The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-12-25
By MARVIN W. HOWARD
OcracOke, n. c.

NN~OS' 49,
Perhaps more than two years ago
while still sailing the Seven Seas
l read an article in the Coastland
Times, titled "Were You Ever
Homesick? ?" therefore l would like
to indulge in an answer in a sort
of way regarding the community
of Ocracoke which due to lack of
transportation is nearly as back
ward as of so years gone by.
The article above mentioned was
written by Carlton Morris of Pom
| ger, Hyde County. 1t was real
good and exemplifies the deep af-
lection that as many from Hyde
County have who were forced to
leave their home in pursuit of a
livelihood. 1t shows the trend of
mind of those who had instilled in
them love, honesty, in tegrity,
thrift, loyalty, cleanliness and thC
love for "Home" it's surroundings
and environment. A place to live
where one was always, it seemed,
as welcome in his neighbours house
as in his own. Where neighbors
love and care for each other as
tho they were of one big family.
A place to go when one was sick
or hurt, to have his sorrow or pain
eased. Where fathers and mothers
were loved and respected, real
Home! where existed only love and
kindness, that being cherished
above all things worldly.
l can think of nothing during
my thirty seven years away from
my home of Ocracoke more pa
thetic, more gruesome, more burd-
ensome, to mans or womans mind
and heart, than when, as a boy,
sharing with many others the fate
of leaving Home, seeing the young
men and old alike, each spring,
start their migration northward,
to seek, to try and find a job, for
there was little at Ocracoke to
provide. Leaving their mothers,
fathers, wives and sweethearts,
their families, each with their
luggage, and very few dollars in
their pockets, walk down the sandy
roads, before dawn, in the cold raw
days of February and March, when
the light of cottages from early
risers shined bright and clear,
down to the fishing wharves, where
the daily mail boat left at am.
This alone was full days jour
ney to Beaufort.) Some Of them
would leave their family trailing,
in sorrow, tears rolling down their
cheeks, their hearts seemingly
broken from grief. These men
were going off! Away-to the far
north, (for in those days Phila-
delphia or New York it seemed,
was like ten thousand miles) to
look for work, going where it was
even colder than home. Where if a
job was found, they would remain
for about eight or nine months,
or until cold fall when the icy
blasts froze up the rivers of the
great industrial north, or fishing,
on account of winter winds, and
cold, ceased along the Atlantic Sea-
board.
These men and boys were I'M
educated, that is unschooled, and,
had to seek work on dredges or fish
ing craft where a room and board
was provided in addition to wages.
The pay was mostly about $50 per
month for IL to Is hours daily
work or approximately 10 cents
per hour. These men had to leave
North Carolina especially Hyde
County in order to get work and
provide for the family-yet they
loved the good state. At the end
of each season, when the rivers
froze, and the fishing ceased,
they were laid off for lack of work.
Then they would return Home, for
the winter to dispose of what little
they had saved and accumulated
while away.
If ever there was a heaven on
earth or there ever shall be, Pm
sure each fall as these men and
boys returned to their loved ones
and Home, that this was heaven.
They usually arrived in groups, in
the evening, mostly, on the mail
boat, just about dusk, for the Win
ter darkness comes early. Lights
from the little cottages would be
observable, sparkling clear, as
stars on cold blue nights, through
the waving cedar, oak, myrtle, and
yaupon and the lights seemed to
twinkle as the little stars. A dim
outline of the fishing boats, tied to
their individual stakes, could be
seen in the creeks. Ashore could
be seen families waiting, the chill
dren waving in glee, for running
people gathered to greet the Home
Corners. AS the boat landed AMI
was secured to the dock, the men
and boys stepped off with their
| luggage and presents for their