April 30, 1492

This was a busy day in Spain in 1492. First, Christopher Columbus was given the royal commission to equip his ships for a voyage to the East by traveling west. It had been a long time coming for Columbus. 

In 1485, Columbus had presented the proposal for his voyage to King John II of Portugal, a leader in ships and navigation. After several years of deliberation, the king and his advisers rejected the plan, because they said he'd underestimated the distance, which did eventually prove to be true. Columbus returned in 1488 for another audience, but his plans were rejected again. Realizing that Portugal was not going to be interested, Columbus traveled to Spain, hoping to convince the Catholic monarchs to invest in his venture.

He first presented his plans to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella on May 1, 1489. They weren't impressed, because their committee advised against it. To his credit, Columbus didn't give up but continued to lobby the court. He finally succeeded on April 30, 1492.

The other major decision to come from Spain that day was to announce that they would expell all Jews. The decree had been issued earlier that year and would now be implemented. It came as part of the Spanish Inquisition, which generally lasted in some part from 1480 - 1530. Both of these events would have lasting effects.

King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella of Spain

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Sheep

Spring is the time of new birth, and that goes for sheep too. I've seen posts for days on sites, like Colonial Williamsburg, showing the new lambs. Raising sheep can be quite interesting.

Carding wool

Sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated, and there are over 1,000 different breeds. They were certainly important in ancient times and were referred to often in the Bible. Sheep are raised for their fleece, meat, and milk and the skin. Other parts may also be used. 

Sheep at Highland Village, Nova Scotia

Sheep are herbivores and spend much of their time grazing. Since their noses are narrower than some grazers, they tend to eat the grass close to the ground, so it's easy for them to overgraze and harm an area. This caused conflict between cattle ranchers and sheep herders in the history of the Western United States. Like cows, sheep also chew their cud.

Being gregarious creatures, sheep flock together and tend to follow a leader. If you've ever driven in Europe, you may have run up on a herd or two. Sheep can actually become stressed when separated from their group. Although they do have home ranges, they're not territorial. After mating, they have a gestation period of about 5 months. If not guarded or enclosed, all sheep can fall victim to predators, but especially the lambs. Dogs are often used to help guard and herd the sheep.

Scotland alone has about 7 million sheep on about 15,000 farms. New Zealand has 3 million people and 60 million sheep. Worldwide, the number of sheep is astronomical. In the mid-1940's, the United States had about 55 million sheep, but in 2011, there were only around 200,000.

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Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education

One of the must-visit places on the Outer Banks of North Carolina is the Center for Wildlife Education in Corolla on Currituck. This facility has wonderful duck decoy and wildlife exhibits of the area. It also offers more in depth educational classes on wildlife geared to the age level of the participants. The programs include such activities as fishing, crabbing, and exploring the coastal ecosystem. For the special classes, you must preregister, so call ahead. You'll be able to book according to availability. My daughter, grandson, and I were able to schedule a session on the coastal ecosystem for just us, and it's all free!

Most travel reviewers rate the center 5 stars. It's open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., but the last admission is at 4:30. They're also closed on some state holidays. Get more information online or call 252-453-0221.


I'm going to let some of the photos tell the rest of the story:

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The Smithey Hotel

One of the largest historical buildings in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, is the Smithey Hotel building. Sitting on the corner of Main and Broad Streets beside the Old Courthouse grounds, the red brick, three story building is hard to miss. 

Built in 1891, it first served as a prominent hotel for the county seat of Wilkes County, as well as the first store in the Smithey chain of multi-million dollar department stores. N. B. (Nikeard Bruce) Smithey purchased the Wilkesboro Hotel and continued operating a hotel on the second and third floors, but he established a dry goods business on the first floor.

Smithey liked to buy large quantities of goods directly from the manufacturer or from liquidations, so he could sell them at lower prices. This system worked so well that he managed to always show a profit, even during the Depression years. Harvard's business school even sent a representative to Wilkesboro during the late 1930's or early 1940's to learn Smithey's practices.

Although Smithey's first department store opened in Wilkesboro, in 1928, he opened up another one in nearby North Wilkesboro and soon in other locations. By the time of his death in 1953, he had opened 17 successful stores across Northwestern North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. When opening a new store, he liked to rent a building for three years, and if the store was successful, then he would build his own building.

Not only were his stores a success, however, but people flocked to his hotel, especially around dinnertime, when the court recessed for lunch. One of the local lawyers is said to have remarked that the Smithey Hotel had become an institution in itself.

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Cardboard People

Do you know people, who put on a good front, but, when you get to know them, they're shallow and have little substance. These cardboard people may look like strong Christians on the surface, but they're way too focused on themselves, and they tend to be hard to work with. They're not bad or evil, but they're high maintenance and are more concerned with getting their needs met than with following Christ. They pretend to be faithful and say all the right things, but their hearts just aren't in it. These people usually dress well, because they're concerned about their image, but the impressive outward appearances make up the biggest part of who they are.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for...what ye shall put on. Is not life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (Matthew 6:25).

Yet, remember that Jesus loves them, too. In fact, because of their emptiness, they likely need our love and friendship more than most. They've lived too much in the world, and it has corrupted their thinking. Somehow along the way, their faith has never grown from the infant stage. These people have a lot of potential, but too much of it has been pushed back.

A new commandment I give unto you. That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34).

Some of the Pharisees in the Bible were cardboard people. They knew what they should do, so they could present a good front, but humble righteousness never entered their hearts. They gripped the letter of the law, but they became judgmental and holier-than-thou. They had selfish attitudes and maliciously tried to discredit Jesus, so they would get the glory. They failed to realize that in order to be the person God wants us to be we must empty ourselves of self and let Him fill us completely. We must let him work through us, not with us or for us.

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20).

However, this lesson shouldn't cause you to try to figure out who are cardboard Christians or point a finger at anyone. Instead, let it be a warning, so you never lose your focus on following the One who gives life meaning and direction.

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Real People in Historical Fiction

Tom Dooley

When I'm writing historical fiction, I've always used fictional characters for the main ones. I have a problem using historical figures and making them do imaginary things they aren't likely to have done. I don't think this is fair to the real people, because I wouldn't like for an author to use me as a character in a novel and have me act in ways I would never act. However, I know I'm in the minority on this issue. Writers, like Sharyn McCrumb, have made a reputation for themselves by doing exactly this. I still have problems with her Ballad of Tom Dooley, where, in my opinion, none of the characters are likable and all are stereotypically mountain trash.  

In Stephanie Landsem's Christian novel, The Well, the facts are stretched for the sake of the novel. The words of Jesus from the Bible are usually used as His dialogue, but they are given in different settings than the Bible says. Then, Stephen, the martyr from the New Testament, is a contemporary of Jesus, which wasn't true, because Stephen lived during Paul's time. In addition, the man who becomes Stephen is a main character, and you know how that ends.

Wilkes County Heritage Museum

Perhaps the historian in me is too much a stickler for the facts. I do as much thorough research as possible and fill in what makes sense to me when there is no other choice. My main characters are fictitious, so, when I put thoughts in their heads and words in their mouths, I'm not slandering those who really lived.

I do occasionally use real people in my novels for local flavor, but they have very minor appearances. For example, in Cleared for Planting, Dr. Vierling from Salem is mentioned. He was an elderly man by that time and had been the doctor in Salem for years. Clifton considers settling in the town, because his sister and her husband live there but decides not to, because the Moravians had a fairly closed society, and, although he was of German descent, he was afraid he'd never replace the beloved doctor in their eyes.

In the upcoming novel, Sown in Dark Soil, there are even more real minor characters. I'll look forward to talking about them at a later time. In the meantime, if you're anywhere in the Greenville, NC area, come by the book signing for Cleared for Planting on Monday, April 27, from 7-9 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and you can ask me questions about the novels. All of my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.

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Winkler Bakery

The wonderful aroma drifts down the cobblestone streets on the early morning air when the bakery ovens are going. Sitting in the colonial town of Salem, North Carolina, known as Old Salem to today's tourists, Winkler Bakery produces delicious breads and cookies the old fashioned way. 

The Moravian church elders chose Thomas Butner to be Salem's new baker in 1799, and he hired Gottlob Krause to construct the building. However, Brother Butner soon discovered he preferred to farm and make shoes, so the church leaders brought in a new baker. Christian Winkler had been born in Switzerland and moved to North Carolina from Pennsylvania in 1807. His wife, Elizabeth, and he had six children. When asthma attacks became a problem for Brother Winkler, his sons took over the bread baking, and his son, William, eventually took over the business. William Winkler and his descendants ran the bakery and lived on the premises until 1926.

The dome oven used at Winkler's Bakery is typical of the ones used in Salem's businesses and homes. Today, ovens are still heated with wood and the breads are baked in much the same way as they were over 200 years ago. Below is a recipe for lovefeast buns that has been handed down from Christian Winkler:

1 cup hot, dry mashed potatoes, unseasoned
1/2 cup scalded milk                                      

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs, beaten
About 1 1/2 pounds flour (enough of a soft dough)
1/4 teaspoon mutmeg
2 packages yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2 tablespoons orange rind
2 tablespoons lemon rind
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon mace
Cream butter and sugar, add potatoes, mix well. Add lukewarm milk, ten eggs, and mix well. Dissolve yeast in warm water and add to mixture. Combine seasonings and rinds and mix in. Add enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead on a well-floured table. Form into a ball and place into a greased bowl. Cover with a cloth and let rise in a warm place until it doubles its size. Pinch down and let rise another 10 minutes. Flour hands well because dough will be sticky, form into small balls (about 3 ounces). Place on a cookie sheet and slash tops with razor blade to release air. Cover. Let rise until double in size. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. Makes 2 - 2 1/2 dozen buns.

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Kentucky Rifles

"Kentucky rifle" (or long rifle) is a generic term given to an early group of firearms that have rifling in the barrel. "Rifling" refers to spiral grooves bored into the inside of the barrel of a gun causing the ball or bullet to be more controlled and stable. With the plain musket barrel, there was no need to take time to aim accurately, because the shot was unlikely to come out in a straight line or pattern. Therefore, men would just point in the general direction and fire. This is why the soldiers usually fought in formations out in the open. Rifling eventually changed all this.

This type of firearm is believed to have been developed in the Pennsylvania frontier by German gunsmiths in the early 1700's. The other colonies quickly copied them. Those in the Appalachian mountains continued to manufacture the Kentucky rifle well into the 20th century. Marksmen from western Virginia and North Carolina, and those from eastern Tennessee quickly gained a reputation for being some of the best. This weapon would become helpful during the Revolutionary War and enabled the colonist to adopt some of the guerrilla tactics they'd learned from the Indians. Shooting abilities of the backwoodsmen aided the Patriots in winning the Battle of King's Mountain, which greatly boosted their morale.

Today, you can still find some sites that make Kentucky rifles by hand, like the early ones. At Old Salem in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, you can buy one for around $3,000. Even if you don't want to buy one, a visit to the gunsmith's shop is interesting and fun. Check for one in your area.

Most of my novels in the Appalachian Roots Series include something about a Kentucky rifle. When we got to the appropriate time period, I always taught my history students what they were. Yet, I still find many readers who don't understand what the term means. Even if you do know, I hope you find this blog and the photos interesting.

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Wisteria

Another sign of spring is the flowering wisteria. It's a hardy, prolific vine that's easy to spot, since it often climbs trees or other structures. As it grows and becomes heavy, it may even damage its support. Some consider it invasive, because it can eventually choke out other plants. 

A relative of the pea plant, the wisteria is native to the Eastern United States and parts of Asia. The best way to  propagate it is by cuttings. If grown from seeds, it may take decades for the vine to get any size and bloom. Like many other plants in the pea family, wisteria puts nitrogen back into the soil. 

There are about ten different varieties of wisteria. The Kentucky wisteria blooms in only a few years, while the Chinese wisteria takes about 20 years. In China, some of the plants have been known to live for as long as 250 years.

The flowers of some kinds are edible, and some are used to make wine. Consumers need to know what they're doing, however, because there are toxic varieties. The plant can also be used as a natural dye and usually yields a pretty green color.

Spotting a trailing wisteria in the spring lifts my spirit. Not only are the bright lavender blooms a welcome sight after drab winter colors, but the fragrance also smells sweet. It seems to shout, "Spring has arrived!"

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St. Paul's Episcopal Church,
Edenton, North Carolina

St. Paul's Episcopal Church was built 1736-1766  and is the second oldest in North Carolina. The oldest is St. Thomas in Bath, NC (see my blog on March 31, 2015). The galleries, steeple, and roof were destroyed by a fire in 1949, and the church was repaired.

The pretty, brick church was a large one for its time. The graveyard beside it holds several prominent people, like Thomas Pollock; Henderson Walker; and Charles Eden, who gave his name to the town. This graveyard began in 1722, when Edenton became the capital of North Carolina.

The oldest possessions of the church are the book of vestry minutes, beginning in 1701, and a chalice and paten that Edward Mosley gave the church in 1725.

A large number of Revolutionary leaders from the state attended St. Paul's, and most of them continued to be noteworthy after the war James Iredell became a Supreme Court Justice. Thomas Jones may have written the new constitution for the state of North Carolina when it formed. Joseph Hewes would sign the Declaration of Independence, and Samuel Johnston would first be governor and then a senator.

St. Paul's church congregation was organized over three centuries ago, and I felt surrounded by history as I toured the church grounds and building. Although it certainly has a link with colonial times, it continues to serve as a house of worship for its congregation and welcomes visitors. 

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