Progressive, Hustling Town - 155 Year History

June 26th, 2008 | webmaster | Historical Accounts

Progressive, Hustling Town Has Made Enviable Record During 155 Years History

Interesting Account of Birth and Development of Historic Bladen County Town;
Health and Living Conditions Unexcelled; Ideal Climate, Good Railroad and
Highway Accommodations; Artesian Water Supply and Many Other Natural Advantages.

By Mrs. R.C. Bridger

On August 26, 1779, a grant of 200 acres of land was made in the county of Bladen to one Rehan Redin as recorded in North Carolina state secretary’s office, in Book 6, page 43, signed by his Excellency, Richard Caswell, the original seal of state, a small circular piece of wood bearing the seal of state was attached to insure its safe delivery, the grant being carried by a man on horse back. This grant of land, so far as is known marked the beginning of the thrifty, progressive, beautiful little town of Bladenboro, situated on the Sea Board Air Line Railroad, on state highway No. 211, in the heart of a rich farming section, 50 miles from Wilmington and 13 miles from the county seat at Elizabethtown.

Bladenboro, including West Bladenboro, has a population of about 2,000 people and boasts more industries for the size of the town than any in the state. It has a modern school system that is the pride of the county, more than 1,100 children attending the white school and more than 300 in the colored school. There are two medical doctors with two modern, up-to-date drug stores, a strong bank, carrying the “F.I.C.” seal; a modern motion picture theatre, a dry cleaning and pressing establishment, three barber shop. It is connected with the outer world by a splendid telephone system, is furnished electrical facilities by the Carolina Power and Light Company, ahs three churches for white people and two for colored, one resident minister, has a bountiful supply of artesian water and is noted for its many beautiful homes and especially the wonderful flower gardens for which the town is famous.

The town and surrounding territory for several miles was owned in a large measure by Mr. Absalom Wilson and his descendants, John and Durham Wilson and their families playing a large place in the development of the town. These lands were sold or granted in later time to a Mr. Ward, Joshua Lee, Michael Lee, Shepard Lee, Samuel Elkins, Archibald Elkins, Thomas Bryant, Jonathan Singletary and Josiah Stafford. Papers are in the possession of Miss Della Singletary giving interesting bits of history mentioning these men many times, the Lee’s being most prominently known in that day.

In 1857, Mr. Robert Tate came to Bladenboro directly from Scotland and built a store where he conducted a mercantile business and also a turpentine still. His sweetheart, also of Scotland, soon joined him here and they were married and built a home on the north side of Bryant Swamp, where they lived until their deaths. (When the young girl who became the wife of Mr. Tate came to America, she was not allowed to marry until she had been a resident for six months, so the Monroe Singletary family, and the Messrs John and Chas. Ivey took the young girl into their home and hearts until she was married). The Tates reared a family that has done much for this section of the County. The Tate’s home was one devoted to the finer things of life—music, beautiful family life, and culture permeating the surroundings and reaching out to the few scattered homes of the community.

Bladenboro really began to be a town before this time, for it was when Mr. Robert Chas and John Ivey, great grandfather to the Monroe Singletary children, came to this place and settled just south of the center of what is now the business section of the town. Migrating from Eastern North Carolina, and finding this a goodly land, he set his stakes and began the building of a home among the long leaf pines for which this section was noted. (It is said with authority) that one could see almost a mile through the pine forest, so tall and straight did the pines grow and with no small undergrowth). This family has played one of the principal roles in the history of Bladen County as well as the town of Bladenboro.

At various times, Mr. Robert Ivey purchased hundred acres of land, each generation adding to their vast acreage and have contributed to the social side of life. The sons of Robert Ivey (John & Charles with their sister, who married a Mr. Pait, left two children, Mrs. Monroe Singletary and Mrs. Ed. Pait, were the wealthiest men of their day and were liberal in their every day life. The Monroe Singletary family donated land for the first school house in Bladenboro, where now is the Baptist Parsonage and Church. This family have been leaders in education and Church activities all through the past years since the coming of Mr. Robert Ivey in 1857.

Mr. and Mrs. Colon Monroe, who owned hundreds of acres of land near what is now the Bladenboro Cotton Mills were among the earliest settlers here. Mr. Monroe was a surveyor of considerable reputation, and was engaged in mercantile business and the family was socially prominent, also. This was about the year 1879 and very little is known of the family since they left Bladenboro in 1881.

Other merchants and turpentine manufacturers mentioned in the available records are Foster and Eldridge, 1867; J.W. Clark, 1870; B.F. Jones, 1876; W. Lennon, 1878; J.D. Johnson, 1878; A.J. Giddings, 1878; A.E. Pait, 1878; L.C. Powell, 1878; Ben Clark, 1879; W.F. Monroe, 1880; J.L. Edwards, 1885; D.L. Gore, 1886; R.L. and H.C. Bridger, 1884; Jim White, C.H. Williamson, T.J. Freeman, W.C. Freeman and perhaps many others were among the early businessmen of the town and contributed their part in the growth and development of the town. Practically all of these men served as postmasters during their business careers, the following being mentioned: Mr. Ben Clark, Mr. A.E. Pait, T.J. Freeman, Judson Freeman, S.N. Ferguson, H.C. Bridger, Dan Edwards, Elias Edwards, Mrs. Mary C. Edwards, A.R. Edwards, A.A. Hilburn and L.C. Hales. (Since then the following
have served—Mrs. H.C. Bridger, Mr. R.L. Bridger, and at present, January 1957—Leslie Guyton is P.M.).

At one time, the P.M. job was “On the Stump” when nobody would take the job due to some discrepancies in some way. Through all of the years no official charges have been preferred against any one holding the job as P.M.

(April 1934) Among recent day business leaders are Dr. S.S. Hutchinson who came to Bladenboro in 1916, an entire block of store buildings including a drug store and theatre, besides several cottages and other property developed in the town. Mr. Ed Hester, one of “Monied” men of the town is also a merchant, as is Mr. Ed Storm, D.E. Freeman, John M. Lennon, D.A. Russ, Mr. A.S. Parker, Mr. J.B. Vaught and Tally and Mr. Abe Farrah.

In 1885, two men came to Bladenboro that changed the entire program of development—R.L. & H.C. Bridger. In the winter of 1885, these brothers came to Bladenboro from Little River, S.C., upon the invitation of D.L. Gore, who was then in business here. After spending the night with two bachelor brothers, J. Pink and Judson Freeman, who made their hom in the upstairs of their brother Tom’s store where now is located the depot, the trade was made between the Bridger brothers and Mr. Gore the next day. The elder brother R.L., returned to his home at Little River and left his young brother, Henry C. Bridger and Elisah Davis of Elizabethtown, in charge of the businesses. Mr. Robert sold out his business in Little River in the spring of 1886, and with his wife and three children, came to the little village which showed 52 persons living here in 1903, and bought some land from Mr. A.E. Pait and built the beautiful home which is now the home of the Livingston Bridger family in the eastern part of the town. In the same year—1886, Spring, Mr. Henry Bridger was married to the lovely Carrie Anderson Love of Shelby, and they set up housekeeping in what was known as “The Register House” for a few months before they built their own home. (This home has been divided into three parts, making nice cottages which are on the same land and occupied by tenants).

In that same history making year—1886—a partnership was formed with these two men known as R.L. Bridger & Brother; a larger (new) store house was built, turpentine and timber enterprises were greatly increased and much land purchased adjacent to the town. The principal means of making a living up to this time had been products of the pine, but soon many saw mills were built, timber was cut and shipped, thereby adding to employment and wealth of all the community. Mr. Fore of Wilmington built a large lumber plant here that added much to the growth of this industry.

In 1887, a modern cotton gin was built by the Bridger Brothers, Mr. J.P. Freeman being the first manager of the plant. (The location is same as of old). The growth of the cotton ginning business has been steady and permanent up to this present time, the R.L. Bridger heirs owning and operating a large plant here now that serves a large section of the County.

In 1908, a bank was organized and built, the capital coming practically all from local people. This bank is today one of the few small town banks that “weathered” the depression and is a member of the FDIC with all of it’s advantages. Mr. L.C. Bridger is the Town’s Banker (latest report).

In 1911, the Bridger Corporation had outgrown it’s housing to such an extent that a larger store was built, this time a handsome brick structure, which today serves hundreds of people over a large area. Mr. R.L. Bridger’s sons own and operate this splendid business.

The dream of the R.L. & H.C. Brothers and their sons (10 sons) was realized when the wheels of the Bladenboro Cotton Mills began to turn in 1912, the output of money being around $250,000.00, giving employment to more than 200 laborers. This plant was enlarged in 1916 and again in 1924, until now (1934) the plant has a value of $950,000.00, employs around 950 to 1,000 persons with a payroll of $35,000.00 per month an serving the population of three or more townships. The town began to thrive, every family reaping some of the benefits of the new industry. Other businesses began to seek entrance into the town, new homes were built, schools enlarged and the entire town took on new life. Today—April 1934—these mills serve more than 75% of the population.

Among other large business enterprises, is the H.J. White Lumber Company and the White Livestock business. Mr. White, a splendid young man, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James White, ahs gone a long way in his chosen line of work in the past ten years. His handsome home on Main Street, his dairy business, cottages for rent, and varied activities, place him among the foremost men of the town.

The S.A.L. RY (a railroad) was built through Bladenboro in 1859. It’s coming marked the beginning of great era in the County, especially this section. At one time, a “Turn Table” was in operation here and for many years the government had shipping yards located near town. Mrs. Mary C. Edwards states that her father was one of the pioneers (Mr. Turner) railroad builders, helping to lay the foundation for this road.

Mr. W.B. Hilburn (Woody) has for many years been the capable and efficient man in charge of the R.R. office here. He is a member of one of the leading families of the County—the Hilburn’s have always been leaders in Education and in Church activities, besides contributing largelya to the business growth of the town.

Among the many who deserve honor and praise for their part in the building of the town are the Hester’s, Butler’s, Freeman’s, Pait’s, Edward’s, and others too many to mention. Among the Callihans, who gave of his time and talents, liberally, was Mr. Frank. Mrs. J.W. Callihan was often referred to as a “Sister of Mercy” during the epidemic of typhoid Fever which hit this section in the early 1900’s. The family of Callihans were all leaders in music, education, and social up-lift.

Mr. Empie Callihan (still living at his old hom in 1957) is today (1934) famous in Bladen County as a “Master Farmer”, and a visit to his modern, well kept fine farm will testify to his right to this honor. The Callihans have a long family history, a part of which is given by a member of the family—Mrs. Walter Singletary. Dennis and Annie Callihan were married in 1800, David Callihan born in 1818 married Sarah Tatum in 1833, the following children were born to this union—J.D.; P.L; Mrs. Laura Lennon, Mrs. Tillie Singletary, Mrs. Walter Singletary, Mrs. W.S. White. Then George Callihan, Mrs. Grad Thompson, Mrs. Tim Pait and Mrs. Jack Callihan. The latter was the father of Empie Callihan—most all deceased by 1934).

Among the prominent men in the Singletary family was on Mer. Evander, born in 1868, lived a greater part of his life in Washington, D.C. where he was employed by the Government where he was living until just before his death at his old home here in 1916.

Mr. Snowden Hester was on of the first settlers here and was spoken of as one of the best men who ever lived near Bladenboro. Mr. and Mrs. Hester have left a host of descendants whoa re taking places of honor and abroad.

Mr. “Lat” Edwards was a great character about town, acting as Judge, Jury and police man for many years, and doing his bit in the everyday life of the community.

Old Mr. Dick Ivey will be remembered as a fixture in early days, as many older people will recall.

Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Williamson have done a great deal to make the town what it is today—1934, being among the pioneers, though not the earliest settlers.

Mr. Barnum Jones had his day in the town, owning the house now owned by Mr. and ZMrs. Williamson, though having been remodeled since he built and lived in it long years ago.

Another old family was the “Deavers”. This family grew up with the town and are doing their part in it’s growth.

Mr. J.P. Freeman has perhaps the longest career to his credit of many men in town, being employed with the Bridger brothers for thirty-five years, was with the S.A.L. RY for many, many years, has helped bury the dead and in general, he is a friend to humanity.

Though not natives of Bladenboro, Rev. I.P. Hedgpeth of Lumberton, for many years pastor of Baptist churches here and at Galeed, is known and loved by a great host of friends. He served the living and buried the dead in almost every home. The earliest records available concerning Church work in Bladenboro was the religious services held in an old Blacksmith’s shop located about where the Bell Barber shop now stands. Mrs. M. Shepherd and Mrs. J.P. Freeman are authority for the story that a Methodist Minister (name not known) conducted religious services, the worshippers using work benches and blocks for pews. Among the first there were the Wilson’s, Singletary’s, Pait’s, Hester’s, etc. Later on Sunday school and church services were held in the school house—still later, the Taits, Rev. Mr. McFayden (Presbyterian preacher) with the Mercers, and Fergusons, had organized and built the present Presbyterian Church on Main Street (1957—church was sold earlier and now a nice brick Church stands on Main St. Block 2). This being the only house of worship in town until 1911 when the First Baptist church was built and in 1918 the Methodists, under the leadership of the late Charlie C. Dunn and Dr. S.S. Hutchinson, built a modern
house of worship on Ashe St. All three of these churches had their beginnings in the hearts of the people long before visible churches were built.

Another happy day for the town was when forty three years ago, the last bar room was closed, following a long period of manufacture and sale of the fiery liquid. A story is told of a man and his wife (bootleggers) who came into town every Saturday, with a keg of whiskey, sold it to a bar keeper, bought a quart of another brand and returned home with their week’s supply of food stuff and their Government “Likker”.

Open wells were once the only means of getting drinking water in Bladenboro and because of that fact, or for some other unknown reason, the town suffered the greatest calamity in it’s history in 1901 when a scourge of typhoid fever literally swept the country, taking a heavy toll of lives and leaving frail and helpless people in it’s wake. Soon after this epidemic, artesian water was discovered to be plentiful almost costing one man his life. Mr. J.P. Freeman is authority for the story that goes like this: In Mr. Freeman’s boyhood days, a turpentine still well was being dug in what is now his front yard; the size of the well being dug was four feete square and as deep as it took it to find water—a good flow. An old black gentleman was down in the well and he had dug about 20-feet without finding a good flow. The men up at the top let buckets down by ropes to the old man and as he filled them with dirt the buckets were hauled up and emptied. The soil seemed rather hard and dry, when the old man noticed a sort of “blister” or bulge, and thinking to find a stump or other obstruction, he stuck his spade into it, when to his horror and distraction a stream of water burst from the hole and threatened to drown him before he could be hauled out. By the time he was rescued by the men on the ground the twenty foot well was full of water and a stream was running down the road. The “overflow” is still sending up clear, pure water, though not at such speed nor volume. Other springs of pure water have been found and pumps have replaced open wells.