The Monroe journal., 1922-12-19


sold for $3.50 per acre, so it was
stated by some of the older citizens.
The following story was related 70
the writer, by the lage 3. CleSg Ash
craft. who had a remarkably good
memory and could have made a rec
ord of much interesting traditional
history if he had SCI himself TO the
task Of writing history Of Union
county, which he once contemplated
Glen Curlee bought a tract of land
in this community which was sold
in default of payment of taxes. He
brought surveyor from Monroe to
oeate the lard and its boundaries.
He also brought along a boiled ham
and o.her rat.ons. On arrival at
Beaver Dam Curlee made a social
visit TO the saloons, where he met
the usual hangers-on-the moneyless
loafers who were always present
waiting for somebody to "set EN-
up" to drink. Curlee "set 'em up"
literally and then invited them to the
depot where he had left the survey
or and the lunch. When he announc-
ed that he intended to give 'em din
ner the surveyor protested against
it, explaining that it might require
several days to locate the land and
they might need all they had brought
along to eat. They're hungry, let
'eh eat with u.s." responded Curlee.
And eat they did, after which there
were not even small fragments left
to gather up. The ham, bread, cakes
and everything else in the lunch bas-
ket had disappeared, to the final dis
gus; of Clem Curlee, after he realiz-
cd what had happened. He wanted to
express his contempt, which he did
indirectly within hearing distance of
the crowd of loafers. Just as he
turned away from them he met a
poor hound dog which humbly crouch
ed itself down on the ground in front
of him. DOG, I'm sorry for you,"
said Curlee. "You look like you are
hungry. / wish | had something to
give you to eat, but haven't got a
bite left. Dog, you ought to have
come on up here, anyhow, and eat
with your companions!" Glenn Curlee
was a man, Of strong mentality and
was possessed of a fine sense of hu-
NOR, as is indicated in his short lec-
ture to the dog in the presence of the
saloon loafers who had taken extreme
Liberties with his hospitality.
For fifteen years after the compile
tion of the railway Beaver Dam"
consisted principally of the depot and
climate. 1t was decided by railroad
authorities to erect a larger freight
depot here than at any other station
between Wadesboro and Monroe,
which for long time seemed tore
fleet an error Of Judgment on the
part Of the railway officials. For
more than decade the place was
known as poor hill" and none of the
natives dreamed that it would ever
become the leading trade center of
the most progressive agricultural sec
tions in Union and Anson counties.
As late as the early nineties the
principal occupation of Beaver Dam"
railway. agents was to pass off the
tine. 1t is said that r. B. Babbing-
ton, who is now Appointment citizen
of Gastonia, and who has won distinc-
ton as promoter of hospital for
crippled and deformed children, could
think of more schemes for self amuse-
ment and entertainment than any of
his predecessors or successors. One
of his favorite diversions consisted of
tying tn cans to the tails of dogs and
cats, and if a dog became sullen and
refused to perform to his liking the
alert agent would step out to the
store, buy pound of gun powder
with which to make a ring around the
sullen canine and then stick lighted
match to the powder, which usually
had the desired effect. 1t is recalled
by E. f. Marsh that on one occasion
Mr.. Babbington removed the balls
from some pistol cartridges, con-
verting them into blanks. He then
laid aside his revolver loaded with
the blank cartridges, waiting for an
opportunity. Finally Guy Harrell,
colored citizen, stuck his head into
the window to make some enquiry of
a business nature. "What do you
want to fool around this place for?"
asked Babbington as he discharged
one shot aimed directly at Guy. The
latter began to run up the railroad
with other shots following in quick
succession. 1t was SO quiet and lone
ly that something had 70 be done for
diversion and Darlington was q geni-
ne vhep n care In invantiuo schemes