In NC’s Calcium Light – 5

Religions and Educational Environment

A religious atmosphere pervades Cliffside. There are three churches, with large memberships–the Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian. The houses of worship are substantial and attractive in appearance, and cost approximately anywhere from three thousand to six thousand dollars each. The Sunday schools and church services are largely attended. Occasionally Sunday evening exercises are held by the juvenile societies. On these occasions an inspiring sight is presented, when scores of happy-faced, healthy-looking mill children–the Sunbeams and Royal Ambassadors–march out upon the stage, and in unison or in turn repeat scripture verses and recitations without error, or sing devotional songs in perfect time and with splendid expression. For these Sunday entertainments the children are carefully trained by Miss Virginia Haynes and Mr. B. E. Roach, pianist, and no city children were ever better drilled, or acquitted themselves more creditably.

The Woman’s Home Department, composed of sixty mill mothers, with Mr. Haynes as honorary member, has for its motto, “the open Bible, the family altar, and bringing back the oldtime religion.”

The Cliffside people appreciate the value of education. Prof. J. F. Harrelson, principal of the Cliffside Graded School, has had considerable experience in teaching mill children. He says the mill children at Cliffside are unusually apt and studious. Professor Harrelson and his corps of five competent and faithful teachers are doing a fine work. Between three and four hundred children are enrolled in the Cliffside School. The school building shown in the picture above is at present being remodeled and enlarged.

How the Operatives Amuse Themselves

After the day’s work is over, recreation is found at the skating rink, the moving picture show, or in pleasant converse. The library is frequented, and the attractive new reading-room, with its bright, cheerful atmosphere, and fine assortment of the cleanest and most wholesome books, latest magazines, and daily papers, bids fair to become a popular rendezvous.

The little folks while away hours on the seesaws (designed by Mr. Haynes), near the entrance of the mill. Their merry peals of laughter proclaim a rollicking good time.

Mr. Haynes True Democrat and Practical Philanthropist

Mr. Haynes is broad-minded, liberal, and very democratic in his ideas. When talking with a farmer he is a farmer; when talking with merchants he is a merchant; when with bankers he is a banker; when with manufacturers he is a manufacturer, and so on. There exists between him and the operatives a close bond of mutual friendship and understanding, and this is probably the keynote to the ideal conditions that exist at Cliffside. He has ever a kind word for the elder operatives; a smile and a wave of the hand for the children. Mr. Haynes is at all times the f riend, counselor, and helper of the deserving operative. Mr. Haynes performs many philanthropic deeds in a quiet way, of which the world hears little or nothing. He has often lent a helping hand to deserving young men who were trying to forge ahead, and has assisted young ladies in their efforts to get an education. In every undertaking for the uplift of the people he stands foremost, and yet, practical philanthropist that he is, he wisely insists that each individual do his or her part, be it in the building of a church or the launching of some public enterprise. The mill may always be depended upon to do its part, but the individual is expected to assist.

The finest thing that can be said of any man is that the people love him; the same may be said of R.R. Haynes, of whom his operatives have only kind words.

The Secret of Mr. Haynes’ Success

From year to year Mr. Haynes has watched the fulfillment of his plans for Cliffside until the record of the past twelve years is indeed one for gratification.

Mr. Haynes lives the simple life. He has no patience with extravagance or ostentatious display.

He is at his desk as early as or earlier than any of his men, and is the last one to leave at night.

His motto has been to stick to whatever he undertakes. He is still following the same lines of business he undertook in the early part of his career.

Mr. Haynes has been a plodder. He says the greater part of what knowledge of books he has was obtained by working at them at nights and off days when actively engaged in working on the farm and at other business. He contends that any young man enjoying good health, and unhampered with family responsibilities, with a will to do so, can educate himself.

Mr. Haynes is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type. While true to his party, he does not believe that one can be a successful business man and dabble in politics at the same time. For this reason, he has declined office on more than one occasion.

He is a regular attendant at the Baptist Church, of which he is a member.

Mr. Haynes’ success may be found in a trinity of words beginning with the letter “P”, viz.: Push, Pluck, and Perseverance, combined with perfect organization and perfect system in business.

His Work to Continue

Mr. Haynes’ work is by no means finished. It is his intention to further develop Cliffside, and as soon as he is through with that he expects to proceed at once to develop the waterpowers previously referred to in this article, and extend his railroad lines considerably.