The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-29

but not On its present site. 1t was first
a Presbyterian church, then q free
church and later, In this century, an
Episcopal church. 1t was built by
Howell Lewis, a very worthy carpen-
ter, the head Of a well known family in
that old county. Colonel Tarleton, the
British cavalry commander. occupied
h a building for one night in the Revo-
luton. The weather was very cold,
and the British built a fire neal the pull
pit on the very thick plank floor and
the burnt places are plainly visible to
this day. In the old village, with its
venerable oaks, some Of which may be
even hundreds OF years old, the refined
and devoted women Of that community
had spread a dinner that had but little
resemblance to n ordinary campaign
feast 1t vas indeed elegantly prepar-
ed and served, n it was in all respects
equal to h big dinners" in the good
old times before the war when hospi-
tally and abundance prevailed in
North Carolina
To this entertainment John Kerr, OF
Caswell county, had been invited. He
was the chosen orator, and he alone
was to furnish the feast Of reason
and to charm with his accredited fine
oratory. He was then but little known
beyond his own county and two or
three adjoining counties. Granville,
then the third county in size and one OF
the richest and best educated, was
anxious to hear the man whose recent
fame had reached the men and ladies
Of the fine Nut Bush section, then I'M
equaled for its civilization and refine
ment by any county in North Carolina.
Mr.. Kerr appeared. A large crowd of
the best people gathered. Wings were
there from three or more counties, and
democrats were also there in strong
force. What did it mean, for it was
rather singular that so many demo-
Gratis should attend a big Wing feast?
The reason was soon apparent. About
II o'clock Judge Romulus M. Saunders
drove up. His democratic friends hur-
ried to meet him. He had driven in his
buggy all the way from BERTHE county
probably ninety miles-where he had
iooI oPOhCl W nc SOiiipol oIlfCly
young Wing orator. The Wings were
asked for a discussion. Kerr had not
come prepared for a debate with the
strongest "stumper" in the democratic
party in the state. The Wings were too
gallant to decline. The result was that
Kerr opened and Saunders followed
with a decided triumph. Kerr had
nnrn1 fn m Ro an i'm ~ q ocinnA1 nron1
grafton, and not to engage in debate.
He was not prepared because he was
not posted. He suffered a defeat and
was simply sacrificed on the altar Of
courtesy and justice. No capital for
the Wings was made that day. We
heard it and remember we'll as we rode
home with our father in his carriage
and another staunch Wing, how they
confessed and lamented a democratic
triumph. Our father thought it was
absurd in the democrats to prepare 2
grand feast at much cost and to invite
democrats to consume it and to achieve
a great victory in a political discussion.
We will tell Of another discussion here
after in which General Saunders also
figured, but with a different Wing
champion.
Judge Saunders was for many years
in the United States house Of represent
t~atives. was twice on the superior court
bench and was minister to Spain under
Polk, We think it was. Judge Kerr was
in the federal house also, but for one
term if we remember correctly. He
was the WING candidate for governor
in 1852, and made a splendid canvass,
receiving ovations in many places as
Vance did in 1876. He was also on the
supreme court bench, n at his death
was serving, if we have it correctly. In
his prime Judge Kerr was a gentleman
Of very impressive personality.