The memory of Charles M. Eppes is revered in Pitt County, North Carolina, but his persistent caping for Charles L. Coon considerably tarnishes his name in Wilson.
Eppes, who was “so full of enthusiasm for the Negro children that I feel that the great white race should know,” drafted this tribute after Coon died in December 1927. In the penultimate paragraph, Eppes makes reference to the Mary C. Euell/Colored Graded School incident: “In one of the stormiest school fights in the state he honorably stood by the most energetic and hardworking school men that the Negro race has had in the state — J.D. Reid, his wisdom is shown by Reid’s success in health work, school work, banking, and community welfare work. We have not one man who has equalled Reid in unselfish work. Prof. Coon stood with him till God called him.” [Two years later, Reid was in prison for crimes related to the collapse of Commercial Bank.]
Wilson Daily Times, 21 January 1928.