The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-23
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD
PLANTED THERE BY PATRIOTIC
EN- SECRETARY OF STATE
HILL.
HOW Or. WILLIAM G. HILL SAVED 1T
The Street Commissioners, Just After the War,
Were About 10 Cut Il Down, When Dr..
Hill Prevented by His TrustY
Shot Gun,
Shot Gun.

Sr0t 6uils
The picturesque old white oak tree
standing in the street one square west
Of the Edenton Street Methodist church
Us worthy of a passing notice Standing
as it does, nearly in the centre of the
street, excites comment, and no one who
has seen it can doubt for a moment that
nothing short of a sentiment of love
could have shielded it so long from the
destroyer of the forest. Compared to
other oak trees in our city, of which we
have accurate knowledge, it must be-
about 100 years old, but to be as near
accurate as possible. Frank Rix, colp-
oned man So years old, now living in the
neighborhood of the tree, says he re-
members il from infancy, and that about
60 years ago, when it was ran over by
n wagon, he saw Secretary of State Hill
set it up and hold it in position, while
his son William g., packed the dirt
about IFS roots.
Until that part OF Edenton street
west of the church was opened up fol-
traffic, the tree was on Secretary Hills
premises, the natural play ground of his
son, William c., and as it gradually
assumed graceful and vigorous proper.
tions under the sagacious old Secretary
watchful eye, the son formed an attach
ment for it, that in later years might
have cost him his life.
Doubtless there are many among us
now who remembers DR.. William G.
Hill in his life time, but to the younger
~. IL
eminent physician viii not be amiss
He was the embodiment of health, force
and energy; of rather low and erect
statue, with clean shaver face and
ford complexion, his bald head, with a
soft roll Of snow white hair about the
bfse of the brain lending charm to the
man, if not rendering him too aristocrat-
ic-iookiDg in the estimation Of few.
With all his excellent judgment aml
mild expression those who knew him
best say they could see beneath his
pleasant physiogonomy a slumbering vol
cano, but to those who did not possess
the keenest conceptions of character.
the Doctor was hailed as the mildest and
gentlest of men, distinction which he
was entitled to, until he was insulted or
fully aroused.
When General Lee surrendered, our
city was infested with a number of men
as rough as is hard to find in the slums
OF great city; doubtless many of them
were liberated from prison 10 engage in
the war between the States, with a
promise OF reward il victorious. How
ever. setting that aside. it was our
street commissioner and his gang III
those days, of whom we wish to speak.
Slowly walking westward on Edenton
street, with their shoyels, picks and
axes, they stopped at the root of the
old three. From a window in his Hills
boro street residence. Doctor Hill saw
them gestieulating about the direction
in which they proposed to throw the
tree. and FASTENED to the scene with un
covered head and addressed them mild
ly:
my good men, please inform me what
you are contemplating
They paid little or no attention to the
mild and gentle voice, and continued to
sound the roots of the tree.
MAY I inquire by what authority you
are commanded to slay the old tree
that may hasten to see them and save
the friend of my YOUTH
youth be darned," says a rough
voice. while an idiotic smile played oyel
the conference Of his companions.
again, gentlemen, | appeal to your
sense Of honor. let it live another hour
and | will exert myself in its behalf
that it NAV live. 1t was the companion
OF my youth; we grew up together; it IL
the ivy of my manhood and | will pro
tect il in my old age at the cost OF my
life"
The commissioner cast contemplate
glance at the Doctor, and ordered ms
men to remove the dirt from around
the roots of the tree.
Now, sirs," says the Infatuated DOC
tor. 81 have treated you as human
beings, but find you to be void OF sense
and honor. Ii you remove anorhei
shovelfulI of the dirt | placed there IL
my childhood or if you give the tree
single blow, | viii level you to the
ground"
They murmurcd something. familiar
only to those of low births, while the
Doctor darts like an arrow across the
garden to his house and returns with
double4barrelled shot gun, cooked
trimmed and ready for action. As ne
drew near, he cautiously approached the
scene. and placed HIS back against the
tree he assembled them at the point OF
his gun and commanded them in a most
vigorous manner:
''You contemplate scoundress, il
ever catch you here again | will kill you
az J would mad dog. About face
march,
As they journeyed eastward on Eden
ton street, out Of the reach of the Doe
tors gun, they were heard to chuckle