The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1960-06-03

81 am in the place in this world
where / most want to be-" BEN
DIXON MACNEILL is quoted as
having said to friend last week.
And on Thursday night, he died
alone seated in his chair in his cot
tage high on hill on Cape Hat
teras, from where he said he could
see all he wanted to see. MacNeill
was a newspaperman, who knew
the world and its people and could
see them as few men could see
them. He loved the Outer Banks; he
was interested in the progress of
the area. His book, "The Hatteras-
man." published two years ago, out
weighed by far in quality and i'm
portance all the other books that
have been written about the area,
and for it he was awarded coveted
prize, the Mayflower Cup, for the
best piece of writing in the state,
He had been possessed of the
magic of this coastland since he
came here in 1887 and took the
Lost Colony under his wing. His
public relations efforts in its be-
half launched it into success, and
success continued with it as long
as he was permitted TO aid it. The
show lost much when MacNeill left
it.
It was a cruel and crushing blow
to those who knew him best and
loved him when news Of his death
followed his discovery dead by a
neigh5or who had called to bring
him some fresh Strawberries on
Friday morning. 1t came at a time
on the eve of an election, in which
he was much interested, and it sad
dened those who We're his friends
His was a brave spirit which had
just come out of long and pain
full period of hospital treatment
He was deep man, a fascinating
conversationalist, sharp appraiser
of human nature, and intense in his
disregard of inconsequential people
as we'll as his love for those who
were worthy or who needed his
aid. He loved the men of the CoasI
Guard, and they were his friends
He helped many of its deserving
members to higher status. They hac
been good to him, and Sunday din.
ner at the nearby station was 8
regular event with them.
So he left instruction that his
ashes should be scattered over the
sands of the Cape. 1t is most Ger.
tain that he will become a legend.
airy figure. His book, "The Hat
terasman", will live on long afte1
the others are forgotten, and will
continue to be of tremendous worth
into the continued movement OF
bringing this area into its own
1t will glorify those of olden days
who founded the greatness and left
the heritage which is so literally
enjoyed today by the worthy as
well as the unworthy.
Mr.. MacNeill was born in Scot
land County, the son of Angus
Benjamin and Flora MacKinnon
MacNeill. He was kisman of the
poet John Charles MacNeill, whose
works, he said, had inspired him to
write also. His early reporting was
as city editor of the Wilmington
paper. Later he worked for many
years on the News and Observer
in Raleigh, and was rowing news
paper correspondent, covering all
the biggest happenings in the state
with on the scene reports. The late
Josephus Daniels sent him to Man
teo in 1887 to report the opening
of the Lost Colony. He never de-
parted the area for long, until he
served for period as a Lieutenant
Colonel in the World War II, leav-
ing when physical disability re-
vealed him unfit for overseas duty
After that he worked for time
for the Elizabeth City daily.
He had nationwide acquaint.
ance with friends in high places as
we'll as the most humble citizens
He was always trying to help one
of the latter. His cottage was Wis.
tied by many great and famous
people.
He is survived by a sister, Mrs
L. A. Skinner of Atlanta; a brother
Murdoch MacNeill and nephew
Ben Dixon MacNeill II of Fort