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THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
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It’s the People Who Make ‘Sweet Carthage’ Special BY MARTHA J. HENDERSON Special Sections Editor
Affectionately called “Sweet Carthage” by some, the county seat is the kind of small town that books are written about and TV shows are set. In fact, many think that one TV show, “The Andy Griffith Show,” could have been staged in Carthage. Centered around a historic courthouse, the town of Carthage bustles with government activity while maintaining the charm of a small Southern community. It’s the kind of town where neighbors help neighbors, no one’s a stranger for long and kids know trouble committed on one side of town will be known by mom on the other side before they get home.
True Measure of a Town’s Value A close-knit community, this pleasant little town boasts a rich heritage as a county seat, a thriving economic base and residents who offer solace and service to neighbors in need. In May 2009, after the town suffered through two violent tragedies in as many months, The Pilot ran an editorial that pointed out how the people responded to the shock and misfortunate when it struck.
Instead of protests and cries for revenge, the people of Carthage gathered in churches to seek guidance and offer comfort to one another. And they focused on honoring a Carthage police officer who risked his life to save others. The editorial went on to say that Carthage is “a place where strangers smilingly open the door for others at the post office and receive smiling thanks in response.” It ended by saying “this is the true measure of the town’s value.” Whether you live in Carthage, are in town conducting business at one of the many county government offices or are enjoying a day in the sun at the town’s annual Buggy Festival, this is the Carthage you’ll experience. And, it all comes back to the people who call Carthage home. “What makes Carthage special is the people,” says Town Manager Carol Sparks. “We’re a small town where we look out for
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names of the town’s founding fathers, Malcolm McNeill, Malcolm Munroe, Thomas McReynolds, Cornelius Dowd and William Martin. In 1796, these men were appointed commissioners to “lay off 69 acres, to be established into a town by the name of Carthage.” Incorporated in 1796, Carthage celebrated its bicentennial in 1996 with a yearlong series of events. The celebration honored not only the town’s history but the residents who have helped create the character and essence of Carthage. Over the years, several noted people have called Carthage home, including President Andrew Johnson when he was a young tailor’s apprentice. Already a minor celebrity when JACK DODSON he came to North Carolina to join /The Pilot his father, Randolph & Cumberland Noted Personalities railroad president Samuel McConnell, The current citizens of Carthage are carrying on the traditions laid by the people James Rogers McConnell would gain who came before. Many of the streets in Carthage bear the see CARTHAGE, page 4
each other.” Mayor Tom Stewart agrees. “Our most important asset is our citizens.”
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PAGE 4
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C
Carthage From Page 3
On the Cover The historic courthouse in downtown Carthage was built in 1922.
About This Issue Cover Design Kathryn Galloway, Page Designer Cover Photograph Glenn M. Sides Supplement Design/Layout Martha J. Henderson, Special Sections Editor Contributing Writers John Chappell, Florence Gilkeson, John Hairr, Martha J. Henderson and Deborah Salomon Contributing Photographers Jack Dodson, Erick Duplessis, Glenn M. Sides and Hannah Sharpe For advertising information, contact Pat Taylor at (910) 693-2505 or e-mail advertise@thepilot.com
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notoriety when he became oe of the first four American pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille. The town also has hosted its fair share of notable personalities. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited Carthage on April 28, 1940. Greeted by a crowd of 2,000, she toured the recently completed Carthage Community House during the facility’s dedication. After serving as the town hall for many years, the stone structure has now been turned back into a community center.
Growing Population Since 1990, Carthage has grown in population by more than 140 percent, to a current number of more than 2,000. It is the fastest growing town in the Sandhills, and is among the Top 20 fastest growing municipalities in North Carolina. While there are many senior citizens in Carthage, Sparks says, there also are a lot of younger people living here. She points out that many of these young families are people who grew up in the town and moved back when they began their families in order to raise their children in the same environment they had experienced growing up. Carthage is served by severals schools in the Moore County Public School System, including Union Pines High School, New Century Middle School, Carthage Elementary School, Pinckney Academy and Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School. Churches have proven to be a source of strength for the community over the years. There are a number of churches in Carthage, including Mount Zion A.M.E.Z. Church, Lighthouse Assembly of God, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Pine Grove Baptist Church, Pleasant Hill Church, Summer Hill Baptist Church; Trinity Bible Church, Crossroads Community Church, Holy Temple Church, Mount Olive Church, First Presbyterian Church, Community Friends Church, Carthage Church of Christ, Gospel Chapel Community Church, St. Augustine Zion
Carthage By The Numbers: 2,245
latitude:
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
enjoy. These include three parks, Lake Church, First Missionary Baptist Church, Luke Marion, a Dan Maples-designed golf Unity Grove Baptist Church, Victory course at Little River Golf & Resort, a Community Baptist Church, Carthage museum and a library that is part of the United Methodist Church, Stoney Hill county’s library system. Church and Union Presbyterian Church. Nancy Kiser Park is a 9-acre community The Carthage Police Department is locatpark that contains a baseball/softball field, ed within the Carthage Municipal Building, walking trail, playground, tennis courts, a 4396 U.S. 15-501. The department is staffed with 10 full-time officers, an administrative basketball court, volleyball court, amphitheater, picnic shelters and picnic assistant and six auxiliary officers. tables. Headed by Chief Bryan Tyner, the Located on the southern edge of Carthage Volunteer Fire Department is at Carthage is Hillcrest Park, a 45-acre multi4396 U.S. 15-501. In addition to the fire purpose county park and athletic complex. chief, the department includes six partThe park contains four 300-foot baseball, time firefightsoccer and football fields, ers and 25 volplayground equipunteers. They ment, a walking trail, serve an area sand volleyball court of 113 square and a picnic area. miles and a Caviness Park is population of located across the approximatestreet from 105 E. ly 4,600 Barrett St. people. Lake Luke Marion In addition offers a tree-lined to Mayor walking trail surroundStewart, the ing the lake. Fish and current wildlife are abundant in Carthage this facility. town board The Carthage Museum includes GLENN M. displays the history of mayor pro The Moore County SIDES/The Pilot Veterans Mem veterans who Carthage over a 200-plustem Jean o ri a l h o have connect ions to the co nors year period. The museum Riley, Lee unty. is staffed and operated by McGraw, Lisa Caddell, volunteers. Milton “T” Dowdy and Artie Barber. The Carthage historic district includes more than 50 structures, some dating back Plenty to Do in Carthage to the pre-Civil War period. The district is Carthage is an active and involved listed on the National Register of Historic community with citizens who celebrate Places and is located along McReynolds their community with special events and Street (N.C. 24-27). activities throughout the year. The annual The Gilliam-McConnell Airfield not only Buggy Festival, held each May on Mothers’ brings people to town, but also offers Day weekend, continues to grow each year, plenty of opportunities for visitors to see attracting thousands to town for entertainvintage airplanes up close and personal. ment, family fun and, of course, buggies. The Moore County Veterans Memorial is The event has been listed on Southeast in the Carriage Oaks complex off U.S. 15Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events. The Carthage “World Famous” Christmas 501. The names of thousands of veterans have been added to the tablets erected at parade and the Carthage Fourth of July parade are attended by thousands of Moore the memorial. These men and women are natives of Moore County, residents or County residents and visitors. In former residents and friends of the county. September each year, Carthage is home to the Moore County Agricultural Fair, held at The monument also honors veterans who were killed in action. A Veterans Memorial the Moore County fairgrounds. program is held at the site annually for the The town of Carthage offers a number of national observance of Veterans Day. amenities for residents and visitors alike to
35°19’46” N
elevation:
population
617 median age
area: feet
longitude:
5.9
79°24’31” W
square miles
40.3 28327
ZIP code
768 housing units
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
PAGE 5
County Revolves Around Carthage BY FLORENCE GILKESON Senior Writer
Carthage is noted for many characteristics — its long history, home of the storied Tyson Buggy Company and the lively annual Buggy Festival, and for the tragedy at Pinelake Health and Rehab Center last year. It’s also known as one of the fastestgrowing municipalities in Moore County. But above all, Carthage is the Moore County seat. With its historic courthouse positioned in a circle with four spokes, the county has enjoyed this town as the centerpiece of county government for 225 years. Whether it is by telephone, e-mail or personal visit, Carthage is the place that most residents must make contact with on a regular basis. The county seat is the place to pay your taxes, file a deed or property transfer, secure a zoning permit, serve as a juror or face the judge if accused of a crime. Residents may visit Carthage to apply for veterans’ services, secure a septic tank permit, or adopt a dog or cat. Sooner or later, most Moore Countians find their way to Carthage. This is where the Moore County Board of Commissioners meets. It’s also the place where the education, elections, planning, health and social services boards meet, just
GLENN M. SIDES/The Pilot
The historic courthouse is located in the center of downtown Carthage. to name a few. The town actually predates Moore County. Carthage was incorporated in 1776, when the area now known as Moore was still part of Cumberland County. Moore became a separate county in 1783. In 1784, local court and government sessions were held at a residence near what is now Cameron. Those sessions were moved to another residence, this one near Union Church, later that year. The home of Richardson Fagin became the court and government meeting place in 1785. In gratitude for Fagin’s generosity, the town changed its name to Fagansville in 1806. The name was changed back to Carthage in 1818, the reason not clear. By any name, the town had become the official county seat by then. Today, county government sprawls throughout the town, from the historic courthouse in downtown to the outskirts. The tax department, administration, county attorney and personnel staff are among the offices that are still housed in the old courthouse.
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Court sessions are held in another large building across the street. To differentiate their functions, the newer building, dating to the late 1970s, is called the Courts Facility. Across the street in another direction is the Register of Deeds building, which, like the courts, was once part of the historic building. Clustered beyond these buildings are the jail, the main county library, the Currie Building housing emergency services and 911 communications facilities, and buildings for the finance office and the child support enforcement program. Scattered elsewhere downtown are offices for the district attorney and parole/ probation services, including a separate facility for the Day Reporting Center. Farther down Monroe Street is a building housing such agencies as Moore County Transportation Services and the Veterans Service office. The visitor must travel about a mile east on Monroe Street to find the Department of Social Services, the planning, inspection
and environmental health offices. These offices are in the Carriage Oaks complex, a former shopping center. Another cluster of county buildings is found in the Moore County Office Park on Pinehurst Avenue. Here the visitor finds both the health department and the agricultural center. It’s also the location of the county garage, automotive fleet, property management, storage and related facilities. Across the street is the home of the Moore County Board of Elections. For some county services, the visitor does not need to travel into downtown Carthage. On U.S. 15-501 in the Hillcrest community is yet another grouping of county buildings. Fronting the highway is the public works building, including offices for public utilities. At the rear of that building is the animal shelter, also the site for animal control. Nearby on U.S. 15-501 is the Moore County Schools headquarters complex. The only large county facility not found in Carthage is the Senior Enrichment Center on U.S. 15-501 south of Eastwood and north of the Pinehurst Traffic Circle. This building houses the department of aging. County seat status is a mixed blessing. All these government buildings are an impressive presence in a small town, but they also represent a loss of property tax revenue to the town. However, income generated by hundreds of county employees and thousands of visitors coming to town to transact business compensates for some of that loss. They buy lunches at local restaurants, buy gas at local stations, pick up items at the drugstore, variety store and supermarket. Many of those employees live in Carthage, and they pay taxes. One certainty is growth. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the town’s population at 2,070 in 2009, up from 1,871 in 2000 and more than double the 976 figure of 1990. Visitors come because Carthage is the county seat. Many stay because it’s a nice place to live and work.
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THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
FROM FAGANSVILLE TO CARTHAGE
The History of a Small Southern Town
uring the early period of North Carolina’s history, the land upon which Carthage now stands came under the administration of several precincts or counties. Bladen County was formed in 1734, from New Hanover. It was while a part of Bladen that the present Moore County area first began to be settled, although most of this activity was in the north along Deep River. In 1754, the land where Carthage now stands became Cumberland County. Thanks in part to an influx of settlers from Scotland and to the growth of the settlements along Deep River, what is now Moore began to be populated. On July 4, 1784, old Cumberland was cut in half and Moore County was created. After a year or so, a county seat was established on land owned by Richardson Fagin. It was called Fagansville. By the early 1790s, the courthouse site was proving to be inconvenient. In 1796, Malcolm McNeill, Malcom Munroe, Thomas McReynolds, Cornelius
D
Dowd and William Martin were appointed commissioners to “lay off 69 acres, to be established into a town by the name of Carthage.” It was not until 1803 that the Moore officials finally began meeting at Carthage, thanks to a directive from the General Assembly insisting the Moore officials carry into effect the act passed in 1796. The town of Carthage changed its name to Fagansville in 1806. It was named in honor of Richardson Fagin, perhaps as a reward for letting the county seat be moved from his house to another tract of land he donated to the county. In 1818, at the instigation of the legislature, the name reverted from Fagansville back to Carthage. The exact reason for the change is unknown, but the town has been called Carthage ever since.
Presidential Citizen In 1818, Carthage emerged into a period when most of the inhabitants of North Carolina were content with the status quo.
There was little growth. Those looking for change chose to migrate to the western frontier. One prominent individual who called Moore County home before heading west to gain fame and fortune was a young tailor’s apprentice named Andrew Johnson. In 1824, Johnson arrived in Carthage after running away from his master in Raleigh. He rented a small building and went into the tailoring business. Ms. Meade Seawell noted that Johnson “brought practically nothing with him but a penetrating wit, a steady hand, and more than a modicum of expertise in tailoring men’s suits. … He made suits for many prominent men of the area, including Kenneth Murchison and Cornelius P. Dowd.” Johnson did not remain long in Carthage. He soon packed up his belongings and moved to South Carolina. His travels would take him west, to Tennessee, and eventually to the White House, where he served as president of the United States from 18651869.
On February 2, 1925, the people of Carthage erected a granite marker commemorating the sojourn of this runaway apprentice tailor.
Tackling Transportation Between 1828 and 1837, several railroads were projected to be built, but were never realized due to the Panic of 1837. This failure of the railroad projects was fortunate for Carthage, at least from a commercial perspective, because all of the routes chosen for the rail lines from Fayetteville west lay across southern Moore County. Thus the overland commerce of the day continued to be carried out over the roads which differed little from those glorified trails of the Revolutionary War era. In January 1849, the Fayetteville and Western Plank Road company was chartered to construct a plank road from Fayetteville to Salisbury. Built of wood, plank roads were a new
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History From Page 6
form of roading building that had been developed in Canada and Russia to provide a good road surface across difficult terrain. Work on the plank road was slow at first. The first 12.8 mile section of the road from Fayetteville to Manchester was opened to travel and ready for toll by April 1850. The next section of road, from Little River to Carthage, opened by the first of September. Col. Alexander Murchison was the contractor for the road from present Harnett County to Carthage. The total cost for constructing the road between Fayetteville and Carthage was $61,677.15. At intervals of 10 to 12 miles, toll houses were constructed to collect fees due from travelers upon this private road. A toll house in Carthage, built for $300 on land obtained from Dr. S.C. Bruce, was constructed early in 1851. Haywood L. Muse was listed as the first toll collector, and for his service he received $150 per annum. Wagons full of products from farms rolled through Carthage on their way to market in Fayetteville, bringing every conceivable farm commodity, from apples and wheat to tobacco. A well-traveled thoroughfare, the Plank Road reached its peak usage in 1854-55.
Reports for the total amount of tolls collected reached a peak in 1854 when $26,796.73 was taken in. Toll rates were one cent a mile for horseback riders, one and a half cents per mile for one-horse wagons, two cents a mile for a two-horse team, two and a half cents for a three-horse team, and three cents for a four-horse team. In a state of ruin with no prospects of repair in a war-ravaged South, the Plank Road ceased to exist, though its practical route first surveyed by the Rev. Elisha Mitchell is still in use in many spots in the present day. In Carthage, an official historical marker on Monroe Street stands, commemorating this wooden highway which meant so much to the town’s life and early prosperity.
War and Aftermath The town of Carthage saw no major action during the costliest war in the nation’s history. While no great battles were fought in its environs, as an established county seat, Carthage was the rendezvous point for those units from Moore County mustered for service in the Confederate Army. The war years were extremely difficult. Merchants in Carthage were forced to remain closed most of the time because they had no merchandise to sell except on rare occasions. The lack of money was the main problem
confronting the populace following the conclusion of the War Between the States in the spring of 1865, because the Confederate currency was worthless. The industrious citizens of Carthage began to once again see a return of its commercial enterprises. Commodities once cut off by the war and blockade were becoming available and the merchants were able to stock their stores and open for business. The first store to reopen in Moore County was Carthage’s Tyson and McNeill.
New Government On May 3, 1875, an election was held in the courthouse of Carthage at the behest of the legislature, which had decreed that the town adopt a new system of local government. This election was not only significant for the fact that a mayor and board of commissioners were chosen, but also because the actions of those assembled are the first recorded records in the minutes for the town board. Chosen as Carthage’s first mayor was A.M.D. Williamson. The first town commissioners were A.W. Campbell, C.E. Jones, E.P. Sikes and A.H. McNeill. The mayor and commissioners adopted a set of rules by which to run the town, the “Code of Law and Regulations for the Town of Carthage.”
A Tale of Courthouses In 1814, the courthouse was moved to the
PAGE 7 present location of the historic courthouse at the intersection of the main avenue of Carthage. Carthage sits on a high commanding ridge, and the courthouse site marks the highest elevation in that part of the county. The 1814 courthouse was made of wood and was called The Red House. In 1837, the floor of The Red House collapsed and a third courthouse had to be built. The new courthouse was made of brick. In 1889, it burned, destroying many valuable papers and documentation of the county’s early history. Within a year, the fourth courthouse, also of brick, was built. The fourth courthouse was replaced in 1922 with the large building in the center of town that stands today, referred to as the historic courthouse. Moore County’s sixth county courthouse and government building was erected across the street, leaving the historic courthouse standing in the middle of the circle. Today, both the fifth and sixth courthouses serve as government offices and court facilities.
This history is adapted from “A History of Carthage 1976-1996,” written by John Hairr. The book was a project of the 1996 Carthage bicentennial celebration and was the product of the hard work of numerous people, including the Town of Carthage Historical Committee, town staff and the author.
MOORE COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL Groundbreaking ceremony of the Moore County Veterans Memorial September 26th, 2005 Over 7200 names have been added
Each Generation Serves in a Different Way!
Everyone is invited to attend and help us honor and remember our Moore County Veterans
Saturday, November 13, 2010 • 10 A.M. Carriage Oaks Plaza • Carthage
at the intersection of Hwy 24/27 and 15/501. Refreshments will be served.
PAGE 8
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
Eating Places Abound in Carthage
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
Local Restaurant Honors Flying Tigers Heroes
BY MARTHA J. HENDERSON Special Sections Editor
BY JOHN CHAPPELL
If you’re in Carthage and you’re hungry, it’s no one’s fault but your own. From hamburgers, barbecue and pizza to jumbo pancakes and fresh-roasted coffee, a number of restaurants and eateries call the county seat home. Although the menus vary from place to place, they all have a few things in common — good food, friendly service and a feeling of hometown pride. Some of the choices Carthage has to offer include: Mr. B’s, 105 Monroe St. — Conveniently located across from the new courthouse, Mr. B’s serves fresh, made-to-order sub and deli sandwiches, salads and soups. Daily specials are a popular item, says owner Wiley Bunce, who opened Mr. B’s in 1993. The specials are served on either grilled sourdough or pita and come with side of soup, salad or homemade pasta salad and tea for $5.50. Add an Otis Spunkmeyer cookie for only 25¢ more. Catering with custom menus also is available. Mr. B’s is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Chuck Wagon, 306 Monroe St. — Called Ronnie’s by locals since Ronnie Gray opened the former Wagon Wheel in 1972, The Chuck Wagon is a take-out joint where customers walk up and order. A former carpenter, Gray decided he would try selling hot dogs. That was 27 years ago and things have worked out well. The hot dogs are served all the way with mustard, ketchup, homemade slaw, chili and onions and continue to be a very popular item. The Chuck Wagon also serves burgers, barbecue, fish and chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, fries and onion rings. And, don’t forget the milkshakes. Gray says, “We sell a lot of milkshakes.” The Chuck Wagon is open 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Coffee Court, 105 H. McReynolds St. — Whether you want to surf the Internet while drinking a cup of coffee, grab a quick sandwich or enjoy a leisurely meal, The Coffee Court offers plenty of options. With 65 different coffee flavors available, including peppermint, chocolate and coconut, The Coffee Court can provide a pleasing jolt to your day. Owner Sue Coble has been serving daily specials such as taco salads, burgers, and tuna, chicken or club sandwiches to locals and tourists alike for nearly five years. Breakfast is also a big hit. The Coffee Court is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Pik N Pig, 195 Gilliam McConnell Road — Voted as Moore County’s best barbecue for the last three years, The Pik N Pig has established itself as one fine barbecue restaurant. Owned by Janie Sheppard and her son, Ashley, The Pik N Pig’s pulled pork barbecue, smoked onsite over a hickory fire, attracts customers from across the county, the state and even the country. Two sauces — sweet and spicy — are available, as are lots of country-style vegetables, including potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, green beans, butter beans and corn, pinto beans and mashed sweet potatoes. Then there are the homemade desserts. We’d tell you about those, but then we’d have to share. The Pik N Pig is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 12 to 3 p.m. Sunday.
see EATING, page 10
winged tiger on the fuselage. Framed advertisements from the World War II period use images of Flying Tiger pilots sharing The newest restaurant in Carthage is also a monuCokes with Chinese soldiers. Others pay tribute to ment to heroes. On a hilltop by the road leading out from Courthouse Square toward Sanford is the most Chennault. Some frames hold ads for movies about them. There are photos of Chennault and pilots planrecent Peking Wok Chinese Restaurant. Its name is ning raids, one of him at his desk on base. One the “Flying Tiger.” shows a Chinese veteran of that war embracing an Its name honors Americans who fought side-byAmerican Flying Tiger side with the Chinese to comrade from long ago repel the invasion and near the museum to expel the occupying army Chennault and the Flying of the Empire of Japan. Tigers in Pinehurst’s sis“This Peking Wok ter city, Zhi Jiang. Chinese restaurant honors A huge, three-dimenwith the name Flying sioned panel models a key Tiger all those brave men scene from a historic and women who leave Chinese pictorial scroll. A their homes for distant big flat-screen TV shows lands to help strangers documentaries about the fight their oppressors,” Flying Tigers. Long buffet says owner Leon Zhang. tables set out items for “It is dedicated to all the diners. past, present and future Other displays, some‘Flying Tigers’ — by times enlarged pages which I mean not only from Life magazine, tell those who blazed a path of the story of these famed glory in the China skies in fighters as recorded by World War II, but their history: predecessors like the When Japan invaded World War I pilots of the China in 1937, and pushed Lafayette Escadrille and the government to the all who followed in their western city of Kunming, wake.” it left only a twisting path Zhang grew up in through the mountains of Hunan Province. He and northern Burma, known his wife moved to the JOHN CHAPPELL/The Pilot as the Burma Road, as the United States and became Leon Zhang stands beside the sign for his sole supply route for citizens. They have two China’s defenders. boys. One is a student at Flying Tiger restaurant in Carthage. President Franklin The O’Neal School, the Delano Roosevelt wanted to help China, believing it other graduated there last year as valedictorian of had the potential to become a great democracy. He his class and is a freshman at Washington used the Lend-Lease program to make Curtiss P-40 University in St. Louis. Tomahawks available. These were powerful, lowFlying Tigers are as famous across China as any altitude fighters that could drive straight at the superhero here. Their exploits are the stuff of leglighter enemy aircraft. FDR’s government looked end, and they are honored as examples of brave the other way as AVG recruiters canvassed U.S. men who from the beginning of America have not military bases looking for pilots and ground personalways waited for their country to enter a war fornel who were released to sign up. mally to fight for causes they supported. During the summer of 1941, 300 men boarded “In China, it was one group of Americans, the boats for Asia posing as tourists. They carried passFlying Tigers — the American Volunteer Group ports identifying them as teachers, but it was Japan (AVG) — that gained the most fame and notoriety in they meant to teach a lesson. A lot of them certainly the early days of the war against fascism,” Zhang looked the part of the sort of undisciplined band of says. “China asked U.S. Army Air Corps veteran Claire Chennault to train pilots, and later to organize adventurers, barnstormers and mercenaries Chennault was afraid his project would attract. and lead the Flying Tigers.” Some told lies about their flying, claiming pursuit Zhang has decorated his Carthage restaurant to experience when they had only flown bombers and match its name. Large photographs of Chennault, of sometimes even much less powerful airplanes. P-40 fighter planes both in the air and on the ground — each distinguished by the toothy shark’s mouth see FLYING TIGERS, page 9 painted on its engine cowling and the Walt Disney Staff Writer
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
Flying Tigers From Page 8
Some joined to gain combat flying experience, others for the adventure. The salary lured some. They were mercenaries, gamblers, idealists, bar brawlers and adventurers. However, and much more importantly, these men of the AVG — these Flying Tigers — were patriots, knights errant of a modern age. Pages of Life magazine framed at the end of the buffet tell their story in pictures that look back across the years from their bases in China and Burma. At an English airfield in Rangoon, these volunteers began what Chennault called “kindergarten” — basically learning to fly fast, single-engine fighters. Classes taught Asian geography, the history of Japanese-Chinese relations, and pursuit flight tactics adapted to the P-40 supplemented flight training. Then the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December, leaving the small American group with few supplies and little hope of reinforcement. Starting with 43 serviceable P-40B fighters and 84 former military pilots, their first combat was on Dec. 20, 1941. They adopted shark’s teeth from a magazine photograph of English P-40s in North Africa as their
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. squadron symbol, and painted it on all the AVG planes. The men didn’t know that Walt Disney had already drawn a winged tiger emblem for them — but when it arrived, they wore it also with pride, along with the shark’s teeth. The name Flying Tigers came from news reports of the group’s exploits: The AVG was flashy, informal and very effective. From Dec. 1941 to July 1942, Flying Tiger P-40s destroyed 296 Japanese aircraft in China and Burma. Chennault’s volunteers were disbanded after U.S. Army Air Forces arrived in July 1942. A few joined him in a regular army unit called the China Air Task Force. By March 1943, his Task Force had become the kernel of America’s new 14th Air Force. They were still called Flying Tigers. All supplies and material for their bases in China had to be flown over “the Hump,” a dangerous 500-mile air route from India to China over the Himalayas. Despite supply problems, the 14th Air Force grew from fewer than 200 aircraft to more than 700 planes by the end of the war. American airmen in China destroyed and damaged more than 4,000 Japanese aircraft. They sank more than a million tons of ships and destroyed hundreds of locomotives, trucks and bridges while helping to defeat Imperial Japan in China. The story of one Flying Tiger in particular inspired Peking Wok’s choice of name for its new Carthage restaurant. On
PAGE 9
October 6, 1944, a P-40B was shot down to rest. near Guidong. A Chinese rescue team Its inscription says, in part: In the middle of the 20th century, the rushed 40 miles over mountainous terrain Chinese and American peoples fought to reach the spot only to find the plane in shoulder to shoulder against Fascism and pieces and its pilot dead. for world justice. In the They covered the pilot’s course of it, profound dead body with a hero’s trafriendship was developed. ditional red silk cloth. They Robert Hoyle Upchurch bore his body to the county gave his life for the cause of township. After a mourning the liberation of the Chinese ceremony to commemorate people, and died for the Ou their unknown hero, they River and the high mounburied his body near a Ming tains of Guidong. His loyalDynasty tower. A sign with ty and noble spirit will the words “American Pilot” remain in the world forever. was set up. When Zhang returned to Every April on Tomb Moore County and began Sweeping Day — for 63 planning his new Peking years — the people of Wok, he thought of Guidong brought flowers to Upchurch and all the others honor their unknown Flying who’d sacrificed so much Tiger. In 2005, DNA identiJOHN CHAPPELL/The Pilot fied remains taken from that One of the many photos for the liberty of his native burial site as those of 2nd Lt. on display is of Flying Tiger land. He decided to honor Robert Hoyle Upchurch of Lewis Burwell, of Pinehurst, them all by naming the new Carthage restaurant after High Falls, N.C. He was with his sabre-toothed P- his heroes. brought back and reburied 40 fighter. “Welcome to the Flying there in the family plot. Tiger,” he now says, greetZhang accompanied state ing patrons at the lobby entrance beneath a Sen. Harris Blake as part of a North huge, smiling photo of Upchurch in battle Carolina delegation to Guidong in April dress, machine gun on his shoulder. 2007. They joined Upchurch family members at ceremonies dedicating a monument Contact John Chappell at to Upchurch in Guidong at the spot on jfchappell@gmail.com. Santai Mountain where he’d first been laid
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PAGE 10
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
What’s In a Name? BY JOHN HAIRR Special to The Pilot
There is no record to verify why the town of Carthage was so named. Most Southerners of that era received their education from the classics of the ancient Greeks and Romans, so it is no wonder to find so many towns and cities throughout the South with names from the ancient world, e.g., Rome, Sparta, Athens, Corinth, Carthage and so forth. There are some bits of folklore which have cropped up in the past 200 years to try to explain the naming of the town. Ms. Meade Seawell once wrote that it was a popular belief that the name had to do with the steep climb up the old trails into the town. It reminded many who made the trip of the story about the famous episode of Hannibal crossing the Alps, hence they named it for this hometown. Meanwhile, Ms. Seawell’s brother, H.F. “Chub” Seawell Jr., put forth a different view. “… When George Washington told his first cousin Dr. Glascock, who lived at Cross Hill, that he had as hard a time finding it as Hannibal
had getting to Carthage, this historical lie got into circulation and Carthage, North Carolina, was born.” Though these are colorful and amusing anecdotes, there is no hard evidence to back up either claim. Thus, the actual reason behind the naming of Carthage will remain a mystery. Regardless of how the name Carthage came to be given to a town in North Carolina, this young “New City” had its name changed to Fagansville in 1806. It was so named in honor of Richardson Fagin. Perhaps it was a reward for letting the county seat be moved from his house to another tract of land he donated to the county. In 1818, at the instigation of the legislature, the name reverted from Fagansville back to Carthage. The exact reason for the change is unknown, but the town has been called Carthage ever since.
This excerpt is from “A History of Carthage 1976-1996,” written by John Hairr. The book was a project of the 1996 Carthage bicentennial celebration.
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Eating From Page 8 Chris’ Family Restaurant, 1005 Monroe St. — If you’re looking for a good Southern familystyle restaurant, Chris Allred and wife, Michelle, invite you to stop by. “You will really enjoy the food,” says Chris, who has been serving a little bit of everything at Chris’ for six years. This little bit of everything includes hand-cut steaks, homemade barbecue, fish, chicken, homemade biscuits, red eye gravy and so much more. Great food, great prices and friendly service from a staff that knows their customers by name — that’s what Chris’ is all about. Business hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Country Kitchen House of Pancakes, 3773 U.S. 15-501 — Although Pat Nilcendeau only opened his Country Kitchen House of Pancakes a year and a half ago, his restaurant has become wellknown for its breakfast and lunch meals. First, there are the jumbo pancakes available in a large selection of flavors, ranging from blueberry, apple, cranberry and banana to bacon, sausage, cheese and more. Lunch selections include burgers, sandwiches, such as chicken salad, meatloaf, country fried steak, pot roast and homemade fries. Country Kitchen House of Pancakes is open
Steve’s Famous Hot Subs and Pizza, 506 Monroe St. — If the name of the business refers to sub sandwiches and pizza and locals tell you to be sure and try the burgers, you gotta know the subs and pizzas are off the hook, too. At Steve’s, they all are. For five years, owner Vivi has been making everything work, from the popular Philly cheesesteak sub and wings to the spaghetti and pizza. Steve’s even makes their own fresh dough for the pizza. Steve’s is open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. The Moore Coffee Co., 201 S. McNeill St. — Julie Starling thinks she has the nicest coffee shop in Moore County and she’s continually working hard to prove to her customers that it is. This includes creating three specific coffee blends roasted by a local roaster and served nowhere else in the world but at The Moore Coffee Co. These unique-tasting coffees include a smooth espresso, a morning blend called “Carolina Morning” that Starling describes as “amazing,” and “Tuscan Sunset,” which is a nice dark roast. For something a bit different, Starling suggests the homemade hot chocolate, white hot chocolate or the frozen hot chocolate. Delicious. The Moore Coffee Co. is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday.
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
PAGE 11
Annual Buggy Festival Celebrates Town’s History CONTRIBUTED Started in 1988, the Carthage Buggy Festival is a celebration of the rich history of Carthage. The Buggy Festival is held each year to commemorate the famous Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory that, from the mid-1800s to the 1920s, produced the carriages that were essential to life in rural North Carolina. With an annual attendance of 15,000, the Buggy Festival has grown into one of the biggest and bestknown festivals in the region. Over the years, the event has been selected as one of Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 events for the month of May. The 23rd annual Carthage Buggy Festival is scheduled for Friday evening, May 6 and Saturday, May 7, 2011. It promises to be the biggest and best yet, organizers say.
A Fun Family Festival The festivities of the Carthage Buggy Festival begin each year on the Friday before Mother’s Day at 6 p.m. with an Antique Fire Truck Display at Nancy Kiser Park. On Saturday, more than 125 food and craft vendors surround the historic courthouse from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Getting a Festival Started
The Buggy Festival grew out of a suggestion that Carthage, the county seat of Moore County, needed to stage an event that would draw attention to its history. Since the Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory had been one of the largest buggy manufacturers in the nation for more than half a century, the focus on buggies seemed natural. But you couldn’t have a buggy festival without a buggy, so where to find them became a burning question. A search began and soon samples of those early modes of transportation were found and purchased. Each festival since has seen more Tyson and Jones buggies on hand for festival attendees to view, as well as to ride. There is only one building remaining of the famed factory that flourished in Carthage until after World War I. A fire destroyed one building in 1905, and in 1976, the largest fire in the town’s history claimed a small section of the remaining building. The Tyson and Jones Factory may have gone up in smoke, but from the ashes, its memory has been preserved. Each year, the Carthage Buggy Festival is an event people, not only from Moore County, but surrounding counties and even surrounding states, look forward to with great anticipation.
Children’s rides and games are prominent, plentiful and always provided free of charge. An impressive display of buggies and historic tractors can be found, and one of the largest classic car shows in the area also takes place. Buggy rides are offered along residential streets adjacent to the Buggy Festival. Ms. Buggy Festival is crowned on Saturday during the festivities. Ms. Buggy Festival is nominated by the children at Carthage Elementary School. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade write letters about why their mom, grandmother, aunt, etc. should be Ms. Buggy Festival. There has even been a Mr. Buggy Festival. A winner and five runners-up are chosen and the students read their nominating letters at the festival. Mr. and Mrs. Pinelake Nursing Home and Mr. and Mrs. Tara Plantation retirement home are also crowned.
Dedicated Volunteers
A stage is set up on the steps of the courthouse, and is host to a variety of entertainment, including cloggers and bands playing gospel, country and Southern rock music. In 2011, event organizers will be searching for the “Ninth Carthage Buggy Festival Idol.” The competition will be held on Saturday during the Buggy Festival. The winners will receive $100.
Most impressive of all, the Carthage Buggy Festival is planned, publicized and staffed each year by a group of more than 50 dedicated volunteers, including local leaders, business people and citizens. The continued success of the annual festival is owed to this team of hard-working individuals, says Town Manager Carol Sparks, who has chaired the festival for more than 10 years. Each year, the Buggy Festival Committee saves only enough “seed money” to get next year’s festival started. The balance of any money raised goes back into the community. To truly appreciate what the Buggy Festival means to the community and to visitors, it has to be seen first hand. Only then can you see the historic buggies, classic cars and exquisite arts, crafts and antiques; hear the sounds of bands playing; smell the aromas from the food vendors; and experience the joy and pride of an entire community celebrating its heritage. This is the essence of the Carthage Buggy Festival. For information about the Carthage Buggy Festival and vendor application information, visit www.thebuggy festival.com, em-ail kpohara@nc.rr.com or call (910) 9472331.
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PAGE 12
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
Holidays Mean Parades in Carthage BY MARTHA J. HENDERSON
brating the Fourth of July in a small town? Sponsored by the Carthage Rotary Club, the Carthage Fourth of July parade is the perfect patriotic example of a small town parade. Parade chairman Steve Ennis believes
says Ennis. “It’s a county thing. It’s our community and we want to include everybody, to keep doing the good things The annual Buggy Festival isn’t the only that everybody can enjoy.” event celebrated by the folks of Carthage. The annual parade is held at 11 a.m. on Every year, the annual “world famous” the Fourth of July, unless, Ennis says, if the Carthage Christmas parade is held on Fourth is on a Sunday, then it is held on the the first Tuesday of December. This Saturday prior. year, it is scheduled for Dec. 7. Large crowds turn out every year to Hundreds of spectators line the line Monroe Street to take in the floats, streets of downtown Carthage to watch antique and classic cars, firetrucks as the parade passes by. from departments throughout the Sponsored by the Town of Carthage, county, tractors, horses, wagons and the parade begins immediately after children on bicycles. Marching bands the Moore County Christmas tree from Union Pines High School and New lighting at the old historic courthouse. Century Middle School always delight The tree lighting begins at 6 p.m. the crowds. The parade features commercial and Local dignitaries and beauty queens homemade floats as well as church also participate in the parade. groups, civic organizations and others. “It’s a lot of fun,” says Ennis. Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops The parade is open to all veterans, participate in the parade, as do the ERICK DUPLESSIS/T social, civic and religious groups wishing marching bands from Union Pines Brownies and Girl Sc he Pilot ou High School and New Century during the 2009 Ca ts from Vass were all smiles to participate. rthage Christmas pa Commercial floats are available for Middle School. rade. sponsorship by local businesses or A number of local dignitaries, including strongly in the importance of the organizations. the town commissioners, Miss Moore parade and the heartwarming effect it has For information on or to participate in County and others, also are part of the on a community. the parade, contact Steve Ennis at (910) annual parade. “This isn’t just a parade for Carthage,” 947-6555. Horses and lots of firetrucks are featured. And, much to the delight of youngsters in the crowd, the main man himself, Santa Claus, makes an appearance, riding on a float at the end of the parade. According to event organizers, the parade starts at the Carriage Oaks Shopping Center, moves up Monroe Street, halfway around the circle at the courthouse and “Finest in Asphalt Paving” ends at the corner of McReynolds and Ray 6644 Glendon-Carthage Rd • Carthage, NC streets. For more information about the parade or those interested in participating, contact the town offices at (910) 947-2331 or e-mail kpohara@nc.rr.com. Special Sections Editor
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Fourth of July Parade PHOTOS BY GLENN M. SIDES/The Pilot
Several youngsters participated in this year’s Carthage Fourth of July parade.
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Riley Paving is a family business, with approximately ninety employees. Mr. Riley is actively joined in business by his two sons, Landy and Scott, and his daughter Debbie.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
PAGE 13
Gilliam-McConnell Airfield: Not Your Average Airport BY JOHN CHAPPELL Staff Writer
They swooped in lazily past the old courthouse as fog thickened heading for a touchdown just beyond: a curiously ancient-looking aircraft obediently followed by a flock of Canada geese. All made a safe landing on Roland Gilliam’s newly tarmacked runway. “We had 37 international flights land at one time,” Gilliam says, thinking back to the day William Lishman, blocked by fog, made an unplanned landing at his Carthage airfield. “He was heading for Bunny Wallace’s down in Aberdeen, but the fog stopped him.” Ever since the day that sculptor, with his adopted gaggle of geese, flew south with them in an ultralight gliderlike aircraft teaching them to migrate — and earning thereby the nickname “Father Goose” — Gilliam gained a nickname of his own for the place. “It’s been Gilliam-McConnell ‘International’ Airfield ever since,” he says with his frequent big grin. Gilliam, a native Virginian who moved down to the county seat and made his living with his contracting and construction business, is a pilot. He needed a runway and a hangar, so he built them both. Then he went on to begin what must surely be one of the most unusual real estate developments anywhere in the world. His Carthage airfield is a place where homeowners build houses not with attached garages for their automobiles, but attached hangars for their airplanes. It proved popular. Field, driving range, runways and restaurant are surrounded by a growing neighborhood of houses with
GLENN M. SIDES/The Pilot
Richard Hester chats with Roland Gilliam at the GilliamMcConnell Airfield in Carthage. In the background are Hester’s hangar and 1943 PT-17 Stearman. hangars — homes for private pilots, their families and their planes. Gilliam-McConnell’s asphalt runway has welcomed nearly every kind and type of small to medium flying machine, from restored relics to air-worthy replicas of World War I combat aircraft to home-built planes as sleek as anything with wings.
It is currently home to 22 aircraft, everything from single-engine and multi-engine planes to an ultralight like the one Father Goose landed. Now Gilliam and his wife, Nancy, have gone themselves one better, opening an adjacent section of land to RVers. “Airport RV Park” caters to motor home campers and offers 30 and 50 amp hookups, city water and sewer, and 15 newly constructed campsites next to the airfield. Gilliam thinks his location, a dozen miles from championship golf on the courses of Pinehurst and nine miles from the Tuesday night gospel and bluegrass jams of Clyde Maness at Midway, is perfect for traveling tourists who bring their houses (and bathrooms) along with them. They have a perfect view across the 36-foot-wide, 2,500foot-long asphalt runway of one of the most popular restaurants around. People fly in to land at GilliamMcConnell and dine on barbecue and pulled pork at Pik N Pig. Gilliam’s airfield has every right to consider itself accustomed to strange sights — from pilots pulling up to picnic there to a great red hot air balloon that once lifted a pair of newlyweds aloft on a honeymoon flight. The balloon trip was a surprise wedding gift for a newly married Ashley Sheppard — cook and partner in the Pik N Pig — and his fiancée, Tiffani Thompson. Two weeks after their marriage, she and her mother watched her young husband disappear in the general direction of Robbins as the huge, red teardrop lifted softly into a
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PAGE 14
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
Oceanico’s Little River Brings Premier Golf And an International Flavor to Carthage BY JOHN CHAPPELL
of luxury properties at the Carthage resort available for outright purchase, including three- and four-bedroom, Southern-style cottages and two- and three-bedroom condos.
Staff Writer
A former horse farm where contenders for the harness track once trained is home to a European-styled playground. “Little River Golf & Resort” is Oceanico’s first resort in America. The company — founded by an Englishman and an Irishman — developed a number of popular golf vacation spots in Portugal’s Algarve region. Owners Simon Burgess, from Manchester, England, and Gerry Fagan, from Ireland, had created half a dozen villa vacation communities (Amendoeira Golf Resort, Belmar Spa & Beach Resort, Baía da Luz, Estrela da Luz, Quinta do Monte Funchal and Jardim da Meia Praia) and seven golf courses in the Algarve region of that country. Oceanico’s Algarve golf courses include Oceanico Faldo Golf Course, Oceanico Victoria (host to the Portugal Masters 2007–2010), Oceanico O’Connor Jnr., Oceanico Old Course, Oceanico Pinhal, Oceanico Millennium and Oceanico
Original Development
GLENN M. SIDES/The Pilot
The clubhouse at Little River Golf & Resort in Carthage Laguna. Staking its first claim in the U.S., Oceanico Group USA purchased Little River Golf & Resort in December 2007. Buying the 640-acre Little River property
in December 2007 from Little River Partners heralded their entry into the U.S. market, where the history and traditions of Pinehurst-area golf attracted them. Oceanico has also launched a new range
The municipality of Carthage was instrumental in the transformation of the rolling hills of Little River, from barn and pasture to clubhouse and links. Originally, the town bought the property and began to develop it as a municipal golf course. They got renowned golf course architect Dan Maples to design its 18-hole course. Maples was born only a few miles from the waters of the Little River, and brought a dedication to this course that no other architect could bring. Maples’ course was chosen by The Washington Golf Monthly as “A Best New Course for 1996.” The resort’s current owners describe his
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
Little River From Page 14
achievement as both a gift to the golf resort community where he grew up and a challenging experience for golfers everywhere. After establishing Little River as a first-class golf course, Carthage sold it at a profit to the resort’s first developer/owners, who constructed the clubhouse and several units of course-side condominiums. Little River Partners subsequently bought Little River and continued its development, heralding plans for adjoining residential sections, an anchoring hotel, even a shopping center with a big outdoor theater and entertainment complex. Oceanico snapped it up in 2007. Their first move was to work on making the 18-hole Maplesdesigned course even better. Using services provided by Troon Golf, they worked on a number of improvements to fairways and greens. Troon departed in the latter days of 2009, and Oceanico now manages its own resort.
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
Premier Golf Resort “Little River is one of the Southern Pines-PinehurstAberdeen area’s premier golf resorts,” the company says. “It is a Golf Digest award winner. Little River has now become a legend among world-class golf resorts. Sculptured from 450 acres of rolling hills and featuring nearly 200-foot elevation changes, Little River Golf & Resort’s course offers narrow rivers and thick forests.” Despite tougher economic times for golf and recreation, generally, the company is optimistic about its Carthage operation. Little River is rated 4 ½ stars in the “Golf Digest Best Places to Play” rankings and listed in North Carolina’s Top 100 golf courses. Next year’s season will see Little River as host of the 2011 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship. Things are going well, better than ever, as far as golf at Little River is concerned, golf director Marvin Waters said last spring. “We had the busiest April we’ve ever had, and we are expecting the busiest May we’ve ever had,” Waters said. “The golf course is in the best shape it’s been in over the
five years I’ve been here. It is almost perfect. I was confident five years ago when I moved here from Florida. Nothing I see on a daily basis makes me anything but more confident we are moving in the right direction.” The resort’s 450 acres of gracefully rolling hills produce 200-foot changes in elevation above its lazily winding river framed by thick forests of pine and hardwoods. In the dining room, food and beverage is managed by Sheldon Rooney, formerly of the Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst. The question on Mooney’s mind these days is the best way to bring a European flair tableside at Little River — now that it is the American centerpiece of Oceanico Group’s family of golf resorts. Little River’s international flavor is expected to grow as its new owners follow through on announced plans for hotel and fractionally owned vacation homes. Little River now belongs to a group with Old World roots.
Contact John Chappell at jfchappell@gmail.com.
PAGE 15
Airfield From Page 13 cloudless blue sky over Carthage. Every other Friday or so, Apache helicopters rumble down out of that same sky to deposit training soldiers at the runway’s far end. They scramble away into the trees, taking their first steps into wilderness as part of the Army’s SERE (Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape) course, preparing these warriors to deal with possible capture. Gilliam’s field itself honors a historic American, one of the world’s first fighter pilots. Gilliam-McConnell “International” Airfield is named not only for owner/ builder/operator Gilliam — but also for military aviation pioneer James Rogers McConnell. McConnell was one of the founding pilots of the famed Lafayette Escadrille of World War I — and the last American aviator to die in
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The Great War before the United States entered the conflict. More than 1,000 people came to his funeral in Carthage, and the Republic of France itself sent a bronze plaque honoring the man who — first as an ambulance driver awarded the Croix d’Guerre, then as a fighter pilot defending the republic against its invaders — distinguished himself by his heroism. Soon that plaque will stand in a special plot of ground beside the runway. The town of Carthage recently approved Gilliam’s proposal to move it to the airfield. Gilliam will deed the town a spot where the plaque, along with an English translation and other informative displays about McConnell, can be seen and appreciated by more people. It will be yet another reason to come to Carthage, whether the visitors arrive by car, plane, helicopter, hot air balloon or flap in as a flock.
Contact John Chappell at jfchappell@gmail.com.
PAGE 16
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
The Carthage Museum Is a Rich Source of History BY MARTHA J. HENDERSON Special Sections Editor
“A lot of museums are about things, old this or old that — but we’re about the history of the town, its people and its businesses,” says Bert Patrick, a member of the Carthage Historic Committee, which runs the Carthage Museum. Visitors to the museum have the opportunity to learn more about the history of Carthage, its people and its buggies. Located on Rockingham Street in the corner of Nancy Kiser Park, the Carthage Museum is filled with historic artifacts, photographs and information about Carthage, its schools, businesses both past and present, historic homes, agriculture and much more. One room in the museum is dedicated to the Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory and includes several Tyson and Jones buggies. The war room is dedicated to veterans from Carthage. The display includes uniforms worn by these veterans in military service during World War I, World War II and in Vietnam. “We have some neat stuff in here, such as an original engraving by Gilbert Stuart of George Washington and his generals, which has been authenticated,” says Patrick. “But
we’re a little different from other museums because it’s about the people. We want to keep history alive for the next generation and to preserve a memory of the people of Carthage and those who have visited here.” An entire area of the museum is dedicated to one of Carthage’s favorite sons, James McConnell, a fighter pilot and an original member of the Lafayette Escadrille. Patrick says there have been quite a number of famous people who have visited the community in northwest Moore County, including the father of our country, George Washington. According to Patrick, Washington came to the area to visit his cousins, the Glascocks. Eleanor Roosevelt came to Carthage to dedicate the Carthage Community Center, or the Rock House as it is known to locals. There is a photograph capturing the moment on display in the museum. In addition to the Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory room, the Carthage Museum exhibits a variety of samples of textiles from Carthage Fabrics Corp. (Carfab), a Carthage fabric manufacturer that operated in Carthage from 1950 to 2008.
see MUSEUM, page 17
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303 Monroe Street • Carthage, NC
FILE PHOTO
It is believed that this photo of the Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory complex, made circa 1915, was taken from atop the old red brick Moore County courthouse. The brick building in the foreground on the right side is still in use.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
Museum From Page 16
In addition to a special tapestry depicting the St. Andrews golf course, which was designed and woven for the museum, all of the drapes in the museum were created by Carfab. Another display features a table set with dinnerware and utensils from an old Carthage hotel. “We are always changing and adding new things at the museum,” says Patrick. “We ask new businesses in town to donate pictures and information so we can keep an ongoing record of the community.” This ongoing record is important, Patrick says, because the museum gets many visitors who drop by to do research about the town and its businesses. The Carthage Museum also is a resource for the city council. Patrick says the Carthage Historic Committee, which runs the museum, often consults with the city council on historic issues in Carthage. For information about the Carthage Museum, call (910) 639-2394. Regular hours for the museum are 2 to 5 p.m. every Sunday.
Contact Martha J. Henderson by e-mail at mjhenderson@thepilot.com.
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
PAGE 17
Buggies Bring Carthage Success, Acclaim The growth of Carthage from the 1850s to II in 1924, Moore County residents Henry 1929 was due in large part to the successful Page Jr. and John McQueen purchased the buggy industry. buggy works with a view to convert it into In 1850, Carthage merchant Thomas making truck bodies in addition to carBethune Tyson (1850-1893) bought an exist- riages. Then, in 1925, they diversified the ing wagon/wheelwright repair show owned operations into the manufacture of furniby Isaac Seawell and his two sons. ture. In 1856, Thomas B. The last buggy Tyson and landowner was delivered in Alexander Kelly 1925 to Neil S. formed a partnership Blue of Raeford. to run the wheelwright Before its business and decided to demise, the build carriages. The company was firm was known as one of the most Tyson and Kelly. A year well-known in later, Tyson hired the United William T. Jones as a carStates. riage painter and shop The Tyson supervisor. Jones proved and Jones his worth as the enterBuggy ComPilot e /Th ES SID GLENN M. prise expanded and, in pany earned a y is on display r e p u t a t i o n gg bu 1859, it was renamed s ne Jo d an . al n Buggy Festiv Tyson, Kelly and A Tyso for producrecent Carthage Company (1859-1873) with during a ing the Jones joining as a partner. “Cadillac of carriages.” The popularity of the automobile led to the In the early 1890s, the plant consisted of demise of the Tyson and Jones Buggy “four roughly constructed and unpainted Company in 1925. buildings. Included were the long, twoFollowing the death of Thomas B. Tyson story ‘mill’ building containing most of the
machinery, the blacksmith shop, the twostory building housing the trimming shop and crating and shipping room, and the unsteady three-story structure containing the paint shop and story area (it was the tallest building in Moore County at the time). The two-story residence of Jones was situated on the same lot as the factory, as was the two-room cottage which served as the company office and grocery story.” New renovations that year included a paint shop to replace the precarious threestory building and a new smith shop. A wooden water tank was erected to supply water to the shops and to furnish a degree of protection against fire. The company closed out the century with the construction of the three-story brick building. The Tyson and Jones Buggy Company reached its pinnacle of success when, at the Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta, it was awarded the gold medal. The accompanying citation read, “For an exhibit of carriages and other vehicles meritorious for excellence of manufacture and beauty of finish.” The enterprise remained the largest factory in Carthage well into the 20th century. At its peak in 1890, the factory produced about 3,000 vehicles per year.
PAGE 18
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
New Vision: Old Factory Is Seeing Signs of Renewal BY JOHN CHAPPELL Staff Writer
A textile plant that once provided a living for many in the Carthage area closed in 2008, after nearly 60 years of operation; 65 employees lost their jobs. Now, the old Carthage Fabrics building is seeing another life, hatching out one new business after another. Owner John O’Malley calls it an “incubator for start-up businesses.� His first tenant was Connectinc, a nonprofit that was the brainchild of Dr. David Bruton when he was secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. At the time he bought the place, O’Malley teamed with Bruton to bring in an organization that itself helps connect people with jobs. “Our nonprofit, Connectinc, will be the first tenant in the new Carthage Fabrics plant,� Bruton told the town board last spring. “Our idea is that the best welfare program is a job. We do old-fashioned social work using modern technology.� Bruton and O’Malley joined Ray Ogden, executive director of Moore
County Partners in Progress, in an appearance before the Carthage town commissioners to give them a forecast of what is now coming into bloom. Ogden has worked with O‘Malley before on other projects that brought closed production centers back to life. This one has already brought some 30 new jobs to Carthage. Connectinc thinks of itself as a sort of “benefit bank� for North Carolina that connects low- and moderate-income families across the state with work support, Bruton told the board. “Instead of sending millions of dollars to Wall Street crooks, we use telephonebased outreach to connect displaced workers and other with local jobs, workforce development programs and other support,� he said. “Every year, there is a billion dollars in unclaimed support, mostly federal money, not claimed in North Carolina. That’s a billion dollars left on the table.� Since its inception, the organization has helped to generate more than $235 million in paychecks for its clients over 11 years of operation, Bruton said. He helped organize Connectinc when
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he was secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for the state. Now it has a new call center, offices and a training facility in Carthage. Busy workers at computer terminals have replaced looms on the old factory floor. That floor has a fresh coat of paint, and the enormous cavity of the big building has undergone a thorough sprucing up. John Benton, director of the Moore County Department of Social Services (DSS), helped Connectinc with electronic data management like the kind he had already introduced at the county DSS office. Carthage has applied to the N.C. Rural Center for a Building Reuse and Restoration Grant aimed at reclaiming closed factories like the one in Carthage. That grant could provide $10,000 per employee (a total of $240,000 to begin with) applied to half the cost of refitting the factory. Ogden said Partners in Progress would take care of that and administer the grant on behalf of the town.
O’Malley likes to think of his buildings as places that hatch jobs, just like one in Pinebluff where newly hired people are busily turning out parachutes for military uses. That’s happening in an old curtain factory in Pinebluff, which is now occupied by Ballistic Recovery Systems and used for their parachute production. “This is not his first building,� Ogden said. “Give him a chance, and he will have that building filled up with people working. Get to know him a little bit; you are going to see a lot of him.� Ogden’s prediction proved accurate; any visitor to the employee parking lot there on a given workday will find it crowded with workers’ cars. The 143,000 square feet of the old Carthage Fabrics plant is already parceled out in apartments for Connectinc, Ingersoll-Rand, Planned Parenthood and others — a sign that even jobs can, like the fabled phoenix, sometimes rise from the ashes. At least in Carthage, they can.
Contact John Chappell at jfchappell@gmail.com.
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PAGE 19
Collection Shares History of Carthage Fabrics Corp. BY MARTHA J. HENDERSON Special Sections Editor
From its opening in 1950 to when it closed its doors in 2008, Carthage Fabrics Corp., or Carfab, as it was known to locals, played a vital role in the history of Carthage. Earlier this year, the Carthage Museum acquired a collection of photographs, memorabilia and equipment that demonstrates how far-reaching the textile millâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role was in the lives of the residents of Carthage. The collection, which was first displayed for public viewing during the Carthage Buggy Festival in May, includes two pattern punch machines, swatches of material that show off the patterns created by the textile mill and lots of photographs. According to Charles Prevost, a volunteer with the Carthage Historical Committee, the collection is very extensive, including everything from company newsletters down to the signs from the business. In addition, Prevost says, there are a number of trophies won by the ball teams that Carfab sponsored over the years, as well as photographs of many of the
CONTRIBUTED
An aerial view of the Carthage Fabrics Corp. facility when it was in business teams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are even jerseys from the ball teams that are around 30 years old,â&#x20AC;? Prevost says.
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Carfabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s History Included in the collection is a brief history of Carthage Fabrics Corp. typed
on a page of company letterhead. It reads: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 1949, the Carthage Jaycees were instrumental in getting Messrs. Herman Chopak, Reuben Kittenplan, Abbott Lambert and Emanuel Sontag to come to Carthage. Carthage Investment Corporation was formed by citizens of Carthage (to name a few â&#x20AC;&#x201D; George Carter, Newlyn and T. Roy Phillips, Wilbur Currie, Fred Flinchum, Charles Sinclair Jr., Bill Sabiston [later attorney for Carthage Fabrics Corporations] and Wilton Brown with Carolina Bank). â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Carolina Bank served as trustee of the funds, all of which were repaid in a short time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They purchased 27 acres of land and erected a 120,000-square-foot modern building. Later, a 24,000-square-foot warehouse was added plus another 20,000-square-foot warehouse. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Carthage Fabrics Corp., of which Mr. Sontag was the first president, purchased machinery and equipment and began operations in 1950. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Later, Carthage Housing Corporation was formed and 12 houses were erected for sale or rent to Carfab employees due
see COLLECTION, page 20
PAGE 20
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
Collection From Page 19
to the local housing shortage. “Naturally, in an old historical small town, there was some resistance to a new industry because of fear of the unknown — type of personnel to be expected, etc. Even as late as 1954, there were a few diehards who refused to admit its value. In that year, a cash payroll was made entirely of two-dollar bills. The response was overwhelming with many letters of appreciation for the ‘new mill.’ “Carthage Fabrics Corp. is not among the giants in textile business but manages to holds its own through diversification. Carfab can take an order, purchase the yarn and have the goods shipped before the big boys finish the initial paperwork. By the same token, a close-knit family relationship is possible between owners, management and employees. “Today, much of the equipment is computerized. At this time, a new loom is on trial which is capable of making cloth 125-inches wide. At this time (April 1996), a new section is being added, which will house air conditioning for the entire plant at a cost of almost two million dollars.” Another page repeats this same history with handwritten dates noted, “1949” is at the top, “1996” is written just above the last paragraph, and a simple “2008 Closed” is written below the history.
“Carthage All Smiles”
Also included in the collection is a copy of The Moore County News. “Carthage All Smiles Over The New Mill” proclaims the page-wide headline of the Thursday, Oct. 26, 1950 edition. The subheads in descending type size read: “Its Effect Being Felt in Channels Local Commerce, However, Water Shortage Is Matter of Grave Concern To Mill Officials, New Houses Going Up.” The article begins, “Officials of the Carthage Fabrics Corporation who spent three days here last week expressed
themselves as well pleased with the cooperation of the townspeople and said they hoped the people of Carthage will also be greatly pleased with the new concern.” The front page also features a local artist’s drawing of the Carthage Fabrics plant. An advertisement for Fairview Diaries of Sanford in the newspaper reads, “All the praises due to the people of Carthage and Moore County for an exemplary industrial accomplishment in acquiring the Carthage Fabrics Corp. The ability of a fine people to acquire another modern industry raises our opinion of our good Moore County friends to an even higher level. May we add our sincere congratulations for an enormous task brilliantly executed.”
Newsletter Shares Memories One of the most entertaining pieces in the collection are copies of Carfab News & Views, the company’s newsletter. Reading through the newsletters offers a glimpse into the lives of employees of Carthage Fabrics Corp. Following are a few excerpts from the September 28, 1973 edition of the Carfab News & Views. In his president’s message, Sam Goldfeder looked forward to the end of summer and thanked “all of our oldtimers for their loyalty during this tough summer and to assure you that, more than anyone else, I would love to see things humming again and I know they will.” He ended his September message by wishing the employees at Carfab a life of happiness, good health and prosperity. From the New York News section, reported by Jeannette Stern, Marvin Teitle lamented that “after seeing the beautiful vegetables that the people in Carthage grow, I am not too unhappy that my little patch was flooded out from the early rains this year. Hope to try again next season and would appreciate any advice.” Rachel Muse reported in the Cloth Room News that “Audrey’s news is a new
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son-in-law, Corporal James Goines, a handsome marine. Theresa, Audrey’s daughter, and James were married in the Gospel Chapel August 25th.” News from the Weave Room - 1st Shift by Dot Carlyle included that “Gertrude Duguay reports that she has quit smoking and gained five pounds. In addition, Mazelle says she has been enjoying her time off. She and her husband spent some time at Manteo recently. They especially enjoyed ‘The Lost Colony’.” The September newsletter carried a lot of news from the Preparation Department. Compiled by Gladys Sanders, the news included, “Richard Hussey says his daughter, Donna Rose, started to school this year and likes it fine. Tracy Ritter says he works too hard to make news,” while “Roy Wall doesn’t want me to tell everybody his news so he is keeping mum, and Lennie Purvis, while moving warper beams, says there’s no room for news out here.” Pat Patterson’s Second Shift News says, “Henry Phillips says if hog prices continue good, he won’t be eating any of those he is raising. Sarah Walker is staying very busy with her canning and cooking. Fred Fields is doing a lot of bird dog teaching — been catching a lot of field mice lately.” Third Shift News by Helen Brook
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010 included that “J.D. Sanders and wife attended the baptismal service of their son recently.” A note from Betty Suggs says, “The best way to save is through the payroll savings plan. See Betty if you would like to increase your bonds or if you would like for her to start deducting for bonds for you.” Reporting the Office News, Marsha Vernon shared that “Kay Davis was pleased that her granddaughter, Tracy Kathryn, was christened in the Carthage United Methodist Church. It was a big day in the Davis household with godparents and in-laws coming to dinner. “The Davis clan will spend this coming weekend at the beach and are the proud possessors of hard-to-get State-Carolina football tickets for the following weekend. “Their best news, though, is that Mickey, Judy and Tracy will be moving to Sanford soon.” John R. Kemp wrote in his Plant Manager’s Message that “everyone seems pleased with the new weekly pay setup, and of course the raise. The best way to show your appreciation is to give your job the very best you have to give — and I think you will do it.”
Contact Martha J. Henderson by e-mail at mjhenderson@thepilot.com.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
PAGE 21
Happy Days Linger For Longtime Carthaginians BY DEBORAH SALOMON Feature Writer
arthage, like hundreds of North Carolina towns, used to be a selfsustaining urban microcosm: “On Saturdays, it was hustle and bustle,” Linda Phillips remembers. “You didn’t have to leave Carthage to buy anything.” The 1960s brought changes. Chain stores arrived, young people departed. Phillips, who was born and grew up there, lived in Charlotte and Raleigh for a while but was drawn back. “I was a little girl from a small town. After my child was born I wanted to live in Carthage again,” Phillips says. “I’ve never been so glad to be back anywhere.” Phillips is now assistant town manager and finance officer. Her memories and those of other longtime Carthaginians flesh out town history:
C
Tommy Prickett came to Carthage in 1957 after honing his profession in Raleigh, Cincinnati and elsewhere. The new owner of Prickett-Fry Funeral Home had an odd introduction to town: “My first day in Carthage, I was standing in front of the funeral home looking away down the street when I heard a clickety-clack behind me,” Prickett begins. As the noise got closer, he turned to see the town “character,” a Mr. D. Carl, dressed in a swallow-tail coat, a woman’s hat with veil with a cigar sticking out from underneath. Carl hobbled by on crutches, disappearing into the Moore County News office. “Some guys set me up,” Prickett says. “That was my initiation into Carthage.” Carl, a known prankster, owned a used clothing store behind Shield Drug
GLENN M. SIDES/The Pilot
Billie Mackey Company. He also sold tombstones. His motto: “I love people and I hate snakes.” A decade later, Prickett buried Carl, who left some R-rated instructions concerning the positioning of his remains. Prickett also recalls the famous Womanless Wedding of the early 1960s, where firefighters raised money by crossdressing for a mock ceremony. “I was a bridesmaid in a large dress with large underclothing stuffed in the upper part,” Prickett chuckles. Mostly, he remembers how small children could walk safely from their homes to the swimming pool built with money raised by the Jaycees. “We knew everybody, so we didn’t worry. They could run to anybody’s house.” The children could also go into Lee’s Dime Store and charge their school supplies. Daddy’ll come by and pay, kids
told the storekeeper. “And I did,” Prickett says. * * * * * Oh, what a party it was. In 1996, Carthage celebrated its bicentennial Tommy Pricke — for a whole tt year. The official bash came in December, anniversary of incorporation, says Billie Mackey, the bicentennial chairperson. That event was held at the agricultural center but the party-party took place at Hurley Thompson’s law office in the historic Sinclair house. “We had swing music … I wore a black formal,” Mackey recalls. A play about Carthage history written by locals, who also acted the roles, took a year to research and rehearse. * * * * * Little boys love fire trucks. Tom Stewart experienced them close up when the building housing Wallace Grocery Store and a funeral home burned one Sunday in 1936. “We lived right across the street,” Stewart says. “It was a spectacular sight to see the walls cave in. My dad was afraid our house would burn up.” The grocery store and STEWART funeral home reopened elsewhere. Eventually, First Bank built on the property. Stewart also recalls a service performed by Woodrow Wilhoit, who worked for the Moore County News during World War II.
GLENN M. SIDES/The Pilot
“When the men were called into service, he coached the football, basketball and baseball teams free of charge. Without him, we wouldn’t have had any teams. He was a wonderful guy.” Stewart was born and raised in Carthage, left for college and the military but returned. Now, he’s mayor. “We’ve all seen changes that should not have happened,” Stewart says. “We could use some industry” to replace the buggy factory, hosiery and planer mills. * * * * * Linda Phillips mentions another fire, this one at a tobacco warehouse on Saunders Street. What an aroma. Her descriptions of mid20th century Carthage conjure a movie postcard. People sat on the porch of the Carthage Hotel, in the rocking chairs. “Our family went to the hotel for lunch on PHILLIPS Sundays, after church.” The hotel had a dining room and coffee shop; Phillips attended parties in the
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PAGE 22
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010
Bridesmaid Tommy Prickett
John “Lum” Riddle and Tim Katsos portrayed the parents of the bride.
Bridesmaids Ed Comer (left), Jimmy Thomas and Billy Carter, flower girl Coy Oakley, baby Kin Suggs, bridesmaid Tommy Prickett, preacher Gerald Rosser and bridesmaid Ed Jernigan
Flower girl Coy Oakley and ring bearer Worth McDonald
‘Womanless Wedding’
Charlie Barringer, father of the groom (left); John “Bingo” Barringer, groom; Moff Jackson, bride; and John “Lum” Riddle, father of the bride.
Photos courtesy of Kin and Betty Suggs
Bridesmaids Tommy Prickett, Ed Comer, Billy Carter and R.G. Smith Jr.
In the late 1960s, the Carthage Fire Department held a “Womanless Wedding” as a fundraiser. Members of the fire department, which was all volunteer at the time, as well as a few other men from the community, portrayed members of the wedding party, which included bride and groom, bridesmaids, parents of the couple, the bride’s baby and preacher. The event was held in the Union Pines High School auditorium. The fundraising event was deemed a success. Buck Cook pushes the bride’s baby, Kin Suggs
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Happy Days From Page 21
dining room hosted by the owner’s daughters, who lived with their parents in the hotel — an unusual residence. Other days, townsfolk gathered at Tim’s Café (now Mr. B’s), run by Tim Katsos. The Presbyterian Church picnic, however, was held at
rringer John “Bingo” Ba
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. Aberdeen Lake — a daylong event with swimming and games. “I remember the lemonade,” Phillips says wistfully. “I wish you could see a picture of Carthage back then, with the stores and businesses around the courthouse,” she continues. “We walked to youth meetings and choir practice. Parents weren’t afraid to let their girls walk right by the jail.” * * * * * John “Bingo” Barringer intones the name Eula Blue, known to every Carthage schoolchild of a certain age. Spinster Blue taught math and Latin at Carthage High School, where Barringer’s graduating class numbered 20. “She made you memorize Bible verses,” he says. Blue drilled this mantra into her students, who recite it still: “Remember who you are, where you are and what you are … and act accordingly.” But boys act like Pilot e /Th ES SID GLENN M. boys. Miss Blue was slightly deaf. To tease her, the boys scampered out of sight and
PAGE 23
whistled loudly. Miss Blue thought it was her hearing aid, and acted accordingly, much to the boys’ glee. “We had outstanding teachers,” Barringer says, including Meade Sewell, who taught English and drama. He also recalls how kids gathered on the porch swings of Miss Bess McCloud, the telephone operator in the days of party lines. As for listening in, “What do you think?” Barringer says. Barringer concludes with a warning: “Don’t make Carthage sound too good — we’ve got all the people we need here.” Too bad none of them knows where the nickname Archie Kelly “Bingo” originated.
* * * * * Archie Kelly was a “Happy Days” era high school jock. Kelly and his teammates loved to hang out at Shields Drug Store after school, where co-owner Pat Patterson treated home run hitters to free
milkshakes. “I collected a few of those,” Kelly says. “(Patterson’s) smile and personality was something I remember well.” Just as vivid: The Carthage Pool Hall, with Sam Wicker as owner and resident shark. “His stories about school and ball games were legendary,” Kelly says. “He even loaned me money to help buy my wife’s wedding ring.” Kelly, like many Carthage old-timers, reveres the memory of sportswriter Woodrow Wilhoit, for whom the Union Pines football stadium is named. “I was his driver GLENN M. SIDES/The Pilot and my wife, Judi, was his sports photographer. Growing up in Carthage was an experience I will cherish forever.”
Contact Deborah Salomon at debsalomon@hotmail.com.
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