300
Poor Naomi (Omie Wise)
Judged by the breadth of its diffusion, 'Poor Naomi' ("Omie
Wise') is North CaroHna's principal single contribution to Ameri-
can folk song. Belden BSM 322-4 cites it in collections from
Kentucky. Mississippi, North Carolina, the Ozark country (Arkan-
sas and Missouri), and Tennessee; Davis FSV 272-3 lists seven Vir-
ginia texts. Morris FSF 85-9 prints two from Florida. Its theme
is similar to that of 'The Bloody Miller' (or 'The Oxford Girl'),
though its handling of the story lacks some features found in the
other ballad. It appears to be a North Carolina product, based
upon an actual occurrence. For North Carolina oral versions, see
Mrs. Steely 107 (1935).
In the Greensboro Patriot of April 8, 15, 22, and 29, 1874,
appeared a romantic and moralistic but highly circumstantial serial
story, 'Naomi Wise. By Charlie Vernon,' ending with the text of
a ballad entitled 'Poor Naomi.' 'Charlie Vernon' was the pen-name
of Braxton Craven, president of Trinity College (then located in
Randolph county). The same story was included as an appendix
to Jerome Dowd's Life of Braxton Craven, D.D., LL.D. (Raleigh,
1896). It has been reprinted several times as a pamphlet, and in
one form or another this is the source of many North Carolina
newspaper articles.
Craven's story dates events "about forty years ago" — i.e., about
1834. This dating may, however, belong to an earlier writing of
the story. The author, who was born in 1822 and had spent most
of his life near the scene, would have been twelve years old in
1834 — old enough to receive clear and vivid impressions of events
if they had occurred in that year. Yet in the story he nowhere
represents himself as a witness, but indicates his reliance upon
local traditions and the testimony of old residents. Evidence for a
considerably earlier date is afforded in a supplement to The Story
of Naomi liaise (Randleman, N. C, 1944), a reprint of Craven's
story made under the auspices of the Rotary Club of Randleman.
This (pp. 30-31) is in the form of extracts from "The Minute
Book — Pleas and Quarter Sessions" of the Randolph county court:
In the August term of court, 1808, Benjamin Elliott came before the
subscribing justices and made oath that he was the officer called by the
Lt. Col. Commander of said county to guard the gaol of said county for
the safe keeping of Jonathan Lewis, a state prisoner, confined therein
on the charge of murder and that he attended on that business thirty
days and that the under named persons attended as soldiers as follows :
[Names of eleven men with terms of service.]
Sworn and subscribed to before me November 11, 1808.
B. Elliott, Captain
1808 — The Grand Jury reported that one prisoner was confined in the
jail charged with murder. Jonathan Lewis made his escape supposedly
with the aid of sympathetic friends and a shackley frame jail from which
his escape could easily be made. . . .
(Copied.) "Ordered by the Court that the County Trustees pay the
cost and charges of attorneys. The prosecution of Jonathan Lewis for
felony when trial is removed to the County of Guilford to the said
NORTH CAROLINA BALLADS 69I
Jonathan Lewis there requested and said discliargod from jail under the
ensolvent Debtors Act. . . ." This court procedure was after Lewis had
been brought from the West for trial charged with drowning Naomi
Wise in 1808. . . .
The following is a summary of Craven's story :
About forty years ago there lived where New Salem now is, in the
County of Randolph, North Carolina, a very open and warm-hearted
man by the name of William Adams.
At Adams' lived Naomi Wise, an orphan, cook and occasional field
hand.
Jonathan Lewis, member of a family of physically powerful and pug-
nacious men, living near Centre Meeting House on Polecat Creek in
Guilford County, was a clerk for Benjamin Elliott at Asheboro.
Jonathan Lewis saw Naomi Wise and loved her. . . . Henceforth he
was a frequent visitor at Adams'.
"But an evil genius crossed the path of Lewis in the shape of his
mother. . . . She deemed it in the range of possibility that Jonathan
might obtain the hand of Hattie Elliott, the sister of Benjamin Elliott,
his employer. . . . Jonathan Lewis was no more the proud manly
gentleman; he was henceforth a hard-hearted, merciless wretch. He was
a hyena. . . . He not only resolved to forsake a lovely damsel, but
first to ruin her fair name. His resolve was accomplished. . . .
"Miss Elliott baffled him on every tack, and though she encouraged
him, gave him but little hope of succeeding immediately. In the mean-
time, Naomi urged the fulfillment of his promise . . . threatened him
with the law. Jonathan promised marriage but commanded Naomi to
be silent about it. But before he could bring matters to an issue with
Miss Elliott, rumor whispered abroad the engagement and disgrace of
Naomi Wise. Lewis denied the rumor to Miss Elliott.
"Lewis at length came to see Miss Wise and told her that he wished
not to deny the marriage any longer . . . that he had made all necessary
arrangements and that he would come and take her to the house of a
magistrate on a certain day. She urged the propriety of the marriage
taking place at the house of Mr. Adams, but he refused.
"She told nothing of what was about to take place to Mr. Adams ; but
at the appointed time, taking the water pail in her hand, she went to the
spring, the place at which she had agreed to meet Lewis. He soon
appeared and took her behind him. It is said that the stump of? which
Naomi mounted remains to this day."
Naomi soon perceived that they were not approaching the magistrate's
place but were going toward Deep River. Lewis engaged her in a con-
versation on her preference between slow and sudden death. Riding to
an island in mid-channel, Lewis said, "I intend to drown you in this
river." Refusing her pleas for life, "he tied her dress above her head, and
then held her under beneath his foot until he was alarmed by a glare of
torches." Lewis mounted his horse and dashed out of the river. The
bearers of the torches, a Mrs. Davis and her sons, were too late. They
only heard the horseman ride away, did not discover Naomi. Next
morning, when search was instituted, Mrs. Davis's story led to the dis-
covery of the body. An inquest was held. Someone suggested that
Lewis be brought to view the corpse. Lewis in the meantime had ridden
home to his mother's. She asked him why he was home in the middle
of the week, why wet, and why so pale. He replied that he had started
home on business and that while fording the river his horse had fallen.
Having procured a change of clothes, he rode to Col. Craven's in Ashe-
boro and aroused suspicion there. From Craven's he went to a sale at
a Mr. Hancock's and again excited suspicion by his conduct. But he
692 NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE
brazened out the occasion and engaged in a flirtation with a girl named
Martha Huzza. It was at Huzza's house with Martha on his lap that
Lewis was arrested. Confronted by the corpse, he smoothed Omie's hair,
apparently unmoved. But circumstantial evidence was so strong that the
authority of the officer was scarcely sufficient to save him from lynching
on the spot. He was committed to jail.
"A vast company on the next day accompanied the remains of Naomi
to the grave."
Lewis "broke jail and fled to parts unknown. Time rolled on. . . .
Naomi was beginning to fade from the memory, and Lewis was scarcely
thought of. The whole tragedy would, perhaps, have been nearly in the
sea of oblivion, but for the song of Omi Wise, which was sung in every
neighborhood.
"At length, rumor, the persecutor and avenger, gave tidings that
Jonathan Lewis was living at the Falls of the Ohio. . . . Col. Craven,
Col. Lane, and George Swearengain, properly commissioned, started in
quest of the criminal." Arrived at the Falls of Ohio, whither many of
Lewis's family had moved, the party, knowing they would be recognized,
hired two hunters to capture Lewis and deliver him to them. These men
accomplished their purpose on a deer hunt to which the Lewises invited
them. Lewis was brought to Randolph county. He was finally tried
in Guilford county and acquitted. "Most of the material witnesses had
died or moved away and much of the minutiae was forgotten." After
his release, Lewis moved to Kentucky and died a few years afterwards.
He is said to have confessed the murder on his death bed.
A
'Poor Naomi.' The Reverend Braxton Craven, in the Greensboro Patriot,
April 29, 1874 : "The following is the song so well known in Randolph
county as 'Poor Naomi.' "
1 Come all good people, I'd have you draw near,
A sorrowful story you quickly shall hear ;
A story I'll tell you about N'omi Wise,
How she was deluded by Lewis's lies.
2 He promised to marry and use me quite well ;
But conduct contrary I sadly must tell,
He promised to meet me at Adams's spring;
He promised me marriage and many fine things.
3 Still nothing he gave, but yet flattered the case.
He says we'll be married and have no disgrace,
Come get up behind me, we'll go up to town.
And there we'll be married, in union be bound.
4 I got up behind him and straightway did go
To the bank of Deep river where the water did flow ;
He says now Naomi, I'll tell you my mind,
I intend here to drown you and leave you behind.
5 O pity your infant and spare me my life ;
Let me go rejected and be not your wife ;
No pity, no pity, this monster did cry ;
In Deep river's bottom your body shall lie.
NORTH CAROLINA BALLADS 693
6 The wretch then did choke her, as we understand,
And threw her in the river below the milldam ;
Be it murder or treason, O ! what a great crime.
To drown poor Naomi and leave her behind.
7 Naomi was missing they all did well know.
And hunting for her to the river did go ;
And there found her floating on the water so deep,
Which caused all the people to sigh and to weep.
8 The neighbors were sent for to see the great sight,
While she lay floating all that long night ;
So early next morning the inquest was held ;
The jury correctly the murder did tell.^
'Naomi Wise — Spirit.' From the "Folk Beliefs and Practices in Cen-
tral and Eastern North Carolina" collected in 1926-28 by Paul and Eliza-
beth Green, of Chapel Hill ; added to the Frank C. Brown Collection
in December, 1944.
"The spirit of Naomi Wise [writes J. W. Cannon, in the Greensboro
Daily News, November 15, 1925] is the tragic muse of Randolph county.
This woman who lived over 100 years ago in what was then almost a
wilderness, who was drowned in Deep River at what is now Naomi Ford,
has become the subject for many sketches and several ballads, some of
them having been printed. There is not a person in miles of Randleman
and New Salem that does not know at least one story about her death,
all of them having a few essential details corresponding. Most of the
people list her among the saints and let her stand for all that was pure
and holy in womanhood sacrificed to the beast in man.
"At New Salem, just off the old Greensboro-Asheboro Road, there is
a spring now covered with a cupola. This spring has come in a way to
represent Naomi Wise and the events that led to her death. The com-
munity built the cover and laid concrete blocks around the bubbling water
and it has become known as the Naomi Wise Spring. No one drinks the
water and it is said to be hallowed ground."
After repeating the story of Lewis' death-bed confession, from which
"and from other information some unknown author has composed the
^ Note [by Craven] : It is said that in the dusk of evening, the fol-
lowing little song may be heard about the river in accents as sweet as
angels sing :
Beneath the crystal waters,
A maiden once did lie
The fairest of earth's daughters,
A gem to deck the sky.
In caves of pearled enamels.
We weave an amber shroud
For all the foolish damsels.
That dare to stray abroad.
We live in rolling billows.
We float upon the mist.
We sing on foamy pillows,
"Poor N'omi of the past."
694 NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE
. . . ballad which has been sung in that community for many years,"
Mr. Cannon quotes the ballad. This is close to the A version in num-
ber, order, and content of stanzas, differing only in conversion of the
second and fourth stanzas from first to third person and in a number of
minor syntactical changes and verbal variants ; it is probably from one
of the pamphlets reprinting or following closely Braxton Craven's Greens-
boro Patriot romance. Mr. Cannon continues :
"Other versions besides these are in existence in snatches of song which
may be heard from time to time from the people of the community sur-
rounding the scene of the tragedy. Every little bit of material thing
that had anything to do with the tragedy is cherished. There is a spot
marked on a stone just below that old mill dam and also near the Naomi
Ford that is said to be where the footprint of the young woman was
found next morning. There was an old stump which stood at the spring
that up until a few years ago was said to be the thing on which Naomi
stood to mount the horse behind her lover.
"More than once negroes have reported that they have seen the lovely
figure of what they thought to be Naomi Wise, hovering over the old
mill dam and near the place she was drowned."
'Naomi Wise.' From Miss Clara Hearne, Pittsboro, Chatham county,
1923 ; with music. With a few syntactical changes and verbal variants,
this follows A and B, omitting the first two lines of stanza i, the last
two of stanza 6, and all of stanza 8.
D
'Poor Annie.' From Mrs. Sutton, Lenoir ; undated ; with the following
note:
"The traditional attitude of men toward women is accepted with
philosophical indifference up here. Chivalry is the exception in the songs,
never the rule. There's room for some sociological conclusions about
that fact. The shocking unmorality of Plum Tree and Toe River might
be explained in that underlying idea that man's infidelity is a natural
sort of thing. Believe I'll talk it over with Dr. Branson [professor of
rural social economics at the University of North Carolina]. . . . The
next song illustrates this idea perfectly. It's obviously home-made and
a study of court records reveals its historical background. A sordidly
disagreeable story. In 1855 [sic] George [sic] Lewis drowned his sweet-
heart in Deep River. He was hanged [sic]. I've heard this ballad in a
number of places. Mrs. Vance at Plum Tree gave me this copy." Mrs.
Sutton's text omits the first stanza and shows a number of interesting
variations.
1 When he first came to see her, he behaved himself well ;
He said they'd be married and all would be well.
He told her to meet him at Adams' Springs ;
Some money he'd give her and other fine things.
2 But nothing did he give her but flatteries ;
He said they'd be married and there'd be no disgrace.
He took her up behind him and ofif they did go
To the banks of Deep River where the waters do flow.
3 'Come now, my dear Annie, I'll tell you my mind.
I intend for to drown you and leave you behind.'
NORTH CAROLINA BALLADS 69$
'Oh, pity your infant and spare me my life !
Let me be rejected and not be your wife.'
4 'No pity, no pity,' this hero did cry.
'In the bottom of Deep River your body shall lie.'
'No mercy, no mercy,' poor Annie did cry,
And loud lamentations just before she did die.
5 \\'hen he turned himself around he was struck quite dumb.
He saw Annie struggling just below the mill dam.
She threw up her hands and these words did she say,
'Lord, forgive my transgressions, I'm drownded today.'
6 Now Annie was missing, as we all do know,
And hunting for poor Annie the people did go.
'Twas thus that they found her a-floating on the deep,
And all them that saw her they did sigh and weep.
7 The jury was gathered to behold that sad sight.
And Annie lay on the bank all that long weary night.
Then up stepped Annie's mother and these words did she
say,
'George Lewis drownded Annie and he has run away.'
E
'Naomi Wise.' From Colonel W. A. Blair, in an article published by
him in the Winston-Salem Union-Republican, May 6, 191 5. Colonel
Blair's "Story of the Crime" is a condensation of Craven's romance.
His version of 'The Ballad,' however, shows some interesting changes
and additions. The latter consist of two full stanzas. The following
stanzas (numbers referring to the Blair text) will exhibit important
differences from the A text. (Except as quoted, the text corresponds
closely to A.)
2 He was so good-looking, so handsome and brave,
And to many women his promise he gave.
His horse was the finest, his clothes they were new.
His bearing was knightly, his words were not true.
4 Still nothing he gave but flattered the case.
And brought his fine horse he had won in the race.
'Come get up behind me, we'll go ofT to town.
And there we'll be married, in union be bound.'
6 'Have mercy, have mercy. Poor 'Omi,' I cried.
'No mercy, no mercy,' the monster replied.
'In Deep river's bottom your body shall lie ;
I'll wed with another, I'll bid you goodbye.'
8 The river was muddy, the water was deep,
And on its old bottom poor 'Omi did sleep.
Young Lewis rode on by night and by day.
Her spirit did follow and haunt him, they say.
696 NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE -
Stanza 10 follows the A version, with some minor verbal changes, but
repeats the last line.
F
'Naomi Wise.' From Miss Edna Whitley ; without address or date.
Though this owes something to the ballad represented by the preceding
texts, it seems to be a rijacimento, with the addition of details of the
sequel known from tradition. The unknown composer viewed events
through a medium of tradition and stale romance, and moralized upon
them.
1 Now come all you young people
And listen while I tell
About a maid they called Naomia Wise.
Her face was fair and beauteous ;
She was loved by everyone.
In Randolph county now her body lies.
2 Naoinia had a lover,
Young Lewis was his name ;
Each evening he would hover by her side.
She learned to love and trust hiin
And she believed his word.
He told her she was soon to be his bride.
3 One summer night he met her
And took her for a ride.
She thought that she was going to be wed.
They came to old deep river,
And so the story goes,
'You've met your fatal doom,' the villion said.
4 She begged him just to spear.
The villion only laughed.
They say he was heartless cold.
And in the stream he threw her,
Below the old mill dam.
And sweet Naomia's smile was seen no more.
5 Next day they found her body
Go floating down the stream,
And all the people around for miles did cry.
Young Lewis left the country.
They brought him back again
But could not prove that he caused her to die.
6 They say that on his death bed
Young Lewis did confess.
He said that he had killed Naomia Wise.
And now they know her spirit
Still lingers round the place
To save young ones from some villion's lies.
NORTH CAROLINA BALLADS 697
'Naomi Wise.' From Miss Autie Bell Lambert, Stanly county; undated.
This is an even more garbled variant of the already-garbled F version.
"V'illion" has become "Sir Dillon" ; "his spirit," not "her spirit," lingers
round the place, and the purpose of the lingering is confused. But,
along with F, it shows oral tradition at work.
1 Now conie all young people
And listen while I tell
About a maid they called Naomi Wise.
They said her face is fair and handsome ;
She was loved by everyone.
In Randolph County now her body lies.
2 They say she had a lover ;
Young Lewis was his name.
Each evening he would have her by his side.
She learned to love and trust him,
And she believed his word.
He told her she was soon to be his bride.
3 One summer night he met her
And took her for a ride.
She thought that she was going to be wed.
They came to old deep river
And so the story goes.
'You have met your doom' — these words Sir Dillon cried.
4 She begged him just to spare her,
But Dillon only laughed.
They say that he was heartless to the crude.
And in the stream he threw her,
Below the old mill dam.
And then Naomi's smiles were never more seen.
5 Next day they found her body
A-floating down the stream.
And all the folks around did cry-.
Young Lewis left the country.
They brought him back again.
But could not prove that he caused her to die.
6 They say that on his death bed
Young Lewis did confess ;
He said that he had killed Naomi Wise.
And now they know his spirit
Still lingers round that place
To some young ones from Sir Dillon lies.
698 NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE
7 Young people, oh, take warning
And listen while I say :
You must take care before it is too late.
And listen to the story
Some Dillon tongue will tell
Or you are sure to meet Naomi's fate.
H
'Naomi Wise.' From the John Burch Blaylock Collection.
1 Come all ye good people, I pray you draw near,
A sorrowful story you soon shall hear.
The story I'll tell you is about Naomi Wise,
How she was deluded by Lewis's lies.
2 When he first came to see her fine tales he did tell ;
He promised to marry her and use her quite well.
But now he has brought her to shame and disgrace,
Come, friends and dear neighbors, and pity her case.
3 Come all you young ladies, as you go passing by.
Don't you be ruined by Lewis's lies.
He promised to meet her at Adams' springs,
Some money to bring her, and other fine things.
4 But none of tliese he brought her, he flattered the case ;
He says, 'We'll be married, it shall be no disgrace.
Come, get up behind me, and we'll go to the town ;
And there we'll be married, and in union bound.'
5 She got up behind him and away they did go
To the banks of Deep River, where the water did flow.
'Get down, my dear Naomi, I'll tell you my mind ;
I intend here to drown you, and leave you behind.'
6 'Oh, think of your infant, and spare me my life;
Let me live, full of shame, if I can't be your wife.'
'No mercy, no mercy,' this rebel replies,
'In Deep River bottom your body shall lie.'
7 This rebel he choked her, as we understand.
And threw her in water below the mill dam.
They found her floating where the water was deep.
Which caused her neighbors and friends all round her to
weep.
8 They took her from the water ; it was a sad sight ;
On the banks of Deep River she lay all that night.
Next morning quite early a jury was held.
And her good, honest neighbors the truth they all tell
--
300
Poor Naomi (Omie Wise)
'Poor Naomi.' Sung by Mrs. Eliza Sanders. Recorded ; no date or place given.
For melodic relationship cf. **FSSH 225 ; SharpK 11 146, No. 123-D.
Scale: Mode IV. Tonal Center: d. Structure: abab (4,4,4,4) = aa (8,8),
'Little Oma Wise.' Sung for the editor by Dr. Greer at his home in Chapel
Hill in 1952. The same tune as that for his 'Ellen Smith,' 305A, below.
Scale : Mode III, plagal. Tonal center : f. Structure : abab (2,2,2,2) = aa
(4,4).