The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-01-17

part of North Carolina. Later he was
engaged in constructing and equip
ping the paper mill on Neuse River,
at the falls Of Neuse, near Raleigh,
and he was so much pleased with Raj
eigh that he determined to locate
there permanently; and on the 4th
Of March. 1858, he was happily mar
ried to Miss Julia Louise Harrison.
a daughter Of John r. Harrison, one
of the most esteemed citizens of Raj
eigh. On the completion Of thepaper
mill he turned his attention to house
building as a contractor and builder,
and his wide range Of experience was
very useful to him. He was master
of every detail of construction, and
faithful and correct In all his deal
ings, and his work always gave full
satisfaction.
I During the war the state found It
necessary TO erect a powder mill near
I Raleigh. and the competency OF
Colonel Hicks was so apparent, that
although ii was novel business, he
was selected for that work and did
1t most satisfactorily, and then he
was employed as superintendent OF
the mill. According TO frequent and
repeated tests made by the ordnance
bureau at the arsenal at Fayetteville,
the power made at that mill was
the best in the service OF the Confed-
crate government As a small-arm
powder il was very superior, and its
uniform strength was somewhat re-
markable The management OF the
mill and the manufacture Of the pow
der reflected the greatest credit on
Colonel Hicks. especially under the
trying circumstances Of the war.
In that position Colonel Hicks was
of great use to the state and to the
Confederscy. Careful and prudent,
a man OF excellent judgment, he
managed the business committed to
his care with great acceptability. He
continued in this work until the mill
was DESTROYED by FIRE by the federal
government.
When peace came, he at first ven
turned in the resin business, there
being great demand for that article,
OF which considerable quantities were
to be found where there had been
Z former distilleries; but soon be re-
turned 10 the occupation of a con-
tractor for building houses. and en-
joyed an enyiable reputation In that
line OF work.
In 1859 IL was determined By the
state TO erect a penifentiary building.
and the confidence felt in Colonel
Hicks character and his skill and
experience led to his selection by she
board Of directors as the superinten-
dent and assistant architect Of that
work. and II was made a part OF the
contract for its construction that he
should have that connection with il,
and no work was TO be accepted and
paid for without his approval. II
was felt that his name would be a
sure guarantee for fidelity OF con-
struction and an honorable perform
ance OF all contracts and agreements.
The locs On near Raleigh being de-
termIned on, ground was soon
broken for the building. and Colonel
Hicks Judgment was relied on al.
most exclusively for the details Of
plan and construction. He perform
ed his duties 50 satisfactorily, that
when there was an entire change OF
administration. the democrats OBJ
tanning control or the assembly
Colonel Hicks was. IN 1872. cordially
retained. and the general assembly
elected him warden and architect, q
position he continued 70 hold for q
years. the longest consecutive term
on record that such a position has
been filled in the United States. liz
discharged all or his duties with
fidelity and wisdom and was a most
useful public officer. The peniten.
tiary building Is an immense struc.
ture. and the bricks Of which II was
built we're manufactured on the spot
and all the work possible was done
b. the eonyicts under Colonel Hicks
direction. Its construction Ic an en-.
during monument Of his skiil and
capacity II Is well designed, ad.
mtrably constructed, and vas built al
a very small expense to the people
considering lie great dimensions and
the permanency or the structure
Colonel Hicks also built. under IN,
plans u Mr. Sloan, the Philadelphia
architect. the governors mansion
and other public works at Raleigh
ard he had the oversight Of much Of
the other constructive work perform
I'd BIZ the oonyIcts. and he directed
their Iabor within the enclosure. ant
20 some erten. supervised their worl
when employed on the farms and o.
railroad work HIS connection will
the penitentIary was indeed mos
important and Of great benefit 70 Ii.
state. and be ever enjoyed the fol
confidence Of the public and n,
esteem of sli who had dealing with
him. As an architect and builder 4
may be said he has had no equal II
North Carolina. and he was otter
consulted sith advantage In regart
70 private work, and be was ever In
terested IN promoting BY all mean
in bis power such nes undertaking.
as would tend 70 the advancement b
Raleigh
The constructive work Of the penI