I have just recently found this website and have had a ball going through all the pictures and information. My parents were John and Minnie Gallimore. We lived in (new) Leaksivlle near Five Forks. My father was one of the people responsible for the Boys Club. He was a Leaksville police office and later a Deputy Sheriff. I found some old pictures on this website that I had no idea existed. It was thrilling to see him in so many different aspects of his job. Seeing all these pictures brings back a lot of warm wonderful memories of growing up in a safe time when everyone had a skeleton key to their front door but, no one knew where it was.
Looking for family members- Wilson, Campbell, Sands, Bateman, Odell from Eden and surrounding areas.
I am doing research to add to family tree.
Possible areas are Eden, Leaksville, Spray, Danville, Rocky Mt. Va. Boones Mill, Va. Starkey, Va. Roanoke, Va.
I am searching for information on my grandfather or any other relatives related to him. His name is Robert Robertson, I am not sure of his birthdate, may have been born in the 1920's, he was mulatto, may have died sometime in 1950 I believe back in North Carolina, had my father Craig Robertson in Boston 1946 with Balbina Silva. I am anxious to find any family members that may be related to this side of my family.
well, i am here for the 1st time and i am so thrilled. this is a wonderful website! i was born in leaksville in 1950, and i AM moving back asap. my parents moved back 5 years ago after being gone for many many years. i went to burton grove in third grade, and then to greensboro, high school and raleigh, and then to richmond VA. lived in richmond area for over 30 yrs. i want to move back to eden sooooo much!
remember going to movies on sat. for 25 cents in Leaksville! (sometimes too scared to come out!) remember the chicken salad from Edwards market, down below the theatre??? my aunt worked at pace and stone for many years, she was hazel stevens.
hope to talk to some leaksvillians soon!
i love this site! oh yes, and going to Sealtest....and eating in the car with the tray on the door!!!!! those were the days!
dee in VA, but not for too much longer, i hope.
I have been looking at the pics on this website for quite some time now and one photo stands out to me and I just can't keep quiet about it any longer. One of the photos that Herman Searcy has put up is called "Spray Service Station". In that pic in the lower righthand side is a 1929 Chrysler Sedan. Anyway I have a car just like that that I bought from a man in Axton,VA several years ago. Could it be the same car??? Also in the book intitled "Rambling Blues The Life & Songs of Charlie Poole" by Kinney Rorrer there is a song that was never recorded or titled. In that song it talks about in January of 1929 Charlie Poole and 2 other friends (Sanford & Bobbie) were driving a Chrysler Sedan from Martinsville to a friends house; lost control ("BOOZE")of the car and wrecked it into the Smith River, also saying that Sanford kicked out the window to climb out and keep from drowning. And the car that I have now did show when I bought it that it may have been wrecked at one time, along with a busted out window or 2. Could it be the same car???
I guess this fits into the "we'll never know" category, Scott. It's hard to say. Anything's possible, though.
Thanks for your visits to the sites, and I'm glad you're enjoying it!
I am looking for information...specifically information from church or parrish records about my ancestors that lived in the area in the late 1700's. Birth, deaths, marriages of the John Abbott family around 1787, Edward Williams family before 1794. They came to North Carolina in 1780 and served in the American revolution. They were originally from Maryland.
I am the great granddaughter of Eugene Clark, who worked and lived in Leaksville for many years at the Karistan factory. He was an inventor and had patents with Marshall Fields for the loom that made the tufted pile rugs for Karastan. My daughter is wrighting a family history and we have a limited number of articles, etc. about Eugene. I was hoping that someone would have some more info about him - either personal or professional. Please send anything to betsy@strongs.com It would be greatly appreciated.
Looking for the family of John Frank and James Adkins. Both were born in the mid 1850's and lived in the Oregon Hill area. Would love to find some relatives.
Looking for family in the eden,northcarolina area
my father was born there and looking for any family
or close friends. MY FATHERS NAME is ORVILLE YARBROUGH
Yes, all the information you spoke of is correct. My daddy, Orville speaks of Milton still as we often look back at his old photos. We have quite a few pictures of your daddy and the family. I would very much be interested in those photos. Dad would love to see any you have. He has tried to keep up with the family but over the years has lost touch, especially after Cleo was gone. She kept him in touch with the happenings in the family.
Dad will be 80 next month and is in excellent health.
I wanted to find out any news on the family for him. Thank You so much for responding!
I guess that would make you and I cousins as well?
Dad was wondering about about someone but I can't remember who. I'll have to find out.
I am an infectious diseases specialist at Moses Cone Health System in Greensboro, NC and have been researching the first use of antibiotics in the area. A renowned pediatrician in Greensboro, Dr. Samuel Ravenel, was the first to report the antibiotic (para-aminobenzoic acid and no longer in use) treatment of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in l946 and published his report of the successful treatment of 5 patients in the Journal of the Amercian Medical Association in 1947. One of the patients was named in the article as Bobby Roberts, 17 years old, from Leaksvile, NC.I assume that Dr. Ravenel had permission to use his name and of course this was well before such conerns as HIPPA, the recent medical confidentialiy legislation in the U.S. Mr Roberts would be approximately 74 or 75 years old now and I am inquiring if any Leaksvillians may remember him, is he still living, and where? I would only want to congratulate him on his good fortune and longevity. Please email (tim.lane@mosescone.com) me if you know. Thank you, Timothy Lane,MD
I am working on my family history and came across a delayed certificate of birth stating that my gggrandmother was living in Leaksville, NC in 1959. Her full name was Charity Emeline Burcham Cheek Norman and she was 86 years old at this time. My gggrandfather died and she married David Norman in 1909. If anyone has any information on her or the family I would really appreciate it!
Jack, it's the weirdest thing. I am getting your e-mails, but when I send you one, they come back as undeliverable...even when I just hit "reply".
Anyway, you can contact Olin at hs072254@netpath.net.
A possible explanation might be a filter or something at AOL. My server says:
----- Transcript of session follows -----
... while talking to air-ya02.mail.aol.com.:
>>> RCPT To:<jmh7273@aol.com>
<<< 550 jmh7273 IS NOT ACCEPTING MAIL FROM THIS SENDER
550 <jmh7273@aol.com>... User unknown
Maybe you could set up a temporary free yahoo.com address or something, and use that.
Jack Harbour, please e-mail your old friend Harry Shively.
by
(no login)
Jack, your old friend of 50 years ago Harry Shively wants to get in touch with you. The e-mail address on the Leaksville.com GuestBook won't work for one reason or other.
Please e-mail me at kenny@leaksville.com and I'll forward your address to him, OK?
Kenny
His Mother and my Grandfather (Otis Hundley) were brother and sister, I know he stays in email contact with my uncle Keith, if you still have not gotten in touch with him let me know and I will get a message to him.
Well, much of my ancestral research on my ggg-grandfather, John Hall Bullard, has been blown to smitherines recently! I know who he was; I know that he built that Bullard-Ray-Harrington house (thanks to the friendly folk there in Eden!); and, I know who his wives and children were. I thought I knew who his parents were. Turns out, several Bullard researchers and I were all wrong. (*bangs head on desktop*) So, now I'm looking for some kind, kind soul to maybe do some research at the county library and/or records offices. Will gladly pay any fees associated with such research. I am looking for absolutely anything that might indicate the names of John Hall Bullard's parents. He was born Feb 24, 1808 in MA. He died Aug 1870 at Leaksville. He married Edith Wray on May 8, 1848 at Rockingham Co. He married Eliza A. Eager sometime before 1855. They lived, until 1870, in Leaksville. He operated Bullard & Company, a store there in Leaksville. Maybe the Bullard/Wray marriage record says something about parentage? Or, a death record for John? Or, maybe a will or probate record that might indicate siblings, or something? Maybe something that shows where in MA he was from? I'd be happy to find any clue at all. Among his many grandchildren, was my cousin, the infamous Dr. John Bullard Ray, if that helps any.
I'm trying to find his parents, too. Beth and I have both been working on this project for a couple of years. We have just learned that the people we thought were his parents were not, so we are at square one again.
He had three wives: Sarah Dudley, whom he married in 1828 in Sharon, MA. At least two children were born of this marriage, Sarah Caroline and Annie Morehead Bullard. The latter was my great-grandmother.
2. Edith Wray, whom he married in Rockingham Co. in 1848. We had previously thought that this marriage was childless. However, Mrs. Jean Dunn Harrington has produced an obituary of her death giving the stunning information that she died in Massachusetts, where they had moved from Leaksville and there had been two children born to the marriage. She was only about 22 when she died.
3. Eliza Ann Eager, whom he married in Mass., about 1855. There were six children born to this marriage and following his death in 1870, Eliza eventually returned to Massachusetts. She made her home with or near her son Charles by this marriage. She died sometime after the census of 1920. The youngest child of this marriage Forrest Bullard, ended up in the far west. He died in Tacoma, WA, in 1929. We don't know what became of the other children of the third marriage.
Does anyone in Eden have more information about this man?
Hi Folks,
I am looking for information or memories about my great-grandfather Tom Pratt, who lived in Leaksville 1866-1947. He had 7 children: Pearl, Alma, Thomas ( also called "Jake", my grandfather), Clyde, Jim, Reid, and Betty. My dad is Herbert Pratt, son of Jake and Josie.
I have many happy memories of summer vacations in Leaksville, walking to The Boulevard, and have enjoyed viewing the site.
Thanks,
Alison Pratt
Dear Alison,
I am your second cousin, Jeanne Turner Horton from Eden. I now live in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. I need badly to write to your dad as we lost contact when I moved last year. I may can look some information up for you as I am researching my Smith and Turner lines. I run across the Pratts all the time. They were in and around Stoneville, NC.
I haven't seen you since you were a small child, but you were beautiful. I would love to see you. Maybe you can come to a Smith Reunion sometime. Where are you living?
I will look and see what I have on Uncle Jake's family when I get back to the beach. I am using my cousin's computer until Isabel passes, so don't just respond to this at this e-mail address because I will not get it, you will have to use the 2khiway address.
I would be interested in having a reunion of all the boys that were in the DeMolay chapter in Leaksville. I was a member back in the 1960’s. Please email me at wilkesr@hargrave.edu .
Ihave tried to post this several times with no luck-- Maybe this will be the time. Iam trying to locate an old friend who attended MHS in the late 1960s- I do not think she graduated from there. Her father came to Eden ,er leaksville, to run The Southern National Bank.They stayed here until about 1969--She would be in her early fifties today. No one knows anythig-sounds like The Lost Colony case-- can any of you help me??? Email me -- I would really late to see her--or at least get a lead.
For many years ,The Lions club sponsored a one week carnival in Eden. As you may recall, this event took place at 2 seperate fair grounds. For about 15 years, my father was the finanicial officer for this event. So, as a kid, I sold tickets, parked cars, and got to ride alot of free rides. This is one of those things that he claimed not to like , but I think he did.Does any one have any programs, posters , etc or other items that promotes this event? I am getting to making a memory board and would like to include this. This ranks with the Demolay and Troop 15 as a beloved childhood memory. Email me at the above. Many thanks---
Roger L.Wilkes,Jr.
All members of the Class of 1977 are cordially invited to attend a belated 25th reunion. We will be having a Meet and Greet on 10/3/03 and a "Blast to the Past" 70's theme party on 10/4/03. For more information, please contact Wanda Stophel at auntwicked@hotmail.com, Stephen L. Smith at ssmith915@triad.rr.com or Pam Corum Sumpter at pcsumpter@hotmail.com before 9/15/03. We're going to have a "blast" so don't miss out!
I am looking to purchase a Morehead High School Yearbook for the class of 1990. If someone is willing to part with theirs or knows where I can find one, please contact me.
I am looking for a teacher that taught at Burton Grove Elementary school in the late 70's. She taught 3rd and 4th grade combination classes. Her name is Mrs. Paul. Unfortunately I do not remember her first name but I do remember she had horses and lived in the area. Does anyone have any suggestions on finding her?? Thanks! This is a great site. My mom and I love it.
Can anyone help me find a list of graduates from Leaksville nursing school from the years 1950 to 1960? I am searching for Nancy Jane Brown McCracken. Thanks
Kenny, I just send an email with the following information and if anyone else is interested this is a very BRIEF history of the Leaksville Nursing School.
Drs. Tyner and Casteen came to Leaksville to build Leaksville General Hospital in 1924. The hospital opened in early December 1924 and the nursing school was opened shortly thereafter. It was a 3 year course. Young ladies came from all over the southeast to attend the school. Dr. Tyner ran a very tight ship and maintained very high standards for the young ladies that attended. Even if they were residents of Leaksville, they were required to live at the nursing school.
THE SCHOOL CLOSED IN 1948 due to increased standards of learning put in place by officials in Raleigh, NC. The last class to graduate in 1948 only had 3 nurses to graduate.
There was no other school of nursing in Rockingham County until RCC (Rockingham Community College) opened in 1966.
Victoria you do not have all the information concerning the founding of Leaksville Hospital and Nursing School. My father, H. Carlyle Dixon, Sr. Was one of the three doctors. In fact, Dr. Dixon was contacted to take over a doctor's practice in Madison, N. C. He immediately saw the need for a hospital in Rockingham Co. and started looking around for the best location. After talking to Luther Hodges, who at that time was an employee of what was called Marshall Fields, and city or town officals and perhaps others who would have interest in a hospital being in Leaksville. Dr. Dixon then contacted Carl V. Tyner, who had opened a small hospital in a house in Smithfield, NC, and Edgar Thompson of Winston-Salem. All of the doctors were "friends" from Wake Forest. Dr. Thompsom was not interested in going to Leaksville as he was medical director at R. J. Reynolds. His wife was from New York and could not see living in a small town.
Then Dr. Casteen was contacted - at that time he was working for a mill in Mayodan where a brother-in-law was employed and Dr. Casteen agreed to come aboard. My Father died at the age of 43 in l935 and it seems that in years to come he has not been given the credit of being one of the three. If interested, The Leaksville News, Development Edition, dated August 1934 stats "Established in 1924 by Drs. Dixon, Tyner and Casteen"
There was Meadow Dairies on bridge st at the light before Leaksville Graded school.
Guilford Dairy was on Bridge St beside Ivie tiree in the early 60's.
I worked for Meadow Dairies for a lot of years while in High school and at Elon. This was where most of the teens hung out.
Second Annual Morehead High School Alumni & Friends Association Golf Tournament
The Morehead High School Alumni & Friends Association (MHSA&FA) will hold its second annual golf tournament this fall. The second annual tournament is scheduled for Homecoming weekend, Saturday October 4th at Meadow Greens Country Club (MGCC). The MHSA&FA is looking for another great turnout of players this year.
Speaking about last year¡¦s tournament, MHSA&FA President Lisa Cherry, MHS Class of '77 said, "The 1st Annual fundraiser definitely achieved our vision for an annual, fun-filled community social event. I was so pleased with the tournament. It was exciting to see participation from MHS students, as well as alumni from near and far, and friends from the community. The best part is that we netted enough money to start our scholarship program for the 2002-2003 school year and awarded $500 scholarships to graduating seniors Paige Belton, Stacey Walker, Ashley Vernon and Sabrina Harris. Congratulations! Knowing that students benefit from our efforts and fulfill their dreams is what gives us joy and drives the members of this organization. I'm looking forward to making the 2003 tournament bigger and better. Alumni and friends ranging from the Draper High School Class of '45 to future graduates in the MHS Class of '10 participated in 2002 with just about everyone taking home a prize either from the tournament or the post tournament awards ceremony drawing. Participants traveled to Eden from as far away as Washington, DC to play in the tournament and donations were received from as far as away as Alaska and Hawaii!¡¨
The MHSA&FA is negotiating with local business leaders for a title sponsor for this year¡¦s tournament and should announce the title sponsor in the July edition of the Journal. The following are the differing levels of sponsorship available for local businesses and individuals wishing to assist with this worthy community event. Golf Tournament Sponsorship Levels:
„« BRONZE ¡V $100 ¡V hole sponsorship with company/personal name on the sign.
„« SILVER ¡V $200 ¡V hole sponsorship; entry fee for one participant; 1 yr membership in MHSA&FA
„« GOLD ¡V $300 ¡V hole sponsorship; entry fee for two participants w/five mulligans each; 1 yr membership in MHSA&FA
„« PLATINUM ¡V $500 ¡V hole sponsorship; entry fee for four participants; w/five mulligans per player; 1 yr membership in MHSA&FA; picture of your company team in the Eden News.
„« STUDENT - $170 - sponsorship of a team of MHS/Holmes golf team members (selected by the MHS & Holmes Golf Coaches) w/five mulligans per student; 1 yr membership in MHSA&FA; picture of your student team as sponsored by you in the Eden News
„« COMPANY SPONSOR ¡V costs is $340 ¡V sponsor four participants w/5 mulligans each; a picture of your company team in the Eden News
„« CONTEST SPONSOR ¡V cost is $150 ¡V which pays for the prize awarded ¡V gets your/your company name on the hole on which the respective contest is being held (longest drive; straightest drive; longest putt).
Company Name:__________________________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________
Company Point of Contact:______________________Telephone:___________________
Email:__________________________________________________________________
Sponsorship Level (Circle One)
BRONZE SILVER GOLD PLATINUM STUDENT COMPANY CONTEST*
*If a CONTEST Sponsor Please Circle the contest you wish to sponsor
Longest Drive Straightest Drive Longest Putt
Participant Name(S):
Please make check or money order payable to: ¡§MHS Alumni & Friends Association, Inc.¡¨ Mail this form with your check or money order to
Despite increased tournament costs, the basic entry donation remains $75 ($68 for Meadow Greens Country Club members). Greens fees, range balls, carts and lunch are included in the entry donation. The MHSA&FA is a 501 (c) (3) publicly supported nonprofit organization. Donations and sponsorships are tax deductible IAW Internal Revenue Service rules and regulations. Tournament entry forms may be picked up at local area golf courses or the Eden Chamber of Commerce after June 15th. Those wanting to play in this year¡¦s tournament may also just mail the above form, along with their check to the address indicated above. Just write in ¡§PLAYER ONLY¡¨ in the Company name line on the form.
The 2003 tournament will again award prizes to the top four teams along with individual prizes for the longest drive, straightest drive, longest putt and closest to the pin on each par 3 hole. The MHSA&FA anticipates golfers again having the opportunity to win a new car by making a hole-in-one. Additionally, there will be drawings for door prizes donated by local businesses. Last year¡¦s team prizes included rounds of golf for the winning teams to play at the prestigious Forest Oaks Country Club course, home of the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic (the top prize was graciously donated by Ann (Vernon) Gainey MHS Class of '75); Beacon Ridge Golf & Country Club, located in the Pinehurst area; Deep Springs Country Club in Stoneville and the Goodyear Golf Course in Danville, VA. In addition to the golfers many community members provided administrative and logistical support and several MHS students donated their time and services by serving as "hole watchers" on holes where individual contests were held.
Winners from the 2002 tournament include the following:
1st place team ¡V Jim Craig, Randy, Poplin, Mike Brooks, Joel Hightower and Mike Ringholz
2nd place team ¡V Mike Barham, Mitch Watson, Al Williams and Jack Via
3rd place team ¡V Joseph Poplin, Tara Tilley, Mary McGuire and Aaron Drew
4th place team - Buddy Grohs, Bill Bryan, John Blackburn and Russell Hatcher
Closest-to-the-pin contest winners:
2nd hole - Joseph Poplin
6th hole - Russell Hatcher
15th hole - Mike Barham
17th hole - Link Barton
Longest drive contest winner ¡V Lisa Cherry
Straightest drive contest winner ¡V Jim Craig
Longest putt contest winner - Leslie Turner
Tournament Director Kevin Watson, MHS Class of '77, was pleased with the turnout for the first fundraiser but is looking forward to an even more successful tournament in 2003. Watson said, "Last year¡¦s tournament was a great opportunity to renew old friendships and make new friends. We generated over $2,000.00 for scholarships, which were awarded to four members of the 50th graduating class of MHS this spring ¡V Class of 2003. Additionally, we were able to enroll supporters of Eden¡¦s youth together into a community-wide event. Looking towards this year's tournament we have already gotten inquiries from alumni and friends who want to be a part of helping create the opportunity for more MHS students to achieve their dreams. Our goal is that no student is left behind."
All alumni are encouraged to join the MHSA&FA. Annual dues are $25. Anyone wanting to volunteer to help with this year's golf tournament may contact Steve Smith @ (336) 627-0333, email franklinbanknc@triad.rr.com ; Lisa Cherry @ (919) 255-6747 thirdcherry@cs.com ; Karen Cox @ (336) 623-4660, karen@rcncmls.com ; or Kevin Watson @ (703) 339-2572. sblmprof@hotmail.com. We need volunteers to help with tournament registration, contest judges and hole watchers. The MHSA&FA is a 501 (c) (3) organization so all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the IRS. We also need sponsors for holes and contests. Contact any of the four individuals above if you have any questions. Please support this worthy cause!
Hello from California! I've been looking for photos of the Bullard-Ray House (at 650 Washington St., Eden) for some time, but haven't yet located any. My great-great-grandfather, John Hall Bullard, built the place and Annie Morehead Bullard-Ray was his daughter. I'd love to get pictures of it... old ones and new ones, preferably. Anyone have any ideas? I'd be glad to pay (a reasonable fee) for both old and new photos.
I'm also seeking someone to take photos of John Hall Bullard's grave stone at the Church of the Epiphany Cemetery (if it's still named that). He died in 1870.
On a side note, my great-great-grandfather also built and equipped the old cotton mill at Spray for John Motley Morehead, owner at the time. He also prevented it from being burned during the Civil War because he happened to have attended school with General Stoneham, who decided not to destroy the place in the interest of old friendships.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.
Beth Bullard-Watson
Taylorsville, CA
watbull@plumasnet.com
After I posted the last message, I found a picture of the old house in the "Visitor Contributions" section of this website. I'm still interested in additional photos of the house, however, as well as the other photos I mentioned in my last post.
Just sent the photo to Beth that she was seeking. I sent the picture of the tombstone of John Hall Bullard plus a picture of the Church of the Epiphany taken from the back of the church so she would have an idea of where his tombstone is located in the cemetery.
The Boys Club Days...my home away from home...from school out till dark and later...all day on Saturdays...Saturday morning round ups by the older guys torturing us little guys...rook and chess games in the back...learned my ping pong and basketball here...still have the scar on my shin from playing "rabbit" in the dark and running into a horseshoe metal stob at full tilt...begging "ducks" on anyone who had the money for a double cola (6 cents)...riding the truck to Lynrock Pool everyday in the summer...collecting sundrop bottles full of wasps to get the deposits...friends and teammates like Mike Gallimore, Johnny Carter, Johnny Fulton, Punch Hunt, Gary, Brian, Pat and Mike Hundley, Byrd and Gary Stratton, Bo and Tommy Davis, Jimmy Griffin, Sammy and Johnny Law, and a whole lot more...Directors Herbert Hughes and the Matthews (Jimmy and Harold)and later, Sammy Law...Ha ha ha...what a time...what a time...a lot of us poor boys got rich in experiences at The Boys Club!
Hey Gene some of us girls had fun playing at the five forks to even if they would not let us in, didn't understand why my brothers could go in and i couldn't and ride that truck to go swimming,You no i could fight them boys back then and i think i could still take them on, haha even if i am a grandma
Sure I remember you! Time sure flies when you're having fun. I've had some good times over the years...some of which have almost matched some of the good times I had in Leakesville...and Spray...and, of course, Draper, where I fell in love more than once!
Hope you're doing well and hope life has treated you to lots of special moments!
I am seeking information on Nathaniel Henry, son of Patrick Henry, who was an early instructor at Leaksville Acadamy. Does anyone have dates as to when he taught and when he left Leaksville? I have copies of pp. 21-22 from the 1983 edition of "The Heritage of Rockingham County, NC." Any additional information about him or the school would be greatly appreciated.
Edith Poindexter
Curator, Patrick Henry National Memorial
1250 Red Hill Road
Brookneal, VA 24528
Michael, please e-mail me about your pictures. I tried a couple of time e-mailing you but it kept coming back to me. I'm at kenny@kennycarter.net.
Thanks,
Kenny Carter
Webmaster
Leaksville.com
EDEN -- The Rockingham County school board voted Monday night to rename the Morehead High School auditorium after former choral teacher Duane Best.
The vote came after dozens of people filled the meeting to regale the board with outpourings of support for renaming the auditorium after Best, Morehead's choral director from 1960 to 1998.
Celeste DePriest and Wayne Kirkman, the two board members who represent Eden, voted against the measure. At past meetings, the two said there isn't wide support in the community for the proposal.
"People are saying 'It's been Morehead auditorium for more than 40 years and we'd like to keep it that way,'" Kirkman said.
By press time, the board had not voted on any of the other issues on its agenda.
Former students of Best led the push to rename Morehead Auditorium after the retired teacher.
"I consider him a very dear friend," said D.B. Dalton, a former Morehead student. "He could convince students they had the ability to do more than they dreamed possible."
The audience was filled with supporters of the proposal, who stopped on several occasions for standing ovations.
Pete Cunningham, who spoke for renaming, brought a letter from the descendants of the Morehead family that expressed their support for renaming the building.
Monday night, only one man spoke against renaming the building. "That building was dedicated to the Morehead family," said Richard Watkins, who graduated from Morehead around the time when the auditorium was built.
In other business, the board was expected to approve a plan to curb the county's high school drop out rate. Of the 1,183 students who entered county high schools in 1998, 716 graduated within four years.
The plan would create a home school counselor in each elementary school and expand mentoring programs at elementary schools by training volunteers to work with potentially at-risk students. It would also add a second set of school buses for middle schools that would arrive about 90 minutes after school gets out to allow students to stay for extracurricular activities.
The cost of the first year is estimated at $294,000, but school officials expect all but $26,000 to come from state and federal grants.
The board was also expected to approve changes in school testing.
The proposal calls for teachers districtwide to follow a teaching guide that would outline what learning objectives should be taught, when and for how long.
Every six weeks, students would be tested on the material to make sure they were grasping key concepts.
The board planned to take a position on a proposed redistricting of school board elections. Though no specific proposal is on the table, there has been a grass-roots push to allow some members of the board to be elected at large.
The county commissioners invited two school board members to meet with commissioners Keith Duncan and David Isley to discuss possible changes.
School board members are now elected in eight separate districts. Wayne Barham, the Bethany man who is spearheading the movement, has suggested four districts and three at-large seats, though a formal proposal has not been presented.
Any proposal must be passed by the General Assembly. Additionally, the U.S. Justice Department must approve any changes to the school board, because of concerns about minority representation related to the Voting Rights Act.
Finally, there was another renaming proposal, to name the Morehead High School concession stand after Mark Evans. Evans had been a pitcher on the team from 1997 until 2000. He died from a blood infection in January 2001 at the age of 20. No decision had been made by press time.
"He was a great person, he was a leader," said Jim Hamrick, Evans' former baseball coach. "He was loved and respected by his peers and his coaches."
More details about the meeting will appear in the News & Record on Wednesday.
Contact Scott Michels at 627-4881, Ext. 137, or at smichels@news-record.com
Finally made contact with Karen Casteen Gentry who had posted a message back in January. Anyway, we spent the better part of Sunday emailing back and forth. So, guess what I found out.
For all of you Civil War History Buffs make sure you see the new movie "Gods and Generals" because you will see DR. CASTEEN'S GRANDSON, David Carpenter. David is a 49 year actor who has appeard in Lonesome Dove, Matlock, JAG plus several other great movies. He also appeared in Gettysburg as Col. Thomas Devin. Look carefully at the battle scenes at the end of Part 1` on Little Round Top.
So, now in "Gods and Generals" he is wearing grey as Rev. Lacy who was the personal chaplain/minister of General Stonewall Jackson. Oh yeah, my maternal great great grandfather served under General Stonewall Jackson.
Kenny, can not THANK YOU enough for this web site. Keep up the great work.
Get the popcorn ready 'cause this kid is going to the movies.
Saw Gods and Generals yesterday, it was an excellent movie and I think David Carpenter did an excellent job playing Rev Lacy.
I have been to all 3 of the battlefields shown in the movie and found it to be very authentic.
I am currently researching the Father of Dr Kenan Casteen (the Grandfather of both David Carpenter and myself) Ceybun Casteen served in the 4th Cavalry in the Civil War. He lived in Duplin County, NC.
If anyone has any more information please let me know. I have traced Dr Casteens Mother, Bethany Lanier back to the 1700's but those Casteens are elusive.
"Gods and Generals" is the best Civil War (War of Northern Aggression?) film I've ever seen.
It has great historical authenticity and portrays Southerners in the kind of accurate light that one rarely sees. It's long (nearly four hours) but has an intermission. As with any superb film, I wasn't even aware of the time. Special kudos to the portrayals of both General Lee and General Jackson.
The battle scenes are shockingly authentic. Go see it!!!!!!
I'm William W. "Bud" Howe. I left Eden for San Antonio, TX about 35 years ago. Most of my family has also moved away.
My dad was Howard W. Howe who worked at the old Spray Woolen Mill from the time he was around 16 years old until his retirement. Thanks to dad I was priviledged to meet some of the most colorful and wonderful people of my entire life. I caught my first fish in the old mill canal one night with my dad and Harvey Stewart. I remember sitting on the fish, until dad could find something to string it on. They later took a picture of me and the fish behind dad's 1936 Plymouth, a car he bought from Clint Atkins.
As for the radio station WLOE...I was once recorded singing "Mama Don't Allow No Guitar Playing Around Here". I won a radio for my trouble.
I'd love to hear from some of dad and mom's old friends, if any of you are still kickin'! I like to get mail from the young/old also. God bless you all!
Maybe we can be of help to each other. I am looking for any information on the early physician's that where in in Leaksville (Eden).
Now Dr. Casteen's grandson and ? namesake is Kenan Wright and is a businessman here in Eden working with his dad, Homer Wright who married Betsy Casteen. Now I had a conversation with Homer over 10 years ago and he was a wealth of info on Dr. Casteen. For example, Dr. Casteen NEVER sent out bills to his patients for the simple reason that he believed that patients knew what their debts where and he saw no reason to waste the time, paper and postage to send out bills.
I know there is a black and white photo of Betsy Casteen Wright when she was the flower girl in the wedding of Dr. Phil Ray and Bessie Clark in 1930. One of Dr. Phil's daughters has the photo.
I have a copy of the old Leaksville Hospital from about 1924 before it opened.
I also remember riding the school bus when I was in the 5th grade (1961-1962) with Betsy and Homer's twin daughters who were in high school at that time.
Morehead Hospital has a large oil portrait of both Dr. Casteen and Dr. Tyner that are hanging across from the employees elevators on the 1st floor. I sure wish they could be moved to a more visual place where more people could see them. (sorry that is a pet peeve of mine).
As Dr. Casteen passed away about the time I was born I would love to know what you know about him.
Anything I can do to help you on with this I will be more than happy too.
Hope to hear from you soon. I am taking next week off from work and will see what I can find for you.
Vicki Thomasson
1630 Bethlehem Church Road
Reidsville, NC 27320
ERgirl911@yahoo.com
I searched through the information I have collected from various sources and I have this information about Dr. Casteen which is copied from the book, "The Tale of Three Cities". This information was supplied by Dr. Casteen's eldest daughter, Betsy Casteen Wright. Hope it fills in some of the missing spots on your Casteen family tree.
"Dr. Keenan Casteen was born July 22, 1890 and died December 13, 1953. He was the youngest child in a family of 12. He was born in Kenansville, NC in Duplin County, the son of Bethany Lanier Casteen who was born August 29, 1848 and Ceyburn Casteen who was born February 2, 1835.
Dr. Casteen attended Daleway School in Duplin County and was taught by Charles Maynard Beach who later moved to Leaksville and helped with adult education. Dr. Casteen was a graduate of Wake Forest College and interned at Bellevue Hospital in NY and in 1924 finished at the NY Eye and Ear Infirmary. He practiced medicine in Kenasville, Mayodan (NC) and in 1924 he and Dr. Carl Tyner opened Leaksville General Hospital where he continued to practice until his death.
On May 31, 1924 he married Annie Pearl Roberts who was born August 21, 1897 in Lafayette, GA. They were the parents of 3 daughters-Alice Bethania ("Betsy"), Patricia Ray and Margaret Kenan.
Betsy was born October 28, 1925 in Leaksville. She is the mother of 6 children, all born in Rockingham County. ALice Bethania (Beth) and Linda Casteen Wright were born March 16,1948; Homer Edward Wright III on June 7, 1950; Kenan Casteen Wright on March 2, 1953; Martha Cynthia Wright on December 16, 1955 and Margaret Ann Wright on February 26, 1957. The 4 youngest are all graduates of UNC-Chapel Hill. Beth graduated from Pomona COllege in CA and Linda graduated from Occidential COllege in Los Angeles, CA."
Here are bits and pieces I picked up from different sources.
Dr. Casteen was an ENT who also dispensed glasses.
He had "loads of friends" and really didn't care about the business side of medicine.
I also have some info on the parents of Mrs. Annie Roberts Casteen. Please let me know if you need this info also. Sorry but I don't know much about the other 2 daughters of Dr. Casteen but I will keep searching for more info.
I recently went to the family history center at the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City where I found the only copy of a book LANIER by Louise Ingersoll.
The book details the family of Bethany Lanier, the mother of Dr Kenan Casteen and traces back to Benjamen Lanier b 1711. The significance of this is that anyone wishing to join DAR, who is in the direct line of Bethany Lanier may do so under Benjamen Lanier who gave 300 lbs of beef to the soldiers in the Revolutionary War.
I made copies of the text relating to Lanier/Casteen union if anyone would like a copy.
Hi~I love the website! My father born and raised in Leaksville as was much of his family. His name was Francis Lloyd Wilkins (later Frank because he thought Francis was a "sissy name") I notice there is a "Brownie Wilkins" listed on the NICKNAMES page. My father told me numerous times that he was known in his youth as Brownie and Sonky. I wonder if this is that is him on the page? I sent Mr. Carter an email. He was born in 1920 to Robert Lee and Virginia Simpson Wilkins. I know that one of his grandmothers was named Laura Alice Carter. His best friend growing up and also his uncle (near the same age) was Francis Buckner who was married to Lorraine(Robert Lee Wilkins' sister who still lives there to my knowledge) My father had two sisters, Marion (Peggy) and Margaret. ANY information anyone can give me on this family would be WONDERFUL! My father told me once that his father Robert Lee Wilkins was once president of 3 combined union locals-THe AFofL, the Textile WOrkers of America, and one more that I can't recall right off hand. THANKS I remembered! the 3rd Union local was the CIO...also I found out that this may have been when he was working for the Hanes Underwear Co.in Mayoday, NC. He later worked for the Marshall Fields Co. in Leaksville making bedspreads I believe.
Monica, I was researching a rumour I have often heard that my grandfather, Robert Lee Wilkins, was related to Robert E. Lee. I googled his name and found this site. I am your first cousin and remember you as a very small child when I was a teenager. I am Peggy Wilkins youngest daughter. I remember you and David well. If you get this message, please email me. Looks like we are looking for the same information. By the way, I remember Uncle Buckner very well. He was married to "Gramp's" sister Lorraine. He died sometime ago, but I think Lorraine is still alive and lives either in Eden or with one of her kids in Atlanta. He was a very special man.
I posted yesterday about the Wilkins family. I want to add a detail about the NICKNAMES page. There was also an "Uncle Bud" Wilkins listed along with "Brownie". My father's grandfather, John Wesley WIlkins was also known as Uncle Bud. Perhaps this is the same? Thanks for any help!
Looking for information about several different areas of local history. So, here is my "wish list".
1) CHARLES REYNOLDS-Lt governor around the turn of the 20th Century. Son of Dr. Thomas Reynolds in Leaksville. His Mom was the niece of Governor John Morehead and he was the brother in law of Dr. Thomas Taylor.
2) DR PHIL RAY- As most of you might know from an article a while back in the Eden (LEAKSVILLE) News, his middle daughter Rachel Wright (a very good friend of mine) is compling ANY information on her Dad. I gladly voluntered to help her in this effort. Give her a call if you have any info or email me.
3) Any other medical information-Especially interested in the early doctors and the early years of Leaksville Hospital. Have already located the photo of the hospital when it was built when the main steps went up to the 2nd floor. Looking for stories about the doctors, nurses, pictures, stories, old medical bills etc etc. Now come on, I know my grandmother is not the only one who has never thrown anything away. Don't forget about the nursing school that Drs Tyner and Casteen operated until around 1950. Here are some of the names (in no particular order) TAYLOR, REYNOLDS, AB JOHNS (SR & JR), SYD MARTIN, WM MARTIN, DILLARD, TUTTLE, MATTHEWS, SAM PACE, DIXON, JONES, COX, GUERRANT, PHIL RAY, JOHN RAY.
Eventually all of this information will be put together in some type of book and journal, hopefully to be published somewhere.
This is a great website. Especially happy to see the photos of Kenneth Samuels, who was my uncle. Thanks for posting those.
Thanks in advance to anyone that can help or point me in the right direction.
Hi Vicki,
I saw your message today on the Leaksville.com Message Board, and took the liberty of posting it on the Leaksville.com E-mail group also, which I hope is OK...There are 45 or so Leaksville people on the group, so hopefully someone there might come up with something.
Hey, if you want to share a photo or two of the old hospital for Leaksville.com, that would be great! That's where I was born, you know...
I am seeking information on my grandfather, James Murray (Leaksville High School class of 1932), or members of his family. His parents were Roscoe and Julia Webster Murray, and he had nine siblings: Lottie, Elnora, Swannie, Helen, Lillian, Otis Vernon, Erwin, Grace, and Hazel. Any and all information, photos, stories, etc. will be greatly appreciated!
My uncle has the bottles you are looking for however getting him to turn loose of one GOOD LUCK. He does not have the internet but can talk through me.Please label e-mail as got milk
My great grandfather lived in Leaksville area in the 1850's. Does anyone have any information about him? I hope that I have some cousins who are interested in geneology in Eden.
Sincerely, Sam Vernon Marion,Va 12/31/02
I was born in Leaksville and grew up there. Graduated from schoolthere. Any of my friends still around? Would love to talk to you. I live in La., close to New Orleans.
Myrna
I recognized your name as (1) sister of my classmate James and (2) a school friend of my sister Billie Jean, TCHS '55. Billie has made her life in WA State but spent nearly a year here around and after our mother's death. Billie had her "sabattical" here 9/01-7/02, and while here was put in touch (through Hugh Chatham of Jamestown, NC) with Henry Richards, the English & Speech teacher fro her time at Tri-City. She even magaged to visit him in his retirement placement (V.A. facility in Asheville) while she was seeing the mountains. Bille has been widowed for about 5 years, has three children (one in WA, one in MD & one in CA)and the world's most perfect 3 1/2 year old grand-daughter (her kids are getting a later start than most). She is a retired Special Ed teacher but is keeping very busy in her retirement as a substitute. In NC she maintains contact with a fellow Price Road girl Addie Dyer and with Mary Hinternhoff Sugioka in Chapel Hill. Mary is retired from developmental pediatriacs at UNC. It was funny to run into her in that capacity a number of years ago in my proffessional social work role, and had to introduce myself as "Billie Jean's little sister." I will be working with your sister-in-law Lynda and others on our 40th class reunion for next year. And just think, we're your YOUNGER siblings. I will give Billie your regards. Kate Holman
I have had the hardest time trying to e-mail you back.Finally figured how to write back. So glad to har from you and new of my classmates.what ever happened to Iva Robers and Jo Marie Smith and H. C. Pace, etc. Please tell all to write to me. I have been maried twice and have 2 children. One by each husband. Single now. A girl first and then a boy. I have a grandson who is 16 years old, going on 25. I would love to see you all again.
Pleae write back when you have time.
Myrna
i have no email, at neices home wanted to say hi. i do remember you and burton grove, 1 year at leaksville hi and morehead. you do know we have our 50 coming up soon. hope you can be here. i left leaksville(eden) in 56 traveled over much of the country and returned to eden in 1974 as director of ems. worked in x ray as registered tech. and retired from morehead hospital a couple of years ago. still live on the price road in our old family home place. nice to see ypur name and be able to say hi. if you would like to leave a message mt neice can be reached dgillie@earthlink.net
Hello,my mother,Nancy Lee Sexton,was born in Leaksville.She also lived in Eden and Spray.Her parents were George Richard and Leonia Frances McAlexander Sexton.I would greatly appreciate any help in my search.Good or bad.I visited Leaksville,Draper and Spray while attending my great uncle's funeral.I enjoyed the scenery under the circumstances.Thanks for your time.I would like to hear from you.Brenda
LIVED IN EDEN ALL MY LIFE AND IT'S SO NICE TO READ ABOUT ALL THE FOLKS THAT HAVE EITHER LIVED HERE OR
KNOW SOMEONE WHO DOES. MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT THE OLD
NORTH SPRAY SCHOOL AND ARE INTERESTED IN FINDING SOME
OLD PICTURES PERTAINING TO THAT SCHOOL. GIVE ME A "HOLLER" IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING.
My mothers mother died,and because my grandfather was left with 11 kids,Gaston Co. N.C. DSS came and took most of them out of the home.Mildred Walker was one of the kids that was adopted out,and my mother is,and has been looking for her.The clues that I have so far are these:
She was raised (until the adoption) in Stanley NC,Gaston Co.It is believed that she was adopted out to a family in Draper.
Her original name was Mildred Walker (first and or last name possibly changed due to the adoption)
Her birth mothers name was Essie Mae Walker
Her birth fathers name was Louis Daniel Walker
She has sisters:
Brenda
Betty
Georgia
Sue (originally Sude)
And Brothers:
Billy
Avery
Junior
Walt
Both Billy,and Betty were born with a cleft lip and palate.The list of brothers and sisters is incomplete.I am getting new info every day and will update here as soon as I get it.I am looking for this lady,any help would be very much appreciated.BTW this is a very nice,and well constructed website.Thanks again for any help that you can offer...
I just came by more information this morning.Her full name was Mildred Colleen Walker.She was adopted out between the years of 1951 & 1953.She would have been approx. 1 to two years old.She was adopted by a gentleman named Leon Wyatt and his wife that lived in Draper.Her mothers maiden name was Essie Mae Gibson.There is one more brother that I can list:Donald Walker.Doing the math on the date that my grandmother died,we can estimate that Mildred would be in her early 50's.There is some disagreement on the date that Essie Mae passed,some say that it was 1951,and Mildred was adopted soon after.For the record the offical death certificate says 1953.I have a photo of Mildred coming in the mail,it is c.1952,as soon as I get it I will scan it and post it.Thanks again.....Aaron
Aaron... I am not really sure about this information. However, I grew up in Draper and lived at 142 Fieldcrest Rd. most of my childhood. Directly across the street from my house lived Jack Wyatt and his wife, Leonne. They adopted a girl about the time I left for service in 1951 and I think her name was Mildred. Both the Wyatts have passed away now but the girl still lives in the home last time I was in Draper. There is a Frank B. Wyatt Jr. listed in phone book at 740 Fieldcrest Rd., Eden, phone number is 336-635-5821. Try giving him a call and see it is a connection. Also, my mother is 86 and we just moved her to Rockingham from Draper to live with us about two months ago. Her and Mrs. Wyatt were really close. She is in bed asleep now but I will talk to her in the morning and see if she can tell me anything. If you go to Draper looking for the house go East on Fieldcrest Rd. towards Dan River. About one quarter mile from downtown stores will be her house on right. Where our home used to be is now a service station garage and auto detail business as the home burned years ago and property was sold. Hope everything works out for you.. Herman
I had just talked to my mothers aunt,who is ill,and was about to come here and post the fact that I had messed up on the name of her adopted parents!The names are Jack & Leona Wyatt!This is great,I am really thankful that you replied to me,any other info you can give us in truly icing on the cake.Once again thank you,and if there is anything I can do for you let me know!
Aaron.. I talked with my mother and she said that Jack and Leona Wyatt did adopt Mildred and she knew her very well. Is a very pretty lady and she thinks she does nursing work with elderly people in Eden. She
married a Freddy Overby and has two sons. Was divorced from Freddy and moved back to Fieldcrest Rd. to take care of Leona when Jack passed away. The address should be 132 S. Fieldcrest Rd., Eden, NC 28379. Phone number 336-635-3083. One of her sons is an automobile mechanic and was working in the Draper section at what used to be Lemons Brothers Garage. He has done work on my mothers's car in the past and she said he is really nice and a friendly guy. It is located at what we used to call "across the tracks" in Draper. Do not know the name of the shop now though. Overby's Garage is listed at 132 Fieldcrest Rd., Eden also, number 336-635-3083. May be a connection for you also. Best of luck.. Herman
We have found her,she is alive and well,and plans are being made to set up a meeting.The sisters will be united after over 50 years of being seperated.Thanks for your help,it could not have been done without you!All of my aunts say thank you.
Herman you are really on the ball here again! This is a really heartwarming end to this discussion, which I have been following.
Also, your numerous photographs and other contributions have been crucial to the success of Leaksville.com.
Thanks,
Kenny Carter
What an unbelievable story, most especially the fact that this search was concluded within four days on this site. But whatever became of Roy Searcy after he finished Carolina. I was in elementary school when he & TCHS were in their glory years. My dad took me to all the games (I still love ACC b'ball as a result) and Roy was a hero to the whole Tri-Cities, both locally and while he was a Tar Heel. Best wishes to all involved in these fascinating connections.
Hi Kate,
Roy passed away in 1994. His brother Herman, who has contributed a massive amount of the photos on this site, sent this picture of Roy while he was a basketball player at UNC-Chapel Hill. It's located at http://www.sshe.org/RoySearcy.htm
Roy Searcy was a 1954 graduate of Tri-City Senior High School and was a member of its 1953 North Carolina State Championship high school basketball team. He was also one of the Co-captains of the West All Star Team in 1953.
Roy graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1958. He was a junior on UNC's 1957 NCAA National Championship team.
Roy died of colon cancer on December 24, 1994 in Winston Salem, NC. He is a member of the Eden YMCA Hall of Fame. (Photo and information submitted by Herman Searcy)
I don't see anything on the concrete bridge over Dan River. For years and years it was not connected. I think it was featured in Believe It Or Not, but I have not been able to find it. I think there is something on the bridge in the History of Rockingham County.
Smith Haley
One other thing. My brother Reid said Rabit Martin hit the furthest home run at the old ball park next to the Leaksville Graded School. It went over the building next to the fence and fell in the yard next to the main building. Rabit was catcher for the Leaksville colored team.The white team played the black, I think, every 4th of July. Reid lives with our sister on 2nd Street. If you want to talk with him about it let me know. Do you have an Archive Dept?
Leaksville area Black Baseball Team (c.1930s)
Black baseball team of the Leaksville area, circa 1930s. Players are unknown except for the catcher, "Rabbitt" Martin. Martin was reportedly an exceptional player.
This message has been edited by kennycarter on Feb 17, 2003 4:19 PM
Sure, I'd love to hear anything your brother has to say about baseball in Leaksville.
My father, Richard Carter (who played professional baseball) told me that Rabbit Martin had one of the best arms for a catcher he'd ever seen...that Rabbit could throw out a runner going to second while sitting on the ground. He also said Rabbit used to babysit him when he was a small child.
The only archives I have are the GuestBook archives. Every thing else is on the regular pages.
Kenny Carter
