The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1903-02-19
PEOPLE AND THlNGSIN VANCE
Lecturer Gates, of the farmers Alli-
ance, Writes of the Work Tie Has
Done and the People He Has r1et.

Mr.. H. NJ. Gates. Farmers Alliance
lecturer, who has been among the
people of Vance county during the
past two weeks reOrganizing and
strengthening the weak places in the
Farmers Alliance, writes as follows
to the Progressive Farmer:
Ever since | first came to Vance county
bad weather has followed me. And yet
the good work goes on. came to Hen
derson on the second day of February;
was met here by my good friend. }. Full
Ter Coghill. Jr., and carried over to the
home of his father. Here we much en-
joyed the hospitality of this home for an
hour or SO, and was then carried over
that night to Floydtown, a very pretty
and prosperous section Of Vance. Here
we met quite a number of farmers and
We're greatly pleased to have the presence
of the ladies' We proceeded to talk to
uIIeIn Oh the Dement'S OF organization, and
at the conclusion of our little talk open
ed the doors of the Farmers Alliance.
Fifteen of the very best men and women
in all the land gave their names and were
duly initiated. And the following were
elected to office: President, j. +. Coghill,
ST.; vice-president q. II. Davis; secretary
and treasurer, Mrs VIII Davis; chaplain.
$. b. Floyd; lecturer, l.. J. Edwards;
business agent, f. 7. Bobbitt; dOorkeeper,
}. F. Coghill, Jr; sergeant-at-arms, VIII
Davis. Here we spent the night with
the last named brother where we found
music and song, love and sunshine. plenty
OF good things to eat, and big welcome
Mrs. Davis is a lover of music and knows
how to sing and touch the organ keys.
On the morning of the Bird inst we
We're carried across the country by
Brother Davis to my good friend Jesse
l.. kelly's. This was like going back
home. We truly did enjoy the warm
handshake of Brother Kelly and his good
wife. and also the good dinner After
spending a few hours here most pleasant
ly, we were carried across the country
some ten miles by Brother Longmire
(whO is member of the WILLIAMSBURG
Alliance and who, by the way has a
magnificent home and farm. and most
everything needed, except-well. he's a
bachelor. But | think he will get over
that to Capt. J. NJ B. Hunts. We
reached here after dark and was sorry
to intrude on stranger at such an hour
But Brother Kelly had told us that the
minute we entered his door we would
conclude we had found home And |
must confess when left Capt Hunts |
felt that | wanted to be a better man
This home is truly type OF Heaven, not
so much because of grandeur. riches and
worldly goods, though all these were in
abundance. 1t is truly typical South
ern ante-bellum home. Here we found
the same old servants Old Uncle Brisk
is Just as faithful as ever; though he has
been free since 90, he still serves. still
loves, and is still loved. And indeed love
is the ruling power of this good home 7
would to God we had more such men as
Capt. Hunt, and such women as Mrs.
HUT, and such fnmilies as Capt. Hunts
family. God bless them. feel sure my
life has been bettered by knowing them.
and now tears of JOY flow down my
cheeks as write of them.
Well, the next day the Captain took us
in his buggy and carried us over the
country and told the folks of our mis-
sion; and that night we met in nearby
school house and organized an Alliance
with Capt. Hunt, president, and j. f.
klmball, secretary. and the members
were of the best class of people in Vance
county. We went from here to the home
of James L. Satterwhite and spent the
night. We much enjoyed our STAY here
Mr.. Satterwhite is what the business
world calls a success. He makes money
farming.
From here we went back to Henderson
and out to Bro. George Stainback's spa
cious home. Here we were given the
same kind treatment that characterizes
Vance county people. Friday night we
went over tds6illburg Alliance and met
with the boys" and had the honor to
preside over the meeting At the close of
the business session the writer was called
upon, and we gave a short talk and still
more We're added to the roll Thus ends
our work in Vance She has today eight
sub Alliances, with one more almost or
ganized. Nearly all the farmers of Vance
county are now or soon will belong to
the Farmers Alliance.