Volume 01: July 11, 1932–July 8, 1938

authorized and directed to make temporary provision for the conduct of the Unit at Chapel Hill in the interval* Mr. A. H. Graham moved that the above recommendations of the executive committee be adopted. Seconded and carried. Dr. Foust presented his biennial report of the Woman's College at Greensboro which he discussed in detail. Dr. Brooks made his report for the State College which he supplemented with a detailed oral statement. President Graham made an oral report showing the present status and financial plight of the University. Mr. Whedbee moved that the reports be received and filed for such future action the board might see fit to take on them. Carried. Mr. Daniels moved that the Governor appoint a committee of seven to act with the President of the University in making a study of these institutions and report back to the full board when called together by the Governor. Mr. Whedbee moved that Mr. Daniels' motion be amended by adding the word "continuing" before the word "cominittee". Carried. Mr. Battle suggested that a meeting be called by the Governor before the June meeting for the purpose of hearing the report of this continuing committee - after and as soon as the Governor discerns such decision will have to be taken. Mr. Murphy said he thought that this meeting should be called when the Governor is aware of the fact that the continuing committee is ready to report. Mrs. Scott moved that a committee be appointed from the trustees to go before the appropriations committee with Dr. Graham. Seconded by Mr. Tillett and carried. Dr. Poe moved that the Governor appoint the committee of seven Carried. The following Committee on Visitation and Assistance in working out reorganization plans for the Greater University was appointed by Governor Ehringhaus: Josephus Daniels, A.W. McLean, Mrs. Laura Weil Cone, Charles W. Tillett,Jr. Irvin B. Tucker, Clarence Poe, Charles Whedbee

Raleigh Lumberton Greensboro Charlotte Whiteville Raleigh Hertford

The Governor also appointed the following committee to present to the Legislature the needs of the Greater University: Kemp Battle, S. B. Alexander, Mrs. E. L. McK.ee, Miss Easdale Shaw, Haywood Parker, Rev. C. E. Maddry,

Rocky Mount Charlotte Sylva Rockingham Asheville Raleigh

The following memorials to deceased trustees were presented:

C. A. PENN "And when he fell in whirlwind, he went down As when a lordly cedar, green with boughs Goes down with a great shout, upon the hills. And leaves a lonesome place against the sky." Such was the passing of C. A. Penn of Reidsville, North Carolina, one of the State's most distinguished citizens. Born in 1869, Mr. Penn was in the zenith of his manhood and accomplishments. Of outstanding business ability, Charley Penn had a genius for friendship and his friends, numbered by the hundreds, extended from the heads of the great American Tobacco Company, of which he was a brilliant executive, to the humble negroes in his home town, who had known and loved "Mr. Charley" since his childhood. His business career is a fascinating and vivid story which merits emulation and might be dwelt upon at great length. Placed in charge of the production department of the American Tobacco company by James B. Duke, who was noted for his acumen in the selecting of able men, Mr. Penn took command of this department at a crucial period, when the domestic companies were struggling for supremacy. How well he succeeded cannot be told at length here. By his leadership, his knowledge of men and his unceasing activity, he built up a corporation, which, with more than a quarter of a billion dollars in assets, stands as a monument to this contributive power in the field of big business and quantity production. This monument of success in his life's work, great as it is, comes second to that invisible one receted to him in the hearts of his friends. Charley Penn will ever be held in loving memory for his unfailing response to the finer things of life; the joys and opportunities for service in the community where he was most intimately known - the welfare of Reidsville, and the contentment of his fellow citizens there, many of them employees of his own company, were ever close to his heart. His benefactions and his generosity in every direction were unfailing and constant. In his business connections, he never lost contact with his fellow man and though he was a King of Finance and "walked with Kings" he never "lost the common touch". While his native State mourns an illustrious son, "falling on sleep", while yet young and vibrant with life, Reidsville, his home town, mourns, not a business leader, an official of a gigantic corporation, but a friend and neighbor, faithful and helpful to the end. Written with sympathy and appreciation by "One of These." Mrs. Lily C. Morehead Mebane, Chairman R. A. Doughton Burton Craige

JAMES DIXON MURPHY

James Dixon Murphy was born in Duplin County, North Carolina, on July 24, 1858, and died in Asheville, North Carolina, on July 13, 1931. He was the son of a highly esteemed physician, Dr. Hanson F. Murphy, and Elizabeth Ann Murphy, his wife.

Judge Murphy spent his boyhood at Wallace, North Carolina, and was educated at Clement High School. He studied law at the University of North Carolina and at the Dick and Dillard Law School in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was admitted to the Bar in 1884 and practiced his profession at Greenville, North Carolina, until 1891, at which time he moved to Asheville, North Carolina, and continued in the practice of his profession until his death, except for the period that he served as Superior Court Judge, being appointed on August 10, 1908, to fill the unexpired term caused by the death of Judge Fred Moore.

In 1897, he was married to Miss Mary Bruce Moore, daughter of the late Marcellus Moore of Greenville, North Carolina. From this union four children were born, three of whom pre-deceased their father. Mrs. Murphy died at her home in Lake View Park, Asheville North Carolina, on June 3, 1930.

Judge Murphy was prominent in his profession. His knowledge of law was highly esteemed both by the Judiciary and the Bar and he was noted for his eloquence as an advocate wherever he practiced. He served his state in public office, occupying among other positions the chairmanship of Buncombe County Board of Education, Chairmanship of Buncombe County Democratic Executive Committee, member of the House of Representatives from Buncombe County in the General Assembly in 1905.

Probably his most outstanding service in the Legislature was in his advocacy of the amendment to the Constitution of North Carolina in the adoption of the "Grandfather Clause".

He was, from his early manhood, a great champion of the cause of education, being a classmate of Dr. Alderman, Dr. McIver and Governor Aycock, whose names in North Carolina are synonymous with the fight for the education of the masses.

Judge Murphy served for many years as a Trustee of the North Carolina College for Women, most of the time being a member of the Executive Committee. His judgment was most mature and was recognized by his fellow trustees on that board. He was one of the trustees appointed by Governor Gardner for the combined Board of the University of North Carolina, but his death prevented this body from receiving the benefit of his sound views.

He was a Christian gentlemen, admired and respected by those who knew him. His passing has left a breach in the friends of education which will be hard to fill.

Junius D. Grimes, Chairman.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SHELTON October 26,1856--August 20,1931.

WHEREAS, Benjamin Franklin Shelton of Edgecombe County, a member of the Consolidated Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina, having died on the 20th day of August 1931, the said Board of Trustees desiring to commemorate his usefulness as a citizen, and his unselfish service to his State, do herein set forth:

That Benjamin F. Shelton of Edgecombe County, North Carolina, the oldest son of Henry Cray and Margaret Ann Shelton, was born October 26, 1856, and died August 20, 1931, by profession a farmer, and by virtue of his integrity and ability being often called upon for public service, and served as Representative in the General Assembly from Edgecombe County in the sessions of 1901 and 1903; as a member of the State Prison Board 1916-1920; as a member of the State Board of Agriculture 19___ to 19___; President of the State Farmers Alliancel President Farmers Convention; President of the Farmers Union; President of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Association of Edgecombe County; delegate to the Semocratic National Convention in Houston, Texas, 1928; member of the Board of Directors of the N. C. Cotton Co-operative Association; County Commissioner of Edgecombe County; President of the Bank of Hobgood, N. C.; Vice-President First National Bank of Tarboro, N. C.; a member of the Board of Directors and a member of the Executive Committee of State College of Agriculture and Engineering from 1924 until the consolidation of the Universities of North Carolina, and then a member of the Consolidated Board of Trustees until his death; in all of which places he served faithfully and honestly, and by his rugged honesty and integrity standing forth as a constructive force in all of his association;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Consolidated Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina, in regular meeting assembled on this the 24th day of January, 1933, that in the death of Mr. Shelton, we have lost the aid and counsel of a valuable member of our Board, and that as a mark of respect to his memory we commend his record of public service and extend the sympathy of this Board to the members of his family. That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the Board, on a page thereof dedicated to his memory, that a copy be forwarded to his widow, and a copy thereof be given to the Press.

W. G. Clark, Chairman Irvin B. Tucker Dudley W. Bagley Committee.

94

ANDREW JACKSON CONNER

Andrew Jackson Conner was born on a farm in Northampton County, North Carolina, September 1, 1860. He died in Lakeview Hospital, Rocky Mount, October 25, 1952. He spent his life in his native county. His parents were Elijah W. Conner and wife, Barbara Powell Conner.

He married Miss Ella Parker of Rich Square, N. C., she and the following childred survive him, Mrs. L. H. Martin, A. J. Conner, Jr., Miss Esther Conner, Mrs. E. G. Smith, Mrs. E. C. Bunch, W. C. Conner and Mrs. Paul Holoman. His funeral was conducted by his pastor, Reverend O. P. Fitzgerald of the Rich Square Methodist Church. Interment was had in the family burying ground near the place of his birth. Tributes were paid to his character and work by Hon. W. H. S. Burgwyn and Hon. Josephus Daniels.

In all of the forward movements of our State for the past third of a century Andrew J. Conner was influential and foremost.

His work for schools and colleges deserves to be specially recorded. He was the first Superintendent of Public Instruction of Northampton County. For a number of years he served on the Northampton County Board of Education. For twenty-five years he was chairman of the Rich Square School Board. For more than forty years he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the North Carolina College for Women and for forty years was Secretary of that Board. Under the Act of Consolidation of 1931, he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of our greater University.

His life's work was as an editor of a weekly newspaper, The Roanoke-Chowan Times. As an editor he was candid, fair and conservative; and his paper wielded a State-wide influence. His paper never missed an issue. Better homes, better roads, better law observance, and better citizenship have come to his county as the result of his leadership. He had something to do with every good thing in town and county.

He was a member of the Rich Square Methodist Church, attentive to her services; generous in donations, and loyal in his devotion.

His life's work inculdes the following outstanding phases: Editor, Educator, Farmer, Civic Builder and Christian.

The Memorial Tablet to his memory on the wall of the Rich Square High School records.

In Memory of Andrew Jackson Conner Sept., 1860 --Oct. 25, 1931 Country Editor Friend of Education Civic Builder Benefactor to Humanity

Respectfully Submitted,

F. D. Winston, Chairman M. K. Blount Mrs. Joseph A. Brown

Committee.

The meeting than adjourned.

Henry M. London [signature] Secretary.