davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1955-08-03

Tor additional assistance. Mr..
cox remarked TO Paul one day
that they needed another man. A
lew days later, Paul stopped
young Charles Leggette on the
street and asked if he wanted a
JOB. Charles said he did and
therein lies another story closely
coupled with the growth and
success OF not only the w. F.
Cox Co, but of every civic emit
erprlsc in Tabor City.
Charles then and now was a
hustler the likes of which is
seldom cquailed. With the nat
urai Impotence of Mr.. Cox and
the calculated business know
how of Paul, the Cox company
launched into progress that has
carried them to the top i'm CO.
iumbuS county.
Charles was a simple employ
&c for about five years. but in
1882 his constant contributions
TO the business success led to
AIS Joining the partnership. As
4 thrcc-way ownership, growth
became fabulous. Partnership
or not, then and now il was not
unusual to see Charles working
ike a trojan on some piece of
farm equipment that a customer
decided 10 get into operation. Not
afraid of even the dirtiest,work.
Charles Leggettc added new
drive and new stamina to the
company.
Sold Caskets
In those early hardware and
furniture days, the Cox company
was selling caskets to anyone
who wanted 10 conduct their
own family funerals. It was
common place for a family to
buy caSket, cart it away on n
wagon, put the deceased in il
and then bury their own dead
without fanfare and funeral di-
rections.
But the company wanted to
get in the funeral business and
Quilt what is now Inman Funer-
al Home. 1t was operated for
several years and then sold.
One summer day, Paul recalls.
he and Mr.. Cox had been hustl-
'ng. They had sold several pieces
OF furniture and in the mean
time disposed Of a T-Modcl Ford
or $500. AT the close of busi-
ness that day, Mr.. Cox counted
the money and then beamed as
he stood up. I'VE did Sl6OO
worth of business today. That's
the best day we have ever had
or that l ever expect to have. "
ne said smiling. In the following
Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1955-08-03

some work for me to do this
summer" Paul asked the bust
nessman. IF you do. I would
like to start Monday morning."
In his usual busyful manner,
MIR. Cox looked down at the near
midget and said "Son, if you
want a job, you go in and start
to work right now. No need
waiting around until Monday"
Worked Every Summer
And every summer during the
remainder of his college career,
Paul says today II had to run
from the train to the store to
start work when l got out of
school and l hardly had time to
pack my bags to catch the train
out when school started in the
Iall. ! always worked until "a
bout an hour before train time. "
When Paul finished Wake For
est in 1922, he probably felt that
he had had enough OF this run
ming JOB he had with w. F. Cox.
AT any rate, he accepted school
teaching job for one year at
Wintervillc, N. c. There he
taught math, his speciality both
then and now.
But at the end of that year,
Paul returned to Tabor City and
entered into partnership with
MIR. Cox. That was in 1923 and
they remained business associ-
ates until the death of Mr.. Cox
last year.
Their first move after form
ing the partnership was to build
the Panama Hotel on the site
now used for the w. +. Cox
Company hardware. Statesmen
at that time came to town on
the train and hired n hack to
ride them about the countryside.
Thus the hotel business was
pretty good at that time.
The hotel rooms were upstairs
and on the first floor, a grow
ing furniture business was dcve-
Looping. At the same time. the
partnership expanded into the
hardware business. 1t wasn't
long until the business expanded
into the mule, fertilizer and und-
ertaking business also. And still
later into a vast building mater
Ial trade.
In those early days, the COM
pany was composed entirely of
Mr.. Cox, Paul and colored
helper. The CoX-RogcrS partner
ship perhaps was the most ideal
business arrangement in this
area at that time. Mr.. Cox was
a good trader and good collector.
Paul had the task of completing
the deals-a job he handled with
absolute perfection.
Leggette Enters Firm
The business began to grow
and the partners saw the need
Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1955-08-03

years of the company, such ;
day was not even consequential
and is indicative of the tow
and company growth.
In Mule Business
Paul started the firm in tn,
mule business. In those day!
mules were the thing and a gooc
one sold for $500 to $500. Wher
a carload of mules arrived il
town, II was just like circus day
Farmers crowded around anc
stood IN line to look at the mules
Every man wanted 20 have pick.
ing choice. This business intrigu.
,d Mr.. Cox and before long he
was making the trips to- buy
mules. They did a booming bust.
ness for several years aud ;her
sold the mule trade to A. b
Jackson.
The Cox company was also
developing into another bust
ncSS-almoSt the banking bust
ness. Depression days harrassed
.ihc country and banks were re-
luctant to loan money. People in
desperate need of financing be-
gan calling on Mr.. Cox. He
Obliged thousands and even
though this had the eventual
misfortune of labelling him as
too fond of his money and a man
who drove too hard a bargain
ne, nevertheless, was directly
responsible for hundreds OF
present day farmers owning the
land they till. He loaned them
money for buying their property
for hospital bills, funeral ex-
pcnseS and almost anything else
that was legitimate.
He had a reputation for loan
ing money only when it wa:
safe. Unfortunately many fell
that he was also without SYM
pathy. A story told recently in.
dIcatcs his more sympathetic
side.
His Sympathetic Side
He had sold a mule to a Negro
near Chadbourn on a credit. anc
mad taken mortgage on tn,
mans land as security. The Ne.
gro went two years without pay.
ing a cent on the mule and Mr.
Cox sent one of MS associates il
a truck 10 see the man and brin,
the mule back.
The old Negro looked at tn,
men who came for the mule ant
said You can't take my mule
| loves that mule and he love
me. I'll pay up this fall for sure.
But following Mr.. Cox's instruc
tons, the men loaded the null
and brought him raCk TO Tabo
Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1955-08-03
~. f Cox Was Pioneer Businessmen I'm Columbus Counfv

intent upon selling the church
IN organ, and he let her sit a.
lone while he walked right up
N the "amen corner" and took
his place.
The preacher that day had
little conception of time and the
sermon dragged on and on.
Restless and impatient, Mr.. Cox
inally decided a breath of the
outside air would help, and he
quietly sneaked out the side
loor. A moment later his erst-
while girl friend came busting
outside too and without any
thought or tact, she simply
mapped Give me back my
andy" She was obviously more
Interested in hooking this eligi-
bic bachelor than she was in his
making an organ sale.
Marries School Teacher
But it remained for Miss Sarah
Baggett to claim this bachelor
businessman.
Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1955-08-03
His First Business

At his death last year, Mr..
OK was one of the most veal
thy men In Columbus county,
el he began his prominent car
,er by selling Kaleidoscope from
ioor to door. Those contraptions,
Jou will remember, were used
TO view pictures at various
ranges in all their colored beau
ty. 1t was simply a means of
entertainment in those days
prior to movies, tclevision and
radio.
But selling these apparatus for
/ few cents profit was too slow
or the energetic Mr.. Cox, and
&c turned to selling organS-thc
I'D pedal pushing variety that
can still be found in a few
ZONES and churches.
1t was this organ selling bust
ness that started him on the road
o amazing business success.
Never one TO let pleasure int
2rtcre with business very much,
he story goes around that once
while he was on the way to a
rural church in hope of selling
IN organ, a young lady joined
Iim on the road. She was walk
ing 10 the church too.
The young lady was eating
andy from paper bag as they
walked along chatting, and she
offered Mr.. Cox some of the
candy. He said he didn't care
for any and the girl then asked
him if he would mind putting
the bag in his pocket for her
He crammed the bag in his
pocket and they walked on to
church.
Instead Of sitting with the
girl in church as she expected
him to do, Mr.. Cox was more
Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1955-08-03

Then durn you, freeze!" sail
Mr.. Cox as he walked away
Ironically, a clerk still sold thu
man the heater for the $3.50.
From that early beginning.
the Cox Company now has more
floor space in Tabor City than
any other firm. They employ
from 10 to Is persons, have a
modern store in Loris and do a
business second to no one in the
area.
Or perhaps even more import
ance, is the fact that without
the liberal financial assistance
OF both Charles Leggette and A.
Paul Rogers, several noteworthy
civic projects would not have
been possible in Tabor City. The
shirt factory here is a typical
example. The vast expenditures
at the Mt. Tabor Baptist church
is another. Anyway you look at
II, the past, present and future
has benefited from w. F. Cox,
the man, and from the business
which he founded when Tabor
City was little more than a mud
iy crossroads.
Never a joiner himself and
not particularly distinguished
,or his generosity, w. F. Cox
nevertheless enjoyed success of
lis own making and that sue
cess even after his death is
helping TO build Tabor City. His
business associates are among
the towns leading citizens and
their impact on civic endeavor
can never be minimiZed.
Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1955-08-03

Miss Baggett had a brother
who was practicing physician
in Tabor City. and she visited
him one summer. Later she ac-
cepted employment as a local
school teacher. Mr.. Cox began
his courtship of the lovely school
'marn" and that courtship new
er ended. They were married
in 1914 and until the day he died
and even though both Mr.. and
Mrs. Cox were near their four
score and ten year promise, they
still were utterly devoted 10
each other.
They were like high school
Sweethearts throughout their 40
years of marriage. Mrs. Cox is
still among TabOr'S most re-
Spectcd citizens.
Opens Furniture Store
With the organ-Selling bust
ness pretty good but not fast
enough, Mr.. Cox opened d furni-
ture store in 1917. AT that time
only one building stood East of
Railroad Street and only one
wood structure was on Fifth
street. That building was the
post office and today is being
occupied by c. c. Courtney in a
different location.
About this time, A South Car
olina Baptist preacher accepted
his first and only North Caro-
lima pastorate at the Mt. Tabor
Baptist church. That minister,
Sandy Rogers, didn't realize
what contribution he was
making to the w. F. Cox enter
prises or for that matter to the
future of Tabor City.
Among the children of Rev.
Rogers was one A. Paul Rogers,
small in statue, but obviously
possessing attributes of business
acumen. Young Paul headed for
Wake Forest College about the
time his father began preaching
here.
Like the sons of most minist-
ers, Paul needed summer time
job to help defray college ex-
penses, and when he got home
in the summer of 1919, his faith
er said II have you two jobs
lined UP. You can work for Mr..
Cox or you can work in the post
office"
81 believe | prefer the post
office job" young Paul said.
1T seems 10 me that you would
be better off to work for MIR.
Cox" said Rev. Rogers. That
was on Friday night just few
hours after the college examina-
tons had ended.
The next morning. Paul was
walking down the dirt streets of
Tabor City and met Mr.. Cox.
Sir, Dad said you might have
Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1955-08-03

hind its present stage o. growth
and development.
AS youngster growing up on
a farm in the Dothan commun-
ity, Mr.. Cox visualized the fu-
ture of this area and the part
he was to play in it. The son of
Frank Cox, the late w. F. was
one of six children.
Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1955-08-03
JRY-w. HORACE CARTER

He is perhaps best known as
a man who handled his money
with extreme caution, but the
late w. F. Cox means more than
that to hundreds of people in
the rural areas of Columbus and
Horny counties.
One of the real founders Of
Tabor City. Mr.. Cox was truly
an institution without which
bor City would be years be-
Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1955-08-03

City, but not before the Negro
had climbed on the truck and
rode back to town with them.
When they got back, the Negro
talking about how he loved the
mule and that he was going to
pay for him soon. A few minutes
later the truck was seen heading
back 20 Chadbourn with the
mule aboard and also several
bags of fertilizer that the Negro
had bought on 4 credit. And Just
to complete the story, he never
paid a dime for the mule or the
fertilizer and when Mr.. Cox
sought TO foreclose on the land
mortgage, he found that the Ne
gro didn't even own the land.
II had been decided to a Chad
bourn businessman previously.
He kept buying farms and SELL
ing them and in so doing making
land owners out of what other
wise would be tenant farmers.
At his death, he actually held
title to only two farms.
Little Diplomacy
Never a man with a great deal
Of diplomacy, the story goes "a
round about the time a customer
came in to buy a trash burner.
The little heater was priced at
only Sl.50. The customer picked
the heater up, looked it over,
then put his hand inside and felt
around the seams. MIR. Cox
walked up to him and sale
We'll, would you buy it for
5l.50?" The customer looked VI
and said mo, ! don't believe
Smyrna times., 1955-10-20
PLAN CAREER CONFERENCE
Temple University Invites Stu
dents and Teachers to Conference

Temple University Invites Stu
dents and Teachers to Conference
Temple University has invited
students, principals and teachers
from 900 high schools in a four
state area to attend its 22nd An
nual Career Conference on Satur-
day, November 5. The conference
will list some 40 separate meet
ings at which experts in business
and professional fields will ex-
plain the opportunities in their
particular job or profession to the
attending students. Last year the
conference attracted over 1900
students from preparatory and
high schools in Pennsylvania, New
Jersey Delaware and Maryland.
The conference will open in Nit
ten Memorial Hall, Broad and
Berks sts., with a talk by DR..
Millard E. Gladfelter, Temple pro-
vost. After the series of separate
meetings, the students and their
advisors will have lunch and then
attend the Temple-Muhlenberg
football game at Temple Stadium.
Among the professions and voca-
tions to be discussed will be med
icine, accounting, chemistry, busi-
ness administration, law, dentis-
try, pharmacy, home economics,
journalism, fine and industrial
arts, teaching, selling, veterinary
medicine, real estate, music edu-
cation, psychology, nursing, Chi
ropody, radio and television broad
casting, social work, secretarial
training, dramatics, aviation and
government service.
Smyrna times., 1955-10-20
Undefeated Eagles Play
NIiddIetown

The undefeated Smyrna High
School Eagles football team will
play host to the Middletown Cav
alters tomorrow night at s Pm.
on the local field. The forces of
Coach Horney have bowled over
Caesar Rodney, Millsboro, Reho-
both, and Saint Peters in their
first four games, and they hope
to do as well in the last four. The
Eagles are a well-knit unit with
no individual stars. Coach Horney
is expected to start David Dea-
kyne and Bill Cassell at ends;
Fred Bush and Karl Gebhart at
tackle; Bart Luff and Bill Carter
at guards; and David Comegys at
center. The backfield will have
Ben Solloway, Ronald Mccoy,
David Reedy, and Dale Reedy. On
defense Eddie Hamburg and Ken
dali Hudson will enter the line
up.
Smyrna times., 1955-10-20

out of the General Assembly il
lustrates the third great issue, the
fact that in the last ten years
$50 million people, one-quarter of
the worlds population have be-
come free to rule themselves has
doomed colonialism, he pointed
out. The speaker was presented
by Jack Smyth, president of the
Kent County AAUN.
Smyrna times., 1955-10-20
AAUN DIRECTOR
AT DOVER MEET
CONTINUED From Page Nine)

nations to raise their standards
of living, he continued. On the
second point, Mr.. Eichelberger
noted that the United States has
conceived an inspection at the
point on concentration" plan that
should prevent sudden attack by
an enemy power and make it
possible for complete disarma-
ment by all powers. The incident
of the French delegates walking
Smyrna times., 1955-10-20

Corporation offers its facilities
and services without charge to or
ganizations and individuals inter-
ested in offering scholarships and
conforming to its standards. Such
scholarships will bear the name
of the sponsoring company.
Smyrna times., 1955-10-20

The aircraft carrier USS For
restal will carry a crew of $500
officers and enlisted men. The ship
is expected to commence fleet op-
erations in early 1856.
Smyrna times., 1955-10-20

The USS Forrestaps 1,036-foot
length and 252-foot overall width
makes the huge aircraft carrier
longer and wider than any other
naval vessel.
Smyrna times., 1955-10-20
Smyrna Junior Varsity Meets


MiddIetown
The 7th, 9Th, and 9th grade
team of Smyrna High School will
travel to Middletown on Monday
afternoon for their third game of
the year. Previously, the Eagles
defeated Milford 1875 on the Mil
ford field. Mr.. Charles Williams,
coach, plans to have Bill Persing-
er and Zane Robinson at ends, Bill
SIacum and Donald Jarman at
tackles, Frank McGinnis and Sid
ney Smith at guards, and Edwin
Eley at center. The backfield will
have Donald O'Neal, Robert Boy
er, Bruce Moffett, and James Per-
singer. Substitutes include Jerry
Canody, David Marsh, James
Stats, Oscar David, Richard
Hudson, Francis Sethman, John
Sheridan, Robert Slower, and
George Jackson.
School Closed october 27 and 28
All the schools in the Smyrna
Special School District will be
closed on Thursday and Friday,
October 27 and % to permit the
teachers to attend the meeting of
the Delaware State Education, AS
sociation in Wilmington.
Smyrna times., 1955-10-20
In the Sc FORD
Everything says fine CAR
except the price!
NEW THuNDER1IRD STYLING

No matter how fine you accustomed to you'll feel at home
any one of the Is Thunderbd-nsped Sc FordS You'll
thrill the long, low ne the broad sweeping hood the exciting
silhouette And you'll be delighted with the body coo and
color-keyed Luxury Lounge interiors
Smyrna times., 1955-10-20

planned a gala pep-fest for the
Middletown football game tomor-
row night. The pep-fest will be-
gin at 800 PM. and a lively
time is planned. The introduction
of the football squad, explanation
of football, band music, and
cheers viii feature the rally.
Drama Club
The organizational meeting of
the Drama Club was heTd Sep
tember 27, 1855. The following
were elected officers of the club:
Beth Denney, president; Ben Sol
loway, vice president; Judy Pass
more, secretary; and Kay Bulger,
treasurer. Miss Emma Lee Mac
Arthur has been named the new
faculty adviser for the club. Mem
bers of the club will take field
trip to the University of Della
ware to attend the Annual Dram
attic Conference, Thursday, Nov
ember 3rd. Great interest has
been shown in club activities and
a successful year is anticipated.
The club is planning to stage a
Christmas Assembly and the con-
test play for the University of
Delaware on March 20 and 2I.
The contest play will also be pre-
sented at FELTON, High School as
part of the exchange assembly
programs arranged by the Kent
County Student Council.
Scholarships
Four outstanding seniors at
Smyrna High School will compete
in the new multi-million dollar
National Merit Scholarship Pro-
gram, Principal c. v. Williams
announced today. Thesa high
ranking local students will be
aiming at some 200 four-year COL
lege scholarships that can carry
up to full tuition and living ex-
penses, depending upon the finan-
cial need of each winner. Winners
will be chosen on the basis of
their ability to profit from high
er education.
Matthew Fischer, Richard Price,
Tom Price, and Stanley Savage
are the seniors named to take
a preliminary screening test to
be given in the high school Octo-
ber 26, 1866, as the first step. The
competition is open to all second
ary schools, and is the largest
program of its kind.
The scholarship program is con-
Quoted by the National Merit
Scholarship Corporation, an inde-
pendent, non-proft educational or
ganization set up by grants of
$40, 100000. Aimed at the discov-
ering and helping the most talent
ed students in the country, the
Merit Program permits the win
ners, known as Merit Scholars, to
choose any accredited college or
university and any course of
study.
Some 800 runners-up in the
competition will be awarded Ger
tificates of Merit, and their names
will be announced to all colleges
and other scholarship agencies as
students of unusual ability.
Colleges chosen by the Merit
Scholars will receive scholar
ships" too, for the Merit Program
also helps the undergraduate COL
leges. In return for educating
the Merit Scholar, the college can
receive a grant of up to $4,000.
Tho National Mar;t Scholar rchi1o
Smyrna times., 1955-10-20

GO. Plans Pep Fest
The General Organization Off
GERS of Smyrna High School have
Smyrna times., 1955-10-20

planned a gala pep-fest for the
Middletown football game tomor-
row night. The pep-fest viii be-
gin at 800 PM. and a lively
time is planned. The introduction
of the football squad, explanation
of football, band music, and
cheers will feature the rally.
Smyrna times., 1955-10-20
NEW LIFEGuARD DESIGN

The 56 Ford has definite plus something other in its
field match Lfeguard Design neW concept in car
safety Ford Leguad Design greater protection for and
yours It's family of safety features Fords Lfeguard deep
steering Wheel Leguard doubgp door ache Leguard
safety Mirror optional Leguard padding for control panel
and vsorS and optional seat belts all designed give
added protection against injury in of accident
Homer news., 1955-02-24
NO PART TON

Delegate Bartlett been justified. Delegate of letter that he addressed the the Territorial session. explaining soca1ed Bartlett amendment the statehood bill approved by the House mittee Until perhaps Bob slipped n recommending what thought parti-
 
 Alaska coincide with the understanding that the north River including
 Delegate points give anythtng w he cannot do desired, Bartlett notes the President could dthdraw public goes military other the federal
 
 partition state has been Territorial daily paper, appeased frtend Mckay, hood under the condi tions of the amendment.
 knows, may the 18th yet.
Homer news., 1955-02-24
ANCHOR POINT

The fa rne rs of Anchor Fo1nc are meeting Monday, February 2e at 8 p.m. at Ben Barbee's for the purpose of discussing plans for next years crops and possible marke ts. The meeting is being sponsored by the Exte ns on office with Ed Leibentha1 in charge
 There will be movie and refre shnn nts at the school Saturday night, Februa ry 26, sponsored by the knchor Point Connnun ity Club.
 The Ancfo r Point conma1n ity Club will meet Friday, March lat 7:3o at the school house. Henntng Jollnsons new area Director of Civil Defense. will meet wi tn use .s
 School was closed Tue sday, Februa " 22s because of the snow storms Drifts were so high many of the homesteeders spe nt most of Tuesday blowing out
Homer news., 1955-02-24
OIL MEN LEAVE

James Berry, V. V. Finch, and R. E. Porter, represent a. tives of the She'll Oil com pany, left Homer this week after stay of few dayss It is understood that they made a arrangements for the use of local horses and caterpi1- lars for use in exploration trips this sumner It is all 50 underst ood that the com pany will make their he ad- quarters in Ancho rage this year, Last sunne r they oper- ated out of Homer.