davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1961-04-07
What To See
Continued from page TO-

is the North Carolina Monument proclaim
ing that North Carolina troops were First
at Beig Bethel, Farthest at Gettysburg
and Last at Appomattox.
Just beyond this. upon re-entering
Route "a, they see the point where Grants
Headquarters Tents were pitched for his
short stay from the afternoon Of April 9
until noon of the following day in this
area.
They then retrace their steps to the
entrance road and soon cross the north
branch of the Appomattox River via an
interesting memorial bridge which incor
porates the Confederate Battle Flag in its
ratings. A few hundred yards later they
stop at the place where the Apple Tree
under which Lee awaited Grants reply to
letter requesting conference at which
to discuss terms Of surrender stood.
Across the road in field the Confed-
crate Artillery was parked to await sur
render At the northern edge they stop to
see the tree under which Lee stopped to
say an informal farwen to his troops and
the spot where Lee made his simple camp
during the last final days. Now they leave
the Park. taking with them a feeling of
the little village which is SO indelibly in
scribed on the face of American History
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1961-04-07
ROmmel Visitor
Jackson's Strategy

The famed German officer and brilh-
ant commander. Gen Rommel. who won
acclaim in World War II. once visited
Appomattox. He said he was principally
interested in following the campaigns Of
Gen. Thomas Jonathan Neale (StonewalD
Jackson but he also followed the Civil
War battlefields all the way to Appomatr
tox.
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1961-04-07

And he won such acclaim in the British
Isles, he was asked to give command
performance before Queen Victoria. Mr.
D A. Conner, retired Game Warden of
Appomattox County, and a Sweeney
family kinsman. now has in his possession
the leather money belt which Queen Vic
toria gave Sweeney The gold pieces are
long since gone. but their imprints in the
money belt are still visible
Old Dan Tucker
Sweeney went back to Europe in 1874
One day the "old folks at home" lis
tened and heard a familiar song. "Old
Dan Tucker" from the hills above the
Appomattox River. The tune was coming
from Banjo and it was coming from the
spot where the writer's Wlfe's ancestors.
Lillibut and Alexander Patteson had built
the stage-coach stop, Clover Hill Tavern,
in 1889. This is the Oldest building in the
present Old Court House National Histori-
cal Park. 1t was erected as an overnight
stop on the stage-coach from Richmond
to the Southwest 1t was constructed of
brick made on the Patteson plantation
. one of the children's footprints can
be seen today-set in one of the bricks on
the front porch side. The village was
Clover Hill. until l845. when new county
was cut off from Prince Edward, Buck
ingham. Campbell and Charlotte, and
named: Appomattox.
But the home folks recognized that
Joe was home from his long trip over
seas. And a royal welcome and he
lived out decade Of happy music max
ing" On circuit court days. along about
the noon hour. everything would be
brought to a halt. as the Sweeney boys"
came up the hill from the Sweeney Mill
to the Old Court House. and made music.
Joe was a composer as well as a mu-
sician Like Lawrence Welk' today
each member of the band was talented
performer 1t was NOT "hillbilly' music.
1t was serious folk music / have heard
friends today on listening to genuine
Sweeney music. complain that it is not
rock n rolf and that it is SLOW and too
much playing of chords" 1t was classical
folk music.
I have in my possession a famous
violin 1t is autographed by Robert Miller
Sweeney, one of the band. How l acquired
it is separate story, as is where l got
the gem And also have an ancient
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1961-04-07

His brothers. Sam and Dick Sweeney. and
later Robert Miller Sweeney, and later
the Moon boys from Spout Spring, had an
informal band.
The music OF the Sweeney boys was
loved And in 1881. Joe decided that he
needed better instrument than the ban
jeur" That was a very crude contrap-
ton Toning and musical balance de-
manded. he decided. another string. He
made it a shorter string. to give him the
perfection his skill demanded. And. being
skilled on the violin. he invented an instru-
ment with five strings. and with the top
controls used in violin. and so it is gen
orally accepted that Appomattox's Joe
Sweeney invent tie the present five
stringer."
What is said to be the Original Banjo
is now in the Los Angeles County Museum.
in California The writer has several pic
lures of this original instrument. and
wishes that it could. somehow. be brought
back to Appomattox.
Becomes Minstrel
fessional entertainer. He joined a small
circus. and toured through Virginia and
North Carolina, singing and playing. So
gifted was he. that he became popular as
a ventriloquist. He was called for in a
wider territory. and Sweeney and his band
played in the Eastern States, and he was
no longer a country boy playing on an
African gourd, but rather a full -fledged
artist He learned to tell folk stories, as
master of ceremonies at his concerts
"Doggerel" was what they called it
stories of the old South plantations 1t is
said that on his trip to Texas and Cali
fornia. he felt such response to his plan
tation stories. that he "blacked up" for
his act and that he was the originator
of the "black-face" made so successful
later by scores of entertainers. all the
way to AL Jolson and Amos n Andy
BY 1912. there we're mo more worlds
to conquer in this country. and SO Joe
and his Band embarked for England. The
writer accepts as top authority on THE
Sweeney Story" Colonel George Collins.
U. S. Army, Ret. now of ST. Petersburg.
Fla Col Collins has shown me genuine
handblls and posters of: MI Sweeney
and His Band in Recital in Edinburgh,
Scotland in 1872. He had that sense of
dignity that traditionally goes with ''Vir-
GINA Gentleman = Mr. Sweeney"
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1961-04-07
'Old' Joe SWeeny, Inv entOr Of Five-String Banjo
By CALVIN ROBINSON

Editor, Appomattox Times Virginan
One of the most fabulous names in
American folklore is that of Joel Walker
Sweeney, Appomattox Minstrel Man and
inventor Of the five-string Banjo
They called him Joe" Sweeney
In recent weeks. a song. Joe
Sweeney" by Lucille Watson and recorded
by Gle Turner has become a favorite.
And the American Five-Stringer has con-
tinued for full century and more as a
beloved musical instrument. Indeed. some
claim it is the only musical instrument Of
major portend invented in America.
And so. let us take look-see at this
famous personality
Joel Walker Sweeney was born along
the head-waters Of the Appomattox River
This immediate spot is of worldwide
fame, because in 1865 the dying sobs Of
the Confederacy rolled up from Richmond,
Amelia, Burkeville, Sayler's Greek, and
Farmville, and on the very spot where
Sweeney lived, Gen. John B. Gordon made
the final desperation fight on the morning
OF Palm Sunday, April 9, 1865. and
Sweeney is buried in a stones throw
from where Gen. Fitzhugh Lee ate break
fast that fateful morning and made his
headquarters as the cavalry sought to
break through
But that is another story. This. rather,
is about Mr.. Sweeney
The Sweeney family was well estab-
Iished at the head-waters of Appomattox
River Joel Walker was born in 1871 or
1913. and the exact date is not known.
The family owned great plantation. and
there was the Sweeney Mill. The mill
race" ran alongside the plantation and
the slave quarters, to the mill itself. which
was located just right on present Route
"a from the site Of the famed apple
tree" under which Gen. Lee rested while
waiting to "go to meet Gen. Grant.
Joel Walker Sweeney was natural
born musician From earliest age. he
played the violin and was fascinated by
an instrument brought over from Africa,
called the "banieur' and was four
string shell gourd. His father, John
Sweeney, had been wheelwright in Old
Buckingham. but that was before Apo
mattox County was formed, and Bucking-
ham and Prince Edward approached this
area 1t is said that at age ID. Joel
Walker Sweeney was known far and wide
for his skill on the 'banieur.' And. al
though his father and mother could not
carry tune music ran in the family.
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1961-04-07

MCLEAN OUSE-Restored Mclean
House at dedication in 1852. NAL
colin E. Mason. of Richmond. in full
Confederate gear rests moment
under tree. waiting for THE South
TO Rise Again"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-09-22
Gambling Association
Denied by Detective

A detective charged with
conduct unbecoming an officer
by associating with a convicted
gambler told a police trial
board today he had never met
the gambler.
Virgil j. Hood. SO, of 1916
Upshur street N. W., testified
that he had picked up his
daughters at the home OF
Harvey w. James, jr.. of 1927
Downing street NE. twice two
years ago. James has been con-
victed four times on gambling
charges.
Deput Chief John B. Layton
testified earlier that the Hood
and the James daughters had
met in a dancing school.
IT didn't know James lived
there until it was told me by
Deputy Chief Layton" Detec-
tive Hood said.
Pointed Out as Gambler
He added, however, that
James had been pointed out
to him as a gambler while on
duty with the vice squad.
Mr.. Hood said the Jameses
sent him a Christmas card two
years ago and his wife had
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-09-22
Business Group
Votes to Retain
Race Restriction

Delegates at a meeting of the
Federation of BusinesSmen's
Associations have voted unani-
mously against a motion to
eliminate a racial restriction
in the groups membership
rules.
Eight of the federation's To-
member associations in good
standing were represented at
the meeting, held in the Ma
tional Security and Trust build
ing.
The motion to amend the
federation bylaws governing
membership was first intro
duced at the federation's last
meeting in June. Federation
officers said efforts last night
to postpone the vote were I'M
successful, but that the ques-
Ition may be debated again in
November.
Membership in the federation
is apparently restricted in the
groups bylaws to white
businesSmen's or women's or
EXAMINATIONS" but at least one
member association has a Negro
member, a federation officer
said.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-09-22

MI. JdCks VI OOz NdFCIlWOOu
drive, Falls Church, moves into
the $18,500 salary bracket from
his previous position, which
paid about $4,000.
Mr.. Jack will supervise the
data processing activities of
the IRIS, the national COM
puter center at Martinsburg,
w. Va, and the reports divi-
sion.
The compliance section will
still be under the direction of
Assistant Commissioner william
H. Loeb of 1904 Burning Tree
road, Bethesda. He is charged
with supervising a number of
activities, including alcohol and
tobacco tax collections and the
intelligence service, as well as
the office of international
operations.
Formerly both compliance and
data processing were super
vised by Mr.. Loeb. However. the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-09-22

put their name on their Christ
mas card list.
Capt. Scott E. Meyer told
the board that an envelope
addressed to Mr.. James and
bearing Detective Hoods re-
turn address had been found
in a raid on Mr.. James house
last January II. He said
there were notes representing
numbers bets on the envelope.
Mr.. James was convicted on
a charge of lottery later from
evidence found in the raid.
Association Unwise"
Chief Layton said Detective
Hood looking back. acknowl-
edged the association was IN
WISE"
The chief added, st don't
have any information about
Detective Hood being obligated
to James"
The trial board, headed by
Deputy Chief George r. Wall
rodt. is empowered to recon-
mend Mr.. Hoods dismissal
should it agree on the charges.
Detective Hood also is
charged with falling to give the
Internal Revenue Service Sus-
pected narcotics for chemical
tests.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-09-22

IRIS explained, as each program
grew 'in size and complexity,"
it was decided to split the job.
OF the remaining four assist
ant commissioners, three are
paid $1S.500. The fourth. Ed
ward Preston, assistant commits
sionar for administration, re-
ceives $16,500.
The new data processing
operation will provide the IRIS
an electronic check of taxpay-
ers' returns, including the veri-
fication of income reported sep
arately from the tax return.
Mr.. Jack, a native Of Glen
vile, w. Va, entered the IRIS
at Parkersburg in 1888. After
serving in the Army Air Corps,
he came to Washington in
1916. At that time, he was part
Of a small planning staff
charged with finding new
methods for handling the huge
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-09-22
Civic Group Asks
Status of Boiling

Residents of the Congress
Heights area have asked the
National Capital Parks for
information about the eventual
disposition of the area now
occupied by Boiling Air Force
Base.
Varying proposals, ranging
from a housing development to
a park, prompted the action at
a meeting last night of the
Congress Heights Citizens As
ISOLATION held at the Congress
Heights Elementary School.
The group also voted to again
stage its annual Halloween
party for neighborhood children
on the school playground. Guest
speaker at last nights meet
ing was George Stafford, ad-
ministrator of the new South
east Hospital.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-09-22
Petworth Reps
PUG. Fund Plea

The Petworth Citizens Asso.
citation has opposed a Public
Utilities Commission request
for $4,000 to investigate the
taxicab business. The asSocia-
ton also opposed the use Of
anything but the flat zonl
rates by District cabs.
The group, which met Tues.
day night, was not opposed to
an investigation of the taxicah
business as such. but main
tainS no additional funds
should be required to con.
duct it.
The meeting was held at the
Petworth Library, Georgia ave.
nue. and Upshur streets NV.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-09-22

increase in work load as a
result of the pay-as-you-go
system of taxation. He became
ADP division director early
this year.
Mr.. Loeb, born in Montgom-
cry. Ala. entered the IRIS
Council office there in 1912.
After service in an airbourne
tank battalion in World War
II, he returned to the service
and became an assistant COM
missioner in 1859. He was also
regional counsel in Atlanta
for six years and regional COM
missioner there for one year.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-09-22
$l.l5 Minimum Set
On Some U. S. Jobs
BY the Associated Press

Secretary of Labor Goldberg
has ordered that workers en-
ployed on Federal contract jobs
totaling $4,000 or more must
be paid not less than $1.15 an
hour.
The ruling was issued yester-
day under the Walsh Healey
Public Contracts Act.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-09-22
Senate Approves
Ambassador to Chile
By the Associated Press

The Senate confirmed by
voice vote yesterday President
Kennedy's appointment of
Charles w. Cole of New York
to succeed Robert F. Woodward
as Ambassador to Chile.
Mr.. Cole has been vice pres
ident of the Rockefeller Foun-
dation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-09-22
IRIS Recognizes Two
Units, Fills 9th Top Job
BY ROBERT GRUENBERG
Star Staff Writer

Internal Revenue Service has reorganized its COM
pance data processing offices bringing total of
assistant commissioners to Mortimer M Capin chief of
the IRIS.
The assistant commissioner Robert l. Jack for
mery director of the automatic processing division
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-09-22

Home furnishings Guild named this years style October issu
Of national magazines picture dramatically And
presse Scuptro high sensb priced
The Hecht Co.'S Stores
We heartily pouds praise upo deserves The dese
of Continental look The Junction. America
very home with todos exciting color schemes Style motif
wood sculpture worthy Of careful detailing and nsh
Evening star., 1961-06-11
Don OnliZ

the large plantations, now retired, and
wife Marie keep busy with local activities.
These range from Community Chest and
Red Cross to Girl Scout and Boy Scout
Counseling. When a community crowd
get-together - Continued on next page
Evening star., 1961-06-11
KAUAI, HAWAII
This Week Food Editor

n Trs. Hebard Case, my host
Ness for a day, was waiting,
white ginger lei in hand, when the
inter-island plane glided into the
Lihue Airport on the Island Of
Kauai. This Marie Worrel Case, |
knew, was a Stateside girl from
Minneapolis. She had come to the
Islands to visit relatives, then
stayed on to teach school. But /
had never met Marie until now.
Ihad contrived through a friend
for this invitation to visit a plan
tation home. And it was especially
here | wanted to be where the
Hawaiian sugar industry had its
beginning.
In early days this island, 95
miles north of Honolulu, could be
reached only by boat. There were
no hotels and those who came on
business were guests in the plan
tation homes. There was little rec
reation on the island except back
and forth visiting. The plantation
managers lived in the great houses
and entertained lavishly. This
idyllic little island was a world to
itself.
Evening star., 1961-06-11

Tooth paste only reaches small area (ShOwn
at left), yet most bad breath is caused by
germs all over the mouth and throat
But today'S germ-<illing Listerine AntiSep-
tic is scientifically formulated to reach into
germ-harboring crevices of the mouth and
farthest recesses of the throat Kills germs on
contact, by millions
So get Protection-in-Depth the Listerine
way#, the recommended way. Gives you
antiSeptic action in four times as much mouth
and throat area-to protect you four times
better than tooth paste!
Reach for Listerine and get Protection-in-
Depth hour after hour.
Evening star., 1961-06-11
Two CdSSerO1eS
from Hawaii

BY CLEMENTINE PADDLEFORD
This Week Food Editor
Party tested dishes to make a hostess famous
Evening star., 1961-06-11
ListerineS Protectionin- Depth
Stops Bad Breath 4 Times Better

Read why the usterine way protects times better
than tooth paste-IIIIIs bad breath germs
tooth paste doesn't even TeachI
Evening star., 1961-06-11
An island home

Marie, an efficient woman,
hustled me off to her car, asking,
''What shall we see 6rst?'' So many
lovely places! ''The most remark
able" she said, ''is Waimea Can
yon, very like Grand Canyon, only
in miniature" knew about this.
Also about Hanalei with its cres-
cent beach and fairy-like valley. |
am a reader of guide books. No
sightseeing, l said, want to see
your home. knew the Cases had
one of the old time places. Show
me, please, what it's like living
here.
like Stateside," said Marie,
with few differences. Nothing exciting.
The old days are gone and all that fancy
eating" Maybe she sensed my disappoint-
ment. ''But at our house," she said, 1--WE
do lot of crowd entertaining"
Both Hebard Case, 40 years with one of
East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1961-03-30
FOR SALE-BICYCLES

2 BICYCLES, boys 26 inch, girls
"a inch. Roadmaster, reasonable.
w. 6-4565.
LARGE and small tricycles. child's
car. IS inch boys bike. girls
frame extra parts, reasonable.
VIII. 2-8S47.
BICYCLES. BOYS 26 inch. Schwinn,
English racer with extras. both
Al. l41O5 Potomac. UL. 1-5440-
East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1961-03-30
FOR SAlE-BOATS

OUTBOARD motors. from TO 80
). hip private home. 755 East 260th
East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1961-03-30

MATTRESSES. full and part time
day and night shift. apply in per-
son. Tuesday, April 4th, II a. m.
to .. M, 22578 Lake Shore
East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1961-03-30

FULL-time cook. day shift only
apply in person Tuesday, April
4th. II a. m. to p. m, 22578 Lake
Shore.
East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1961-03-30
COOK

FOR industrial cafeteria: excellent
opportunity for experienced Wom-
an: 5-day, 40-hour week with paid
vacation and holidays; must have
TRANSPORTATION; write to Box 25 c/o
The Leader. 31909 Vine ST., Willo-
wick. giving phone number. We
will arrange personal interview.
East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1961-03-30
rRAIleRS
AUTOMOBILES

TRAILER. wheel. ideal for tent
equipment or small hauling, SIS.
Chuck's Gulf, 1916 ST. Clair.
KE. i-9704.
TRAILER. AZ fl. Smoker. large avn
ing and oil drum, 81 ,495.
CT. 2-528l.
CARRY-all camp trailer. sleeps
s395; anyday except Sunday.
RE. 1000.
East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1961-03-30
HELP WANTED-FEMAlE

PHONE solicitors for fast selling
household products. work from
home. full or part time. must be
able to make evening calls; only
those really needing a Job need
apply. Nv. 1857 between II a. m
and p. m, Sweet Clean Products
Co
Evening star., 1961-03-23
PEOPLE
IN
FBUSINESS

William F. Kerby, former
washington newsman, has
been elected executive vice
president and editorial director
Of the Wall Street journal.
Vermont C. ROyster, editor,
was named to the Executive
Committee.
John w. Amatucci, president
Of Toms Chevrolet in Wheaton,
ND. has been named chair
man Of the Washington area
committee for the 1861 Soap
Box Derby.
Edwin b. GOOdridge has been
promoted to assistant resi-
dent manager Of Prudential
Insurance Co. and transferred
to- the Washington mortgage
loan office.
Edward T. Kirkeby of Lynch
burg, Va, has been elected vice
president Of the First Colony
Life Insurance Co. Of that city
Hk is vice president of the Vir-
girlia Association of Accident
and Health Underwriters.
DIR. William H. Ward has
formed a personnel consulting
film, the Personnel Analysis
Corp.. with offices in Silver
Spring, Md.
Richard A. Johnson, an as.
sOciate Of the william r
'TOoker Agency of Berkshire
Life Insurance Co., has beer
named by his company q.
Rookie Of the Year"
Harley ID. Peter has been ap.
pointed senior eiectronic en-.
gtneer for Communication Elec.
trOnics, Inc. Of Bethesda, Md
He formerly was with VitrC
Electronics.
Evening star., 1961-03-23
Noodles Spends
$16.6 Million
During Decade

Woodward g. Lothrop has
spend around $16.6 million in
the last 10 years for expansion
and modernization of its down.
town and suburban stores,
Board Chairman Robert E. l..
Johnson pointed out yesterday.
Addressing the Washington
Society Of Investment Analysts
at the Presidential Arms, Mr..
johnson said $9,067,00 was
spent for branch stores, $4,-
803, 900 for the downtown store
and around $2.7 million for re-
pairs and remodeling.
He predicted 1851 sales will
show gains over 1860, despite
a slow start caused by adverse
weather. For the first six
months, he forecast a gain Of
around / or Q per cent and
for the last half an increase of
3 to 4 per cent.
Andrew Parker, president of
Woodies. outlined the COM
pany's history with emphasis
on developments Of the last 10
years.
Evening star., 1961-03-23
indiana Standard
To Boost Outlay

CHICAGO, Mar. % (AP) -
John e. Swearingen, president
of Standard Oil Co. (Indiana) /,
today said his company plans
to increase its 1861 capital ex-
penditures by nearly $50 million
over 1860.
Mr.. Swearingen, speaking to
the Investment Analysts Society
of Chicago, said capital out
lays this year will exceed $500
million" compared with $251.5
million in 1860.
Although it is too early to
hazard more than o guess as
to earnings for the first quarter
Of the year, the general indica-
tions are that integrated oil
companies, including our cwn,
will report an increase" he said.
I'VE are looking for a pickup
in general business by summer
and are expecting to see q def
mite upturn in the second hall. :"