The coastland times., 1956-11-30

AiAS AAiS IAAAAC AAICtiy III q WCn hSpt
house beneath spreading oaks by
the roadside. He had to sell the
boat which cost him several thou
sand dollars for mere $500. He
has given up his store long ago
into the hands of faithful and
dedicated daughter, Lola, who with
Mrs. Meekins make him most
comfortable home.
Mr.. Meekins lost his vision a
few years ago, as the result Of
cataracts which defied medical
skill. He is totally blind. Long
years of looking over the waters,
of faring the storm and rain in
the night as he sailed, of blinking
at the glaring sun of the beaches,
no doubt helped to impair his
vision. He never spared himself
during long hours of work, some
times for "a hours at stretch.
He was left an orphan, at an early
age, both parents having died when
he was just tot, and he was
brought up through the goodness
of an uncle.
But young Fields was endowed
with ambition and energy far be-
yond that of most of his neigh
bors. He worked by the day, and
then by the month, and he saved
every cent he could. He got all
the schooling the times afforded
so years ago, and even today, out
of a phenomenal memory he can
recite long selections he recited in
school. Out of his savings he
bought his own fishing rig, then he
bought a boat whereby he could
earn more by freighting supplies
for others. He opened a store, and
except for a short period, has
operated a store at Avon for over
so years.
In 1918, he sold his store to
Noah Price and removed his family
to Manteo where he opened a mer-
camille business. This venture last
ed about year before he decided
to return to Avon. Wartimes made
it difficult to get goods. He fell
into some disfavor with competi-
tors, because he was underselling.
He was out to sell goods, and he
dissented when they told him his
prices were too low. After one
such appeal, he is said to have
biuntly replied: "Neighbor, / buy
my goods, and l sell my goods,
and the subject was dismissed.
Off and on through most of his
life, he has been Superintendent Of
the Methodist Sunday school, and
is most loyal to his church. He
sits by his radio when sermons are
on, and misses. none of them, on
occasions when he can't go to
church. He has been a loyal Re-
publican all his life, for he grew
up in Republican atmosphere and
in a rock-bound Republican neigh
borhood. But he has made excep-
tions for this year, he says 81 got
in a car on this new hard-surfaced
road that has been completed right
past my door, and / rode to the
polls, and 1 told them after they
had marked my ticket for Eisen,
hover and Nixon, to be sure ]
voted for Governor Hodges, anc
our Congressman Herbert Bonner
who have done so much to benefit
we people and all Eastern North
Carolina. / wanted to vote for oui
Sheriff, and some others, but founc
their names were not on the ticket
this year."
Mr.. Meekins recalls that his
visits to communities and homes
and churches during his many
years of boating in Northeastern
North Carolina had always given
him great pleasure. Sometimes
would be tied up over Sunday
he says, "and would go to church
One day found that it never fails
to return to you when you deal
fairly. At a church service al
Stumpy Point, / received many in
vitations to eat with the citizens
See MEEKINS, Page Five