We were Sandspurs within the dash! 1875-1975 By Sharon J. Kellam

A distinctive history-story book, Sandspurs covers 100 years (1875-1975) of remarkable and rare events that took place in Salemburg, a small village in Sampson County, North Carolina. This small village gave birth and was witness to many miraculous endeavors, beginning with the establishment of the first high school in Sampson County and culminating with the gifting of the schools buildings and acreage to the state for establishing the North Carolina State Justice Academy. Salemburg rose to superior heights in the eyes of the county, the state, and the nation. Notables from President Hebert Hoover, down to statesmen and community leaders wrote to applaud the accomplishments, which took place in this academy in this small Southern village. All North Carolinians will laugh, cry, and applaud, while they enjoy reading about what happened here. A testimonial to the best of a small community and the devotion and efforts of committed individuals that made life better for children in their care are recounted within these pages. In doing so, they also made life better for the citizens of this community.

Sandspurs is a collection of documented history, maps of the school’s campus and village downtown district, biographical sketches of numerous leaders, along with stories from individuals regarding daily life in Salemburg during their era. It is seven books within the covers of one book. Each chapter could stand on its own with unique history and stories of this village’s accomplishment and successes across those one hundred years.

The individuals who led were giants who banded together with the community to aid thousands of students in getting a “leg up” in life. They gave of their time, energy, love and knowledge for the betterment of these students’ lives. Many took no salary, and many, like the students, resided in a dorm room. The students came not only from North Carolina, but from 25 states and 4 continents.

There are also two additional picture-captioned books covering the academy and the village available upon request.

Webpage:  sharonkellam.com

Phone for information:  1-336-818-9298

373 pages

5 maps

144 illustrations

Price:  $40 plus postage

Order form available on webpage of Sharon Kellam

The following photos come to me via the Justice Academy in 2010 too late to be included in my pictures in Sandspurs. Unfortunately much history was destroyed when Jr. Barracks was detonated as the downstairs floor was filled with many objects, books, materials, pictures, etc. that had been left when the campus was vacated for the Justice Academy in 1974-5.  As there was no place to send or store these materials there was no choice but to destroy them. Thanks to the Justice Academy for making there pictures available. 

Jr. Barracks 1940, known as ‘College Hall’ in 1964, later called the ‘Old Alamo’ was detonated and burned on July 25, 1987 by troops from Fort Bragg. Pictures here are from archives shared by the Justice Department.

I though some of you might like to see them. They did not come to me soon enough to be included in any of my trilogy publications.