STEPHEN B, WEEKS cuss OF BM; PHD nt X»*tS HOPKINS UWVtRSITY OF THE DNIVBRSnY OF NORIB CAROLINA THE WEEKS COIIECTIION OF ^^^E'^^^n^^^E C971.90 S77 UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00032761388 This book must not be token from the Library building. y .^ ©KEITGHES OF MON RO B. AND UNION COUNTRY Together With General and Individual Characteristics of Their People and A Description of the Natural Resources and Business Enterprises JJV- By stack & BEASLEY Monroe, N. C, July, 1902 news and times print charlotte, n. c, 1902 577 4 PBEFACE. The object of this publication is to tell, in a modest way, some of the many interesting truths about one of the best counties in the State, and to more fully illustrate the things said a good deal of personal matter is put in. We think the whole will be found interesting from cover to cover. The fine natural advantages of the county, the sturdy and upright character of the people and its rapid progress along all lines of development make it un- mistakably one of the best counties in the Old North State. The progressive spirit of Monroe is marked; for population', it has the finest churches, schools, and public institutions to be found anywhere, and the pure artesian water with which the town is supplied is incomparably healthful. A careful perusal of these pages will repay the reader. S Q^ UNION COUNTY, Union county, of which ^lonioe is llic capital, is what may be called a county of middle age in Xorth Carolina, being more than half a century old as a distinct political organization. It contains 640 square miles, lies on the lower border of what is known as the Piedmont region, and is bounded on two sides by the State of South Carolina. Its population by the last census was 27,156. The county has most of the many advantages so generously given the State of which it is a part, some of which it may be well to enumerate at some length. The county tax rate is 19 1-3 cents; special 39 1-3 and $1.18 on poll. There ifl practically no debt. POPULATIOX. The people are natives. While here and there may l)e found persons from other sections of the country, nowhere do foreigners abound. Indeed, a foreigner of any nationality is a great rarity. The white people are exceedingly thrifty and intelligent. We believe the average of intelligence is equal to that of any county in the State. Law-ljreaking by the white people is rare, and there has never been but one manifestation of mob violence in the long history of the county. That was for the nameless crime, some twenty years ago. Modest, unassuming people, we have; intelligent, brave, moral. In justice to the colored popu- lation a word should be spoken in their behalf. They are law- abiding as a race, and industrious. Certainly there is a great deal of petty crime committed among them, but there is a conspicuous absence of the graver offences. And while there are many shiftless ones about the to\\iis, there are many faithful workers in both towns and country. OCCUPATION. The principal occupation of the people is agriculture. Stock raising, principally for home consumption ; mining, lumbering, and wood chopping also receive attention. The towns and vil- lages of the county are of course turning their attention to manufacturing. Within the county there are two cotton mills, a cotton seed oil mill, several roller flour mills and a number of wood working plants and small canning plants. THE PEOGEESSIVE SPIKJT. The Old ISTorth State is now a fairy land where the changes being wrought in the development and energizing of her advan- tages are as magical as some of the deeds fancifully attributed to the work of the fairy's wand. And in this wonderful progress- the county of Union is fast forging to the front. The spirit of progress, of "noble restlessness" is upon her people. Everywhere is this manifest. In the splendid improvement of her roads and in her educational work does this show with marked effect. But it is no less manifest in the broadening habits of thought, the lifting of ideals, the quiet but ever onward struggle for better things in both the material and moral worlds. The average of comfortable living is perhaps as high in this county as over any other section of similar size in the United States. With the painting of a church and the enlargement of a school house go the improvement in farm machinery and farming methods. At only one point in the county can whiskey be sold, and nowhere in the county is there a distillery. Put by the side of these facts the remark of a gentleman who has traveled extensively in almost every State in the Union — •'I have," said he, "been all over the blue grass region of Kentucky and I can say that the live stock used by the people of Union county is better on the average than that found in similar use in that famous section"' — and we have an idea of the hand to hand progress that the moral and material forces of Union county are making. There is an almost ideal blending of the conservative and the progressive ideas. Tlie two meet in a fine composite — a guarantee that every step made in the onward progress is a real one and shall not be lost. SOIL AND CLIMATE. Prosperity may be l)uilt up;)n different interests. l)ut there are onlv two things, and they taken together, which guarantee 8 l)e'yond peradventure a lasting prosperity. These two are favor- able soil and climate. Towns are often made rich by the manu- facture of a single article — but the market may decline and the whole cosily fabric of a profitable industry be rendered valueless. But an agricultural section with a soil easily adapted to an indefinite variety of crops, a climate alike suitable, with an equable rainfall, there is no possibility that the population will not always bo happy ancl ])i'()sporous. l^nion county is free UNION CorNTV ColNT IIol'SE. fi-()iii excess of heat or cold. Spring- and fall arc ideal; in the summer the days are warm l)nt tiie nights pleasant. Winter brings no excessive cold, but there is enough to be bracing. On an average there are ahiuit two good snowfalls a year, scarcely ever over six or eight inches in depth. Rainfall is well distrib- uted so that every section of the county is well watered. The northwestern border of the countv lies on the Kocky river, while 9 the Catawba flows near its eastern border. Into these two courses flow numerous hirge and small creeks, traversing every section of the county, and furnishing many acres of "bottom land," upon which corn grows so vigorously. Much of the soil is naturally very fertile, all of it may be made so. The whole county is remarkable for its healthfulness. CROPS. The principal crops are corn and cotton and wheat and oats, supplemented by rye. clover, grasses, molasses, and a great variety of fruits and vegetables. Much fruit and vegetables are canned and preserved in different ways. As a rule the people make their own supplies. The county is well stocked with improved breeds of cattle and every family that cares to may have abun- dance of the richest milk and butter at a trifling cost. Cattle may obtain good grazing for eight months in the year. Poultry can be raised at a nominal cost and the market is always good. The great number of poultry and eggs shipped always keep the local market w^ll up. FARM, MIN^ERAL AXD TIMBER LAXDS. Union county is rich in farm, mineral and timber lands. The soil has already been referred to; good farm lands can be bought for $5 to $20 per acre, and can be secured by renters at a very moderate cost. Almost anything known to the temperate zone of Xorth America can be grown. Timber lands abound. The cutting of timber and wood is quite an industry. It is no unusual thing for a person to buy timber land, clear it, and secure enough profit from the sale of wood and timber to pay for the full purchase. Nineteen of the twenty-two species of oak found in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains grow in Xorth Carolina and of these Union county has her share ; also of pine, hickory, persimmon, walnut, elm, poplar, cedar, maple, dogw^ood, sycamore, cherry, ash. The county has unqiies- tioned wealth in her gold mines. Her mines have been worked since the beginning. There are a number of old mines whose richness have been demonstrated, waiting to be taken hold of bv 10 capital aiul ('\])erion(e. Rt-foiv tin- war Cummotloro Stockton and ()tli(T> worked iiiincs in tlu' cmiitv un a lar^^f scale, ifr. J. ('. Ilalt<. an e\|K'rt and wealthy miner, lias <»iH'rated niinoi here for twi-nty-live years. Then- are many shafts, no douht leading to rich (ields, that have been al)jind()ned l»v their owners only becanse of lack of caj)ital. Kieli snrfaee ^old is often found. UNION CorNTV JAIL. many times farmers pick up pure nuggets in the branches or on the hillsides. EDUCATIOX AND THE SPREAD OF IXTELLIGENCE. The rapid advancement of the cause of education in the county for the past twelve or fifteen years hfls been marvelous. The educational revival in this county is far ahead of the general one in the State. Perhaps more boys and girls go to college from this county 11 in proportion to population than from any other in the State. This is clue to the presence of a hirge number of high schools. The academies at Marshville, Wingate, Waxhaw, Unionville, Weddington and Morgan are tine feeders, besides shedding an influence for progress upon the communities in which they are located. Six of the nine townships of the county have each one or more academies, and in another there has been an excel- lent one, while in another of these some of the public schools run from eight to ten months in the year. At the county seat, Monroe, there is a splendid graded school system for both white and colored. x4tt Wesley Chapel, in Sandy Ridge township, the people have voted a special tax, erected a $1500 house, and will maintain a rural graded school — the first in the State. Marsh- ville and Waxhaw are also considering the ciuestion of establish- ing graded schools. All this is in addition to the public schools provided by the State. There are several small free libraries in the county. Four local newspapers are maintained and all have good patronage. Free rural mail routes are being opened up and the whole county is fast becoming a net-work of telephone wires. This is no small factor in the spread of intelligence. Telephone conections with his neighbors and the town is no small comfort and convenience to a farmer. The telephone, the daily mail, the improved school and church facilities are adding an attractiveness to farm life which was undreamed of a few years ago. All these unite in making Union far up to- wards the head in general intelligence and desirability as a place of residence. HISTOEICAL. The territory now embraced by Union county has at different times been a part of New Hanover, Bladen. Anson and Meck- lenburg counties. The old line between Mecklenburg and Anson ran some two miles east of Monroe. Thus Union has a part in the history of each — the Anson Eegulators and the Mecklenburg signers. At the centennial in Charlotte in 1875 there was pres- ent a citizen of Union county who was then considerably over one hundred years of age, and had as a lad been present at the 12 signing of the famous Declaration on May 20th, 1775. This county has the honor of having given President Andrew Jackson to the nation. Where his parents lived, some miles west of Mon- roe, is well known, as is also the place of his birth in Jackson township — named for him — in this county. Union county was "erected," as the statute puts it, in 1842. The magistrates in the territory of the new county were instructed to meet and form a county government, which they did on the first Monday in April, 1843, at La Batt's crossroads (old Tindel place.) rXION COUNTY HOME FOR .\GED .\ND I.NFIKM. There being a dispute between the Whigs and Democrats as to whether the county should be named Clay or Jackson, the word Union was suggested and adopted as a compromise and because the new county was created from parts of two others. 13 TOWN'S. Monroe, the capital, is of course the largest town of the coimty, but there are two others of considerable importance. Marshville, situated, ten miles east of Monroe, is a thriving town of several hundred inhabitants and does a large mercantile busi- ness. It has a roller flour mill and a good local newspaper, Our Home, which has been run for about 8 years by Mr. J. Z. Greene. Waxhaw, ten miles southeast of Monroe, has a population of 800, and several large mercantile houses which do an extensive business in furnishing a large area of territory. It also has a cotton mill, owned by Eodman & Heath. A good local paper is also published at Waxhaw, edited by Mr. P. T. Way. Both Wax- haw and Marshville are fine cotton markets, and each has a flourishing school. Wingate, six miles east of Monroe, is a thriv- ing village with a splendid high school. 14 Till-: cnCX-I'V (i()\KIJNMKNT. The people of Union counly wisely entrust their affairs only in the hanils of honest, intelli,!^ent and faithful public ser- vants. ]t is a county in which the people themselves rule. Under the ])rini;uy >y>t('ni for selecting candidates every suc- cessful candiilatc innst rnn before the people twice before getting his ofhce. And aft'jr he gets it he must prove himself honest, efficient and accommodating or his services are dispensed with at the first opportunity. Tlio county officials of Union have always been men who have fully justified the confidence reposed in them by the people. THE r.<»\i;i) oi' coi'xiv commissioners. W. F. .MOliOAN. niAlKMAX. W. F. .Miirgan, the iliairnian of the board of County commissioners, is a nan\c of Anson county but moved to Union many years ago. For the past several years he has re- sided in Monroe. He has served four years as alder- man of tlie city and did so vei-y acceptably. In 1808 he was elected on the board f county commissioners a. id re-elected in 1900. Mr. ^lorgaii is a Democrat in politics and is very pop- ular with the people. As a commissioner, he is cau- tious and w^atchful of the people's interests. 15 A. J. Brooks is IT years old, a nalive of Union county, and a successful farmer. He has been called to fill several positions of honor and trust and ahvays filled them acceptably. He was appointed a justice of the peace in 1885 and has held the office ever since. In 1896 he was elected county conimissionei- and was the only one of the Democratic candid a t e s elected on the boai-d. In 1899 he was appointed as a member of the lioard of education and elected its chairm:ri. In Dec-ember. \. J. BltOOK.S. i "!'<), he resigned that of- iicc to again take his ]ilaee on the I)oard of coun- ^y commissioners, to which be was elected by the peo- : 'e in Xovember. He has ■^.'I'ved as a member of the i 'emocratic executive ! inmittee for 1(3 years and -• a genuine, pure Demo- rat whose services have dways been at the call of 'lis party. S. E. BELIv. 8. E. Belk was born in T.ancaster county, S. C. Dec. 8, 18-iT. ' He was raised on the farm and started out at 21 without a dollar. For ten years he ^G worked at the niill-w right trade with the late William Crow. lie is now engaged in fanning and running a flouring mill, saw mill and cotton gin on Lane's Creek. !Mr. liolk has hoen romarkahly sucfossful in life, and by industry and thrift he has accuniulatcd a considerable estate. In 1S98 he was elected a county commissioner and re-elected in 1900. In managing the affairs of the county, Mr. Belk exercises the same prudence and economy that he does in his own affairs. B. A. Horn, the popular shcrilt of Union county, was born in Lane's Creek towniship in 1859 and is a son of ex-sheriff J. P. Horn. He was brought up on the farm and followed farming as an occupation until 1884. In that year he became deputy sheriff under his father and held the position for ten year:?. In 1892 he was elected chief of police of the city of Monroe and served in tliat capacity for a short time. So efficiently did lie discharge his duties as an officer that, upon the voluntary retirement of his father as sheriff, in 1896, he was chosen by the people as their sheriff. In that year the county was carried by a good ma- jority by the Populists, yet Sheriff Horn was elected as a Democrat by 123 ma- jority. At the next elec- tion in 1898 he received a majority of over 1300 and in 1900 there was no can- didate against him. He is popular with all classes of people and no county in the State ever had a better or more capabl-^? sheriff than B. A. Horn. He knows his duties and responsi- SllEKli'F ]{. A. HORN. 17 bilities and he goes right along attending strictly to his own business and letting every other person's alone. He is a man of few words and runs his office smoothly and without a jar. In the service of process and the conduct of his office he follows the requirements of the law strictly. He collects the taxes promptly and has always made his settlements at the times provided hy law. Sheriff Horn resides in our splendid jail and the apartments occupied by the family are elegantly furnished, the parlor con- taining both a piano and an organ. The prisoners all speak in praise of their treatment and say they are well fed and neatly cared for. Our plucky young sheriff is altogether an ideal officer, a superb citizen and a noble hearted man. E. A. Armfield, clerk of the superior court, is one of our besb known men, having been in business in the county for more than 30 years. He completed his education at Trinity College in 1858 and then taught school and worked in a bank at Greens- boro until 1860, when he moved to Georgia and en- gaged in farming. He re- sided in Georgia for 10 years, barring the time he was following the Confed- erate flag in other States. In 1870 he returned to Xorth Carolina and loca- ted in ]\Ionroe. He at once went int<~> the mer- cantile business, in part- nership with Mr. A. A. Laney, and continued in that business until 1889. The firm of Armfield & Laney did an immense business and contributed much towards the growth E. A. ARMFIELD, CLK. SUPERIOR COURT, of Monroe. In 1889 Mr. 18 Armfield moved to the country and again engaged in farming and dealing in stock. In 1898 ;Mr. Armfield was elected by a big majority and is making a fine clerk. John W. Townsend, deputy clerk of the Superior Court, is a native of Concord, N. C, and a graduate of Trinity College. He has resided in Monroe twenty-seven years. He was in the cotton buying busi- ness with J. M. Fairley, Esq., for nineteen years and book-keeper for the Heath Hardware Company five years. Mr. Townsend is an expert accountant and cotton buyer. He makes an excellent deputy clerk and is a most excel- lent gentleman. He is local industrial agent for the S. A. L. Railway and will give information to parties wishing it concern- ing Monroe. The compil- ers of these sketches are indebted to Mr. Townsend for valuable assistance and J. W. TOWNSEND. desire to acknowledge the obligation. J. Millen Stewart is the very courteous register of deeds. He was born in the Jackson township — the same in which An- drew Jackson was born — on October 28th, 1843. He posesses many of the admirable traits of character exemplified in the life of "Old Hickory." He has made Monroe his home 19 for many vpar? and has served ten or twelve years as aldermau of the city. He has always led an active business life and enjoys the confidence of everybody who knows him. In 1898 he was elected as a Democrat to the office of register of deeds by nearly 1300 ma- jority, wresting the office from a Populist. He is serving his second term with great satisfaction to the people of the county. J.M.STEWART. KEG. OF DEEDS miles east of Monroe, on the 7th of May, 1858, and staid on his farm until he was elected treasurer in 1900, when he moved to Monroe. Mr. Wil- liams is a Democrat in politics, and ha^; rendered long and faithful service to his party. His name is a synonym for hon- esty, and the people know their money is safe as long as he holds the public purse. Mr. Wil- liams is a gentleman of courteous bearing James H. Williams, treasurer of Union county, is a farmer by occupation. He was born about 5 JAMt? H. W1LLIAM8, TREASURER 20 and has given the people entire satisfaction. He is a member of the Royal Arcamiin, a consistent nionilKT of the r?n]»tist church and one of our very best men. J. II. I'...\ic rate ;i is a native of T^uion county, born February l.'^th, 18 no. He was reared on the farm and for several years followed far- ming and teaching school. He received his education at the Xorth Carolina Col- lege and at Concordia Col- lege, in Catawba county. Later hv attended Scott's Woodlawn Business Col- lege. He came to Monroe in 18S9 and in 1897 was appointed surveyor, on tiie death of the late M. D. L. Biggers. He was elected by the people in 1898 and re-elected in 190U, and Mr. Boyte has made an accu- urvevor. 21 EOAD IMPROVEMENT. One of the objects of pride Avith the people of this vicinity is the work which is being clone for the improvement of the public highways. For six years we have had a convict force, ranging from twenty to sixty hands, constantly at work in opening new roads or straightening old ones and grading, and to some extent rocking. All the main highways leading from the town are graded to a greater or less distance, and the total number of miles graded is now between thirty-tive and forty. An immense amount of work has been done. It has been necessary to make a great numy very large fills and deep cuts, and the grades now attained will be permanent. Soon there will be the finest op- portuiiity for macadamizing. Something" has already been done in this line. It is the policy of the commissioners to improve the worst sections as they go along. It should be remembered that only about four months in the year is the weather such as to make roads bad. and with the leveling and grading that is be- ing done, we already have, for six to eight months in the year, as good roads as are to be found in the United States. The beds are constructed not less than twenty-four nor more than thirty- four feet in widtli, oval in shape and thornnghly packed, and so present a l)eautiful sight. Their Avidth will allow plenty of room for two tracks, one the natural bed, which can be used from six to eight months in the year, and one for macadam, for bad weather, stock preferring to avoid macadam when the dirt sections of the road are good. The convicts, many of whom came from other counties with sentences from thirty days to five years, are well-kept, and their comfcrrs amply looked after. They are onlv required to work faithfully and behave themselves.. The svstem has not only been of vast benefit in road improvement but in the saving of costs in jail maintenance and in deterring 22 criminals who have no dread of jail imprisonment. The com- missioners personally direct the operations of the force, through their excellent superintendent, Mr. B. T. Fletcher. The origin and progress of the work may not be uninteresting: "It is ordered by the Board that Chapter 194, Acts of the Gen- eral Assembly of 1895, entitled 'an Act for the improvement of the public roads of North Carolina/ ratified the 11th of March, 1895, be adopted and accepted for the county of Union, and all CHAIN-GANG AT WORK. of its provisions made applicable to said county, and said chap- ter, with all its provisions are hereby ordered and declared to be of full force and authority in said county of Union from and after the date of its adoption. The Board finds as a fact that the revenue of the county for ordinar)' purposes, and within the 23 limitations prescribed by the Constitution, is insnificient to meet the necessary expenses of constructing, repairing and improving the public roads of the county, and that to meet said tax it is necessary to levy a special tax for the purpose on the taxable polls and property of the county not exempt from taxation." This order established the chain-gang of Union county, and on the meeting in June when other taxes were levied a special ^^^^^K : ' If' ^Ml ^T^ .1 1 m H HHLct^^ ^^ ^^18^ m 1 " .-«~*- ?!^ 1 P •.,;V-- ■ - ■»'' • . .-.- _. -■■ ■S 1 GIJADED ROAD AND $3,000 IRON BRIDGE tax of fifteen cents on the $100 worth of property and forty-five cents on polls was levied to support it. In the following August petitions were presented asking the Board to rescind its order levying the road taxes, but it refused, dismissed the petition, and ordered the tax collected. At this meeting, Mr. R. B. Redwine, who had done so much to bring about the result which had thus been accomplished, resigned, and Mr. J. ]\I. Fairley, one of the •v*4 prei?C'iu niiid (•(iiiiiiii>si(nici>. .-iiccci'dcd liim. Mr. F;iirlt'y lead- ing, tlu' B(tiir, the county scat of Union county, is bearing its full part. The site for the town was selected in 18 44. The com- missioners to locate tlie countv seat Ix-iiiir instructeil \n find the RESIDENCE OF MRS. E. E. FITZGERALD. centre of the county and to select a place for the court house within at least two miles of the central point, first chose High Hill, two miles north of here, but not being able to obtain land there, selected the point on which the town now stands. The name of President James Monroe was given to the new county 31 seat. The growth of the town has never been by jerks; it has been slow, but what has been achieved is permanent and sub- stantiah The population inside of the incorporate lines, which PKBSBYTERIAN CHURCH. are not much extended, is 2,500, and that of the suburbs being added, the whole is about 4,000. BUSINESS AND ENTERPKISE. The town has never had any large capitalists to develop her resources and her achievements of a progressive nature have 32 foinc liy tlir tmiicil ;ui;nn of licr citizens. In this way a foun- dry anil inacliinc siinj) wciv l>ui!t a nunibcr <»f years aj,^); also a cotton mill, an oil mill and a roller ll(»ur mill have heoii erected the same way. The people are reatly to unite in any promisin_Lr t'nter|)rise with any pai'tiis who wish to east their lots with them. Merehandisini: h;is Keen the prinei|)le oeeupation, owinof to the l.iriit ti-;i(lc area which the town has heeii ahle to RESIDENCE OF T. P. DILLOX. supply. For years a large wagon trade has come here, not only from this and surounding counties, but from South Carolina. With better railroad facilities the jobbing trade has been growing and Monroe is certain to become a fine distributing point in the near future. The people are also turning their attention to manufacturing, and with the beginning already made, are in a position to go forward. Splendid manufacturing sites may be 33 had at very lou" figuivs, aiul the people and the municipality am ready to offer all inducements and co-operation to promoters of any manufacturing enterprises. Furniture manufacturing- would be a fine business here, owing to the proximity of the hard wood. TEAXSPORTATIOJ^ Monroe is finely situated on the Seaboard Air Line, at the junction of the Georgia, Carolina and ^Torthern with the C'aro- RESIDENCE OF DR. J. M. BLAIR. lina Central, thus having outlets in three directions. At no distant date another road Avill reach here. This is the one from McBee, >S. C, to Jefferson, ^yhen this reaches Monroe, its objective point, another fine trade section will be opened up! 3 ;u iii:.\i;rii. 'Plicrc cini nossihly \k' iio more lu-iiltlilul town than Monroe. Addi'il to tlic attractions of climate, descrilied clsewliere, is t!ic w liolcsoinenes< ol' tlic aiMesiaii water, with wliich the town hu-^ suppliiMl itself. The wells are nearly one lhon>and feet dei-]!. IJAI'TIST rlllKCli. The water is pure, si^ft and delightful. This has had a marked effect upon the health of the peo])le. OHieial statistics show that only eighteen deaths occunvd in town from all causes in 1900. and only thirteen in 1901. This was among the M'hole popula- tion, white and colored, and from all causes, not even excepting; ol(] (\'j;v and iiir.intilc disi'nscs. There has not hepii a deatli from fever in three years, and none from eonsuin])tion among whites in the same length of time. Can any other ])hK'e show jo fine a record ? SCHOOL AND CHURCHES. The wisdom of the ])eo[)le in voting to establish a graded school is being amply demonstrated. Schools and chnrches go ai'm in arm in their influence for the npbuilding of communi- RK'SIDEXCE OF CAPT. C. L. YOUNGBLOOD. ties. In the matter of chnrches, Monroe is far ahead of manv larger towns. The Baptist, ]\rethodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal and TiUtheran denominations all have nice church buildings. The new buildings of the Presbyterian and Methodist congre- gations are a credit, not onlv to these congregations, but to the 30 \vli<)l(> town. T}\vy aro iii<»(l«'ls of iiKMlmi cliiinli .inliitrrinro. ^lonroc people are a eliurcli-^oini.'' t"lk and tliev take un at pride in tlieir elninli work. FKATKIJVAT- 01JDE1?S. The ^ra:*on>, Knij:lit> of rvtliin>, Wooilnieii of ilie World. Rr-;sn>KNCK OF T. j. SHANNON. "Roval .Arcanum. Odd Fellow>5 and TTeptasoplis all have larg'e ori;':inizntion<. TOWX ()\V\S WATER AXD TJOTTT PLAXTS. IVronrne own;* its own water and lif,dit ])lants. Its water is spoken of at len.fftli elsewhere. Water and lights are furnished residents at n uiininiuni eost. The fine eleetrir li<.dit plant has oi\rn cut i IV satisfaction since its inauguration, and the streets arc tlioroughly lighted. The power which runs the pumps in the wells and the force pumps which are used instead of a standing pipe also runs the dynamos. The tire department, though volunteer, is very efficient. In recent fires the nieu have done work that would have been creditable to city firemen. Dr. S. J. Welsh is chief of the de- ])nrtuie:n; Davis Armfield. assistant chief; Dr. W. B. Houston, METHODIST CHURCH. foreman ; J. F. Correll and A. W. Boyte, assistant foremen ; John Fullenwider, secretary ; J. S. B. Hart, treasurer ; J. F. Cor- rell and J. W. Davis, engineers. HOMES AXD LIYIXG. A very large per cent of the residents of Monroe own their own homes. Home Imilding is comparatively easy here. Lots 38 cii'c clu'iiii. ;iii(l men luuililc lo IjiiiM willioiit aid can casilv find liclji in the Miinroc liuildin^- (\: l^nan Assncialioii, sjjokcn nf i'IvcwIktc, or I'roni other t^oiinrs. \\'hat more docs one of mod- erate income want than a home in sucli a town as Monroe? I lealtlit'\ihiess is incoin|iaralile : li\in unsur]iassed. 'I'here is no AT 'riu; COTTON ri.Aii-()i;M. rowdynoss noi' law hicakiniz'. There are no saloons, and parents are assured that iiomIici-c will they find more favorahle sur- roundincjs amid which to locate ilieir homes and I'car tht-ir chil- dren. There are handsome, modern dwellincfs here, cozy homes and modest little cottai^-es. and one can find somethins: to suit h'oth taste and juirse. to ]m\\ l)nild or rent. 39 Sr.M.AIAKY. Siunniarizing- the tliiiii;s that have been said, Monroe and Union county ofi'er to the capitalist and manufacturer good opportunities for investment and development, cheap land, cheap labor, cheap material at first hand, and co-operation in enter- pri-^e: to home-seekers they offer an ideal sitiiation ; to the weak thev offer healthful conditions ; to farmers seeking better climate RESIDFXCK OF K. F. BEASLEV. they ofi'er soil and climate that produce anything known to the temperate zone; to all they offer a hearty welcoine and a helping- hand. In this book is told of juany of the things we have here. Many of those who have helped to make the town and occupv places of trust, respect and usefulness, are also s])oken of in these pages. 40 ('llAMr.!:iJ OF COMMKIICK. AFonroc lias an active Chamber of Commerce, of which ^Ir. W. S. Lee, one of our most cnterprisinj; husiiiess men, is president, Mr. J. E. Clark secretary, and Frank Armlield, Esq., EPISCOPAL CHURCH. secretary-treasurer. The otlieers will gladly furnish any infor- mation recjardinor the town or countv. I :\roxT]r)K"s autestax water. Xot the least among the attractions of Monroe is its unexcelled artesian water. It is not a panacea for ('vcnj ill that afflicts hnmanitv. It is not the "Fountain of Life" for which thousands 41 have so eagerly- souglit for centuries— a certain shield for '•'all the evils that wait on mortal life, from pain and death forever-" but It IS a most excellent remedy for indigestion, dyspepsia, all kinds of gastric and kidney troubles, rheumatism, lassitude debility from overwork, that "tired feeling"' that comes upon one when the season is changing from snow and ice into the balmy sunshine and gentle breezes of spring; in fact, were we to state in this article how many cures have been made by this RESIDENCE OF J. E. STACK. water in the last two years, since it began to be used, it would sound like fiction or a tale from the Arabian Alights. Distilled and compounded in Xature's own laboratory, more than one thousand feet beneath the earth's surface, it is far heyond the reach of baccilli or fever germs, and there is no recorded case of typhoid fever in our city since tliis water came i-.^ into m'licnil use, ('.\tr|tt ill cast's wlicn- tlit-v cDiitiniKMl to u>'> coimnoii well water. As it ,i:ur;rlcs uji from the foimtaiii (k'ptli< in two streams of in-^,s and SMiM IVct deep, tlirou<:li solid slato rock, it lairsts into tho cistern and water mains, limpid and si»arklin«j:, clear as crvstal and almost absolutely pure. The official analysis, made liy tlie State Chemist, is as follows: Total s(»lid matter in solution. 11. 1> ,uraiiis jxt I'. S. «ral. LUTJ1EI?AX CHIKCII. 'I'iital solids consist of: Calciiim liicarlionate. T.47 ,irrains per U. S. gal: so(li\iin cldoridt'. 1.98 fjraiiis ])er l'. S. tral ; organic matter, sohdde silica, magnesium sulphate. 2.45: iron biear- Itonate. free carbonic acid gas. .30 cubic inches per gal.; no sul- ]iliur present as gas. Bv this analysis is shown that the ]\Ionroe Artesian water is unsurpassed bv anv other in Xorth Carolina, or as to that, in the South. 43 The fitv fatluTs liave eivcti'd a nice pavilion, lianl l)V tlie well, where all who choose can go at any time of the dav or night and drink the water as it comes fromthewell, and thus ohtain all the benefits that it gives. The water is better at the well than from the mains, as some of the healthful gases escape before it gets from the cistern into tlie water pipes and to the houses. Knowing the great value of this water, we cannot see any peculiar reason why parties from the malarial sections should go further up the country to spend the summer, and endure haivl residp:xce of dr. j. w. xeal. beds and rough fare of so}ne watering places when they could come here and enjoy all the comforts of home in Monroe's excel- lent private houses and first class hotels. :\ronroe is high enouo-!i above the sea !e\el to lie free from malaria — the climate is delightful — very few sultry days in summer and not manv ex- 44 cessively cold ones in tlio winter — good graded roads running in various directions, alfording lovely drives — splendid livery accommodations — fine churches^good music — hospitable and clever people, who will extend a genuine, old fashioned Southern hospitality to all who come in their midst. Wo might say mui-h more in this article, but we do not considei- it necessary, as we RESIDENCE OF A. ^I. STACK. hnoir if vou come to Monroe once, you will he a constant visitor thereafter. We are willing to let the following testimonials concerning the water speak for themselves: Di;. AsIlCKAFT 8 STATEMENT. Having practiced medicine in "Monroe for a numl)er of years, I have had ample opportunity to ol)servo the health and pre- vailing diseases of the town. Prior to the nso of the Monroe 45 Artesian water, tlic town was visited almost every year by an epidemic of that dreaded disease, typhoid fever. Since the town has been supplied with this pure water, typhoid fever is unknown to ns, except now and then an isolated case, where the water has not been used. The Monroe Artesian wells range from TOO to 1000 feet deep and are cased from top to bottom, making it impossible for fever-producing germs to find their way into the water. Almost every epidemic of typhoid fever implies a contaminated water supply. Besides eliminating typhoid fever from the town, it exerts a most beneficial influence in uric acid diathesis. The Monroe Artesian water is a wonderful patent remedy in gouty and rheumatic conditions This water exerts a stimulant effect upon the kidneys, and thereby aids the swift removal of insoluble material from the system. The ]\Ionroe Artesian water corrects those digestive failures which are responsible for the production of so many topic materials of the body. J. E. Ashcraft. (Dr. Ashcraft is one of the most successful practitioners in ^NTorth Carolina. He is now in Xew York doing special work.) PRAISE fro:m a high source. Southwestern Presbyterian University, Department of Chem- istry, S. R. McKee, Ph. D. Clarksville, Tenn., January 15, 190-^. Hon. K. L. Stevens, Mayor of Monroe, Dear Sir: ^Yhile in Xorth Carolina during the past sum- mer I had the opportunity to use ^Monroe artesian water in my family. After a trial of ne,",rly three months with member.-> of the family of different ages, 1 pronounce it a most excellent water. Its action in cases of impaired digestion, I think, j^ very fine ; and I predict for it a very extensive use when people become acquainted witli its beneficial effects. Very truly yours. S. E. McKee. FRO:\I SOLICITOR ROBIXSOX. This is to certify that soon after becoming convalescent from a ten weeks' confinement to mv hcd witli inflammatory rheuma- tism, I drank the artesian v.ater of ilonroe, X. C, for one week Ili and received i^icat lielielit t'iMlll it. I elieerl'ldlv rer )|iiliit'Ild II tiiidl I'lieiiiiiat ics. Ill my dpiiiioii ii i- \-erv liiiu water. I.. I >. IJiil'.INSON. iiatM A w i;m. known insikanci-; man. ("liarlottc, X. ('., Jim.' IC. (ieiitleiiieii : It iiives iiie LTeat ))U'a.> «ay a word ij; praise of your >|»leiidid water. 1 have iK-eii iinicli lieiiclittod liy tlie use of sanio — not oidy in eases of rrcuci-jil debility, but re|ieat('(lly in cases of indigestion. I liave aluavs irained in lloli alter a .-l.-sy of a few days in your pleasant town, 'i'lu.' water is jiiire. soft and >weet. 'IMie "(piair"" is lu'i,i:litened ;!i pleasure hi'cause of the knowledu(. that i^ood is to follow the . To Mes.srs. Stack c^- Beaslcy: I have heou drinkinu' Moiii-oe ai-toian water ahout six weeks and it lias entirely cni'e(l nie of dyspepsia. I have been rail- roadin*;: in Kentucky, West "N'iriiinia. \'ir;j,-inia and Xorth Cai- olina for twenty-two years and 1 jironounce the "Monroe artesiai: water the liest that 1 haxc ever used and chet'rfully reconiinentl it to all who inav he suH'erinL;' from indiirestion and kidney irouhles. .T. S. MoiMMs. Mn,L;ineer S. .\. L. Railway. USES xo oTiiia; watki;. Charlotte. N. ('.. :\lay 1(». l!i()-J. To whom it may concern : This is to state that 1 have been usin^ti; the Monroe artesia'.i water for more than two years and take pleasure in sayin in my family except from the artesian well at Monroe and have not taken a half dozen drinks of an\ other kind in over two years. It is absolutely pure. 11. T. HOLLI.N-S. r. S. IJv. Po>tal Clerk from .Monroe to Eutherfordton. testi:moxials. Hon. 0. H. Allen, Judge of Fifth Judicial District of Norlh (.'arolina, Kinston, X. C, writes that he received substantial benefit from drinking the Monroe artesian water while holding two courts in this city. Eev. S. B. Turrentine, D. I)., of the Western Xorth Caroluia Conference, testifies to its health.ful properties and states that lie considers it a most excellent water, especially adapted co persons who are run down and debilitated by overwork or who suflFer with any kind of gastric troubles. ^ ^ ^ :^ Hon. T. A. McXeill, Judge of the Seventh Judicial District of Xorth Carolina, Lumberton, X. C, says: "The people of ]\Ionroe should get upon their knees every night and thanl. Almighty God for blessing them with such incomparal)ly fine water," that no place he has visited has such pure and delightful, health-giving water. j\Ir. J. J. bloody, of this city, an ex-Confederate soldit'V. bearing in his iiody the baneful effects of exposure in camp and field during those dreadful years of war, also the numerous wounds received in battle, has for years been almost a physical wreck, unable to work, sometimes almost too feeble to walk around, and in consequence his digestive organs completely our of gear so that he could eat nothing, only the lightest kind of fond, and then suffered almost death from indigestion ar.rl dyspepsia. About two years ago he began drinking the artesian water, drank it freely and daily. He soon began to gr(n'.- stronger, his strength increased, his dyspepsia disappeared, he became able to eat any kind of food without detriment, his lassitude and debility left him and today he is strong and healthy as he was in the hey day of his young manhood and says thai Monroe artesian ^^'ater did it all. If any (uie doubts this static- ment, let him write J. J. Moody, Monroe. X. C.. for veriiication of the same. A lady of Wilmington, X. C, was in an exceedingly barl state of health — could scarcely sit up and could eat nothing 48 (.'\ce|)t tli(^ M'l-v li{' the watci- will convince the most skeptical of its merits. * * :!: * The state Sanitary Chemist, after an examination of water of various towns and cities says: "Monroe has the finest water in the State."' A CAi;!) FIIO.M ritUF. JJLAII!. This is to state that I have been using the ilonroe artesian water for only three weeks, yet I feel like a new man. I have for a long time heen troubled with costiveness aud compelled to take pills regularly, but since I began to use thsi water I have had no further trouble. I am a native of Boston and have traveled over most of the Northern and Western States and J have never seen any water that could compare with the Monroe artesian water. Besides its curative properties, it is perfectly pure. It will compare with distilled water in purity. Joirx Blair, ^hisic Director. CrnED IXDIOESTIOX. I hereby certifv that 1 found the ^lonroe, X. C. niineial water very beneficial in a severe case of indigestion. :\Ins. W. II. Si I AW, 3--?-.^ X. ;]nl St.. Wilmington. X. C. rSKl) IT FOri! YKAltS. I gladly te> ■'Artesian" water of ^[onroc. X. ('.. drinking it exclusively for four years. I have been suffering with indigestion and could not eat «;olid fcmd and since using the water have l)een greatly benefited. I consider it the best water tn l,e found anywhere. 17esnectfullv. }dHs. J. F. Wiiishakt. 49 ACTS LIKE A TOXIC. Charlotte, N". c., :\[ay IC. 190-3. Messrs. Stack & Beasley : It gives me pleasure to say that I have been using the Monroe artesian water for some time and pronounce it a splendid water. It is o'ood for the kidnevs and for inditrestion and acts like a r^™!^^-^ MONROE S FIRE CO:\IPAXY. tonic in building up the system. It only needs to be known in order to attract people to your s])lendid young city to live. Geo. G. Shanxoxhouse, Conductor on Atlanta Special. 50 'ooooooo AM©T1H!EE TMEM©. A1B©UT ©E©E UTMEA WATEE. The excellency of its purity and properties is already estal)- lished. The sick and feeble, the well and hearty are benefitted by its nse. If sick it helps you; if well it keeps you so. For dyspepsia and indigestion and all forms of kidney and liver ailments it is an invaluable remedy. Whether sick or well, you could not do a wiser thing than try it. We make a specialty of supplying this famous water, carbonated and plain, for drinking purposes. WE USE HT exclusively in everything we bottle. Our ales and soda waters are as good as the very best, because we use only the best materials and are very particular that cleanliness is used extrav- agantly. They cost no more than the common kinds and are far superior. Our specialties are ginger ale and carbonated watei. put up in 5-cent bottles. They are made to please the customer — in quality and in price — and they don't disappoint. For prices and further information, address Monroe Bottling Works.. Monroe, X .C. 51 THE FOUNTAIN ON THE SQUARE. "Tis but rarely in the hurry And the rivalry and worry Of hard woi-k that I may wander, seeking pure fresh woodland air. So when life brims o'er with trouble Or success seems but a bubble, Oft I ramble to the fountain that is gurgling on the square — To the calm and stately fountain. To the spirit-resting fountain, To the patience-teaching fountain that is gurgling on the square. When at night, sleep flies my pillow, Thought, upborne on every billow That comes surging, surging, surging. from a mighty seaof care With its helmsman, will, contending. Wildly roams till night's drear ending. If I do not seek the music of the fountain on the square — Seek the drowsy, soothing music. Seek the lulling, measured music. Seek the slumber-tempting music of the fountain on the square. When my soul lies sick with sorrow, And its grief seems but to borrow Vigor from the dragging moments, while approaching stalks de- spair From Contrition's tear-stained ashes, From Remorse's fearful lashes Flee I soon to hear the laughter of the fountain on the square Hear the calmly rippling laughter. Hear the softly gurgling laughter. Hear the gently-gloatiner laughter of the fountain on the square —FRANK ARMFIELD. 53 THE ( ; () \ K 1 J X .M K X T OF THE TO WX. l)FFICIALS. Aldennan E. ][. Helms is a member of the firm of E. R. Helms (!*c Co.. doing a general grocery busi- ness. He Jived on his farm until 1884, when he began teaching school and Taught f(n- several years. In 1889 he engaged in the drug business in Monroe. In 1892 he began the present business, on the corner of "Windsor and Eafayette streets and has built up a nice trade. He is atten- tive to business, public or private, and is as honest as Cato. Many matters of responsiljility and trust liave Ijeen committed to him and in every instance his conduct has been ac- coi'ding to the letter of the law. In May, 1901, Mr. 1 1 elms was elected an ald- erman of the city and ha> made a conscientious pub- lic servant. He is the kind of man tliat elevates the public service. James E). ^McKae was born in Anson county. Xortli Carolina. Xovend»er sixteenth. ES58. He moved to ^lou- 54 .1. U. .McltAi-:. lie was elected without o[)- position. Mr. McRae is a very successful busines - man and a most agreeabU- gentleman. S. W. Parham was born in Henderson, X .C, Jan. 13, 1856. He has been v\ the railroad service sinc-^ 18T5 and connected ail that time with the S. A. L. and its pre- decessors. He has lost but one month's time dur- ing the 2T years. Cap'. roc in 1S81 aiul ha^ siiut- made it his hoiiu-. For several years iie Worked with tiie old and reliable house of A. if. ("rowell & Son. In 1894 he engaged in the mercan- tile business with Mr. T. C. Collins and continued with him until September, 1!>01. That business was merged in the "McRae Mercii utile Co." later on. M 1'. Mediae is serving his third term as city alder- man. Twice before he was elected l)y large majori- ties an all ])arties united on him and S. W. PAR If AM. 55 Parham came to Mouroe in 1890, purchased property and will likely make his residence here permaneuv. He was first elected an alderman in 189-i and w?.s re-elected and served until 1898. In 1901 he was persuaded to run again and was elected by the largest majority of any one on the ticket except Mr. McRae, who had no opposition. Capt. Parham is on the board of trustees of the Graded School and an active church man, and his influence is always for the good of the comnuinitv. George S. Lee is a South reared on the farm. He GEORGE S. LEE. Carolinian by birth and was followed farming until he came to Monroe in 1880 to become a salesman for ]\rarsh & Lee. He worked for that firm until 1886, when he opened up a cloth ■ ing store. In 1896 he joined his brother, James H. Lee in the large dry goods house of Lee & Lee, mention of Avhich will be found elsewhere in these sketches. Li May, 1901, ]\Ir. Lee was elected ald- erman from the fourth ward and is one of the most popular ofiicials the city ever had. In his public and private life Mr. Lee is one of the purest and best of men. Dr. John M. Blair was born in Chesterfield countv. S. C, April 3rd. 1864. He was educated at the South Carolina Mili- tary Academy, at Charleston, and the Greenville (S. C.) Mili- 5G tarv Tiistitiitf. He road iiirdicinc at Cliarlcstmi and ^'raduatod a I tlu' iiitMlical collogi.' in L () u i ,< V i 1 1 c. H e lirst located at Dudlev, S. {'.. and after prait icing ilici'c one year, located iii Mniiii.c. I Ic is ii(»\v ciiimty |>liysiiiaii. local surgeon ..f the S. A. L. Kailway. and enjoys a good prac- tice. .\> a surgeon lie stands \cry high. Ife i? now serving iiis third term as aldei'inan. having l)Pen clecti'd in I'.inl as alder- ii:an at large lor the cit>. Dr. J^lair i.s an attractive convcrsationali>t. a nio-l coinpanionahle gentleman an. DR. J. M. BLAIR. g"ed fellow. 57 SEABUAKD Alii LIXE. ••Tjii-: Cai'itvl City Route."' \\'itli (liiubl'j daily solid vcstibuled trains brtwcen the Xortli 7ir.d South. Quickest and most convenient route to Florida. Al-o tAvo splendid trains daily between Monroe, Atlanta, Char- lotte, Raleigh. Portsmouth. Richmond, Washington, Philadel- phia and Xo\\' York. Atlanta Special, daily. Pullman sleeping cars lietween Portsmouth, Xorfolk and Atlanta. Seaboard Fast ]\Iail, daily. From Xew York, connecting with Federal Express from Boston. Another Li:mited Train to Pinehurst. Camden, Florida. Cuba iind Atlanta. Sum:mer Tourists' Tickets on sale at all coupon ticket offices, at low rates, and providing stop-over privileges not offered by any other line, with option of diverse route returning to Portsmouth, Xorfolk or Richmond. Summer Homes Folder and (^ther attractive and usefid illustrated literature, togetlier with valuable information fur- nished free upon application. The Schedules are fine and time (puck. A person, after taking supper in ^Eonroe. can gx Yice-Pres. & Gen. Mgr., Raleigh. X. C. Portsmouth. Ya. General Oitices are at Portsmouth, Ya. 58 THE S. A. h. ROL'TKS WD Dlls II N A IK IN S. The Seaboard Air Line passrs througli (nic of tlif most fertile seetions of the fair Southland, from A'iri.\ L;cnt lenieii. .1. M. |-"airle\ anil .1. \\ . Tow nx'iid. of Mon- roe: (). W. ('ai'V and S. S. Hrowii. of ( Jrecnshoro : l-'i'ed ( '. Itearil and Majoi- L. A. I'.ni'ke. of Aix-rfjoeii, Soutli Dakota, jiurc-liasi'd of tile late TIkk. 1). W'incliestei' one hundred acres <»r land, ad- joininii' the iici-llni'n coi-iMii-ate limits of the city, platti'il ahont lit acre-, iii'aded >!reets, set out shade trees, and in Octoiicr ol' that yeai- had an auction sale at which time one hundrcf] and ten liuildinu' lots were sold, and the work of erectin^i' I'esiilences was heoim. .\i the |H'esenl time there ai'e upwards of one hun- dred comfortalile homes with a |io|iulation of Jive hundred or hip. Thus the march of cixilization advances, ami where only a IV'W short years at^o was an old pine lield with nau,i:ht hut wihl flowers and ii'rasses and no soumls hut the siiihiuL;' of the wind- amoni;- the pines, and at ni^i'ht the hontini:' of o vl.- and croak of i'rous and chirpinii' of ci'ickc^ts. ai-i' now heard the happy voices of childhooil and the di'owsv liiini of i-ontented liouseholders as tlM'\ enjo\- the !i(ini-< of rest heneath their own '^ine and fiii'- tree"" after a da\ of labor in the cotton mill or railroad yard, or on tlie nciuhhoi'inu- farms. Tn this healthy suhurii ])erson- can obtain huildin^;- lots on reaMinahle and easy fei'ms and huild homes, thus bccominii' peiinanent citizens, freed from the bur- den of rent ]iavin,t:-. and moic pi-o>perous and self-respecting on account of the propi'ietoi'>hip of their own modest cottage. CI MOMjoK (;kaded school. -BY PROF. E. C. BROOKS. The j\ronroo Graded Schools were organized in June, 190(L This Avas the tliird attein])t and the interest manifested in the opening of the scliools showed that all, even those who were opposed to the extra tax, were prepared to give the new institu- tion the good will of the town and to go to any reasonable ex- pense that e\'erv feature might be as strong as possible. TJie men who have served as members of the Board — :Messrs. H. B. Adams, E. A. :\rorrow, W. S. Lee, S. J. Welsh, S. W. Parham, J.C. Fletcher, A. M. Crowell and S. 0. Blair are all strong bus- iness men, and they have administered the affairs of the graded school with the same intelligence that they would have given the business of a jirivate cor- ]ioration. At the end oi the first year they realized tliat the salal-ies paid the teachers were not suffici- ent to retain or secure the l)est teachers in the State ; and with their character- istic liberality they imme- diately raised the salaries of all the teachers, and at the same time passed an accompanying resolutio?! that for the future no teacher would be selected who has not had normal training or who has not had at least two years experience in graded school work. This was a frank admission that the board of trustees believed there is science in teaching, that teachino- is PROF. K. C. BROOKS. G2 a profession requiring skill and prcx ions trainin^^ Such a res- olution as this immediately placed the schools on a higher plane, for the profession naturally received a liigher consideration in the estimation of the public mind. At the end of the first year it was observed that several students, ranging from the first to the tenth grades, who for various reasons failed to complete the entire work of their re- GKADED SCHOOL RUILDIXG. spc'ctivo grades must either spend the whole of next year in the same grade, or pass over the work that was left unfinished. It was seen that with two assistant teachers a bridge-work from one grade to another could be secured, giving the delinquent stu- dents an opportunity of advancing as their ability demanded and giving the quicker students an opportunity of passing from one grade to another without being held back with the whole grrade until the end of the vear. The board, after considering 63 the merits of such a plan, selected two assistant teachers. The result of this work has been most gratifying. The first two years has been spent in building and equippiu<> the school. Eecently the last instalment of furniture was placed in the new building. The entire property is now valued at abou; $20,000; $15,000 in buildings and equipment. The enrollment in the white school for the year is 491, with 11 teachers. In the colored school, 220, with three teachers. This school is doing work of an industrial nature. THE BAR OF MONROE. The bar of Monroe is among the best in the State. For many years it could boast of lawyers who were the peers of any in JSTorth Carolina. The present members rank high in the pro- fession and have a wide reputation for trying cases well. They practice law on a high plane and observe the most rigid ethics of the profession. They are on the most cordial relations with each other and are free from that petty spirit of envy and rivalry which mars the practice in so manv counties. ROBT. L. ST?]VEXS^ ESQ. He has a natural fondness for iiobt. L. Stevens was born in Union county on the 11th of July. 1864. After receiving his edu- cation, he studied law un- der the late Geo. JSJ". Falk, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1885. politics, and has always (54 Ik'I'II an activi- worker fur his jiarty. Ili- bnrr the hi-iiiil of tlu- lij,flits in the days when thr I'opulists were so strong aii. At the latter session he introduced and fought througli the Legislature tlie "Stevens Anti-Trust Law," ii\cr tlie fierce fippo- sition of tlie hirelinirs and agents of innnniK.h. In ^fav. U'oi. i..\\\ ()iii(i:ur II I I.I.I \i;i) iV i,i:.\i .mond. he was elected Mayor of the city of Monroe. He is just now in the prime of life and an active practitioner at the !Monroe bar. Keuben W. Lennnond was born in .Mecklenburg county. X. ('.. ^lay 20th, 1872. After leaving school he taught and farmed from 1893 to 1899. In June. 1899. he was elected cotton weigher for the city of ]\ronroe and also engaged in merchandis- 65 ing. Ho studied law under Frank Armfield, Esq., and at the Universit}- of North Carolina. He applied for and obtained license in September, 1901. He immediately began the prac- tice in Monroe, forming a partnership with Iredell Hilliard. Mr. Lcmmond is a self-made man and is rapidly forging to the front. He is a good debater and has an easy flow of language. Messrs. Hilliard & Leinmond are energetic, careful and reliable lawyers. H. B. Adajns, senior meml)or of the firm of Adams & Jerome, was educated at Trinity College, North Carolina, graduating in 1870. He Ijegan the practice of law in Monroe in 1873. For thirty years he has enjoyed a good practice in Union and adjoining counties and in the Federal courts. He is quick and accurate, and has a genius for the law. He has served in l)oth branches of the (Gen- eral Assembly and was a leader in that body. In 189-1 he received a very flattering vote in theDem- c r a t i c Congressional Convention, held at Lum- berton. Mr. Adams is a Mason, Pythian, Wood- man of the World, and a memljer of the Eoyal Ar- canum. He is a steward H. B. ADAMS, ESQ. . , ir +1 J- ^ 1 t, m tJie Methodist church, and a teacher in tbe Sunday school. He is also a trustee of tlie G(i ^[oiirno (iradcd Scliool. Mr. Adams is a gciitlcinan of afTalik- iiianiicrs and a man of j:rcat j)ers(>nal poiilarity. Thomas J. .Irrdinc was Ikh-ii in I'nion eonnty, X. C. on OctOr ber 2nd, 1S.")!». He was educated at tlie Monroe Ili^li Sohoot and attended the law school of the hate Geo. X. Folk. Tn Octo- ber, 1884, lie received license to practice law and located in All)e- iiinrlr. Xovtli Cai-oliiia. In iss!i ]\r uKucd to ^Tonroe. M r. Jcidnic i> a sjilendid lawvcr and a line speaker. Ill is'.i I ill,. l)cino(Tats of ('altarnis and Staidy ran hi III for the Senate, but the Fusionists defeated hi 111 by a small majority. Ill 18US he was elected to the Senate from Union Anson, liichniond, Scot- land and .Montgomery counties, by a majority of ;!.-is<>. In 1900 he receiv- ed a very large vote in the Democratic convention for Attorney-General of the State. Aside from hi.- Tiios. J. Ji;i;o.Mii. jirofessional duties, he has written a Ciiiiiinal Digest, which is used by almost the entire profession in the State. He has also written a political novel, "Ku Klux Klan. Xo. 1re jn'actice. As a law- vci' lie is the soul (d' lion-*!' and ciiurtesy; manly in di'feal and modest in vic- l iry. He served one year as mayor oi' Monroe, hul declilKMl re-election. Ilo ]''UA.\K Aii.M I- ii;i,i). is a nieinhei- of the Xortli Carolina Literary and Historical Society and wi'ites excellent poetry. Some of his poems have appi'ared in the Xew York' World, Atlanta Constitution. Charlotte Observer and other papers. He is now engaged in the ]ii-epai'ation of a volume ol' ])()ems for publication. .J -^ <:> »- 'vV - V H^^^^^^^^T'. ^^^^^^H| Mr. K. B. Kedwine, of the law firm of Kedwine & Stack, was reared on a Union county farm, and began life as a farmer and merchant. He attended school at the celebrated Bingham School. He studied laAv under the late Dr. John Planning and Judge Shepherd and obtained license in 1889, returning to the University and taking an optional literary and law course and receiving the degree of B. L. In ISiH he began practice in Monroe and at once began to win the success which has come ^ so abundantly to him. He has given good public service a< { 69 ehairiiiiui of tlic lioard of county commissioners and as a member of tlie hoard of ediicavion. In the former position he was hirgel}' instrumental in establishing the chain gang and inaugurating road improvement in the county. He was secretary of the Democratic exe c u t i v e ' ommittee in 1894, and ('id fine work. In 1895 he formed a patnership witli the late D. A. Cov- ington, which continued until the latter'a death. His present partnership was formed in 1900. He lias always been a gold s andard man and was a ! 'aimer and Buckner elec- tor in 1898, contending that the party leaders had no right to force fusion with the Populists. He was endorsed by the coun- ty committee for judge in 1901. Mr. Eedwin3 R. B. REDWiNE. has always enjoyed a large practice, both civil and criminal. He has the absolute confi- dence of his clients and makes their interests his own. He is, both in and out of the court house, the personification of honor and integrity. He stands unflinchingly by principle and truth as he sees them. Mr. Eedwine was married in 1895 to Miss Sallie AVall McAlister, of Walltown, Anson county. He devotes what time he can get from his law duties to farming, at which he has made a considerable success. A. M. Stack, Esq., was born in Union county, February 12th, 18G3. but most of his boyhood was spent in the West. He (0 graduated at Trinity College in 1884 and obtained license to practice law in October, 1885, moving tlie same fall to Winston- Salem and bccomiuir editor of a daily paper there. In 18S() he formed a law partnership with Hon. R. B. Glenn and located in Stokes county, where he enjoyed a good practice. For several year? he wns superintendent of public schools and county attor- ney. In 1S93 he repre- sented Stokes and Surry counties in the State Senate, the only time tliat district has ever been represented by a Doniof-rat. In July, 1809. lie returned to Union county and January 1st, l!'<>(i. became a partner of K. B. Redwine, Esq. Mr. Stack is a fine advo- eato. and is at his best in tlie court house and be* fore a jury. He is quick to see the salient points of a case and puslie- them. During the spriivc; A. M. STACK. j^jj(j summer of 1901 Mr. Stack took an extensive trip abroad, visiting Egypt and the Holy Land as well as England and several European countries. While on the trip he wrote a series of articles for the Monroe Journal that attracted wide attention. Since returning his st'V- vices as a lecturer are eagerlv sousjht after. 71 THE MONROE EXQUIRER. The jMonroe Enquirer, B. C. and Eugene Asheraft, proprie- tors, is the oldest paper in the eoiinty, and its long career has been one of extreme usefulness to its town and county. Messrs. Ashcraft Brothers bought the paper in August, 1893, and have since conducted it with conspicuous success. The paper owns its own building, which is elegantly fitted for the purposes of the paper. This office is well equipped and they have a large circu- THE OFEICE OF THE MONROE ENQUIRER. lation and a fine advertising patrc^iage. The pajier was estab- lished in 18;-2 l)y W. C. Wolfe and W. J. Boylin. :\Ir. Wolfe conducted it for a long time alone, and was succeeded by ^fr. Boylin, who continued to run the business till 1893 ^Ir. B. C. Ashcraft, the editor, is a man of wide reading, and each week "gets up'' an interesting paper. He is <;f liberal edueation. and was the first student of tin- A. \ M. ('oll('<:f \v treasurer of the city of ^Monroe. Mr. Eugene Asbcraft is a ver}' fine practical ]trint< r and Im.-iiiess manager. Messrs. Ash- craft Brothers are admirably fitted bir tbcir work an:-ue, some one suggested that the new hotel be named for the Gloucester, one of the American ships which bore a conspicuous part in the battle of Santiago. Mr. Gresham adopted the sug- gestion and the splendid little hotel became the Gloucester, and under the skillful hands of Messrs. Gresham & Jamison it soon became famous. It was elegantly furnished throughout and its guests sat do^Ti to a table unequaled in this section, and little surpassed by the large hotels of the city. When other- enterprises took the owners away. Mr. J. J. Lindsey leased the buildino- and furniture and continued the l)usiness for a year. On the first of last January Mrs. Mamie F. Gaddy, of Wades- boro, an experienced liotelist, assumed charge of the Gloucester. Under her management tlic high standard first set has been fully maintained, and the house ia now enjoying a large patronage, and everywhere receives the warmest appreciation from the traveling public. Beside the regular bnsiness, many tra\;elers make it a matter of convenience to spend the night tliere rnthci' •THE GLOUCESTER. than at adjoining towns. The two things so dear to the trav- eling man's heart the Gloucester gives — a good bed and a good table. Persons wishing to come to Monroe for the benefit of the fine water will find pleasant living at the Gloucester. A rate of $10.50 ))er week is given with a siiecial rate per month. Mr. Robt. B. Flake, an experienced young hotelist, is assistant manager. 76 .MoNitdK 'I'l-i.Ki'iioNi-; i;\(ii.\N(ii;. There ;ir<'. iicrluips. a larp-r jxTit'iitaLic i>\' tt'lcplume su!)~ scribers in .Momnc iliaii in any otiici- tnwii in X. C. Tliis is due to the lino service this system ^ives ami the moderate rates which they char<;e, $1 per montli for residence, $1.50 for offices and $2 for business houses. IMic ( iiiii|iany was ini-orpo- rated in 1898, and bet;aM business with only 2S 'phones. Ir, now has 234 citv subscribers, with connections with Charlotte, Wades- .MOXKOK THLHI'IIOXE EXCHAXOE. boro, Waxhaw. .Marshville. \Vin.ii:ate, Polktou, Peachland, Liles- ville, Rocking-ham, ]\Iorven, ^Vtatthews, Mt. Holly, Lincolnton, Gastonia, Concord, Osceola, Catawba, Edgemore, Chester, Rock Hill, Fort Mills, Lancaster and Kershaw, and with hundreds of places in the county. The company adopts all the latest and improved ajiparatus, and its office is open all day and all night. In tho ofllcc is a n',yiilatnr and snhsorilKTs are fnrnished Wash- iniiton time when they want it, and tlu' ottice will call subscribers at any honr of the niglit to meet trains or for other purposes. Tlie oflicers are: K. A. Morrow, })resi(lent and general manager. J. D. McKae, vice-president ; C. A\'. Bruner, secretary and treas- urer; W.H. Norwood, superintendent; directors. Dr. J. M.Blair, E. A. Morrow, C. W. Bruner, J. E. English, Jas. H. Lee and J. D. McEae; operators, Miss Leola McColl, Miss Claire Eamsey, Miss Dora Aldridge; city collector, Miss Ola Bruner. The central office is located in the new Belk building, in quarters especially constructed for it. T. r. DILLON, T. P. Dillon, the reliable and clever furniture man, was born in Union county in December, 18G2, and was educated in tli(> schools of ]\lonroe. He first embarked in cotton buying witJi J. M. Fairley and folloAved that for nine years. In 1893 ho and the late D. McKenzie engaged in the furniture business. In 1897 Mr. McKenzie sold out to Mr. Dillon, who has since conducted the business alone. Mr. Dillon carries in stock all kinds of furniture, musical instruments and undertakers' su])- plies. He also does funeral directing and embalming. The writer has known Mr. Dillon from ))oyhood and knows him to be an honorable, upright Christian and a gentleman. II is pocket-book can always be counted on in any enterprise of public utility. Any one wanting anything in his line can be assured of courtesies and pro|)er treatment. LEE AXD LEE. When a stranger drops into the handsome building opposite the southwest corner of the public square, he will receive all the favorable impressions usually conveyed by an up-to-date city store. This handsome ]iew structure is the "Lee building," just erected by Mr. Jas. H. Lee. and oecujiied by Lee & Lee with their big stock of dry goods, millinei-y. elotliing, shoes and hats. 78 TliL' building is three stories, and one of tlie prettiest to be found anywhere. Over five thousand s(|uare feet of floor are in use \y Messrs. Lee &' T>('e, with double that amount availalilc There are more than sixty electric lights in the store room. The co- partnership of Lee (S: Lee was formed in 1892, by Mr. (ieo. S. Lee, who was in business here, and Mr. Jas. H. Lee, who camo from ^Marslnille that year and bought tlic Heath \- Williamson stock. Before the end of the vear these y:entlemen moved to the i.Ki-: r.rii.DiNG. Bickett building ou Lafayette street, where they continued till their recent removal to the Lee building. ]\[r. J. H. Lee is the manager, owing to the fact that ^Ir. G. S. Lee's health necessitates his spending much of the time out of doors. ^Ir. Lee employs a force of ten clerks even during the dull seasons. Beside the active nork of his own business, Mr. Lee is connected with other business enterprises. He has rendered invaluable 79 service in the constnu'tion of the handsome new Methodist ^hnrch. He is a most i)ublic-spirited and progressive citizen, -always in the lead wlicn work for his town is to be done. Twenty years ago, come this fall, a young man of 23 years landed in Monroe. He was from the huckleberry state of Sampson, coming liy way of Wilmington, where he had lived some time. His total wealth in i-asli on hands and in hank, stocks and bonds ;ind real estate, would probably, by a liberal ap- praisement, guaranteed a month's board at the modest rates then in vogiic — no more. Today that young man is a thriving merchant, has land inter- ests, and is altogether ona of the most solid citizens A. c. joiixsox. of Monroe.not alone in the success of his business, but in the possession of those elements of character which give a man weight in a community. A pic- ture of this gentleman — A. C. Johnson, Esq. — accompanies this -sketch. In 1882 Mr. Johnson began a little grocery store, oper- ating for several years in the old Wolfe building on Lafayette street. In 1S86 he moved to his present stand on East Franklin street. The character, push and ability which he has put in his business has told well. He now carries on a large cash and ■credit trade, deals in fertilizers and is an independent cotton buyer. He is a zealous member of the Methodist church, a ]\Iason and a Knight of Pythias. He has been elected a justice of the peace, and possesses to the utmost the contideuce and re- spect of his fellows. He is never afraid to express an opinion when one is needed, which is a quality always to be admired. 80 DK. S. J. WKI.SII. Dr. S. .1. Wel.-li !i;i< not imly the oldi-st ili'u^' ^{in\- in Monroe, but his is tlie lirst one ever estaldislied in Union county. Dr. Welsh became a ]):irtner in tlie business in ISS'?; some time thereafter he boujrht out tlie interests o! his partners and took his brother. W. I'.. Welsh, in as a ])artner. Fifteen years ago Dr. Welsh hecaiiie sole o\\iiei- of the business and has since conducted it with much siuc-ess. \U\ Welsh is a son of the late .lohn iJ. Wel>li. ill his day one of the best known men of Lancas- ter county, lie is a graduate of tlie North Carolina College, and recei\e(l his medical education at the I'niversity of New York, where he graduated in 1881. He came to Monroe iu the same year and practiced a year in copartnership with the late Di". 1. 11. Uhiir. 11( llieii l)t'gan hi^ long career as a druggist. He is one of the most public spirited citizens of the town, and has taken a conspicuous part in the work of public education, and was a leading spirit in the move for good schools in Monroe. He is now chairman of the board of trustees of the Graded School ami chief of the fire department. He is a ^lason. a K. of P., a Hoptasoph, and a member of the Koyal Arcanum. IK- has been a Grand Lodge ottit-ei-. and sevei-al times representative to the Grand Lodge of Pythiaus. THE :M0X1{0E I'lHXITL'RE CO. The Monroe Furniture Company was established in ^larch, 1901. Its business has since been growing, and is very satis- factory to the proprietors. The com])any carries a full line of furniture, and coffins and caskets. They do a large cash and instalment business. ^Ir. H. E. Copple is manager. He is a native of Davidson county. He graduated at Wake Forest College in 1887, and came to this county to teach at Rock Rest. He spent ten years in high school work in the county and came to ]\[onroe five years ago, Imying jiioperty and establishing a permanent home. He was for many years moderator of the Union Baptist Association, and is a prominent Heptasoph. As manager of the ^fonroe Fui-niture ('(unpany lie is making a fine succc«*i. SI "\V. H. BELK AXD BROTHER. Andrew Jackson was not the only man born in the WaxJiaw settlement who achieved great success in life. In war and pol- itics Jackson was a decided success, but in the great world of business Belk Brothers, born in the Waxhaw settlement, have been equally as successful. W. H. Belk was born June 2nd, 1862, and J. il. Belk was born on July 12th,lS6-i, just across the line in South Carolina. They came to Monroe when boys BELK BROTHERS STORE. and W. H. Belk clerked several years for B. D. Heath & Com- pany. In 1888 he purchased a small stock of goods and opened a racket store in the building now occupied by Belk Brothers in Monroe, a cut of which appears in this article. Mr. Belk had plenty of experience, but little money. He had friends and he made more. His business grew rapidly, and in 1889 he estab- 82 lished a racket store in ClK-stcr, South Carolina, in partnership with A. W. Kluttz. In 18i)0 Dr. J. M. Bclk bought an inter- est in the store at Monroe and moved liere the same year. Ppj- vious to this he had been practicing liis profession at ^lorven, N. C, and was a successful physician. He, too, possessed very limited means, hut both the Belk boys had what was rather to be chosen than great riches. They had good names and their credit was good. In 1891 they opened a store at Union, S. C. with li. P. Harry, under the firm name of Harry & Belk. in ISUo they went into Charlotte with a department store, occupying a building with four large rooms. Their success was immediau; in that thriving city and they continued to branch out. In 1899 they opened up a department store in the hustling city of Greensboro, as Harry-Belk Brothers. During the same year they established another store, at Gastonia, as Kindly Belk Bror-. Company, Mr. A\'. E. Kindly in charge. At all points theii affairs prospered and during this year (1902) they started up another large store at Salisbury as Belk-Harry Company, and another store at "Waxhaw, incorporated as K. J. Belk Company, Mr. R. J. Belk in charge. Belk Brothers are also partners in the large grocery business of J. R. Simpson & Company, on La Fayette street, Monroe. Besides the various stores named above, they are stockholders in the Monroe Hardware Company, The Monroe Telephone Company, The W. J. Rudge Company's book store, the IMonroe Roller ^lill. The Piedmont Fire Insu- rance Company (W. H. Belk being a director), The Piedmont Clothing Company (W. H. Belk. president), and Cole Cotton Planter Manufactor}^, the last three at Charlotte; The Union Cotton Mill and the Union Hosiery :Mills, at Union, S. C. ; The Cliifside Cotton Mill, and also stock in a large Xew York hat house. They buy hats, hosiery, clothing, etc., from the mills and houses that they are interested in and thereby get them cheaper, as the profits of the middle men are eliminated. They own their own store buildings in ^lonroe, the beautiful new brick building occupied by the book store and telephone ex- change, and other valuable real estate in this city. Mr. W. H. Belk owTis individually an elegant orange grove in Florida, and some fine farm lands near Waxhaw. s: Dr. J. ]\I. Bc'lk will soon have completed the most elegant and costly residence in Monroe. The success of these two l)rothers is without a precedent. From an humble beginning their business has grown as if by magic. They are born merchants. Affable, obliging, unselfish, public spirited, fair and honest, they make and hold friends ^^ ithout an effort. They are consistent members of the church and enjoy the esteem and confidence of all wlio know them. II. M. BROO-M. H. M. Broom, dealer in staple and fancy groceries, began merchandising in Monroe in ]\Iay. 1883, where the express office now is. In 1890 he moved to his present large store in the Houston block and took into partnership Avith him Moses Cone, of Baltimore. Mv. Cone continued his connection with the business until he married, when he presented to Mrs. Cone his interest in the store as a bridal present. Mrs. Cone remained a partner for about a year and then sold out to Mr. Broom. He has been sole owner ever since. Mr. Broom started out with a very limited capital, but by industry, close attention to business, and by quick sales and small profits, he has built up a big trade and accumulated considerable property. Besides his beautiful residence on Jefferson street, he owns several nice houses and lots in Monroe and in North Monroe. Henry Broom, as his friends familiarly call him, firmly believes in the maxim that "honesty is the best policy." If you have any dealings with him he will surely treat you right, as his legion of friends and patrons will testify. THE com:\iercial hotel. The Commercial is a new house of twenty-three rooms, all of which are newlv furnished. Mr. N". G. Eussell is the pro- 84 prictor, and under lii? nianafroniont tlio liouso lias been very suc- cessful, hoth as rcixnrds rci^ular hoarders and transient busi- ness. The hou>e is i-entrally l(tcat<'d. one Idock from llie depot. TIJE CO.MMi:i;CIAL HOTEL. near the business portion of tlie town and within easy reach of the artesian well. The Commercial offers visitors a weekly rate of $6, with special monthly rates. TIIK W. .J. RUnC.K COMPANY. The aceompanyinoj picture shows the pretty interior of the book, stationery, fancy goods and jewelry store of the W. J. Rudge Company, and a visit to this store will verify the impres- sion made by the picture that this is one of the prettiest stores of its kind to be found in Xorth Carolina. Not only is it pretty. 85 but it is likewise commodious, having a floor space of 31x90 feet. That handsome building was recently erected by Belk Bros, and was constructed especially for this finn. The interior is finely finished, which, with the many large floor show cases, and other up-to-date furnishings, accounts for the fine effect upon a visitor as he enters the door. The company is incorpo- INTERIOR OF THE W. J. RUDGE COMPANY S STORE. rated and has the following officers: E. A. Morrow, presi- dent ; Dr. J. ]\I. Belk, vice-president ; W. J. Eudge, secretary and treasurer and general manager. Papers of incorporation were granted in October, 1900, and the company has since been doing a thriving business. Mr. Rudge, the manager, is assisted by his sister, j\Iiss Ivate Eudge, both of whom are exceedingly popular. Mr. Eudge is yet a very young man, and a brig.it 8G futuie Ik's l)t'f<)iv liini. The ((tiiiiiaiiy has a !ar<:c trade in si-li ;,il books, [)ooks of a gom-ral iiatiin.', iiias(i(iati()ii, and is an ii|i-tn-(late Pharmacist. He is an iiniiiarrieil man of j)l('a>inu-ti)ii ('ii.ji)vs the distiiictiim of liciii^^^ the nldi'st original citizen of Munrdc. IIo is 5G years uf age. ami lut artTK'r*s iiite'ivst. J. K. KXGLlSJi. ouglilv idc'utilk'd with all the various interests of the town. Mr. Blair has been been in the drug business since boyhood. He grad- uated at the ^Marvhind College of Pharmacy in 1888, and iininediately began business in ^Ion- roc ^Ir. Frank l"]nglisb., another pharniaeist of the company, graduated at the Maryland College of Pharmacy in the class o[ 19()(). eiit stand in 1S83. In ISSO he In 1888 he, with Mr. S. «). Blair, bought out I. II. Blair tS: Co.. and a year later the two stocks were uniteil, Mr. English and Mr. S. (). Blair formin'C the jiresent English Drug Company. Tiic linn ha^ a branch store in Kaleigb — C. B. Crowell & Co.— and has at different times establislied branch stores at otlu'r ])oints, and af- tei'wards disposing of Ihem. TJie firm enjoys n large retail, jobbing and country store supply trade. Beside this busi- ness, ^fr. Eny retired from business on account of the advanced age of Col. Crowell. Since 1894. :\rr. A. ^\. Crowell has been principally engaged in the management of his large private interests, al- though he has often been called to serve the public iu different capacities. He has been city alderman two terms, a justice cf the peace, cit ytax collector and treasurer and trustee of Mon- roe's excellent graded school. Mr. Crowell is a public spirited gentleman and a model citizen, enjoying the esteem and friend- ship of all \\ho know him. 103 [•:. A. ARMFIELD AND SONS. This linn is composed of E. A. Armfiekl, Davis Armfield and Rufns Armfield. The senior member began dealing in horses and mules in 1870. Later on he and X. S. Ogburn became asso- ciated together, and continued for several vears in the stock E. A. ARMFIELD AND SONS LIVERY STABLES. business. Mr. Ogburn finalh- became sole owner and Mr. Arm- field gave his entire attention to his other business. In 1890 he opened u]) again at the present stand, corner of Church and Jefferson streets. In 1897 he took in Mr. Davis Armfield, and in 1899 took in Mr. Eufus Armfield. The two latter now have the active management of the business. They are both clever young men, and treat the patrons of the firm right. By select- ing stock suitable to this section they have built np a fine trade in Union and surroundins: counties. Their fairness is shown 104 by the fact that neither member of the firm lia.s ever liad am" liti^'ation over a trade iu stock. Ik'sidcs their sales stable, these geiiticincii own a large gin, saw and grist mill six miles south of Monroe and also run a large farm. The amuunt of business they do demonstrates that square dealing is the surest way to success. ■ it- i,anf.^ . ■ s. ■ ".v. .»>«-.■ V ' ■ ..j/rjc^,'^-.^.^., -^ RESIDEXCE AND (iUOL'XDS OF R. B. l!l:;nWlNi:. KSQ. A. LEVY, A. Levy, tlie well-known dry goods man, is a Frenchman by birth, and came to ]\Ionroe in the spring of 1878 and began selling drv goods under the firm name of Lichtenstein & Lew. This firm continued until 1897, since which time ]\Ir. Levy has boon alone. During those twenty-four years ]\Ir. Levy has built up a reputation for low prices and good goods. He carries a big lino of dry goods, notions, shoes, hats, clothing, etc. Mrs. Lew conducts a first-class millinery in connection with her husband's l)usiness and knows just how to please the ladies. 105 T. J. SHANNON AND COMPANY. This firm is composed of T. J. Shannon and F. M. Welsh. Mr. WoJsh resides in South Carolina and is the father-in-law of Mr. Shannon. The latter first began selling goods at Jef- ferson, S. C, but moved to Monroe in 1894. Shannon & Co. do a wholesale and retail mercantile business in hardware, dry goods, shoes, notions, etc., and also deal largely in wagons, bug- gies and farming implements. Their principal stores are in the Shute building, at the corner of Franklin and Hayne streets. They run a livery stable on Franklin street and a grocery store at corner of Church and Franklin streets. They also have a retail store at Jefferson, S. C. Mr. Shannon, aside from his other enterprises, deals largely in stock and cattle and farms con- siderably. He is a very busy man and a splendid business man. SHUTE BROS.-' NEW BUILDING, OCCUPIED BY MONROE HARDW. CO. lOG CAl'T. W. li. CASOX. Wlien the (i. <'. \- \. Railway c-aiiic from Atlanta to Monroe it brouijht witli it a miniher of youn^r men who married in .Monroe. One of these yount.'' iiicii was Ca])- tain W. K. C'ason, who iii;in-i((l Miss Mattie Aus- tin. C'apt. Capon is a na- ti\(' of Georgia and has l»(cn with the Seaboard a long time. He was, for ;i number of years, road master of the G. C. .^c X. lie is now one of the pop- nhir conductors on the \cstil)ule from Monroe to .\\ianta. Capt. Cason has saved his money and is tile owner of valuable real estate in Monroe. Ho also l.'^- a very fine farn> in Butord township. He is a man of splendid ap- (■ AIT. w . K. CASON. })earance, excellent habits and is a model citizen. Til. 1.. fLOW. M. T.. Flow, dealer in fancy gioceries, has long been connected with the public life of Monroe. For a long time he was deputy clerl^^of the Superior court and a most efTicient one he was. He has served many years as a justice of the peace, notary puldic, commissioner of affidavits, etc.. and always does his bnsiness with tact and skill. ^Ir. Flow conducts a fancy grocery and carries in stock a larcre assortment of candies, fruits, canned 109 ( 1 ) liKSlDKXCK OF A. M. Ci^O^VELL. (2) res]dp:xce of ttte late col. a. h. chowell. AUSTIX AXD HEXDEP.SOX. Austin & Heiulerson, dealers in staple and fancy groceries, do a nice business. V. C. Anstin and F. G. Henderson consti- tute the firm and they are young men of energy, honesty and popularity. They are on Franklin street, in the Enquirer build- ing, where bargains in their line can be had. Their goods are fresh and cheap and ^Messrs. Austin and Henderson are the soul of politeness to their customers. no CLHLKi: AM) I.INDSKY 0. ('. Curlcc and J. J. Lindsov, jiicrcliandise brokers und.'" firm name of Curlee & Liiidst'V, have tlu-ir oHice in the Fitz- gerald buihling, on Lafayette street, opposite the (iloucester Hotel. They are wholesale brokers and commission merchants, dealing in flour, grain, meat, lard, etc. They represent several large mills and packing houses and sell goods on a very small ]nargin. They are both men of ex])erience in their line and have an extensive trade, which is constantly growing. They are both ))ul)lie spirited citizens and each enjoys much jjcrsonal p!)pu- laritv. Xdt much has been said in these pages of an historical natiin-. The idea has been to give a picture of jjresent life and activity. Were any liistorical sketch atteni]»ted it wc.idd deal largely witli tlie men of the town and Miiiiiy. whose personali- lies have given direction ;o the activities of the ]K'o- Ic. 1)1 the history of the \ )wn the pioneers would iHcupy a large space. Among them are names of men well known in their I lay. and some of them liv- ing to ripe old ages have 1 I'cn known to the young- t r generation. All of them have passed awav. Among these names are those of Joseph McLaugh- lin, wlio built the first storehouse here ; T. IX W'i nchester, John D. Stew- art, C. Austin, M. Austin, THE LATi: II. M. HOUSTON". John Shute, Capt. C. M. T. McCauley, Maj. D. A. Covington, i.'oh S. H. Walku]i. Henderson Simpson, A. F. Stevens, Col. Ill W. II. Fitzg-erald. Tattt'i'son Houston, B. F. Houston, A. A. Hanev, A. M. Crowe] 1 and H. M. Houston. The latter was one of the best known men who ever lived in this section. He was the largest property owner of the town at the time of his death, liavino- spent a long time in close attention to business, in frugal hal)its. and the practice of a RESIDENCE OF H. M. BROOM. virtuous econoni}-. He came to Monroe at the beginning of the town and till his death at the age of 84 years M-as active as a merchant, farmer, banker, etc. He was a member of the Seces- sion Convention, having been elected as Union county's delegate, and as a Union man. 11: CONTROL OF Tin-: Lh.ilOK TKWFFK RY J. E. CLAKK. The Mdiinii- (li«-|n'ii.<;ny is om- of tlio jnihlic institutions ;)f the town, and, as sueh. re(|\iires a ])hicc in the town and county's write-up. It may he said at tlie he^rinning tliat tliere is to l)e an election on tlie qui'stion in September, and the i)eo])le of tliG county are to pass finally u]>on the question as to whether they desire the dispensary continued or discontinued. One of the greatest of the many problems which confront this growing nation, quivering with the repressed energy of youth and meeting and answering great questions almost before more deliberate countries realize their existence, is that of the control of the liouor trallic. From the great figlits in Xew York City, whiTc the liipior power is felt in all its might, down to the rural community which is nominally "dry" by legislative enactment, none are free from the disturbing question. While- Greater Xew York is struggling with the alternative of sur- rendering to the bar-keepers entirely or enforcing an inadequate and unpopular law against Sunday selling, hundreds of rural communities are invaded with impudent peddlers who operate without license and in defiance of law. From the first it has been a recognized ]irinciple that the strong arm of the law must in some form or other take cognizance of the traffic. So far the attitude of the law l>as been one of three forms: prohi- bition, the saloon system, or what, for want of a better name,, are called dispensaries. The latter plan is the one adopted by ]\Ionroe. This one dispensary is the only place in Union county in which liquor may be legally sold. Other towns have prohi- bition and it is safe to say that saloons are permanently l)an- ished from the town and county. This is a very important con- sideration to home-seekers. Our system is considered by many to be the best possible control of the liquor traffic at present obtainable. A few statements of fact in regard to this institu- tion mav not be uninterestins: in this connection : 113 rp to and iiu-ludiii,i>' the year 1897 the town of Monroe hau, always three, and sometimes five saloons. In that year the Leg- islature estal)lished the dispensary, to go into effect Janutry 1st, 1898, and Messrs. John J. Crow, 0. W. Biggers and Geo. S. liee, three of onr very best citizens, were named as commis- sioners to establish and maintain a dispensary. These gentle- man did as directed by the law, and appointed Mr. W. E. Marsh manager, and ^Ir. W. H. Austin clerk. All of these gentlemen have given unselfish service, and only one of them, Mr. Lee, has severed his official connection, and that only because he was elected to another office. Mr. E. H. Haines, of West Monroe township, was appointed in Mr. Lee's place. The profits of this business have been distributed from year to year according to law as follows : ¥011 THE YEAR 1898. To the City of Monroe $1,118.10 To the Public Schools of the County 1,118.10 Total $-^,33G.2'i FOR TflE YEAR 1899. To the City of .Afonroe $1,355.31 To the Public Schools of the County 1,355.31 To the Chain Gang Fund ;9fi.6.5 Total $3,50 FOR THE YEAR 1900. To the City of Monroe $1,500 To the Public Schools of the (^ninfy 1,500 To the Chain Gang 1,500 Total $4,500 114 K()l{ THK YKAFt 1!)01. To the City of M(»iini(' $1,G0(;.<);{ To the rublic Schools of the County l.ddl.do To the Chain Gan^^ l,(i(>l ();5 To the Graded Schools l,li>:).l 1 Total $6,000.00 Total amount distrihutcd f