This packet of information is being sent to you in hopes that you will be a part of our annual festival. Everyone who contributed last year as well as new potential sponsors are being contacted. This packet includes:

• 2nd Annual Beast of Bladenboro Festival Flyer
• 2008 Sponsor Form
• List of 2007 Sponsors
• List of 2008 Sponsors

The sponsor form is self explanatory and lists the four different levels of sponsorships that are available. Each sponsorship level includes varying degrees of exposure for your sponsor fee. You can complete the form and mail your fee to the address indicated.

The 2007 List of Sponsors is included so that you can have an opportunity to see exactly who participated last year. Our 2007 sponsors really came through for us in a big way. We appreciate their support. We hope all of last year’s sponsors will participate again. If you were not a sponsor last year, we want to add you to our list of supporters. You can make this an opportunity to develop a friendly rivalry between businesses or individuals. See what your competitors did last year and match or even exceed that level this year.

Boost the ‘Boro is a registered nonprofit organization. All of your monetary contributions are tax deductible. Your sponsorship fees will not only bring great exposure to you or your business but it will also help us keep lots of our festival activities free to the public.
Our Annual Beast of Bladenboro Festival is our main fund raising activity. Proceeds from this event will be used to fund revitalization and beautification projects in Bladenboro as well as maintain our web site and monthly newsletter.

Sincerely,
Festival Committee

Saturday, October 25th the festival will kick off at 10:00 am. The Car Show registration runs from 8-12. Awards will be given out at 2:00 pm.

The registration fee is $20.00 per car. Registration discounts of $2.00 per car will apply to any club or group that registers 5 or more vehicles at the same time.

Awards will be given to the Top 50 Cars, with trophies for the Best of Show, Best Ford, Best Chevy, Best Mopar, Best Old and New Corvette, Best Old and New Mustang, Best Import, Best Sport Compact, Best Truck, and more. Cash awards will be given to the Best of Show, the Youngest Driver, and the Oldest Driver.

Come join in the fun!!! The Festival includes live music, lots of foods, dancing, rides, crafts, and lots of fun for the entire family on into the evening.

For more information, call Jason or Betsy Helms at 910-648-2080 or Jon Hasbrouck at 910-863-3309
j.hasbrouck@borobooster.org

Bladen County, in 1700, referred to as a “pauper county,” has always been a strictly rural county, therefore the industries were very limited and few in variety. Though still a rural county and sparsely populated, great strides have been made in advancement in manufacturing, lumbering, and tobacco sales.

In 1733, there were only three “free holders” and 30—families all told in this county. From earliest colonial days, Bladen possessed no central settlement of overshadowing local importance, its principal inhabitants living on their own plantations and growing food stuffs and making with their hands practically what was consumed, not much more. It was quite natural that no amount of trade could be carried on in a territory like that, though it was the richest in natural resources of any section of the state, if rightly developed. History has it that in 1743, when the alarm came that the Spanish troops were about to invade South Carolina, an order was issued from the capital that no men were to be taken from Bladen as it needed all it had to protect its own people. At that time Bladen was comprised of the counties of Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Orange, and Robeson, and with no railroads and very little inland water routes, it was greatly handicapped for transportation facilities. It is interesting to note, however, that all the stories of the small industries mentioned, that in 1754, Bladen exported (for the army) “flour, pork, beef, rice, butter, indigo, tar, pitch, turpentine, stoves, heading, shingles and lumber,” all going out through the ports at Wilmington.

Turpentine Days
In 1775 to 1800, the principal industry of the county was the manufacture of turpentine, though every settlement had its own dairy and meat supplies grown by individuals, and cotton was grown sufficiently to make by hand the family clothing. Sheep raising was done on a small scale. The transportation of turpentine in the early history of the county is also an interesting story. As Elizabethtown was the only shipping point in this section, all stills had to get their produce there to sell or ship down the Cape Fear River, where it was sent to Wilmington. A number of barrels of tar and turpentine were made into a sort of raft formed by running iron rods through the barrels in coupling them together in such a way they would roll, as teams of horses pulled the load over the unfinished road. Large timbers, known as a “ton timber” were carted to the river and shipped on rafts in the same way as turpentine.

Then Change Came
Between the years of 1890 and 1900, radical changes were made in the industry of Bladen. Farming showed more progress in these years, the “Cleveland panic” forcing many changes in the life of rural people in the South. On account of the panic, practically all the sawmills and turpentine stills were closed, and the men thus put out of work were employed stumping and clearing new ground, preparatory to farming on a large scale. Though industry was practically dead for about ten years, this marked the beginning of a great era in this section of the state.

Tobacco Growing
In 1898 a Mr. H.G. Biddings came into Clarkton to teach farmers how to raise and cure tobacco for market, and in 1899 Mr. J.W. Johnson, a well-trained young man of Oxford, while passing through the town of Bladenboro, and in conversation with citizens, talked interestingly on the culture of tobacco. So enthused did the men become, that Mr. Johnson was urged to stop over for the night, and he remained that year to teach and train farmers in the growth and curing of the weed. The tobacco industry has revolutionized rural Bladen, in that it is of short cultivation, is always in demand and brings ready money to the farmer at the leanest period of the year.

Cotton is King
Of all the industries of the county, cotton is in the lead. In early 1800’s, horse driven cotton gins were owned and operated on a small scale, the first motor gins that we have any
record of being built in 1887 in Clarkton. After it was made it had to be shipped to Wilmington in most cases to receive any reasonable price for it, while the seed were hauled away and used in some instances as fertilizer, but considered as evil dust to the average farmer.

So, with the coming of the growth and selling of raw cotton, came the discovery that cotton seeds were good for food for man and beast. In 1916, Bladen County joined other cotton
growing sections in the building of the modern cotton seed oil mill in Bladenboro at a cost of around $75,000. This industry not only gave employment to many men, but added
immense wealth to the county by saving the seed, the products which were used for cow feed, greatly increasing the butter yield, and meat supply, and besides a tremendous revenue was collected in taxes for this plant.

Cotton Manufacture
In 1911, an industry was organized which has revolutionized the county, the building of the cotton mills in Bladenboro. The first unit of the mills was built at a cost of $300,000, operating about 10,000 spindles and employing around 200 men and women. This plant was added to in 1916, almost doubling the capacity and using around 100 more workers. Also in 1916, another unit was built, bringing the total number spindles up to 22,000, with a consumption of 250 bales of cotton weekly, and annual payroll of about $150,000, paid to around 400 workers.

In 1923, the third unit was built at a cost of $700,000, making a total investment of $1,500,000, consisting of 40,000 spindles, employing 900 men and women, annual payroll
$400,000. This one industry alone gives sustenance to the majority of the population of three townships, and the revenue collected has in a large measure made the splendid county
school system possible, along with comfortable homes, modern church buildings, and many luxuries unknown before its organization.

The “Lowly” Peanut
The newest industry in Bladen and one that touches all sections of the county, is the manufacture of the peanut. In 1931, the growth of this plant was greatly enlarged when an
up-to-date peanut factory was erected at Elizabethtown, the capacity of which was 100,000 bags per season. The products of this industry has enriched the county in many ways besides furnishing employment for many men.

Smaller Industries
In practically every section of the county, sawmills, lumber plants and a very few turpentine stills are to be found, all these operating at a fair margin of profit and adding much to
the wealth of the county. Among the largest plants are the Butters Lumber Company, which owns 40,000 acres of land, and employs about 250 men.

In Elizabethtown, the Ricks Lumber Company and Bryant Lumber Company are located near White Lake. Industry in Bladen today, with its network of highways, railroad and water transportation facilities, and with a citizenry awake to the possibilities of the future, will soon push the county out of the “pauper class” and help gain its rightful place among the sections like the great Piedmont section of the state.

I was nine years old when the Beast showed up in and around the Bladenboro area. I remember people talking about animals that had been killed by something that had sucked all the blood out of them. Everyone was on edge for awhile as something was obviously doing this to animals, so the thought was that it might turn on people.

At the time, our family lived on the old Mill Hill village in a two room house. My mom and dad worked on 2nd shift from 2:00 PM until 10:00 PM, so they were not home for a part of the night. My grandmother would come to our house and take care of us until my parents got off work. When it got close to dark, we had to go inside and were not allowed to go outside in
the darkness. We could not go see friends, ride our bike, or any outside activities after dark. My grandma did not even want us to look out the windows, but we would at least look at the curtains when grandma was not watching us. Grandma was so scared that she just knew that if we opened the door the Beast was going to be right there to grab us and drag us off into the night.

We had a lot of Beast hunters in and around the town during that time. They even showed up from towns far away from Bladenboro, complete with dogs and guns. You could hear them after dark, going up and down the streets looking for the Beast. One night, we heard one hunter yell, “there he goes”, and then the sounds of men and dogs in hot pursuit of the beast sounded through the dark. Another night the hunters were in our yard and were searching under our house. There they saw an old dog huddled next to a pillar, quivering in fright of all the activities.

My brother and I listened to the people talk about the beast and the animals that he had killed, but we never did get to see what was doing all the damage. Nevertheless, the Beast was real as far as we were concerned. I don’t remember being afraid, but my grandma and many other adults certainly were.

The deadline for Vendor Applications is October 15, 2008!

Registration & setup will begin on Saturday, October 25th from 6:30am to 8:30am. It is requested that all vendors remain open until at least 6:00 pm.

Restroom facilities & trash receptacles will be provided. Food vendors are responsible for properly disposing of any & all cooking refuse. Vendors are responsible for supervising their children at all times.

Power requirement: A single 110v electrical hookup will be available for an additional $10 fee. Due to limited availability, only one outlet will be allotted per vendor on a “first come-first serve” basis. Vendors are responsible for extension cords. Whisper quiet generators are welcome.

In selecting our vendors, every effort will be made to minimize the duplication of products sold.

All applicants are required to return the following items to the Festival Committee for consideration:

Legible completed & signed vendor application Money order, cash or certified check for the entire amount of the registration fee. Certified checks will be made payable to “Boost the ‘Boro”. Detailed list of food/craft items you intend to sell. Size of space needed for your booth or trailer. At least two (2) photos or a brochure of your merchandise/booth or trailer. Applications without included photo or brochure will not be considered. If you wish to have your photos returned, please include a self addressed stamped envelope with your application.

Thank you for your interest in the Beast of Bladenboro Festival. We look forward to seeing you!

2008 Beast of Bladenboro Festival Committee

Downloadable vendor application here.
Downloadable vendor food permit checklist here.
Downloadable vendor food permit application here.

2nd Annual Beastfest ‘08
October 25, 2008
Bladenboro, NC

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.

I am not sure of the exact date we began to hear about the creature that came to be known as the Beast of Bladenboro. I do know that by January of 1954, he had become very infamous and our small town had been invaded by thrill seekers form all over the country.

In January 1954, I was a junior at Bladenboro High School and I lived on Butler Mill Road, which was a sparsely settled country road just off 211 Highway. We were surrounded by trees and fields, and some distance off the road there was a small pond known to us as Butler Mill Hole. This pond, which we visited a lot in the summer, was surrounded by woods, and there was a canal that ran from it all the way across the road near our house. You need to understand that this was a very quite, lesscrowded, relaxed area and most peop0le who lived on this road worked for the Bladenboro Cotton Mills.

Sometime in January of that year, we were all to be shaken by the phenomena of the Beast. Surrounding the Bladenboro Cotton Mills was the mill village where hundreds of people lived in mill owned houses. To my knowledge, this was the first reported sighting of the beast. It was reported by The Charlotte Observer that animals were being killed in the mill village by a strange animal that sucked the blood from its victims. The paper reported at one time that a resident living in the village had seen this strange vampire-like animal and reported it to the local authorities.

As the news spread all around the country by the press, Bladenboro became the destination for a large number of big game hunters trying to be the one to stop the beast. Pretty soon my neighborhood near the Butler Mill Hole became the area where a huge number of hunters had supposedly tracked the beast. There were hundreds of hunters with dogs and guns and huge lights to light the swampy area all hoping to be the one to claim the beast as their own. Absolute panic and hysteria was in the air. This went on for days and nights until someone in town killed some kind of animal and some local people hung him up on the theatre marquee and put some closure to the beast story.

My Personal Encounter with the Beast

As I told you before, I was a junior in High School in January of 1954. I was a cheerleader for the Bladenboro Bulldogs and it was basketball season. Some out of town parents would not allow their children to come to Bladenboro to play because of all the stories of the beast, but this particular night, we did have a game at the high school. My boyfriend, now my husband, had a beautiful Chrysler convertible, and he drove me home after the ballgame. As we turned onto Butler Mill Road, the whole sky was lit up. It looked like day. We knew the hunters were in the swamp. As we drove into my yard, you could hear the dogs howling and it was a very spooky situation. However, my friend, being the gentleman he was, got out of the car to walk me to the door. As we wre standing on the porch, saying our goodnights, SUDDENLY, out of nowhere something went running across our yard, and to make a long story short, my friend was left standing on the porch. I was inside so quickly that I did not even know what happened to him.

Fortunately, whatever it was running in our yard that night did not attack my husband, and we now can tell our children the story of the night their dad kissed the door frame.

For years after all this happened in Bladenboro, no matter where we would go, especially to the Charlotte area, if people found out where we were from they always would ask about the Beast, even to this day.

The legend goes back to 1954 when a series of vampire-like killings of pets and livestock set the town on edge. The dead animals were found with their jaws broken, their heads crushed, and their bodies drained of blood.

The mystery threw the town in a panic and drew attention from across the nation. Many theories about what the beast was, (or wasn’t), added to the anxiety of these unexplainable occurrences. And on top of it all, hunters came from near and far in an effort to kill the dreaded beast.

As the days passed many became weary over the growing hysteria and both Mayor and Police Chief sought to squash the madness before someone was shot by an anxious “beast hunter”.

The entire episode lasted about two weeks but before the terror subsided, the story became legend, and the legend continues today. From time to time, a story will appear in a newspaper about the beast, complete with interviews of locals who recalled the dread.

The beast now enjoys global celebrity status thanks to the World Wide Web. That’s right-if you do a web search you’ll find an abundance of information about the Beast of Bladenboro.

They also had a chance to preview a band that may be contracted to provide music during BeastFest 2007. It’s all a part of bring the community together for some good fun and entertainment.
Lisa has been contacted from an increasing number of vendors, even from out of state, in an effort to sign-up for the downtown event.

Arts, crafts, food and fun-all in celebration of our community through BOB.
We have it on good authority that Steve Simmons, owner of Diamond Dave’s Grill, is researching the “beast meat market” to cook up a Beast Burger. It’s all in celebration of BOB.

Other BOB items like t-shirts, caps, dolls, etc will be available from “Official and Authorized” suppliers. All items for the event deemed official will have a BOB-STAMP endorsement on the product. (There will be more information about authorized items in the weeks to come.)

A Road Kill Cookout may be held to help sample those things found on the roadside. (Well, at least one can pretend). A lot of cities add such cook-offs to their festivities where you can sample treats like “Buzzard Breath Maggotini”, “The Buck Stopped Here Pepper Steak”, “Deer Drop Chili”, and “Wild Turkalo on a Log”.

Hiram Hester is writing a book about the Beast of Bladenboro that will be offered at a nominal fee in support of the event. “A lot has been written about the beast and a lot of folks have reminiscences about those days of fear and anxiety. It will be my goal to create a BeastFest 2007 keepsake booklet that celebrates BOB. Sort of a, ‘everything you ever wanted to know about the Beast of Bladenboro but were afraid to ask’.”

Carrie Armstrong Banks wrote a college research paper on the beast and lent her research in support of the project. She conducted interviews with father, Robert Armstrong, Elise Bridger, brother Robert P. Armstrong, and cousin Flora Katherine Singletary.

For decades Bladenboro has hosted a Christmas Parade that is second to none. But it is increasingly more noticeable that following the parade that there is little reason to stay and enjoy the town. There is no where to shop, nothing much to do. This is one of the more visible signs that our town needs help.

It is another reason why BeastFest 2007 will bring in vendors from near and far to sell their wares and make it an event to remember. We hope to draw thousands of visitors to town and they will want to do more than see our empty buildings.

Local vendors are desired! We have a lot of talent in the area, so if you are an artist or craftsperson, let us know so that we can reserve a booth for you. You may have a special treat (cookies, cakes) that you or your group would like to sell. If so, let us know. Or you may have a special fundraiser that needs to promote the cause or raise funds. If so, let us know.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner from BeastFest 2007, you may want to have a booth to sell your special holiday items. This is the beginning of our festive season and it is an excellent time to host homecoming events, reunions, community picnics, or even family gatherings.

As you can see, BeastFest 2007 is up and running. Volunteers are still invited to contribute their efforts and expertise. It will take a lot to make the days leading up to the event, and then the event itself, to be a resounding success.

There has been a lot of brainstorming and Action Committee #1 has accomplished a tremendous amount of work.

In golf it’s a lip out for the win on the seventy-second hole; in baseball it’s hitting the foul pole in deep left field for strike two, behind by three, bases loaded, only to be followed by a called third strike; in football it’s a field goal to win that hits the upright and bounces away; and in fishing it’s the big one that snapped the line just as it was being hauled in the boat. But, for the 1960 boy’s basketball team at Bladenboro High School it was The Near Miss! At least that’s what I’m going to call it!

I was an eighth grader then, soaking up all the hype of entering high school at the end of summer. I didn’t know what that would bring, but the excitement of graduating from kiddie school and moving in with the big boys and girls was the dream of things I could only imagine. I couldn’t wait!

My brother, Joe, was a senior that year. He’d soon be off to college and the start of a new time in his life. Graduating from high school was a ticket out of town for many, a new start for all who traveled down that road. And soon, even though four years didn’t sound all that soon, I’d get my chance.

But, the winter of ’59-’60 was very special for everyone in Bladenboro. Hurricane Hazel and the Beast were long since behind us. There seemed to be nothing more exciting that year than what was happening with the boys and girls basketball teams at good old BHS, home of the Bulldogs. What happened was, to say the least, unbelievably unique and unheard of in these parts.

Bladenboro’s hated rival Elizabethtown was coming off a near miracle football season in that it was undefeated and unscored on until the state championship game, which it lost. Was there any way the Bulldogs could duplicate such success? The answer was YES!

Ernest Atkinson had come to town in the mid-50’s to teach and coach young and impressionable boys and girls who worked hard to don the blue and gold uniforms of our honored school. And with him came good things that had never happened quite like those that were about to come down the pipe.

Prior to the ’60 season, Coach took the ’59 boys team to places it hadn’t been to, what seemed like, a lifetime of seasons. After winning the conference championship with a team made up of Jerry Lennon, Billy Smith, Richard Ransom, Jon Hasbrouck and others they moved on to the district playoffs in Clinton.

Their first game found them beating an undefeated Hobbton team many thought would go on to take the state championship. But, Coach Atkinson’s boys had other ideas, and dreams. They took out a taller and arguably more talented Hobbton team and moved on to a Saturday night game with Clinton. They found themselves with a twenty point lead at half-time only to see it crumble to ten after the third quarter. Terry Holland, the star center who later played at Davidson, took over the game and Bladenboro came up short losing their shot at the state playoffs. I cried, and so did a lot of other people. The photos I have at home remind me of that disappointing night.

The 1960 team had new stars in Robert Hester, Branton Edwards, Ronnie Cox, Joseph Hall, James Parrish, and others and with no drop off in talent and desire. Many thought it was impossible to do what they did that year winning all twenty regular season games and two tournament victories to take the Waccamaw Conference crown and establish a 22-0 record.

What made things more unique was that the girls team, coached by football genius Frank Thompson, the man who took Bladenboro from 6-man to 11-man football, went through the season with a perfect 22-0 season as well. Unfortunately, there were no district or state tournaments to play. Their season was done. But, let’s also remember that Coach Thompson
guided the ‘61 team to another 22-0 season giving him a 44-0 streak. Not bad!

The ’60 boy’s team moved on Winston-Salem only to find who else but Hobbton, a nine loss team many considered not worthy of being there, standing in their way and poised for revenge. And they got it! What was originally a late game for the Bulldogs was changed at the last minute to the early game. Our fans didn’t get there to the game until about half time and found the score decidedly in Hobbton’s favor. We all figured the boys were against the world all by themselves because there were no fans in the stands. The second half was much different but the Hobbton lead was too much to overcome. Hobbton went on to win the state championship that weekend. Bladenboro’s end came with winning the third-place consolation game over a heavily favored Winston-Salem team.

And therein is the Near Miss, one that came long before the championship of the early ‘90’s and this year’s WBHS title. Congrats to the Knights, by the way!

Many of us won’t forget our team’s run to notoriety. I haven’t heard much about it since, maybe it’s just been too long. But, to me, the memories are still fresh. My brother’s black and white photos of that weekend are still in the family photo drawer and I see them from time to time reminding me of generations long ago.

If you’re my age or older and were in Bladenboro in 1960 you’ll undoubtedly remember the shear enjoyment of watching our teams come away with victory after victory, night after night. No groans, no moans, no worries of inflation, high gas prices, high unemployment, or significant crime, just genuine excitement week after week for an entire sports season. Sure, Vietnam was out there, and we had boys over there. But, it seemed not to matter so much. At least it didn’t to most of us eighth graders.

These and other memories of Bladenboro are to be enjoyed and rekindled. The days when every storefront was a vibrant business to all who walked the streets six days a week are not quite the same so I’m told. But, the memories of the town and the young people playing sports for the school and sparing us from more important responsibilities will live on and on.

The Near Miss is long gone. But none of us who were there will ever forget it. The fiftieth anniversary is just around the corner and it’ll be great to see all the old guys. And maybe, just maybe the girls will be there, too. How could we ever forget them!

Go Bulldogs!