The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-06-24
G00D-FA|TH NOTE
Gets INTO COURT
Sequel to Mechanics Spray
School of Technology
MISTRlAl is ORDERED
% Case of D. F. King VS.. B.
Frank Mebane for $1,000
Note Given as Evidence of
Good Faith in School Project.

w
keidsvine, June 21.-Perhaps the
5iost interesting case tried at the
term If the superior court which
l4.e been in session at Wentworth
Tor two weeks for the trial Of civil
cases only was the case OF d.. +. King,
a. Leaksville, against b. Frank Meb-
ant. of spray.
Briefly reviewing the status Of the
case. an examination of the pleadings
dlscioses the following: 1t seems that
u l9eS Mr.. Il. Frank Mebane con
.'1Ncd the plan of establishing in the
vicinity Of Spray a modern, we'll
equipped School of Technology, which
was to have been at the head of the
class Of such institutions throughout
he country. and was to u a DO
sltion 1T once unique in the southern
textile manufacturing world. This
school was to have been the place
where any young man from any coun-
~ IN North Carolina might go and
with free tuition would be furnished
the opportunity to learn the textile
business. while at the same time the
various mills would give the student
enough practical work from which he
would derive enough emolument to
pay his board and expenses. 1t was
through Mr.. Mebane's efforts that the
state Legislature incorporated the
Spray School of Technology, and such
distinguished gentlemen as DR.. Walter
-. Page NOV ambassador to Eng
iand). DR.. +. A. Alderman, Prof. Geo.
T Winston, the late Charles B.. Ay-
cock and other notable men were
named as "A board of trustees, while
the state was to contribute five thou
sand dollars a ear toward the main
,ensnce Of the school. Mr.. Mebane
also secured the aid of Andrew Car
nesie. who agreed to contribute fifty
thousand dollars TOWARD the erection
~ suitable buildings, just as soon as
the site was selected. The Spray cor
poration, with which Mr.. Mebane had
influence. agreed to contribute 1920
hOc. In selecting a site Mr.. Mebane
attempted to purchase both the
Leaksville-Spray institute for the
school n the L~eaksville Furniture
Company building, in which the prac.
hcal demonstrations might be made
II seems that among the stockhold
ers IT both school and factory there
were some who doubted Mr.. Mebane'!
purpose and good faith in the matter
So, in order to show his good inten
tons and that he purposed to exc
every effort toward building tn
school. Mr.. Mebane appeared befor,
the school board and assured then
mat his plans were made and hi
great ambition was to perfect them, i
possible, and as evidence Of his goo
faith he executed a note for iftee1
hundred dollars to d. F. King an
other trustees Of the Leaksvu.e-Spra
institute in which he agreed to pa
them the sun above mentioned shoul
ne faii to use every possible energ
and effort toward establishing tn
School Of Technology. Mr.. Meban
now contends his plans did not ma
lure and the great future for tn
school has not been realized becaus.
when he attempted to purchase min
acres of land. Immediately adjacent I
the institute property and which h
contends the School of TechnOlOg
could not get along without, tina M
King placed the eXOrbitant price
one thousand dollars per acre upO
The land. which he refused to pay, an
Mr.. leblanc further declares in h
pleadings that Mr.. Kings attitude W.
one great reason why he failed to 81
cure the school for the county.
When the plans Of the school
Technology failed to materialize M
MINI and the other trustees brOugl
To light this note of fifteen hundrt
dollars, and it was upon this note tn
The great legal battle hinged tn
week. The case was aggressive
fought before Judge Cooke.
Mr.. Mebane was made represent
ny Attorneys A. l.. BrOok OF Green
boro. Charles O.. McMichael, of Wen
worth. and Johnston. Ivie & Dalto
or Leaksville- ReidSville. Mr.. King
sid of the trial was ably HANDLED
Attorneys r.. j. Justice. Of GreenSbOI
and Hugh r. Scott, of Reidsville.
Mr.. Mebane was ably represent
case and his honor delivered a sple
Old charge. The jury vas in consl
tation five hours. after which tn
appeared before the judge and to
nm they were hopelessly divided a
could not agree; so Judge Cooke d