Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1959-12-31
SENSE &
NONSENSE
By WRAY THOMPSON

By WRAY THOMPSON
Chadbourn Clark last week, many requests were re
ceiVed for more information the subject which
we are pleased to have on hand.
Says Mrs Clark of her past, 1--WE lived life full
10 the brlm and running over!" And those who know
her agree. Few people of Chadbourn have missed
being touched by some act of kindness or a humani
tartan deed committed by Mrs Clark. Thoughtfulnes
must have been her watchword, for it is said tha
the needy never went UNDECIDED in her town as Ions
as she was able to beat path to their DOORS
Miss Lizzie" Stanly was the third of five children
born to Lawyer j. w. Stanly and Lucy Smith Stanly
Mrs. Stanly was the daughter of Col. Alfred Smith
a Columbus County pioneer, and owner of severa
thousand acres of land in this area, portion upor
which Mrs. Clarks home now stands.
She terms herself the third SON. of the Stanlys
for the boys edward, William, Fred and Jasper)
never di danythng athletically that she didn't try
. Her early schooling under the tuteage of a
Mrs Maultsby, grandmother of j. S. Mautsby OF
Whiteville. Later the Stanly children went to old
academy which was located mile north of the
court house So far Mrs. Clark remembers, White
vile had publ cschoos during that period, and
children required pay SO per month for tuition
Age sixteen ushered in life for Miss Eliza
beth Stanly She finished her formal schooling went
to her first grand ball. met the man who was one dav
to be her husband
The Wilmngton-C hadbourn-Conway Railroad had
Just been completed and depot constructed in
Chadbourn. The directors of the railroad planned
big ball for the local gentry in honor of the opening
An orchestra engaged and caterers were hired
Previous to the dance she visited the Joe Browns and
was sitting on the front porch when passerby saw
her and asked his walking companion WHO is that?'
Gle referring Eliza beth Stanly and he" was
Joseph B. Chadbourn.)
The story skips to approximately four years later
when Joseph Chadbourn proposed to her while they
were sitting bent-over willow tree on the bank
OF Lake Waccamaw. She married Mr.. Chadbourn
who was then the auditor of the WC&C RR, and he
brought her to the home where she yet resides
The early years of her life in Chadbourn were
plagued she says by tramps. During this period each
day brought from to seventeen tramps to her
PACK door. Seeing that she was continuously being
frightened by the hoboes, Mr.. Chadboun had tele-
graph line installed from his house to his office.
Il never did learn to send but five letters that
telegraph instrument, says Mrs Clark. They were
T-R-A-M-P'". Receiving this message Mr.. Chadbourn
would get help and run to the house and chase the
Migrants away.
Mrs, Clark still remembers one most interesting
tramp who showed up one morning and asked for
food Though he was dirty and raggedly dressed, he
had the deepest most impressive eyes that she had
seen.
Seeing that he an ordinary bum she began
asking him questions while he was eating the food
which she had provided She noted that his speech
was perfect which suggested that he highly
educated. He asked his name his reply was
that he would give name, but not correct name.
She noticed that his hands beautiful, and his
fingers long and well-shaped.
Sir, you're an artist musician, aren't you?''
she asked
His reply How did you know" did not satisfy
her. His sparce conversation included a mention OF
Harvard where her then a student, and he
mentioned a particular building the campus He
olsagreed with her on the location of the building
But then he stopped talking and bidded her farewell
Years later, when our subject passing the
Jerry Sned one DAY, she saw tramp lying
on one of the benches. Recognizing him as the un.
typical tramp with whom she had talked with years
before, she approached him and noticed that he was
ill.
Don't touch me-" the tramp said. I'm sick and
covered with vermin." She Immediately summoned
her husband and doctor who affirmed that the mar
was sick. He carried to the County Home fo1
treatment, ard visited many Sunday after
moons by the Chadbourns, but they never able
10 learn who he was - or where he from
Before he disappeared from the Home one day. he
said to Mrs. Chadbourn, Lady, l wish you the bes'
on earth. wish there We're more people like you il
the world. Now goodbye"
Several years after the death of Mr.. Chadbourn
she married D. G. Clark, banker.
Another good turn" credited to her and of which
few people know, the assistance she gave teen
age girl who had been expelled from school because
of misconduct"
After getting a doctors confirmation Mrs Clarl
wrote to home for unmarried mothers in Soutf
Carolina asking that the young girl be admitted
Because of the pathos in the letter, a rule which
turned away non-South Carolinans put aside and
the girl admitted
The girl remained there for a year. afterwhicf
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