The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1889-05-31

my III us carry udSS WllSou " dS Cd ny tIC
centre of educational influences IN q large
territory. DR.. DEEMS did not remain many
years in Wilson but he left his scholastic
impress upon the minds of the men and
women who have made the town what it
is. These traits INDUSTRY, FREEDOM FROM
SHAM AND SHOW, AND DEVOTION TO EDUCA-
TION-have been the foundations upon
which this splendid structure of a town
has been built. They have become, in
large measure, ingrained into the charac-
ters and lives of the Wilson people and
made them the true, sturdy, prudent, pro-
gressive men and women they are every
where known to be- We have but touched
upon the causes Of growth and substan-
tial growth. Let us examine briefly the
EARLY HISTORY OF WILSON,
which, though short, we will find not
without interest. Wilson does not live in
memories of the past. 1t lives in the ac
tions and deeds of the present Ia 1899
Wilson was a ''pumeval forest" Only
the birds and the bats heard the first train
that passed over the ''string pieces and
fiat rail- that then constituted the now
famous Wilmington d Weldon Railroad.
About this time Mr.. James p. Barnes
familiarly called by all Jimmie D.
settled here, the train stopped and the
euphonious name of Toisnot station was
given to the place. Mr.. Barnes, who left
many descendants, lived in a log shanty
here-was (. K. agent, postmaster, and
chief merchant of the village OF fifty peo-
Pile Almost what is now the entire town
was owned by Mr.. James d. Barnes and
John w. Farmer, both of whom have
passed away leaving sons to take their
place. 1t was Just ten years after the
railroad reached sToisnot depot" that the
first Board of Town Commissioners We're
elected tthe town had been Incorporated
in 1881 The Commissioners We're James
D. Barnes, JOHN ". Farmer, Arthur D.
Farmer J. D. Rountree, and Gen. Joshua
Barnes Gen. Joshua BarLeS probably
enjoys the high honor of being the only
man in the State who Was a Commissioner
of town of which ne was not resident.
Gen. Barnes lived two miles north Of the
town-was the most distinguished citizen
of his section, and had served often in the
Legislature, and had been particularly zeal
Gus in his efforts to secure the lncOrpOra-
ton and upbulldlng Of the town. His elec-
tiCn was a compliment to his well-dlrect-
ed zeal. The new Commissioners laid off
the town in the form of Il square, named
the streets aud prepared for The building
of large town. Theg had faith III its
future, and some of them lived 10 see
their expectations more than realized.
When incorporated the name of the town
was changed from ''ToiSnot Depot 10
wilson 1t was named in honor of that
brave patriot, Gen. Louis d. Wilson, who
lost his LIFE il the Mexican war. He was
the favorite sol Of Edgecombe county
(the new town of V al.sn was then in
Edge combe county, and IN tlirtv years of
public life had made a reputation TOR
ability. honesty and faithful discharge OF
duty that made the people, when they
heard Of his death. like NiObe ''an tears. y
Few men have lived in North Carolina
who We're a. true to the people as this pa
trot Without good advantages he at
tanned hOnors a1d great influence. These
he always used t0Ear1..s H.. hetternelt
and elevation of the condition 81 Ia pe4o-
pie and when he died emphasized tslls
love by devisins all his large Is ate lvalu-
ed at $40 000j To the chairman OF the
county court in trust for the poor. Or
this amount SIP, 600 Nas exp ndei il erect
ing buildings and an asylum for the poor.
Some was lost IL bad inves ments and
81. 00G OF it vas improperly used TO pay
a county debt contracted when 7 gecGmbe
county was under Republican ,u.s. There
is now no Wilson" fund in f6gec0ni5 be
Part Of that fund ought 10 have gol,e 2
the new county of Wilson when astab 'sh-
ell but II never received a cent OF II The
town of Wilson IS a monument to this great
man and its magical growth almost leads
one to believe that there was magic IN the
name. As an evidence Of how small the
town Was and the economy Of its officers,
we state that in 1881 the entire t2wu lax
was Sol 81 The current expenses Q. the
wear were s33 - leaving a balance on
hand Of SSH In this year the plank
road was completed from Greenville 10
Wilson and this gave some impetus to the
place Its completion was an occasion Of
as much, or more, rejoicing as we see to-
day upon the completion of a new railroad
line.
The most vital date in the history of
Wilson, however, was February 9th, 1885.
On that day the town of Wilson which
had been IA Edgecombe county, was made
the county seat Of the new established
county of Wilson. During 1884 the ques-
ton of making new county out OF parts
OF Edgecombe, Wayne, Nash and Johnston
counties was the leading question In
Edgecombe the election of members turned
upon this question. The feeling of oppo-
sition was very great, especially around
Ia, bOrO The canvass was of the most
exciting nature but Gen. Joshua Barnes
and Col David Williams, who advocated
the new county, We're elected to the LeSls-
lature When the news reached " ,lson
from Gen. Barnes that the new county
had been established the JOY of the people
knew no bounds Cannon doomed, men
| came IN from the surrounding country
and the jollifcation and exultation was IN
every heart In this victory the people
gave thanks TO their two representatives
The zeal, untiring labor, and successful
endeavors especially Of Sen. Barnes won
l., I,c Il NJ h1 10
He had been often in the Legislature and
had host Of friends throughout the
State His popularity served the good
purpose of getting many votes for the
new county. The future of Wilson was
| now assured Gen. Barnes lives to this
| day an honored and loved citizen, to see
| the ripened fruits Of his patriotic labors
| He was the first chairman OF the county
court. His advanced years forbid hi;
| taking an active part in politics, but he is
| keenly alive to all public questions, anc
| has large business interests in Wilson
| The year after the new county was formed
! a SO. 900 Court House was built which still
| stands. The business Of the town doubled
| The town continued to grow and before
| the war, as before stated, 1T was THt
| educational centre of large section, a.
| we'll as the commercial depot. When th'
tocsin of war sounded the men from thu
stores and fields and the boys from th'
| schools donned the gray and went to the
| front. No braver men followed Lee ant