USA > North Carolina > Catawba County > The Catawba soldier of the Civil war a sketch of every soldier from Catawba county, North Carolina, with the photograph, biographical sketch, and reminiscence of many of them, together with a sketch of Catawba county from 1860 to 1911 > Part 4
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BANK
FIRST NATIONAL BANK, HICKORY
ment of these powers is being definitely planned, assuring likewise local and interurban trolley lines in the near future.
BUSINESS HOUSES
Hickory is well supplied with business houses, including groceries, dry goods, hardware, furniture, stationery, mil- linery, restaurants and the like. Three finely equipped drug stores would do credit to a large city. Besides a neat opera house there is an auditorium capable of seating 1500 people. Hickory is a large jobbing center with three whole- sale grocery houses and a grain and provision company.
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BUILDING & LOAN
The First Building and Loan Association in its 21st year (191() had 500,000 shares in force with loans of $215,(CO. It pays 6 per cent. compounded annually and free o. taxes. A
HOTEL HUFFRY HICKORY, N.C.
0
larger percentage of people own their homes in Hickory, it is said, than in any other place for its size in the country, which confirms the fact that the building and loan associa- tion has done more to build up the homes of the city than any other agency.
HOTELS
The new Hotel Huffry stands almost on the site of the
THE OLD
HICKORY'S
HICKORY
TAVERN
FIRST BUILDING
old Hickory Tavern. A glance at the pictures of each will illustrate the transformation which has taken place and which applies as well to almost every other department of
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THE CATAWBA SOLDIER
the city's life. The Huffry is thoroughly equipped with modern conveniencies and offers first-class accommodation to the tourist and the traveling public.
The Marshall Hotel has been remodelled and makes a comfortable stopping place. Many good boarding places are to be found.
BANKS
Hickory has two banks. The First National has a capital and surplus of $235,000 and is conservatively managed by men of ability and experience. It is one of the oldest insti- tutions in Western North Carolina, and has a tremendous
HICKORY GRADED SCHOOLS
business throughout this Piedmont section.
The Hickory Banking & Trust Co is a State bank of $35,- 000 capital stock and is a well managed institution, promising to play an important part in the development of the city.
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
Besides an excellent public school system noted for its insistence on thoroughness in fundamentals, Hickory has two higher institutions of learning.' Claremont College is the institution for the higher education of women of the German Reformed Church, offering superior advantages and
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having a far-reaching reputation as a college home and for its splendid course in music. Lenoir College, Lutheran, with a high standard, a flexible curriculum, and an able aud finely trained faculty, is an institution where co-education is conducted under the best possible conditions. Its diploma is recognized by the leading colleges and universities of the country. All of these institutions have modern buildings situated on beautiful wooded campuses.
In Hickory, education is possible under ideal conditions. The healthful and invigorating air is conducive to clear think-
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH, HICKORY
ing, bringing out all there is in the student, while in low climates where malaria and miasma prevail, men and women are not capable of doing their best work.
CHURCHES
The Lutheran, German Reformed, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches are all represented by strong congregations and most of them have beautiful houses of worship.
RAILROADS
The Southern Railway divides the city in halves and may well be said to be the mother of the town. The date of ccm-
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THE CATAWBA SOLDIER
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HICKORY
pletion of the railroad to this place some 50 years ago is also the date of the birth of the town, which grew up under the fostering influence of this great artery of trade. From two mix- ed trains a day the number of passenger trains has increased to six and the freights to almost a continual stream of load- ed cars.
This road running east and west climbs the mountains, winding around and doubling back on itself about the coves and peaks of Round Knob, until, nearing the top, it tunnels
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, HICKORY
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the Blue Ridge and finds itself perched high on the Asheville plateau. This piece of railroad engineering has for years been the admiration of all travelers and this scenery the de- light of every lover of the beautiful.
The rapid increase in traffic within the last eight years has necessitated the change of the Carolina & North western- from a narrow gauge to a standard gauge system of impor- tance in the Carolinas. Coming up from the South, with 4
-
GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH, HICKORY
passenger trains (making 10 passenger trains daily on both roads) it pierces to the very heart of the Blue Ridge, afford- ing easy access to the Switzerland of America, whose scenery is unsurpassed in this or foreign country.
STREETS AND GOOD ROADS
The principal streets of Hickory are laid in tarred ma- cadam and the county roads are worked according to modern methods. The general awakening of the whole country to the importance of good roads finds a responsive echo here.
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Under the leadership of a progressive good road asssociation, the county commissioners in 1910 levied a special road tax for road working purposes. Hickory is in the path of the Salisbury to Asheville Highway, a proposed automobile route paralleling the Southern Railway and branching off at Salis- bury from the great North and South Highway between New York and Atlanta.
HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, HICKORY
At Hickory there is another branch leading to the Blow- ing Rock and Linville section, before mentioned, where fine pikes are already the delight of the autoist.
CLIMATE
The mild climate, free from extremes, and the high altitude make this place peculiarly healthful. It is free alike
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from irritating cold and depressing heat; from chille-blains on the one hand and malaria on the other. The porous, sandy soil gives fine drainage and causes quick drying of the surface.
Thus located there is nothing to hinder the development of the best energies of him who would do things. Here the . weak grow strong in breathing the healthful ozone of a pure and invigorating atmosphere. Of this many can testify. This book might easily be filled with enthusiastic testimonials.
WATER SUPPLY
Hickory has a remarkably pure water supply, brought in the first place from a mountain stream and then filtered
PARK SCENE, HICKORY
in one of the most modern and complete filtering plants. The water is analyzed every 30 days and no case of sickness has ever been traced to it. The State chemist invariably says in his report "good water."
The best of fire protection, guided by a well trained volunteer department, is afforded. The city is also supplied with an up-to-date sewer system.
THE CREAMERY AND THE BACK COUNTRY
Dairying is one of the most profitable industries of the south, and the back country surrounding Hickory is well adapted for this purpose. The new Creamery here solves the problem of market. Their route wagons gather up the cream from the individual farmers and an expert converts
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THE CATAWBA SOLDIER
the butter fat into a gilt edged butter that finds a ready sale at a high price. It is the aim of the U. S. Agricultural De- partment to have one Creamery in the United States upon whose product they can put their seal of approval as being absolutely free from tuberculosis germs. The Hickory Cream- ery has been selected, and before this reaches the eye of the reader, the Hickory Creamery butter will have a name and fame that will mean an excess of demand over the supply.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
And now a word about the Chamber of Commerce, com- posed, as it is, of the leading men of the city. There are
CATAWBA RIVER, NEAR HICKORY
about 200 members of this organization, each man with his coat off working for the upbuilding of Hickory. They are imbued, too, with the same whole-hearted spirit of comba- tiveness that the rank and file of the Confederate army were noted for. They believe in Hickory and its future, and they are not at all slow in letting you know their belief. It is composed of men from the north, south, east and west-old residents and new comers-all working for the same goal, a Greater Hickory. The opening banquet scene at the last annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, is perhaps, indicative of the Hickory motive, when the entire assembly rose to their feet and sang "Hickory's Booster Song" (com- posed by A. K. Joy for the occasion) to the inspiring air of "Dixie."
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Old Hickory's the best in the Old North State, There's room for you if you're not too late, Come along! come along! come along! come along! There's no use talking, we set the pace; We're sure enough winners in the friendly race. Come along! come along! come along! come along!
CHORUS
Then three times three for Hickory, Hurrah! Hurrah! Then three times three for Hickory, We never say die in Hickory.
Come along, come along, come along with us to Hick'ry. Come along, come along, come along with us to Hick'ry.
We point with pride to nineteen ten.
We'll never be classed as a "might-have-been."
Come along! come along! come along! come along! So, we'll all join hands for the years to come,
Resolved to make our old town hum,
Come along! come along! come along! come along!
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THE CATAWBA SOLDIER
NEWTON, N. C.
When the last Yankee rode out of Newton in April, 1865, the now prosperous and growing county seat of Catawba was but a straggling village, with two or three "stores" and few dwellings. The untouched forests en- croached closely on the town, and where today are homes, b isiness houses, and busy factories, there stood thick growth
CATAWBA COUNTY COURT HOUSE, NEWTON, N. C.
of pine and oak. The town was established in 1843, when the county was erected out of Lincoln county. It is there- fore 68 years old.
Newton has had slow growth, but substantial progress has been made from year to year, until now, the community has reached that point where more rapid development may be expected. The census of 1911 gives the town 2,316 popu- lation. The census came at an inopportune time for Newton, because many people had left during the business depression which stopped the factories and created dull times. Nor- mally, Newton has 3,000 people.
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METHODIST CHURCH, NEWTON, N. C.
All these people are industrious, law-abiding citizens. There are few loafers. They are engaged in manufacturing chiefly, but there are the usual other departments of activity.
GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH, NEWTON, N. C.
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The main industries are three cotton mills, two making yarn exclusively, and one making both yarn and cloth. Over 300 operatives find employment and the product of the mills runs into the hundreds of thousands annually. Another very valuable industry is a hosiery mill, which employs about 100 operatives at good wages. Besides these industries there are flouring mills, wood-working plants, machine shops, a recently organized cotton seed oil mill, with $20,000 capital, cotton gins, laundry, bakery, ice plant, etc.
The manufacturing plants enjoy the modern blessing of
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEWTON, N. C.
unlimited electric power, furnished by the Southern Power Company, which has a sub-station here, and which furnishes lights for the city, streets, etc. Coupled with this advantage are the excellent railway facilities furnished by the Southern Railway and the Carolina & Northwestern Railroad. Cheap power, good shipping facilities, abundant labor of the best class, low taxes, and plenty of suitable sites for plants, com- bine to make the town a very attractive point for manufac- turers.
In addition to the manufacturing interests, the town contains a large number of substantial and prosperous busi-
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LUTHERAN CHURCH, NEWTON, N. C.
ness establishments. There is a constantly growing whole- sale grocery, up-to-date furnishing stores, dry goods, hard- ware, drug stores, etc,; two strong banks with ample capital,
GRADED SCHOOL, NEWTON, N. C.
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THE CATAWBA SOLDIER
and thousands of deposits; three tip-top hotels, two news- papers, and all those various odds and ends that go to make up a complete, modern town.
The town in the recent past built granolithic pavements and improved its streets, constructed a water system, get- ting water from wells; built a sewer system, established a fine graded school and perfected an electric light system that
BAPTIST CHURCH, NEWTON, N. C.
is as good as that of any city. And, notwithstanding all these improvements, the tax rate of the town is without question lower than in any other tow .. in the state where modern im- provements have been made.
The location of the town is admirable. Situated upon a high ridge, there is natural drainage, hence public health is exceptionally good. For miles around the town in every
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direction stretch fertile farm lands peopled by progressive farmers, who raise abundant crops of everything that grows in the wonderful Piedmont section of North Carolina; and thus the town has an opulent "back country" from which to draw business.
In developing all these varied resources, Newton has not neglected other phases of life. The leading denominations all have attractive church structures and large membership. The ministry of the town is exceptionally strong, and is liber- ally supported. Catawba College, whose history covers over a half century of inestimable service, is located here, and has had great influence on the life of the community. The moral standard of the community is high, and many of those evils which exist in the towns of today are conspicious only be- cause they are absent. There is a strong sentiment for the enforcement of law and the maintenance of order and de- cency.
The social side of life has not been neglected. There are women's clubs and various societies. Fraternal orders, that include all the leading organizations, have large membership. A commercial body, after the pattern of a chamber of com- merce, or board of trade, has done much for the development of the business interests, and an outgrowth of that is a club with attractive quarters, which has for its object social en- joyment and recreation.
While the great number of the people are possessed of only moderate property, they all live well. There are no paupers, and the community numbers among its citizens seve- ral that are quite wealthy, so that Newton is able to finance almost any commercial undertaking that may come up. All welcome the stranger, the home-seeker, the investor; and will lend themselves to inducing such to cast their lot with Newtonians.
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MAIDEN
Maiden had its genesis in the building of the Chester and Lenoir Narrow Gauge R. R. (Now the C. & N. W.) About the time rails were begun to be laid north of Lincolnton, the Carpenters began the building of a cotton mill. It was this cotton mill which formed the neuclus for the town. From the few families gathered together to furnish operatives for this first cotton mill, the town has grown until now it num- bers about 1500 inhabitants.
The cotton mill industry, one of the principal industries of the town, has grown from one mill to three (One of the three being located just outside the town limits) and in addi- tion, the town has a splendid flour mill, two cotton gins, two lumber finishing plants, two blacksmith shops, two barber shops, printing office, drug store, hardware store, furniture store and undertaker's establishment, bank and eight general merchandise stores. The town's growth has never been spas- modic. The past two years have evidenced marked internal improvements.
The Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran and Reformed denomi- nations have Churches, each with a resident pastor, though neither congregation supports a pastor for full time.
South Fork Institute, the school of the South Fork Bap- tist Association, is located here. This school not only at- tracts students from a number of counties in this State, but other States are also represented in its student body. Dur- ing the past year, a splendid modern four-room public school building was erected, and the future will no doubt reveal an increased interest and enthusiasm in public education.
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LENOIR COLLEGE, HICKORY, N. C.
In the year 1875, the Lutherans of the Tennessee Synod -- especially those in Catawba County, N. C. began to agitate the question of establishing a school. In July, 1877, they inaugurated Concordia High School at Conover, N. C. This Institution, which was converted into a college and chartered in 1881, was under the control of an association of Lutheran pastors and congregations in connection with the E. L. Tenn- essee Synod. In 1883, this Synod took Concordia College under its fostering care, and it remained nominally in this relation till 1892.
In the year 1890, the beautiful and valuable site now occupied by Lenoir College was offered to the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod by Col. J. G. Hall, Trustee. This offer was rejected in a called session of Synod held in St. James Church near Newton, N. C., December 26-27, 1890.
In 1891, the Rev. R. A. Yoder, D. D., J. C. Moser, D. D., W. P. Cline and A. L. Crouse, backed by certain laymen, ac- cepted from Col. J. G. Hall, Trustee, the site now occupied by Lenoir College, and obligated themselves under bond to expend not less than $10,000 in the establishment of a college on said site. The Institution was opened September 1, 1891, in the old academy building under the title of Highland Col- lege, the Rev. R. A. Yoder, D. D., President. January 4, 1892, it was chartered under the laws of the State of North Carolina as Lenoir College, this name being chosen in honor of Col. Walter W. Lenoir, the honored of the spl. ndid college site and the grounds adjoining.
In 1895, the E. L. Tennessee Synod adopted Lenoir Col- lege as its own Institution; and, in 1899, assumed the financial obligation for the current expenses of the College. All the college property belongs to the Synod and is under the man- agement of a board of Trustees who hold the property in trust for the Synod. Lenoir College is Concordia College transferred, continued, and enlarged.
The Administration Building was erected in 1892, at a cost of $20,000.
اسلك
جيروم
LENOIR COLLEGE, HICKORY, N. C.
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In 1891, President Yoder having resigned, the Rev. R. L. Fritz, Professor of Mathematics and Physics in Elizabeth College, Charlotte, N. C., was elected President.
In 1902, Oakview Hall, the dormitory for young women, was built at a cost of $6,000; and, in 1906, Highland Hall, the new dormitory for young men, was erected at a cost of $17,000.
In 1910, the congregation, assisted by the Synod com- pleted St. Andrews Church, the fourth building on the Cam- pus, at a cost of $8,000.
A conservative estimate of the present value of the en- tire college plant is $100,000.
The location of Lenoir College is most fortunate-near the mountains, 1200 feet above sea-level and free from Ma- laria-in a fine College Park on the eastern border of the beautiful, progressive City of Hickory.
Whilst founded and operated by the Lutherans, Lenoir College is non-sectarian, and is designed to afford to all who seek it a liberal culture upon Christian principles and under Christian influences.
Lenoir College is a high-grade, positive church institu- tion with courses of study as comprehensive and thorough as those of the best schools in our country doing similar work. A. B. graduates of Lenoir College are admitted to Graduate Work in the University of North Carolina without examination, and complete M. A. Courses in one year.
Lenoir College offers two courses-the Classical and the Scientific-with electives, leading to the A. B. degree.
The following Departments with full four year courses, under able teachers are maintained: The Lenoir College Con- servatory of Music-piano-forte, Violin, Voice, orchestra, chorus-, the Art Department, and the Expression Depart- ment.
The Hickory Business College is operated in connection with the College, and a Preparatory Department offering two years of work below the Freshman year is maintained.
The Faculty numbers 15. Each teacher must be a graduate of a first-class college and must have had successful teaching experience and ample post-graduate work in one
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or more of our leading Universities in the subjects taught by him.
The average enrollment for the last ten years was 205. These young men and young women came from the best families in our towns and country and constitute a student personel of which the College is justly proud. Through them the college exerts a great influence and has a large part in the development and upbuilding of our section.
Merit measures success and determines standing at Lenoir College. Work, thorough work and right living is the ideal.
The Institution is under the supervision of the Board of Trustees. The students in all departments are governed by the Faculty. A high estimate of character and love of the right is inculcated. Good order and thorough work are main- tained.
The principal of student self-government has been prac- ticed successfully at Lenoir College for three years.
A Student Commission composed of a representative elected from each College Class, and a President and Secre- tary chosen by the entire student body, constitute the lower court of our system of government. The Superintendent of Highland Hall is ex-officio member of the Student Commission. This Commission is recognized by the Faculty and Board as part of the College Executive, and its findings stand, unless reversed on appeal to the Faculty or Board.
The College has only $3,000 endowment; but, when neces- sary, it is assisted by appropriations from the E. L. Tennessee Synod for current expenses.
The College has nine Ministerial Student Scholarships which are awarded by the Board of Trustees, and there are ten Private Individual Scholarships.
Lenoir College is an educational institution- not a money- making enterprise. She offers her advantages at cost. She is the College of the "average man". The average student cannot pay profits on his educational advantages. No true school pays money dividends. Here every dollar procures a full hundred cents worth of teaching ability and equipment; and every student is given the most possible in return for his time and money.
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Board is given at cost on a highly successful co-operative plan. The dormitories are among the best in the South, hav- ing electric lights, steam heat, and city water and sewerage. The average cost of partly furnished room, board, heat, light, etc., is, in Oakview Hall, $8.50 a month, and in Highland Hall, $9.50 a month.
Tuition for the nine months session is, for the regular College Courses or the complete Business Course, $40, and for Music, Art or Expression, $27.
There is an Incidental Fee of $3 a session, a matricula- tion Fee of $1., and a Contingent Deposit of $2.00.
The present outlook for Lenoir College is the brightest in her history. The Synod to which she belongs is more in- terested and active than ever before. The Board of Trustees is most capable and progressive. A high standing and a good name have been achieved. Far reaching plans for immediate development are being prosecuted.
The Rev. C. Luther Miller, the College Field Secretary, is busy gathering the Synodical Endowment of $100,000. The consolidation of the Lutheran Educational interests in North Carolina is in fair way of consummation. Plans showing pro- posed improvements of the College Campus, and locations for seven new buildings have been submitted by a landscape architict. It is expected that the Science Building will be erected and many other much needed improvements made during the vacation of 1911.
The forces are lining up, interest and enthusiasm deep- en, the march is on, the watchword, Greater Lenoir College in this Generation!
It is a significant fact that five of the members of the first Board of Trustees of Lenoir College were Confederate Veterans-Col. J. G. Hall, S. E. Killian, Esq., Jacob S. Lipe, John M. Arndt, and Hon. George W. Rabb, the last two hav- ing lost each a leg on the field of battle. These men have been large contributors to the development of the College, the largest bequest yet received being that of the J. S. Lipe estate amounting to about $8,000.
Lenoir College is by and of and for Confederate Veterans, their children and children's children.
March 29, 1911.
R. L. FRITZ.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CATAWBA COLLEGE
Catawba College, situated at Newton, N. C., was the offspring of an impelling necessity that existed in the Re- formed Church in the South in the early days of our national life. She came into being during the fierce struggle for denominational existence, and for sixty years has rendered invaluable services to the cause of religion, of education, and of civic righteousness.
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