looking gentleman
and is one of the most gifted orators in this section.
He has made a marked success as a lawyer — seldom
equaled in so short a time — and a bright future is
before him.
OF WILKEB COUNTY. 133.
Luther M, 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 University and under Chas. H.
Armfield and was admitted to the ]mr in 1899. He
is locat^ed at Wilkesboro. His great grandfather
Jacob Lyon, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war
■and was in the ba;ttles of Brandy Wine and Kings
Mountain.
PHYSICIANS,
Dr. J. W. WMte.
Dr, White was born near Hamptonville in Yad-
Idn county March 9, 1861, and was raised on the
farm. When he was onl}^ six years old his father
died leaving three children, two younger than the
subject of this sketch. When he became old enough
the duty fell upon him to take the lead in caring for
liis mother and plantation. He received his literary
education in the public schools and academies of
his community, and he attended Jefferson Medical
-College, Philadelphia, wh«re he graduated in 1889.
He practiced medicine at Osbornville four years and
then moved to Wilkesboro where he has since resid-
ed. He has also takon two post graduate courses.
He is a member of the North Carolina Medical Soci-
ety and in 1898 was elected Vice President of that
body. He was county physician for about four
18
184.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
DR. J. W. WHITE.
years. In 1898 he was married to Miss
nor and one child blesses their home.
Dr. Geo. Doughton.
Pearl Syd-
The subject of this sketch was born in Alleghany
county in 18(^0 and was raised on the farm ; was ed-
ucated in the public schools and academies of the
community, and is a graduate of the Baltimore col-
lege of Physicians and Surgeons and a post graduate
of the New York Polycinic in the class of 1891. He
has also attended several other short courses — at
John Hopkins and elsewhere. At present he is local
OF WILKES COUNTY. 185.
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 ed-
ucated in the public schools and academies. He
studied medicine under Dr. Council and at the Bal-
timore College of Physicians and Surgeons. At first
he located at Southerlands, and in 1892 he moved to
North Wilkesboro. Pie has been phvsician 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 the 80th
of April, 1858, was raised on the farm and was edu-
cated 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 tow^n and county and
owns considerable property. He has been married
twice, first to Miss Mollie E. Howell who died in
1887; in 1889 he was married to Miss Sallie Bledsoe.
136.
HISTORICAL SKETCHEB
DR. JAS. M. TURNER.
He has had eight, children, three by his first wife
(two of whom are dead), and five by his last wife.
Dr. Comedore L. Hamby was born in Rowan
county June 28, 1857, was educated in the common
schools and academies of his section. He graduated
at Louisville Medical College in 1886. He first lo-
cated at Trap Hill where he remained there 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 Darnall and
they have six children.
OF WILKES COUNTY. IBT-
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 Myre. In 1901
he was appointed by the Superintendent of the Pen-
itentiary as physician for the convict camp in
Mitchell county.
Drs. R. W. S. Pegram and L. P. Somers are a-
mong our county physicians but the author is un-
able to give sketches of them. Both are members
of the U. S. Board of Examining Surgeons.
SCHOOLS OF WILKES COUNTY.
BY C. C. WRIGHT, CO. SUPT. OF SCHOOLS.
Wilkes county has had and now has a numl^er of
excellent schools of high grade. Among tliese are
Moravian Falls, one of the oldest higher institutions
of learning in the county. It flourished for a num-
ber of years under the wise and prudent manage-
ment of Rev. Gr. W. Greene and in later years of
Rev. W. R. Bradshaw, F. B. Hendren, 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 prosperous under
the care of Profs. A. E. Booth and W. S. Surrcitt.
The school is now in the hands of Prof. J. A. Bol-
din and bids fair to be one of our best schools. The
college at Trap Hill and the Institute for quite a
while did great good under the management of Prof.
Wagoner, Smith and others sending out many teach-
ers for the public schools of this and adjoining
188.
HISTOKICAL SKETCHES.
counties. The schools in the towns, Wilkesboro
and North Wilkesboro, have usually been undei: the
care of competent and able instructors and in the
main have been successful. The Blue Ridge Insti-
tute 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 Braver Creek,
New Hope, Cross Roads, Sulphur Springs, Peach
Orchard, Buggaboo and Ronda but for some time
no school has been taught in these save the public
school.
JAMES GORIK)N HACKETT.
OF WILKES COUNTY. 189.
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 mor« of the history of the county than any
•other man now living. The author of this work is
CALVIN J. COWLES.
140. HISTORICAL SKETCHES
largely indebted to him for his assistance in getting
lip this voliimn.
He Avas born at Hampton ville in old Surry county
Jan. 6th, 1821. When 18 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 of twelve he was
afflicted with white swelling from which he has suf-
fered more or less ever since. He was appointed by
Congressman Lewis Williams as cadet to the Naval
academy at Anapolis but declined in favor of his
step brother.
In 1846 he moved to Wilkes and put up a store at
the mouth of Elk hauling his goods in wagons from
Fayetteville, N. C, and Columbia, S. C, the near-
est 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 avowed Union man
but would have been conscripted into the Confeder-
ate service had it not been for his physical disabil-
ity. After the war he took a prominent part in re-
construction. In 1866 he was a candidate for a
seat in the Constitutional Convention but was de-
feated. In 1867 he was again a candidate for the
same position and was elected and was made Presi-
dent of the Convention, receiving 101 of the 109
votes cast. The convention was composed of 87
native 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
OF WILKES COUNTY. 141.
Gen. Grant for aid in protecting life and property
in the State.
In '67 Cowles was a candidate for the State Sen-
ate but was defeated* by one vote.
In '68 he was a candidate 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
Assay or in charge of the mint at Charlotte, which
position he held for 16 years. In '75 Congress fail-
ed 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 Mar-
tha 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 Holden ;
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 one of the lar-
gest in the State.
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