The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1909-08-12
OLD SPRING BRANCH ACAD-
ENVY.
Life In Blue Springs Sixty Years
Ago Some Character Sketch

Address delivered by Mr.. d. p. Nc
Eachern, of Red Springs, at reunion
1f scholars of old Spring Branch Acad
envy, in Blue Springs township, August
ith.
Nearly 60 years ago | entered
school at this placed with Col.
James G. Davis as teacher. This
community was then at its high
tide of intellectual and material
prosperity. No teacher was con-
sidered unless he had classical
training. There was not a poor
family in all it's territory. The
men who controlled its interests
were in the prime Of vigorous
manhood, and dispensed gener-
GUS hospitality to all. Morality
and temperance went hand in
hand with virtue and probity.
High thinking and the simple
life were the products of its civil
lization. One distinguishing trait
of our Scotch ancestry was the
absence of anything like class
society. All were on the same
social footing, and if any lost it,
it was their own fault. This ab-
sence of upper and lower classes
came down from the Clan system
of Scotland, when the meanest
and poorest Highlanders felt
themselves to be the equal of the
chief himself.
Looking back at this period of
my life, | can now realize how
supremely contented and satisfied
were all the people with them
selves and their surroundings.
They lived in the best land and
in the best community of that
land. No narrowing mortgages
or pressing liens disturbed their
peaceful slumbers. Their land
needed draining, but they cult
vated the choice spots; their
fields needed stumping, but they
didn't know it; their roads need
ed Strengthening, but they didn't
appreciate the change; the fields
needed rotation, but they didn't
understand it; but with all this
their boys grew up sober, indus.
trious and manly, and were
taught to ride, to shoot and to
tell the truth. Their girls grew
up straight, vigorous, healthy
beautiful and domestic, with moi
a sanatarium in all the land, anC
NOW what wad ye wish for more
mOn?'
These were some Of the condi
tions that surrounded US whel
that great black cloud was max
ing up to our unconscious gaze
that soon overspread our peace
full country and drenched us witt
it's bloody waters.
Looking back to those peaceful
days | unthinkingly spent unde
the pleasant groves, | can reca]
incidents, happening and occas
ions that now seem as real a
yesterday. Some were serious
at the time Especially man
lessons), others ludicrous, som
ridiculous, and there were a fey
heart aches; but all are so me
lowed by the transforming han,
of time that their glamor make
me feel like boy again today
A few character sketches O
our teacher, Col. Davis, and c
those boys and girls with whor
l was most intimately acquainted
but who have, with their teach
er, passed to the Great Beyond
will close this paper.
Col. James G.. Davis had gradl
ated at Princeton the year befo1
and had been employed by Augr
McBryde and your speaker S fail
er at the then unheard-of pri(
of $500 a year. He had acquitte
himself then so we'll that the me-
year the trustees of this scho
had employed him. He in
|, great measure changed the usu
mode of teaching from an impe
sonal to one of a personal attitud
Of a sanguine disposition, unite
with hanenthusiastic temperance
he imbued his scholars with
spirit Of enterprise and progres
He lectured a good deal on &C
tain studies, and even now Il
only facts your speaker remer
bers of natural science, even {
ter graduating at college, a
things unconsciously caught
at those times. AS the studer
of great English teacher, |
Hughes, considered him t
greatest of men, so even lo
back at him now as the great
- man | ever knew. He impress
y himself so upon the hearts a
minds of his students.
Daniel White johnson prin
= inter pares es-was perhaps
most brilliant scholar in
school. He was vigorous both
mind and body, and welded
tremendous silent influence.
was gifted in debate, and '
Withal the most popular MAJ
ever knew. He fell at the h
90 of his company with a bullet h
90 through his forehead, during
% seven days fighting around Ri
90 mond. .-Thos. Scott Graham '
20 a quiet, self-contained man,
90 was noted for his integrity
"a character. He was a fair. sci
- ar, the best in his class, of WI
2l your speaker was one.-J