The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1955-09-02
| BUXTON WHITE BLOWN UP
FOR GARDEN COMMENTS
We Learn Who Got the Elizabethan
Gardens Established. And Who
Contributed All The Work
and Travel
By BUXTON WHITE

Dy DOA 1ON w IN Il
George Bernard Shaw once said,
"The best place to seek God is in
the garden. You can dig for him
there"
My criticism of the Albemarle's
apparent indifference to the dedi-
cation of the Elizabethan Garden
was expected to provoke few
minor repercussions. had no
idea it could set off an H-bomb ex-
plosion. But here it's, full strength:
"Your unwarranted castigation
of Mrs. Murphy in the article pub
lished under your by-line in the
Coastland Times of 26 August,
1856 is undoubtedly one of the
most dastardly acts that has come
to my attention. The respect that
Mrs. Murphy enjoys in this COM
munity is a tribute to her un-
blemished character and unfailing
devotion to this historic Outer
Banks area. Mrs. Murphy has rem
dered, by voice and by pen, valued
service in publicizing the Eliza
bethan Garden project.
"The use of her name in connec-
ton with 'hot-shots of Dare ranks
with the lowest form of opprobium
and would not be applicable under
any condition.
"The reasons for the absence of
the Murphys from the dedication
exercises was made known to the
officers of the state organization
and l do not feel that it was or is
any of your business.
"The miles l have travelled and
the time l have given during the
past four years in the interest of
establishing the Elizabethan Gar
den are matters of concern only
to those making like contribution
to this endeavor.
"Your unjustifiable attack is
not likely to further the welfare
of the garden"
Sounds like Major j. L. Murphy,
U. S. Marine Corps Retired, got his
dander up, and it seems to me the
Iriishman was carrying a
chip on his shoulder. Nothing was
further from my mind or intent
than "castigation" of his good
wife. Other prominent ladies of
"unblemished charac tel +" were
mentioned also and | thought all
We're in good company. Each has
my highest respect. Maybe just
don't recognize castigation when
| meet one.
Surprised and disappointed that
the Albemarle gave no better sup
port to the dedication and blessing
of the garden, said so by mention
of some leaders ("hot-shots" if you
please) l thought would be there
as compared by others who were.
Except for weather, not knowing
personal reasons, l asked why
such an important occasion was
sighted. In so doing, / was not
astute enough to realize that l was
STOPPING to the Lowest form of
opprobium," (even if l had known
what it meant). If that is my
crime, my apologies to all offend
ed. / would like to make amends.
In amending, l am happy to re-
port the trip was made by five
Elizabeth City garden Club mem
bers-Mrs. w. T. Culpepper, Mrs
Herbert Walker, Miss Neva Owens
Mrs. T. D. Cowell and Mrs. Harry
Sedgewick. They arrived in the
morning and delivered loads OF
fried chicken for the buffet supper
that followed the exercises. Upon
finding the scheduled events of the
day cancelled, they returned to the
beach to check on storm damage
at their cottages and to await the
five-o'clock ceremonies.
By that time there was several
inches of sound water covering
the causeway to the Manteo bridge
and reports warned it would be
considerably higher later. Fol-
themselves and the car they de-
cided not to assume the risk
Probably others had equally i'm
portant mitigating circumstances
to account for their absence. But
they missed an impressive and en-
joyable event-an opportunity that
can't be repeated.