Published: March 07, 2008 06:28 pm            

Barron Mills: February 27, 2008

The little dab of snow that fell on Randolph County several weeks ago causes this scribe to turn back the clock to the heavy snows of March 1960. However, perhaps the warmest of these stories was the experience of the sailor and the distinguished middle-age gentleman who were stranded in Asheboro.

The sailor was en route from Charleston, S.C., to High Point to get married. The tall gentleman, distinguished in appearance, was traveling from his hunting lodge and plantation near Kingstree, S.C., to New York City on a business junket.

Their bus got as far as Asheboro when it was bogged in snow. The sailor and the gentleman had something in common – urgency of mission. A business appointment was awaiting the gentleman. The sailor's bride was pacing the floor.

They tried to persuade taxi drivers at McGill Bus Station to take them at least as far as Greensboro. Tracy McGill had instructed each of the drivers not to venture more than one mile from the Asheboro city limits. The roads were too treacherous.

Finally, in desperation, the two travelers convinced Mr. McGill that they needed to get to Greensboro and continue their journey. In the belief that he had an obligation to the bus company to look after the passengers so stranded, Mr. McGill acquiesced, not knowing whether the car would be able to make the trip safely. He decided to drive them personally, rather than send an employee against his earlier orders.

You could sense the tall gentleman was a man of breeding and importance. He received permission from Mr. McGill to use his two-way radio that connected the cab with Miss Pauline Richardson at the bus station and dispatchers' office. He requested her to call a number in Greensboro to tell them that "Barney" was to spend the night there. The inn keeper was a friend of long standing. Then he asked her to write for him several postcards to various people, giving them personal messages. She was asked to sign each card "Barney."

Once he had disposed of this business, the tall gentleman addressed the plight of the sailor. He left Charleston in sunshine and was wearing only a sport shirt - no fitting costume for either the snow or a wedding.

It was after eight o'clock at night and no stores were open, although the gentleman asked Mr. McGill to ride around in the hopes of finding an establishment where he might buy the young sailor a suit and a topcoat.

But before he departed he did ask the young man to send him an invitation to the wedding. He would like to attend. He asked the young man if he needed more than 10 days for his wedding plans.

He promised to see that the prospective bridegroom received additional leave time.

As a final gesture of friendship the tall gentleman placed $25 in Mr. McGill's palm to take the sailor to the home of his bride-to-be in High Point. "He was the best customer I ever had," McGill told this writer on June 13, 1960, recalling his snow experience. McGill explained that "Barney" gave him a generous tip and really appreciated the courtesies extended him

"And he really wanted to look after the sailor," McGill added.

During all the conversation, the man identified himself only as a "retired naval officer."

It wasn't until the next day that Mr. McGill learned from the motel that the tall gentleman was Bernard M. Baruch Jr., the son of the elder statesman/financier who had been a confidant and advisor to every president from Woodrow Wilson to Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Mr. McGill's knowledge of the story ends with the sailor getting out of the car in High Point. He didn't know whether Mr. Baruch attended the wedding, or whether the sailor got an extension of leave.

"But," added Mr. McGill, "I'll bet that the sailor got a nice wedding present."

Mr. McGill knows one thing – like father like son!



Barron Mills came to Asheboro in March 1955 when he bought The Randolph Guide and became its editor and publisher. He sold the paper in 1991 but still lives in Asheboro.

        

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