carthage community spotlight

THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010

BY MARTHA J. HENDERSONSpecial Sections Editor

Affectionately called “Sweet Carthage”by some, the county seat is the kind ofsmall town that books are written aboutand TV shows are set. In fact, many thinkthat one TV show, “The AndyGriffithShow,” could have been staged in Carthage.Centered around a historic courthouse,

the town of Carthage bustles withgovernment activity whilemaintaining thecharm of a small Southern community.It’s the kind of townwhere neighbors helpneighbors, no one’s a stranger for long andkids know trouble committed on one side oftownwill be known bymom on the otherside before they get home.

True Measure of a Town’s ValueA close-knit community, this pleasant

little town boasts a rich heritage as acounty seat, a thriving economic base andresidents who offer solace and service toneighbors in need.InMay 2009, after the town suffered

through two violent tragedies in asmanymonths, The Pilot ran an editorial thatpointed out how the people responded tothe shock andmisfortunate when it struck.

Instead of protests and cries for revenge,the people of Carthage gathered inchurches to seek guidance andoffer comfort to one another.And they focused on honoringa Carthage police officer whorisked his life to save others.The editorial went on to say

that Carthage is “a placewhere strangers smilinglyopen the door for others atthe post office and receivesmiling thanks in response.”It ended by saying “this isthe truemeasure of thetown’s value.”Whether you live in

Carthage, are in townconducting business at oneof themany countygovernment offices or areenjoying a day in the sunat the town’s annualBuggy Festival, this is the Carthage you’llexperience. And, it all comes back to thepeople who call Carthage home.“Whatmakes Carthage special is the

people,” says TownManager Carol Sparks.“We’re a small townwhere we look out for

each other.”Mayor Tom Stewart agrees. “Ourmost

important asset is our citizens.”

Noted PersonalitiesThe current citizens of Carthage are

carrying on the traditions laid by the peoplewho came before.Many of the streets in Carthage bear the

names of the town’s founding fathers,MalcolmMcNeill, MalcolmMunroe,ThomasMcReynolds, Cornelius Dowd andWilliamMartin.

In 1796, thesemenwereappointed commissioners to“lay off 69 acres, to beestablished into a town by thename of Carthage.”Incorporated in 1796, Carthage

celebrated its bicentennial in1996 with a yearlong series ofevents. The celebration honorednot only the town’s history butthe residents who have helpedcreate the character and essenceof Carthage.Over the years, several noted

people have called Carthage home,including President AndrewJohnson when he was a youngtailor’s apprentice.Already aminor celebrity when

he came to North Carolina to joinhis father, Randolph & Cumberland

railroad president SamuelMcConnell,James RogersMcConnell would gain

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010 THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. PAGE 3

Best Bank In TownSince 1872

Full Line ofHardware, Plumbing,Electrical, HorseBuggies &Wagons

KEITHHARDWAREDowtown Carthage • 207 Monroe St.

910-947-5294

Serving the town ofCarthage since 1937

It’s the People Who Make ‘Sweet Carthage’ Special

see CARTHAGE, page 4

JACK DODSON/The Pilot

THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C SUNDAY,OCTOBER 24, 2010

On the CoverThe historic courthouse in downtown

Carthage was built in 1922.

About This IssueCCoovveerr DDeessiiggnn

Kathryn Galloway, Page Designer

CCoovveerr PPhhoottooggrraapphhGlenn M. Sides

SSuupppplleemmeenntt DDeessiiggnn//LLaayyoouuttMartha J. Henderson,Special Sections Editor

CCoonnttrriibbuuttiinngg WWrriitteerrssJohn Chappell, Florence Gilkeson,John Hairr, Martha J. Henderson

and Deborah Salomon

CCoonnttrriibbuuttiinngg PPhhoottooggrraapphheerrssJack Dodson, Erick Duplessis,

Glenn M. Sides and Hannah Sharpe

For advertising information,contact Pat Taylor at (910) 693-2505or e-mail [email protected]

145 W. Pennsylvania Ave.,Southern Pines, NC 28387

(910) 692-7271 • thepilot.com

28327ZIP code

latitude:35°19’46” N longitude:79°24’31” Welevation:617 feet

2,245population

768housingunits

5.9 squaremiles

area:

medianage 40.3

CarthageBy TheNumbers:

notoriety when he became oe of the firstfour American pilots of the LafayetteEscadrille.The town also has hosted its fair share of

notable personalities. First Lady EleanorRoosevelt visited Carthage on April 28,1940. Greeted by a crowd of 2,000, shetoured the recently completed CarthageCommunity House during the facility’s ded-ication. After serving as the town hall formany years, the stone structure has nowbeen turned back into a community center.

Growing PopulationSince 1990, Carthage has grown in

population by more than 140 percent, to acurrent number of more than 2,000. It is thefastest growing town in the Sandhills, andis among the Top 20 fastest growing municipalities in North Carolina.While there are many senior citizens in

Carthage, Sparks says, there also are a lotof younger people living here. She pointsout that many of these young families arepeople who grew up in the town and movedback when they began their families inorder to raise their children in the sameenvironment they had experienced growingup.Carthage is served by severals schools in

the Moore County Public School System,including Union Pines High School, NewCentury Middle School, CarthageElementary School, Pinckney Academy andSandhills Farm Life Elementary School.Churches have proven to be a source of

strength for the community over the years.There are a number of churches inCarthage, including Mount Zion A.M.E.Z.Church, Lighthouse Assembly of God,Bethlehem Baptist Church, Calvary BaptistChurch, Emmanuel Baptist Church, FirstBaptist Church, Pine Grove Baptist Church,Pleasant Hill Church, Summer Hill BaptistChurch;Trinity Bible Church, Crossroads

Community Church, Holy Temple Church,Mount Olive Church, First PresbyterianChurch, Community Friends Church,Carthage Church of Christ, Gospel ChapelCommunity Church, St. Augustine Zion

Church, First Missionary Baptist Church,Unity Grove Baptist Church, VictoryCommunity Baptist Church, CarthageUnited Methodist Church, Stoney HillChurch and Union Presbyterian Church.The Carthage Police Department is locat-

ed within the Carthage Municipal Building,4396 U.S. 15-501. The department is staffedwith 10 full-time officers, an administrativeassistant and six auxiliary officers.Headed by Chief Bryan Tyner, the

Carthage Volunteer Fire Department is at4396 U.S. 15-501. In addition to the firechief, the department includes six part-time firefight-ers and 25 vol-unteers. Theyserve an areaof 113 squaremiles and apopulation ofapproximate-ly 4,600 people.In addition

to MayorStewart, thecurrentCarthagetown boardincludesmayor protem JeanRiley, LeeMcGraw, Lisa Caddell,Milton “T” Dowdy and Artie Barber.

Plenty to Do in CarthageCarthage is an active and involved

community with citizens who celebratetheir community with special events andactivities throughout the year. The annualBuggy Festival, held each May on Mothers’Day weekend, continues to grow each year,attracting thousands to town for entertain-ment, family fun and, of course, buggies.The event has been listed on SoutheastTourism Society’s Top 20 Events.The Carthage “World Famous” Christmas

parade and the Carthage Fourth of Julyparade are attended by thousands of MooreCounty residents and visitors. InSeptember each year, Carthage is home tothe Moore County Agricultural Fair, held atthe Moore County fairgrounds.The town of Carthage offers a number of

amenities for residents and visitors alike to

enjoy. These include three parks, LakeLuke Marion, a DanMaples-designed golfcourse at Little River Golf & Resort, amuseum and a library that is part of thecounty’s library system.Nancy Kiser Park is a 9-acre community

park that contains a baseball/softball field,walking trail, playground, tennis courts, abasketball court, volleyball court,amphitheater, picnic shelters and picnictables.Located on the southern edge of

Carthage is Hillcrest Park, a 45-acre multi-purpose county park and athletic complex.The park contains four 300-foot baseball,

soccer and football fields,playground equip-ment, a walking trail,sand volleyball courtand a picnic area.Caviness Park is

located across thestreet from 105 E.Barrett St.Lake Luke Marion

offers a tree-linedwalking trail surround-ing the lake. Fish andwildlife are abundant inthis facility.The Carthage Museum

displays the history ofCarthage over a 200-plus-year period. The museumis staffed and operated byvolunteers.

The Carthage historic district includesmore than 50 structures, some dating backto the pre-Civil War period. The district islisted on the National Register of HistoricPlaces and is located along McReynoldsStreet (N.C. 24-27).The Gilliam-McConnell Airfield not only

brings people to town, but also offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to seevintage airplanes up close and personal. The Moore County Veterans Memorial is

in the Carriage Oaks complex off U.S. 15-501. The names of thousands of veteranshave been added to the tablets erected atthe memorial. These men and women arenatives of Moore County, residents or former residents and friends of the county.The monument also honors veterans whowere killed in action. A Veterans Memorialprogram is held at the site annually for thenational observance of Veterans Day.

CarthageFrom Page 3

GLENN M. SIDES/The PilotThe Moore County Veterans Memorial honors veterans who have connections to the county.


BY FLORENCE GILKESONSenior Writer

Carthage is noted formany characteris-tics— its long history, home of the storiedTyson Buggy Company and the livelyannual Buggy Festival, and for the tragedyat PinelakeHealth and Rehab Center lastyear. It’s also known as one of the fastest-growingmunicipalities inMoore County.But above all, Carthage is theMoore

County seat.With its historic courthouse positioned in

a circle with four spokes, the county hasenjoyed this town as the centerpiece ofcounty government for 225 years.Whether it is by telephone, e-mail or

personal visit, Carthage is the place thatmost residentsmust make contact with ona regular basis.The county seat is the place to pay your

taxes, file a deed or property transfer,secure a zoning permit, serve as a juror orface the judge if accused of a crime.Residentsmay visit Carthage to apply forveterans’ services, secure a septic tankpermit, or adopt a dog or cat.Sooner or later, mostMoore Countians

find their way to Carthage.This is where theMoore County Board of

Commissionersmeets. It’s also the placewhere the education, elections, planning,health and social services boardsmeet, just

to name a few.The town actually predatesMoore

County. Carthage was incorporated in 1776,when the area now known asMoore wasstill part of Cumberland County. Moorebecame a separate county in 1783.In 1784, local court and government

sessions were held at a residence near whatis now Cameron. Those sessions weremoved to another residence, this one nearUnion Church, later that year.The home of Richardson Fagin became

the court and governmentmeeting place in1785. In gratitude for Fagin’s generosity,the town changed its name to Fagansville in1806. The namewas changed back toCarthage in 1818, the reason not clear.By any name, the town had become the

official county seat by then.Today, county government sprawls

throughout the town, from the historiccourthouse in downtown to the outskirts.The tax department, administration,

county attorney and personnel staff areamong the offices that are still housed inthe old courthouse.

Court sessions are held in another largebuilding across the street. To differentiatetheir functions, the newer building, datingto the late 1970s, is called the CourtsFacility.Across the street in another direction is

the Register of Deeds building, which, likethe courts, was once part of the historicbuilding.Clustered beyond these buildings are the

jail, themain county library, the CurrieBuilding housing emergency services and911 communications facilities, andbuildings for the finance office and thechild support enforcement program.Scattered elsewhere downtown are officesfor the district attorney and parole/probation services, including a separatefacility for the Day Reporting Center.Farther downMonroe Street is a building

housing such agencies asMoore CountyTransportation Services and the VeteransService office.The visitormust travel about amile east

onMonroe Street to find the Department ofSocial Services, the planning, inspection

and environmental health offices. Theseoffices are in the Carriage Oaks complex, aformer shopping center.Another cluster of county buildings is

found in theMoore County Office Park onPinehurst Avenue. Here the visitor findsboth the health department and the agricul-tural center. It’s also the location of thecounty garage, automotive fleet, propertymanagement, storage and related facilities.Across the street is the home of the

Moore County Board of Elections.For some county services, the visitor

does not need to travel into downtownCarthage.OnU.S. 15-501 in theHillcrest

community is yet another grouping ofcounty buildings. Fronting the highway isthe public works building, including officesfor public utilities. At the rear of thatbuilding is the animal shelter, also the sitefor animal control.Nearby onU.S. 15-501 is theMoore

County Schools headquarters complex.The only large county facility not found

in Carthage is the Senior EnrichmentCenter on U.S. 15-501 south of Eastwoodand north of the Pinehurst Traffic Circle.This building houses the department ofaging.County seat status is amixed blessing. All

these government buildings are an impres-sive presence in a small town, but they alsorepresent a loss of property tax revenue tothe town. However, income generated byhundreds of county employees and thou-sands of visitors coming to town to transactbusiness compensates for some of that loss.They buy lunches at local restaurants, buygas at local stations, pick up items at thedrugstore, variety store and supermarket.Many of those employees live in

Carthage, and they pay taxes.One certainty is growth. The U.S. Census

Bureau estimated the town’s population at2,070 in 2009, up from 1,871 in 2000 andmore than double the 976 figure of 1990.Visitors come because Carthage is the

county seat. Many stay because it’s a niceplace to live andwork.

Contact Florence Gilkeson [email protected].

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The historic courthouse is located in the center of downtown Carthage.


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FROM FAGANSVILLE TO CARTHAGE

The History of a Small Southern TownDuring the early period of North

Carolina’s history, the land uponwhich Carthage now stands came

under the administration of severalprecincts or counties.Bladen County was formed in 1734, fromNewHanover. It was while a part of Bladenthat the presentMoore County area firstbegan to be settled, althoughmost of thisactivity was in the north along Deep River.In 1754, the land where Carthage nowstands became Cumberland County.Thanks in part to an influx of settlers fromScotland and to the growth of the settle-ments along Deep River, what is nowMoore began to be populated.On July 4, 1784, old Cumberland was cutin half andMoore County was created.After a year or so, a county seat wasestablished on land owned by RichardsonFagin. It was called Fagansville. By theearly 1790s, the courthouse site wasproving to be inconvenient.In 1796, MalcolmMcNeill, MalcomMunroe, ThomasMcReynolds, Cornelius

Dowd andWilliamMartin were appointedcommissioners to “lay off 69 acres, to beestablished into a town by the name ofCarthage.”It was not until 1803 that theMooreofficials finally beganmeeting at Carthage,thanks to a directive from the GeneralAssembly insisting theMoore officialscarry into effect the act passed in 1796.The town of Carthage changed its nameto Fagansville in 1806. It was named inhonor of Richardson Fagin, perhaps as areward for letting the county seat bemoved from his house to another tract ofland he donated to the county.In 1818, at the instigation of thelegislature, the name reverted fromFagansville back to Carthage. The exactreason for the change is unknown, but thetown has been called Carthage ever since.

Presidential CitizenIn 1818, Carthage emerged into a periodwhenmost of the inhabitants of NorthCarolina were content with the status quo.

There was little growth. Those looking forchange chose tomigrate to the westernfrontier.One prominent individual who calledMoore County home before heading west togain fame and fortune was a young tailor’sapprentice named Andrew Johnson. In1824, Johnson arrived in Carthage afterrunning away from hismaster in Raleigh.He rented a small building andwent intothe tailoring business.Ms.Meade Seawell noted that Johnson“brought practically nothing with him but apenetrating wit, a steady hand, andmorethan amodicum of expertise in tailoringmen’s suits. …Hemade suits formanyprominentmen of the area, including Ken-nethMurchison and Cornelius P. Dowd.”Johnson did not remain long in Carthage.He soon packed up his belongings andmoved to South Carolina. His travels wouldtake himwest, to Tennessee, and eventuallyto theWhite House, where he served aspresident of the United States from 1865-1869.

On February 2, 1925, the people ofCarthage erected a granitemarkercommemorating the sojourn of thisrunaway apprentice tailor.

Tackling TransportationBetween 1828 and 1837, several railroadswere projected to be built, but were neverrealized due to the Panic of 1837. This fail-ure of the railroad projects was fortunatefor Carthage, at least from a commercialperspective, because all of the routeschosen for the rail lines from Fayettevillewest lay across southernMoore County.Thus the overland commerce of the daycontinued to be carried out over the roadswhich differed little from those glorifiedtrails of the RevolutionaryWar era. InJanuary 1849, the Fayetteville andWesternPlank Road companywas chartered toconstruct a plank road from Fayetteville toSalisbury.Built of wood, plank roads were a new

see HISTORY, page 7


M O O R E C O U N T Y V E T E R A N S M E M O R I A L

Everyone is invited to attend and help us honor and remember our Moore County VeteransSaturday, November 13, 2010 • 10 A.M.

Carriage Oaks Plaza • Carthageat the intersection of Hwy 24/27 and 15/501. Refreshments will be served.

Groundbreaking ceremony of the Moore County Veterans Memorial September 26th, 2005Over 7200 names have been added

Each Generation Serves in a Different Way!

form of roading building that had beendeveloped in Canada and Russia to providea good road surface across difficult terrain.Work on the plank road was slow at first.

The first 12.8 mile section of the road fromFayetteville toManchester was opened totravel and ready for toll by April 1850.The next section of road, from Little

River to Carthage, opened by the first ofSeptember. Col. AlexanderMurchison wasthe contractor for the road from presentHarnett County to Carthage. The total costfor constructing the road betweenFayetteville and Carthage was $61,677.15.At intervals of 10 to 12miles, toll houses

were constructed to collect fees due fromtravelers upon this private road. A tollhouse in Carthage, built for $300 on landobtained fromDr. S.C. Bruce, was con-structed early in 1851. Haywood L.Musewas listed as the first toll collector, and forhis service he received $150 per annum.Wagons full of products from farms

rolled through Carthage on their way tomarket in Fayetteville, bringing everyconceivable farm commodity, from applesand wheat to tobacco.Awell-traveled thoroughfare, the Plank

Road reached its peak usage in 1854-55.

Reports for the total amount of tollscollected reached a peak in 1854 when$26,796.73 was taken in. Toll rates were onecent amile for horseback riders, one and ahalf cents permile for one-horse wagons,two cents amile for a two-horse team, twoand a half cents for a three-horse team, andthree cents for a four-horse team.In a state of ruin with no prospects of

repair in a war-ravaged South, the PlankRoad ceased to exist, though its practicalroute first surveyed by the Rev. ElishaMitchell is still in use inmany spots in thepresent day. In Carthage, an officialhistorical marker onMonroe Street stands,commemorating this wooden highwaywhichmeant somuch to the town’s life andearly prosperity.

War and AftermathThe town of Carthage saw nomajor

action during the costliest war in thenation’s history. While no great battles werefought in its environs, as an establishedcounty seat, Carthage was the rendezvouspoint for those units fromMoore Countymustered for service in the ConfederateArmy.The war years were extremely difficult.

Merchants in Carthage were forced toremain closedmost of the time becausethey had nomerchandise to sell except onrare occasions.The lack ofmoneywas themain problem

confronting the populace following theconclusion of theWar Between the Statesin the spring of 1865, because theConfederate currency was worthless.The industrious citizens of Carthage

began to once again see a return of itscommercial enterprises. Commodities oncecut off by the war and blockade werebecoming available and themerchantswere able to stock their stores and open forbusiness. The first store to reopen inMooreCounty was Carthage’s Tyson andMcNeill.

New GovernmentOnMay 3, 1875, an election was held in

the courthouse of Carthage at the behest ofthe legislature, which had decreed that thetown adopt a new system of local govern-ment. This election was not only significantfor the fact that amayor and board ofcommissioners were chosen, but alsobecause the actions of those assembled arethe first recorded records in theminutesfor the town board.Chosen as Carthage’s first mayor was

A.M.D.Williamson. The first town commis-sioners were A.W. Campbell, C.E. Jones,E.P. Sikes and A.H.McNeill. Themayor andcommissioners adopted a set of rules bywhich to run the town, the “Code of Lawand Regulations for the Town of Carthage.”

A Tale of CourthousesIn 1814, the courthouse wasmoved to the

present location of the historic courthouseat the intersection of themain avenue ofCarthage. Carthage sits on a highcommanding ridge, and the courthouse sitemarks the highest elevation in that part ofthe county.The 1814 courthouse wasmade of wood

andwas called The RedHouse. In 1837, thefloor of The RedHouse collapsed and athird courthouse had to be built.The new courthouse wasmade of brick.

In 1889, it burned, destroyingmanyvaluable papers and documentation of thecounty’s early history. Within a year, thefourth courthouse, also of brick, was built.The fourth courthouse was replaced in 1922with the large building in the center oftown that stands today, referred to as thehistoric courthouse.Moore County’s sixth county courthouse

and government building was erectedacross the street, leaving the historiccourthouse standing in themiddle of thecircle. Today, both the fifth and sixthcourthouses serve as government officesand court facilities.

This history is adapted from “AHistoryof Carthage 1976-1996,” written by JohnHairr. The book was a project of the 1996Carthage bicentennial celebration andwasthe product of the hard work of numerouspeople, including the Town of CarthageHistorical Committee, town staff and theauthor.

HistoryFrom Page 6

BY JOHN CHAPPELLStaff Writer

The newest restaurant in Carthage is also amonu-ment to heroes. On a hilltop by the road leading outfromCourthouse Square toward Sanford is themostrecent PekingWok Chinese Restaurant. Its name isthe “Flying Tiger.”Its name honors Americans who fought side-by-side with the Chinese torepel the invasion andexpel the occupying armyof the Empire of Japan.“This PekingWokChinese restaurant honorswith the name FlyingTiger all those bravemenandwomenwho leavetheir homes for distantlands to help strangersfight their oppressors,”says owner Leon Zhang.“It is dedicated to all thepast, present and future‘Flying Tigers’ — bywhich Imean not onlythose who blazed a path ofglory in the China skies inWorldWar II, but theirpredecessors like theWorldWar I pilots of theLafayette Escadrille andall who followed in theirwake.”Zhang grew up inHunan Province. He andhis wifemoved to theUnited States and becamecitizens. They have twoboys. One is a student atThe O’Neal School, theother graduated there last year as valedictorian ofhis class and is a freshman atWashingtonUniversity in St. Louis.Flying Tigers are as famous across China as anysuperhero here. Their exploits are the stuff of leg-end, and they are honored as examples of bravemenwho from the beginning of America have notalways waited for their country to enter a war for-mally to fight for causes they supported.“In China, it was one group of Americans, theFlying Tigers— the American Volunteer Group(AVG)— that gained themost fame and notoriety inthe early days of the war against fascism,” Zhangsays. “China asked U.S. ArmyAir Corps veteranClaire Chennault to train pilots, and later to organizeand lead the Flying Tigers.”Zhang has decorated his Carthage restaurant tomatch its name. Large photographs of Chennault, ofP-40 fighter planes both in the air and on the ground— each distinguished by the toothy shark’s mouthpainted on its engine cowling and theWalt Disney

winged tiger on the fuselage.Framed advertisements from theWorldWar IIperiod use images of Flying Tiger pilots sharingCokes with Chinese soldiers. Others pay tribute toChennault. Some frames hold ads formovies aboutthem. There are photos of Chennault and pilots plan-ning raids, one of him at his desk on base. Oneshows a Chinese veteran of that war embracing an

American Flying Tigercomrade from long agonear themuseum toChennault and the FlyingTigers in Pinehurst’s sis-ter city, Zhi Jiang.A huge, three-dimen-sioned panel models a keyscene from a historicChinese pictorial scroll. Abig flat-screen TV showsdocumentaries about theFlying Tigers. Long buffettables set out items fordiners.Other displays, some-times enlarged pagesfrom Lifemagazine, tellthe story of these famedfighters as recorded byhistory:When Japan invadedChina in 1937, and pushedthe government to thewestern city of Kunming,it left only a twisting paththrough themountains ofnorthern Burma, knownas the BurmaRoad, as thesole supply route forChina’s defenders.President Franklin

Delano Roosevelt wanted to help China, believing ithad the potential to become a great democracy. Heused the Lend-Lease program tomake Curtiss P-40Tomahawks available. These were powerful, low-altitude fighters that could drive straight at thelighter enemy aircraft. FDR’s government lookedthe other way as AVG recruiters canvassed U.S.military bases looking for pilots and ground person-nel who were released to sign up.During the summer of 1941, 300men boardedboats for Asia posing as tourists. They carried pass-ports identifying them as teachers, but it was Japantheymeant to teach a lesson. A lot of them certainlylooked the part of the sort of undisciplined band ofadventurers, barnstormers andmercenariesChennault was afraid his project would attract.Some told lies about their flying, claiming pursuitexperience when they had only flown bombers andsometimes evenmuch less powerful airplanes.

PAGE 8 THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010

Local Restaurant HonorsFlying Tigers Heroes

see FLYING TIGERS, page 9


If you’re in Carthage and you’re hungry, it’s no one’s fault butyour own.From hamburgers, barbecue and pizza to jumbo pancakes andfresh-roasted coffee, a number of restaurants and eateries call thecounty seat home. Although themenus vary from place to place,they all have a few things in common—good food, friendly serviceand a feeling of hometown pride.Some of the choices Carthage has to offer include:

MMrr.. BB’’ss, 105 Monroe St. — Conveniently located across from thenew courthouse, Mr. B’s serves fresh, made-to-order sub and delisandwiches, salads and soups. Daily specials are a popular item,says owner Wiley Bunce, who opened Mr. B’s in 1993. The specialsare served on either grilled sourdough or pita and come with side ofsoup, salad or homemade pasta salad and tea for $5.50. Add an OtisSpunkmeyer cookie for only 25¢ more.Catering with custom menus also is available. Mr. B’s is openMonday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

TThhee CChhuucckk WWaaggoonn, 306 Monroe St. — Called Ronnie’s by localssince Ronnie Gray opened the former Wagon Wheel in 1972, TheChuck Wagon is a take-out joint where customers walk up andorder. A former carpenter, Gray decided he would try selling hotdogs. That was 27 years ago and things have worked out well.The hot dogs are served all the way with mustard, ketchup, home-made slaw, chili and onions and continue to be a very popular item.The Chuck Wagon also serves burgers, barbecue, fish and chick-en sandwiches, chicken tenders, fries and onion rings. And, don’tforget the milkshakes. Gray says, “We sell a lot of milkshakes.”The Chuck Wagon is open 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday throughThursday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturday.

TThhee CCooffffeeee CCoouurrtt, 105 H. McReynolds St. — Whether you want tosurf the Internet while drinking a cup of coffee, grab a quick sandwich or enjoy a leisurely meal, The Coffee Court offers plentyof options. With 65 different coffee flavors available, including pep-permint, chocolate and coconut, The Coffee Court can provide apleasing jolt to your day.Owner Sue Coble has been serving daily specials such as taco salads, burgers, and tuna, chicken or club sandwiches to locals andtourists alike for nearly five years. Breakfast is also a big hit.The Coffee Court is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday throughFriday and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

TThhee PPiikk NN PPiigg, 195 Gilliam McConnell Road — Voted as MooreCounty’s best barbecue for the last three years, The Pik N Pig hasestablished itself as one fine barbecue restaurant. Owned by JanieSheppard and her son, Ashley, The Pik N Pig’s pulled pork barbe-cue, smoked onsite over a hickory fire, attracts customers fromacross the county, the state and even the country.Two sauces — sweet and spicy — are available, as are lots ofcountry-style vegetables, including potato salad, cole slaw, bakedbeans, green beans, butter beans and corn, pinto beans and mashedsweet potatoes. Then there are the homemade desserts. We’d tellyou about those, but then we’d have to share.The Pik N Pig is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday throughSaturday and 12 to 3 p.m. Sunday.

see EATING, page 10

JOHN CHAPPELL/The Pilot

Leon Zhang stands beside the sign for hisFlying Tiger restaurant in Carthage.

Eating PlacesAbound in Carthage


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Some joined to gain combat flying experi-ence, others for the adventure. The salarylured some. Theyweremercenaries, gam-blers, idealists, bar brawlers and adventur-ers. However, andmuchmore importantly,thesemen of the AVG— these FlyingTigers—were patriots, knights errant of amodern age.Pages of Lifemagazine framed at the end

of the buffet tell their story in pictures thatlook back across the years from their basesin China and Burma. At an English airfieldin Rangoon, these volunteers began whatChennault called “kindergarten”— basical-ly learning to fly fast, single-engine fight-ers.Classes taught Asian geography, the his-

tory of Japanese-Chinese relations, and pur-suit flight tactics adapted to the P-40 sup-plemented flight training. Then theJapanese attacked Pearl Harbor inDecember, leaving the small Americangroupwith few supplies and little hope ofreinforcement.Starting with 43 serviceable P-40B fight-

ers and 84 formermilitary pilots, their firstcombat was on Dec. 20, 1941. They adoptedshark’s teeth from amagazine photographof English P-40s in North Africa as their

squadron symbol, and painted it on all theAVG planes. Themen didn’t know thatWaltDisney had already drawn awinged tigeremblem for them—but when it arrived,they wore it also with pride, along with theshark’s teeth.The name Flying Tigers came from news

reports of the group’s exploits: The AVGwas flashy, informal and very effective.FromDec. 1941 to July 1942, Flying TigerP-40s destroyed 296 Japanese aircraft inChina and Burma.Chennault’s volunteers were disbanded

after U.S. ArmyAir Forces arrived in July1942. A few joined him in a regular armyunit called the China Air Task Force. ByMarch 1943, his Task Force had become thekernel of America’s new 14th Air Force.Theywere still called Flying Tigers.All supplies andmaterial for their bases

in China had to be flown over “theHump,”a dangerous 500-mile air route from Indiato China over theHimalayas. Despite sup-ply problems, the 14th Air Force grew fromfewer than 200 aircraft tomore than 700planes by the end of the war.American airmen in China destroyed and

damagedmore than 4,000 Japanese air-craft. They sankmore than amillion tons ofships and destroyed hundreds of locomo-tives, trucks and bridges while helping todefeat Imperial Japan in China.The story of one Flying Tiger in particu-

lar inspired PekingWok’s choice of namefor its new Carthage restaurant. On

October 6, 1944, a P-40Bwas shot downnear Guidong. A Chinese rescue teamrushed 40miles overmountainous terrainto reach the spot only to find the plane inpieces and its pilot dead.They covered the pilot’s

dead bodywith a hero’s tra-ditional red silk cloth. Theybore his body to the countytownship. After amourningceremony to commemoratetheir unknown hero, theyburied his body near aMingDynasty tower. A sign withthe words “American Pilot”was set up.Every April on Tomb

Sweeping Day— for 63years— the people ofGuidong brought flowers tohonor their unknown FlyingTiger. In 2005, DNA identi-fied remains taken from thatburial site as those of 2nd Lt.Robert Hoyle Upchurch ofHigh Falls, N.C. Hewasbrought back and reburiedthere in the family plot.Zhang accompanied state

Sen. Harris Blake as part of a NorthCarolina delegation to Guidong in April2007. They joined Upchurch familymem-bers at ceremonies dedicating amonumentto Upchurch in Guidong at the spot onSantaiMountain where he’d first been laid

to rest.Its inscription says, in part:In themiddle of the 20th century, the

Chinese and American peoples foughtshoulder to shoulder against Fascism and

for world justice. In thecourse of it, profoundfriendship was developed.Robert Hoyle Upchurchgave his life for the cause ofthe liberation of the Chinesepeople, and died for the OuRiver and the highmoun-tains of Guidong. His loyal-ty and noble spirit willremain in the world forever.When Zhang returned to

Moore County and beganplanning his new PekingWok, he thought ofUpchurch and all the otherswho’d sacrificed somuchfor the liberty of his nativeland. He decided to honorthem all by naming the newCarthage restaurant afterhis heroes.“Welcome to the Flying

Tiger,” he now says, greet-ing patrons at the lobby entrance beneath ahuge, smiling photo of Upchurch in battledress, machine gun on his shoulder.

Contact John Chappell [email protected].

Flying TigersFrom Page 8

JOHN CHAPPELL/The Pilot

One of the many photoson display is of Flying TigerLewis Burwell, of Pinehurst,with his sabre-toothed P-40 fighter.


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BY JOHN HAIRRSpecial to The Pilot

There is no record to verify whythe town of Carthagewas so named.Most Southerners of that era

received their education from theclassics of the ancient Greeks andRomans, so it is nowonder to find somany towns and cities throughout theSouthwith names from the ancientworld, e.g., Rome, Sparta, Athens,Corinth, Carthage and so forth.There are some bits of folklore

which have cropped up in the past200 years to try to explain thenaming of the town.Ms.Meade Seawell oncewrote that

it was a popular belief that the namehad to dowith the steep climb up theold trails into the town. It remindedmanywhomade the trip of the storyabout the famous episode ofHannibal crossing the Alps, hencethey named it for this hometown.Meanwhile,Ms. Seawell’s brother,

H.F. “Chub” Seawell Jr., put forth adifferent view.“…WhenGeorgeWashington told

his first cousin Dr. Glascock, wholived at CrossHill, that he had ashard a time finding it asHannibal

had getting to Carthage, thishistorical lie got into circulation andCarthage, North Carolina, was born.”Though these are colorful and

amusing anecdotes, there is no hardevidence to back up either claim.Thus, the actual reason behind thenaming of Carthagewill remain amystery.Regardless of how the name

Carthage came to be given to a towninNorth Carolina, this young “NewCity” had its name changed toFagansville in 1806. It was so namedin honor of Richardson Fagin.Perhaps it was a reward for lettingthe county seat bemoved from hishouse to another tract of land hedonated to the county.In 1818, at the instigation of the

legislature, the name reverted fromFagansville back to Carthage. Theexact reason for the change isunknown, but the town has beencalled Carthage ever since.

This excerpt is from “AHistory ofCarthage 1976-1996,” written by JohnHairr. The bookwas a project of the1996 Carthage bicentennialcelebration.

What’s In a Name?CChhrriiss’’ FFaammiillyy RReessttaauurraanntt, 1005 Monroe St. —

If you’re looking for a good Southern family-style restaurant, Chris Allred and wife, Michelle,invite you to stop by. “You will really enjoy thefood,” says Chris, who has been serving a littlebit of everything at Chris’ for six years. This little bit of everything includes hand-cut steaks,homemade barbecue, fish, chicken, homemadebiscuits, red eye gravy and so much more.Great food, great prices and friendly service

from a staff that knows their customers byname — that’s what Chris’ is all about.Business hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday

and Wednesday, and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday,Friday and Saturday.

CCoouunnttrryy KKiittcchheenn HHoouussee ooff PPaannccaakkeess, 3773 U.S.15-501 — Although Pat Nilcendeau only openedhis Country Kitchen House of Pancakes a yearand a half ago, his restaurant has become well-known for its breakfast and lunch meals. First,there are the jumbo pancakes available in alarge selection of flavors, ranging from blueberry, apple, cranberry and banana tobacon, sausage, cheese and more.Lunch selections include burgers, sandwiches,

such as chicken salad, meatloaf, country friedsteak, pot roast and homemade fries.Country Kitchen House of Pancakes is open

from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturdayand from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

SStteevvee’’ss FFaammoouuss HHoott SSuubbss aanndd PPiizzzzaa, 506Monroe St. — If the name of the business refersto sub sandwiches and pizza and locals tell youto be sure and try the burgers, you gotta knowthe subs and pizzas are off the hook, too. AtSteve’s, they all are. For five years, owner Vivihas been making everything work, from the popular Philly cheesesteak sub and wings to thespaghetti and pizza. Steve’s even makes theirown fresh dough for the pizza.Steve’s is open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday

through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fridayand 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

TThhee MMoooorree CCooffffeeee CCoo.., 201 S. McNeill St. —Julie Starling thinks she has the nicest coffeeshop in Moore County and she’s continuallyworking hard to prove to her customers that itis. This includes creating three specific coffeeblends roasted by a local roaster and servednowhere else in the world but at The MooreCoffee Co.These unique-tasting coffees include a smooth

espresso, a morning blend called “CarolinaMorning” that Starling describes as “amazing,”and “Tuscan Sunset,” which is a nice dark roast.For something a bit different, Starling

suggests the homemade hot chocolate, white hotchocolate or the frozen hot chocolate. Delicious.The Moore Coffee Co. is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.Saturday.

EatingFrom Page 8


Annual Buggy Festival Celebrates Town’s HistoryCONTRIBUTED

Started in 1988, the Carthage Buggy Festival is acelebration of the rich history of Carthage.The Buggy Festival is held each year to commemorate

the famous Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory that, fromthe mid-1800s to the 1920s, produced the carriages thatwere essential to life in rural North Carolina.With an annual attendance of 15,000, the Buggy

Festival has grown into one of the biggest and best-known festivals in the region. Over the years, the eventhas been selected as one of Southeast Tourism Society’sTop 20 events for the month of May.The 23rd annual Carthage Buggy Festival is scheduled

for Friday evening, May 6 and Saturday, May 7, 2011. Itpromises to be the biggest and best yet, organizers say.

Getting a Festival StartedThe Buggy Festival grew out

of a suggestion that Carthage,the county seat of Moore County,needed to stage an event thatwould draw attention to itshistory. Since the Tyson and JonesBuggy Factory had been one ofthe largest buggy manufacturersin the nation for more than half acentury, the focus on buggiesseemed natural.But you couldn’t have a buggy

festival without a buggy, so whereto find them became a burningquestion.A search began and soon samples

of those early modes of transportation were found andpurchased. Each festival since has seen more Tyson andJones buggies on hand for festival attendees to view, aswell as to ride.There is only one building remaining of the famed

factory that flourished in Carthage until after World WarI. A fire destroyed one building in 1905, and in 1976, thelargest fire in the town’s history claimed a small sectionof the remaining building.The Tyson and Jones Factory may have gone up in

smoke, but from the ashes, its memory has beenpreserved. Each year, the Carthage Buggy Festival is anevent people, not only fromMoore County, butsurrounding counties and even surrounding states, lookforward to with great anticipation.

A Fun Family FestivalThe festivities of the Carthage Buggy Festival begin

each year on the Friday before Mother’s Day at 6 p.m.with an Antique Fire Truck Display at Nancy Kiser Park.On Saturday, more than 125 food and craft vendorssurround the historic courthouse from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A stage is set up on thesteps of the courthouse, andis host to a variety ofentertainment, including

cloggers and bands playing gospel, countryand Southern rock music.In 2011, event organizers will be searching for the

“Ninth Carthage Buggy Festival Idol.” The competitionwill be held on Saturday during the Buggy Festival. Thewinners will receive $100.

Children’s rides and games are prominent, plentiful andalways provided free of charge.An impressive display of buggies and historic tractors

can be found, and one of the largest classic car shows inthe area also takes place. Buggy rides are offered alongresidential streets adjacent to the Buggy Festival.Ms. Buggy Festival is crowned on Saturday during the

festivities. Ms. Buggy Festival is nominated by thechildren at Carthage Elementary School. Children inkindergarten through fifth grade write letters about whytheir mom, grandmother, aunt, etc. should be Ms. BuggyFestival. There has even been a Mr. Buggy Festival.A winner and five runners-up are chosen and the

students read their nominating letters at the festival.Mr. and Mrs. Pinelake Nursing Home

and Mr. and Mrs. TaraPlantation retirement home arealso crowned.

Dedicated VolunteersMost impressive of all, the

Carthage Buggy Festival isplanned, publicized and staffedeach year by a group of morethan 50 dedicated volunteers,including local leaders, businesspeople and citizens.

The continued success of the annual festival isowed to this team of hard-working individuals,says TownManager Carol Sparks, who haschaired the festival for more than 10 years.Each year, the Buggy Festival Committee saves

only enough “seed money” to get next year’sfestival started. The balance of any money raisedgoes back into the community.To truly appreciate what the Buggy Festival

means to the community and to visitors, it has tobe seen first hand. Only then can you see the

historic buggies, classic cars and exquisite arts, craftsand antiques; hear the sounds of bands playing; smell thearomas from the food vendors; and experience the joyand pride of an entire community celebrating itsheritage.This is the essence of the Carthage Buggy Festival.For information about the Carthage Buggy Festival and

vendor application information, visit www.thebuggyfestival.com, em-ail [email protected] or call (910) 947-2331.

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The annual Buggy Festival isn’t the onlyevent celebrated by the folks of Carthage.Every year, the annual “world famous”

Carthage Christmas parade is held onthe first Tuesday of December. Thisyear, it is scheduled for Dec. 7.Hundreds of spectators line the

streets of downtown Carthage to watchas the parade passes by.Sponsored by the Town of Carthage,

the parade begins immediately aftertheMoore County Christmas treelighting at the old historic courthouse.The tree lighting begins at 6 p.m.The parade features commercial and

homemade floats as well as churchgroups, civic organizations and others.Girl Scout and Boy Scout troopsparticipate in the parade, as do themarching bands fromUnion PinesHigh School and NewCenturyMiddle School.A number of local dignitaries, including

the town commissioners, MissMooreCounty and others, also are part of theannual parade.Horses and lots of firetrucks are

featured. And, much to the delight ofyoungsters in the crowd, themainmanhimself, Santa Claus, makes an appearance,riding on a float at the end of the parade.According to event organizers, the parade

starts at the Carriage Oaks ShoppingCenter, moves upMonroe Street, halfwayaround the circle at the courthouse andends at the corner ofMcReynolds and Raystreets.Formore information about the parade or

those interested in participating, contactthe town offices at (910) 947-2331 or [email protected].

Fourth of July ParadeFlags flying, crowds cheering, floats dec-

orated in red, white and blue streamers—is there anything quite as American as cele-

brating the Fourth of July in a small town?Sponsored by the Carthage Rotary Club,

the Carthage Fourth of July parade is theperfect patriotic example of a small townparade.Parade chairman Steve Ennis believes

strongly in the importance of theparade and the heartwarming effect it hason a community.“This isn’t just a parade for Carthage,”

says Ennis. “It’s a county thing. It’s ourcommunity andwewant to includeeverybody, to keep doing the good thingsthat everybody can enjoy.”The annual parade is held at 11 a.m. on

the Fourth of July, unless, Ennis says, if theFourth is on a Sunday, then it is held on the

Saturday prior.Large crowds turn out every year to

lineMonroe Street to take in the floats,antique and classic cars, firetrucksfrom departments throughout thecounty, tractors, horses, wagons andchildren on bicycles. Marching bandsfromUnion Pines High School and NewCenturyMiddle School always delightthe crowds.Local dignitaries and beauty queens

also participate in the parade.“It’s a lot of fun,” says Ennis.The parade is open to all veterans,

social, civic and religious groups wishingto participate.Commercial floats are available for

sponsorship by local businesses ororganizations.For information on or to participate in

the parade, contact Steve Ennis at (910)947-6555.

PAGE 12 THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010

Holidays Mean Parades in Carthage

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Riley Paving has four asphalt plants. They are located inCarthage, Liberty, Burlington and Star. Each location producesseveral different types of asphalt mixes as well as recycledmixes.

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SUNDAY,OCTOBER 24, 2010 THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. PAGE 13

Gilliam-McConnell Airfield: Not Your Average AirportBY JOHN CHAPPELL

Staff WriterThey swooped in lazily past the old courthouse as fog

thickened heading for a touchdown just beyond: a curi-ously ancient-looking aircraft obediently followed by aflock of Canada geese. All made a safe landing on RolandGilliam’s newly tarmacked runway.

“We had 37 international flights land at one time,”Gilliam says, thinking back to the day William Lishman,blocked by fog, made an unplanned landing at hisCarthage airfield. “He was heading for Bunny Wallace’sdown in Aberdeen, but the fog stopped him.”

Ever since the day that sculptor, with his adopted gag-gle of geese, flew south with them in an ultralight glider-like aircraft teaching them to migrate — and earningthereby the nickname “Father Goose” — Gilliam gained anickname of his own for the place.

“It’s been Gilliam-McConnell ‘International’ Airfieldever since,” he says with his frequent big grin.

Gilliam, a native Virginian who moved down to thecounty seat and made his living with his contracting andconstruction business, is a pilot. He needed a runway anda hangar, so he built them both. Then he went on to beginwhat must surely be one of the most unusual real estatedevelopments anywhere in the world.

His Carthage airfield is a place where homeownersbuild houses not with attached garages for their automo-biles, but attached hangars for their airplanes. It provedpopular. Field, driving range, runways and restaurant aresurrounded by a growing neighborhood of houses with

hangars — homes for private pilots, their families andtheir planes.

Gilliam-McConnell’s asphalt runway has welcomednearly every kind and type of small to medium flyingmachine, from restored relics to air-worthy replicas ofWorld War I combat aircraft to home-built planes assleek as anything with wings.

It is currently home to 22 aircraft, everything from sin-gle-engine and multi-engine planes to an ultralight likethe one Father Goose landed. Now Gilliam and his wife,Nancy, have gone themselves one better, opening an adja-cent section of land to RVers.

“Airport RV Park” caters to motor home campers andoffers 30 and 50 amp hookups, city water and sewer, and15 newly constructed campsites next to the airfield.

Gilliam thinks his location, a dozen miles from champi-onship golf on the courses of Pinehurst and nine milesfrom the Tuesday night gospel and bluegrass jams ofClyde Maness at Midway, is perfect for traveling touristswho bring their houses (and bathrooms) along with them.

They have a perfect view across the 36-foot-wide, 2,500-foot-long asphalt runway of one of the most popularrestaurants around. People fly in to land at Gilliam-McConnell and dine on barbecue and pulled pork at Pik NPig.

Gilliam’s airfield has every right to consider itselfaccustomed to strange sights — from pilots pulling up topicnic there to a great red hot air balloon that once lifteda pair of newlyweds aloft on a honeymoon flight.

The balloon trip was a surprise wedding gift for anewly married Ashley Sheppard — cook and partner inthe Pik N Pig — and his fiancée, Tiffani Thompson. Twoweeks after their marriage, she and her mother watchedher young husband disappear in the general direction ofRobbins as the huge, red teardrop lifted softly into a

see AIRFIELD, page 15


Richard Hester chats with Roland Gilliam at the Gilliam-McConnell Airfield in Carthage. In the background areHester’s hangar and 1943 PT-17 Stearman.


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Carthage, NC 28327910-947-6806

Fax: 910-947-6832

Matthew Rothbeind & Staff

BY JOHN CHAPPELLStaff Writer

A former horse farm where contendersfor the harness track once trained is hometo a European-styled playground. “LittleRiver Golf & Resort” is Oceanico’s firstresort in America.The company— founded by an

Englishman and an Irishman— developeda number of popular golf vacation spots inPortugal’s Algarve region. Owners SimonBurgess, fromManchester, England, andGerry Fagan, from Ireland, had createdhalf a dozen villa vacation communities(Amendoeira Golf Resort, Belmar Spa &Beach Resort, Baía da Luz, Estrela da Luz,Quinta doMonte Funchal and Jardim daMeia Praia) and seven golf courses in theAlgarve region of that country.Oceanico’s Algarve golf courses include

Oceanico Faldo Golf Course, OceanicoVictoria (host to the Portugal Masters2007–2010), Oceanico O’Connor Jnr.,Oceanico Old Course, Oceanico Pinhal,Oceanico Millennium and Oceanico

Laguna.Staking its first claim in the U.S.,

Oceanico Group USA purchased LittleRiver Golf & Resort in December 2007.Buying the 640-acre Little River property

in December 2007 from Little RiverPartners heralded their entry into the U.S.market, where the history and traditionsof Pinehurst-area golf attracted them.Oceanico has also launched a new range

of luxury properties at the Carthageresort available for outright purchase,including three- and four-bedroom,Southern-style cottages and two- andthree-bedroom condos.

Original DevelopmentThe municipality of Carthage was

instrumental in the transformation of therolling hills of Little River, from barn andpasture to clubhouse and links. Originally,the town bought the property and began todevelop it as a municipal golf course.They got renowned golf course architect

DanMaples to design its 18-hole course.Maples was born only a fewmiles fromthe waters of the Little River, and broughta dedication to this course that no otherarchitect could bring. Maples’ course waschosen by TheWashington Golf Monthlyas “A Best New Course for 1996.”The resort’s current owners describe his

see LITTLE RIVER, page 15

Oceanico’s Little River Brings Premier GolfAnd an International Flavor to Carthage


The clubhouse at Little River Golf & Resort in Carthage


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cloudless blue sky overCarthage.Every other Friday or so,

Apache helicopters rumbledown out of that same sky todeposit training soldiers at therunway’s far end. Theyscramble away into the trees,taking their first steps intowilderness as part of theArmy’s SERE (Survive,Evade, Resist, Escape) course,preparing these warriors todeal with possible capture.Gilliam’s field itself honors

a historic American, one ofthe world’s first fighter pilots.Gilliam-McConnell“International” Airfield isnamed not only for owner/builder/operator Gilliam—but also for military aviationpioneer James RogersMcConnell.McConnell was one of the

founding pilots of the famedLafayette Escadrille of WorldWar I — and the lastAmerican aviator to die in

The Great War before theUnited States entered theconflict. More than 1,000 peo-ple came to his funeral inCarthage, and the Republic ofFrance itself sent a bronzeplaque honoring the man who— first as an ambulancedriver awarded the Croixd’Guerre, then as a fighterpilot defending the republicagainst its invaders —distinguished himself by hisheroism.Soon that plaque will stand

in a special plot of groundbeside the runway. The townof Carthage recently approv-ed Gilliam’s proposal to moveit to the airfield. Gilliam willdeed the town a spot wherethe plaque, along with anEnglish translation and otherinformative displays aboutMcConnell, can be seen andappreciated by more people.It will be yet another reason

to come to Carthage, whetherthe visitors arrive by car,plane, helicopter, hot airballoon or flap in as a flock.


AirfieldFrom Page 13

achievement as both a gift to thegolf resort community where hegrew up and a challenging experi-ence for golfers everywhere.After establishing Little River

as a first-class golf course,Carthage sold it at a profit to theresort’s first developer/owners,who constructed the clubhouseand several units of course-sidecondominiums.Little River Partners subse-

quently bought Little River andcontinued its development,heralding plans for adjoiningresidential sections, an anchoringhotel, even a shopping center witha big outdoor theater andentertainment complex.Oceanico snapped it up in 2007.

Their first move was to work onmaking the 18-hole Maples-designed course even better.Using services provided by TroonGolf, they worked on a number ofimprovements to fairways andgreens. Troon departed in thelatter days of 2009, and Oceaniconowmanages its own resort.

Premier Golf Resort“Little River is one of the

Southern Pines-Pinehurst-Aberdeen area’s premier golfresorts,” the company says. “It isa Golf Digest award winner. LittleRiver has now become a legendamong world-class golf resorts.Sculptured from 450 acres ofrolling hills and featuring nearly200-foot elevation changes, LittleRiver Golf & Resort’s courseoffers narrow rivers and thickforests.”Despite tougher economic times

for golf and recreation, generally,the company is optimistic aboutits Carthage operation. LittleRiver is rated 4 ½ stars in the“Golf Digest Best Places to Play”rankings and listed in NorthCarolina’s Top 100 golf courses.Next year’s season will see LittleRiver as host of the 2011 U.S. KidsGolf World Championship.Things are going well, better

than ever, as far as golf at LittleRiver is concerned, golf directorMarvin Waters said last spring.“We had the busiest April we’ve

ever had, and we are expectingthe busiest May we’ve ever had,”Waters said. “The golf course is inthe best shape it’s been in over the

five years I’ve been here. It isalmost perfect. I was confidentfive years ago when I moved herefrom Florida. Nothing I see on adaily basis makes me anythingbut more confident we aremoving in the right direction.”The resort’s 450 acres of

gracefully rolling hills produce200-foot changes in elevationabove its lazily winding riverframed by thick forests of pineand hardwoods. In the diningroom, food and beverage ismanaged by Sheldon Rooney,formerly of the Carolina Hotel atPinehurst.The question onMooney’s mind

these days is the best way to bringa European flair tableside at LittleRiver — now that it is theAmerican centerpiece ofOceanico Group’s family of golfresorts.Little River’s international

flavor is expected to grow as itsnew owners follow through onannounced plans for hotel andfractionally owned vacationhomes. Little River now belongsto a group with Old World roots.


Little RiverFrom Page 14

THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. SUNDAY,OCTOBER 24, 2010

The Carthage Museum Is a Rich Source of History

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“A lot of museums are about things, oldthis or old that— but we’re about thehistory of the town, its people and itsbusinesses,” says Bert Patrick, amemberof the CarthageHistoric Committee, whichruns the CarthageMuseum.Visitors to themuseum have theopportunity to learnmore about the historyof Carthage, its people and its buggies.Located on Rockingham Street in thecorner of NancyKiser Park, the CarthageMuseum is filled with historic artifacts,photographs and information aboutCarthage, its schools, businesses both pastand present, historic homes, agricultureandmuchmore.One room in themuseum is dedicated tothe Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory andincludes several Tyson and Jones buggies.The war room is dedicated to veteransfromCarthage. The display includesuniformsworn by these veterans inmilitary service duringWorldWar I, WorldWar II and in Vietnam.“We have some neat stuff in here, such asan original engraving byGilbert Stuart ofGeorgeWashington and his generals, whichhas been authenticated,” says Patrick. “But

we’re a little different from othermuseumsbecause it’s about the people. Wewant tokeep history alive for the next generationand to preserve amemory of the people ofCarthage and those who have visited here.”An entire area of themuseum isdedicated to one of Carthage’s favoritesons, JamesMcConnell, a fighter pilot andan original member of the LafayetteEscadrille.Patrick says there have been quite anumber of famous people who have visitedthe community in northwestMoore County,including the father of our country, GeorgeWashington. According to Patrick,Washington came to the area to visit hiscousins, the Glascocks.Eleanor Roosevelt came to Carthage todedicate the Carthage Community Center,or the RockHouse as it is known to locals.There is a photograph capturing themoment on display in themuseum.In addition to the Tyson and Jones BuggyFactory room, the CarthageMuseumexhibits a variety of samples of textilesfromCarthage Fabrics Corp. (Carfab), aCarthage fabricmanufacturer thatoperated in Carthage from 1950 to 2008.

FILE PHOTO

It is believed that this photo of the Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory complex, madecirca 1915, was taken from atop the old red brick Moore County courthouse. Thebrick building in the foreground on the right side is still in use.see MUSEUM, page 17

ThegrowthofCarthagefromthe1850s to1929was due in large part to the successfulbuggy industry.In 1850, Carthage merchant Thomas

BethuneTyson (1850-1893) bought an exist-ingwagon/wheelwright repair show ownedby Isaac Seawell and his two sons.In 1856, Thomas B.

Tyson and landownerAlexander Kellyformed a partnershipto run the wheelwrightbusiness and decided tobuild carriages. Thefirm was known asTyson and Kelly. A yearlater, Tyson hiredWilliamT.Jonesasacar-riage painter and shopsupervisor. Jones provedhis worth as the enter-prise expanded and, in1859, it was renamedTyson, Kelly andCompany (1859-1873) withJones joining as a partner.The popularity of the automobile led to thedemise of the Tyson and Jones BuggyCompany in 1925.Following the death of Thomas B. Tyson

II in 1924, Moore County residents HenryPage Jr. and JohnMcQueen purchased thebuggy works with a view to convert it intomaking truck bodies in addition to car-riages. Then, in 1925, they diversified theoperations into the manufacture of furni-

ture.The last buggywas delivered in1925 to Neil S.Blue of Raeford.Before itsdemise, thecompany wasone of the mostwell-known inthe UnitedStates.The Tysonand JonesBuggy Com-pany earned areputat ionfor produc-ing the

“Cadillac of carriages.”In the early 1890s, the plant consisted of

“four roughly constructed and unpaintedbuildings. Included were the long, two-story ‘mill’ building containing most of the

machinery, the blacksmith shop, the two-story building housing the trimming shopand crating and shipping room, and theunsteady three-story structure containingthe paint shop and story area (it was thetallest building in Moore County at thetime). The two-story residence of Joneswas situated on the same lot as the factory,as was the two-room cottage which servedas the company office and grocery story.”New renovations that year included a

paint shop to replace the precarious three-story building and a new smith shop. Awooden water tank was erected to supplywater to the shops and to furnish a degreeof protection against fire. The companyclosed out the century with the construc-tion of the three-story brick building.The Tyson and Jones Buggy Company

reached its pinnacle of successwhen, at theCotton States Exposition in Atlanta, it wasawarded the gold medal. The accompany-ing citation read, “For an exhibit of car-riages and other vehicles meritorious forexcellence of manufacture and beauty offinish.”The enterprise remained the largest fac-

tory in Carthage well into the 20th century.At its peak in 1890, the factory producedabout 3,000 vehicles per year.


Buggies Bring Carthage Success, AcclaimIn addition to a special tapestry depicting

the St. Andrews golf course, which wasdesigned andwoven for themuseum, all ofthe drapes in themuseumwere created byCarfab.Another display features a table set with

dinnerware and utensils from an oldCarthage hotel.“We are always changing and adding new

things at themuseum,” says Patrick. “Weask new businesses in town to donatepictures and information so we can keep anongoing record of the community.”This ongoing record is important, Patrick

says, because themuseum getsmanyvisitors who drop by to do research aboutthe town and its businesses. The CarthageMuseum also is a resource for the citycouncil. Patrick says the CarthageHistoricCommittee, which runs themuseum, oftenconsults with the city council on historicissues in Carthage.For information about the Carthage

Museum, call (910) 639-2394.Regular hours for themuseum are 2 to 5

p.m. every Sunday.

ContactMartha J. Henderson by e-mail [email protected].

MuseumFrom Page 16


A Tyson and Jones buggy is ondisplay

during a recent Carthage Buggy Festi

val.


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NNeeww VViissiioonn:: Old Factory Is Seeing Signs of RenewalBY JOHN CHAPPELL

Staff WriterA textile plant that once provided a

living for many in the Carthage areaclosed in 2008, after nearly 60 years ofoperation; 65 employees lost their jobs.Now, the old Carthage Fabrics building

is seeing another life, hatching out onenew business after another.Owner John O’Malley calls it an

“incubator for start-up businesses.”His first tenant was Connectinc, a

nonprofit that was the brainchild of Dr.David Bruton when he was secretary ofthe N.C. Department of Health andHuman Services.At the time he bought the place,

O’Malley teamed with Bruton to bring inan organization that itself helps connectpeople with jobs.“Our nonprofit, Connectinc, will be the

first tenant in the new Carthage Fabricsplant,” Bruton told the town board lastspring.“Our idea is that the best welfare

program is a job. We do old-fashionedsocial work using modern technology.”Bruton and O’Malley joined Ray

Ogden, executive director of Moore

County Partners in Progress, in anappearance before the Carthage towncommissioners to give them a forecastof what is now coming into bloom.Ogden has worked with O‘Malley

before on other projects that broughtclosed production centers back to life.This one has already brought some 30new jobs to Carthage.Connectinc thinks of itself as a sort of

“benefit bank” for North Carolina thatconnects low- and moderate-income families across the state with work support, Bruton told the board.“Instead of sending millions of dollars

to Wall Street crooks, we use telephone-based outreach to connect displacedworkers and other with local jobs, workforce development programs andother support,” he said. “Every year,there is a billion dollars in unclaimedsupport, mostly federal money, notclaimed in North Carolina. That’s a billion dollars left on the table.”Since its inception, the organization

has helped to generate more than $235million in paychecks for its clients over11 years of operation, Bruton said.He helped organize Connectinc when

he was secretary of the Department ofHealth and Human Services for thestate. Now it has a new call center,offices and a training facility inCarthage.Busy workers at computer terminals

have replaced looms on the old factoryfloor.That floor has a fresh coat of paint,

and the enormous cavity of the bigbuilding has undergone a thoroughsprucing up.John Benton, director of the Moore

County Department of Social Services(DSS), helped Connectinc with electronic data management like thekind he had already introduced at thecounty DSS office.Carthage has applied to the N.C. Rural

Center for a Building Reuse andRestoration Grant aimed at reclaimingclosed factories like the one in Carthage.That grant could provide $10,000 peremployee (a total of $240,000 to beginwith) applied to half the cost of refittingthe factory.Ogden said Partners in Progress would

take care of that and administer thegrant on behalf of the town.

O’Malley likes to think of his buildingsas places that hatch jobs, just like one inPinebluff where newly hired people arebusily turning out parachutes for military uses. That’s happening in an oldcurtain factory in Pinebluff, which isnow occupied by Ballistic RecoverySystems and used for their parachuteproduction.“This is not his first building,” Ogden

said. “Give him a chance, and he willhave that building filled up with peopleworking. Get to know him a little bit;you are going to see a lot of him.”Ogden’s prediction proved accurate;

any visitor to the employee parking lotthere on a given workday will find itcrowded with workers’ cars.The 143,000 square feet of the old

Carthage Fabrics plant is alreadyparceled out in apartments forConnectinc, Ingersoll-Rand, PlannedParenthood and others — a sign thateven jobs can, like the fabled phoenix,sometimes rise from the ashes.At least in Carthage, they can.

Contact John Chappell at [email protected].


Collection Shares History of Carthage Fabrics Corp.BY MARTHA J. HENDERSON

Special Sections EditorFrom its opening in 1950 to when it

closed its doors in 2008, Carthage FabricsCorp., or Carfab, as it was known tolocals, played a vital role in the history ofCarthage.Earlier this year, the Carthage Museum

acquired a collection of photographs,memorabilia and equipment thatdemonstrates how far-reaching the textilemill’s role was in the lives of the residentsof Carthage.The collection, which was first

displayed for public viewing during theCarthage Buggy Festival in May, includestwo pattern punch machines, swatches ofmaterial that show off the patternscreated by the textile mill and lots ofphotographs.According to Charles Prevost, a

volunteer with the Carthage HistoricalCommittee, the collection is veryextensive, including everything fromcompany newsletters down to the signsfrom the business.In addition, Prevost says, there are a

number of trophies won by the ball teamsthat Carfab sponsored over the years, aswell as photographs of many of the

teams.“There are even jerseys from the ball

teams that are around 30 years old,”Prevost says.

Carfab’s HistoryIncluded in the collection is a brief

history of Carthage Fabrics Corp. typed

on a page of company letterhead. It reads:“In 1949, the Carthage Jaycees were

instrumental in getting Messrs. HermanChopak, Reuben Kittenplan, AbbottLambert and Emanuel Sontag to come toCarthage. Carthage InvestmentCorporation was formed by citizens ofCarthage (to name a few — GeorgeCarter, Newlyn and T. Roy Phillips,Wilbur Currie, Fred Flinchum, CharlesSinclair Jr., Bill Sabiston [later attorneyfor Carthage Fabrics Corporations] andWilton Brown with Carolina Bank).“The Carolina Bank served as trustee of

the funds, all of which were repaid in ashort time.“They purchased 27 acres of land and

erected a 120,000-square-foot modernbuilding. Later, a 24,000-square-footwarehouse was added plus another20,000-square-foot warehouse.“Carthage Fabrics Corp., of which Mr.

Sontag was the first president, purchasedmachinery and equipment and beganoperations in 1950.“Later, Carthage Housing Corporation

was formed and 12 houses were erectedfor sale or rent to Carfab employees due

see COLLECTION, page 20

CONTRIBUTED

An aerial view of the Carthage Fabrics Corp. facility when it was in business


to the local housing shortage.“Naturally, in an old historical smalltown, there was some resistance to a newindustry because of fear of the unknown— type of personnel to be expected, etc.Even as late as 1954, there were a fewdiehards who refused to admit its value.In that year, a cash payroll was madeentirely of two-dollar bills. The responsewas overwhelming with many letters ofappreciation for the ‘new mill.’“Carthage Fabrics Corp. is not amongthe giants in textile business but managesto holds its own through diversification.Carfab can take an order, purchase theyarn and have the goods shipped beforethe big boys finish the initial paperwork.By the same token, a close-knit familyrelationship is possible between owners,management and employees.“Today, much of the equipment iscomputerized. At this time, a new loom ison trial which is capable of making cloth125-inches wide. At this time (April 1996),a new section is being added, which willhouse air conditioning for the entire plantat a cost of almost two million dollars.”Another page repeats this same historywith handwritten dates noted, “1949” is atthe top, “1996” is written just above thelast paragraph, and a simple “2008Closed” is written below the history.

“Carthage All Smiles”Also included in the collection is a copyof The Moore County News. “CarthageAll Smiles Over The NewMill” proclaimsthe page-wide headline of the Thursday,Oct. 26, 1950 edition. The subheads indescending type size read: “Its EffectBeing Felt in Channels Local Commerce,However, Water Shortage Is Matter ofGrave Concern To Mill Officials, NewHouses Going Up.”The article begins, “Officials of theCarthage Fabrics Corporation who spentthree days here last week expressed

themselves as well pleased with thecooperation of the townspeople and saidthey hoped the people of Carthage willalso be greatly pleased with the newconcern.”The front page also features a localartist’s drawing of the Carthage Fabricsplant.An advertisement for Fairview Diariesof Sanford in the newspaper reads, “Allthe praises due to the people of Carthageand Moore County for an exemplaryindustrial accomplishment in acquiringthe Carthage Fabrics Corp. The ability ofa fine people to acquire another modernindustry raises our opinion of our goodMoore County friends to an even higherlevel. May we add our sincerecongratulations for an enormous taskbrilliantly executed.”

Newsletter Shares MemoriesOne of the most entertaining pieces inthe collection are copies of Carfab News& Views, the company’s newsletter.Reading through the newsletters offers aglimpse into the lives of employees ofCarthage Fabrics Corp.Following are a few excerpts from theSeptember 28, 1973 edition of the CarfabNews & Views.In his president’s message, SamGoldfeder looked forward to the end ofsummer and thanked “all of our oldtimersfor their loyalty during this toughsummer and to assure you that, morethan anyone else, I would love to seethings humming again and I know theywill.”He ended his September message bywishing the employees at Carfab a life ofhappiness, good health and prosperity.From the New York News section,reported by Jeannette Stern, MarvinTeitle lamented that “after seeing thebeautiful vegetables that the people inCarthage grow, I am not too unhappy thatmy little patch was flooded out from theearly rains this year. Hope to try againnext season and would appreciate anyadvice.”Rachel Muse reported in the ClothRoom News that “Audrey’s news is a new

son-in-law, Corporal James Goines, ahandsome marine. Theresa, Audrey’sdaughter, and James were married in theGospel Chapel August 25th.”News from the Weave Room - 1st Shiftby Dot Carlyle included that “GertrudeDuguay reports that she has quit smokingand gained five pounds.In addition, Mazelle says she has beenenjoying her time off. She and herhusband spent some time at Manteorecently. They especially enjoyed ‘TheLost Colony’.”The September newsletter carried a lotof news from the PreparationDepartment. Compiled by GladysSanders, the news included, “RichardHussey says his daughter, Donna Rose,started to school this year and likes itfine. Tracy Ritter says he works too hardto make news,” while “Roy Wall doesn’twant me to tell everybody his news so heis keeping mum, and Lennie Purvis, whilemoving warper beams, says there’s noroom for news out here.”Pat Patterson’s Second Shift News says,“Henry Phillips says if hog pricescontinue good, he won’t be eating any ofthose he is raising. Sarah Walker isstaying very busy with her canning andcooking. Fred Fields is doing a lot of birddog teaching — been catching a lot offield mice lately.”Third Shift News by Helen Brook

included that “J.D. Sanders and wifeattended the baptismal service of theirson recently.”A note from Betty Suggs says, “Thebest way to save is through the payrollsavings plan. See Betty if you would liketo increase your bonds or if you wouldlike for her to start deducting for bondsfor you.”Reporting the Office News, MarshaVernon shared that “Kay Davis waspleased that her granddaughter, TracyKathryn, was christened in the CarthageUnited Methodist Church. It was a bigday in the Davis household withgodparents and in-laws coming to dinner.“The Davis clan will spend this comingweekend at the beach and are the proudpossessors of hard-to-get State-Carolinafootball tickets for the followingweekend.“Their best news, though, is thatMickey, Judy and Tracy will be moving toSanford soon.”John R. Kemp wrote in his PlantManager’s Message that “everyoneseems pleased with the new weekly paysetup, and of course the raise. The bestway to show your appreciation is to giveyour job the very best you have to give —and I think you will do it.”

Contact Martha J. Henderson by e-mailat [email protected].

CollectionFrom Page 19

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BY DEBORAH SALOMONFeature Writer

Carthage, like hundreds of NorthCarolina towns, used to be a self-sustaining urban microcosm:

“On Saturdays, it was hustle and bustle,”Linda Phillips remembers. “You didn’thave to leave Carthage to buy anything.”The 1960s brought changes. Chain stores

arrived, young people departed. Phillips,who was born and grew up there, lived inCharlotte and Raleigh for a while but wasdrawn back.“I was a little girl from a small town.

After my child was born I wanted to livein Carthage again,” Phillips says. “I’venever been so glad to be back anywhere.”Phillips is now assistant townmanager

and finance officer. Her memories andthose of other longtime Carthaginiansflesh out town history:

Tommy Prickett came to Carthage in1957 after honing his profession inRaleigh, Cincinnati and elsewhere. Thenew owner of Prickett-Fry Funeral Homehad an odd introduction to town:“My first day in Carthage, I was stand-

ing in front of the funeral home lookingaway down the street when I heard a click-ety-clack behind me,” Prickett begins.As the noise got closer, he turned to see

the town “character,” a Mr. D. Carl,dressed in a swallow-tail coat, a woman’shat with veil with a cigar sticking out fromunderneath. Carl hobbled by on crutches,disappearing into the Moore County Newsoffice.“Some guys set me up,” Prickett says.

“That was my initiation into Carthage.”Carl, a known prankster, owned a used

clothing store behind Shield Drug

Company. He also sold tombstones. Hismotto: “I love people and I hate snakes.”A decade later, Prickett buried Carl, who

left some R-rated instructions concerningthe positioning of his remains.Prickett also recalls the famous

Womanless Wedding of the early 1960s,where firefighters raised money by cross-dressing for a mock ceremony.“I was a bridesmaid in a large dress with

large underclothing stuffed in the upperpart,” Prickett chuckles.Mostly, he remembers how small

children could walk safely from theirhomes to the swimming pool built withmoney raised by the Jaycees.“We knew everybody, so we didn’t

worry. They could run to anybody’shouse.”The children could also go into Lee’s

Dime Store and charge their schoolsupplies. Daddy’ll come by and pay, kids

told the storekeeper.“And I did,”

Prickett says.** ** ** ** **Oh, what a party

it was. In 1996,Carthage celebrat-ed its bicentennial— for a wholeyear.The official bash came in December,

anniversary of incorporation, says BillieMackey, the bicentennial chairperson.That event was held at the agriculturalcenter but the party-party took place atHurley Thompson’s law office in the his-toric Sinclair house.“We had swing music … I wore a black

formal,” Mackey recalls.A play about Carthage history written by

locals, who also acted the roles, took a yearto research and rehearse.

** ** ** ** **Little boys love fire trucks. Tom Stewart

experienced them close up when the build-ing housing Wallace Grocery Store and a

funeral home burned oneSunday in 1936.“We lived right across

the street,” Stewart says.“It was a spectacular sightto see the walls cave in.My dad was afraid ourhouse would burn up.”The grocery store and

funeral home reopenedelsewhere. Eventually, First Bank built onthe property.Stewart also recalls a service performed

by Woodrow Wilhoit, who worked for theMoore County News during World War II.

“Whenthe men were called into service, he coached the football, basketballand baseball teams free of charge. Withouthim, we wouldn’t have had any teams. Hewas a wonderful guy.”Stewart was born and raised in

Carthage, left for college and the militarybut returned. Now, he’s mayor.“We’ve all seen changes that should not

have happened,” Stewart says. “We coulduse some industry” to replace the buggyfactory, hosiery and planer mills.

** ** ** ** **Linda Phillips mentions another fire, this

one at a tobacco warehouse on SaundersStreet. What an aroma.Her descriptions of mid-

20th century Carthageconjure a movie postcard.People sat on the porch ofthe Carthage Hotel, in therocking chairs.“Our family went to the

hotel for lunch onSundays, after church.”The hotel had a dining room and coffee

shop; Phillips attended parties in the

see HAPPY DAYS, page 23

PHILLIPS


Tommy Prickett

Happy Days Linger ForLongtime Carthaginians


Billie Mackey

STEWART


‘Womanless Wedding’Photos courtesy of

Kin and Betty Suggs

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In the late 1960s, the Carthage Fire Departmentheld a “Womanless Wedding” as a fundraiser.Members of the fire department, which was allvolunteer at the time, as well as a few other men fromthe community,portrayed membersof the weddingparty, whichincluded bride andgroom, brides-maids, parents ofthe couple, thebride’s baby andpreacher. The eventwas held in theUnion Pines HighSchool auditorium.The fundraisingevent was deemeda success.

Flower girl Coy Oakleyand ring bearer WorthMcDonald

Charlie Barringer, fatherof the groom (left); John“Bingo” Barringer, groom;Moff Jackson, bride; andJohn “Lum” Riddle, fatherof the bride.

The entire wedding party

BridesmaidTommy Prickett

Buck Cook pushes the bride’s baby, Kin Suggs

Bridesmaids Ed Comer (left), Jimmy Thomas andBilly Carter, flower girl Coy Oakley, baby Kin Suggs,bridesmaid Tommy Prickett, preacher Gerald Rosserand bridesmaid Ed JerniganJohn “Lum” Riddle and Tim

Katsos portrayed the parents ofthe bride.

Bridesmaids Tommy Prickett, EdComer, Billy Carter and R.G. SmithJr.


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dining room hosted by the owner’sdaughters, who lived with their parents inthe hotel — an unusual residence.Other days, townsfolk gathered at Tim’s

Café (nowMr. B’s), run by Tim Katsos.The Presbyterian Church picnic,

however, was held at

Aberdeen Lake— a daylong event withswimming and games.“I remember the lemonade,” Phillips

says wistfully.“I wish you could see a picture of

Carthage back then, with the stores andbusinesses around the courthouse,” shecontinues. “We walked to youth meetingsand choir practice. Parents weren’t afraidto let their girls walk right by the jail.”

** ** ** ** **John “Bingo” Barringer

intones the name Eula Blue,known to every Carthageschoolchild of a certain age.Spinster Blue taught mathand Latin at Carthage HighSchool, where Barringer’sgraduating class num-bered 20.“She made you

memorize Bible verses,”he says.Blue drilled this mantra

into her students, whorecite it still:“Remember who youare, where you are andwhat you are … and actaccordingly.”But boys act like

boys. Miss Blue wasslightly deaf. To tease

her, the boys scampered out of sight and

whistled loudly. Miss Blue thought it washer hearing aid, and acted accordingly,much to the boys’ glee.“We had outstanding teachers,”

Barringer says,including MeadeSewell, who taughtEnglish and drama.He also recalls howkids gathered on theporch swings of MissBess McCloud, thetelephone operatorin the days of partylines. As for listeningin, “What do youthink?” Barringersays. Barringer con-cludes with a warn-ing: “Don’t makeCarthage sound toogood — we’ve got allthe people we needhere.”Too bad none of

them knows wherethe nickname“Bingo” originated.

** ** ** ** **Archie Kelly was a “Happy Days” era

high school jock. Kelly and his teammatesloved to hang out at Shields Drug Storeafter school, where co-owner PatPatterson treated home run hitters to free

milkshakes.“I collected a few of those,” Kelly says.

“(Patterson’s) smile and personality wassomething I remember well.”

Just as vivid: TheCarthage Pool Hall,with Sam Wicker asowner and residentshark.“His stories about

school and ballgames were legendary,” Kellysays. “He evenloaned me money tohelp buy my wife’swedding ring.”Kelly, like many

Carthage old-timers,reveres the memoryof sportswriterWoodrow Wilhoit,for whom the UnionPines football stadium is named.“I was his driver

and my wife, Judi,was his sports photographer.

Growing up in Carthage was an experience I will cherish forever.”

Contact Deborah Salomon at [email protected].

Happy DaysFrom Page 21


Archie Kelly


John “Bingo” Barringer

carthage community spotlight

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