The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-10
STAR NEWSREEL
SALUTES BLADEN
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re-drying and fertilizer plants.
Bladen county, according to
business leaders, will continue to
develop all industrial outlets which
will aid in the progress and growth
of the county.
Bladen county was formed from
Albemarle precinct in 1884. Named
for Martin, Earl Of Bladen, the
territory once encompassed ter
ritory extending to the Mississippi.
The county now claims parent
hood of a family of no less than
IS OF the present counties in North
Carolina. In April of this year
Bladen will celebrate its 213th an
niversary.
One of the most noted events in
Bladen county is the nationally
famous Easter pageant held each
year at Carver Creek church. Or
gained and directed by Mrs. Hell
en- Sanderlin of Council, the pag-
cant attracts thousands Or spec.
tators.
Describing the pageant, Norman
McBullock, a local historian, says,
The pageant is not only beauty
personified but is outstanding for
its simplicity and sincerely OF
all who take part. Farmers and
townspeople from miles around
come by wagon and automobile
when their work is done to prac-
tice."
Highlighting the various COM
munities in Bladen county the
program script stated:
"As n travels throughout this
county Of ~wen-kept farms, which
show the progressive spirit of the
people of this rich farming area,
an area that famous authorities
have said will grow anything, he
will see Why the county is an agri-
cultural leader.
Included in these typical com.
munities are Kelly, famous for
its corn productivity. Tar Heel,
White Oak, Lagoon, Lisbon, Cooley
township, Cypress Creek, Brown
Marsh, where the oldest tobacco
auction market in the state is
located, and Abbotsburg.
There is Bladen Lakes Forest,
the only game preserve in South
eastern North Carolina; Jones
Lake, the only Negro recreational
center in North Carolina. These
and many others make Bladen
county a farming district second
to none.
One Of the most important move
Inents now underway in the county
is the campaign to raise $3.50, 900
by public subscription for a county
hospital. The entire county looks
to the day when transportation
down the Cape Fear River will
be greatly improved. Hope is held
for the further development Of the
furniture industry, ar industry now
gaining a foothold in the area.
"Bladen county has six beauti-
full lakes, three of which are pop
uIar as resorts. White Lake, the
Largest, is located seven miles
from Elizabethtown. Due to the
popularity Of this lake it is planned
to spend owe a quarter of a mill
lion dollars for improvements
when materials become available.
The people from Baden, from
the earliest days have contributed
more than their share, historically,
~civically, agriculturally and in
dustrially. To-Day, as in the past,
they are bound together to de-
velop a bigger and better farm
ing program, and through sound
and responsible leadership they
are looking forward to greater in
dustrial expansion.
AS a special feature represent
ing the musical talent from the
county, Louis Vaught, well-known
Bladen county soloist sang the
Lost Chord" accompanied by
Mrs. D. V. Durham Of Elizabeth
town.
Others present at the broadcast
from the county we're: James
H. Clark. chairman, North Caro-
lima Medical Care commission;
Milton L. Fisher, chairman, county
board of commissioners: John
Hemingway, county service Of
ficer; and Norman McCullock.
The cast included: Ruth Davis
Mcdonald; Mary Henri Wolfe and
w. o. Page. Jr., soloists; and
Tom Cause.