I am among one of the eldest Pinehurst natives, almost 87 years old. I remember a lot of Pinehurst’s history. Mr. Tufts, who originated the village, would hunt birds just below my old home.

I remember the laundry burning, the grammar school, the livery stables, the closing of the dairy, the abattoir. For 20 years, I worked in the old post office. I was the window clerk (I later transferred to the main post office in Washington, D.C.). I used to park my car in the parking lot bordering the pines.

Tom Dowd, an elderly black friend from Eastwood, often came for his mail. He was acquainted with much of Pinehurst’s history. He recalled a corn thicket growing where the pines now stand.

Richard Tufts’ letter made me realize that if Dr. T.A. Cheatham, Gen. Billy Wyche and John Schegell were still ­living, they indeed would be sad to see the pines being cut away.

Ed Black

Carthage