Governor's Papers -- Locke Craig (16 August 1860 -- 9 June 1925), SR.356
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Governor's Papers -- Locke Craig (16 August 1860 -- 9 June 1925)
- Call Number
- SR.356
- Creator
- Office of the Governor
- Date
- 1913-1917
- Extent
- 4.8 cubic feet, 350.995 gigabytes
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Collection Overview
Locke Craig (16 August 1860-9 June 1924) was born in Bertie County, the son of a Baptist minister. He entered the University of North Carolina at the age of fifteen, and had a notable career there as a student leader and orator. After graduation he taught for a few years, and in 1883 opened a law practice in Asheville. He shortly began to take an active part in Democratic politics, being chosen a Democratic presidential elector in 1892. As an elector in 1896, he canvassed the state for William Jennings Bryan and drew large audiences with his oratorical skills. Throughout the late 1890s he was in the forefront in the struggle to wrest political ascendancy in the state from the Fusionists, and with Charles B. Aycock and others was a mastermind of the white supremacy campaign of 1898. The Democratic sweep of both houses of the General Assembly in that year saw Craig elected to the legislature from Buncombe County.
His attempts to secure higher office in the state failed to bear fruit for some years. In 1903 he was unsuccessful in his quest for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate, and in 1908 he lost in a bid for a gubernatorial nomination. In 1912, however, he was by acclamation selected by the Democratic convention as its candidate for governor, and later that year he won the election.
His administration carried forward the educational program of one of his predecessors, Charles B. Aycock: public school districts were consolidated; four months' attendance was made mandatory for children aged eight to twelve years; and local taxation for school support was encouraged. The first highway commission was appointed, and the 5,000 miles of roads built by the state to 1913 had increased to 15,000 by the end of Craig's term. Prison labor was employed to work on roads and the rail system. Railroad freight rates were reduced, spurring manufacturing and economic development. State-supported health and welfare institutions were founded.
The western part of the state received particular attention, with road building being undertaken through difficult mountain terrain and a state park being founded at Mount Mitchell. Governor Craig served on the Appalachian Park Commission, which promoted the development of the Pisgah National Forest. Craig acted decisively when floods ravaged the western area in 1916, establishing a relief connittee to receive public and private contributions.
When his term ended in 1917 he retired to his home on the Swannanoa River and to his law practice. He died in 1924 and was buried in Asheville.
REFERENCES:
Powell, William S., ed. DICTIONARY OF NORTH CAROLINA BIOGRAPHY,
Vol. 1. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1979.
Letters and Papers of Governor Locke Craig
Arrangement Note
Chronological
Contents of the Collection
-
• Correspondence 1912SR.356.001
-
• Correspondence 1912SR.356.002
-
• Correspondence 1913SR.356.003
-
• Correspondence 1913SR.356.004
-
• Correspondence 1913SR.356.005
-
• Correspondence 1913SR.356.006
-
• Correspondence 1913; Petitions 1913SR.356.007
-
• Correspondence 1914SR.356.008
-
• Correspondence 1914 - 1915SR.356.009
-
• Correspondence 1915 - 1916SR.356.010
-
• Correspondence 1916 - 1918; Pardons 1917SR.356.011
1. Letters and Papers, 1913-1917
Scope and Content:
Letters and papers of Governor Locke Craig.
Arrangement:
Chronological.
2. Letter Books, 1913-1917
Scope and Content:
Published volume of the public letters and papers of Governor Locke Craig, compiled and edited by his private secretary. Also a "Quick Reference Index," 1913-1916.
Arrangement:
Chronological.
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Transfered out (from us)