Wartime Reminiscences

About these writings

and

J. M. Hollowell - A Character Sketch

by Harry Hollingsworth

INTRODUCTION

Back in 1909, the late J. M. Hollowell wrote a series of articles of a historical nature, which were published in The Goldsboro Weekly Record. Following Mr. Hollowell's death June 18, 1912, his scrapbooks became the property of his nephew, J. M. Manly, esteemed citizen of Goldsboro.

Through the courtesy of Mr. Manly these articles, together with a few articles by J.H.W. Bonitz, have appeared in The Goldsboro Herald during the past few months. It has been the purpose of the Editor of The Herald to give the articles just as written by Mr. Hollowell.

Believing that these articles published in handy booklet form would be of interest to many people, the publisher of The Herald held the articles in type, just as they appeared in The Herald, and is, herewith offering them in handy form so that they may be preserved easily by those who prize these valuable historical sketches. The character sketch of Mr. Hollowell was written by Harry Hollingsworth, a reporter on The Herald. The booklets are not being sold, but with each year's subscription to The Goldsboro Herald a copy of the booklet is being given until the limited supply is exhausted.

EUGENE L. ROBERTS
Publisher The Goldsboro Herald

"...and we have never heard him speak an unkind word against any one, but was always a kind friend and a good neighbor." said the late Col. Joe Robinson of James Monroe Hollowell at the time of his death in 1912 in the editorial column of the Goldsboro Daily Argus.

And that phrase expresses the outlook on life that J. M. Hollowell had during his entire 72 years; a philosophy that not every one has; a philosophy that one cannot create, but a philosophy that one is endowed with by his Creator.

What his fellowmen thought of him is best expressed by a poem written by a J.R. Jones of Mount Olive, and which was printed June 13, 1898. The scrapbook in which the poem was pasted does not indicate in what newspaper it appeared.

The poem is entitled WHO. It follows:

"Who makes the earth reverberate with gladness
At the advent of joyful spring time
Pouring forth its songs of glee
In every spire and clime?
Jim Hollowell!

"Who clothes the earth with her mantle of green
And brings us the sweetly singing birds
That turn our sorrows to joys
With their sweet and melodious chords?
Jim Hollowell!

"Who tunes all nature to a song of praise
With a holy reverence for Providence,
Filling all enquiring humanity
With sweetest rhythmical cadence?
Jim Hollowell!

"Who turns the political prow to sea,
And ventures to picture its lore
With the keenest political eye
That e'er scanned its face before?
Jim Hollowell!

"Who planned a victory for Dewey,
And ordered him to stop to dine;
While all the world gazed on in awe
At his great coolness - sublime?
Jim Hollowell!

"Who's inspiring Sampson and Schley
To the victories they must gain,
By annihilating Cerver's fleet
And freeing Cuba from Spain?
Jim Hollowell!

"Who sent the gallant Hobson
To sink the Merrimac;
Who really is doing all those things
And running the whole thing in fact?
Jim Hollowell!

Judging from the number of clippings of poems in a scrap book in the possession of J.H. Manly, of Goldsboro, Mr. Hollowell's first love was writing poetry of all types, but his favorite subject was spring. Col. Joe Robinson said of his writing ability: "He was a writer of recognized force and ability, and a poet of original thought and local application, whose lines were full of humor and always amused and captivated those who read them."

At one time Mr. Hollowell wrote a series of articles under the name of "Uncle Jeems" in which he showed his originality and ableness at writing on a variety of topics and subjects.

In his articles his subjects covered a field as varied as his poems did - huckleberries, spring, intimate talks with children, temptations of human beings, and just every day thoughts. From the valuable collection of J.H. Manly it appears that one could name most any subject, and Mr. Hollowell could write a poem or article concerning it.

Correlating closely with his interest in writing, Mr. Hollowell and his brother, W. G. Hollowell, published the GOLDSBORO BULLETIN, a weekly newspaper, back in 1884. For several years he was closely connected with the publication, but Mr. Hollowell severed his connection with the paper when his brother turned Republican, according to J. M. Hollowell's nephew, J. H. Manly.

This act of Mr. Hollowell's probably showed a strong trait of his character - that of not having any connections with anyone who did not think and believe as he did.

Mr. Hollowell filled many offices of trust. For many years he was agent for the Richmond & Danville Railroad in Goldsboro. According to Mr. Manly the R. & D. is the present Southern Railway. A report of the condition of the National Bank of Goldsboro on December 1, 1898, appearing in a clipping in the scrapbook was signed by J. M. Hollowell, cashier, showing that he broadened his scope of activities to that of a banker.

Not only was Mr. Hollowell active in public affairs, but he was also active in the church. A devote Christian he was for 30 years clerk of the First Baptist Church of Goldsboro.

Continuing his public activities almost till the time of his death, he served in the State Legislature from 1903 till 1907, and was a member of the Goldsboro Board of Aldermen for many years, representing the fifth ward. The office of assistant Register of Deeds he administered with as much care and thoughtfulness as he did any of his many offices. For a number of years he was city clerk of Goldsboro.

But the most outstanding contribution he gave to his State and the South, which he loved so much, was his service in the Civil War. He entered the Confederate Army as a volunteer, and was a member of Company F, 10th N.C. Artillery.

J.H. Manly, who probably remembers him better than any one else in Goldsboro, says that he was very quiet, but full of dry wit. "He never laughed, but just chuckled. In many ways he reminds one of Bernard Shaw."

Quoting again from Col. Joe Robinson's editorial at the death of Mr. Hollowell: "Mr. Hollowell was a quiet, peaceable, law-abiding citizen ... He was good natured, always cheerful, kind-hearted and ever ready to sacrifice his time and energy to accommodate a friend or to lend a helping hand to those in need of his services."

Records in an old Bible that was given to R. A. Manly, Goldsboro, by Mrs. J. M. Hollowell, nee Martha J. Outlaw, shortly before her death on October 19, 1921, show that Mr. Hollowell married Miss Outlaw on August 4, 1861. There were no children from the marriage.

Born March 8, 1840, in old Everettesville, four miles south of Goldsboro, Mr. Hollowell died June 18, 1912, at his home on East Holly Street in Goldsboro. He was 72 years, three months, and 10 days old.

The booklet War-Time Reminiscences and Other Selections by J. M. Hollowell was contributed by Alton Parnell and digitized by Rita Korbach. Printed with permission.

Other topics in this series:

Some Early Recollections of Wayne County - But More Particularly of Goldsboro
Politics 1852 - 1861
Early Residents, Soldiers, Railroad Workers, Early Churches
Early Trade
Webbtown, Graded school, Pates
Coming of the Yankees
War-Time Reminiscences
More War-time Reminiscences: Fort Macon, April 21, 1862
Early History of Goldsboro

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