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Historical Sketch of Edgefield. To the Editor of The State : In 1785 Edgefield district was carved out of the old domain of Ninety Six. The locality had already become well known. During the Rev olutionary war two skirmishes of im . portance took place within its bounds, one at Cloud's Creek in 1782, where fell in the cause of liberty 32 Ameri cans. The spot is in the eastern part of the county, three miles from the town of Leesville. Th? other was a battle of more note, fought. near what was known as "The Old Pine House," the home of the Weaver family, burned soon after the war of the '60's, which stood where the vil lage of Trenton has grown up. Among the scattered dwellers in old Ninety Six district was Arthur Simkins, a native of Virginia, where his family had been prominent for over a century. In 1772 he emigrated to South Carolina and purchased a large tract of land. He called his plantation "Cedar Field." It lay about three miles from the present town of Edgefield, which was largely built on a part of his land. Mr. Sim kins gave to the infant village a site for a Baptist church and graveyard, the same on which the present build ing stands. He also donated ground for a school, and one of the present public school houses stands on that original site. Mr. Simkins built on his plantation a handsome and commo dious dwelling. He established or chards and gardens, all of which have been swept away by the hand of time. Only the magnificent cedar trees re main. They were flourishing a very few years ago, and may be still, love lier perhaps in this 20th century than .they were to the eyes of Arthur Sim kins and his friends in that far away 18th. i Held Various Office:;. Mr. Simkins was a soldier of the Revolution. He was regarded as the founder of Edgefield, and held a number of responsible offices in its early history. In 1795 county courts were established in South Carolina, and he became one of the county judges. Arthur Simkins married Margaret "Clarke, a sister of General Clarke of Georgia, said to have been a very handsome and charming woman. Their graves are side by side in the old Simkins burying ground not far from their home. .TTX1.?J-_. -"rQa fi^.t?no. for ._ 0____gnt?r ol ner hus band's .uncle, Gen. Elijah Clarke of Georgia. Of this lady General Pick ens said, "She is a beautiful woman, the sweetest and most interesting lady I ever saw in any society." Eldred Simkins served his; district in congress for four years. At the end of that time he declined reelec tion in favor of his friend and law partner, George McDufiie. At a later dat? Mr. Simkins practiced law in partnership with F. W. Pickens. Members of the Simkins family have been intimately connected with the history of Edgefield throughout its whole career. A son of Eldred who bore his grandfather's name, Arthur, was editor of the Edgefield Advertiser, established in 1839, one of South Carolina's oldest newspa pers. It was not, however, the first published in the district. Preceding it was The Edgefield Bee Hive print ?d at Pottersville. Its existence was, however, of short duration. John C. Simkins, another son of Edgefield, was killed at Battery Wagner. The village of Edgefield was made the county seat in 1791, and court was held there in 1792. The Edgefield academy, which had been in operation for some years, was incorporated December 18, 1824, though the town was not incorporat ed until 1830. James Caldwell of Newberry, afterwards chancellor, taught there in 1819. Another of its teachers was Robert L. Armstrong, one of the instructors when Profes sor LaBorde of the South Carolina college and author of a history of that institution attended school. Dies at Altar. Another of Edgefield's distinguish ed citizens was Francis Wi Pickens, appointed by President Buchanan minister to Russia, and later elected governor of South Carolina, which office had been held by his father and his grandfather before him. In the lonely old Simkins graveyard sleeps his first wife, Margaret Eliza, daught er of Eldred and Eliza Simkins, and beside her two 'sons, Francis* and El dred. Her daughters lived to grow up, one of them however, only to reach young womanhood. The girl was be ing married in St. Michael's church in Charleston during the distressful and mournful days of the Confederate ivar: the clergyman was reading the solemn words o? the marriage ser vice, when a shell fired by the bom barding enemy crashed through the building and a fragment penetrated the bride's heart, crimsoning her robe with blood and snuffed out her life. So sudden, so awful was the tragedy, that for an instant she still stood erect with hand upon the bride groom's arm while the voice of the minister continued reading the mar riage words, until a groan broke from the horror stricken audience, and the dazed bridegroom caught in his arms the falling body of his bride. Another daughter of Governor Pickens and his first wife, the loved and honored Mri;. Rebecca Pickens Bacon, died only a few years ago, after a long and useful life. Just before going to represent America at the court of the Czar, Francis Pickens, then a widower, married a Kentucky girl, Miss Lucy Holcombe* whose wonderful beauty created a sensation even in St. Pe tersburg. While living at the Russian capital another daughter was added to the family, and the Czarina her self became the child's godmother. Francesca was the baby christened in honor of her father, though never in all her brief life was the maiden called by that stately name, but al ways "Darling," .though the love word was in the Russian language, where it is "Douschka." Little Douschka was, however, but a baby when the thunders of war reverber ating from her far off birthplace call ed her parents back. Then the darling of the Romanoff court gr 2W to charm ing girlhood at her quiet ancestral home on the outskirts of Edgefield. Greatly was the girl beloved by all who knew her. Red Shirts Ride. ; In later days when "Red Shirts" companies all over the state wrested political victory from the hands of an interloping enemy, Duoschka Pickens won for herself the title of "The Joan of Arc of Edgefield." Benjamin R. Tillman in a speech in Anderson about the year 1892 or 1893 gave a very vivid and lucid ac count of the first appearance of the "bloody shirt" in Edgefield county, makjng clear what before that time had seemed to be a thing inexpli cable, how both Anderson and Edge field could and did claim to have ori ginated the red shirt uniform. Sena tor Tillman, who was a young man at iU- +?W10. was one of ? n"T1-- - " ?tey were under indictment then to appear for alleged complicity in Ku Klux performances. Those were the days when Blaine was wildly waving "the bloody shirt" in the United States senate, and, the suggestion came that the oft mentioned garment should become the insignia of the goaded Democrats, or rather should be adopted by that especial band of them to wear at their "trial." The idea met with approbation, and B. R. Tillman was one of two young men sent to procure material for the bloody shirts. He said they bought a great quantity of yellow homespun, and that the women of the vicinity went tj work immediately to make it into garments for the men by the next day when the "trial" was to take place. Also ore huge shirt was to be fashioned to be stretched across a gigantic frame wi:h arms extended, and to be surmounted by two negro mask faces turned back to back, then of course facing both ways, topped by a kinky negro wig; this herculean figure to be carried as a sort of ban ner. The shirts as soon as finished were splotched with great red spots, some made with paint, some with poke berries and other crimson dyes. That was the first uniform by any of the South Carolina men soon to become known as "reformers." Theirs was the "bloody shirt." A little later in Pendleton originated the "red shirt," made of flannel, which ap peared for the first time at a polit ical meeting in Anderson when the Pendleton men marched into town and demanded a. share of time for the Democratic candidates to speak at the same meeting with the Re publicans, and also the red shirt com pany appeared at Hampton's first campaign meeting, which was held in Anderson. At a political gathering some days later in Columbia Gen. Mart Gary, "the Bald Eagle of Edge field," recommended that the reform party adopt as their official uniform the redshirt as worn in Anderson. Woman Leads Van. When Hampton came to hold his campaign meeting in Edgefield, Douschka Pickens, clad in red from head to foot, rode into the village at the head of a mounted band of men, all wearing the red garment, and hailing her as "Our Joan of Arc." The famous Ned Brace of Judjp Longstreet's inimitable "Georgia Scenes" was a sketch of Col. Edmund Bacon of Edgefield, descended from the Virginia- family, of which Na thaniel Bacon was a member, and also related to the distinguished Eng lish family o? the same name. Col. James T. Bacon, as .remarkable a character as Ned Brace himself, was his grandson, and for many years the brilliant editor of the Edgefield Ad vertiser. Edgefield was the home of A. P. Butler, M. C. Butler, Preston S. Brooks and four of South Carolina's governors, Pickens, Bonna:.:, Shep pard and Tillman. Edgefield sent to the defense of the South many brave soldiers and among them was a woman. When South Carolina seceded, Cornelius Horne and his wife, Lucinda, with an only child, William, just grown, were among the humbler citizens of the district. Both father and son enlisted in Company K, Fourteenth South Carolina volunteers, and- when Mc Gowan's brigade, to which Company K belonged, went to the front, Lu cinda Horne went too. All through Jackson's hard campaigns she accom panied the soldiers, cooking, washing and nursing the wounded. Where the field hospital was located, there af ter every battle was Lucinda Horne to be found, by her sympathetic min istrations relieving suffering, saving life and soothing the dying. At Jones' farm her son was wounded and I his mother had the satisfaction of nursing him herself. William lived 12 years after the war, but finally died from the effects of the injury then re ceived. Mrs. Horne also outlived her husband. For many years after the war was but a memory, she was great ly honored by the Confederate vet erans, and attended their reunions, a welcome and venerated guest. In the old days Edgefield in spite of its gallant gentlemen and charm ing women, won the reputation of be ing the wickedest section of a pretty stormy little state, a championship which it has long ago lost. There are other counties today where unaveng ed murders and black crimes are far more common than in Edgefield. Left Husbands in Pool. Among the interesting places in the town which cause a delightful thrill of horror is a deep black tarn known as "Becky's pool." Into its depths by day venturesome boys cast challenging stones and stoutlv _?cicu nus I bands, after which she took a fourth, and was herself finally slain in front of the court house by her own broth er, who coolly mounted his horse and rode unmolested away while the gap ing crowd which had watched him beat her brains out with a rock, stood by and gazed after his retreat ing figure. In a dark forest which skirts the town stands also a haunted tree, a Wicked looking old beech, and the dusky denisons of an African settle ment just beyond will tell you that dogs which happen to be black and white always stop at the foot of this tree and bark frantically while look ing up into its branches; jumping and tearing up the earth in their endeav ors to reach snme object in the boughs above them. No human eye, they tell you, has ever beheld even a sparrow perch upon the accursed limbs, but all the world knows that a black and white dog can see ghosts. But if Edgefield was wicked and infested with "liants" it early adopt ed a wholesome antidote. The first church established was a Methodist, which was built on the ground later occupied by the Mims' residence. One of .the first preachers of which there is any record was John B. Mitchell, a soldier of the Revolution, captured by the British in some Northern colony, and brought South as a servant of one of their officers. For more than 50 years he labored faithfully in the little village of Edgefield. The next church built was a Bap tist church, and an early preacher of that faith was William Eddins, also a soldier of the Revolution, who en tered the service from Newberry at the age of 16. At one time young Ed dins was captured and with other prisoners was being escorted to Nine ty Six. His horse was taken from him and assigned to the soldier sent to guard them. On the way the sentinel dismounted and leaning his musket against a tree, took a pull at a black bottle which he carried. Young Ed dins saw his opportunity and seizing the musket, mounted his own horse and made his escape. He. served the church in Edgefield as pastor for a number of years, after which he emi grated to Tennessee. The third church to be built in Edgefield was Trinity Episcopal, erected in 1839, large through the generosity of Col. Edmund Bacon (Ned Brace). Mr. Whitfield Brooks and his wife, Mrs. Mary Parson Car roll Brooks, gave the ground on which it and the accompanying rec tory were built. That is now the old est church building in the town. The later history of Edgefield is familiar to every South Carolinian, for Edgefield men have taken leading parts in the onward - march of the state to such an extent that not to know them and the great old county from which they came, at laest by i reputation, marks one as uninformed, and as the Palmetto state is rapidly wiping out her plague spot of igno rance, soon there will be no more un informed in all her borders, and the heritage of her proud history will be shared by every one of her sons and daughters. Louise Ayer Vandiver. Anderson. DIFFERENT BREEDS OF HENS Leghorns and Minorcas Are Best for Eggs, but Are Poor Sitters-Brah mas Best for Meat (Prepared by the United States Depart ment of Agriculture.) Chickens, for convenience, may b? classified as egg breeds, meat breeds, general-purpose breeds, and fancy o? ? ornamental breeds. The egg breeds include the small 01 ? medium-sized fowls which are very ac tive, quick to mature, producers ol white-shelled eggs, usually non."' .ers j or at best but poor sitters, and rathei i poor mothers, say poultry specialist j of the. United States Department ol t Agriculture. The varieties of Leghorns, * and Minorcas are good representatives < of this class. Because they are poor ^ sitters some other breed, or at least s < few other fowls, should be kept if nat t ural methods of incubation are to be j employed. On account of their early < maturity lt is not uncommon for indi- * viduals of the egg breeds to begin lay- t lng at the age of four and one-hall * months. These breeds do not fatten ? as readily under ordinary conditions ! as the. larger and less active breeds, ? and are rather sensitive to low tem- | perature because of their large combs t and wattles. | The largest fowls, represented In t the meat class, are especially suitable | for the production of large roasters, i They are slow and somewhat sluggish j in movement, have little desire for ? foraging, are easily confined by low | fences, rather slow to mature, persist- ? ent sitters, and rat*-"* J,*v ~*" ' .oc.~, .Maninga tlfenPes- , -peC?a?y adapted to the person wish ing a supply of both eggs and meat. As one has to make frequent sales of flesh In the shape of surplus cockerels and hens, the carcass as well as egg production sfiould be considered. The general-purpose breeds are usually good sitters and good mothers. They have medium-sized combs and wattles and endure cold weather well. They Ideai Condition for Hen Flock is Free Range. occupy a medium position between the egg iinrl meat breeds as to size, egg production, and docility. The Ply mouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Khode Island Reds and Orpingtons are good representatives of this class. Lombard Foundry, Machine, Boiler Works and Mill Supply House AUGUSTA GEORGIA Cotton Oil, Gin, Saw, Grist, Cane, Shingle Mill, Machinery Supplies and Repairs, Shafting, Pulleys, Hangers, Grate Bars, Pumps, Pipe, Valves and Fittings, injectors, Belting, Packing Hose, etc. Cast every day. GASOLINE AND KEROSENE " ENGINES Pumping, Wood Sawing asa Feed Grinding Outfit* . . ~~ NOTICE. I will thresh peas at 10 cents per bushel and bale hay at 10 cents per bale. J. P. TIMMERMAN, Trenton, S. C., Route 1. 12-21-3t j Blue Star Ismi-Anthricito Coal THE BEST SOFT COAL MINED No soot, no clinkrrs, no dirt, no pop. A hard variety of soft coal, producing more heat than any other bituminous coal mined. A free burning long flame coal suitable for grates, cook stoves, base burners and furnace-free of slate or bone. Every pound guaranteed or your money back. Will hold fire like anthricite and is the most economical coal you can burn. . ?. TAYLOR Exclusive Agent-Edgefield, S. C. Large Stock of Jewelr to Select From We invite our Edgefield friend? to visit our store when in Augusta. We have the largest stock of DIAMONDS WATCHES CLOCKS JEWELRY CUT GLASS AND SILVERWARE / of all kinds that we have ever shown. It will be a pleasure to show you through our stock. Every department is constantly replenished with the newest designs. We call especial attention to our repairing department, which has every improvement. Your watch or clock made as good as new. Work ready for delivery in a shorf time. KL ? Augusta, Ga. S I ?30000000040600000 ARRINGTON BROS. & CO. Wholesale Grocers and Dealers in Corn, Oats, Hay and all Kinds of Feeds Gloria Flour and Dan Patch Horse?Teed Our Leaders Corner Cumming and Fenwick Streets On Georgia R. R. Tracks Augusta, Ga. YOUR PATRONAGE SOLICITED ' See our representative, C. E. May. Wo Can Give You Prompt Service on Mill Work and Interior Finish Large stock of Rough and Dressed Lumber on handSfor Immediate Delivery. Woodward Lumber Co. QUALITY-SERVICE Corner Roberts and Dugas Sta., Augusta, Ga, EAGLE "MIKADO" Pencil No. 174 Yaw* - :'-v?w--*u- r?^^-^-?x~* For Sale at your Dealer Made in five gradea ASK FOR THE YELLOW PENCIL WITH THE RED BAND EAGLE MIKADO EAGLE PENCIL COMPANY, NEW YORK