State

Romance That Closed The University By BILL SHARPE David L. Swain managed lo keep ihe University of North Carolina open throughout the Civil War. winning postponement of the draft of students. It was in 1868 that the University was forced to close. While the upheaval of Reconstruction primarily is blamed for this closing, perhaps a contributing factor was a Chapel Hill romance. When the Union army occupied Chapel Hill in April 1865. the univer¬ sity president. David L. Swain, a former governor, tried his best to be ready for the ordeal. He had hidden as much of the family valuables as he could, and he waited now for the re¬ ception of the conqueror. But one treasure he had not thought to hide — his 20-year-old daughter. Eleanor. Into his office strode Gen¬ eral Smith B. Atkins, commander of the cavalry invading the village. It was a force of 4.000 mounted men. In due time, the general met Eleanor, and it was love at first sight. Within three weeks, the Union officer had won Eleanor's heart. Tongues in the village wagged. That the daughter of the town's most prominent citizen should fraternize with a hated Yankee was almost in¬ credible. The misbehavior of the Unionists, their looting and disorders, had embittered the villagers. But the lovers paid no attention to the gossip, and both Eleanor and her suitor importuned Swain to give per¬ mission for the marriage. Perhaps now they would have simply eloped to South Carolina and been married any¬ way. but that was not the thing a well- bred Southern girl and a Northern gentleman did in those days. Swain was distraught. He realized that such a union would be a shock not only to Chapel Hill but to all North Carolina, and it would be a bitter pill for the family to swallow. But at last the troubled father yielded, and went north to investigate the character and credentials of his prospective son-in-law. In Atkins’ home town of Freeport. III., he found that the suitor was highly regarded, once editor of a substantial newspaper. So (perhaps reluctantly) he gave his consent. When the invitations went out for the wedding. North Carolina was rocked by disbelief. Here was a staunch Confederate, a former gover¬ nor. a University president, giving his daughter in marriage to a hated enemy. The repercussions were even more violent than Governor Swain had an¬ ticipated. Few people showed up for the ceremony, and it is said that some recipients spit on their invitations and ground them underfoot. There was still bitterness over the savagery of occu¬ pation. A few close friends and relatives were present, and many of these found it "impossible" to stay for the recep¬ tion. Riverside Mattress Co., Inc. WHOLESALE MANUFACTURERS Contributing to Fayetteville's Progress and growth for over 50 years. Established the same year as The State magazine . . . 1933. 225 Dunn Rd. ODUS M. CAIN FAYETTEVILLE. N.C. 28301 Govcmof Swoin Sod hidden most of hi» family »olu ablos before Ihe Union Army reochcd Chapel Hill but he forgot to hide the most precious treasure of them oil. (Al Barrett illustration) And some of these came, not to con¬ gratulate the bride and groom, but to offer condolences to the family. And after the wedding, resentment increased instead of dying out. In¬ furiated and disgusted. General Atkins took his bride to his Freeport home, where they made their home and raised their children. But they never escaped the grief at the unhappiness their mar¬ riage had brought to so many friends and relatives. As for Swain, he suffered, too; from lack of confidence. North Carolina refused to forgive him or his daughter for the disaffection, and though Swain was keenly hurt, he was powerless to combat the undercurrent. It was not long before despair and destitution fell upon the state and the University was closed. ANNIE OAKLEY (Continued from page 61) is widely scampering after those pieces, tossing them into the air. car¬ rying them into the cheering gallery, lie gambols among the crowd, gets his eye on an unwary victim and while the crowd watches, gently relieves him of his wallet. "Where’s your wallet?" the gallery yells. The victim, bewildered, claps his hand to his pocket and looks suspiciously at this delighted neigh¬ bors. Up prances Dave, holding the billfold carefully in his mouth. So Dave, the beloved little trouper, has his hour of glory. Although she has been dead over 50 years, the Sandhills has not forgotten Annie Oakley. Each year Pinchurst holds its Annie Oakley Trapshoot. — May. 1979 ■2 THE 1914