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 UNVEILING 
 
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 MEMORIAL STATUE 
 
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EXERCISES 
 
 AT THE 
 
 UNVEILING OF THE 
 
 Washington Duke Memorial Statue 
 
 AND 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 TRINITY PARK. DURHAM, N. C. 
 
 JUNE 10, 1908 
 

 1934 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 Soon after the death of Mr. Washington Duke, of Dur- 
 ham, N. C, May 8, 1905, a movement was started to 
 erect amonument to his memory. It was the wish of his 
 friends that this monument should be erected on the 
 campus of Trinity College, the institution to which he 
 had made stich generous gifts, and in whose growth and 
 development he had taken so much pride during his 
 declining years. It was a spontaneous move on the 
 part of his friends, nearly two hundred of whom made 
 contributions to the monument fund. 
 
 The leaders in the successful movement to erect the 
 statue were Messrs. A. T. Ragland and T. J. Walker, of 
 Richmond, Ya. They were especially fortunate in secur- 
 ing for this important commission Edward Virginius 
 Valentine, the distinguished Southern sculptor. Mr. Val- 
 entine has done such notable work as the statue of Gen- 
 eral Hugh Mercer at PVedericksburg, Virginia, a statue 
 of Thomas Jefferson at Richmond, a recumbent statue 
 of General Robert E. Lee at Washington and Lee Univer- 
 sity, a statue of Stonewall Jackson, and numerous statues 
 of other Southern soldiers, statesmen and men of letters. 
 Here he enters another field in the statue of one of the 
 vigorous leaders in the industrial rebuilding of the South 
 — one of the men who, with undaunted courage after the 
 close of the war, set about restoring the fabric of the 
 material prosperity of his section. Valentine has repre- 
 sented Mr. Duke with a bronze figure of more than life- 
 size, seated in a bronze chair. The sculptor has been 
 
Exercises of the Unveiling 
 
 especially successful in portra3ang the fine forehead and 
 strong features of his subject. The attitude is one of 
 repose and meditation. 
 
 The pedestal is made of Vermont granite, consisting of 
 three blocks, the base being a stone eight by ten feet. On 
 the front side of the foundation there is the following 
 inscription : 
 
 WASHINGTON DUKE— 1820-1905. 
 
 Animated by lofty principles he ever cherished the welfare of 
 his country with the ardor of a true patriot : diligent in busi- 
 ness he acquired riches, but in the enjoyment of them did not 
 forget to share with the less fortunate; a patron of learning 
 he fostered an institution which placed within the reach of 
 aspiring youth the immortal gift of knowledge ; and when the 
 activities of his early life and the sterner struggles of his 
 maturer years bad passed be entered upon a serene old age 
 cheered by a lowly piety and sustained by an unfailing trust in 
 God, who in all the vicissitudes of life had kept him single in 
 his aims, sincere in bis friendships and true to himself 
 
 On the west side is the word PATRIOT, and on the 
 north side the following felicitous couplet : 
 
 "Friend to Truth ! Of Soul Sincere, 
 In Action Faithful, and in Honor Clear." 
 
 On the east side in raised letters is the word PHILAN- 
 THROPIST. 
 
Washington Duke Memorial Statue. 
 
 UNVEILING 
 
 On Wednesday, June 10, at the close of the Trinity 
 College commencement exercises in the Craven Memo- 
 rial Hall, an academic procession was formed con- 
 sisting of the trustees, faculty, invited guests, alumni, 
 the graduating class, relatives and friends of Mr. Duke. 
 These, followed by the great audience, marched to tlie 
 site of the statue in the Anne Roney Gardens in front of 
 the Washington Duke Building. A poem expressing the 
 sentiment of the student body, written by Mr. H. E. 
 Spence, A. B., 1907, A. M., 1908, was read by Dr. Edwin 
 Mims. Mr. James H. Southgate, who had been selected 
 to represent the donors, made the address of presen- 
 tation. The speech of acceptance on behalf of Trinity 
 College was made by President John C. Kilgo. 
 
 At the close of Dr. Kilgo's address, Mary Washington 
 Stagg, great-granddaughter and namesake of Wash- 
 ington Duke, pulled the cord which unveiled the statue. 
 
 The life-like statue and the addresses by those who 
 knew him intimated served to bring before the vast con- 
 course the striking personality and the remarkable career 
 of Mr. Washington Duke. There were present citizens of 
 North Carolina in the prosperity of which common- 
 wealth Mr. Duke had played acommandingpart; citizens 
 of Durham to whose material success he had made such 
 lasting contributions; and the trustees, faculty, alumni 
 and students of Trinity College, which his generosity 
 had largeh' re-created and refashioned. All alike felt 
 
10 Exercises of the Unveiling 
 
 that there has been no more striking illustration of 
 energy, perseverance and resourcefulness than the life of 
 Mr. Duke. From poverty and obscurit}- he arose to 
 wealth and enduring fame. Without the advantages of 
 academic training, he became the largest contributor to 
 higher education that ever li^^d in the South. 
 
Washington Duke Memorial Statue. 11 
 
 POEM 
 
 H. E. Spence 
 
 To-day we gather, friends, from far and near 
 With joy and gladnkss at our Mother' s call, 
 
 To pay our tribute to our patron dear. 
 Not drop a tear upon his mournful pall — 
 No tears save those of gratitude may fall — 
 
 But to his memory love's incense burn: 
 With this one purpose in the heart of all 
 
 To contemplation of his work we turn 
 
 And hang- our laurels gladly on his honored urn. 
 
 Man's worth is measured not by laurels won. 
 But by the struggle wade to reach the goal; 
 
 Not by the petty deeds which he has done, 
 But by the master will and hrm control 
 Which holds hope's wavering needle to the pole. 
 
 And bravely stems the stubborn tide of life. 
 
 Withstands the billows that overwhelm the soul. 
 
 Nor weakly falters when oppression's rife, 
 
 But boldy fights courageous 'mid the hercest strife. 
 
 Of such heroic mettle was he made. 
 
 That "fairest land that e'er Hred poet's lays" 
 By devastating warfare had been swaved, 
 
 And while men fait' ring stood in dire amaze 
 
 And naught save hopeless ruin met the gaze; 
 Hope's rainbow stood above the sad defeat; 
 
 And from the ruins of the dead to raise 
 New life, he set himself, and through the heat 
 He patient toiled until the structure stood complete 
 
12 Exercises of the Unveiling 
 
 Nor in that struggle did he strive alone; 
 
 A hand of ragged comrades with him fought, 
 And naught remained which they could call their own 
 
 Save that great legacy which can't be bought: 
 
 A love for freedom both of deed and thought. 
 These heroes to his aid with gladness came 
 
 And patiently with tireless zeal they wrought; 
 Upon the list who shared his work and fame 
 Behold our worthy founder, Braxton Craven's name. 
 
 O that his zeal which nothing could appall, 
 Like to the mantle of the prophet old. 
 
 Upon thy sons, O Trinity, might fall, 
 That they with hearts sincere and spirits bold 
 Might seek and tell the truths as yet untold, 
 
 Might battle with the force of low desires. 
 And shape complete within high manhoods mould 
 
 A character full worthy of their sires, 
 
 And zealous keep aglow the patriotic hres. 
 
 Alma Mater, not of ivied walls 
 
 We boast, nor lakes, nor placid streams; 
 
 Nor mountain peaks nor hoary classic halls; 
 Nor through luxuriant groves the moonlight beams 
 With magic hint of mediaeval dreams; 
 
 I^e've few suggestions of the days of yore. 
 Our citv's bustling mart with commerce teems, 
 
 Upon our ears falls industry's dull roar. 
 
 The YoungSouth's daring footsteps enter at our door. 
 
Washington Duke Memorial Statue. 13 
 
 Yet not the Old South' s prestige we forget, 
 And not the truths for which our fathers bled, 
 
 Their memories are sacred to us yet, 
 We pay obeisance to our honored dead 
 When twining laurels on our patron' s head. 
 
 Yet turn we forward to the future's call. 
 By beacon-lights of progress onward led, 
 
 And dedicate, whatever fate befall, 
 
 Unto our country's need, our lives, our strength, our 
 all. 
 
14 Exercises of the Unveiling 
 
 ADDRESS OF PRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF 
 THE DONORS 
 
 James H. Southgate 
 
 Mr. James H. Southgate, in behalf of the donors, pre- 
 sented the statue to the College : 
 
 "There is no valid reason whj^ the good that men do 
 should be buried with them. Rather it should be con- 
 served as a spiritual asset of the race, should be trans- 
 mitted to succeeding generations as a perpetual blessing 
 ainong men, and thusconstitute a sort of earthW immor- 
 tality. 
 
 "A college is pre-eminentlj^ a storehouse for this pre- 
 cious heritage of personality. At Trinity College Wash- 
 ington Duke will always live, not simplv because of his 
 large contributions to the material equipment of the 
 institution, but chiefly because he contributed to it the 
 qualities that made his own life a success — energy, cour- 
 age, helpfulness and catholicity. To the friends of Wash- 
 ington Duke it has seemed fitting that this abiding influ- 
 ence in this place should be bodied forth in visible form. 
 And with this feeling they have had constructed by a 
 famous American sculptor this statue which, in their 
 behalf, I now formally present to Trinity College. To 
 the youth of this commonwealth and this nation may 
 it stand through the 3^ears as a reminder of the splendid 
 virtues that adorned the life and character of Washing- 
 ton Duke, and may it point the generations from age to 
 age to the ways of true character and genuine excellence 
 that alone lead to worthy success and real greatness." 
 
Washington Duke Memorial Statue. 15 
 
 ADDRESS OF ACCEPTANCE FOR TRINITY 
 COLLEGE 
 
 President John C. Kilgo 
 
 In the name of the authorities of Trinity College, I 
 wish, through you, sir, to heartily thank the committee 
 and the friends who, with a desire to perpetuate the 
 memory and celebrate the noble virtues of Washington 
 Duke, have erected here this superb monument. It is a 
 fine deed on the part of his many friends, and shows how 
 deep were the friendships and esteem which he inspired 
 in his fellowmen. It is not only a monument to him, it 
 is equally a monument to those who erected it. As an 
 illustration of sincere friendship and as a valuation of 
 the virtues of manhood it will alwaj^s be a striking 
 example. 
 
 I wish to congratulate the committee that assumed 
 the delicate and difficult task of executing the wishes of 
 the friends who imited in this labor of love. Not only 
 have they met with complete success the large responsi- 
 bility upon them, but the enthusiastic spirit with which 
 the}' performed their work and the wise care with which 
 they watched its progress do them rare honor. To them 
 is due most largely the success of the sacred undertaking, 
 and for their faithful and joj^ous services all unite in giv- 
 ing thanks. 
 
 And, sir, it is eminently appropriate that you who 
 knew Mr. Duke so well and duly appraised all of his 
 exceptional traits should present this gift to Trinity 
 College. You were his neighbor, his friend and his 
 esteemed fellow citizen. The words you have spoken are 
 
16 Exercises of the Unveiling 
 
 fitting words and rich in all the sincerity- of a long 
 friendship. 
 
 This is a unique monument — unique in the heartiness 
 of the contributors to its erection, but in a more marked 
 way it is unique in that it is erected in honor of one 
 who never held public office or gained fame in some 
 startling event. Washington Duke was a quiet civilian. 
 He was a business man. Yet in the retired spheres of a 
 business career he did things of such great worth and 
 exemplified virtues of such a high quality that his friends 
 spontaneously rose up to celebrate his name. So far as 
 I know execeedingly few men in the South, if indeed any, 
 have become monumental figures in the industrial 
 spheres of life. However, this achievement stands as a 
 proof that any sphere of human activit}^ is large enough 
 through which to express the greatest genius and to 
 show a love for mankind. 
 
 Mr. Duke was a Southerner, and it seems highh' appro- 
 priate that the expert hand which carved the famous 
 recumbent statue of Robert E. Lee should haveemploj'ed 
 its genius in shaping the statue of this good man. Trin- 
 ity College is glad to have in its possession this specimen 
 of the work of the South's greatest sculptor. So, sir, for 
 every reason we appreciate this great gift. 
 
 I need not tell you that this College for the most sacred 
 reasons holds in everlasting esteem thememory of Wash- 
 ington Duke. His name is wrought into its ver\' exist- 
 ence, and gratitude to him is one of the abiding feelings 
 of its spirit. To us it seems natural that the friends who 
 have provided this monument should have chosen Trinity 
 College to be the custodian of it. We pledge our honor 
 to guard it with just appreciation, both on account of 
 
Washington Duke Memorial Statue. 17 
 
 the man whom it represents and the friends who have 
 committed it to our ca^e. We do not need it to keep 
 aHve our love of Washington Duke. That cannot die so 
 long as the human heart has the least genius for grati- 
 tude. Here under the shadow of the loft^' tower of the 
 building that liears his name, within the sound of the 
 great bell that calls j^outh to fields of thought, and bap- 
 tized with the fragrance of the flowers that bloom in the 
 gardens abotit it, his placid and strong face shall wel- 
 come all comers and remind the generations of Trinity 
 College students of virtues which the\^ should diligentlv 
 cultivate at all times. 
 
 Neither time nor the occasion permits an extended 
 analysis of the character of Mr. Duke. However, I may 
 be permitted to make reference to some of the strong 
 characteristics that made him a distinguished man. 
 
 Not the least among the remarkable things in his his- 
 tory is the fact that he was more than seventy years of 
 age when he took upon his benevolence the cause of 
 making a larger Trinity College. He was too far ad- 
 vanced in years to have been inspired in this unselfish 
 and patriotic work by the ambitions which possess 
 youth and vigorous middle age. His grip upon life was 
 slackening. The weariness of the j-ears and the toils of 
 life were deep marked upon his brow. He was in the full 
 eventide of life. Yet in the glow of the far descended sun, 
 without the inspiration of promised 3'ears, he rose to the 
 hard task of moving a Southern college into a new field 
 and building it upon a broader and a deeper foundation. 
 The 3'ears had not overcome his courage, they had not 
 dulled his faith, they had not quenched his love of young 
 manhood. Where in all this land of wonderful historv and 
 
18 Exercises of the Unveiling 
 
 marvellous men is there another example of a man more 
 than three score years and ten, a man who had retired 
 on account of age from the burdens of active business, 
 rising to such a height of benevolence as to undertake the 
 task of rebuilding a college? The project was enough to 
 give pause to daring youth, the necessary benevolence 
 imposed a task that would have halted one long trained 
 in such large enterprises. Yet he, a man more than sev- 
 enty years old, took up the cause of this college which 
 will stand forever as a rebuke to the sentiment that men 
 grow too old to be builders of mighty enterprises. 
 
 Mr. Duke was a man whom wealth did not hurt. I do 
 not intend to give the slightest tinge of encouragement 
 to that insane pretense of virtue which delights itself in 
 raving attacks upon the rich, which feeds its inordinate 
 covetousness upon blind jealousies, 3'et it is obviously 
 true that large riches are attended with sore tempta- 
 tions. They tempt a man to withdraw from the scenes 
 of human toil, to indulge himself in a luxurious indolence, 
 to assume a new weight of avithority, to forget the 
 intensitv of human sufferings, to become less concerned 
 about doing his fair share to relieve humanitv, to lose 
 that sense of svnipath}'^ that should bind man to man, 
 and in manj^ other ways to destroy the high virtues that 
 should adorn human character and furnish the motives 
 of unselfish service. These temptations come, but they 
 need not conquer. There may be riches of heart along 
 with wealth of the purse; there maybe sanctified interest 
 in mankind where no sign of poverty abides; there maj- 
 be the noblest type of simplicitj^amid the splendid scenes 
 of costly comforts. Of all this Washington Duke was a 
 livino- example. No temptation of wealth ever found in 
 
Washington Duke Memorial Statue. 19 
 
 him the least response. He iHustrated a beautiful sim. 
 plicit J of living, he was profov:ndly interested in all the 
 affairs of the working world, he carried in his heart the 
 problems of all classes of men, he prized the industrious 
 as the ideal man, he felt that needless waste was an evil, 
 he went among all classes of men without a sign of 
 assumed superiority, and lie valued ever^'thing that gave 
 the less fortunate an opportunit}' to improve themselves 
 and their condition. His example shall teach the sublime 
 lesson of a complete master}' of wealth and the highest 
 use of mone\'. This lesson, I am sure, will be taught as 
 long as the bronze and the granite of this monument 
 shall endure. 
 
 The designers of this monument have chosen to in- 
 scribe on either side of the granite pedestal the words, 
 "PATRIOT" and "PHILANTHROPIST." What exalted 
 virtues these words imply! Thej' are not simple btit 
 complex virtues. It requires many other of the highest 
 virtues to makeeither patriotism or philanthropy. What 
 a sublime record they have made in every age, among all 
 races, and in all quarters of the globe ! They have been 
 the impelling power in the loftiest heroism of human 
 deeds, they have been the force behind all the immortal 
 sacrifices that give glory to human history', they have 
 been the sources out of which have come man's best 
 efforts formankind, thej' have been the stay of the coun- 
 tr}', the sentinels of the home, the pioneer of history, and 
 the brightest ornaments in human character. Are they 
 not twin virtues? Can they be separated? Is it not 
 true that no man who lacks patriotism can be a philan- 
 thropist, and no man who lacks the virtue of philan- 
 thropy can be a patriot? 
 
20 Exercises of the Unveiling 
 
 Speaking with full knowledge I say that both of these 
 virtues may be claimed for Washington Duke. He loved 
 his country and he loved his fellowman. It was not that 
 shallow tj^pe of love that masquerades in nois\' pretenses 
 or exploits itself in public places. Nor 3-et that immoral 
 feeling that flatters every weakness and fondles ever\' 
 conceit. With these he had little patience. His patriot- 
 ism and his philanthrop\' were founded in trvith and sin- 
 cerity. Quick to see the wrong and faithful enough to 
 rebuke it, he sought to promote the real good of his peo- 
 ple. His attachment to the South, his faith in it, had 
 many tests, but in every instance it was unwavering. 
 What he Ijelieved was for its best welfare he did, and 
 never counted the cost to himself. And in the last days 
 of his long and busy career he gave utterance to his love 
 for his country, and his love of men in building and 
 endowing this College. I would not cast a shadow upon 
 a single example of patriotism amid the din of battle and 
 the scenes of carnage, but Trinity College is the story ot 
 a patriotism and a philanthropy as genuine as any that 
 was ever recorded in the smoke of battle. It is an expres- 
 sion of, an everlasting witness to, the love which this 
 good man bore for his land and his fellowmen. And 
 inspired In- his example I earnestK' trust that the young 
 men who come hither to study will carry away from 
 Trinity College the spirit of true patriotism and philan- 
 throp3% and that through them his benevolence shall 
 have unbroken succession. 
 
 I shall not say more about the distinguishing traits of 
 this good man's character, though very much might be 
 said and the temptation to say it is hard to resist. The 
 moment is crowded with sacred memories. While among 
 
Washington Duke Memorial Statue. 21 
 
 us a commencement occasion was to him an enjoyable 
 event. He entered into its spirit with the enthusiasm of 
 youth, and his fine face and uplifting companionship 
 contributed a distinct jo}^ to the occasion. Our memory 
 of him at such times is accentuated b\' the purpose of this 
 instance. Above his material gifts we hold in grateful 
 remembrance his friendship and his confidence. 
 
 And, sir, this new expression of confidence in theloyalty 
 of this College to all the interests of human progress 
 greatly increases our obligations to render a faithful ser- 
 vice. This we shall try to do. And while we shall dili- 
 gently guard this gift, we shall always be mindful of a 
 deeper charge committed to us. He earnestly desired to 
 do something to push back the shadow of ignorance from 
 the minds of men, to send forth a clearer and a fuller 
 light of knowledge, and to do this he endowed Trinity 
 College. So, it is not amiss for me to remind all who 
 have to do with the destiny of the College, that they 
 must administer his faith as well as his material gifts. 
 And, again, sir, I assure you and the many friends in 
 whose name you have spoken of our inexpressible appre- 
 ciation of their superb gift. 
 
22 Exercises of the Unveiling 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH^ 
 
 Washington Duke came from the hardy small farmer 
 class of old Orange count}', a locality which has been 
 prolific of strong men in the history both of our State 
 and of other States. His father was Tajdor Duke and 
 his mother was Dicey Jones. Both were earnest Christian 
 people, honorable, faithful and industrious. Around them 
 people lived soberly, contentedly and happily. Nobod\^ 
 was very rich and nobody was very poor. The commu- 
 nity was a dozen miles from Hillsboro and twice as far 
 from Raleigh. To one town or the other the people took 
 their produce to exchange it for their necessary supplies. 
 There was not much in this region to suggest that it 
 would soon be a greater center of trade and industry 
 than either of its two neighljoring towns. Yet such 
 seems to be its destiny. The long drill in habits of thrift, 
 industry and integrit\-gave to the people of this commu- 
 nity a personal strength which, when once the chance 
 came to them, could not but show itself. 
 
 Taylor Duke was well respected among his neighbors. 
 He was captain of a militia company and deputy sherift, 
 both positions requiring a level head and a reputation 
 for strength of character. He was as prosperous as 
 most of his neighbors, but he had a famil}- of ten children, 
 and when his son Washington came to face the world it 
 was empt^'-handed. He set bravely to work. For four 
 
 *This sketch is composed of extracts from the article on Mr. Wash- 
 ington Duke in tlie Biographical History of North Carolina. These 
 extracts are reproduced here b\- permission of the publisher. 
 
Washington Duke Memorial Statue. 23 
 
 years he rented the land of other people, and then he had 
 saved enough to buy a farm of his own. To this small 
 beginning he added as the years went by, till at the out- 
 break of the war he owned 300 acres. When we remem- 
 ber that the average size of farms in this region up to 
 the present time is about ninety acres, we shall see that 
 he had done well. 
 
 Although he became a very wealthy man, Mr. Duke 
 looked back to these early days of battling with life with 
 great interest. They were, in fact, the formative period 
 of his life. When he built up a great fortune in the field 
 of manufacturing, he but did over again what he had 
 done before in the field of agriculture, with this excep- 
 tion, that in the former field the opportunity was vastly 
 greater. His first success was w^on, as every man's busi- 
 ness success is won, by industry, economy and character. 
 He believed in work. He was careful not to go into debt. 
 He was sober, and he did not gamble. He did not put 
 off a duty for a pleasure. More than all else, he was an 
 earnest Christian. He was a constant attendant on his 
 church, having been converted early in life in a revival 
 service, and having become a member of the Methodist 
 church. He took delight in the religious services, and 
 from that day to his death, unless prevented by sickness, 
 he rarely missed one. 
 
 Mr. Duke was born December 20, 1820. He was, 
 therefore, forty 3'ears old when the war began. He had 
 up to this time been a Democrat, and in his loyalty he 
 had named his yotingest son James Buchanan, after a 
 Democratic President. But he was strongh' opposed to 
 secession. He foretold the evils which would follow an 
 attempt to leave the Union. It was with a sad heart 
 
24- Exercises of the Unveiling 
 
 that he saw how tiseless were his words. In 1863 he 
 volunteered for the Confederate army. He was sent first 
 to Camp Hohnes, where he was placed on guard duty. 
 Next he was transferred to the Confederate nav}' and 
 sent to serve on a ship which was a part of the defenses 
 of Charleston harbor. Later he was transferred to the 
 artiller}^ and attached to Battery Brook, one of the 
 defenses of the city of Richmond. Here he served till the 
 cit}' was given up; but in the retreat from the place he 
 was captured by the enemy and sent to Libby Prison. 
 A few days later, when the war was over, he was released 
 from captivity. The government sent him to New Bern, 
 North Carolina, and from that place he walked to his 
 home, a distance of 135 miles. Arrived there he had, 
 besides his farm and two blind army mules, which had 
 been given him, fifty cents in silver, for which he had 
 exchanged a five dollar Confederate bill. 
 
 The situation which confronted him was gloom}', but 
 he was no worse off than the others. In fact, he was 
 somewhat better situated than some of them, for he 
 accepted the issue and set about repairing his fortune. 
 Before the war he had been twice married, first, in 18-44, 
 to Miss Alary C. Clinton, of Orange county, and she 
 dying in 184-7, he was married to Miss Artelia Roney, of 
 Alamance county, December 9, 1852; but the latter had 
 also died on August 20, 1858. By the first marriage he 
 had two children, Samuel T., who died at the age of 
 fourteen, and Brodie L., who still lives. By his second 
 marriage he had three children, Mary Elizabeth, Benjamin 
 Newton and James Buchanan. These children had been 
 left with friends and relatives while he was awa}^ in the 
 armv. His first care after his return was to send for 
 
Washington Duke Memorial Statue. 25 
 
 them. There on the farm they formed a kind of partner- 
 ship which neither time nor prosperity ever dissolved. 
 Each took his part in the arduous labor before them. 
 Father and sons cultivated the soil and manufactured 
 the tobacco, and Mary, the daughter of twelve, was the 
 housekeeper. He was now forty-five years old, an age 
 when many men suppose that they have a right to begin 
 to take their ease; but he not only continued his activity, 
 but embarked in a new field of enterprise. He had the 
 good fortune to be associated with capable children. 
 When his own powers should begin to fail, theirs would 
 be strong enough to help him. Not many enterprises 
 have combined so fortunately the wisdom of old age and 
 aggressiveness of 3'outh as that about which I am going 
 to speak. 
 
 The eastern part of Orange was in the famous bright 
 tobacco belt of North Carolina. It was here that John- 
 ston's army surrendered to Sherman. The incident served 
 to advertise the tobacco which was to become famous as 
 Durham tobacco. The name was derived from the name 
 of a railroad station about two miles from Mr. Duke's 
 farm. At that time the place was but a railroad cross- 
 ing; now it has about 25,000 inhabitants, and its busi- 
 ness relations are established around the world. Many 
 men were, in 187^, about to launch their crafts in the 
 manufacture of Durham tobacco, but of all of them the 
 name of Duke was to prove itself the master name. 
 
 Washington Duke's first tobacco factory was on his 
 farm. It was a log house 16 feet by 18 feet in size. Here 
 in the fall and winter, he prepared b}' hand the leaf 
 tobacco which he had raised in the preceding season. 
 The business prospered, and in 1873 it was moved to 
 
26 Exercises of the Uxveilixg 
 
 Durham, where his eldest son, Brodie L. Duke, had 
 already set itp a factory. The factory which was now 
 built was 40 feet b\' 70 feet. It was l)uilt of wood and 
 was three stories high. The plant began operations with 
 fifteen hands. In 1875 the business was enlarged b}^ the 
 addition of another building the size of the first. This 
 was necessitated bj' the growth of the enterprise and by 
 the fact that a consolidation was made with Brodie L. 
 Duke. Then followed a long series of enlargements. In 
 fact not manv years have elapsed since 1875 in which one 
 or more new buildings have not been erected. The W. 
 Duke branch of the American Tobacco Company now 
 covers with its buildings many acres of ground in the town 
 of Durham, and it manufactures more tobacco than any 
 one plant in America. Such has loeen the culmination of 
 the small enterprise which began on the Duke farm in 
 1865. 
 
 Mr. Duke himself gave much credit for his success to 
 the efforts of his sons. These gentlemen have been very 
 active business men. When the}- arrived at maturity 
 their father oftered to fit them for professional lives if 
 thev desired it, bvit the\' chose business careers. They 
 had Ijcgun in their childhood in the enterprise. They had 
 loved it with an enthusiasm born out of their boyhood 
 strugo'les. No other kind of life seemed so attractive to 
 them as the glor}' of building the Duke enterprise up till 
 it filled the full measure of its opportunity^ in the world. 
 Thus deeply had their father instilled into their natures 
 the pride of the common undertaking. 
 
 Mr. Duke was ever a l>enevolent man. It was a part 
 of his religion to help needy ones according to his 
 ability. But he had no sympathy for lazy and improvi- 
 
Washington Duke Memorial Statue. 27 
 
 dent people. His chanties were, therefore, directed along 
 the lines of self-help to those who were worth^y of it. 
 He alwa3'S sought to avoid public display in his gifts. 
 Besides the gifts he made, as those to education, he gave 
 numerous sums to struggling 3'oung men, to unfortu- 
 nate men and women of ever}' kind, and about these 
 the public received no intimation. Thrift in others alwaj'S 
 won his sympath3\ Of his life he once said : "I never 
 paid interest on money. I never went in del)t to such 
 an extent that I could not pay when the time came. It is 
 paying interest that ruins most men that fail." 
 
 Although the subject of this sketch was a Democrat 
 before the war, he became a Republican after that event. 
 He himself accounted fortius change on the grounds that 
 he believed, on the return of peace, that the policy of 
 internal improvements which the Republicans advocated 
 was the best calculated to advance the interests of the 
 South. His change was certainly not due to any selfish 
 consideration, for he never sought office or took an 
 active part in part}' politics. His activit}^ was no more 
 than that of the quiet citizen who views his country's 
 existence with the interest of one who loves it. 
 
 Into Mr. Duke's life there fell, in 1893, a great sorrow' 
 It was the death of his only daughter. About the time 
 he removed to Durham she had married Robert E. Lyon, 
 of that place. But no tie separated her from her father. 
 He was deeph' attached to her, and the mere mention of 
 her name to the day of his death stirred the deepest feel- 
 ings in his heart. From her twelfth year she was his 
 home-maker. Hers was the thrift which had stopped 
 the doors of waste in the early days of struggle; hers 
 was the housewifely hand which had put a woman's 
 
28 Exercises of the Unveiling 
 
 touch of comfort into the Hfe of widowed father and 
 motherless brothers. Child- woman as she was, she 
 gained strenglh of mind and balanced judgment beyond 
 her 3'ears. Father and brothers sought her advice, and 
 in the business she was looked on as an equal partner. 
 
 When she died the light went out of her father's life, 
 for she was almost his idol. Sa^-s one who knew her 
 well: "Truly, to know her was to love her. In her later 
 years her feeble health seemed to be a ministering angel 
 to refine and sweeten her already- lovable spirit. Her 
 brothers generously divided their honors and profits with 
 her, and 'Mary' was ever regarded by them as equally 
 with themselves worthy to share in the profits that came 
 as a reward of their thought and labor, and it was right 
 and just that it should be so. She was a woman of most 
 remarkable common sense, and her judgment was of a 
 very superior order. She managed her own affairs with 
 amaster's hand, and in her case 'wisdom was justified of 
 her children.' . . . She was generous and charitable 
 in religion, wise in counsel and sweet and polite in her 
 social life. She combined womanly grace and sweetness 
 with a comprehensive intelligence; and if her health had 
 been equal to h^ intellect, she could have managed an 
 empire. Her place can never be filled." 
 
 Mr. Duke became wideh- known as one of the South's 
 greatest philanthropists. This came about through his 
 large gifts to Trinity College. In 1890 it was decided 
 to move Trinity, which belonged to the Methodists of 
 the State, from its old home in Randolph county. Mr. 
 Duke offered to give $85,000 if it was brought to Dur- 
 ham. The ofier was accepted, but when the college 
 opened its doors in its new home in 1892 it was found 
 
Washington Duke Memorial Statue. 29 
 
 that he had greatly exceeded the amount he had prom- 
 ised. His whole contribution was $110,000. In 1896 
 he gave $100,000 to the endowment fund on condition 
 that women should be admitted. In 1898 and again in 
 1900 he gave a like sum to the same fund. These gifts, 
 with others wdiich I have not mentioned, brought his 
 benevolences to this institution till 1904 up to the sum 
 of $480,000. Besides his gifts to Trinity he gave gen- 
 erously to other, educational institutions. In 1892 he 
 paid the debt on, and acquired the ownership of, Louis- 
 burg Female College at Louisburg, North Carolina. It 
 was an old and useful seat of learning, and the generous 
 action of Mr. Duke saved it from having to close its 
 doors. In 1898 he further showed his interest in educa- 
 tion by giving the land and a handsome building for the 
 establishment of the Southern Conservatory of Music 
 in Durham. The marked success of this institution has 
 justified the gift. 
 
 His educational ideas were sound. He believed in an 
 education that developes character. For shams he ever 
 had a great contempt. No reform was made at Trinity 
 College which had for its purpose the attainment of 
 honest and solid educational ideals that did not win 
 his hearty approval. To his college communit\' his 
 presence was ever a source of sincere pleasure. His quiet 
 smile heartened their spirits, and his excellent common 
 sense yielded them advice in many difficulties. 
 
 In his prime Mr. Duke had the appearance of a man of 
 great physical strength. He was about six feet tall, 
 with a large frame and a deep chest. He walked with a 
 firm and deliberate stride. He spoke without excitement 
 or passion. His face was characterized bv a broad fore- 
 
30 Exercises of the Unveiling 
 
 head, strong grey e^-es, a firm chin and mouth, and the 
 gentle air of a man who had perfect control over himself. 
 He lived regularly and temperateh', preserving the fine 
 
 ph\'sique which nature had given him 
 
 His career is a witness of the truth of the saying of the 
 Psalmist in regard to Wisdom, "Length of da\'s she 
 giveth thee." 
 
 Mr. Duke's strong frame was destined to withstand 
 the attacks of disease for many years, and to A-ield onl\' 
 to the insidious decay of old age. In January, 1905, he 
 had a fall, and sustained a slight fracture of the hip, 
 from the effects of which he did not recover. But his 
 cheerfulness did not forsake him, and for the many friends 
 who saw him he had ever a ready word and smile. He 
 died on Ma}' 8, 1905, and was buried in the Duke Mauso- 
 leum in Durham. His funeral was the largest ever seen 
 in the city. Thousands of people of all ranks of life lined 
 the streets and awaited the arrival of the remains at the 
 cemetery. It was a tribute of the people, who knew 
 best his life of modest and continuous virtue, and an 
 expression of loss by a whole community, which had a 
 hundred reasons to feel that they had lost a wise friend 
 and servant. There has lived in the South in the genera- 
 tion since the war no man who has better understood 
 the problems of the individual man in the great process 
 of upbuilding our life. No one has better utilized the 
 wonderful opportunity which the overflow of old inequal- 
 ities has brought; and no one has better used his own 
 success to allay passion and to promote future progress. 
 
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 
 
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