Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1904-06-23
THE DESERTED VILLAGE.

more "reminiscences
Down to the
Present.
Over fifty years ago, OF the banks
of the Neuse river, about one mile
west of Goldsboro, was situated E
beautiful village bustling with life
and activity, called Waynesboro, al
that time the county seal of this
county. In it were nice homes and
cultured society. Her merchants
were men of wealth and noted for
their integrity and commanded the
respect and patronage of all for miles
around. Her matrons were mothers
indeed, looking well after their
households, dispensing cheer and
comfort to their husbands and famil-
les and speeding the parting guest
with a remembrance of kindness
shown; and her maidens-none were
fairer and as lovely as a Venus fresh
from the foam of the sea.
Had some prophet then told of
her devastation, that her streets, then
active with trade, would be wiped
away; that her stores, their shelves
filled with choice merchandise,
would be no more, her houses, filed
with merry laughter and cheer,
would be annihilated: her court
house, just back on a small hill, in
which crowds had listened with
eager ear to the lucid explanation of
the law, and hung with rapture.
with mouth agape at the teryid elo-
quence and burning words of a Gas
ton, Badger, Henry, and scores of
others the peers in learning, ora
tory, or philosophy, of any in the !
past or present, O. that the womb of
the future may yet bring forth.
would pass away, he would have
been laughed to scorn and a curse
worse than that OF Cain placed upon
him. But, sad to chronicle, how
true the prophesy would have been.
Where once merry laughter and
song enchanted the listening ear.
where the tlmid maiden with beat
ing heart heard with joy the words
of love and fealty fall from her low
er's lips, now can only be heard the
wall of the night hawk as he sits in
some willow tree on the banks of the
river and boots a requiem for what
has been!
Indeed, sad is the fate of many
human aspirations! Not only has the
village gone and none to mourn her
fate, but the last resting place of her
has been desecrated and theirl
graves laid bare and their bones ex-
posed to be wasted away by the
destroying elements. "PIty it's tits
Most of this section, at that time,
was forest, with here and there al
farm cleared. The principal indus
tries were farming, stock raising and
t~urpentine. The river was navagable
most of the year, and was the chief
artery of trade, and the stage coach
transported travellers. Man then
lived a in touch with natures:
wants were more in unison with
nature, and he drew his inspiration
from nature, and looked tsthrough
nature up to Natures God;" his
thoughts were noble, and his soul
not twined around with sordid ma
terialism.
At early morn, when awakened, S
he heard the bewitching notes of the I
hooking bird, the dogs bark well {
coming his master after the night's
watch, the wind blowing through /
the branches of the trees, forming an
Eolian harp, and the lowing of the
cattle and the neighing of the horses
greeting the rising sun.
Such were the times-so was ma
Would that I could be carried by
some magic hand to Pamassus'
Mount, that I might quaf from the
muses. spring inspiration and with
winged words express my thoughts!