Progress 2015

Progress 2015

The

20

most significant events in western tidewater history February 22, 2015

physicians. One wonderful place Two wonderful physicians. One to have your wonderful place to havebaby. your baby.

2 • Progress 2015

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Members of the Medical Staff at Southampton Memorial Hospital.

Progress 2015 • 3

4 • Progress 2015

Congratulations International Paper Foundation Grant Recipients!

Celebrating Our Team and Our Community

IN YOUR H IS

DS AN

GIVING

Capron Elementary School Georgie Tyler Middle School Graz’n Acres Therapeutic Riding Center Meherrin Elementary Nottoway Elementary Operation Outreach Paul D. Camp Community College Riverdale Elementary School Smart Beginnings Western Tidewater Southampton Academy Southampton Department of Social Services Southampton High School Southampton Middle School Westside Elementary School

IP

GENEROSITY

International Paper’s Franklin Fluff mill team participated in the 2015 United Way Campaign.

Combined with the Company’s match of sixty cents for every dollar, we raised nearly $30,000!

Students and faculty at Riverdale Elementary School experienced a wonder of nature last spring courtesy of the International Paper Foundation, which annually provides kits to area elementary schools. The kits include caterpillars and related teaching materials. Students observe the caterpillars metamorphosis and the butterflies that result before releasing them to the wild.

The foundation was thrilled to sponsor 159 local classrooms in 2014; that’s nearly 4,000 students and teachers!

Woodyard and Fiber Supply Team Collaboration The Franklin Fluff mill discovered early on that chip age and quality are keys to meeting the customer specifications for Fluff pulp.

The mill’s Woodyard and Fiber Supply teams worked together develop a system that accounts for every chip that is added to one of our four chip piles to obtain the proper chip age mix sent to the digester. This information gives the chip tower operators the information to properly mix the different age chips to meet our customers needs.

Fibers Maintenance Team

Power and Recovery Team

The Fibers Maintenance team has worked diligently to improve the reliability of the Franklin Fluff mill Kamyr digester. Unscheduled digester downtime as a result of electrical, instrument, and mechanical issues had a 16% year over year improvement in 2014. This team has worked safely without a recordable accident since start-up and is an engaged work force that demonstrates no boundaries between maintenance and operation.

The Franklin Power and Recovery team reduced mill’s non-renewable resource demand by 30% to a record low in 2014. This team partnered with their Fibers and Fluff teammates, the mill’s Manufacturing Excellence group, as well as other resources to accomplish this incredible improvement. The team has improved the recovery boiler and evaporator reliability which allowed the P&R team to maximize black liquor burning in the mill’s Recovery Boiler #6, the only boiler in operation at the Franklin mill. This team became so good at maximizing liquor burning that they were able to support all of the mill’s steam requirements using only black liquor during many days during the summer.

Fluff Production Records Through the collaboration of the mill’s process and supply chain improvement efforts by members of the fluff team, several records were achieved in 2014 including:

• Packages Processed through the Wrapper: 01.01.2014

• Exceeded 95% “Direct Loading” in November and December

• A1 Tons Produced: 01.15.2014

• Reached the 500,000 tons of fluff produced milestone on 12.28.2014

• Tons Shipped: 12.15.2014

Progress 2015 • 5

T

here is no debating that the majority of us enjoy lists. No, not the honey-do kind of lists that keeps us busy all weekend with household chores. I mean lists that rank things in order of their importance or significance. Think American Top 40. Think the 20 best moments in college football history. Think the five best pitchers to ever play baseball, or the 10 most important presidents in American history. America’s 15 best beaches, or the top 50 movies of all time.

Those are the kind of lists I’m talking about. The ones that generate discussion, disagreement and debate. Those are the kind of lists we love.

For this year’s issue of Progress, we decided to come up with our own list: The 20 most significant events in Western Tidewater history. It was fun coming up with our list. It was even more fun deciding where each event should rank. Some of the items that made our list, when you see them, will be obvious as to why they are there. Others, maybe not as much. We feel pretty good about the list that we’ve come up with but expect some of you may not completely agree. If so, we invite you to write to us and let us know. We’d love to share your dissenting viewpoints in an upcoming edition of The Tidewater News. Otherwise, we hope you sit back, relax, and enjoy our 2015 Progress issue. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Contents

Tony Clark Publisher, The Tidewater News

Civil War .................................................................................. 6 Franklin Equipment Co. ........................................................ 8 Nottoway Indians .................................................................10 State prison ............................................................................ 12 Franklin’s first black mayor .................................................14 The Big Red Machine ...........................................................16 Armory Drive .......................................................................18 Route 58 bypass ....................................................................20 The fire of 1881 .....................................................................26 Southampton Memorial Hospital....................................... 28 Southampton County........................................................... 30 Isle of Wight County ............................................................32 Franklin City .........................................................................34 Desegregation .......................................................................35 Union Bag-Camp merger ....................................................38 Railroads ................................................................................40 International Paper...............................................................42 The flood of 1999 ..................................................................44 Nat Turner .............................................................................46 Camp Manufacturing Co. ...................................................48

Progress 2015

The

20

most significant events in western tidewater history Tony Clark Publisher Cain Madden Managing Editor Stephen Cowles Staff Writer Andrew Lind Staff Writer Ryan Outlaw Designer Loretta Lomax Editorial Assistant Mitzi Lusk Advertising Director Ginnie Spivey Advertising Representative Kate Archer Marketing Consultant Michelle Gray Office Manager February 22, 2015

6 • Progress 2015

20 The Civil War T he City of Franklin and Southampton County may have seen very few conflicts throughout the Civil War, but many historians claim that Western Tidewater played a larger role as the lifeline of the Confederate Army. With the war, itself, usually far north of the area, the Chowan and Blackwater River route served as a conduit, collecting supplies from the rich agricultural region of North Carolina and shipping them to the front lines.

One Union gunboat commander reported to his supervisors that the route had become “one of the great thoroughfares to the army of General Robert E. Lee, as regards provisions.”

Flatboats and small vessels would gather these supplies on the Chowan River and travel north to Fort Dillard, where it meets the Blackwater River. Once in Franklin, nearly 10 million pounds of bacon and pork and 40,000 bushels of corn per year, as well as tobacco, clothing, sugar and coffee, were loaded into rail cars and sent to the combat zone at Richmond.

As the war progressed, Union troops invaded Virginia and captured Norfolk and Suffolk, thus leaving the Blackwater River as the demarcation line between the two sides. With such reliance on the supplies that traveled along the river, Union officials believed the Confederates would suffer immensely from

the line's interruption. A Federal gunboat, the Hunchback, was sent down the river to disrupt the route, however, sailors found the area deserted and returned to downstream without conflict.

In October 1862, nearly 12,000 Rebel troops gathered outside of Franklin, and an attack on Suffolk seemed imminent. Union commanders, fearing assault, arranged an effort to disperse the Confederates with gunboats that would come up the Blackwater. Inching toward Franklin, the aforementioned Hunchback, Commodore Perry and Whitehead came under fire from Rebel forces on both banks of the river, forcing the ships' retreat.

While there were only five casualties at the Joint Expedition against Franklin, otherwise known as the Action at Crumpler's Bluff, the boldness of the Union sailors left the Confederates feeling vulnerable. Through the following spring, the Rebels proceeded to block the river with fallen timbers to discourage the Federal troops from invading with gunboats.

After the Union attack, most of Franklin's civilians left town, effectively leaving the county in the hands of the Confederate soldiers. Described as the only battle of significance to occur in Western Tidewater, the Joint Expedition against Franklin is historically considered little more than a “tertiary diversion on behalf of armies hundreds of miles away.”

The residents would return in April 1865, coinciding with the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Courthouse, to a destitute village, cleared of its assets in slaves and money. Bridges, railroads and warehouse had to be rebuilt, and it would take the region many years to recover.

Captain Louis H. Webb, a long-time resident of Franklin, said that the area, “once the center of civilization, refinement and wealth,” was now “poor, desolate and hardly worth a battle for.”

Western Tidewater is perhaps most noted for being the birthplace of two central figures of the Civil War: Union General George H. Thomas, also known as the “Rock of Chickamauga” and Confederate General William Mahone, the “Hero of the Crater.” It was also the home of Confederate hero James Henry Rochelle and Major Joseph E. Gillette, leader of the Southampton cavalry unit.

MERLE MONAHAN | TIDEWATER NEWS

The American Civil War, including some local connections is included in a display at the Southampton County museum.

Progress 2015 • 7

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8 • Progress 2015

19 Franklin Equipment Co. O ne man’s business idea became the reality that developed into an industry which thrived for decades in Western Tidewater and beyond.

That man was Roger W. Drake Sr. of Boykins, who founded Franklin Equipment Company on July 16, 1962. His idea was a new concept for a logging tractor that was set on oversized tires. Even the steering was different.

Clyde Parker, who worked at FEC as the human resources manager, said that prototypes were tested by the Woodlands Division of Union Bag Camp Corp.

“They proved to be very efficient and very effective,” Parker said. “Regular tires were constantly breaking down and required much maintenance. The company eventually got to the point of building all but the tires, steering wheels and some instrumentation such as gauges. Drake decided to produce these tractors for the open market.”

At one time, he added, as many as 100 tractors were built per month.

Though Franklin was in the company’s name, the plant was located at the backside of Camptown in Isle of Wight County.

The company’s predecessor was the manufacturing division of Franklin Auto Supply that was begun in 1958.

Space was leased at the Franklin airport and the tractors that were built were first sold locally. These successes enabled Drake to expand the market, and he reached out to log-

ging companies such as Tidewater Equipment Company in Brunswick, Georgia. The outlets in Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina became authorized and successful dealers. The market also went to Maine and Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile in the late 1960s, FEC became affiliated with Holt Manufacturing Company in Independence, Oregon.

The foundry, which was renamed Franklin Sweed Co., became a satellite manufacturing company for the West Coast.

The gear and axle division of Dana Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, was bought, and the machines and technology were relocated to Franklin.

“The company evolved into being very self-sufficient,” Parker said. “Not only were they assembling tractors here in Franklin, but also approximately 75 percent of the tractor components — axles, transmissions, hydraulics — were done in house and even shipped them to other heavy manufacturing companies, including, Timberjack, a competitor.”

Another expansion occurred when FEC purchased a treefarmer plant from Talladega, Alabama. After operating that for a time, the decision was made to move all to Franklin and consolidate.

“When we purchased that plant, it was just like bringing another industry to Franklin,” Parker said. “We were employing people, and the tree-farming tractors were built on an assembly line next to Franklin. We were building former competitors’ tractors along with our own.”

Dealer outlets were doubled, and there was once approximately 150 dealers in 25 states and eight foreign countries.

“We got 17 percent of the tractor market worldwide, competing with John Deere and Caterpillar,” he said.

Parker said he could not tell the story of FEC without mentioning Drake’s sons, Wilson and Randy, who came to the company in the 1970s and 1980s respectively.

“Both led the company to a good part of its advancements and development. Wilson was in marketing, and Randy in manufacturing and engineering,” he said, and added that Jim Briggs and Bob Stephens were important to the financial part of the business.

FEC continued to thrive into the late 1990s and early 2000s.

“As things transpired with world markets and economics, FEC was still essentially a small company compared to the competition,” he said.

CLYDE PARKER | SUBMITTED

This an example of the logging tractor developed by Franklin Equipment Co. in the 1960s.

Progress 2015 • 9

With the national economic downturn in 2008, the company did not survive much longer.

“It’s hard to be small in this global world we live in. Maybe a merger would have helped, but who would have known that years ago? Lending institutions withdrew credit from our customers,” Parker said. “By that year’s end, we had no orders in-house. Due to that fact, huge overhead and other obligations, the company declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and closed on Jan. 1, 2009.”

“Such a shame,” he said, shaking his head. “A sad ending to such a success.”

Drake retired and lived for a little over 3-1/2 years, dying on July 1, 2012, at the age of 90.

But Parker also wants to praise him and his other contributions, describing Drake as the epitome of the self-made man.

“I worked at Union Camp for 11 years before. I didn’t realize the scope of FEC until I got there. It was employing 400 people, and contributing greatly to the economy of Southampton and Isle of Wight,” he added.

On-the-job training and programs with Paul D. Camp Community College were established.

“It was the best technical school anywhere,” Parker said.

“Roger was generous with his support of community institutions, and instrumental in establishing the workforce devel-

CLYDE PARKER | SUBMITTED

Above: The Franklin Equipment Co. plant as it looked in the late 1960s. Left: An example of the logging tractor.

opment center. He was the first board chairman of the college.

Drake, who was at one time Parker’s Scoutmaster, contributed to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the YMCA and the Cypress Cove Country Club, to name a few other community service involvements.

“Roger Drake should be credited for what he did,” Parker said. “Most people did not realize the scope of what he did.”

10 • Progress 2015

18 Nottoway Indians A

ny legal contracts that protected the Nottoway Indians in the 1600s were effectively dispensed with in April 1705. That’s when the House of Burgess removed the Blackwater River Boundary. This signaled what would become the unmistakable diminishment of those Native Americans. The deed gave rise to the settlers eagerly seeking not only trade, but also as much land as they could call their own.

In her monograph, “A View of Our History from First Contact,” Chief Lynette Allston states this act legalized encroachment on the tribal lands from the English colonists.

Further, Gov. Alexander Spotswood had in mind to locate the tribe into settlements that could serve as a barrier between the English and the more aggressive Indians of the southern territories.

SUBMITTED But before going further, perhaps some background on Above is the marker the Nottoway’s history could help to better appreciate the for the Nottoway significance of what resulted from the boundary removal.

Indian Reservation.

In her interview for the 2014 documentary, “Knowledge, Bottom is the diaWisdom and the Traditional Mind: The Nottoway in the 21st gram of the Circle Century,” Allston explains that the tribe originally lived in and the Square. what is now Dinwiddie, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry and Sussex. Evidence of Paleo-Indians is found at early archeological sites.

She describes the Nottoway, who are of Iroquian descent, as a “People with a rich heritage connected richly, deeply with our land.”

Although the tribe was not included in the first contact with the English in 1607, they were familiar enough with the colonists by the time Edward Bland and Abraham Wood came into their terri-

tory in 1650. She described Bland as a land developer as well as a trader.

“Trade was probably our primary occupation before contact with the colonists. We would barter with other tribes as well as with colonists once they arrived,” Allston said.

“They needed things such as food and supplies,” Sid Turner said in the program. “We traded for metal objects like knives, axes to increase our productivity.”

Intrusions into their lands and lives did happen eventually, and many tribes were compelled into treaties. The Nottoway were one of the first four to sign the Treaty of Middle Plantation in 1677. This was an agreement to contain the expansion of colonists and eliminate the encroachment.

“We all know that did not work too well,” Allston said.

“More sinned against that sinning,” is how Col. Emmett Masalon Morrison describes the Nottoway Indians in his book, “A Brief History of Isle of Wight County.”

Returning to 1705: The Nottoway were assigned 40,000 acres divided into two reservations known as the Circle and the Square. The treaties of 1713-1714 with Spotswood later solidified the locations. The first was a three-mile tract approximately on the east side of the Nottoway River and the Assamoosick Swamp. The second measured six miles, and was on the west side; where Capron is now was part of that settlement. Not incidentally, you’ll find the Nottoway Indian’s Community House and Interpretive Center on Main Street in that town.

Also in that documentary, Turner noted there was a “very robust agriculture community on the reservation.”

Allston continues to say that from 1735 to the early 1800s, much of the reservation land was sold “little by little” to the newcomers. But from 1830 to 1878, the Nottoway descendants from that time became individual landowners, buying back what had once been parceled off. So by the 20th-century, the Native Americans were home, so to speak.

The Nottoways’ place was solidified when they petitioned the Commonwealth in 2006 for tribal recognition, and were officially recognized in March 2010.

“We still remain here,” Allston says. “We never left. And it’s good to be a part of Virginia history, part of ancient history.”

Progress 2015 • 11

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12 • Progress 2015

COURTESY

At one time the Southampton Correctional Center was the fourthlargest employer in the county.

17 State prison O pening in 1938, the Southampton Correctional Center was one of two prisons that the Virginia Department of Corrections operated within the area. Located just outside of Capron, the prison was just 20 miles away from the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt.

Offering nearly 359 jobs, the building was the fourth-largest employer in Southampton County and the fifth-largest when combined with the City of Franklin. It also housed an average daily population of 650 inmates at the time of its close.

When the building was demolished in 2009, a number of employees were placed in other positions within the prison system. A majority had to look elsewhere for income, though, while the prisoners were simply transferred to other facilities.

Jay Randolph, then-assistant county administrator, was quoted shortly after the state announced the prison would close, saying that he believed it would “have a very deep impact” on Western Tidewater, citing the important role that the prison played within the community.

The demolition of the medium-security correctional center was synonymous with the closure of several other prisons throughout the South, as the states attempted to overcome shortfalls in their respective budgets.

This was most evident at the end of 2014, as Virginia Gov-

ernor Terry McAuliffe outlined a plan to shut down several other prisons in the state, cutting 565 jobs within the Department of Corrections to close the almost $900 million budgetary gap. When the Southampton Correctional Center closed, the deficiency was close to $1 billion.

Lawmakers also introduced legislation that would allow low-risk prisoners to be released up to 90 days prior to the end of their sentence, resulting in a projected savings of $50 million over the foreseeable future. According to the Department of Corrections, state prisons hold 33,300 inmates at an average annual cost of $22,830 each.

The age of the building was the primary reason it was deemed expendable, but three other prisons still remain on the site of the Southampton Correctional Center — the Deerfield Correctional Center, the Southampton Work Center for Men and the Southampton Pre-Release and Work Center for Women.

Although the Deerfield Correctional Center houses greater numbers than the Southampton Correctional Center did previously, the 1,000-bed facility does not have the same effect on the community as the later. It employed an additional 170 staff members with an expansion in 2006, but most of those jobs were offered to those already within the Department of Corrections.

Progress 2015 • 13

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14 • Progress 2015

STEPHEN H. COWLES | TIDEWATER NEWS

The Mayor, center, cuts a ribbon for the opening of Mary’z Care in Downtown Franklin

16 Franklin’s first black mayor O n May 6, 2012, history was made as Franklin elected its first black mayor, Raystine Johnson-Ashburn.

Not far removed from 2008, when Obama was elected as the first black President of the U.S., the achievement did get some publicity, but it was nothing like the fanfare, or doom-and-gloom in some circles, that came four years previous.

In Franklin, very few people woke up on the morning of July 1, 2012, when Johnson’s mayorship officially began, feeling like the world around them was truly a different place.

Months previous to this moment, the betting favorite was a white business-owner, Jim Councill, who had served the city for 16 years. Greg McLemore, a janitor at Paul D. Camp Community College and former owner of a night club who had also worked in radio, considered Johnson’s entrance into the race a plot by the white community to ensure that he, a black man, would lose to Councill.

While Franklin is a black majority town, voter turnout amongst young black residents has been historically low. And McLemore considered that if the black vote was split even a little, Councill would obviously win with the white votes.

It turns out that McLemore underestimated Franklin’s voters, though. Voters, both black and white, considered Johnson’s more moderate temperament as a city council member compared to McLemore and Councill, and ushered her in with 44 percent of the votes. While some voters undoubtedly did vote along racial lines, Johnson was primarily voted in because of her politics, not her skin color. Franklin wanted a modera-

tor to serve as its mayor, someone to help unite the biracial council, rather than split it. And in 2012, the city got it.

The event passed, however, in an almost remarkable fashion, without making a major impact on the newscycle. But that was perhaps a good thing, as former City Manager June Fleming put it. She dreamed of a world in which being black and holding an important position of power wasn’t thought of any differently than being white and holding an important position of power.

Fleming didn’t quite see that dream come to be in 2012, as race was not ignored on any of the news platforms that cover Franklin. But it certainly wasn’t picked up by the national news, like many black mayorships have across the South.

Black and white voters had come together to elect Johnson, but life continued to be the same in Franklin. Two years and a landslide reelection later, there are no crudely drafted emails circulating with racial jokes in the white community, and no poorly designed T-shirts exist in the black community proclaiming her “Our Mayor.”

The U.S. has not, and perhaps never will, become a postracial society. However, Franklin became one step closer to that in 2012.

Progress 2015 • 15

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16 • Progress 2015

Left, Cyrus Lawrence plays at Virginia Tech. Right, coach Wayne Cosby with memorabilia from the era.

FILE

15 The Big Red Machine I n the February 1969 meeting of the Southampton County Public School Board, a topic came up that would change athletics. The Surry County Public Schools, which were predominately black, had been accepted into the Virginia High School League. And other schools in the district had integrated.

Would they leave the VHSL, or forfeit all games against non-white opponents? Bill Wright, the principal at Southampton High School, recommended continued participation to the board, and that was approved.

And during the next school year, 1969-70, Riverview was turned into the SCPS middle school, and Southampton High School was desegregated. With a few exceptions, integration, once it was finally forced by a court order, went smoothly.

And athletics, particularly football, was a big reason.

The Big Red Machine, what the Southampton High School Indians were known as, was gearing up to go on its eightyear stretch (1972-1979) of playing in consecutive championship football games.

Wayne Cosby, the head football coach at the time, has been listed as a key figure in the relatively smooth desegregation.

A single, centrally-located high school had not previously been entirely favored by leaders from Ivor, as many had instead supported Tidewater Academy.

But success on the football field helped bring many around, and some of the harshest critics, including those from Ivor had season tickets to see the Indians of the 1970s.

It wasn’t just championship runs, though. From 19661980, the team went 128-8-2. In the mid 1970s, they won 69 regular season games in a row, that record being snapped in 1979.

And the Group 2A school did win championships — four of them: 1973, 1976, 1978 and 1979.

In 1973, they beat Brookville 13-7. They got a chance to avenge a previous loss against Martinsville in 1976, beating them 24-20. Big Red blew out Gate City in 1978, 56-6, in what many former players pick as the single best team from the era. In 1979, after starting off the season with a loss, the team went on to defeat Jefferson Forest 14-0 at the University of Virginia Stadium.

The athletes didn’t stop at high school, either. For many of them, football brought them to the next level and paid for their education. Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, University of North Carolina and Duke were some of the big schools the players attended. The team also sent players to East Carolina University, the University of Richmond and James Madison University.

And these players of the Big Red Machine also went on to successful careers, becoming teachers, doctors, attorneys, coaches, county administrators, ministers, business professionals and one former quarterback is a Supreme Court Judge of Virginia. Cosby himself was elected to serve as the Circuit Court Clerk for Southampton County and served from 1981-2007.

And beyond football, the program was a uniting force in the county, as the multi-racial coaching staff and athletes worked together to build something special in the county.

Jerrel Kindred was in the eighth grade when the schools integrated, and he played from 1973-1975, winning the championship that first year.

“There were are a lot of racial problems back then,” Kindred said. “But I think deep down, a lot of people wanted to see the whole community work together.

“People saw us working together and playing together, and they saw how well we were doing. It just clicked. It was really good. It was really nice.”

Progress 2015 • 17

Parker Oil Company began in 1935 with a humble beginning in the small town of Union Level, Virginia. With only one oil delivery truck and one transport, Parker Oil Company has grown to become one of the premier employee-owned petroleum and propane companies in Virginia. The vision of Lewis W. Parker Sr. was to build a successful business, which is still alive today with over 200 employee-owners. With their continued commitment of quality and service, one can only imagine what the years will bring. Thank you for your patronage throughout the years. We look forward to servicing our customers and our new Modern Oil customers for many years to come.

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18 • Progress 2015

14 Armory Drive W

ith progress also comes a price that has to ultimately be paid. Such is the case of Franklin’s “Golden Mile.” As shopping centers were developed on Armory Drive, they brought about a gradual decline in Downtown Franklin.

It all started with the St. Regis Paper Company, which was built in 1954. Back then, you got there from a connector road from South Street, which was long before College Drive was built. The road was called Andrews Street, and later on, Gardner Street was extended, but both roads were dead ends that stopped at St. Regis. At this time, the area we know today as Armory Drive was woodlands and a low, swampy area.

What would be Armory Drive got its roots in the early 1960s, when the decision to create Route 671 came about.

The road would connect from Franklin to Newsoms and ultimately to Boykins.

In 1963, the road was extended from the Hercules Plant to the St. Regis Paper Company.

By the early 1970s, there were a few shopping centers that started to crop up in the late 1960s and were subsequently expanded. Growth continued slowly into the 1980s, but at

this time, the impact on Downtown Franklin was limited.

At least because of the “Golden Mile.” Even before Armory Drive was established as it is known today, the Airway Shopping Center on Route 58 in Isle of Wight County began Downtown Franklin’s gradual decline.

Sears moved from Downtown Franklin to the Airway Center. Peoples Drug Store was there, as was Winn-Dixie, Ames Department Store, the Bank of Franklin and even a McDonald’s.

During the 1990s, though, everything changed. Before this period of time, due to Route 58’s location, the area where Armory Drive is was really more of a “Back Door” to Franklin.

In 1993, the Route 58 bypass was completed, and Armory Drive became the connector between the by-pass and the old part of Franklin. It also rapidly became Franklin’s “Front Door” with further development.

In the first center, the A&P grocery store moved from downtown to Armory Drive, as did the ABC Liquor Store.

Where the Food Lion is today, another center was developed, and Roses, once where Floor to Ceiling now is, moved from downtown to there, as did the Belk, which was once in the building behind the Hardees.

Progress 2015 • 19

CAIN MADDEN | TIDEWATER NEWS

Cars roam down Armory Drive to see an array of businesses. The area was once empty swampland.

The Flood of 1999 brought in the next toll of the death knell of Downtown Franklin. Bronco Federal Credit Union moved its main office to Armory Drive. Bank of America moved to Armory Drive. All three local drugstores left downtown. Other changes following the flood included Schewel’s Furniture Store; Bank of Franklin, now BB&T; and Farmer’s Produce/Ace Hardware. The area even drained from the Airway Shopping Center, as the Sears, Winn-Dixie and other stores closed up and moved over.

Paul D. Camp Community College and later the Work-

force Development Center also were built in the area. Once College Drive was properly established from Clay Street to 58, the library moved from downtown to the area.

As time went on, a movie theater opened and closed, Walmart came, as did Farm Fresh.

Thanks to a resurgence in historical downtown districts across the country, Downtown Franklin has seen some revitalization. But it’s still a shell of what it once was, and the Airway Shopping Center is all but a ghost town.

All in the name of progress.

20 • Progress 2015

13 Route 58 bypass T he longest numbered route in the Commonwealth of Virginia, U.S. Route 58 runs for 508 miles from Virginia Beach to Harrogate, Tennessee.

The Virginia General Assembly, in connection with the Virginia Department of Transportation, established the U.S. Route 58 Corridor Development Program in 1989 to improve safety while traveling on the then-mostly two-land road. In addition to eliminating hazards and improving traffic flow, the program was intended at aiding the economic development of the largely-rural region and better connecting the area to Hampton Roads.

Twenty-five different localities in southern Virginia, including Southampton County, were affected by the road improvement plan, with the total cost of the project exceeding $943 million—according to former Commonwealth Transportation commissioner Charles “Chip” D. Nottingham.

Entering Southampton County from the west just outside of Emporia, Rte. 58 carries through the town of Capron. A business route enters the town of Courtland and the City of Franklin, while the expressway bypasses both to the south.

Prior to the bypass, commuters would travel along the business route through each incorporation. Once Rte. 58 leaves Southampton County to the east, the highway travels along a similar business route and bypass through and around Suffolk.

Most notably, the segment of highway from Capron to the Greensville County line was known as the “Suicide Strip”, due to the high number of multi-fatality accidents that occurred along the two-lane road. The number of accidents lessened significantly, however, with the completion of the four-lane divided highway in the early 1990s.

FILE

Before the bypass was completed, this stretch of two-lane road in Courtland was Route 58 proper.

Progress 2015 • 21

22 • Progress 2015

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WALTERS—American K9 Interdiction — a police and military dog training facility in southern Isle of Wight County — is moving its South Carolina operation to Walters.

It will mean 100 more dogs at the Burdette Road

ng operation moving

facility, a dozen new jobs and a need for we have here,� more propersaid Mike ties for training Dougherty, vice with the additional dogs in Isle president of dogs of Wight and Southampto business developmen from South Carolina. t for n counties.

American K9 Interdiction About 60 percent of the .

Military personnel new dogs will American K9 be expected to come also are spent about $1 last year retrievers, which Labrador million to here so they can be involved renovate a former trained to detect will be hidden exminithe dogs’ training. with mum-security plosives, Dougherty prison said. juvenile boot camp and “We want to consolidate The dogs listen to comon Burall of our dog training dette Road. Th e company al- mands from up to 300 yards tions at the training opera- so built a 200-space away. complex kennel, dog The rest will be which will be full German shepherds and Malinois,

Council votes to revive charter amendments

ON THE AGENDA

SCOUT RECOGNIZED: Isle of Wight County supervisors will recognize Boy Nathaniel Scott Scout Johnson from Troop 637 during their 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, meeting at the courthouse.

CORRECTION

Setting the record straight

Franklin Police arrested Tavoris Kindred for and battery. The assault incorrect information was provided to The Tidewater News for Sunday’s issue.

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FRANKLIN—Th e City Council new plan for making has come up with a changes to its hopes the state charter, which House will approve. it The council on Monday voted charter amendment 5-2 to s bill that passed change the will be headed the Senate to approved changesthe House as early as this week.and to the charter, The for governing which are the the city, rules ■Council members would no longer require: to resign for not es paying city tax■Council members ■Fining a council to resign to run for mayor to a city employee. member for giving a direct order The city hopes the changes will allow the bill through a House to last week, City committee that failed to pass pass Attorney Taylor it late members Monday Williams told council The subcommitt night. ee had questions tutionality of bringing about criminal charges the constimembers who against council give a direct order Williams said to a city employee. he pass without the wasn’t confident the bill would changes. The changes still allow for SEE AMENDMENTS, BACK PAGE

Obituaries on Page A3 Vernon Saunders “Bobo�

Beacham Jr., 60 Sylvia Doyle Ogburn, 87 Eleanor W. Whitehead Charles Kenneth "CK" Williamson, 81 George W. Young Jr., 73

us

The Tidewater News 1000 Armory Drive P.O. Box 497 Franklin, VA 23851 (757) 562-3187 editor@tidewaternews.com www.tidewaternews.com

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Southampton County Public Elementary School Schools GWEN ALBERS | TIDEWATER fifth-grader Amaniteacher Julee Herbert, left, NEWS WordMasters presents Gray Challenge as Capron Principal with a certificate for her score Capron Amani was among during the School 10 elementary students Sandra Pettigrew congratulat in the recognized for Board meeting the WordMaste es her. on Monday. rs Challenge

County to borrow $880,500 for Boykins sewer plant

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BY GWEN ALBERS/MANAGIN G EDITOR Gwen.albers@tidew aternews.com

This issue | OPINION A2 OBITUARIES A3 IT’S HAPPENING HERE A4 CLUB NEWS A5 BUSINESS B1 AGRIBUSINESS B2 SPORTS B3, B4 CLASSIFIEDS B4B6

BOYKINS—Southampto n County officials plan to borrow the Boykins sewer $880,500 to upgrade discharged more treatment plant after it than permitted ammonia and copper into A public hearing the Meherrin River. on the no-interest will be held at loan 7 p.m. Monday, ing the Board of Supervisors Feb. 27, durmeeting at the County Governmen Repairs are not t Center in Courtland. anticipated to rate increases result in for businesses that the 550 residential and 66 use the system, Administrator said County Mike ments of $44,052 Johnson. Annual payfrom savings in for 20 years will be made the plant’s budget.

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Vultures perch on the Franklin morning temperatur water tower to DON BRIDGERS | TIDEWATER grees, and Thursday, es started off in the high catch some of the sun’s rays on Sunday, when NEWS teens. Today, Feb. 16, will warm the up to 63 degrees Feb. 15, is expected to hit 60 dewith a 50 percent chance of rain.

County, school offi

BY GWEN ALBERS/MANAGIN G EDITOR gwen.albers@tidew aternews.com

SEE SEWER, BACK

cials battling risin

PAGE

g pension costs

at the Southampto cal Career Center. n Techni“We’re working tional meetings Two addi- Turner said. “It’s together,� sembly continues are planned. to debate process. Everyonea together County Administrato Gov. Bob McDonnell’s crease will require r penMike Johnson together, which is working sion proposal. tional $225,000. an addisuggested the It would reis really outThis does meetings. standing.� quire an increased not include teachers. “I think it would tion of nearly $1.14 contribuTonight’s meeting For teachers, a be a will fomillion much more collaborative cus on how personnel to school employees’ cent contribution16.8 perretireThe first meeting, process,� Johnson benefits are expected and ment funds. required, up from would be said Tuesopen to the public, which is to imday. pact the 2012-13 cent in 2011-12. 6.3 perAs proposed, a school bud14 percent held at 7 p.m. today,will be get. Health insurance Superintendent contribution would “While the governor’s Feb. 15, Charles need to premi- be made budTurner agrees. ums may increase get includes an toward school additional by 10 peremcent, while the ployees’ retirement $367,000 for Southampto General Asfunds for n 2012-13. The 3.3 SERVING FRANKLIN percent inSEE PENSION, BACK , SOUTHAMPTON PAGE COURTLAND—For first time, Southamptothe County supervisors n will hold meetings with the Board to discuss School the schools’ budget.

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26 • Progress 2015

12 The fire of 1881 T he myth of the phoenix comes to mind in telling about the fire that burned its way through most of what’s now downtown Franklin on Feb. 26, 1881.

But a prelude is in order. In his book, “Southampton County, Virginia,” Thomas C. Parramore wrote that the town had already become quite active commercially by that year through steamboat lines to Edenton and Murfreesboro, North Carolina, as well as Norfolk. The ASN Company was even in competition with the Farmers and Merchants Steam Transportation Company, which was established just five years before.

To further encourage the growing amount of commerce on the Blackwater and Chowan rivers, tree stumps and any other obstacles between Franklin and Edenton were being cleared away.

Parramore noted that as soon as Franklin had earned an incorporation status in 1876, the town “promptly began putting on city airs by forbidding hogs to run in the streets and requiring licenses of anyone exhibiting a stallion or jackass ‘for the purpose of letting to mares.’”

Bars that were selling or even giving away liquor on Sundays also felt a regulatory pinch or two by the Franklin council.

On that fateful night, the fire in question — of which no cause is definitely known — reportedly began close to the railroad station on Main Street. The steamboat Chowan’s siren alerted the townspeople, but the flames spread faster and farther than any firefighting abilities available could contain.

“The blaze was soon out of control, working its way down and across the street and finally consuming every business in town but one — containing an undertaker’s stock of coffins.”

By Sunday morning, the fire had destroyed 43 buildings, including the post office and Barrett’s Hotel.

Another account of the fire is found in the 1955 Golden Anniversary Historical Edition of The Tidewater News, which in-

cludes the article published by the Franklin Gazette, the newspaper of the time.

“Saturday night about 11:45 while the inhabitants of our flourishing town were wrapped in sleep, fire broke out in the cook room of the Cutchin building, on east side of Main Street, occupied by Mr. D.J. Watkins as a hotel and Messrs. Wa.H. Jenkins & Co., as a general store.”

But Franklin became like the splendid bird that was periodically burned, only to be renewed from the ashes. In two years’ time, the town arose stronger and more industrious.

“But we are proud of our people,” the Gazette continued.

“They are not yet subdued; their spirit of enterprise has not been crushed. They are going to work to rebuild at once, and Franklin will rise from ashes of ownself much more adorned than before. All our people need is the support and sympathy of the public. If they are not withdrawn from us in our distress, we will soon be on our feet again, and then our march of progress will soon begin.”

City Fire Chief Vince Holt said that, “As a result it did create one of the first building codes that Franklin had.”

“The stricken community, seizing upon the advantage offered by the disaster, enjoined businessmen from replacing burnedout structures with any other than brick and stone buildings.

Despite a temporary setback, the result was a modernized and much improved business center,” Parramore wrote.

“Important industrial and agricultural innovations of the post-war years played a major role in the irrepressible prosperity of the Blackwater depot.”

Some years after the burning, the town bought an 1875 fire engine.

“I don’t think there was much in the way of a fire department,” Holt said. “But after that firefighting became more organized and through the two world wars.”

Progress 2015 • 27

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28 • Progress 2015

11 Southampton Memorial Hospital A s chronicled in The Tidewater News and highlighted by local historian Clyde Parker, Southampton Memorial Hospital’s origins go back about 20 years before the facility was built.

Previously, the Raiford Hospital had been serving area patients. Dr. Rufus Raiford had founded a clinic out of his home in Sedley in 1919. Five years later, the needs of an increasing number of patients moved Raiford to create another clinic, which consisted of three rooms in the former Virginia Hotel that was on the northwest corner of Main Street and Second Avenue in downtown Franklin. Four years later, the doctor took over the rest of the building, and it was renamed Raiford Hospital.

By the early 1940s, Raiford was among those people who thought an upgraded hospital was becoming needed.

World War II was ongoing, and federal funds weren’t available for building a new medical center, according to Sol Rawls Jr., who would go on to lead a movement for one. But money was later found to expand the existing facility in the mid-1940s. In the early 1950s, the place was renamed Raiford Memorial Hospital after the founder died in 1948.

Franklin Charities Inc., a predecessor to the Camp Foundation, was formed in 1943, and intended for the needs of the community, including gathering funds for a new hospital. Contributors included individuals and businesses, such as Camp Manufacturing Co., Chesapeake-Camp Corp., Taggart Corp., and W.H. Scott Inc. Rawls was later joined in his work to form a modern hospital by several prominent residents of the time. To name just a few: Dr. J.C. Rawls, G.H. “Hap” Pillow, Hugh Camp, and his brother James L. Camp Jr. “We have good schools, we have a good business climate, we have good recreational programs but we need better

medical facilities,” James Camp Jr. is quoted.

Charles Caldwell Jr., the CEO of Medical College of Virginia Hospitals was hired as a consultant, and he advised building a new hospital with a new name in a new location.

Southampton Memorial Hospital was decided on, and a certificate of incorporation was made in that name in December 1957.

Rena Camp Rawls and her husband, Sol Waite Rawls, contributed 25 acres of their Hillview Farm, on the corner of Fairview Drive and North High Street, extended. Later, the site was pushed back further from the roads.

With an estimated cost of $2.5 million, the campaign was stepped up in the community. State and federal funding was applied for in early 1959.

Following the bidding process in early 1961, the ground was broken on April 25. Rawls anticipated the four-story building was to be done in April 1963.

“And it will be designed and built for easy future expansion and will have facilities that will accommodate up to 140 beds if a need arises,” Rawls said.

The dedication ceremony took place on Sunday, May 19, 1963.

••• Jump to a hot, hot day in June 2013. During the 50th anniversary celebration, several people were recognized for their contribution to making Southampton Memorial Hospital a reality. Among them were Rawls, Phillip Frankfort and Hunter Darden Jr., the remaining original board members; and Dr. Robert G. Edwards, who came from Norfolk General Hospital to work at the new SMH. Edwards said of Rawls, “He gave extraordinarily of us his time, energy and resources to make sure that Southampton and Franklin would have first-class medical facilities.”

FILE

Southampton Memorial Hospital as it looked in its first year, 1963

Progress 2015 • 29

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30 • Progress 2015

10 Southampton County T he earliest explorations of the area now known as Southampton County began shortly after the settlement at Jamestown was established in 1607. As they crossed the Blackwater Line, which extended from Fort Henry—now Petersburg—to the Blackwater Swamp, colonists found soils prime for farming and dense forests that could be manufactured into timber.

As a result, the colonists pressured for westward migration and began settling in villages and plantations throughout the area. Prior to this, however, the lone inhabitants of the region were the Meherrin and Nottoway Indian tribes. As the settlers continued to occupy their land, the Indians were gradually forced into reservations, ultimately dispersing throughout the state.

By 1634, the Colony of Virginia was split into eight differ-

COURTESY

Back in the mid 1700s the county seat was in Jerusalem, which was later renamed Courtland.

ent shires, by order of the King of England, Charles I. Among those, the region that currently includes Brunswick, Greensville, Isle of Wight and Southampton counties was named the Warrosquoake Shire.

Just three years later, the shire was renamed Isle of Wight County, after an island in the English Channel. In order to establish a more convenient administrative center, the county was split into two separate municipalities west of the Blackwater River in 1748, thus creating Southampton County.

There are two theories concerning the naming of the county, although one is more probable than the other. The first is that the county was named in honor of Henry Wriothesly, the third Earl of Southampton and officer of the London Company — the company that established the Jamestown settlement. The other, and most likely theory, is that the county was named for the borough of Southampton in England, as such was commonplace throughout the Commonwealth.

The county seat was set in Jerusalem, home to the courthouse, clerk’s office and prison. Built on the east bank of the Nottoway River, the three buildings stand to this day. The village developed around these prominent buildings and was reincorporated as the Town of Courtland in 1888.

Very few educational institutions are known to have existed in Southampton County during the colonial era because most wealthy plantation owners simply hired a tutor for their children. Some, like Samuel Nelson’s school at Broadwater Academy—near Ivor—offered astronomy, geography, French, Greek and Latin for those less-fortunate families. Millfield Academy — located between Berlin and Ivor — also gained a reputation for educational excellence in the late 1700s.

As expected, the rich soils allowed farming to thrive early on throughout Southampton County, and an abundance of waterways — most notably the Blackwater and Nottoway rivers — enabled distribution throughout the newly formed colonies. These transportation routes also aided the military’s efforts during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

Progress 2015 • 31

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32 • Progress 2015

09 Isle of Wight County L ong, long before there were places called Carrsville, Smithfield and Windsor, there was the land of the Warraskoyacks. According to early 20th-century regional historian Col. Emmett Masalon Morrison, these were the Native Americans that Capt. John Smith met when he crossed the river from Jamestown; both the water and colony were named for James I of England. Hunger first drove the settlement leader to make contact in spring 1608.

Smith once wrote in his journal that the Warraskoyacks, “...requested me to return to their town where I should load my boat with corn; and with near thirty bushels I returned to the fort, the very name whereof gave great comfort to our despairing company.”

Their willingness to provide food not only saved the newcomers, but also became the start of the relationship between the two peoples and the beginnings of what would later become Isle of Wight County.

In his book, “A Brief History of Isle of Wight County,” Morrison wrote that the tribal king even gave Capt. Smith two guides to help a settler find out what became of the lost colo-

ny of Roanoke Island in North Carolina.

“The Warraskoyacks were initially friendly to the English settlers,” said Tracey Neikirk, curator of the Isle of Wight County Museum in Smithfield. “The Indians at the start weren’t worried.”

Although the tribe was part of the Powhatan empire, “The Warrosquoyacks warned them against the Powhatan,” she added.

The first English settlement in the county happened in 1619 when Capt. Christopher Lawne and a crew of 100 settlers landed farther north along the river’s shore near the village of Mathomauk. That settlement what would first became known as Lawne’s Point or Lawne’s Plantation. A year later it would be called Isle of Wight Plantation. This name change, ordered by The London Company, is believed to have been made in honor of Sir Richard Worsley, an investor from England’s Isle of Wight.

Morrison wrote that Worsley was among those settlers. But later research, noted at the museum, indicates he probably never even crossed the ocean.

But if the Warraskoyacks weren’t concerned before by the English, that feeling evidently changed within three years later by the settlers described now as “encroaching.” Further, after the chief of the Powhatans died, his successor — who Morrison described, “always hated the whites” — swore all the tribes along the James River to attack and kill all the unsuspecting settlers on what would be Good Friday of March 22, 1622. The secret plot was nearly successful, but for the warning of one loyal Indian and the bravery of many settlers.

Out of 1,240 people, there were 347 slaughtered.

This included 53 killed by the Warraskoyacks at Basse’s Choice and Bennett’s Welcome settlements.

STEPHEN H. COWLES | TIDEWATER NEWS

“John Smith Trading with the Warraskoyack” was painted in 2013 by regional artist Gail Duke Walters. The picture is part of the display at the Isle of Wight County Museum in downtown Smithfield. Visitors can see and read more details about the county’s earliest years and development through the centuries.

Progress 2015 • 33

STEPHEN H. COWLES | TIDEWATER NEWS

Based on research from Helen Haverty King, Katherine Payne Adams and Kimberly Pittman did the artwork in 2007 for this illustrated map of Isle of Wight County.

This large-scale picture can be seen in the basement of the Isle of Wight County Museum in downtown Smithfield. Note the smaller drawing at the base that shows the original extent of Isle of Wight.

Not unsurprisingly, there was retaliation. Sir George Yeardley later that year led a campaign against the Warraskoyacks and the Nansemonds by killing them, burning houses and cutting down their corn. A similar mission by Capt. William Tucker the next year was again aimed at the Warraskoyacks. Any good feelings between the two races also died in that time.

By 1650, the once-welcoming Warraskoyacks were reportedly gone from record.

Following recovery, the colonists began to prosper. Neikirk said that in 1634 the land drawn by The Virginia Company becomes one of eight shires or counties in Virginia. This was first called Warraskoyack, and by 1637 became Isle of Wight.

Morrison wrote that the early population was 522, and by 1658 the number was about 2,019.

That shire’s borders original went from the James River and Surry County on the north; Nansemond County on the east; down south to the border of North Carolina. The land also stretched far west past the Blackwater and Meherrin rivers.

From Isle of Wight County ultimately came Southampton County.

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34 • Progress 2015

I

08 Franklin City

n 1961, Southampton County lost what would become the smallest independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia over what boils down to a distribution of money. It all started with the schools.

Officials in Franklin had been dissatisfied with Southampton County’s lack of allocation of funds for building new schools in the town.

Back then, the old Franklin High School on Clay Street housed all 12 grades. But that wasn’t the final straw.

The final straw came when officials asked Southampton County to establish a redevelopment and housing authority for the town. However, it had to be approved in a county-wide referendum.

The referendum was formed into the question: “Should Southampton County establish a redevelopment and housing authority for the Town of Franklin?”

The question was overwhelmingly defeated by the voters of Southampton County, which of course included Town of Franklin voters in the mix.

So, officials proceeded with the petition for city status, as that would give Franklin “free-rein” on both issues.

The Franklin City Negotiating Committee was formed. It was made up of representatives from the County Board of Supervisors, the County School Board and the Franklin Town Council. In addition, Franklin Town Attorney J.E. Moyler Jr., Attorney J.E. Moyler of Franklin and Richmond Attorney Walter E. Rogers worked on the City Charter, which is the document that spelled out details regarding governance; policies and procedures; city boards, departments and committees; city officers; and a host of other city matters. School debt and disposition of school property were among the concerns that needed resolved.

Another factor in the logistical stage was population. However, with

a population of 7,366, Franklin was above the minimum for city status.

With that, on Friday, Dec. 22, 1961, Franklin Town Attorney J. Edward Moyler Jr. delivered a petition for city status to Circuit Court Judge John K. Hutton of Suffolk, who declared Franklin a city.

That afternoon, Mayor Dr. Darden W. Jones called a special meeting of the Franklin City Council to celebrate, set goals and develop a plan of action.

The first City Council was composed of J. Floyd Briggs, John C. Parker, Dr. Burton J. Ray and G. Carl Steinhardt. And former town manager Harold Atkinson became the city’s first City Manager. Moyler was the city attorney, and Willie L. Burrow continued to be the chief of police.

The city decided to go with a three-person school board, though the schools remained under Southampton County’s jurisdiction until July 1, 1962, when the current school year was set to end. School board members were to be appointed by city officials.

The charter was finalized at the board’s second meeting on Thursday, Dec. 28, 1961. It was approved to be forwarded to the Virginia General Assembly on Jan. 22, 1962, after the city’s first public forum.

Franklin is a city of the second class, as it shares a court clerk and commonwealth’s attorney.

Virginia is the only state with a statewide system of independent cities. In most states, the county handles things like education and elections.

And unfortunately for officials in Southampton County, when it rained, it poured. Once Franklin got its schools built and improved, several communities that had been part of the county petitioned to be annexed by the city. The reason? They wanted to be able to send their children to Franklin’s school system, as it was once one of the best in the state.

Progress 2015 • 35

07 Desegregation I t wasn’t like the stories in Arkansas or Mississippi, where the U.S. National Guard had to be brought in. But white Virginians did not go without protest when it came to desegregation, and even led politically what would come to violence elsewhere in the South.

Not long after the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling in 1954, Massive Resistance was declared by U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd Sr. of Virginia. The aim of the policy was to unite other white politicians and leaders in the Commonwealth in a campaign of new state laws and policies to prevent public school desegregation. A year after the Brown decision, 101 members of congress signed Byrd’s bill, titled “Southern Manifesto,” which asserted the ability to ignore the Supreme Court decision. Many other Southern states followed suit.

Due in part to this fight, few children entered schools in 1954 to see an integrated classroom. It would take 13 years, long enough for first graders in 1954 to be in college, before the first schools in the rural parts of Hampton Roads started to fully desegregate.

Many school systems, including nearby Surry County, decided to close the public schools rather than desegregate, creating Surry County

Educational Foundation and opening up private academies in its place in 1963. Surry would be one of the last to fully integrate in 1975, when some white parents returned their students to the later revived public schools from Surry Academy.

Isle of Wight County was one of the first in the area to integrate, after years of legal challenges in the courtrooms by the civil rights lawyers, on the back of what was happening in Newport News, where Thurgood Marshall was involved. Though it was not before forming Isle of Wight Academy in 1967. Full integration in the public schools began in 1969, though smaller numbers of black students had enrolled years before.

The laws of massive resistance and campaigns that followed were overturned by federal courts, and by 1969, most of Virginia had turned against the campaign by electing Republican A. Linwood Holton Jr. as governor. He had opposed Massive Resistance and called it “the state’s pernicious anti-desegregation strategy.”

That was also the year that Southampton County schools integrated, at least in name. Forced integration occurred during the 1969-70 school year, as the sytem, through zoning, had kept a few schools predominately white — Ivor, Drewryville, Courtland, Newsoms and Hunterdale. The state’s decision forced them to reorganize the schools, turning Riverview, the former black high school, into the middle school.

Franklin’s school system had been ordered to integrate by the 1966-67 school year, though the system remained predominantly white. Arrangements were made between the Southampton and Franklin school systems, which allowed students to attend another school in the area if they wished, and many Southampton white students chose to enroll in Franklin.

SUBMITTED

This photo was taken on the last day of school at Hayden High in June 1962. Kneeling up front is Charles Hood. Other students from left and clockwise are Mitchell Hendricks, Brendolyn Cutler, Gwendolyn Cutler, the late Harrison Blowe, Samuel Cutler, Lawrence Davis, Billy Davis, Alexander Mills, John Lewis, the late Richard Jordan and Walter Brown.

36 • Progress 2015

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38 • Progress 2015

06 Union Bag-Camp merger M ay 29, 1956, for a lot of people for a period of time, was called “BLACK SUNDAY.” That was the day supervisors employed by Camp Manufacturing Co., Inc. were summoned to an unusual meeting at the Mill.

They were told that the next day’s newspapers would reveal that the Company was negotiating a merger with Union Bag and Paper Co. of New York.

The day after “Black Sunday,” an Associated Press dispatch from New York revealed that directors of Union Bag and Paper Co. and Camp Manufacturing Co. had already approved the merger. Mill workers and townspeople were reassured to read that Union Bag-Camp Paper Corp. would incorporate in Virginia and would finish an $18 million construction project at the paper mill in Franklin. The Company’s fourth paper machine in Franklin would be built.

However, they were disturbed to read that the firm would be headquartered in New York. What would become of Franklin, the town where nearly everybody depended on “the company?”

The Camp family recognized the need to grow in order to stay abreast of their competition. Merger with another company seemed to be the course that they should take.

The people of Franklin did not know that merger with another company had been considered and pursued. Several other companies were after the Camp Company. W.R. Grace and Co., Crown Zellerbach, St. Regis Paper Co., and Riegel Paper Co. were “courting” Camp Manufacturing Co. The Calders of Union Bag, and the Camp brothers started discussions two years earlier. Negotiators included Alexander Calder Jr., president of Union Bag and Hugh Camp, president of Camp. Behind the scenes were Alexander Calder Sr., James L. Camp Jr. and Camp’s attorney John C. Parker.

Though the Calders and the Camps negotiated as equals, Union Bag was actually much larger.

James L. Camp Jr. was concerned that the Camp Company must be assured that its value (between $70 and $80 million) be protected. The Camps’ entire holdings were at stake. To protect that value, Camp negotiators asked that each share of Camp stock be redeemed for one and three-quarters shares in the merged company. Union Bag negotiators, at first, strongly resisted, but the Camps refused to back down. After weeks of around the clock bargaining, word finally came from New York that Union Bag had agreed. Franklin stockholders ex-

ulted, “We got our one and three-fourths!”

It is to be noted that James L. Camp Jr., months before the merger, had relinquished the presidency of Camp Manufacturing Co. to his brother, Hugh. At that time, James became Chairman of the Board of Directors of Camp.

When the consolidated company elected officers, Alexander Calder Sr. was elected chairman of the Board of Directors and his son Alexander Calder Jr. was elected president.

Hugh Camp was chosen executive vice president and James L. Camp Jr. was appointed to the position of vice chairman of the Board of Directors.

It was decided that at least one Camp should re-locate to corporate headquarters in New York. James Camp Jr. was unwilling to leave Franklin. So, it fell upon Hugh Camp. He was well qualified to not only help lead and direct the corporation, but also to protect the interests and concerns of the Camp family and the people back in Franklin.

Following the merger, four Camp family members served on the corporate board: of course, Hugh and James, but also John M. Camp Sr. and William M. Camp Sr. Officers included four Franklin men: Walter Shorter, vice president for sales; John M. Camp, Jr., assistant treasurer; John C. Parker, assistant secretary for legal affairs; and S. A. Lipscomb, assistant comptroller.

In 1958, No. 4 paper machine was completed. Franklin became a major regional headquarters for the corporation. It was headquarters for the fine bleached paper division. And, ultimately, it became headquarters for all of the Company’s bleached manufacturing and converting operations.

In 1960, Hugh Camp was elected Chairman of the Board succeeding Alexander Calder Sr. who stepped down. And, James Camp Jr. was chosen chairman of the Executive Committee. Alexander Calder Jr. continued as president.

In 1966, No. 5 paper machine was completed and the name of the company was changed to Union Camp Corporation.

In 1969, the corporate headquarters was moved from New York to Wayne, New Jersey.

In 1971, No. 6 paper machine was completed.

In 1972, a particleboard plant was completed. It utilized lumber mill shavings along with other wood based by-products as a basic raw material for the production of building materials and furniture components.

Progress 2015 • 39

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40 • Progress 2015

05 Railroads P

rior to 1834, Western Tidewater was essentially isolated from the rest of the state. That changed, however, with the arrival of the Portsmouth and Roanoke Railroad. The new railroad extended into the western portion of Virginia, bringing people and commerce to Southampton County. It allowed those within the county access to the cities of Petersburg and Norfolk.

The Portsmouth and Roanoke Railroad, a CSX-owned line, also aided in the development of the town of Franklin in the early 1840s, as the economic life of the county had become centered on the evolution of the rail system. The 1858 completion of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, also CSX, was most pertinent to the growth of the northeastern section of the county, with towns and villages gradually forming around the railroad deposits that were established at road crossings.

Popular legend has it that William Mahone, builder of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, and his wife, Otelia, traveled along the newly complete railway, naming stations. Otelia was reading “Ivanhoe,” a book writtern by Sir Walter Scott, and decided to name Ivor, Wakefield, Waverly and Windsor after his historical Scottish novels.

As the Mahones continued along the journey, they reached a station just west of the Sussex County line, but could not agree on a suitable name from the books. Instead, they invented a new word in honor of their dispute, which is how the tiny community of Disputanta was named.

Courtland, meanwhile, gained rail service with the con-

struction of Norfolk Southern’s Atlantic and Danville Railroad in 1888, roughly the same time that Surry, Sussex and Southampton Railway—now abandoned—provided service in the northern section of the county near the James River.

The Tidewater Railroad, later known as the Virginia Railroad, was the last railroad to be built in the county. Also abandoned, it resulted in the formation of Sebrell and Sedley in 1906.

The aforementioned Atlantic and Danville Railroad is no longer in use, either, as of early 2014, when Norfolk Southern ceased operations due to the cost of running and maintaining the line exceeding profitability. Already facing the expense of fixing deteriorating track and bridge conditions along the route, the closing of International Paper spelled doom for Norfolk Southern in Southampton County, even though the mill reopened in a limited capacity in 2013.

As it stands, currently, CSX is the only rail service that travels through Southampton County. The Portsmouth and Roanoke Railroad, which was renamed to the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad due to a company merger, travels north of Rte. 58 from Portsmouth until it intersects the Norfolk Southern line in Franklin.

From there, the railway through the southern part of Southampton County towards Weldon, North Carolina, where it meets a line that travels from Canada to Florida parallel to Interstate 95.

Progress 2015 • 41

42 • Progress 2015

04 International Paper O ver an extended period of time, starting in the early 1990s, there was a lot of talk going around that Union Camp Corporation was going to merge with another company.

In November of 1998, rumors were put to rest. International Paper announced that it was going to buy Union Camp Corporation.

In April of 1999, an announcement was made that International Paper and Union Camp Corporation would merge. International Paper announced that they had completed a $7.9 billion merger agreement with Union Camp Corporation.

Assurances were given that there were no definitive present plans to close any of the pre-existing Union Camp mills. However, over an extended period of time, there was considerable downsizing and streamlining of operations.

An unforeseen circumstance came about. In September of 1999, following the ravaging of the area by Hurricane Floyd with its huge amount of rainfall, the Blackwater River overflowed its banks and severely flooded most of downtown Franklin and a good part of the International Paper mill complex.

The mill was down for a while. People began to wonder.

Will International Paper use this circumstance to enter into the picture as far as a decision to close the mill permanently?

Well, there was considerable cleanup and the mill reopened, partially, after about two weeks. A little later, the Mill returned to pre-flood production. Still, people were worrying that the mill might close or cut back production considerably.

In May of 2000, International Paper reduced by one-third its salaried work force at the Franklin Mill. Among those elimi-

nated were people who held technical and support positions.

In July of 2001, International Paper announced two rounds of job cuts, company-wide. Many job reductions also took place at the Franklin mill.

Again, this time in September of 2003, International Paper announced another reduction in its work force. The Company would eliminate 3,000 salaried jobs world-wide by the end of next year as part of a plan to cut costs by $1.5 billion. The Company declined to say exactly how many jobs would be eliminated at the Franklin Mill.

In April of 2006, International Paper announced that it would sell 130,000 acres of its Virginia forest land to an investment group. Much of that land was acquired years ago by the Camp Company. It was just a small part of the 5.1 million acres, worth $6.1 billion, across the country that International Paper sold.

In early November of 2008, International Paper shut down one of the five remaining paper machines at the Franklin Mill, reducing production by 17 percent—from 900,000 tons to 750,000, annually. Fifty of the Mill’s now 1,200 employees were affected.

Also, later in November of 2008, the 1,050 hourly workers at the Mill were told that they were eligible to apply for voluntary severance packages. The goal was to avert layoffs.

In February of 2009, International Paper reported that, due to a shortage of orders, they would shut down the Franklin paper machines and idle workers for at least two weeks in March.

In April of 2009, the Company closed the Franklin lumber mill. Over 100 workers were placed on layoff status.

Progress 2015 • 43

On the morning of Oct. 22 in 2009, key people in the City of Franklin, Isle of Wight County and Southampton County were summoned to the mill for a meeting. At that meeting, it was announced that International Paper would permanently close the Franklin Mill in April of 2010. Although most people feared the worst when they went to that meeting, they were in shock when the announcement was actually made.

The Mill went down on April 10, 2010. Eleven-hundred people lost their jobs. This left just a small group of people to tend to the property.

During the ensuing months, there were a lot of meetings and discussions with International Paper officials about reversing their decision. Governors, congressmen, senators, Economic Development people were trying to use their influence with International Paper officials. All of this seemed to be of no avail.

INTERNATIONAL PAPER (REPURPOSED) On May 17, 2011, International Paper announced that they would repurpose a portion of the Mill. It was an unprecedented move on the part of International Paper. The No. 4 paper machine would be reactivated and would produce what was called “fluff pulp,” an absorbent material used in diapers, baby wipes and feminine hygiene products. This type of paper production was to be totally different from any of the paper ever produced at the Franklin Mill.

The Company said it would invest $83 million in its repurposing, which would eventually create 200 jobs. The operation would have capacity to produce 270,000 metric tons of fluff pulp annually.

Startup of the re-purposed No. 4 Machine took place during the first part of the year 2012.

Paper machines numbered one, two and three were discontinued.

ST TISSUE During the latter part of the year 2012, an announcement was made that a company called “ST Tissue” would operate

FILE

They have reason to smile. Franklin Mayor Raystine Johnson-Ashburn, left, with Amanda Jarratt of FSEDI, Lisa Perry, the director of Isle of Wight Economic Development and Ronnie West of the Southampton County Board of Supervisors react to the news in 2011 that International Paper would be repurposed.

out of the old No. 6 paper machine at the Mill site.

Operations started during the first quarter of 2013. It was estimated that approximately 85 people would eventually be employed.

ST Tissue is a tissue manufacturer, capable of producing napkins and toweling products.

Not only does ST Tissue operate No. 6 paper machine but it plans to eventually use the No. 5 paper machine to also produce napkin and toweling products. And, a pre-existing stateof-the-art fiber recycling plant, warehousing space, and a few office buildings are now a part of the ST Tissue complex.

FRANKLIN LUMBER LLC On June 21, 2013, an announcement was made that Franklin Lumber LLC, a company created by former employees of International Paper’s Isle of Wight County sawmill, had purchased the International Paper sawmill at Franklin and would create 72 new jobs.

Franklin Lumber restarted the lumber mill during the latter part of the year 2013. According to an International Paper spokesman, the two companies worked out a cooperative arrangement. “It is a win-win situation and a great fit for the Lumber Mill and the community,” said Jeff Stevens, the operations manager for Franklin Lumber LLC.

44 • Progress 2015

03 The flood of 1999 T he aftermath of Hurricane Floyd is remembered more strongly than the storm, which hit the region on Thursday, Sept. 16, 1999. In addition to the high winds that were forecasted for that night, rainfall ranging from five to eight inches and flash flooding were also anticipated. But what was not predicted were the heartbreaking aftereffects. Flooding from the northern reaches of the Blackwater River quickly made its way south and spilled onto the roads and streets in downtown Franklin and surrounding area.

Of course even before Floyd blew through, the city and Southampton and Isle of Wight counties were prepping for the storm. The Tidewater News that day noted that officials with emergency services from all three localities were making decisions on what should be done in the event of power outages, school closings, evacuations and flooding.

Deputies were ordered to be ready for whatever might be necessary.

Gov. Jim Gilmore had already issued a state of emergency for the Commonwealth, and a local declaration was made by Franklin Mayor Jim Councill that morning, with Isle of Wight and Southampton following later that day.

“It appears this is going to be a significant event,” Isle of Wight County Administrator Doug Caskey said at the time. “Most people know where the flood-prone areas are known to be alert. But I think what they could see from Floyd may be worse than they have seen in some time.”

The winds and rain came and went, leaving broken power lines, trees and debris in their wake at Boykins, Branchville, Courtland, Drewryville and Newsoms, to name a few communities.

Shirley Munford Vasser of Burdette recalled, “I was at home and my husband [the late Edward L. Vasser Sr.] said, ‘We need to get a generator.’ And we did, lucky us. We used it for around three weeks...We used the phone for five days until it [a substation] blew. We had no idea that Franklin was covered in water.

“People did help people afterward. Our community is always willing to help out. The fire department came by and offered cases of water.”

Already by Friday afternoon downtown Franklin was flooding — reportedly some places as deep as 10 feet — and the Blackwater wasn’t expected to crest before Saturday. The Blackwater and Nottoway rivers began noticeably to recede by Wednesday, but as they fell back, the destruction grew.

Toni Phillips, wife of the downtown merchant Billy Phillips, once described the scene as “kind of like a nightmare.”

“Water came up into our backyard, but we never had to leave,” she said. “Of course we had no electricity or anything. It was just so, so bad for him. Everything we had was tied up into that store. We didn’t own

our home.

“It was devastating to everybody, and an awful whammy to us. It was our livelihood in more ways than one.”

David Rabil, owner of Fred’s Restaurant on Main Street agreed about the extent of damage.

“It was a devastating thing. I came in the morning of the hurricane... my staff called about coming in and I said just wait until the afternoon.

“Finally it stopped raining, and on my way home I saw a little water — about a foot — sitting and not drawing down. I thought to myself, ‘Gee, whiz.’ I never opened Fred’s that day.

“That night I came back by the tracks. Police said flooding was expected by morning. I got sandbags and duct-taped the windows and door. The rest is a big old smelly history. I really didn’t expect water to be in here. The next day it was knee-deep. It was a mess.

“We had 20 minutes at a time to inspect...and when I opened the door, I about lost it. Basically the place was gutted.

“Thank God for the folks who helped us out. During the recovery it was hard to find people to work because everyone was going through the same thing.

“It was eight months to the day before I was back in business.”

On and on it went. Other consequences included: • In addition to the shop owners, the city’s waste water treatment plant was overwhelmed by the rising water.

• Where the Nottoway River flowed, roads became inaccessible, and threatened the bridge on Route 35 in Courtland.

• Places such as Boykins and Branchville became temporarily isolated, with some residents using boats to get around.

• A photographer saw part of Delaware Road near Hunterdale washing into a peanut field.

• Initially, there were no storm-related deaths. But The Suffolk NewsHerald reported early the following week that a 9-year-old girl — Kiara T. Davis of Maryland — drowned on Sept. 19, when her family’s car went 12 feet into the Assamoosick Swamp on River Road.

• Damages to crops in Southampton were estimated at $11 million; $6 million in Isle of Wight.

• An estimated 185 homes in Southampton endured flood damage, and 75 percent of the county’s roads were also affected.

Nearly everyone living in Western Tidewater was either affected directly or indirectly for the short or long haul.

Over the next several months, though, people pulled themselves — and one another — back up to recover as best they could.

Progress 2015 • 45

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46 • Progress 2015

02 Nat Turner O n Aug. 21, 1831, Nat Turner led one of the largest slave uprisings in American history, killing roughly 60 white men, women and children in Southampton County. The aftermath of the insurrection was far more reaching, however, as approximately 200 blacks were killed, including Turner, and the state legislatures passed new laws prohibiting education for slaves and free blacks, as well as rights of assembly and civil rights for the latter.

Born on Oct. 2, 1800, unto Virginia plantation owner Benjamin Turner, Nat Turner was considered a prophet by those around him, including his mother and grandmother. In fact, they believed that he “was intended for some great purpose.” Turner, who was given the surname of his owner as custom of the time period, was instructed in reading, writing and religion, and would often spend his time reading the Bible, praying and fasting.

Believing that he was chosen by God to lead the slaves of Southampton County from bondage, Turner interpreted a

FILE

The Rebecca Vaughan House, relocated to Courtland, was the site of the last killings by Nat Turner insurrection.

solar eclipse as a black man’s hand reaching over the white man’s sun as a sign to begin a revolution. Turner recruited more than 70 enslaved and free blacks to join him in the uprising, which was first planned for Independence Day, but was postponed for more deliberation.

The rebels traveled from house to house with knives, hatches, axes and blunt instruments, freeing slaves and killing almost every white person they encountered.

The group did spare the poor, however, as Turner believed they “thought no better of themselves than they did of negros.”

Initially, the group had planned on marching toward the county seat of Jerusalem—now Courtland—to take over the armory, but were met and defeated by a militia with twice the manpower and artillery. Turner, meanwhile, fled into the nearby forest.

With Turner hiding in a hole in the woods, an estimated 150 blacks were killed in retaliation for the rebellion, although most of which were not involved. The state tried and executed 56 others for their roles.

More than a month passed before Turner was captured. He pleaded not guilty during his trial, believing that the rebellion was the work of God. He was sentenced to death by hanging; his body was flayed, beheaded and quartered; and he received no formal burial.

Soon after Turner’s execution, his lawyer—Thomas Ruffin Gray—published “The Confessions of Nat Turner.” The novel is considered the primary historical document regarding Turner, as it is inspired by their jailhouse conversations before his trial.

Furthermore, what Turner thought would spread terror and alarm only incited harsher laws against slaves in the south.

There was debate, however, over the future of slavery in the commonwealth, and although some urged emancipation, the pro-slavery crowd prevailed. Additionally, state legislature passed statutes that made it unlawful to teach slaves or free blacks to read or write. As a result, most blacks in the south were illiterate by the end of the American Civil War.

Progress 2015 • 47

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48 • Progress 2015

01 Camp Manufacturing Co. C amp Manufacturing Company was chartered on April 1, 1887. A pre-existing lumber mill—located on the eastern bank of the Blackwater River across from Franklin in Isle of Wight County, owned by brothers R. J. and William Neely, was purchased by Paul Douglas Camp.

It was the largest and most desirable lumber mill in southern Virginia. The Neelys had bought the mill from John Frisbee, who started it in 1855.

Paul Camp, at the time he bought the mill, was 37 years of age. He soon brought in his brother James Leondias Camp.

And, soon after that, the two brothers decided to invite the rest of the brothers to join them and to convert the partnership into a family corporation. The result was Camp Manufacturing Company. Paul Camp assumed the position of president, James Camp was named vice president, and Robert Judson Camp was appointed secretary-treasurer. Other Camp brothers John Stafford, William Nelson, and Benjamin Franklin were not actively involved, but became shareholders.

Actually, the Camps were involved in logging prior to the establishment of Camp Manufacturing Co. The firm of “John S. and W. N. Camp Co.”, formed by brothers John Stafford and William Nelson, was set up in the 1870s to supply logs to area sawmills. Soon, they hired their brother Paul as their logging superintendent. In short time, however, Paul realized that a far bigger opportunity would be in actually operating a saw mill.

So, in 1876 when Paul was 27, he borrowed money and bought from Edward Hedley of Pennsylvania a mill on the Nottoway River in Southampton County, adjoining the Norfolk and Roanoke Railway.

After that, the “John S. and W. N. Camp Co.” was disbanded.

Then, brothers William Nelson Camp, John Stafford Camp, and Dr. Benjamin Franklin Camp, along with Robert Judson Camp, went to Florida and established various businesses there including that which was involved in lumbering, phosphate mining, cattle raising and citrus production. A little later, Robert Judson Camp returned to Franklin to participate in Camp Manufacturing Co. but maintained interest in his Florida endeavors. The other brothers chose to stay in Florida.

When Paul’s mill had cut over most of the pine in its immediate area (Delaware Station), the tall, blond young man moved his mill to the Maney’s Neck section of Hertford County, North Carolina. There, he soon was producing a million and a half feet of lumber yearly.

In 1880, Paul married Ella Cobb, who resided near Franklin, and took her to live in a tiny house near his North Carolina mill.

Encouraged by his mill’s production and sales, Paul Camp invited his youngest brother, James L., to buy into the firm as a partner. From this beginning the firm of “P. D. and J. L. Camp, Inc.” was formed. In six years, it was producing five million board feet annually. Clearly, the Camp brothers worked well together, pitching in to do whatever was needed, no matter how dangerous or menial.

Progress 2015 • 49

Going back to the start of the story, when the Neely mill was purchased, the other enterprises in which Paul and James were engaged were incorporated into the new Camp Manufacturing Company.

Stockholders, besides the three officers, previously mentioned, were the three brothers who remained in Florida: John Stafford, William Nelson and Benjamin Franklin.

There were some tough times for the company. In the early 1900s, the company came close to bankruptcy. But thanks to some banks in Baltimore, sufficient financial support was provided to carry them through. Earlier, Vaughan and Company Bankers of Franklin had helped to its maximum extent.

Prior to World War I, in order to keep the mill running and to keep employees on the job, the Company stockpiled quite a lot of lumber. This proved to be a good move. When the war broke out, demand for lumber to build Army camps stimulated the Company’s recovery. Tiny Franklin became a booming wartime village.

Over the ensuing decades, the Company prospered. During the great depression, though, the company had few orders but operated out of its surplus account and stock-piled lumber. It even exhausted its storage capacity. Then, the overflow lumber production was stored in local warehouses and barns. When business revived in the late 1930s, Camp had lumber ready to ship.

As the older generations passed on, the next succeeding generations were able to carry on.

CHESAPEAKE – CAMP CORPORATION In the mid-1930s, Camp Manufacturing Co., led by President James L. Camp Jr., began to consider expanding into papermaking. Pulpwood from woodlands and wastes such as slabs from saw timber would provide abundant raw material.

Not far from Franklin were two successful firms already manufacturing kraft paper products. Albemarle Paper Co., in Richmond, and Chesapeake Corp. of Virginia, in West Point, were being considered for some type of affiliation with Camp Manufacturing Co. The Camps knew Chesapeake’s president, Swedish-born Elis Olsson.

Hugh Douglas Camp, youngest son of James L. Camp Sr., was interested in the idea of papermaking in Franklin. However, he was not an employee of Camp Manufacturing Co., although he was a major stockholder. Hugh was Vice President and general manager of Roanoke Mills, a textile manufacturer, located in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.

By 1936, Camp Manufacturing Company’s directors were

ready to take the plunge into paper. At a meeting on Nov. 2¸ President James L. Camp Jr. proposed his paper mill plans.

Present was brother Hugh. James Camp’s proposal was that the Camps join with Albemarle and Chesapeake to build and operate a jointly owned paper mill at Franklin.

The estimated cost for the paper mill was $3,450,000. Camp Manufacturing Co. was to invest 50 percent, Chesapeake 37 ½ percent, and Albemarle 12-½ percent. And, by using the know-how of Albemarle and Chesapeake, the Camps would ease securely into a complex new field.

Representatives of the three firms met on Dec. 15, 1936, at Franklin, to form the new company. The company was named Chesapeake-Camp Corp. It was to be independent of Camp Manufacturing Co. James L. Camp, Jr., was to be president, with Hugh as vice president and general manager, and their cousin John M. Camp, son of the late Paul D. Camp, as secretary-treasurer.

Elis Olsson, president of Chesapeake, and Henry Watkins Ellerson, president of Albemarle, were chosen as vice presidents of Chesapeake-Camp.

Directors included W. C. Gouldman and Julien H. Hill of the Chesapeake Board, two from Albemarle Paper, and James Jr., Hugh, Ryland and John Camp of Camp Manufacturing Co. A few months later, Albemarle withdrew and sold its interest to Chesapeake, which became Camp’s equal partner.

The Chesapeake-Camp paper-making plant was built across the railway from the lumber mill, making use of rail and using some of the equipment already operated by Camp Manufacturing Co. The paper mill became operational in 1937 with Karl Thorsen as its superintendent. He came down from Chesapeake’s West Point Mill. At that time, 255 people were employed in the paper mill.

The tall plant with its constant halo of steam dominated Franklin’s landscape and proclaimed the town’s No. 1 industry. The Camp family was now in the paper manufacturing business and it proved to be a very successful enterprise.

Camp Manufacturing Co. was still going strong with its lumber production. The two companies were separate and operating concurrently.

In 1937, to house the two companies’ staffs, a very imposing colonial-style office building was built adjoining the mills. It was paneled in fine woods. Hugh Camp dubbed it the “Chrysler Building”.

In 1945, Chesapeake-Camp Corp. was merged with Camp Manufacturing Co. and the consolidation assumed the name of Camp Manufacturing Company, Inc.

50 • Progress 2015

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Progress 2015 • 51

Our highly skilled labor force supports commerce in North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia. Right sizing our facility and workforce to meet the demands of our customers in recent years has increased our work capacity and labor force by 20%.

Creating lasting corporate partnerships since 1972 gives us the ability to give back to our community.

Let us be your partner!

INVEST IMPROVE

252-398-4041

www.metaltechnc.com

INNOVATE

This relaxed and easygoing place called Franklin is a community where people readily get to know one another. You go many of the same places and do

many of the same things. That doesn’t change when you decide to live at The Village. There’s a level of friendliness and comfort you’ll find very familiar. At the same time, you get to enjoy a more carefree and secure lifestyle that includes modern, renovated apartments, new amenities, and new services. Get better acquainted with us by calling and planning a visit.

The V lage Vil g ge at Woods W Edge d dge

Small town charm. Engaging senior living.

1401 North High Street Ɍ Franklin, VA 23851 Ɍ 757-562-3100 Ɍ VillageatWoodsEdge.com

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