| Morton's
portrayal of his wife and three children opens the second part of
our series. He describes his wife, Julia Hathaway Taylor, as "smarter"
than he is and dedicated to her causes, as are his two daughters
and one son, who help him with the family business.
Morton
sometimes fell into his leadership positions, as he recalls when
he relates how his absence from a meeting landed him the position
of president of the Wilmington Azalea Festival. The Azalea Festival
was no small fair, he says, as he names some of the former Azalea
Queens-Elizabeth Dole for one.
His
experience as president o the NC Photography Press Association and
his meeting with Andy Griffith in 1950 mark two other highlights
in Morton's life. However, neither was as life-changing as his grandfather
McCrae's death in 1950, which left Morton with full responsibility
for Hugh McCrae Park in Wilmington and the land including Grandfather
Mountain.
Morton
faced this new challenge with a refreshing vision. Why not make
Grandfather Mountain a place where visitors could come and enjoy
the grandeur of the Blue Ridge Range? He updated an old bridge a
mile above sea level and left enough flexibility in the supports
to allow it to sway back and forth when people walked over it. The
Swinging Bridge would be the center of conversation-and heckling
by some NC celebrities-for many generations.
The
annual "Singing on the Mountain" began as a small gospel
concert in 1924, and Morton recalls its evolution into a major annual
gathering. One year in particular stands out for him-the year Billy
Graham agreed to speak at the event and drew he largest crowd in
the history of the mountain.
Grandfather
Mountain itself has seen many changes and been the subject of some
fierce battles. One such battle, as Morton recalls, was over the
route of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which National Park Service officials
proposed building through Grandfather Mountain. After years of debates
and public protests-including a plea by Arthur Smith-the Linn Cove
Viaduct was born, a quarter mile stretch of road built around the
mountain.
His
grandfather's legacy did not end with Grandfather Mountain. Morton
also inherited his love of politics. He began attending Democratic
National Convention meetings in 1956. Using his influence and resources,
he managed to save the USS North Carolina from a scrapping fate
and raised money to build a library in honor of President John F.
Kennedy. Morton closes by remembering the special program he coordinated
to raise the funds for the library.
ISSUES
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