Have been reading "The Dukes of Durham" (thanks for the recommendation, LB)- I had to pause at this (a quote from a note written by a black preacher to W. Duke, March 31, 1891): "I was with a committee of colored men at your gate one night last week. We desired to formally thank you for your great kindness to our poor race and to request your council [sic] in some matters of public importance. But the thought came to us that your daughter was not strong.... so we moved around your block, looking at the friendly lights streaming from the windows and returned to our homes..."
How things have changed, eh?
I have been struck by just how much the Duke family contributed to the black community. It seems they regarded them as compadres - the Dukes and the blacks, you see, were Republicans in a sea of Democrats.
Not really pertinent to current conversation, I just thought it was interesting.
I find the entire history of that city, region fascinating. And it is amazing all the info one can gleen via the internet.
Try doing a search on keywords negro, Mangum, Durham and/or negro, Nifong, Durham.
Could I ask you to please post the Link in re the Dukes and Durham?