The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-24
SONS OF THE OLD NORTH STATE
They Meet in Ocala, Florida, and Have n
Reunion Feast of 'POssum Tapter and
PersimmOn Beer

We take the following extracts from
the Ocala Star of December 18th,
and it will be interesting from the fact
that it shows that North Ca~rolinians
never forget the native state and
from the additional fact that there
were Wilmingtonians taking part in
THE affair:
Last evening the sons of the 'Old
Tar Heel State met in their associate
lcapacity in Castle Hall and did them.
selves and their guests great honor
and pleasure in ~partaking Of a genu-
inc North Carolia 'simmon beer, pos
sum and 'tater" supper.
General Robert Bullock, president of
the Marion county association Of the
Sons Of North Carolina, acted as mas
ter of ceremonies and called the meet
ing to order.
The first thing in order was the sing
ing of the state song, which under
the lead of Secretary w. L. Jeweot,
accompanied on the organ by VERNE
Stevens, all joining in, was given with
a will, and stirred all hearts with it's
inspiring and patriotic entiments
President Bullock, in his impressive
and pleasing manner, made an address
of welcome that met with hearty ap-
pIause, interlarding it with patriotic
and hOme-1oving sentiments, which
struck q responsive cord in every
mans breast.
Mayor Bullock was called on to re-
spond in behalf OF the city, and did 1T
most acceptably. He touched on the
early settlement of North Carolina at
Raleigh. in the reign of Queen Eliza
beth. when the boundaries of the state
were deemed almost limitleSs and the
impression prevailed that the Roanoke
river had it's source i'm a spring on the
summit of an immense mountain, so
near to the Pacific coast that the
storms dashed it's waters into fury and
the waves dashed against it's rock
bound shores, the spray from the shat
tered waves falling into this spring
made it salt.
Professor Tuck was called on and
filled his Lhl to perfection. =
C. l.. Bitinger OF the Star was asked
ITO say a word and complied.
Dr. Frederick, who first saw the light
of day in the Tar Heel state, expressed
a beautiful sentiment of filial devotion
TO the land of his nativity.
J. A. Mellon, OF the Star editorial
force and the Ocala correspondent OF
the Times-Union and Citizen, was
Gdllbu Oh, dllu III tOHlpClIIiolI At ~
fessor Tuck, divided the honors most
effectively.
Editor Brumby, in response to an i'm
prOmptu talk, in a few we'll chosen
words, expressed his hearty approval of
the purposes Of such associations.
Sol Benjamin, now of Atlanta, but for
many year an hOnOred and respected
citizen of Ocala, and at present ON a
visit to his brother, Simon, was Gallo
upon. He came when a child with hi
parents from the old country and set
tiled in North Carolina, and therefore by
adoption had a right to speak and did
most acceptably.
Alderman Simon Benjamin was sum-
moned in behalf of the city and they
made no mistake in making this call.
Mr.. Daniel Mcintyre, who was a gen.
uine Tar Heller" was not overlooked,
but said it did his soul good to minglc
with citizens of his old state.
Alderman Pittman, who was born on
the banks Of the Tar river, was called
on.
Sheriff Hodge, representing the state
of Florida, was also called to his feet.
The feast was proclaimed ready and
} the guests marched out and did ample
Justice to 'possum, 'tater and simmer
! beer"
Tt was a great occasion and the large
aDDbI1UpS III cStlNI was II "b~N ~
the pile of bleached 'possum bones
heaped ON the plate of each satisfied
feaster.
1t was so good that General Bullock
said he could recall with the ~vividness
of boyhood days that the feast he was
enjoying was as real, genuine, tooth
some and satisf ying as it had been to
him sixty years ago.
After the feats came an interchange
of sOciability, "reminiscences and story
telling, in which General Bullock and
DIR. Frederick commended for mastery
and the latter won, to the amusement
and intense laughter of the hearers.
DR.. Frederick said in his day North
Carolina was great on fruit and timber,
and when asked what fruit and timber,
blandly replied: "hOOp-pOleS and pun
kins." This reminded General Bullock
to remark that in his day there was a
great contest for supremacy among the
straight and cross-eyed laborers in that
\ industry. The latter won and drove
the former out of the field, for" said
THE general, with a humorous twinkle
lin his eve. 1.-The cross-eyed fellows could
i keep ONE eye on the pole they were
cutting while the other eye picked Out
the next one, proving too much Tor the
s~traight-eyed brother, and the race now
in that particular field is extinct.
Secretary Jewett remarked that the
object OF this meeting was. to notify all
North Carolinians in Marion county OF
the existence of such an association and
all We're urged to join same. lnlt1a-
tion fee, 10 cents; yearly dues, 70 cents
AT their next gathering, the ladies
without whom no social gathering Is
complete, will be present. .
There were about forty-fve Nortr
Carolinians and their descendants pres
~ent and several specially invited guests
1t is needless to say that these North
.Carolinians are among our most prom
inent and representative citizens.