Highway 86 South of Yanceyville to Be Improved: 1965

 Highway 86 South of Yanceyville to Be Improved

In November 1965, North Carolina voters approved a $300 million road bond issue. This will provide funding for rebuilding Highway 86 between Yanceyville and Prospect Hill to the same standards as Highway 86 between Yanceyville and Danville, Virginia.

A total of $9,721,000 will be made available for primary roads in the highway district in which Caswell County is located. Caswell's Board of Commissioners has been told Caswell's share should be enough to complete the long-sought Highway 86 project.

The Commissioners earlier this year asked the NC State Highway Department to assign first priority to the stretch of road from Yanceyville to Prospect Hill. The road is extremely crooked, and shoulders on it are narrow. The road is heavily used by motorists traveling to Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh.

Since the consolidation this year of both Prospect Hill elementary and high schools with Bartlett Yancey in Yanceyville, the need for improving the highway has increased, according to the Commissioners.

Irvin Aldridge, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, said he is hopeful sufficient funds will remain to begin reconstruction of US Highway 158. He also stated the Park Springs Road would be given high priority as school consolidation has increased traffic on that road. The old Providence Elementary School was closed last year and its enrollment transferred to Cobb Memorial on the Park Springs Road several miles from Providence.

The Danville Register (Danville, Virginia), 5 November 1965.

The Uneven Yoke by Lela McDowell Blankenship (1962)

The Uneven Yoke by Lela McDowell Blankenship (1962)

The author stated: "The book tells the story of three young families who moved to White County, Tennessee, from Caswell County, North Carolina, in 1823, seeking cheaper land and a better chance to live a good life. They were average people, but many of us are in reality and practically all of us are average in the reach of a few generations. I have checked each incident, each statement, looked up deeds and wills in Tennessee, and in Yanceyville, North Carolina, where the wagons began their journey.

"The three young families were the Rascoes, the Swindells, and the Knowles. One of the more memorable characters in the story is Patsy Pleasant Rascoe, whose vivacity, energy, and enjoyment of life and red dresses provides several hilarious episodes, such as the one with the circuit rider who forgot himself and tried to get her to go off to Texas with him. He appears later in the story as a Bishop!

"In the early spring of 1865, good John Rascoe falls in the furrow, but he will be succeeded as head of the family by his son Christopher, and Christopher has the traits of gentle firmness, steadiness, and thorough work that are necessary. We end the book happy that the three young families have established themselves in the new country of Tennessee."

Blankenship, Lela McDowell. The Uneven Yoke. Nashville: Tennessee Book Company, 1962. The author is a Rascoe family descendant.

Latest sales price: $246.00 (June 2022)

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Editor's Comment: One aspect I find interesting is these families moved from Caswell County in 1823 in search of "cheaper land." Had Caswell County land become so expensive in the early 1800s? Factors to consider: large families with adult male members seeking land of their own; how land was depleted and forests cleared for access to new arable land; and the influx of families from other states (such as Virginia) that placed additional pressure on land prices.

 

Blanch or Blanche (Caswell County, North Carolina)

 Blanch, Caswell County, North Carolina

Earlier, we had a lively discussion about the name of a community in northern Caswell County now called "Blanch." Apparently, the spelling initially was "Blanche."

Some believe the community took the name "Blanche" because the first postmaster there named the post office for his daughter. The postmaster was James Byrd Moore (1848-1900), and his daughter is Blanche Lydia Moore (1882-1960).

However, we found no evidence the post office was named "Blanche." After additional research here is what we did find:

Daniel Gunn Watkins (1857-1937) was a substantial land owner in the area now called "Blanch." When the area began to develop he named it: "Blanche." This was in honor of his niece, the above-mentioned Blanche Lydia Moore.

She was his niece by virtue of being a daughter of his wife's sister, Bettie Margaret Powell (1851-1938). Below is a photograph of his store. Note the name: "D. G. Watkins & Son Blanche, NC."

It appears that in 1890 the United States Postal Service designated the post office in this community as "Blanch." Thus, spelling of the name eventually shifted from "Blanche" to "Blanch."

Ivy Bluff Prisoner Captured in Caswell County 1859: Charles Edwards

 Caswell County Quiz Answer

Caswell County Quiz Answer

Question: How many of the twenty 1959 Ivy Bluff Prison escapees were captured in Caswell County?

Answer: One -- Charles Edwards, who did not leave with the main group, but decided to walk out some time after the initial break. He was on foot and made it about eight miles south of the prison. From Gastonia, North Carolina, he was serving a life sentence (for burglary and attempted rape).

He was spotted from a private airplane the owner of which had joined in the hunt. Edwards was lying in a field some three miles south of Yanceyville. A posse, following a bloodhound, captured Edwards, who provided no resistance. The escaped prisoner purportedly had been seen in Yanceyville earlier in the day. 

Edwards said he left the prison on foot about two hours after the others escaped. "I just wanted to make sure the coast was clear," he said.

Photograph: The Daily Times-News (Burlington, North Carolina) · Wed, Dec 9, 1959

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Charles Edwards, 28-year-old Negro convict, serving life for rape at Gastonia, mush have had fox blood in his veins, some of his pursuers decided. Edwards, clad in dungaree trousers and a white tee-shirt was spotted "three or four times" in Yanceyville. Bloodhounds were rushed to the scene and the chase began.

Edwards wore "wore out" three sets of bloodhounds before he was finally captured eight miles south of here. For 6.5 hours, the fleet-footed escapee led a posse through woods, creeks and swamps. Once during the hunt, he was spotted by Highway Patrolman D. B. King. King said he fired a warning shot and called on Edwards to halt. He never saw him again. Edwards went like a streak through the woods.

Searchers, aided by two airplanes borrowed from the Wildlife Resources Commission, finally found Edwards lying face down near a creek. "He was plumb tuckered out," said a member of the posse.

The News and Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), 9 December 1959, Wednesday, Page 2

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Ivy Bluff Prisoner Captured in Caswell County

While I have no desire to be repetitive, several in Yanceyville after the 1959 Ivy Bluff prison break stated they saw one of the escaped prisoners. This probably was Charles Edwards. The others were long gone.

Edwards (28) did not leave with the main group, but decided to walk out some time after the initial break. He was on foot. From Gastonia, North Carolina, Edwards was serving a life sentence (for burglary and rape or attempted rape). He said "I just wanted to make sure the coast was clear."

He must have had fox blood in his veins, some of his pursuers decided. Edwards, clad in dungaree trousers and a white tee-shirt was spotted "three or four times" in Yanceyville. 

Bloodhounds were rushed to the scene and the chase began. Edwards "wore out" three sets of bloodhounds before he was finally captured eight miles south of Yanceyville. For 6.5 hours, the fleet-footed escapee led a posse through woods, creeks and swamps. Once during the hunt, he was spotted by Highway Patrolman D. B. King. King said he fired a warning shot and called on Edwards to halt. He never saw him again. Edwards went like a streak through the woods.

Searchers, aided by two airplanes borrowed from the Wildlife Resources Commission, finally found Edwards lying face down near a creek. "He was plumb tuckered out," said a member of the posse. He provided no resistance.

The News and Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), 9 December 1959, Wednesday, Page 2

School Bus "Roadeo" - 1958

Caswell County History: School Bus "Roadeo"

In June 1958 a district School Bus "Roadeo" was held at the Bartlett Yancey Elementary School athletic field in Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina. Winners were awarded wrist watches. Box lunches were served by the Home Demonstration Clubs of Caswell County. Boys and girls were in separate classes. Winners would participate in the state contest at Chapel Hill June 16. State winners would receive a $500 scholarship. The Yanceyville event was open to the public.

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Winners are not known.

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Photograph not associated with the above. Click image to see a larger version.

Caswell County, North Carolina, Segregationist White Patriots Elect Officers 1958

Bernard Harding Dixon (1921-2000): Providence

Clyde Ray Jones (7 May 1977): Milton

Sam Winstead: Leasburg [possibly Samuel Harvey Winstead (1925-2021)]

Donald Poteat: Yanceyville [possibly Donald Hayden Poteat (1930-1978)]

Edward Vernon: Southern Caswell County [possibly Edward Rose Vernon (1895-1977)] 

Wilbur Chandler: Anderson [possibly Wilbur Gwynn Chandler (1930-2006)]

John B. Sartin: Locust Hill [possibly John Bailey Sartin (1915-1971)]

Cary Gatewood: Pelham [possibly Cary Iverson Gatewood (1915-2006)]

Robert Coleman: Leasburg [possibly Robert Lee Coleman (1916-1973)]

John P. Slaughter: Dan River Township [possibly John Proctor Slaughter (1909-1999)]

The Herald-Sun (Durham, North Carolina), 20 June 1958, Friday, Page 25.

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Caswell Development Co. (Caswell County, North Carolina)

Rotary Industrial Committee

The Rotary Club of Yanceyville took the initiative to begin the industrialization of Caswell County. In 1938, when the club was just in its second year, an industrial committee was appointed under the chairmanship of John O. Gunn, and it reported some specific plans to the club. The result was the organization of the Caswell Development Company with Gunn, T. E. Steed, and S. A. Malloy as incorporators. When the company was organized C. C. Cole became president while T. E. Steed and Hubert H. Page were vice president and secretary-treasurer, respectively.

An intensive campaign was begun to raise funds to construct an industrial building, and with the full cooperation of the Rotary Club and other citizens in the county a substantial sum of money was raised to begin construction. Additional money was borrowed and construction was completed very early in 1939 so that the Caswell Knitting Mill opened in late February. Artie Glenn Holt of Burlington (Company Shops) had recommended this particular type of industry and he became the operator of the mill, which gave employment to around 150 people. This was a significant beginning and it was symbolic of the future.

Source: When the Past Refused to Die: A History of Caswell County North Carolina 1777-1977, William S. Powell (1977) at 304.

Newspaper Article:

Four members of the Rotary Industrial Committee are pictured above, as follows: Jn. O. Gunn, chairman, upper left; T. E. Steed, upper right. Clarence L. Pemberton, lower left; Dr. S. A. Malloy, lower right. This committee, with the cooperation of the entire club and other county citizens, has been working on plans for the industrial development of Caswell county, and it is expected that an important announcement concerning this activity will be made at an early date.

The Caswell Messenger (Yanceyville, North Carolina), Thursday, 22 September 1938.

Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Association Meetings

 Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Association Meetings

1875: Church at Mt. Zion, Person County, North Carolina

1889: Baptist Church at Pine Grove, Granville County, North Carolina

1912: Prospect Hill Baptist Church, Woodsdale, Person County, North Carolina

1913: Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Ruffin, Rockingham County, North Carolina

1914: Sassafras Grove Baptist Church, Purley, Caswell County, North Carolina

1915: Beulah Baptist Church, Topnot, Caswell County, North Carolina

1916: Red Hill Baptist Church, Pelham, Caswell County, North Carolina

1917: River Zion Baptist Church, Blanch, Caswell County, North Carolina

1918: Saint James Baptist Church, Leasburg, Caswell County, North Carolina

1920: New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Roxboro, Person County, North Carolina

1924: Warren's Chapel Baptist Church, Prospect Hill, Caswell County, North Carolina

1925: Shady Grove Baptist Church, Gatewood, Caswell County, North Carolina

1928: New Hope Granville Church, Berea, North Carolina

1929: Cameron Grove Church, Fairntosh, North Carolina

1931: Mount Olive Baptist Church, Semora, Caswell County, North Carolina

1933: Burton's Chapel Baptist Church, Hightowers, Caswell County, North Carolina

1934: Morning Star Baptist Church, Rockingham County, North Carolina

1940: Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Caswell County, North Carolina

1966: Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Caswell County, North Carolina