Wilson Daily Times, 29 September 1938.
The Red Raiders of Darden? I have never known Darden High School’s mascot to be anything other than the mighty Trojan, and the school colors were blue and white. I’ll have to dig into this.
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- Coach Miller — John M. “Bing” Miller Jr.
- Glenwood Bass — Noah Glenwood Bess. In 1942, Glenwood Bess registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 October 1922 in Wilson; lived at 208 Pender Street; his contact was Mrs. Clinton Bess [mother]; and he was not employed.
- C.C. Dawson — Clarence C. Dawson Jr. In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 619 Green Street, Charlie Thomas, 74; daughter Sarah Bryant, 29, movie theatre cashier; her husband Willie, 29, bicycle shop repairman; and children Jean, 6, and Fay G., 5; daughter Beatrice Neal, 29; her husband Willie, 28, retail grocery delivery boy; and grandsons Clarence Dawson, 17, and Thomas Dawson, 13.
- George Swinney — in the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 602 Viola Street, Samuel Swinney, 76, painter, daughters Ester, 22, a tobacco stemmer, and Gracie, 22, superintendent at NYA project, and sons Johnnie R., 18, “in CCC camp,” and George, 17.
- Leroy Foster — in 1940, Leroy Foster registered for the World War II draft. Per his registration card, he was born 10 January 1917 in Wilson; lived at 303 North Vick Street; his contact was sister Carrie Highsmith, 1910 North 21st Street, Philadelphia; and he was a student at Livingstone College, Salisbury, N.C.
the 1939 football team won a championship and were listed as the Trojans. may there have been a naming renaming or official recognition of a true mascot i propose the ” red raiders ” may have been used euphemistically prior to an official name. the red raiders may have come from the name given to the fire squad the ” red hots . ” my contention stems from the fact that 1.) up unitl the early 1960’s many Darden footballers off season conditioning was to participate in the fire races, drills in which 6 individuals would run a city block pulling a fire wagon hose attaching it to a fire hydrant uncapping the valve and shooting out the first spary of water. the drill was timed with a hand held stop watch, the fastest time being the winner. this was quite a feat and spectacle as the wagon weighed at least 300 lbs. the races were held in MY era on Vick street. the race would start at Green St. and proceed up Vick St. the finish line was the fire hydrant at Piney Grove Church. quiet a feat of strength and endurance that rivsls any off season conditioning i’ve ever season. 2.) many members of the 1939 team Speight,Brown,Branford,Jones in particular were members of the volunteer fire department. i have thought over the last few years in retirement to reprise the ” fire races ” as a summertime event for the Youth in the summer. lets find some funder investors in the age of ” NIL. ” Harold Mincey is an authority in this regard as his Father was the organizer and official of this summertime highlight. the Trojan Teams of this era were known for their toughness !!!!
Thanks for weighing in, Harry! I recall that Coon Jr. High had two teams — the Red Raiders and Blue Chargers, but that was well after this period. The school’s name changed to Darden from Wilson Colored High School in 1938 — perhaps “Red Raiders” was the Wilson High mascot, and this reference was a slip?