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The legacy of W.W. Scott
I've read many of the writings of W. W. Scott in my attempts to learn the history of Caldwell County. My friend, the late Allan Poe, gave me some information about the man that I used as a basis for this column some years ago. Recently I found two columns about him, one written about this death and the other about his funeral. There is some duplication of material, so I am presenting the highlights. His death was announced on May 4, 1931 as follows: “Mr. Scott's sudden death cast a pall of gloom over the city and county as word was received from Old Oaks, his summer home, at Adako. He passed away at 5 o'clock Sunday afternoon, 24 hours after he had taken a turn for the worse. His condition had been improving for several days last week, but his vitality was zapped through his long illness and little hope for recovery from heart trouble was entertained. “Although inactive for several years, Mr. Scott was a leading figure in the civic life of Lenoir and Caldwell County For years he was editor of “The Lenoir Topic”and gained state-wide fame for his newspaper ability.” Will W. Scott was born in Woodville, in Perquimans County, on April 19, 1853, the son of Dr. W. W. Scott who was married to Eliza Snell Miller, daughter of Elisha P. Miller, who is called “The Father of Caldwell County’” since he introduced legislation to form the county. One of the stories says his parents moved to Caldwell County when he was six months old, and the other says when he was six years old. (I think six months is correct.) He was educated at Finley High Academy, the Norfolk Military Academy, and at Dr. Jarvis Buxton's school in Asheville. He was later an instructor at the Norfolk Military Academy. He studied law in Norfolk and under Col. C. A. Cilley, and although he was licensed in 1880, he never practiced. He and W. C. Ervin purchased the “Lenoir Topic” and worked in partnership until Ervin established a newspaper in Morganton and moved there. Scott continued with the newspaper until 1893 when he accepted a position with the U.S. Treasury Department in Washington, which he held for 30 years. The newspaper stated at the time of his death: “Since retiring from government work he has lived in Caldwell County, writing interesting accounts of the men and women who helped win western North Carolina. He is widely known for his writings and has been recognized in many quarters for his literary and scholarly talent.” On May 7, 1931, the newspaper gave an account of his funeral. “Simple funeral rites were held Tuesday afternoon when Will W. Scott was laid to rest. Mr. Scott, a scholarly historian of Caldwell County and former editor of the ‘Lenoir Topic' was laid to rest at Mary's Grove cemetery, following Episcopal rites conducted from Saint James Church.” The article goes on to state that the church was filled to capacity with family and friends and there were many beautiful flowers. A small bordered item gives information that “The Annals of Caldwell County” will be published as a post-mortem work of the man who gave so many years of his life to its preparation Mr. Scott turned in all his manuscript for the history before he died. There may be some delay, but the book will appear as he wished it to appear.” The book was reprinted a few years ago by the Caldwell County Genealogical Society, and copies are available at the Caldwell Heritage Museum. He has left a great legacy for those of us who love knowing about our history. John O. Hawkins, the director of the Caldwell Heritage Museum, is a native of Caldwell County.
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