The Wilmington morning star., 1947-02-23

4AS 0o 4Co1ly "
dence, and, under the direction of
Lieut.. Colonel John Van B. Nets
enjoyed the hospitality of the city.
lr the surging crowds many friends
from remote homes encountered
each other Unexpectedly, and good
cheer and friendly greetings filled
every hour.
The President was to breakfast
at the horne of James Sprunt, the
cotton merchant of wealth and citi.
zen much beloved and useful, who
llved on Front and Nun streets. A.
$3.50 O'Clock he and his party left
their private car and Grove
through the Court of Honor and
the decorated streets to the break
last. The crowds cheered and the
PRESIDENT smiled. Enthusiastically he
telt the sincerity of their welcome,
and his nature responded to it.
The breakfast was a brilliant one
IN the beautiful palm room, the eff
feet of the luxury of nature had
been provided. 1t was all one great
winery. Festoons of grapes hung
everywhere in great abundance.
n glowing autumn fruits were
placed artistically around the
room.
Mr.. Sprunt at the head Of the
table, with his never-failing courte-
sy and graciousness of manner.
presided. On his right sat the Pres
ldent, and about the table were
eighteen other prominent e
There we're other tables in the spa
clous room, and about them sat
twenty-five other guests, making
forty in all at the breakfast.
The Mayor of the city, Walter
Z. MacRae, spoke fitting words of
welcome to the President and
other distinguished visitors: and
Mr.. Taft responded with an express
sion OF genuine appreciation Of the
entertainment provided for him.
The Sprunt residence was an his
torlc one, and that fact doomed
largely in the thought of the peo-
pie when the President was invited
to enter it. 1t stood upon the ira
ditlonal site of the earliest custom
house Of Wilmington. That is, whe,
the town was Newton in the early
seventeen thirties, the colonial Gus
tomhouse stood there. A century
after that there was built on the
lot the residence of the towns
most enterprising citizen. Edward
s. Dudley. He was born to politics
and public service. He represented
the town in the State legislature
and became Governor in 1885, by
popular vote, under the new con-
stitution. Dudley was the power
behind the projected Wilmington
and Raleigh railroad. and startled
the State by his munificent sub
scription of $25, 600 to it's capital
stock. At his home he entertained
lsvishly, and many public men car
ried away with them a bright re-
membrance of his profuse hospi-
tally. Daniel Webster was his
guest in May, 1s49. and from there
wrote. I'VE r grandly lodged in
the Governors mansion"
When Bishop afterwards Cardin-
AID Gibbons lived in Wilmington a
few years after the War between
the States, he resided in the Dud-
ley house; and the President of
the Atlantic Coast Line, Henry
Walters, occupied the residence for
several years. Innumerable historic
Incidents, therefore. were connect
ed with the residence of Mr.. Sprunt,
the host, and he was conscious of
them all, as his native courtesy
was highten by the memories he
had treasured.
After breakfast. a half-hour be-
longed to the school children of
Wilmington. These were massed by
the superintendent of schools, John
]. Blair, in a flag formation on
Market street between Third and
Fourth; and the President, from
his automobile on Third street,
viewed with warm-hearted interest
the two thousand children forming
the design. The children and the
great surrounding throngs cheered
the President Justify.
Then followed a visit to St. Ste
phens Methodist church. the larg-
est church for colored people in
the city, and there the President
delivered a brief address to the
Negro school children and citizens.
There was a ride down the river
to Southport or the U. S. revenue
cutter SEMINOLE, and many citi-
zens of prominence were invited to
accompany the presidential party.
They spoke of the commerce of the
river, and the desire for a thirty
Foot channel to the city; and the
President listened graciously and
enjoyed the kindly attentions paid
him. Luncheon was served on the
SEMINOLE at l o'clock and at