The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1951-11-23

anyone could relax. In 1870, if
not earlier, reading circle was
operating in the area. The men,
bers exchanged the works of Dick
ems, Scott and Thackeray among
other of the classics, in addition
to the style setter of the period,
Harpers Bazaar, and regular
subscription to one of the fore
most New York newspapers. Some
of the members were Mrs. Marcus
Swindell, Mrs. John Mann, The
Rev. Theodore Pickett Bonner,
who was graduate of both the
University of North Carolina and
Trinity College; DR.. and Mrs. Ed
ward Clark, CDR. Clark was known
as the best surgeon east of the
Wilmington-W Weldon Railroad) DR..
Charlie Mann who furnished the
light reading, Israel and Marga-
ret Watson.
Festivals
Festivals and tournaments were
the mode. Good horsemanship was
a definite mark of distinction.
Young men Wed with one another
for the honor of browning their
lady friend the queen of the fes-
rivals. 1t was not always easy.
Such stunts as riding past a sta
tionary goose and wrapping a
whip around his neck secure
enough to pick him off and haul
him away required skill and de-
termination, not to mention the
lack of humane tendencies. When
the competitor won he was sup
posed to address his girl in a po-
lished manner, preferably with
touch of poetry. The girl likewise
was required to reply to "Sir
Knight, etc. -. Tom C. Mann
won the prize once and approach
ed his selection from among the
ladies and cut the ordeal short
by saying, evil you have this
crown? I've worked damned hard
to get it." The lady addressed
bowed her head and accepted.
The minutes of one of the meet
ings of The Farmers Alliance re-
Gently unearthed here after sixty
five years rest among old papers
of little worth, indicates that,
hundred bushels of oysters were
on hand for the assemblage. Ev-
eryone was urged to bring his own
bowl and spoon, but for those who
should forget theirs or for unex-
pected arrivals an additional sixty
tin pans and spoons were purchas-
ed. Col. Wilkes Lucas made an i'm
pressive speech, none the less so
because his son Dave, aged six
years, leaped to the platform and
interrupted with:
GAN l want in this creation
Is a pretty little wife and big
plantation.
All / want to make me happy
Is two little boys to call me
pappy."
Col. Lucas was state senator at
Twenty-six. After that he served
several terms in the state legis-
lature. He was the county's most
eloquent speaker in his day. In
THOSE days Engelhard furnished
it's share and more of the county's
legislators. Col. Lucas, Israel
Watson, Monroe Clayton, Claude
Davis, George Davis, all served
several terms.
Town Given Name
The post office was commission
ed in 1870. Several men were
asked to decide upon a name for
the village other than Fur Creek.
The Committee selected many
names only to find them already
listed in the Post Office Direc-
tory. Just as they had despaired
of their task, Israel Watson laid
eye upon the name of the editor
of the Wilmington newspaper to
which he subscribed. 1t was
Major Engelhard. He suggested
the name. 1t was not listed and
the committee decided upon that
name.
Engelhard had the seafood. 1t
had the farm products and the two
sources of food kept many a man
here who would have gone else
where for his livelihood. No man
ever starved in Engelhard or even
went hungry unless he was help
less and too ornery to accept
friendly help. The oysters have
never been surpassed, and rarely
equalled, for flavor and size. And
the blessed women here can cook
them better and better in more
ways than most folks otherwhere
dream about.
The champion of the oyster beds
was Kit Spencer. He was also a
veteran of the Civil War, and al
ways a figure commanding res
pect. His beds were in a choice
location both for convenience and
for the quantity and quality pro-
duced. But, at the end of his time,
channel was dug through the
middle of it and it was ruined.
FWY