Entertainment

Holden School students enjoy a day in town.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 6 May 1933.

——

  • Marie Howard
  • Holden School
  • Atlantic Christian College
  • Negro National Anthem
  • Elizabeth Harris — Ada Elizabeth Harris.
  • Robert L. Taylor — in the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer George Taylor, 51; wife Crina, 35; children John, 20, James, 11, Robert L., 10, Jimmie D., 3, and Crina M., newborn; stepdaughter Maggie, 20; and granddaughter Flossie M., 2 months.
  • James Taylor — see Robert Taylor, above.
  • Wallace White — in 1940, Wallace White registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 June 1917 in Darlington, S.C.; lived at Route 3, Wilson; his contact was mother Lela Scarbrough; and he worked for P.P. Gordon, Washington, D.C.
  • Roger White
  • Paul Sharp — in the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer
  • Mary Barnes
  • Rosa M. Ellis
  • Essie M. Barnes — in the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Cofield Barnes, 54; wife Hattie, 33; children Sarah, 21, Eser L., 15, Hallie, 13, Jimmie L., 11, and Flecher, 3; and grandson James Curry, 5.
  • Marie Barnes
  • Rosa Lee Curry — on 18 October 1938, John M. Taylor, 19, of Gardners township, son of Frank and Emma Taylor, married Rosa Lee Currin [sic], 19, of Gardners township, daughter of Joe and Bee Currin, in Wilson.
  • Gracie Sweeney — Gracie Swinney.
  • Ida Lee Harris — in the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Leander Harris, 44; wife Lucy, 48; and daughters Ada E., 21, schoolteacher, Rosa, 20, Davie, 18, and Ida, 15.
  • Helen Harris
  • Mr. and Mrs. James Crocker — were the Crockers, a white couple, guests in Ada E. Harris’ home?
  • Carolina Theatre

Gala day for County School Commencement!

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 21 April 1917.

Can you imagine? Each spring, hundreds and hundreds of county school children gathered at the Colored Graded School to launch a parade through the streets of downtown Wilson, led by a brass marching band. (The article says 2000 children marched in 1917. There were only about 20 county schools, none larger than three rooms. That is a thirst for knowledge.) The children’s manual arts exhibits were displayed on the school grounds and in the auditorium an array of dignitaries (including “three white ladies from New York” and Dr. Frank S. Hargrave) graced the stage. Speaker after speaker delivered messages in the Booker T. Washington mode — work hard, be patriotic, know your place. J.D. Reid, principal of the Graded School and supervisor of the black county schools, was recognized for having spearheaded a prodigious fundraising drive, money that likely represented the community’s monetary contribution to the four Rosenwald Schools built in Wilson County in 1917 and ’18 — Williamson, Rocky Branch, Kirby’s, and Lucama. (Just shy of a year later, Reid and Charles L. Coon were embroiled in the disgraceful events that led to a boycott of the Graded School, but let’s stay present….)

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  • Rev. Perry — Rev. Robert N. Perry, pastor of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church
  • Mr. Vick — Samuel H. Vick, former Graded School principal and extraordinary businessman and political leader

Red Hots take top honor in Warrenton.

Wilson Daily Times, 15 July 1949.

Though their longtime leader Ben Mincey was nearing death, the Wilson colored volunteer company, better known as the Red Hots, won top honors at the North Carolina colored fire association’s annual contest, securing silver belt.

The company:

The hose reel team:

  • Charles Artis
  • Fred Barnes
  • Mack McKeathan — Daniel “Mack” McKeithan
  • Chester Smith (who was high school-aged) — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1023 Roberson Street, Emma Smith, 44, cooks and cleans, and children Gloria, 24, Chester, 17, Emma E., 13, and Robert, 8.
  • Moses Worsley (who was in high school) — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1210 Carolina, David Worsley, 43, butler in service; wife Connie, 36, tobacco factory hanging room worker; and children John E., 17, Moses, 15, Elnora, 15, Lois Jean, 11, and Stoney, 9.
  • Joseph Meachen
  • Offie Clark (who was in high school)
  • Clarence Reid — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 705 East Green, Mabel Boney, 58, husband Calvin, 65, and son Floyd, 27, pool room manager; sister Isabelle Reid, 51; and lodgers Viney, 58, servant, and Clarence Reid, 19; yard cleaner Robert Lee King, 28, and wife Marjorie, 17; Raymond, 24, and Lester Hines, 21, delivery boy; and Neil Tucker, 60, barber.
  • Robert Dudley — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: construction carpenter Henry Dudley, 51; wife Della, 46; children James, 25, Minnie B., 22, cooks and cleans, and Bernard, 2; and grandson Robert L., 20.
  • Charles Rountree (who was in high school)– in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer Raeford Rountree, 55; wife Mamie, 48; and children Raeford, 21, Mamie T., 19, Bessie M., 17, Charles, 16, Carrie M., 13, Nellie B., 10, Rosetta, 8, and Clarence F., 5.
  • Charlie Floyd — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Manda Floyd, 47; children Doretha, 23, hotel cook, and Charlie, 17; and grandson David E., 5, Alfonso, 4, and Nathaniel, 3.
  • Hubert Speight
  • William H. Kittrell

The spectators: