Obituary of Louis Brason Midyett ~ 1935

Transcribed by Joan S Dunn

Source: The Tribune Feb 10 1935

DEATH COMES TO THE FOUNDER OF ORIENTAL, NC - Louis Brason Midyett, 
popularly known as "Uncle Lou", founder of Oriental, died of pneumonia 
Monday night at his home. News of the demise was received with sincere 
regret by numerous friends through the region. Mr. Midyett was born in 
Tyrrell County on Nov. 17, 1847, so was in his 88th year. When he was 9 
years old his father died and the next year his mother passed away. 
An orphan, thrown upon his own resources and able to attend school for 
only three months, he nevertheless made good and was prominently known in 
many parts of North Carolina. For some time in his youth he worked on a 
farm, receiving $5.00 a month. When 19 years old, with his first real 
money $300 that he had made from fishing, he married. This was the best 
investment of his life, he often said. This helpmate, Mrs. Rebecca Midyett,
died almost 20 years ago. The Oriental fire department was named 
"Becky-Lou", in honor of the couple. It was after the War Between the 
States that Uncle Lou first saw Oriental. At the time he was on a regular 
boat trip from his home on Roanoke Island, taking salt fish to New Bern 
for a return cargo of dry goods. To avoid a storm, he was forced into a 
harbor there. Immediately he was attracted to the section. Upon his return 
home he persuaded his uncle, R.P. Midyett, to buy with him some of the 
property and move there permanently. This was the beginning of the present 
town of Oriental, in 1872.

ORIENTAL MOURNS UPON THE PASSING OF L.B. MIDYETT - Oriental, Feb. 8 -- 
The funeral for L.B. "Uncle Lou" Midyett was conducted at the Methodist 
Episcopal Church Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock. Rev. J.C. Humble, pastor,
had charge of the services and was assisted by Dr. Walter Patten of 
Fayetteville, Rev. T.M. Grant of New Bern and Rev. R.T. Willis of the 
Oriental Baptist Church. Members of the choir sang beautifully "The 
Beautiful City" and "Haven of Rest", with Mrs. George Perry at the piano. 
Rev. Mr. Grant offered a very touching prayer and Dr. Patten gave a most 
fitting eulogy. Graydon Malcolm, Mitford and Jim Lewis, Hugh Harris and 
Til Haskins were active pallbearers. 
Interment was in the old family cemetery at the home place where Mr. 
Midyett first settled when he founded Oriental. "Uncle Lou" will be missed 
by the whole town, for he never turned down a call for help, and his love 
for his church and its pastors was striking. He attended the services 
regularly as long as he was able. He would have been 88 years of age had 
he lived until November 17, and he was active for his years. He was around 
the town almost every day until he became confined to his room 10 days ago 
with influenza. His family and friends ministered to his needs and it is 
comforting to the relatives to know his friends were so numerous and were 
just as anxious as possible to do something for him. The lovely flowers 
showed the love and respect that were his, some of the designs being given 
from Florida, Mount Airy, Raleigh, Smithfield, Kinston and Wilmington,
besides many friend in this section. 
For 18 years Uncle Lou had made his home with his only surviving son, W.F. 
Midyett, and family. He leaves 8 grandchildren: Dorothy, Sonny, Albert & 
Kathryn, children of his son; and Louis Venters and Mrs. Annie Venters 
Pickell, children of a daughter, Mrs. Walter Venters; and Edward Midyett 
of Miami, son of his youngest son, Alex, who died several years ago.
unknown newspaper 1935





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