Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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SATES OF SUBSCRIPTION.?Two Dollars i per annum, and Ons Dollar for six months. Subscriptions are not taken for a less period than six months. Liberal deductions made to clubs of ten or more subscribers. RATES OF ADVERTISING.?Od? Dollar per square ol one Inch for the first insertion, and Fifty . Cents per square for subsequent insertlenslessthan three months. No advertisement counted less than a square. Liberal contracts will be made with those wishing to advertise for three, six or twelvo months. Ad tertislng by contract must be confined to the im? mediate business of the firm or individual contrac? ting. Obituary Notices exceeding five lines, Tributes of Respect, and all personal communications or matters of individual interest, will be charged for at advertising rates. Announcements of marriages and deaths, and notices of a religious character, are respectfully solicited, and will be Inserted gratis. BY HOYT & CO. ANDERSON, S. 0., THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1876. VOL. XI--NO. 46. LEGAL ADVERTISING.?Wo are compelled to require cash payments for advertising ordered by Executors, Administrators and otber fiduciaries, and herewith append the rates for the ordinary notlcos, which will only be inserted whon the money comes will? the order: . Citations, two insertions, ? $3.00 Estate Notices, three insertions, ? - 2.00 Final Settlements, five insertions - - 3.00 TO CORRESPONDENTS.-Tn order to receive attention, communications must be accompanied by the true name and address of the writer. Re? jected manuscripts will not be returned, unless tho. necessary stamps arc furnished to repay the postage thereon. JBSr* We are not responsible for tho views and opinions of our correspondents. All communications should be addressed to "Ed? itors Intelligencer," and all checks, drafts, money orders, &c, should bo made payable to the order of HOYT 4 CO., Anderson, S. C. BERKLEY HALL. BY "LA CAROLINE." CHAPTER XX. 'lUrds in our wood sane. Hinging thro' tho Tallies, Maud is here, here, hare In among the lilies." April had wept herself away into the embraces of the bright and rosy May, and the May days were lengthening into warm and languid Jane, when the last slave-holder of Berkley Hall was called home to the Christian's rest. A large number of her former slaves joined the little band of mourners who laid "dust to dust and ashes to ashes" the earthly remains of Mrs. Alice Maham. In joy? ful anticipation of the Christian's gain, and in blissful hope of a sweet reunion with those she had most loved on earth, the wife and mother of the heroic dead, gladly exchanged the fair but fleeting joys of time for those good things of eternity, of which even man's unsatisfied heart never dreams. One week after the sad funeral rites had been performed over the body of its mistress, Berkley Hall, the home of her happy bridal days, the birthplace of her children, was sold under the hammer of the auctioneer, and bought for parties unknown by a wealthy Northern firm, then engaged in business in the city. Maj. Egan had attended the sale fully determined to bay in the estate, bat feel? ing convinced that he could not purchase the regard of Marion Maham, and realiz? ing that a powerful competitor was ar? rayed against him in the market, he per? mitted Berkley Hall to be sold for his claims, and thus Marion and Harry were deprived eveu of a moiety which might have remained to them. Bereaved and portionless, the Mahams accepted an invitation from Dr. St Julien to accom? pany, him home. In* the city, Harry, by virtue of his great popularity, soon ob? tained employment. Marion, too, ex? pressed a wish to engage in teaching, bat this the good Doctor forbade, enforcing his authority ander the pretext of being both guardian and physician. The suf? fering girl passively yielded for the time to her kind old friend, for she felt she needed rest for her mind and heart, even more than her body. The Doctor, after spending a week in town, opened his Loose -on the Island, whither they all repaired for the summer season. Harry going each day on the morning boat to his business and returning at night. Here, then, a calm, sultry June even? ing sitting out upon the long and wide piazza of his "Island* House" we find . Dr. St. Julien, Marion and Jessie, enjoy? ing the exhilirating salt air, and a fine view of that beautiful harbor which scarcely three years before had been the theatre of scenes, events and exploits so thrilling, so exciting and so daring, they seem to belong rather to the pages of romance than of history. "How softly soothing are the" voices of the waters, from the childish babbling of the hill-side rill to the sad operas which we listen to by nightfall in the music of the sea, or the joyful 'Gloria in Excelsis' which seems to swell as it ascends with the rising son from the bosom of the mighty ocean. 0, how grand! how beautiful is the sea I" said Marion. "It -talks to as so sadly, whispering of such deep mysteries; and yet we feel restful and calm under its holy, its magical in? fluence I" "Marion," said Jessie, "please repeat those beautiful lines of Tennyson's on the sea; they will help to while away the tedious moments we are waiting and watching for Harry's arrival." Then, as if an apology was needed for her naive admission that watching for her expected lover made the hours seem long and weary, she blushingly added, "For you know Uncle is impatient for city news, and I for a letter from Arthur." "Breek, break break, On thy cold gray stones, oh, Sea! And I would that my tongue could utter The thoughts that arise in me. "0 well for the fisherman's boy, That he shouts with his sister at play! 0 well for the sailor lad, That he sings in his boat on the bay! "And the stately ships go on To the1 haven under the hill; But oh for the touch of a vanished hand, And the sound of a voice that is still! "Break, break, break, At the foot of thy crags, oh Sea! But the tender grace of a day that is dead Will never come hack to me." The sweet voice of the young girl, and the pathos with which she rendered the tender melody, left a sad hush upon the hearts of her listeners. Dr. St. Julien's thoughts were borne far away to the bright Spirit Land, where alone he could ever again hope to hear those gentle voices whose tones hntl been to him as sweet as angel's music; and poor Marion felt that ont of her sad young life had passed "the tender grace of a day that was dead;" ah, how few and how full of clouds had been its golden horns; how soon had it passed away. But now back, back to her heart had come a voice whis? pering of a re-called love, a remembered bliss; and tremblingly and earnestly she prayed that the voice might be still to her forever, whose tones could stir her heart with such strange power. The long silence which followed the recitation was broken by Jessie's ex? claiming: "0, yonder is Harry, and he waves a letter! I know it is from Ar? thur!" After much playful badinage, Jessie succeeded in getting the letter from Har? ry; and pleading with Marion to do the honors of the tea table for her, she was soon lost in the perusal of her letter, which proved to be an interesting budget of news from Arthur. Suddenly Jessie exclaimed: "O, guess, guess whom Arthur has met? But I will wait and read you his letter; he writes so much better than I can tell it." The evening repast having been dis? patched, and the tea equipage removed, the whole family assembled in the sitting room to listen to Arthur's letter, which Jessie read with pleasing naivete: "Land of Beauty, Home of Poetry Called by the natives, Pleasant Valley." "Humph," said Harry, "Arthur is po? etical, he must surely be in love I" "Hush, hush, Harry," said Jessie, with an impatient tap on his shoulder; "you must not interrupt me! Now I will have to begin the letter afresh." "Under such an affliction I will cer? tainly not inter/upt again. 'Mum' is the word. Go on, Jessie," said Harry. "Well, then, the letter is written from the Land of Beauty, Home op Poetby, alias Pleasant Valley, Ga. Deab Little Sister: I wish you could enjoy with me the pure water, de? lightful climate and charming scenery of this beautiful country 1 I have engaged excellent quarters for "Santee" and my? self upon a comfortable farm in this val? ley of well-to-do-farmers, and I have stuck up my shingle to avoid the sobri? quet of "Loafer" by our industrious and respectable neighbors. But I must go back a little to inform you how I find myself in these romantic wilds. I wrote you last from and of the "Crescent City," and will not now repeat myself. It was while there I encountered an old ac? quaintance, who informed me he had heard there was a fine opening in D for a physician, and advised me to go there without delay. (Harry will doubt? less remember the little town where we lay in winter quarters jnst before the memorable spring campaign of'64, under that Captain of Captains, Joe Johnston.) I followed my friend's counsel, and yield? ing my taste for equestrian traveling to the necessity for speed, I procured through-tickets for Santee and myself, and in a few hours was in D-, but, to my great grief and mortification, found myself de Irop by nearly a half dozen among the followers of the skilful Eseu lapios. One day while sauntering through the main street of the little city, ever and anon looking up admiringly to the beautiful mountains which encompass her, and dreaming of the almost fabulous wealth which I fancied would in some future day be poured from their upheaving bosoms into her coffers, I almost ex? claimed aloud: "Lo, before me lies an embryo Sheffield or Birmingham! or, peradventure, a Leeds; for why should not yonder green hills become white with fleecy flocks? And, indeed, backed by such mineral resources as these moun? tains afford, with a soil of more than ordinary fertility, and a climate unsur? passed for health and comfort, I do not see why this little city should not look forward to a future of unprecedented and constantly increasing prosperity. While lost in such reveries, I was accosted by a familiar voice, exclaiming: "Halloo, Colonel! what fair breeze has blown you to North Georgia?" and George S- of our Regiment greeted me. I quickly proclaimed, "Wanted a place," and related my disappointment. He eagerly told me in "Pleasant Valley," near C-Springs was a splendid open? ing for a physician. He expatiated upon the beauty of the country, the bracing climate, the exhilerating and health giving waters of the spring, and above all the fine red deer and good sport to be had in the mountains. Although I could not detect the splen? did opening for a poor M. D. in the hygein clime he so eloquently described, the next morning quite early my gallant gray and I en route for the Springs had left the little "Valley City" for whose future I had indulged in such lofty aspi? rations. I rode slowly forward, enjoying a day of superb and cloudless beauty. The road, a public highway, lay principally through a broken and hilly forest, often on each side of this road are deep ra? vines, at this season dotted with wild flowers of beautiful and varied hues. The broken country, the charming weath? er, the forest hush and stillness of the woods seldom broken, except by the music of the birds or the crackling of the squirrels in the tree tops, carried me back to the reign of the Redman, once the proud monarch of these woods. Lost in the indulgence of such fancies? so wonderful is the power of the imag? ination?I once or twice started and gazed with awe into the quiet depths of the woods, imagining the graceful form of some Indian Brave springing from his lurking place behind some lofty tree, or emerging stealthily and noiselessly from amid the under-brush of some deep ravine. About noon of the same day I obtained a very palatable dinner at an old-fash? ioned hostelrie in the little town of S-, which forcibly recalls to mind pictures we have looked over together of Gold? smith's "Deserted Village," and which, Rip-like, seems only to await the shrill whistle of the engineer to awaken her to a sense of the gifts of beauty and wealth which a beneficient Creator has place within her grasp. Here I lingered sev? eral hours, entertained with the humor? ous gossip of mine host, which lost noth? ing for the rich Irish brogue which sea? soned it. At sunset I had become a ' denizen of Pleasant Valley, and before noon the next day it was pretty generally known that the new Doctor had come, and was boarding at "old man A-'s," and that he had brought with him "a master horse"?one of the finest ever raised in "ole Kentuck." In less than a week I was frmiliarly accosted by every? body as "Dock." But it is not of myself alone T inten? ded to fill and render interesting to the loved ones at home these pages. To Marion I know they will be peculiarly welcome, conveying as they do, intelli? gence of a very dear friend. Two days after my arrival in the Val ley, one bright Saturday morning early in May, having nothing else to do, I mounted my horse with the intention of visiting the Springs, of whose health giving properties I had heard so much. I rode for several miles up the old Fed? eral Road, whose name will at once carry you back to its antiquity, and its national importance before the building of rail? ways. This road passed through the whole length of the Valley, and for riding and driving is really charming, affording to those who delight in moun? tain scenery fine panoramic views of the Cohuttah Mountains, and their hourly changing hues. Following the direc? tions I had received, and passing many fertile farms and snug looking farm houses, I had almost reached the Springs when my attention was attracted by childish merriment, and the occasional ring of girlish laughter proceeding from the woods upon my left. I turned my horse's head in the direction of the voices, and a foot-path soon brought me to a little mountain stream which was much swollen from the melted snow of the mountain and the spring rains. I crossed the stream, still following the sounds of the voices, which now seemed much nearer, for I could sometimes even catch words. I now dismounted and secured my horse to a tree, and after a walk of one or two hundred yards, found myself again on the margin of little Sumac -Creek, gazing np the precipitous acclivity of the "Lover's Leap" which was formed by the mountain lifting itself up almost perpendicularly from the op? posite side of the little creek. It was a lovely, shady spot, and the interest and beauty of the scene was enhanced by the presence of nearly two dozen happy looking children, who had chosen that spot as a rendezvous for a school picnic. "Come, children, come, and be quiet, Miss Rose is going to read us one of her own Indian stories!" exclaimed one of the girls. Having become an unper ceived but interested spectator, I imme? diately determined to be a listener also, and for this purpose concealed myself in a cluster of bushes pear enough to get the benefit of the Indian story. The girls, many of whom were grown, soon arranged a rustic seat of honor upon the roots of an aged beech, to which, with playful deference, they led a girl scarcely older than themselves, whose face being shaded by a very broad brimmed bat, I failed to see, but felt myself completely fascinated by her graceful movements, and the golden glory of her beautiful and luxuriant tresses, which reached below her waist. I was astonished to observe the readiness with which the children obeyed the call. The canoe in which they had been paddling on the creek, was quickly made fast with a grape vine, the shining pebbles were thrown back into the water, the toy ships were allowed to follow the silvery cur? rent of the stream, and very soon the young listeners were grouped around the story-teller, their eager faces sobered into earnest attention. "I am going to tell you the story of an Indian Princes who lived in this beauti? ful Valley when the poor and now exiled Indians were masters of this whole coun try." As soon as the young girl spoke, a pleasurable sensation, such as we feel in the recognition of long absent and unex? pectedly met friends, thrilled my whole being. I felt satisfied that I had heard that sweet voice some where and at some past joyous period of my life. It may have been I thought in the beautiful Land of Dreams. I then essayed, but vainly j to catch a glimpse of the speak? er's face. "Is you a Pin-cess, Miss Yose ?" asked a little curly-headed girl who had nestled closely beside the young story-teller, and placed her head upon her lap. "No, Mamie, nothing half so fine 1" was the laughing reply. "My buddy Bob says you are as fine as split silk; that gold isn't good enough for you to walk on, and the biggest Gin-wal in Gaw-gy isn't great enough for you to ma-wy!" This panegyric delivered by the little girl with affectionate pride in buddy Bob, and ardent admiration for her teacher was followed by a general laugh among the large girls, from whose remarks I gathered that "Buddy Bob" was an ad? mirer of "Miss Yose," and, strange as it may appear, I felt a pang of jealous re? sentment that this golden-haired Polym nia should be worshipped by a rustic "Buddy Bob." To my still greater dis? comfort I have since learned that this eloquent aspirant is a young man of some pretensions, being a successful young lawyer in the city of-. "I am quite obliged to 'Buddy Bob' for his good opinion, Mamie," spoke the sweet voice; and the graceful head bent down and left a kiss upon her rosy cheek. ?"And now, I will begin my story."? Then, taking a small MS from her pock? et, she read the story of the "Princess Chuttah." This MS I have since pro? cured, and will send for your perusal. The reading was distinct, the voice clear and musical, and to me, as well as to her admiring and affectionate audience, the story was charmingly, simply and grace? fully told. Long before she reached its conclusion, a soft breeze springing up blew off the broad brimmed hat, which had so tantal? ized my prying eyes, and disclosed to my ravished gaze the beautiful features of our charming friend of lang syne, Rose Gordon. I wish Marion and yourself could have seen her as I did then, a very "Rose la Reine," (as Marion used to sportingly call her,) weildiug a loving woman's gentle sway over the hearts and minds of her scholars?"my children," she calls them, with a pretty assumption of matronly dignity, for Rose Gordon, the once petted child of wealthy parents, the spoiled darling of wealth and fash? ion, is now playing the role of a country school m'arm in this Valley. By her own individual exertions, her brother Jimmie is receiving a collegiate educa? tion at-, and her mother and herself live in plain but comfortable style not far from the Springs. Her brother is a promising lad, and the nucleus around which her brightest hopes and aspira? tions are gathered. I wish I could describe her artless joy and surprise when I made myself known to her. "0, Arthur Ferguson ! Marion, Jessie, Harry, dear, dear Mrs. Maham I how are they all? And poor, poor old Berkley!" she exclaimed, while blushes, smiles and. tears 'made an April day of her sweet, fair face. It has been such a pleasure to meet a home face here, for you know I consider Miss Gordon's a home face, she is so happily associated with the sweet memories of Berkley. Mrs. Gordon has urged me to g? as often as I can to their neat little cottage, and I have not been slow to avail myself of the privilege, for nearly every evening finds me a delighted listener by the side of Rose Gordon?the Priraa' Donna of these wilds. You remember, of course, what a sweet voice she had, and now that it has acquired power, and is very highly cultivated, I do not think I have ever listened to a voice in which power, sweetness and pathos have been so de? lightfully mingled. Her affability is wonderfully attractive, and she often has a large audience from the neighborhood to listen to her songs. For these uncul? tivated friends she sings with as much alacrity as she would for the polished gallants who throng the salooas of our fashionable cities. "Music," she once remarked, "to me is a voice from the heart, and finds its answer in the heart. Here I have an appreciative audience; men and women with rough hands but large and tender hearts, who have sought to lighten the burdens of the soldier's widow and orphan, and when I sing for them I fancy they feel how truly I thank them." I know not how to close my letter when the theme is Rose Gordon?a noble woman, nobly planned 1 I asked her one day why it was she had ceased writing to Marion, who had made repeated enqui? ries and could never learn her address. With blushing candor she said: "I must own it was a false and silly pride which urged me to conceal from my old friends the fact that I was play? ing the role of a country school mistress. But I have been sufficiently punished, for oh, I have so longed to hear of you all 1" Dear, lovely girl, how she wept when she heard , of dear cousin Alice's death, and that old Berkley Hall had passed into the hands of strangers. Tell Harry, now that the strong ties of home which bound him to Berkley have been destroyed, he must prepare to go West with me. I will be at home soon, armed cap a pied with arguments to prove to him that it is the Eldorado for us, and I think my Uncle's consent to accompany U3 could be obtained if we all go together; and certainly the going together would rob the leave-taking of the dear familiar faces in our beloved State of much of its bitterness. Say to Marion I am sure if Bhe were here, with her lively imagination, she would find in Cohuttah a modern Parnassus, and in? voking the sacred Nine would indulge us with some of her glowing thoughts in verse. Present to my dear Uncle my grateful love and reverence; to Marion, Harry and your petite ladyship, I send these pages freighted with the warmest love of ARTHUR FERGUSON. "Well," Baid Harry, "there is certainly a wedding on foot, and Arthur evidently as blind as sly Cupid's victims ever are." "0, Harry, don't say so 1" exclaimed Jessie, "I love Rose dearly, but I can't give up my pet match for Arthur!" and as she spoke she looked archly at Ma? rion. "I always knew Arthur fancied and admired Rose, and as it was my pet plan for Arthur, I hope, Jessie, you will be unselfish enough to become speedily re? conciled, for I think as Harry does, sly Cupid has aimed his arrow with unerring skill," said Marion, "and no fairer flower grows than our sweet 'Rose la Reine!'" But when Marion was alone in her chamber that night, musing over Ar? thur's letter, a gentle sigh escaped her breast as she murmured, "Why should I alone cling with painful tenacity to one, only one love? Why should my love bring naught but sorrow ? Why may I, too, not love lightly ? One by one, Ar? thur, Hubert and others have told me the story of a steadfast love; and, one by one, they have bowed at other shrines with like promises of love and duty. But," and the girl shuddered and turned pale, "poor human heart, be still! Does Marion Maham envy another's bliss? 0, no; I am, I will be glad and rejoice in the joy of those I love. Yes, I will teach my heart to be glad that I am for? gotten even by Hubert Gray!" TO BE CONTINUED. ? The House of Representatives unan? imously adopted a resolution, offered by Mr. Lamar, of Mississippi, rescinding and expunging so much of the resolution censuring John Young Brown, of Ken? tucky, passed by the last Congress, as charged him with prevarication in his controversey with Gen. Butler, of Massa? chusetts. In seconding the resolution Mr. Blaine paid a tribute to Mr. Brown's high character and sustained his veracity. The House has but performed an act of justice in expunging a record which nev? er could have gone upon the Journal ex? cept through strong party feeling. ? The editor of the Hopkinsville Era asks, with the air of one who has had losses: "How are the people of the United States to enjoy the Centennial celebration when they are haunted by the consciousuess that, notwithstanding their existence as a nation covers a period of one hundred years, they have never invented a noiseless shooting gun by which burglars and other pests might be killed without disturbing the po? lice?" HORRIBLE MURDER. Mr. and Mrs. John L. Harmon the Victims From Oie Abbeville Press and Banner. The people of this County, and es? pecially of the vicinity in which this ter? rible outrage occurred, were shocked on Thursday morning last at the informa? tion that Mr. and Mrs. John L. Harmon, of Winter Seat, in Edgefield Co., four miles below Milway, had been murdered by unknown parties in their own house in the early part of Wednesday night. We learn that although the negroes in the yard heard "a noise like killing rats," and heard Mrs. Harmon scream out "Don't kill Mr. Harmon," that they never suspected anything wrong going on in the house,, and did not know of the murder of these old people until next morning, when the man who feeds the stock knocked at the door as usual for the keys, and finding the door not fastened pushed it open and saw THE BODIES OF THE MURDERED PEOPLE ON THE FLOOR, and immediately went off to the neigh? bors to appraise them of the fact. At an early hour quite a number of citizens had assembled at the house, and the greatest feeling ruled, and if the perpetrator of the deed had been pointed out we doubt if the courts would have been troubled with his case. Suspicion, we learn, rested upon a certain negro man, who perhaps was in the employ of Mr. Har? mon, but there was no proof, and hence he was not lynched. The murder occurred before Mr. and Mrs. Harmon had gone to bed. It seems that Mr. Harmon was sitting at the cen? tre table, with his back to the door, hold? ing a pencil in his hand, which he never released, but still held in his hand next morning, and it is the impression that Mrs. Harmon was sitting near the fire? place with her face towards Mr. Harmon and the door. It is supposed that the murderer opened the door unobserved, and upon walking into the room Mr. Harmon turned his head to see who it was and received THE BLOW ACROSS THE EYES AND FORE? HEAD, breaking the frontal bones, which felled him at full length on the floor, and from the position of the chair and Mrs. Har? mon's body next morning it is supposed that she arose from her seat and attempt? ed to go to the assistance of her husband, when she received three incised wounds one on the right side of the head, one on the left, and the third across the throat, severing the larynx (windpipe) and the carotid artery or jugular vein, which laid her senseless on the floor. After the felon had accomplished his work of death he deliberately laid upon the centre table, without disturbing the lamps, vases, or anything else, THE DOGWOOD STICK which had been carefully peeled for the {urpose for which it had just been used, t was about two and a half feet long and of the size most effectual in the deadly work, and to make the work doubly sure, the murderer proceeded to CUT THE THROATS OF BOTH HIS VICTIMS, from whom great pools of blood ran and were lying on the floor. After this he, it is supposed, as one of Mr. Harmon's pantaloons pockets was partially turned, took the store keys and unlocked the store door, took the kerosene can into the dwelling and set it on the floor. A FIRE WAS THEN KINDLED ON THE FLOOR, and as it seems that the murderer was afraid of the kerosene, he kept it at a dis? tance from the fire, opened the fosset, turned the can over and left the house, thinking the oil would run out and reach the Are. The kerosene ran out on the floor, but was prevented from reaching the fire by the blood which was on the floor. THE FIRE WAS STILL BURNING next morning, but had burned so slowly that but little damage had been done. Everything in the house was in its place with accustomed neatness. The fresh flowers in the vase on the centre tables gave out the sweet perfume as if nothing unusual had happened, and the fingers of the solemn-ticking clock pointed out the hours as had been its wont, and everything gave testimony that there had been NO STRUGGLE. The murderer accomplished his work of death most effectually and systematically, the only failure being in the attempt to burn the house. It is said that old soldiers who had been accustomed to scenes of death and blood never saw anything more horrify? ing than the sight which was presented on entering the house where these people were murdered the evening before and lay unguarded all night long with the consuming element so near, making slow but gradual approaches to the destruc? tion of the premises. As far as we know, THE MOTIVES assigned for the commission of the bloody deed were partly plunder and partly re? venge. The first was evidenced by the fact that the gold watch and jewelry of Mrs. Harmon was stolen, together with a sixteen-shooter Winchester rifle, a pistol, and Mr. Harmon's black cloth coat, some gold and other articles, all the provisions, including flour, bacon, sugar, coffee, &c.; whilst doubtless a feeling of revenge was excited by a previous search for stolen goods which had been made by Mr. Har? mon, under an official warrant, in the homes of various negroes. THE INVESTIGATION. We are glad to hear that although the locality of this diabolical murder is sit? uated in Edgefield County, still that the citizens of Abbeville County living in the neighborhood are showing great in? terest in the investigation, several of them taking an active part in it. The court and jury is, of course, composed of citizens of Edgefield, but the clerks who are aiding the Coroner in recording the testimony are Capts. J. W. Perrin and W. E. Cothran, both of this county. We are gratified, too, to hear from a reliable source that Coroner Barker is doing his full duty. FURTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS. Since writing the above wc learn that Trial Justice John A. Barker, who had been summoned to act as Coroner, arrived promptly, and immediately or? ganized a jury of inquest?James Callison as foreman. The jury proceeded with the investigation Thursday afternoon, and before adjourning for the night gave the family and friends of the deceased permission to prepare the bodies for in? terment. The jury again met Friday morning, and during the day sufficient evidence was adduced to warrant them in committing to jail Stephen Lake, a black man in Harmon's employ. Friday even? ing the jury adjourned to meet again Tuesday, the 23d instant, at 9 o'clock. On Saturday, after the jury had ad? journed, further important developments were made. It was discovered where the dogwood club had been cut, and, from the locality, implicating another negro also in Mr. H.'s employ?Larkin Hollo way. the feeling. We are glad to learn from one directly from the locality that there is a calm ana most determined spirit manifested on the part of every one to sift the whole matter to the bottom, and further, that there is a general feeling of conviction that suc? cess will reward the effort. full confession of the criminals. Winter Seat, Edgefield Co., S. C, May 23,1876. The jury of inquest upon the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Harmon reassembled this morning according to adjournment at 9 o'clock a. in. Since the adjournment last Friday the developments have been numerous, and I rejoice to say they are to the point. On Saturday last discovery was made as to the cutting, peeling and trimming of the''Dogwood club"?the locality impli? cating Larkin Holloway, a negro in Mr. Harmon's employ. Since then Sam Perry, alias Austin Davis, was caught below Edgefield C. H., Sunday night, and upon examining him this morning he made full confession. Knowing the great interest your read? ers, especially in Abbeville county, feel in this investigation I have asked and obtained permission from the court of in? quest to send you foryour issue to-morrow an abstract or synopsis of ' austin da vis's confession. I haven't time to send a copy to each of your papers, but hope you will use this in common. "After working for one month for Mr. Harmon, I left on Monday preceding day of murder and returned on Wednesday following and met Lake Holloway on Harmon's Place about eleven o'clock, a. m. We parted?he going to his house and I retiring to shade to rest. He re? turned to me about one and a half hoars by sun and cut a dogwood stick, (the same as exhibited to jury.) I asked him what he would do with it. He replied: "You will see." "I then came to Mr. Harmon's resi? dence, arriving about supper time. "I sat on stone steps a few moments and went intojhe bouse. Next time I saw the dogwood stick, it was in the dwelling in the hands of Stephen Lake?I being in the house when Stephen Lake came in. Mrs. Harmon was alone in the room when I entered. Mr. Harmon came in shortly and says: 'Well, Sam, you are back again.' I replied 'Yes, sir.' Mr. Harmon then asked me if I were going to work for him. I replied 'Yes, sir, 1 suppose so.' He then asked me for how much I would work for him for two and a half months, stating he would give me wages at the rate of $100 per year. He got down his almanac, and with his lead pencil figured what it would be per day and per month; and whilst figuring, Stephen Lake came into the house and after him Lark Holloway and Tilda, his wife and Stephen Lake's wife, Susan, Bettie Perrin (the cook,) came into the room at the rear door, at the same time. Stephen Lake took his position be? tween Mr. and Mrs. Harmon, and when Mr. Harmon's attention was engrossed with his calculation, Stephen Lake struck him violently on the head with the dog? wood stick and immediately afterwards struck Mrs. Harmon, and repeated the blows upon the heads of each both fall? ing prostrate. Marshall Perrin and Jeff Settles, at this time, came into the room, Marshall having a small pine stick in his hand, with which he struck Mrs. Har? mon twice or three times, after she was down. I remember seeing others, at the door, name unknown. After Mr. Har? mon fell, Lark Holloway turned him over and Stephen Lake pulled out his knife and cut his throat. Holloway then went to Mrs. Harmon and turned her over, and Stephen Lake cut her throat also. After this I struck Mr. Harmon with this dogwood club (same as used by Lake) on the forehead, he not being dead when I struck him. After this Stephen Lake got keys out of Harmon's pocket and went to the store. Bettie Perrin got the bureau keys, and all of us went to searching drawers, &c. We found a watch, (gold,) pistol, bracelets, set but? tons. These I received. Stephen Lake, having gone to the store, brought thence a can of kerosene, which Lark Holloway took and poured it upon the persons of Mr. and Mrs Har? mon, and also over the floor?they being at this time lifeless. The knife shown me, I identify as Stephen Lake's with which the throats of Mr. and Mrs. Harmon were cut. Then Tilda, (Lark Holloway's wife,) went into bed? room and got an oak chunk of fire.? She then got Mrs. Harmon's gown, pla? cing it over a chunk' of fire, and blew it into a blaze. I then left the premises, leaving all others still on behind. Steph? en and Lark told me to go and keep go? ing, not to stop. This was between 10 and 11 o'clock p. m." The crowd present will perhaps num? ber five hundred. The greatest interest is manifested. The assembly is orderly, no undue excitement prevailing. J. W. PERRIN. [Dispatch to Vie Columbia Jteaisler.] Abbeville, S. C, May 24. Larkin Holloway, Stephen Lake, Aus? tin Davis, Marshall Perrin, Jeff. Settles, and another negro whose name is not known, the confessed and fiendish mur? derers of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Har? mon, at Winter Seat, were taken from the Sheriff of Edgefield and shot to death to-day, at 2 o'clock. Fully 300 persons were present. One hundred shots were fired. _ _ _ Guard Your Conversation.?If you say anything about a neighbor or friend, or even a strauger, beware of speaking ill. It is brotherly charity to suppress knowledge of evil of one an? other, unless our higher public duty com? pels us to bear accusing witness; and if it be true charity to keep our knowledge of such evils to ourselves, much more should we refuse to spread the evil report of an? other. Discreditable as the fact is, it is by far the commonest tendency to sup? press the good we know of our neighbors and friends. We act in this matter as though we felt that by pushing our fellows forward, we should injure ourselves. We are jealous of commendation unless we get the larger share. Social conversation, as known to every observer, is largely made up of what is best understood by the term scandal. It would be difficult to find a talkative group of either sex, who could spend an hour together without evil speech of somebody. "Blessed arc the peace-ma? kers" is not the maxim by which we are chiefly governed in our treatment of per? sonalities. Better a thousand times stand or sit dumb than to open our lips ever so eloquently in the disparagement of others. What we should do in this, as in all other human relations, is to practice the golden rule. If we do unto others as we would that others should *do unto us, we shall be exceedingly careful not to volunteer ill words auout them. Where other than a good word is to be spoken, let it be spoken, to the person concerned, that he may know your motive is not idie, cowardly, and sinister, and that he may have a chance to defend himself.?Select? ed, A HERO OF THE REVOLUTION. The Iiife and Services of Gen. Andrew PIckeus. The following interesting sketch, pub? lished many years ago in the Keowee Courier, will be read with special interest at this time: A correspondent of the Unionville Times, under the signature of "Up-Coun? try," suggests that in filling up the niches of the Capitol with busts of distinguished Carolinians, as is proposed, the claims of Gen. Andrew Pickens should not be dis? regarded. He says while "Gen. Marion and Sumter should have a place in the Capitol, so should Gen. Pickens, an up countryman, have one assigned him also." We agree with "Up-Country" that the important services which Gen. Picket rendered during the revolution, fully en? title him to this distinction. We make the following extract, giving information in reference to the life and services of Gen. Pickens, which will prove interest? ing to our readers: "I beg leave to bring to the view of the good people of South Carolina Gen. An? drew Pickens, and some of his military services during our Revolutionary strug? gle. He was of Irish descent, born in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to South Carolina with his parents when a boy, and settled first in the Waxhaws. In 1760 before he was twenty-one years old, he volunteered in Grant's expedition against the Cherokee Indians, where he received his first lessons in military dis? cipline, with Laurens, Marion, Moultrie and Hugar. He, early in the revolution? ary contest, took sides with the Whigs, and became a leader of the patriots. In 1779, Col. Pickens, who then commanded a regiment of about three hundred and sixty men, pursued Col. Boyd, who had under him eight hundred Tories. He overtook them at Kottle Creek, where a severe battle ensued. Boyd was mortally wounded, seven of his men killed, and about seventy-five made prisoners, the remainder scattered to the winds. This was the first great reverse of fortune which the Tories met with, and of course proved to be of great service in the cause of the patriots. Gen. Pickens was wounded in the breast by a .musket ball, while at the head of bis men at the battle of Eutaw, and knocked off his horse?a wound he carried with him, in its effects, to the grave, in 1817. He captured Augusta from the British after they bad held it two years, as "Lee's Memoirs of the Southern Campaign" will prove. He fought at the siege of Ninety-six, and lost two brothers there. He fought at Granby. He cut Pile's men all to pieces one night, on Haw River, N. C, and was elected in that State a Brigadier General to succeed Gen. Davison (who was killed at Cowan's Ford, on the Catawba) and was actually a Brigadier General in both the Carolinas at the same time. Gen. Pickens, with his men, stood the onset of the British at the great battle of the Cowpens. In fourteen days he conquered the great Cherokee nation without the loss of a man, and made the celebrated treaty of Hopewell, in Pendleton; by which Anderson, Pickens and Greenville were obtained. He also fought the great ring fight, which perfectly subdued the Indians ever afterwards. "Gen. Pickens is one of the few officers who never drew a cent of pay for his Revolutionary services, as the roll of the comptroller's office will prove. After the war Gen. Pickens held the first county court that sat under the new laws, near Abbeville Court House, at the old Block House, and his son, Governor Pickens; then a boy of five years old, drew the first jury. He was appointed by Presi? dent Washington, with Gen. Wayne, to conquer the great Northwestern tribes of Indians, but declined the honor. He ran the line between North Carolina and Tennessee, by an appointment from Pres? ident Jefferson. He was also appointed to hold the Treaty of Milledgevile, like? wise at Natchez, and indeed almost all the treaties held with the Southern In? dians, and was constantly in service un? til 1794, when he was elected to Congress, which then sat in Philadelphia. At that time there was neither railroads nor stage coaches?all traveling was done on horse? back. Picture, then, to yourselves, a man who is approaching his threescore years, of martial figure and dignified demeanor, mounted on a milk-white steed of pure Andalusion breed, whip in hand, and holsters filled with a brace of pistols, the silver mounting of which glittered in the sunlight. A three-cornered hat, from beneath which grows the silvery gray hair* put smoothly back and tied in aque, an undress military coat, ruffled shirt, and small clothes and fair top boots, with massive silver spun?, following at a little distance, on a stout draft horse, is his African attendant, Pompey, in livery of blue, with scarlet facings, carrying a pon? derous portmanteau, with a consequential and dignified air, showing in every move? ment the pride of a body servant in his revered master. Paint this in your mind's eye, and you have before you a entleman of the eighteenth century, with is servant, on his way to Congress.? Such was Gen. Andrew Pickens as he passed through our village in 1804. "Congress, on the 9th of February, 1781, passed a vote of thanks to the officers and men who fought in the battle of the Cow pens, and voted Gen. Andrew Pickens a sword. -The Legislature of South Caro? lina, in 1816, unanimously offered him the gubernatorial chair, which he respect? fully declined from age and infirmities." The Wondebful Snake of Ken? tucky.?While out hunting on last Tuesday, Mr. Richard Ives discovered a large cave in the side of a hill under a rock, and while opposite heard the squeal? ing of pigs inside, and stepped closer to the mouth of the cave to investigate the matter, and to his horror saw protruding the head of an immense rattlesnake with pig in its mouth, which was about four months old, and weighed about seventy ve pounds. He summoned a number of is neighbors with guns and pitchforks, who built a large fire at the mouth of the cave, in order to drive the snakes out.? In about an hour they commenced pour? ing over the burning coals. As they ap? proached in sight the parties fired upon them from the top or the cliff. They continued to pour out until the surround? ing woods for twenty yards square were literally covered with dead and live snakes. They killed 310, but many made their escape. The largest one killed?a ale?was ten feet long and measured round the body one and a half feet. The next largest, a female, was seven feet long and measured one foot round the body. The largest snakes have been preserved in alcohol and will be on exhibition at our fair, free of charge. The snake referred to had 110 rattles. The cave was literally filled with heads of sheep, pigs, etc., which had been ptured from the surrounding country. ?Ford's Southern Shield. ? "You have a considerable floating population in this village, haven't you?" asked a stranger of one of the citizens of a village on the Mississippi, "Well, yes? rather, was the reply, about half the year the water is up to the second story windows.', Shall wc Organize or Disorganize. Advocates of Governor Chamberlain who advise that no opposition be made by the Democracy, of this State to bis re? election, never grow weary of heralding the invincible strength of the Governor while extolling his disinterested prowess as a reformer. Democrats are, in short, invited again, virtually, to stake all their hones of reform on -a fusion with the Re? publican party. It is threatened, that if we adopt an independent line of action, we will en? danger all that has been gained since 1870. Opinions may differ as to the in? trinsic value of wuat we have gained since 1870, when the Democracy entered upon the disastrous line of policy to which it is now asked to adhere. There can be no questioned but that we have lost more than we have gained by the Repub? lican rule under which the interval has been passed, and there can be very little ?uestion but that we have gained far less lan wc would have done had the Demo cratic party never struck its colors to its opponents. A small, but compact and well organized army may hold a far more powerful army of opponents in check, even though the lesser be unable to over? come and destroy the greater in open battle. If Governor Chamberlain stands for re-election next fall, he must do so with the approval of the Democratic party or without it. If he makes the square fight against a Democratic candidate, his elec? tion will depend solely upon his strength or weakness with his own party. It he stands for re-election without Democrat? ic opposition, though without the Demo? cratic nomination, the history of next fall's campaign can be written from those which have preceded it. There will in all probability, be two Republican can? didates, and the one who stoops lowest to reach and gather in the party vote will be elected. If Governor Chamberlain be really the Reformer that he is represented to be, the policy of the Democratic party, ac? ting in the interest of reform, clearly is to strengthen him with his own party by giving him a formidable Democratic op? ponent. If the Democrat can be elected, well and good; if a Republican must be elected it is better that he be a Reformer. In 1870 we adopted the very plan which the organs of the Republican offi? cials advise us to adopt, and nominated Judge Carpenter, an avowed Republican, for Governor. He received at once the endorsement of the whole bar of Charles? ton, for ability and integrity. In the canvass he received no Republican votes, and although he had the support of the most popular men in South Carolina, he he could not get out the strength of the Democratic vote. General Butler was on the ticket for Lieutenant Govern? or, and General Kersbaw was chairman of the Executive Committee. Both of them stumped the State for him, and were assisted in their patriotic efforts by nearly every other prominent man in the State, including General Conner, of Charleston. If a fusion ticket thus com? posed and thus staunchly supported could not be elected, then what chance is there for success in a similar contest now, when neither the material, the spir? it, nor the policies of the Republican party in the State have undergone any change worth taking into account? Gov? ernor Chamberlain himself voted for Scott and against Carpenter. If the great Re? former of the party has found it necessa? ry to vote the straight ticket, and run with the party machine in every election, what more can be expected of the rank and file., who think the party quite good enough without reformation ? The hest way to strengthen Chamberlain in his own party is to give him vigorous Demo? cratic opposition, and leave the victory to the strongest. It is just as well to test the strength of the Republican party for once in this State by way of variety.? Probably, it is not as strong as it claims to be.?-Charleston Journal of Com? merce. - Young Men's Christian Association. The best hopes of the ultimate success of Christian religion are founded in its adaptability to the wants and conditions of all classes. The surest way to attain this success is the adoption of such expe? dients as will best make the good work progressive and in accordance with the spirit of the age. The organization of the Young Men's Christian Association a few years ago was an important move forward. It at once awakened a profound interest in the young men of the land and' engendered in them a feeling of responsibility and proprietorship in a part at least, of the gospel work. The results of the happy conception were apparent at once. Branches of the new association sprang up in all the lead? ing cities in the country, and young men who had hitherto been without the reach of religious agencies were brought within the reach of holy and everlasting influ? ences. The church should always be kept prominent as the great means of salvation, but the idea that the church needs auxiliary influences cannot be too strongly impressed. At present there is no organization outside of the church from which more good can be expected than this association all over the country, who pledge themselves to work for the elevation and sanctification of their fel? lows. An appeal from one young man to another has a power which does not lie in the exhortation of a superior. One invites his subject as a brother, the other advises as one higher in dignity and im? portance; one has warm sympathetic and fellow feeling with him whom he seeks to influence, the other is deprived of these aids, and his words are too often but cool precepts. The value of the labor of young men among their fellows being admitted, the Young Men's Christian Association is a logical deduction. No other means ever awakened them so lively to the work it was their special province to perform. There was never so many young men at work in the vineyard of his Master.? They feel that it is their work, they have the responsibility resting on their shoul? ders, they often labor with a zeal which gut to the blush the efforts of lagging hristians. Such is the Young Men's Christian Association. Our State is already the field of its ardent energy, and the efforts of its shooting influences are now apparent. Need it be said that such an association must meet with the approval of all who cling to the church as to the ark of safety. The State Convention held in this city indicated the extent to which its influ? ence has extended. It is in the hands of young, active, brave men. Its success is written on the scroll of the future in such bright letters that we can always see them shining through.?Atlanta Constitu? tion. ? A man may conceal his name, his age, the circumstances of his life, but not his character. That is his moral atmos? phere, and is as inseperablc from him as the fragrance of the rose from itself.- In the glance of the eye, in the tone of the voice, in the mien and gesture, character discloses itself.