The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-18
BY ALMA RITTENBERRY Y

their sovereign capacity the question OF
independence and took a much bolder
and more decided stand than the colonial
or continental congress had as yet as
sumed This early action of that pa
triotic county effected after mature de-
liberation is one of the ever memorable
transactions of the state Of North Caro-
lima worthy of being cherished and hon
ored by every lover of patriotism to the
end of time
Mecklenourg county was formed in 1852
from Anso county, named in honor of
the native place of the new Princess
Charlotte of Mecklenburg, one of the
smaller German states.
This county has peculiar historical
interest 1t is the birthplace of liberty
OF, American soil. No portion of the
state presents more glowing page of
uifinching patriotic vaor than Mecklen-
burg, always taking an active part In
every political movement, at home and
abroad, leading to independence.
Charlotte Seat of Justice
The little village of Charlotte, the seat
of Justice for Mecklenburg county, was
in 1775 the theatre of one of the most
memorable events in the political annals
cf the United States. Situated on the
beautiful and fertile Champaign between
the Yadkin and Catawba rivers, and on
the general route of the southern travel,
and among the earliest settlements OF
the Carolina and Georgia, it soon be-
came the center OF an enterprisins anu
prosperous population.
The original conveyance for the tract
of land upon which Charlotte now stands,
contained $50 acres and was made on
the 18th day of January, 1861. by Henry
Il. McCullocI, agent for George A. Sell
wyn. to abraham Alexander, Thomas
polk and John Frohock, as trustee ana
directors. of the town of Charlotte. and
tbejr Successors" The consideration was
'.ninetv pounds lawful money" The con-
veNance was witnessed by Matthew Nc
Clure and Joseph Sempie'
soon after the town of Charlotte was
laid ont a log building was erected at
,be intersection of Trade and Tryon
streets and IN the center OF the space,
now known as independence square.
This building was placed upon suostan-
tial bricll pillars 10 or II feet high
u5th a stairway on the outside leading
20 tbe lcourt toom The lower part, in
onn nforn,itv win primitive economy and
convenience. was used as market house
ard the upper part used frequently LOT
cbrrch and other public meetings. Al
though the original building mas long
since passed away, yet II mas historic
associations connected with its coiohiai
nd
never cease 20 coHlilaio 'iio "'
of every true patriot.
In May 1775 the walls resounded wltS
~ tones of earnest debate ana lnde-
ron6ence proclaimed from the court mouse
Gems In September, 1870, the walls re-
sounded with the tone of the muscket
nv the same people, VINO knew tneir
rights and knowing. dared maintain.
Newspaper Seldom Seen
Al This period there was no printing
MESS in the upper country OF Carolina
and as no regular post tfaversed thelr
raglon a newspaper was seldom seen
among the people. Important infor-
n,ation was transmitted from one col
ony to another by express messen-
onrs ON horseback The people were
aceustomed to assemble at stated
nlaces to listen to the reading Of printed
hand bills from abroad, or to obtain
verbal intelligence of passing events.
charlotte early became the central
noint in Mecklenburg county for these
assemblages, and there the leading men