Situated just one mile from the city in a westerly direction nestles the village designated as West Durham. Chiefly composed of a cotton mill element the village presents a great contrast to villages of the same nature, in the fact that it has broken away from the primeval custom of similar towns. One noticeable feature about the above mentioned village is it’s thrifty appearance and clean fresh look. In speaking of a cotton mill village one usually imagines the place to be composed of a rowdy element that furnishes a lot of trouble for the surrounding country, and this is usually the case, but does not hold good in West Durham district. So well behaved is this element that only one officer is needed to keep order. Deputy Joe Pleasants has very little to do and whenever he is called on to restore quiet and order the offender or offenders are usually one or many that have become residents of the hamlet from some other mill town, where such disorder is the chief custom.

IS GROWING RAPIDLY.

West Durham has stepped forward rapidly in the past three years and her growth has been wonderful. The placing of such institutions as the Watts hospital in the neighborhood has tended to increase the growth of the hamlet and to advance the worth of property to a great extent and cause people to build in that neighborhood. Usually the building of a settlement of this kind is for renting purposes but this is not true in this case. The people are building for residential purposes and those who have moved into the neighborhood are more than pleased with the section. The extension of the car line to the hospital and a continuation of this line to the Country Club has raised the price of real estate and made suburban property very valuable. The strip of land that lies between the hospital and the Country Club, formerly owned by Mr. Jones, has been purchased by real estate dealers, cut up into building lots and easily disposed of for the value of such property is recognized by the far sighted. Preparations for the cutting op of the Warren farm, just beyond West Durham, are under way and this will be followed by a rush to buy the moment the sale is announced.

WEST DURHAM SCHOOLS.

Situated south of the railroad, in the more aristocratic district of the village, stands a frame structure used for educational purposes. This building has served well for a number of years but now it is inadequate and its use will be discontinued with this years closing. A brick building is under construction, located on what is known as the Warren row, and will be completed in time for the spring term of 1913. The building is made of brick and is a three story structure, counting the basement, which will be utilized to excellent advantage. The roof is made of the most substantial galvanized iron and the building will stand the wear of years. The equipment will include city water and electrical installments, making the shoal house in perfect keeping with similar institutions in the city. The outer walls are completed, the roof of the building is now on, the flooring has been laid, the lathing completed, the window sash, composed of one glass are in, and a portion of the plastering in the upper story has been finished. The doors are on the premises and ready to be hinged to the already set frames. The most beautiful feature is that the building is located less than five minutes walk from the heart of the mill district and it is from this district that the greatest number of pupils come. Able instructors will be in charge and the children of the mill-man will receive the same advantages as the children of the most aristocratic families in the most up-to-date neighborhoods, being handicapped by no more disadvantages than the children that attend school in the largest cities, under the most modern conditions, and perhaps not as many.

WEST DURHAM BUSINESS.

The village of West Durham is supplied with all the modern conditions that attend a down town district. Shoppers receive the same careful attention that is given patrons of department stores. The town is supplied with stores that carry in stock everything to wear and to be used in the home. Representatives from the dry goods and millinery stores visit the northern markets and are as discerning in the wares they purchase for the home trade as the most fastidious could want. After the visit to the northern markets are made the stores advertise and receive a patronage that is envied by the down town district. The residents of the village are less handicapped than city shoppers inasmuch as they have less distance to walk, many living within haling distance of the stores. HOME-LIKE TOWN.

It is well worth a trip to this village for a sight-seer On a trip of this kind one would see clean, well swept yards, tidy houses, built and painted differently, which is in direct contrast to the usual mill settlement, fenced in enclosures with excellent stocks of poultry, thriving gardens and a home-like air that is very restful, especially to the mill-man or woman after a day’s toil in the factory. The yards to the mill houses, that back of the public roads, are fenced in by a five foot board fence which gives excellent protection against passerby.

WEST DURHAM CHURCHES.

Where Religious Services Are to Be Held Today.

West Durham Presbyterian chapel has been in harmony with the remainder of the churches, both in the city and suburbs. Rev. A. W. Crawford, a visiting minister, has been assisting in the services during the past week, and delivering sermons of unusual power. Many conversions have been made and still others are looked for before the close of the series. Everyone is extended a cordial invitation to attend the services and hear the word of God.

The West Durham Methodists are located in admirable quarters and are in condition to conduct worshipful services in a commendable manner. Rev. A. J. Parker, pastor of the church, is a man of deep learning and great experience and is looked to explicitly by his congregation. Services are held in this church with the same regularity as they were elsewhere and the attendance and attention is always good. During the past week this church, together with many others, have been conducting a union Rev. J. A. Frizzelle, of Mt. Olive, is assisting the home minister during the evangelistic services. Speaking with great power, straight to the point, he has attracted immense crowds to this church. The Epworth League has made rapid strides forward since it’s organization and is now one of the strong factors of the recent evangelistic meeting and church. Much success has attended many additional conversions are looked for and hoped for.

The Episcopal church, pastored over by Rev. Thomas L. Trott, is another feature in West Durham life that is commendable. Their edifice is one of the prettiest, neatest little churches in the community and her manner. The attendance is always as in the other churches the word of God is preached, in an understandable good, considering the number of Episcopalians in the mill village.

West Durham Advertisers

Andrews Furniture Co.

The Andrews Furniture company, the leading furniture store of West Durham, is located next to Thomas drug store. Mr. C. B. Andrews, the owner, has only been in the furniture business in West Durham two years. During this time he has established for himself a business with a reputation. In a space on this page he calls attention to a sale of several articles of furniture especially needed at this season of the year. He is also offering 25 per cent discount on all suits of furniture during the next ten days.

The Thomas Drug Co.

The Thomas Drug company, located in the new Shevel building which is in the heart of the business district of West Durham, is now beginning their tenth year in the drug business in West Durham. They carry a full line of drugs and drug store supplies. They have two registered druggists and do a large prescription business. Mr. Fred Thomas, the owner, is the manager, and is at all times making things hum about the store. He tells you something of interest in the adjoining column.

Mrs. Mamie Osborne.

Miss Mamie Osborne is also located in the new Shevel building. She carries the best line of ladies wearing apparel to be had. She bends every effort to make her’s a ladies store up-to-date in every respect. This is her fifth season in West Durham and seventeenth season in hat trimming. She has with her as clerks several young ladies who are at all times doing their best to give the public the best possible services. She is offering for Monday and Tuesday special sales. Read them in her ad on this page.

New Drug Store.

New store, pure drugs and fresh stock are at Claude Clarke’s new drug store on Main street next to the Beck Dry Goods company’s store. Mr. Clarke, who is well known in Durham as working for C. E. King & Sons and later at Blacknall’s drug store then with Saunders and Fowden, at Williamsburg, is sole proprietor of the store. He is a registered druggist. He opened West Durham’s second drug store two and one-half months ago. He has been very successful and fortunate in building up a good trade in such a short time. His ad is at the bottom of this column. Read it.

Beck Dry Goods Company.

The past ten months has been a period of wonderful progressiveness in the dry goods line at a store next to Herring & Elliott’s, on Main street. This store is the store of the Beck Dry Goods company. Mr. Beck, who has been in the dry goods business for the past twelve years is the proprietor and manager.

This company sells everything sold in ladies wearing apparel. They also sell a general line of gents furnishings. They have just very successfully conducted a ten day sale and in another column on this page they announce that they will continue the sale for ten days longer. Read the values. They are offering some very attractive prices.

Misses Lily, Letty and Lula Higa left the city yesterday afternoon for Togo where they will spend the weekend with friends.