- Title
- State
-
-
- Date
- January 03 1953
-
-
- Place
- ["North Carolina, United States"]
-
State
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"The Old North State Forever."
song that will live as long as the Old
North State itself, is cherished even by
those who find it a difficult tune to
carry.
Few of the younger generation
know about William Gaston, who
should be remembered not only as the
author of our state song but who can
also
1ч-
held up as a model of talent
and virtue.
William Gaston began life in a tragic
way. His father. Dr. Alexander Gas¬
ton. a native of Ireland and a man of
letters, was killed when William was
only three years of age. Dr. Gaston
came to this country and settled in
New Bern several years before the
Revolution. As New Bern was the scene
«if many British atrocities and mur¬
ders. feeling naturally ran high be¬
tween the Whigs and Tories. The
death of Dr. Gaston is an example of
the strife.
When the Tories gathered to attack
New Bern, in August. 1791. Dr. Gas¬
ton fled, with his wife and two chil¬
dren. knowing that he would lose his
life if he fell into their hands. As he
'topped into the boat to go down the
river in search of a place of safely,
the Tories came up. One of them
State
Song
I'eu North Carolinians
ran .sing more Ilian one
verse of il; its author
was a brilliant man.
raised his rifle and. leveling it over
Mrs. Gaston's shoulder, shot her hus¬
band. Thus. William was fatherless at
the age of three, but he grew up to be
as brilliant a man of letters as his
father had been. With the exception
of Dr. Mitchell. William Gaston was
probably one of the most learned men
who ever lived in the state, and filled
many positions of trust.
One of the fondest moments of his
life was when he graduated with first
honors from Princeton. Even as a
child, he was unusually quick and
brilliant, always standing at the head
of his class. When he was seven years
of age. one of his classmates said to
him. "William, why is it that you arc
always at the head of your class and
I ant always at the foot?" to which he
replied, "There is a reason, and if I tell
you. you must keep it a secret and do
as I do. Whenever 1 take up a book
to study. I first pray a little prayer my
mother taught me. that I may be able
to learn my lessons."
To this lesson: "If anyone lack wis¬
dom. let him ask God." William at¬
tributed not only his success in school,
but all the later successes in life.
After graduating from Princeton, he
studied law and arose to the head of
his profession. After holding many
prominent positions, his success was
climaxed by his being elected a judge
of the Supreme Court of North Caro¬
lina. making a most capable and con¬
scientious judge. Judge Ruffin, chief
justice of the Supreme Court at the
time, described him with a most fitting
phrase, "he was a good judge and a
good man." a simple but expressive
tribute.
Judge Gaston died as he had lived.
One morning he suffered from faint¬
ness while performing his duties as
judge in the courthouse at Raleigh and
was carried to his room. That evening
Are You Looking for an Ideal Plant Location?
Look to the Piedmont area of North Carolina
and the section served by the High Point,
Thomasville & Denton Railroad.
HIGH POINT
The furniture and hosiery
Capital of the South
THOMASVILLE DENTON
A large furniture A fast growing town
manufacturing center with rural atmosphere
The IIPT&I) Kail road is Locally Owned and Gives Competitive Rail Service to Industry
in High Point and Thomasville. Through Connection with the W.S.S. Railway the
IIPT&I) offers Direct Service with the N&W Railwav. ACL Railroad and the N.S.Railwav.
Locating Your Plant Along a Short Line Railroad Means:
• Eosy contoct with top monogement for spot decisions
• More frequent switching service
• Prompt settlement of cloims
• Pcrsonolizcd service
Refore You Locate — Investigate the Area li e Serve in North Carolina
HIGH POINT, THOMASVILLE & DENTON RAILROAD
High Point, North Carolina
76
THE STATE. January 3. 1953
