The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-03-14

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olutions to instruct our Senators TO vote
for free coinage, &c, was among the
best efforts of the session. He was at
tentive to every interest of his county,
succeeded in preventing any changes in
town charters, and In passing through
the Senate every local measure he intro
duced. He has heretofore been endors-
ed by his people. This year he served
them better than ever before, and will
doubtless again receive their approval
Mr.. Abel was married Nov. 10, 1885
to Miss Irene Page, of Fayetteville and
has his home and his law Office in the
historic old town of Smithfeld
JAMES T.. NELSON.
Mr.. James l.. Nelson, representative
from Caldwell, is a native of that coun-
ty, having been born about 45 years ago
at the foot of the Blue Ridge Noun
tains His father kept an inn and the
toll gate on the turnpike road between
Lenoir and Blowing Rock. In the old
times it was the resort of parties as
cending the mountains.
Mr.. Nelson was educated in the public
schools, and when he was about grown
he and his brother started in business in
Watauga county with a $500 stock of
good. They prospered, and after
time he bought out his brothers interest
in the store, and about 1881 or 1882
moved to Lenoir, where he has since en-
gagged in merchandising. His business
has grown steadily, and now has one Of
the largest establishments in his section,
and is one of the most substantial citi-
zens of the county.
Mr.. Nelson married Miss Emma
Scrogg, the youngest daughter of the late
DR.. A. A. Scroggs, and they have two
children Mrs. Nelson spent some days
in Raleigh during the session and charm
ed all whose good fortune it was to meet
her.
Mr.. Nelson was twice elected, without
solicitation, chairman of the Board of
County Commissioners, and is now sery-
ing his second term as member Of the
House. He is also member of the State
Board of Agriculture. All these honors
have come to him without the asking.
He is as modest as he is worthy, capable,
and upright He is a man of wisdom.
Mr.. Nelson is one of these even tenn
pered, elegantly attired, polished stately,
handsome gentlemen, who impresses
those who meet him as possessing the
highest sense of honor, q broad, we'll
DEVELOPED mind, and n character untarn-
ished He does not aspire to leadership
among his colleagues, but he naturally
becomes a leader He was one of the
recognized leaders during the session
just closed. Whenever he spoke there
was a hush in the hail. and both sides of
the chamber listened with rapt atten-
ton. His speeches are clear, conserya-
tive and to the point, and there were few
men on either side of the House whose
words carried such weight in them as
those of Mr.. Nelson. Caldwell county
does the State a great service when it
sends Mr.. j. l.. Nelson to the Legislature.
for he is broad enough, brave enough, and
able enough to do valiant service to his
people from one end of the State to the
other If North Carolina could assem-
bic legislature made up entirely Of
such men as Nelson, of Caldwell, we
would have naught but wise and whole
some laws.
/ CAPT. A. Il. WALTERS
| As stauneh a Democrat, as genial a gen
tlem@n and as prudent and watchful a
j legislator as the party had in the House
was Capt A II, Walters, OF Reidsyille,
/ Rockingham county.
! Capt Walters is q Nirginian by birth,
but has had fifteen years Of Tar Heeldom,
and is as true and loyal a Carolnian as
sat in the Legislature.
Capt. Walters is q capable and efficient
party worker and organizer. He is a
member of the State Democratic execu-
tive committee, and his judgment on mat
tiers of party organization and advance
| ment is recognized by every one of his
colleagues ON that committee. He is q
Democrat of the Chicago platform kind,
and believes implicitly in those good old
Jeffersonian principles OF Democracy. He
was one of the hardest fighters in the Leg
islature against the revolutionary meas
ures to turn his Eastern brethren over to
negro domination, and his warfare on
these propositions in the committee rooms
and on the floor of the House was bold,
courageous and effective. He feared not
TO speak out whenever he saw the inter
ests of the white people threatened and
he spoke in tones that sometimes stunned
those who were so thirsty for revolution
airy measures.
Capt. Walters is a tall, erect, courtly
gentleman, of Chesterfiledian bearing
and of commanding presence. He lives in
ReidsYille, where he is extensively engag-
ed in manufacturing enterprises. He is
popular in his town and county, and it was
largely through his efforts that the white
men of Rockinghom county, both Demo
Gratis and Populists, got together, buried
their petty differences during the last
campaign and reversed a majority of 800
anti-Democratic in '94, to 200 Democratic
in '96.
Capt Walters is very genial and
agreeable associate, and he has made
many new friends during his stay in Raj
eigh.
He married Miss Richardson, daughter
Mr.. r. p. Richardson, who was for years
one of the leading manufacturers, and one
Of the wealthiest and most influential
citizens of Rockingham county.
JOHN III. PEARSON.
Burke county has many popular,
able and influential Democratic leaders,
and one of them is Mr.. John FL. Pearson,
the member of the House from Burke in
the session lust ended.