Editing Kinston, North Carolina (section)

===After Reconstruction===
[[File:Annual Catalogue of Rhodes Military Institute and Kinston Business College, Kinston, N.C. (1904-1906) - DPLA - c0ebafb8180499bc6492e09ac6c64bf8 (page 77) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Kinston's Orion Knitting Mills (1906)]]
Despite the hardships of war and Reconstruction, the population of the city continued to grow. By 1870, the population had increased to 1,100 people and grew to more than 1,700 within a decade.

During the late 19th century, an expansion into new areas of industry occurred, most notably the production of horse-drawn [[carriage]]s. Kinston also became a major [[tobacco]]- and [[cotton]]-trading center. By the start of the 20th century, more than 5 million pounds of tobacco were being sold annually in Kinston's warehouses. Along with the growth in population and industry came a growth in property values. Some parcels increased in value more than five-fold within a 20-year period.

On April 6, 1916, Joseph Black was taken from the Lenoir County Jail and lynched by a mob of armed men.  He was accused of assisting his son in an escape attempt.<ref>''Cincinnati Enquirer'', April 6, 1916</ref>