The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-23
First Day of Reunion at
Red Springs.
THE WELCOME WARM
The Address OF Greeting is by Mr.. {
r. McRae, and ihe Response by
Professor Carlyle. Rev. c. G.
VardeII Master of Ger
emonies.
By Y. C. MOORE.


first day Of the homecoming week oi
the Robersonians has proved most
pleasant and successful one. Large
numbers OF people coming from near
and far are here, and smiling happy
faces on all sides speak eloquently OF
the pleasure of RobeSonS sons VINO
welcome and of Robeson's sons who
coming find arms and hearts wide
open to receive them.
The formal exercises of the day be-
gan at II a. m. this morning Win
largely attended meeting in the college
auditorium which was presided over py
DR.. c. CT. Vardell. Calling the meeting
to order he presented Hon. +. +. NC
Rae, of Maxton, who delivered the
address of welcome. This was re-
sponded to by Prof. j. B. Carlyle, of
Wake Forest. Both speakers delight
ed the audience. After their ad-
dresses the meeting adjourned for
dinner.
The afternoon was spent in renew
ing old acquaintances AT four O'Clock
a game of ball was played by Dunn
and Red Springs teams and the game
was won by Red Springs. the score
being II to l in their favor. The
play was marred to some extent by
rain but was enjoyed by the specta-
tors, who watched it proceed between
showers.
Tonight the meeting convened at
eight o'clock, and happy "reminiscences
of Old times were INDUCED in and en-
joyed by the returned Robesonians.
The meeting was an open one and
greatly enjoyed by all. Delightful
music was furnished by the Roberdell
band. tI
The session was called to order by
DIR. Vardell who announced Mr.. +.
Hamilton Mcmillan as the principal
speaker after which the meeting was
to be thrown open to give the fel-
low a chance who '.nudged the fell
low next to him to tell it to the crowd,
so all could enjoy it," AT the close or
his remarks which were intensely Or
iginal and amusing and much en-
joyed by the audience this invitation
was not given.
Rev. A. L. Davis, of Trinity Ala.
who had not been home in fifty one
wears was introduced and for some
time reviewed the past. Mr.. William
Humphrey, now OF Florida, was call-
ed for and said few words aEtei
which the meeting adjourned, not CIV
ing the opportunity for general eX-
preston.
The welcoming address of Mr.. Nc
Rae i'm The morning was a feature of
the dav.
McRae's Address.
Mr.. E F. McRae began his address
bv telling one or two amusing stories
which provoked much merriment. lie
then proceeded in part as follows:
Ii is customary on occasions IKE
this to turn back the pages of history
10 those dark and bloody days" the
darkest Of the past century, but
leave that to others on another day,
and will ask you to bear with me a
few moments while | present a few
facts from 1874 to the present day
In 1874 we have a population of
1922, today we have approximately
$4,000. In 1874 we had only one in
corporated town, today We have eight.
There was thirty miles C~}'railroad In
Robeson county in 1874. today we
have 15S miles. valued at $S11, ,695.
IT is said to be the largest railroad
mileage of any county in the State.
The value of land in 1874 was $1,O43.-
294. on 5S0169 acres. while today we
have 609,264 acres, valued at $3,727,-
527. and in addition to this we have
1912 town lots. valued at $769,385, as
against $S6,366 in 1874. Our horses
numbered 1,41S, and were valued at
SI25.622, while today we have l,626,
worth $115.372. The most surprising
thing of all is the great increase of
mules. In 1874 we had 1,071 mules.
worth $100,350. while today we have
5,S34, valued at $f80,420.
The 1866 cattle in 1874, valued at
$59.565, are compared to 500, valued
at $60,531 of today. In 1874 34,56S
hogs rooted around and were worth
S100 per head. today we have 1858,
worth $62,49S.
But alas, the sheep are nearly gone,
for we have today only 3,911 as COM
pared to 900 in 1874. But we are
here today to welcome back into the
fold the WANDERING sheep. but not
those who grow wool on their backs
And it appears that our real and per-
sonal property in 1874 was valued at
$1.5S4 ,406, of SO per cent capita,
while today the total valuation is
$10.149,375 or PSI per cent capita.
and in addition there is a half million
dollars or more invested in church
and school buildings. So then this
gives you an idea of our growth and
increase in material things, but not
until after 1890 did we make any
rapid strides along progressive lines.
The period prior to 1890 was one of
destruction, when the rich forest pine
was being cut and converted into
lumber, but this was orally the lay
ing of the foundation for our future
wealth and prosperity. For where
the forest then stood you will now see
vast fields of corn, cotton and tobac-
CO.
Now what have we done along mo-
raj and educational lines?
In 1890 we had in our beloved coun-