Appalachian Travels: The Diary of Olive Dame Campbell

6. March 1909: North Carolina

207 6 mArCh 1909 norTh Carolina Full of information we got off on Monday, March 15th, with the affectionate farewells of all the household, the girls waving from the windows. Even at the station John had a hasty last interview with the Superintendent of Southern Presbyterian work, Mr. P. S. Smith. Then Dr. Winston joined us just in time to catch the 3:35 p.m. train to Waynesville, where, talking interestingly all the way, he drove us up to see the magnificent view at Eagles’ Nest. We parted with him at Dillsboro, he returning to Asheville, we continuing by buggy—John driving, and the driver following us on horseback —to Franklin, the northern terminus of the little railroad which passed through Demorest. At the Demorest station, Miss Sheak, Miss Rawn, and Jessie were awaiting us with a joyful welcome. The house was ready; supper was all but on the table. And so we returned from our wanderings—as my Line-A-Day put it, “a jolly homecoming.”1 marCh 1st: A lovely sunny morn which we idled away—making telephone connections—talking and cracking walnuts with the Bailey children. Miss Holman and Miss Jones saw us off at the train about eleven. At Spruce Pine we got dinner and after a wait, our ponder- appalachian travels 208 ous hack drove up. Both felt tired and lumbered slowly along over the bad roads. Arrived at Plumtree about 5.30, to find Mr. Hall away and all in confusion—owing to the December fire.2 A few boys—in uniform were playing ball outside—cots on the piazza unpacked etc. etc. Mr. Hall’s mother—an old lady, came down—much flurried and took us to her room, where we had a most disconnected talk with Joe, her son—as theme, her adventures during the war as refugees from Petersburg , and her losses during the fire (15 half gallon jars cherries, 5 new pairs blankets and a box of letters). She was a nice old lady—but could not give much information about the school, except that it was for poor boys, and that they all wanted to go into the ministry. Later we met several teachers and the doctor (whose wife is also a doctor I understand). They didn’t invite us to stay in the infirmary so we went on (6.30 p.m.) to a house a few steps below for the night. Evidently the old man was in a gloomy frame of mind. He was picking up wood as we came along—and as John called out—cheerily—asking if he would take in some strangers, he hardly looked up and simply answered gruffly, “No—I reckon not tonight.” So we drove on. The horses were tired and it was almost dark—the road rough and no near houses. Finally we came to a cabin—and asked where we could “get to stay.” He said at “West Franklin” (3–1/2 miles from Plumtree ). So we pushed on in the dark. It was cloudy—but fortunately the moon (at half) gave light enough to watch bridges and bad turns. About 8 p.m.—we made Franklin Store, and the driver, going up the lane to ask, returned with affirmative answer. We found an old two story house—and were ushered into a room with big wood fire and two beds (with woven kivers .) The old man was sitting by the fire with his two sons (one in Plumtree.) Said he had raised 4 boys but couldn’t march 1909 209 keep them at home—all crazy for an education. Barney was a nice looking chap—and the 2nd (helping at home) also had a good face. The old man had a pleasant ruddy face, grey eyes and bushy beard. Finally Mrs. F. came to bid us to supper—a (strange looking) little bent dark woman—with round too-brilliant eyes, and wrinkled face. Kitchen and food appeared clean. I sat and talked to her after John went back with men. Room had two beds (boy of 2–3 asleep in one)— cookstove and open fire—table in middle. Around the fire sat three little girls—the oldest, Ina, 15—dark and bent like the mother. Mrs. F. informed me that “Iny” had the most terrible cough—had had it since 1 yr old and coughed up pure corruption that smelt the most awful you ever...