State

Alspaugh It is locate*! in Forsyth County and was the home of Rev. John Alspaiig'h. Methodist leader in that section of the State. Вы HARRY Z. TCCKFR NOT far from i lie industrial city of Winston-Salcni, on an emi- noun- overlooking historic Muddy Creek. stands ‘‘Alspaugh.” till1 serene old homo of the Reverend John Alspaugh. a man who may rightfully Im* railed the foumler of Methodism in Forsyth County. The busy streets of the city fade away, forgotten, when one leaves the highway and follows the old, old plantation road to the ante.helluui mansion. Ciiehangcd hy time, the substantial, four-square house was built bv slaves, of ml and hlaek brick, and it stands on its high green hill as if yesterday were its day of birth. It was in 1 ,4.17 that the Reverend •lolin Alspaugh purchased from the Moravians, through the Wachovia agent К. A. I >eSeh weinitz, a planta¬ tion of 230 aerea. It may be that he was a deseeudent of ail early Cermaii family, who, like many of that faith, found Methodism to be л little more democratic, a little more desirable, and set bis heart and band with the followers of Wesley. However that may lie, it was in 1839 that lie built his home, a huge structure of handmade brick. Built well in every detail, the old home seems to lend many thoughts to visitors, telling of the pioneer preacher, of his toils and labors, and of the churches he founded. Surely, here is a man whose good deeds live after him. Not only the Methodist Church. Inn all denominations, owe inticli to the labors of the Reverend .lohn Alspaugh. And Winston-Salem, conscious that lie founded more than a half-dozen churches, never allows itself to forget that it was he who founded Centenary Church, one of the wealthiest and most active churches of the Methodist faith. Family history tells of life in the old Alspaugh home in the days of slavery. It tells of the weary journeys the minister took to visit churches in secluded sections of Stokes County, of funeral sermons preached even a year after the de¬ cease of some loved brother or sister. The roads were few in those days and. in the winter months, often impassable ; but the faithful preacher eventually made bis rounds. The home of a man who thought so deeply of his folio wmau as to go out in the most inclement weather to meet with a small congregation in the worship of the I<onl( would lie a lovely place. It could not lie other¬ wise. It is still a gracious home. It not only has the charm of dignity about it. hut it has that tranquillity not pertinent to the life of today, From the lawn of the Alspaugh home one looks out across long stretches of green meadows, where cows graze on a summer’s day. From the meadows high hills of forest- land, unmarred by axe and saw, lift their arms into the sky. Here are the beautiful forest trees, immense in size, under which the old preacher walked and studied. Nine Sons Nine stalwart sons came to bless the minister’s home. Two of them went away to serve under Lee. One fell mortally wounded in the battle of (Jettyshurg. 1 1 is body was never found. One by one the children left the old home. Out of the front door they came, some with brides; others came licaring loved ones to their last resting place. They passed down the walk, glancing at their feet, for box¬ wood and lilacs grew in the garden. Arhorvitac and magnolias. There was no hesitancy, for the old minister would not have it so. The years must needs run. But there was one son. John W. Alspaugh. who asked that his patri¬ mony be measured not in laud and slaves, but that he In* permitted to enter Trinity College, His wish was granted. Today the picture of this son hangs in the catalogue room of the West Campus Library at Duke I niversity. in recognition of twenty years that he served as a trustee on the Imard of the college. For several years he enjoyed the distinction of being the oldest alumnus of Duke I 'niversity. Colonel John W. Alspaugh. as he was familiarly known in Winston- Salem. never once ceased to love the old homestead, the life on the farm, the cows, the various activities of farm life. Although lie was a pioneer newspaper man in his town, and was linked with the develop¬ ment of the HV.v/r'n* Sentinel from the time of its beginning. May, 18515, he spent many hours at the old house. After the death of F. E. Boner, the tirst editor of the Senti¬ nel, Colonel Alspaugh became the sole editor and proprietor for twenty years. But Colonel Alspaugh ’s activities in Winston-Salem were not confined to his paper alone. His interests reached into many channels, for he was a leader in civic, religious, and ( Continual on page thirteen)