Greene County, NC - Newspapers File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Christine Grimes Thacker Wilson Daily Times May 2, 1914 TRIBUTE FROM A COLORED MAN April 23, 1914 Wilson Daily Times Wilson, N.C. Gentlemen:--Kindly allow me space in your valuable paper to say: " Some years ago, along about 1873 I came from Snowhill, Greene County, to Wilson your city. After a couple of years I went to work with PALMER and GREEN, a hardware store. I stayed with Mr. GREEN and worked for him until 1888. Then in January, 1888, I made up my mind to start for California. Owing to the fact that it was so far away in the West, I had not the money as usual. I was, however, (Torn ) Mr. GREEN at the time, and on cold morning I would build a fire for him before he got up. One morning I said to him: "I am going to leave, Mr. GREEN." He said. " Where are you going?" I replied that I was going to California and he inquired how I would get there. I said," I will have to borrow the money from you." So it was arranged, and I got the money from him and started for California. Since that time Mr. GREEN has been a dear friend of mine as well as all the time I was employed by him. It mattered not what come or went I could always depend on him. During the many years that I worked for him, I have seen the times when there were many people in the town and county that would come to Mr. GREEN for favors, large and small. He always did what he could for them and gave them satisfaction. After I had come to California, Mr. Green settled some of my debts for me and sent the bills. I sent him a check for the same and if there was a friend among whites or colored that upbuilt Wilson, it was Mr. GREEN. His rains was often required in the courthouse and men of all classes would come to him for advice. I find that Mr. FRANK BARNES is on my mind at this time. He was one of the leading men of the county. Also the WOODWARDS, several of whose names I could mention. They were farmers in the county, well-known men of means who helped to build up the county. Also Mr. JOSHUA BARNES was a fell-known man. After all many of those men that I remember have passed into the world beyond, but their memory will never be forgotten as long as Wilson remains a city. I have many friends in the section of the country where I live, San Jose, California and my life has been such that a very large majority of the people know me-if they don't my name they know my face. Now, at this time, I am thinking very strongly of paying another visit to Wilson, during the summer and perhaps I will remain there for a few months. If any of my friends wish to come out to the exposition next year I want to say to them, " California is a very good country for health, but like all counties now, money is plentiful but work for young men is very scarce. With all their education they can't get a decent job sometime. Gold is not like it used to be, nor is silver. It takes very hard pushing now for a man to get through who hasn't any money, but if you have plenty of money, it goes very easily. But if you havn't it, it is very hard pulling." If any one wish to write me diring the nexy sixty days he can do so. I will give them all the information I can about this community and section of the country. To my many friends in Wilson I will say that Wilson is dear to me. As I meet many North Carolinians from the Western and Eastern portion and I speak of the grand old state it makes me feel very proud of North Carolina. I know that there are men of very great rains and understanding and wisdom that were reared in North Carolina. As far as I can see there is no better educated men, white or colored, in any state in the union. I just give this little sketch to your readers. This is from an old friend. HARPER BEST. Typed by Christine Grimes Thacker =========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ===========================================================================