The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-06-26
r. me Farmer and Mechanic.
Old lines in Connection With the
Lower Cape Fear.
THIRD PAPER.

I DtllltlE Uohh W q otS IOlIOu tIluu lIdU
mentioned III former articles sent you, my
eve rests upon a document bearing the sig
natures Of many who were once prominent
in our history, but who nave long since
passed from earth, whose names, however,
are A. familiar in our midst as household
verbs. and whose fame is not confined
within the limits of State lines. The des-
~cen,iants of many OF those gentlemen are
,tli here, and distinguished alike for their
virtue, intelligence aud high character.
iius document to which | refer is a bono
made by the following parties, viz: Vim.
IL. halsey, WA. Hasell, Robert Cochrane,
Jas. NJ. Henderson, Samuel Pitts, james
Fergus Mcitee, }. ID. Jones, John Hill, A.
l.. tonnes. G.. l.. Adams, j. Il. Gautier, j.
Ii. Draughan, Alexander Anderson, Edward
Ninslow and Robert Rankin, to Charles j.
Wright, " llliam b.. Meares, VIM. G. Lord
and james 5. Green, and bears date May
Eth, 1918. 1t seems that the four parties
last named, to whom the bond was given,
borrowed upon their joint note from the
bank one thousand dollars to aid the
italian Association, a dramatic organization
then existing III the own of Wilmington,
and which continued to exist through differ
ent generations up to the breaking out of the
war between the States, and the condition
OF the obligation was, that should the
drawers OF SAID note have to pay it or any
portion thereof, by reason of the failure or
inability OF the body corporate to do so,
then the signerS OF that document would
make Zip pro rata whatever deficit there
might be.
As Is generally the case in all transactions
OF that KIND, the corporation failed to pay
the entire amount of the bond, In fact they
pad but a small portion of it. and an assess
ment was levied upon those individuals who
had agreed to become personally responsible,
and placed in the hands of one of their
number for collection. \ memorandum on
the back OF the document by the party who
had the matter III hand. tells the result of
his labors, and will be suggestive, | doubt
not, to many IN these latter days who have
passed through a similar experience. lit is
but a line and reads thus, my loss from not
collecting, two hundred dollars, with interest
added, makes the amount two hundred and
fifty dollars. The same old story of pro-
crastination and delay, but blaming no one
but himself he acknowledges the fact like a
true hearted gentleman Us he was, and pock-
cts the loss without further remark.
[ propose III this article to give a brief
sketch of some of those whose names are
mentioned Ill that document and who were
conspicuous actors on the stage of lite many
Years age.
Charles J.. Wright whose name appears
first upon the list, was the eldest son of
Hon. Joshua Or. Wright who represented
the borough of Wilmington from 119l to
Io09 continuously, and who was also speaker
OF the House and subsequently one OF the
Judges of the Superior Courts of Law and
Equity, and a brother of the late William A.
Wright OF this city known and esteemed
throughout the State. Ina early youth he
was remarkable for great eXuberance OF AMI
NAL spirits and a fondness for every mode OF
trollc and fun, and a propensity Impractical
Jokes which however were devoid of malice
and characterized by unfailing good humor.
This propensity he carried with him to Col
lege and he was "a thorn i'll the flesh OF
the staid and dignified DIR. Caldwell, and yet,
though a frequent source OF annoyance to
that gentleman, the generosity of his dlspo-
sitlon and the absence of all deceit III his
nature, made him quite a f%avorite. he
graduated at the University in 1912, and n
meilateiy applied himself to the study OF the
law. lie was distinguished for %qulckness OF
apprehension and great vIvacity, was a fluent
amt agreeable speaker and regarded by all as
an intelligent and trustworthy practitioner.
Tie was also President Of Branch OF the
Bank OF the State at this plan and was es-
teened by business men as a very useful,
prudent and sagacious officer.
1t Was however in the drawing room that
he shone with peculiar lustre. His fine adj
dress, the amenity of his manners, the
sparkle of his wit, and his familiarity with
the usages of refined society, all %cOnsplred to
give him prominence. He was OF a genial
temperament and c~onvivial in his habits.
BY conviviality, | do not mean the coarse
debauchery OF the restaurant or tavern, but
that social turn that seeks enjoyment and
derives pleasure from the exercise of a gener-
Gus hospitality, the excitement of the dance,
and intercourse with cultivated women and
men OF wit and taste and scholarship, OF