The gold leaf., 1909-07-22
Some Old Timers.

The North Carolina Press AS
sociaticn in Session at Hen
Jacksonville Like Going
Back Home and Being With
the Family After an Absence
of Seventeen Years-Many
New Faces but Some of the
"OId Guard" Still On Deck
Sweet Communion with
Gentle Spirits that Makes
One Feel Better for Having
Done So-A Great Body Of
Fine Folks in a Fine Town.
Writing about the North Carolina
Press Association with which he re-
newed his membership at the conven-
tion in Hendersonville, after an alb
sence from the editorial chair of II
years. Mr.. James p. Cook, former
editor of the Concord Standard,
chairman of the Board of Trustees OF
the Stonewall Jackson Training and
Industrial School, and editor of The
UpHft. a very creditable little month
ly periodical published in connection
with the institution, says this:
It's been II years since / sat with
the North Carolina Press Association
in annual convention. Connection
with this paper made attendance
upon and participation in the con-
vention, which met in Hendersonville
on June 23. entirely ingood taste. 1t
was like going back home-to sit on
the old porch once more; to drink out
of the old we'll once again; to drive
the COWS and watch the milking; to
walk up and down the fresh ploughed
ground and at night to wash ones
feet in the old tub that sat at the
back steps. Stop. This talk gives
ones early environments away: and
these things having forever passeds
have become almost sacred.
"Going back home" has its sad
ness. Things become larger; while
other things have become smaller
things change, and these changes
sometimes sadden. / missed some
faces, for some have read their last
proofs; | missed others, for they are
quietly awaiting that summons that
comes to us all and have either re-
tired to ease or rcling close to the vine
and fig-tree. Many of the editors are
young men, but | have unmistakabls
reasons to know that they are repre-
sentatives of that progress in ability
and capacity which obtains in all
professions in our State.
There remained just enough of the
old members to enable fellow to
recognize his whereabouts. Editor
Sheriff. the efficient secretary 21
years and recently elected for life, was
our beacon light-ifyou want to know
anything ask Sheriff.. There was
Thad Manning, the very salt OF the
earth-he was there. Dolly Thomas,
the president, God bless him, sent his
beautiful message because of physi.
cal illness OBTAINING him at home.
Archibald Johnson, one of the finest
characters in or out of the Press As.
suciation of the State was there-he' e
fine because he has horse sense and a
warm heart. Dan Bivins was there,
but positively decline to say whether
he was a member before 1892 because
| am under sacred promises to him.
Editor Hurley, our neighbor, was
| there; he was a newspaper man when
| ! quit. but he hadn't just found it
| out. He read the ''histUry" paper
it was pronounced clever. | liked it.
The new president, DR.. Atkinson, is a
new man-comparatively. He is a
charming fellow. Rufe Clark il loud
and strong in his quietness; when he
speaks all sit up and take notice.
He's an old editor, but up at Hender-
sonville everybody thought he was a
young man. You can't lose j. j. Far
riss; he has been through the game,
and be is winner. ID. j. Whichard
was comfort to me. Bob Deal was
there; though frail in body. he has the
same fire as of old when he tried in
1892 to get water out OF a push
button" in the Buford hotel in Char
lotte. Josephus Daniels was there,
as he has been for nearly 30 years
and expects to be for 80 more years:
J. =. Caldwell was there and enjoyed
the deliberations and discussions
with a marked attention. 1t was a
source OF great pleasure To all to see
the great improvement in his health
since his serious attack Of some weeks
| ago.
| The papers and speeches were ol a
high order The entertainment BY
/ Hendersonvilie was perfect. Labor
Commissioner Shipman, editor OF the
| Hendersonville Hustler. with his may
or, r. II. Station, and Maj. Picken-.
| Hotelist Gates and Others made COED.
/ The women editors had good time
and acted just like quill drivers ought
TO act.