Raiford St. after the rain.

This photo shows Raiford st. after a rain. The style during this time period was obviously knickers.

Waddell Repair Shop

Don’t have much information on this photo other than it was from the Wade Crocker collection. If you would like to give us more information, just click the comment button.

RAILROAD STATION HUMS 1906-1910

Scenes at today’s railroad station are a far cry from those of the 1906-1910 era. At that time the station bustled with activity. Red caps called out “Hotel Wyoming” and “Hotel Merchant” to people coming into Selma on trains. Drummers loaded their sample cases on drays drawn by mules or horses for the trip to town. Then too, the station was a gathering place for townspeople to spend some time each day especially on Sunday afternoon watching trains and people come and go. This “watching the trains” is still an avocation for a few local residents although the romantic steam locomotive has disappeared from the scene.
Also from the station ran the famous excursion trains to Morehead City, to Wilmington, to the mountains or to conventions of various kinds. Many of these were just for the day and took place at all seasons of the year. Large groups of Selmaites took advantage of their proximity to good transportation to participate in these trips.
A gathering place for programs Gild large meetings was located over what is now Selma Drug Company. This large room featured a stage which still stands in the building. At one time the room was used for a dancing class.
During the latter part of this decade, Mr. Joseph Abdalla of Lebanon, began a business in Selma known as Abdalla Brothers. His brother Tom was associated with him in this firm. Later Louis came and entered business here.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

WYATT MEMORIAL

Bing Photo by Eric Schuttler
One of the BIG days in Selma’s history was July 24, 1907. According to John Mitchener, more people came to Selma that day than ever before, and the number has been exceeded only one time since. The occasion was the launching of the campaign to raise funds for the erection of a statue to Henry Lawson Wyatt of the Edgecombe County Guards, who was the first to give his life in the War between the States. He died as a result of wounds suffered at Big Bethel in Virginia on June 10, 1861. On the day of the fund-raising launching here, the Edgecomb Guards came to Selma and presented a sham battle on the grounds opposite the Baptist Church Festivities began at noon and lasted until midnight Five counties were represented at the occasion; W. A. Stewart of Dunn delivered the talk. First contributors to the fund were John Mitchener, $5.00; Col. Ashley Horne, $25.00; Gen. Julian S. Carr, $25.00; and Captain Bob Ricks, who was with Wyatt when he fell, $1,000. The movement was popular from the first and within five years, on June 10, 1912, the statue was unveiled on the capitol square in Raleigh.
A letter to Mr. Mitchener from Chief Justice WaIter Clark of the North Carolina Supreme Court on June 18, 1912, stated: “I congratulate you upon the wonderful success of the movement which you originated. The statue is generally deemed, I think, the very best piece of art in the: Capitol Square. You have also achieved the unique distinction of causing a statue to be erected to a private soldier:
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

HORSELESS CARRIAGE—A MENACE?

The first “horseless carriage” was brought to Selma early in the century, a gift to Mrs. N. E. Edgerton from her father, Mr. Wynn. This White Steamer apparently did not cause alarm for no records of antagonism toward the new machine exist. However, in 1905 alarmed merchants rose up to meet a crisis when the first internal conbustion engine automobile was purchased by Mr. C. P. Harper and Mr. Hugh L. Mitchener jointly. Accounts from that period stated that the new and noisy contraption alarmed pedestrians and frightened horses and mules. Merchants saw dark days ahead because farmers would not bring their produce to town—an egg shortage developed. The town fathers passed an ordinance prohibiting any automobile from being driven along the main business streets of Selma. Mr. Harper and Mr. Mitchener immediately hired a lawyer to see if this new ordinance could be operative; they were relieved to learn from their counsel that they could drive anywhere they liked because there was no state statute governing automobiles.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

THE SELMA YACHT CLUB

PhotoShop Simulated Photo.
Present day Selma citizens who wish to enjoy a boat ride find that they must haul their, “yachts” to the nearest lake or seacoast. But in 1902 Selma had its own club and yacht. On July 11 of that year, according to a society note in The Smithfield Herald, Messrs. Robert Millard Nowell, capt., W. W. Hare, mate; George D. Vick, ensign, and Dr. J. W. Hatcher, purser of the Selma Yacht Club, left the county bridge over the Neuse near Selma on their yacht the Julia Fuller for New Bern.
At this time only about twelve residences were located in west Selma. The Southern Railway coal shute was in west Selma and the Southern shops and water tank were located just east of the company’s freight station. The streets were dirty and muddy after rains and planks served as stepping stones. Streets were lighted by kerosene lamps that had to be lighted each nightfall. Pigs and cows were free to roam at will. One of the colorful characters at this period was an old Negro called “Uncle Bunn,” who lighted the street lamps and sold buns and rolls.
A local resident became active in state politics when C. W. Richardson was elected to the state Senate in November, going to Raleigh in February of 1903 to look after “the interest of his constituents.”
Selma Baptist Church, which had been chartered in 1872, was the scene of an organizational meeting of the Johnston Baptist Association in 1903. In that same year tobacco warehouses were in operation on Raiford and Webb Streets, and A. B. Baxter and Company, New York brokers, opened a stock and cotton exchange under the management of E. F. Pate. The company had direct private wires to New York and Chicago.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

ANOTHER BUILDING BOOM

103 South Raiford Street - Bank of Selma Building.
A building boom hit Selma early in 1902. The board of directors of the Bank of Selma decided to begin work on a building to be finished in April. Construction also was underway on Winston’s new brick store and Charles Talton’s jewelry store. In addition, W. H. Stallings of Clayton announced plans to open a hotel in the old Hood House, stating moreover that he would keep horses for the convenience of the traveling public.” Later in the summer the committee to locate the Masonic Temple decided on the corner occupied by Raleigh Savings Bank of Raleigh as the site of their new structure. A group of citizens that same summer organized The Selma Furniture Company to make and sell furniture.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

TELEPHONES AND TELEGRAPH COME TO SELMA.

The New Wyoming House Hotel - East Railroad St.
Although the local train station had telegraph facilities early in Selma’s history, the first evidence of a local telephone system is 1901 when the Selma correspondent to the Smithfield Herald complained in his column that poles and lines were in bad condition and were falling on streets and roads, tripping horses and hampering the movement of buggies by blocking roads. Thus it is apparent that the telephone lines had been up for some years prior to this date.
In 1900, according to Miss Blanche Mitchener, a line from Raleigh through Clayton connected with Selma, and the Wyoming Hotel was on this line. Mr. Ellis was in charge of the line here at first, followed by Miss Mann, Miss Essie King, and in 1905 Miss Blanche Mitchener, then by Mrs. Nannie Bailey and later by Mrs. Mozelle Bailey, who remained chief operator until the system was changed to dial. By 1905 Selma was a very important office for long lines, since every line had to be connected here. Until 1910 cutovers were made through the local switchboard; at that time AT&T moved its own crew and equipment to Selma because of the heavy load. Selma, New York, and Atlanta, Ga., were all classified as No. 1 offices. By 1932 AT&T had seven or eight men here and the local and long’ distance office had eight or ten girls at work. The dial system was installed in 1953; on January 20, Stacy Canady, president of the local Chamber of Commerce; placed the first call through the new system.
Mr. Norman Screws was in charge of the AT&T office in 1912. Others connected with the office at different times have been Messrs. john C. Diehl, Charlie W. Scales, Bernard Dubois, Howard Gaskill, James L. Mc Millan, J. S. Carty, and Ben Brantley. The AT&T office was discontinued about 1962.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

ENTERING THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

Google Photo

As the new century opened, Selma felt the effects of a turn down in the economy with cotton selling for 5 cents a pound. It was reported that an eighteen and a half acre farm was not acceptable as security for a $300.00 loan. However, this depression did not stop the growth of the community, for in 1901 Selma Manufacturing Company was organized and three months later declared a two percent dividend., This firm, with M. S. Winston as president, had a general wood and blacksmith shop and manufactured buggies and wagons.
According to Mr. Joe O’Neal who came to Selma in 1900, there was little on the north side of the railroad tracks. He further stated that the area of the present Norton’s Store was a very popular spot since it was known as the “showground” area. One of the most fascinating things there was a merry go round which came in with the circus season.
In that same year, 1901, social life of the community included a presentation of “Diamonds and Hearts” by the Selma Dramatics Club at Academy Hall. Taking ,part were Mrs. J. A. Spiers, Miss Fanny Jackson, Miss Nannie Richardson, Miss Lelia Parker,’ Mr. W. Hare, Mr. H. Preston, Mr. W. H. Call.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

BUSINESS BOOM UNDERWAY

Business continued to boom during this period just before the turn of the century. A Twentieth Century edition of the News and Observer in August 1899 included a detailed description of Selma and its businesses. A lyrical but far from objective reporter began his story: "Prosperity and peace reign supreme at Selma-Selma the coming town of this section of the State. A town of beautiful homes, intelligent and wide-awake citizens who are doing all in their power to push Selma to the front and to the observant visitor it will be seen that eventually they must be successful." Further more the people of this section are in an excellent condition, funds are ample and they do not hesitate to make investments."
This same article pointed out that the population was 1,000 and these citizens are "Law-abiding, intelligent." Four churches, white Baptist and Methodist; Negro Baptist and Methodist were noted. Concerning schools, the reporter stated: "In the matter of school facilities, Selma is thoroughly abreast with the times. In addition to a well conducted free school, the Selma institute is situated here. This institution is considered one of the best educational factors in the state." Taxes were extremely reasonable, 16 2/3 cents per $100 valuation and 50 cents “on the poll.”
In this year the Selma Oil and Fertilizer Works was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000, M. ‘C. Winston serving as president and N. E. Edgerton as ecretary. Equipped with modem machinery, the mill had a capacity of 40 tons of meal and 100 tons of ammoniated fertilizer per diam,
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

First Baptist Chruch

First Baptist Church
502 South Pollock Street

The First Baptist Church was organized in the Mid-1880's by Black leaders.
For several years the congregation held services under a brush arbor near the
Atlantic Coastline Railroad. In 1890, the first building was erected on the present
site. After a fire, the building was rebuilt in 1925.
From Historic Architecture of Selma, NC by Thomas A. Greco

Edgerton Memorial United Methodist Episcopal Church

Edgerton Memorial United Methodist Episcopal Church
401 West Anderson St.

The Methodist Church was organized in 1878. On the present lot, donated by John A. Waddell and the Wilson Lumber Company of Wilson's Mills, was erected the original wood frame church building. On the original building committee was Dr. Joshua W. Vick, chairman; John A. Mitchener, treasurer; and W. G. Graves, secretary. In 1910 the present brick building was constructed to replace the original church. The church was renamed in honor of N. E. Edgerton after his death in 1921,when his wife donated the funds for the education wing. N. E. Edgerton was a prominent Selma businessman and was active in the Methodist Church. It was through Mr. Edgerton's friendship with Andrew Carnegie that the church organ was purchased and paid for.
From Historic Architecture of Selma, NC by Thomas A. Greco

Selma Baptist Church

The year 1872 saw Selma developing as a real town with the chartering of the First Baptist Church (white). The 'name later was changed to the Selma Baptist Church. This first church was located on the corner of Watson and Sharp Streets. I n c.1907 the church was mover to 105 West Waddell St.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

Oldest Commercial Building in Selma

This building on S. Raiford and railroad St. is believed to be the oldest commercial building in Selma. It was built c. 1875. The U.S. Post Office housed their operations in this building for a few years around 1911, before moving to quarters on Raiford Street.
From Historic Architecture of Selma, NC by Thomas A. Greco.

Map of Selma

Streets of Selma often have been named for well-known residents. Examples are Sellers, Parker, Richard's Alley, Green, Waddell, and Webb.

EDUCATION CONTINUES

Education never was far from the hearts and minds of local citizens. In 1886, a pay school was in operation on Green Street with Mr. Bob Eason as superintendent. At about the same time a free school was in operation in a building on the south side of Noble and Sumner Streets. This was a three-months school with Mr. Pope as principal, Nannie Richardson, Sarah Stancill, a Mr. Dalrymple and others as teachers. Some of the students were Pat, Emma, Minnie, Louise Parker (Mrs. J. P. Temple); John, Noble, Emma, and Effie Blackman; Herman and Bill Hines; Henry, Howard, Pauline, Annie Hood; Hazel, Maurice, Robert Waddell; Joseph, Maggie, Vick Whitley; Ellen, Willie, Lomie Talton; Joseph, Jim, Winnie Peedin; Henry P. Underhill; Richard, Herman, Daisy Oliver; Kelly, Thomas, Minnie Lee Peedin; Bradley, Windley, Hughes Pearce. (These names were listed in the J. B. Waddell History of Selma.)
In 1901, the pay school, which originally faced Green Street, was turned to face Waddell Street, additions were made to the building, and it was run as a free school. During this latter period, the principals included Professors Hassell and later Frederic Archer. Later this building was moved across the railroad and became the Negro school near the site of the present Richardson B. Harrison School.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

THE SELMA ACADEMY

One of the most famous educational institutions in North Carolina, the Selma Academy, was built in 1880 by John A. Waddell in the oak grove where the home of the late Charlie Waddell now stands on Webb Street. The first principal and teacher of this private institution was Henry Louis Smith of Greensboro, who later served as president of Davidson College and Washington and Lee University. His brother, C. Alphonso Smith, also later taught here. Areas of preparation in the Academy included Primary, Intermediate, Higher English, Algebra, Geometry, Bookkeeping, Ancient and Modern Languages, Music, and Physical Training. Room and board were available for $10.00 per month from the families of Mrs. S. C. Waddell, Mrs. C E. Preston, and Messrs. Henry Hood, Simon Godwin, and John Allen.
A brochure describing the Academy stated that "the new school building is large, well ventilated, and commodious. It is furnished with the Triumph Study Desks," which were "carefully made with a view to obtaining the correct physiological curves of the body:' This school prepared many boys and girls for college work; at the same time it observed the Victorian proprieties of the day including a high plank fence separating the boys' 'and girls' playgrounds.
Although Selma had only 700 inhabitants at that time, the quality and reputation of the school was such that students from adjoining counties of Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and Franklin attended; and the membership at one time reached 100 pupils. Several children from Pine Level and Wilson's Mills walked daily to school.
Among those known to have attended the Academy were: Johnnie Waddell, Herbert Preston, Eddie Edgerton, Miss Leonie Graves, Miss Nannie Richardson, Miss Rosa Waddell, Miss Annie Waddell, Miss Azzie Patterson, Miss Lizzie Preston, George Vick, N. R. Pike, Nelson D. Wells, J. L. Jones, Miss Florence Moore, Vernon Howell, Edwin Moore, Clarence Graves, D. B. Oliver, Ira Rains, Misses Omega and Ida Oliver, Miss Claudia Rains, Miss Dora Vick, Victor and Ernest Graves, Fred M. Hood, Miss Louie Parker, Misses Julia and Mamie Tuck, Sidney and Claybourne Tuck, Misses Annie and Sarah Stancill and Charlie Stancill, and Miss Nancy Hocutt. I n the Raleigh News and 0bserver of June 17, 1922, Editor Josephus Daniels had an editorial, "Selma and the Smiths," in which he paid tribute to the impression made by these two brothers on the Selma community.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

Where The Tracks Cross

By 1892, the Atlantic Coast Line track running from Wilson to Fayetteville and Florence, S. C. had been completed, crossing the North Carolina (Southern) Railroad tracks in Selma. This made the town a genuine crossroads for major north-south and east-west traffic. For many years after this, two train stations operated: one for the North Carolina, the freight and passenger station being in the same building at present site of freight station, and one for the ACL. Passengers changing from one to the other had to walk or hire a hack to transport them and their luggage to the other station.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

THE ACL - N&S lines come to Selma in the 1880's

When the State of North Carolina encouraged companies to build railroads in the 1880's by excusing some of them from paying taxes and permitting them to charge rates as high as they pleased, over fifteen hundred miles of railroad were then built during that decade. Construction on the north-south railroad through this area began in 1885 when the Atlantic Coastline decided to shorten its route from New York to Florida by cutting out the dogleg from Wilson to Wilmington and constructing a short cut from Contentnea to the PeeDee.
Misses Amma and Sarah Stancill stated that several miles of this track were laid in Johnston County by two of the county's oldest citizens, Mr. Reddick Stancill, overseer, and Mr. John Underhill. A section ran through farms of Barnabas Creech, Underhill and Stancill, and from near Micro to near Smithfield. The father of Mr. Henry Lee Boney also helped to construct the railroad through this area. The Misses Stancill recalled, "There were days when not only forests had to be burned and cleaned away for the track to be laid, but when sharp-edged cattle guards and many long and short bridges were built for protection of stock which roamed at large. They had neither tractor nor bulldozer for construction work, but hard labor by hand accomplished through the use of horse, mule and oxen to lay the heavy cross ties and iron track to Selma where the Union Station holds its depot on the ACL Railroad running north and south."
In 1887 when the ACL was started across the land of John Archibald Underhill, he donated the land to the company and contracted to grade the bed across his own land and to furnish the lightwood cross ties which were hewed by hand. He also sold cordwood to the company for firewood. An amusing situation existed concerning Mr. Underhill's trips to Wilson, He would walk to Micro to catch a train rather than buy a ticket at Selma because, "I am not going to pay to ride on my own land." Mr. Underhill, who moved to the Selma area about 1874, purchased his 400-acre farm from Iradell Godwin for $8,000, or $2.00 per acre, and paid for it the first year by selling turpentine and cord wood.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

WHERE VICKS STARTED

In 1880 Mr. Lunsford Richardson II, after graduating from Davidson College and teaching for four r years, came to Selma to visit his sister, Mrs. Joshua W. Vick, and her husband Dr. Vick. The visitor, who had been interested in chemistry during his college days, found here a small drugstore owned by two physicians, Dr. Vick and Dr. Noble. These doctors wanted to sell their business; therefore Richardson purchased the firm for $450.00. It was here that he concocted a salve, which was used to rub on persons with heavy chest colds or pneumonia, and he sold it in jars in his pharmacy. In 1891 Mr. and Mrs. Richardson moved to Greensboro purchasing the drugstore of S. W. Porter. As time went on he prepared different combinations until there were 13 medicines known as the Vick Family Remedies. In 1911 the name was changed to Vick Chemical Company. The name "Vick" trademarked by Mr. Richardson for his products was adapted because it was shorter than Richardson and also as a compliment to his brother in law, Dr. Joshua Vick. The trademark featured a triangle, in each corner of which appeared a picture of one of the Vick children (George, Ed, and Dora). The trademark still shows the triangle but the pictures have been removed. Today the firm is the Vick Chemical Company, a division of the Richardson-Merrill Company.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.
Note - Today 2010, Vicks is a brand of Procter & Gamble.

A NEW SCHOOL

The value of education continued to be uppermost in the minds of Selma residents, for in 1875 John A. Waddell moved here, built a home and established a pay school upstairs with a Miss Faison as the first teacher. Margaret Waddell, one of John Waddell's daughters, also taught here. A year later, in 1876, the Masonic Lodge granted the use of the lower rooms of its building for a pay school (expenses paid by student fees) to Ben Hatcher. Several Masons served on the Board of Trustees of that school.
Another church, the Methodist, was started in 1878 when a lot in Selma was given by John A. Waddell and his wife Susan and the Wilson Lumber Company of Wilson's Mills. Prior to this time, as. early as 1869, Methodist congregations had been meeting near Selma; however, the wooden church constructed on the lot at the corner of Sumner and Anderson Streets was the first within the town itself. Members of the building committee were Dr. J. W. Vick, chairman; John A. Mitchener, treasurer, and W. t. Graves, secretary. The present brick church, built in 1910, occupies the same lot.
According to the North Carolina Directory of 1877 - 78, Selma Township magistrates were W. J. Barrow, E. S. Moore, Theo Hinnant, Henry L. Watson, and Willis Gerald. W. A. Joyner was a Selma lawyer. Two ministers listed were 'Noah Adams, Primitive Baptist, and Ray Phillips, Free Will Baptist. Operating general stores were W. H. Avera, W. J. Barrow, A. B. Creech, D. H. Graves, S. H. Hood, R. J. Lassiter, W. Millender, Jackson Rains, P. M. Stuart, Webb & Twisdale and John W. Wiggins. J. A. Waddell operated a saw mill and D. W. Adams, W. J. Barrow Co., and D. S. Stewart were listed as turpentine distilleries. The physicians were R. J. Noble and J. W. Vick.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

Captain A. M. Noble – first mayor of Selma.

February 11, 1873 was a red letter day as Selma received its charter from the General Assembly 0f North Carolina. Page 388 of the General Sessions Laws-Private-of 1872-73, Chapter XVI states: An Act to Incorporate the Town of Selma, in the County of Johnston. Section 1. The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact, That .the town of Selma, in the county of Johnston be and the same is hereby incorporated by the name and style of the town of Selma, and be subject to the provisions contained in chapter one hundred and eleven of the Revised Code Sec.2. That the Corporate limits of said town shall be as follows: one. half mile square making the railroad warehouse the geographical centre. Sec. 3. The officers of said corporation shall consist of a mayor, four commissioners and a marshal."
According to John Mitchener, the surveyor's description of Selma stated: "to find the beginning corner of the town of Selma commence at the' warehouse or depot now being moved from Mitchener depot and measure so many chains and links towards Goldsboro, and then at right angle to the road and from the center of said road 100 feet to a stake, the beginning corner of the town of Selma." Mitchener pointed out that the center of the railroad is about five inches further South owing to two changes of the gauge after placing the town, and because the depot has been moved west one-half the length of the building. Capt. A M. Noble was elected the first mayor of the incorporated town, and its slogan was" A Healthy Place to Live." This slogan may surprise those who have read early historical references to the swampy condition of the town and to railroad ditches in which people fished and gigged for frogs.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.

SELMA CHARTERED - 1873

On May 1, 1867, lots were sold around a newly established station on the North Carolina Railroad. From those lots, the town was built and considered a railroad town for many decades. Selma was officially chartered as a town on February 11, 1873. The town recently renovated its 1924 passenger depot, which supports AMTRAK service. The town is also home to the Mitchener Station, which was built in 1855 and thought to be the oldest surviving train station in North Carolina.[1] After Interstate 95 was built in the late 1950s, the town experienced growth due to its location next to the interstate. Today, there are many hotels and restaurants located in the area thanks to the traffic from I-95.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selma,_North_Carolina