Since its use in the service of his own government, Russia, Turkey, Italy, Austria, Egypt, England, China, Japan, and other nations, have also recognized its great utility and invested largely in its purchase.
By his inventive genius he has raised himself from an obscure log cabin in the wilds of Carolina, to become an associate of emperors and warriors; and has revolutionized "the world of arms" as effectually as the railway has supplanted the stage-coach, or the telegraph the one-horse mail line. This affords a lesson to the humblest of our nation, that by honest and persistent labor he may be the associate as also the peer of princes.
By his genius and industry he has acquired fame and fortune. Dr. Gatling now resides in Hartford, Connecticut, (where his establishment is), full of loyal love for the land of his birth, and delights to see and talk with any one hailing from "the old North State." *
* See Potter's Am. Mag., May,
1879.
Connected with the reminiscences of this ancient borough, occurred a notable event that deserves to be recorded.
In 1825, General Lafayette on an extended tour through this country, entered our State and his first public reception was at Murfreesboro. He was no ordinary visitor, and was the Nation's guest. He had aided America to gain its independence, by contributing his substance, entering her army, and shedding his blood in battling for her cause. Every preparation was made to receive the war-worn veteran with open arms and hearts. Thomas Manney, then a prominent lawyer and since a Judge in Tennessee, made the address of welcome. After resting here for two days, he passed on to Jackson, Northampton County, where he was met by Chief Justice Taylor and his companion in arms, Colonel William Polk, and by them escorted to Raleigh--thence to Fayetteville, and thus from State to State. After his tour, he returned to his French home, in the new frigate Brandywine, so called in compliment to Lafeyette. Congress voted him two hundred thousand dollars and twenty-three thousand acres of public land.
We should do injustice were we not to notice the Chowan Baptist Female Institute, located at Murfreesboro in this county, which fosters with so much assiduity the real interests of society and annually sends forth living streams of science, beauty and morality to gladden and improve our State. The building was erected in 1850-51, it is four stories high, containing a spacious chapel, parlor, library, and rooms sufficient for one hundred pupils. In addition an adjacent building for the steward's family, music room, and an art gallery.
It is chiefly patronized by North Carolina and Virginia, but occasionally it has had pupils from various other States, from Maryland to Texas. It has graduated nearly two hundred ladies. Rev. A. McDowell, D. D., was placed first in charge--and was succeeded by Rev. M. R. Forey of New York, who, aided by Dr. G. C. Moore, rendered substantial aid in collecting funds. In 1854 Dr. Forey was succeeded by Rev. William Hooper, who, after remaining a few years, was, on account of his health, compelled to resign, and Dr. McDowell again took charge. Under his guidance and aided by an able corps of teachers, this excellent institution will continue to be a blessing to our country, and an ornament of its section.
Near the town of Murfreesboro in the adjacent county, Southampton, Virginia, on August 21, 1831, a fearful and bloody insurrection of slaves occurred. Nearly one hundred white persons were ruthlessly murdered. The negroes were led on by Nat Turner, who pretended to be a preacher, and under the assumed inspiration of religion, perpetrated a series of wanton murders and robberies. These atrocities quickly aroused the whites, and armed forces from North Carolina and Old Point were rapidly raised and the insurrection subdued. Many of them were
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