The Anderson intelligencer. (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, June 22, 1876, Image 4
THE INTELLIGENCER.
LOCAL MATTERS.
TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.
Falling of Broadaway Trestle.
A Train Hurled into the Frightful
Chasm.
Five Men Killed by the Disaster,
Our community was startled on last Sat?
urday morning, a little before daylight, by
the ringing of the Court House bell, which
usually indicates the alarm of fire, and on
retiring to the public square it was ascer?
tained that a'more horrible catastrophe than
the burning and destruction of property
had taken place, which called forth the
citizens of Anderson. A messenger bad
just arrived in town to announce the great
' est and most terrible railroad accident ever
witnessed or known in this part of the State,
involving the swift destruction of human
life. He brought the news that Broadaway
trestle, on the Anderson Branch, had fallen
in the night previous with the regular pas?
senger train, which was known to have
gone upon an extra trip to Belton, and that
all upon board the train had lost their lives,
with the exception of one person. The
messenger, Mr. Wm. Holmes, had not been
to the scene of the accident, but his infor?
mation was reliable, and the sad truth was
only too soon realized by the hundreds who
repaired to' the disastrous spot to render
assistance if within their power, and to
witness the fearful wreck. In order to make
the I narrative of events intelligible to the
general reader, we will begin with the occur?
rences of the previous day.
The passenger train running between Bel
ton and Walhalla arrived at this place at the
usual hour" on Friday afternoon, and in ad?
dition, to the ordinary complement of cars
there was attached to the train a palace car
belonging to Georr. W. Williams, Esq., of
Charleston'', which was occupied by Mr.
Williams' family and friends en route to
their summer residence in Georgia, The
party numbered thirteen persons altogether,
and it was their intention to proceed on to
Senece City .that afternoon, where the Air
Line train would take up their car and land
them at their destination. On reaching
Anderson, however, the information was
given to Conductor Lafoy that there was a
break on the Blue Bidge Railroad, 'about
seven miles from this place, and he was in?
structed to go up the railroad and ascertain
the extent of the damage. These instruc?
tions were carried out by taking the engine
to the break, and'the damage proved so
serious that it was nnadvisable to proceed
any further in that direction. Returning
with, the engine to Anderson a little before
dark, Mr. Lafoy awaited instructions after
~~ making his. report' to the Superintendent,
CoL D?damead. This, report must have
satisfied the Superintendent that Mr. Wil?
liams, family could not reach Seneca City by
this route in any .reasonable time, and be
sent a message to Mre. Williams to that
effect, asking whether or not she desired to
be sent to Greenville that night, which was
-answered in the affirmative, and Conductor
Lafoy . was instructed to take the family to
Belton, where another train would be ready
to carry them on to Greenville.
In obedience to these instructions, Mr.
Lafoy left with his charge about eight
o'clock. Besides those on board the palace
car, the occupants of the train were as fol?
lows : N. W. Lafoy, conductor; M. J. Wil?
son, engineer; Jefferson Kitsinger, baggage
master; Allen Johnson, colored, fireman;
Henry Thompson, colored, wood-passer.
The mail agent, Mr. Thomas Sullivan, was
in the act of getting, on the train, when be
was requested to remain over at Anderson,
and consented to do so. The engine and
the baggage car, together with the palace car
of Mr. Williams, formed the train. On
reaching the trestle over Broadaway Creek,
four miles from Anderson, the train was
stopped and an examination made of its
condition, after which the train passed over
safely, and reached Belton in due time.
CoL Dodamead instructed Mr. Lafoy to-re?
main over at Belton until morning, but be
was desirous of returning to Anderson that
night and made a request to that effect, we
are informed.. CoL Dodamead acceded to
this request, fcjfich proved so fatal in its
consequences, and allowed Mr. Lafoy to
make the return trip, giving him a caution?
ary message to be careful as to his move?
ments'.
The fated train left Belton at 9.20 p. m.
* The engine and baggage car now constituted
the entire train. Mr. Wilson and the col?
ored men were upon the' engine, while
Messrs. Lafoy, and Kitsinger were the only
occupants of the baggage car. It is evident
that the train proceeded slowly and careful?
ly, from the time which elapsed between
leaving Belton and reaching Broadaway, as
afterwards ascertained from the watches of
the engineer and the conductor?the former
indicating 10 o'clock and the latter 10.08.
The breaks were put on- the engine and car,
and just as the awful plunge was made, the
breaks were whistled off, according to the
statement of Henry Thompson, ? the only
one who survived to tell the story of this
terrible accident. The train was only fairly
cleared from the embankments, when the
trestle gave way, and the fearful leap was
made which ended the lives of faithful and
courageous men, who were devoted to their
calling. The trestle was eighty-one feet
high, measuring from the surface of the
stream at low-water mark to the top of the
railroad track, and into this awful chasm
the fatal plunge was taken! The tender
went down foremost, and the engine turned
a complete somersault in making the de?
scent, while the baggage car was wrecked
upon the falling timbers and hurled with
immense force among the debris. .,' The
crash aroused a lady living in a short dis?
tance of the trestle, and her- cries- awoke
other neighbors, who spread the intelligence
from bouse to house, until almost every
male person in the vicinity was brought to
the disastrous scene within a few hours.
The gloomy darkness of the night would
not permit those who went, however, to
render any assistance to the only survivor,
whose cries of pain and anguish were most
distressing. As already stated, a messenger
was sent to Anderson with the dreadful
news, and hundreds of our citizens hastened
to the wreck. The persons who reached
there earlier were not idle, however. They
had gone to work at the earliest moment
practicable to rescue Henry Thompson from
his perilous position, and about sunrise
when we reached the trestle, they had suc?
ceeded in getting him freed from the tim?
bers, and were conveying, him to an adjacent
house, where medical skill. was at once
summoned to his relief. Drs. Sharpe,
McFall and Scudday were in attendance
when we saw him, and were using their
utmost exertions to save his life. He was
in great agony, mainly from a severe wound
in the left thigh, made apparently by some
blunt instrument. From the time of the
accident, Henry was wedged in between the
timbers, with the lower half of his person
in the water, which benumbed him so much
that great difficulty was experienced in at?
tempting to produced a reaction of the sys?
tem. The skill of the physicians was un?
availing, and he expired about seven o'clock
in the afternoon. His condition was such
that not much was elicited from him be?
yond the meagre facts already stated as de?
rived upon his authority.
The horrible tidings were flashed across
the wires from Belton, and a train was sent
from Helena to the wreck during the day.
The citizens began the search for the dead
bodies at an early hour, and their efforts
were soon rewarded by the discovery of Mr.
Wilson's body underneath the engine, lying
upon the floor of the tender, and the body
of Allen Johnson was found upon the top
of the water tank of the tender. Neither
of them could be moved until the engine
was taken from over their bodies, and as
proper appliances were not at hand to lift
the engine, the crowd reluctantly abandoned
all hope of rescuing their bodies on Satur?
day.
The search for Messrs. Lafoy and Kit
singer resulted in the discovery of tlieir
bodies a little way down the stream, which
was greatly swollen by the recent rains. It
is almost impossible to account for their
escaping the wreck, unless they were upon
the rear platform of the baggage car and
jumped for their lives when the accident
occurred. Such was the impression of
Henry Thompson, and even if this was true,
it seems almost out of the question for them
to have got out of the way of falling timbers.
Dr. 0. R. Broyles examined the bodies, and
ascertained that the left leg of Mr. Lafoy
was shattered just above the knee, and there
was an incision on the right temple; the
right cheek bruised, and a severe scalp
wound on the back of the head, three or
four inches long. Mr. Kitsinger was bruised
and contused in various parts of the body,
but no bones were broken. After the ex?
amination was made by direction of the
coroner's jury, the friends of the deceased
took charge of the remains and carried them
to their homes. Both of them married in
the neighborhood, and their relatives were
present when the bodies were found.
The scene was visted during the day on.
Saturday by large numbers, and every*?ne
was ready to give their assistance towards
relieving the mangled bodies of Mr. Wilson
and his fireman. When the train arrived
hi the afternoon, some little effort was made
to remove the wreck, bnt as before stated
these efforts were abandoned for the want of
proper appliances to lift the engine. On
Sunday morning, the necessary arrange?
ments were completed, and the work was
begun by the railroad employees, who were
aided in their efforts by hundreds of citizens,
-white and black, who worked at the ropes
to raise the monster engine, beneath whose
crushing weight there was literally buried
the faithful engineer and his fireman. Some
twelve or fiifteen hundred persons were
present, and their combined efforts were
necessary to overturn the engine, which was
requisite before the bodies could be reached.
The fireman's remains were reached about
eleven o'clock, and the efforts of all were
then concentrated upon the only remaining
object, which was the extrication of Mr.
Wilson's body. Between four and five
o'clock in the afternoon, the difficult task
was accomplished, and hi a short time the
remains of Mr. Wilson were in charge of his
friends. His brother, Mr. Leroy Wilson, of
Abbeville, was present at the .wreck, and
assisted the railroad authorities in directing
the movements for the recovery of his
brother's body.
The bodies of Allen Johnson and Henry
Thompson were prepared for decent inter?
ment, and their relatives from Pendleton
were present to remove them to that place
for burial.
In the foregoing, we have attempted to
give a concise statement of the terrible
tragedy and its results, which spread a gloom
and Badness over this community never
equalled. The victims of this disaster were
well known to our citizens, and for many
years were employed in the railroad service
between this place and Belton. Mr. Wilson
was a native of Abbeville County, and had
been in the employ of the Greenville and
Columbia Railroad for about twenty-two
years. He came on the Anderson Branch
in 1862, after he was discharged from mili?
tary service, and was engaged almost con?
tinually in the discharge of his duties as
engineer from that time forward. About a
year since be left the railroad, and bad only
returned to his- post some five or six weeks
ago. Conductor Lafoy has been on the An?
derson Branch for about ten years, and by
his unremitting attention to duty was pro?
moted from time to time, until he was
placed in charge of the train .as conductor
about eighteen months ago. Both of these
men were recognized by the public as faith?
ful, competent and deserving officers, and
their accommodating dispositions rendered
them exceedingly popular with the commu?
nity. Mr. Kitsinger was less known to the
public, but ho was always prompt and ready
in discharge of the duties of his position.
All of them were married men, and left
families dependent upon their exertions for
support. It is rumored that Messrs. Wilson
and Lafoy were insured for considerable
amounts, but we are unable to give authentic
information upon this point.
On Saturday morning, a jury of inquest
was impanelled by Wm. 8. Brown, Esq.,
Trial Justice and acting Coroner, to make
enquiry as to the cause of the deaths result?
ing from this disaster, and the verdict was
not rendered until Sunday afternoon. The
finding of the jury is as follows:
Sooth Carolina, Andebsox County.
An inquisition indented, taken at Broada
way trestle, on the line of the Greenville
and Columbia Railroad, in Anderson Coun?
ty, the 17th and 18th days of June, A. D.
1876, before Wm. 8. Brown, a Trial Justice
in and for said County, acting as Coroner
for said County, upon view of the bodies of
N. W. Lafoy. Jefferson Kitsinger, Henry
Thompson, Allen Johnson and M. J. Wil?
son, then and there being dead, by the oaths
of Z. D. Chamblee, Silas Pearman, J. R.
Cochran, L H. Harrison, Samuel Browne,
T. N. Draffin, C. Edwards, J. P. Reed, B. B.
Breazeale, C. A. Kay, Wm. Shirley, E.
Bozeman and J. B. Carpenter, being a law?
ful jury of inquest, who, being charged and
sworn to inquire, for the State of South
Carolina, where.and by what means the
said N. W. Lafoy, Jefferson Kitainger, Hen?
ry Thompson, Allen Johnson and M. J.
Wilson came to their deaths, upon their
oaths do say : That their deaths were caused
by accident by an engine and car falling
through a defective trestle over Broadaway
Creek, in the county of Anderson and State
of South Carolina; that the said N. W.
Lafoy, Allen Johnson, Jefferson Kitsinger
and M. J. Wilson on the 16th day of June,
1876, and the said Henry Thompson on the
17th day of June, 1876, in manner and form
aforesaid, came to their deaths by misfor?
tune or accident.
In witness whereof, I, Wm. S. Brown,
acting Coroner aforesaid, and the jurors
aforesaid, to this inquisition have inter?
changeably put our hands and seals, the day
and year above mentioned.
WM. 8. BROWN, [l. s.]
Acting Coroner.
Z. D. CHAMBLEE, [i. s.]
Foreman of Jury.
S. N. PEARMAN, [l. s.]
JOHN R. COCHRAN, "
L H. HARRISON,
SAMUEL BROWNE,
T. N. DRAFFIN, ??
J. W. EDWARDS,
J. P. REED, ??
B. B. BREAZEALE, "
C. A. KAY,
J. B. CARPENTER, "
WM. SHIRLEY, "
ED. BOAZMAN,
With the many rumors which gained cur?
rency after the disaster, respecting the un?
safe and insecure character of the trestle, we
do not propose to deal at this time. It may
be truthfully stated, however, that the trestle
has been regarded with apprehension by the
traveling public who were acquainted with
its construction, and the judgment of the
gentlemen composing the jury that it was
"defective" expresses the sum and substance
of the general verdict. Yet, it is probable
that the immediate cause of the great disas?
ter was the washing away of the earth from
around the lower bench of the trestle, on
the eastern side, where the stream was
swiftest and greatly swollen by the freshet.
The unsoundness of the timbers might have
produced this terrible result at a later day,
however, and the freshet in that event only
hastened an inevitable disaster. The span
of the creek is about two hundred and fifty
feet, and it is estimated that one hundred
feet of the trestling was thrown down on
Friday night.
The remains of Messrs. Lafoy and Kit
singer were buried on Sunday?the former
at the family burying-ground of his father
in-law, Mr. Thomas Erskine, and the latter
at Neal's Creek -Church. The remains of
Mr. Wilson were brought to Anderson on
Sunday afternoon, and were buried on Mon?
day morning at the Presbyterian cemetery.
The religious services were held at the grave
by Rev. W. W. Mood, of the Methodist
Church, after which the ceremonies of the
Masonic fraternity were conducted by Bel?
ton Lodge, No. 130, of which the deceased
was a member.
It is impossible to give expression to the
sympathy of our citizens with the bereaved
families involved in this 6udden and dire
calamity?one that far excels in magnitude
any disaster of the kind in our history, and
we will not dwell upon the harrowing event
which has caused such wide-spread and
general sorrow in the community.
COL. 8MEDLEY'S LECTURE.
The address of Col. A. B. Smedley, of
Iowa, Lecturer of the National Grange, was
delivered in the Court House on Tuesday
last, before a small audience of farmers and
business men, with a few ladies to grace the
occasion. It is a matter of regret that the
farmers were too busy with their crops and
repairing the damage caused by the late
rains to give him an audience worthy of his
effort, which was a plain, practical and con?
servative talk upon the aims, objects and
purposes of the Patrons of Husbandry. We
will not attempt a synopsis" of his' address,
and will only glance at the salient points.
He said that ibis organization was founded
in truth, justice and the necessities of the
human family. Other callings long since
learned the importance of organization, but
the farmer was the last to perceive the ne?
cessity, which be attributed to,their isola?
tion. In enumerating the necessities which
brought about this effort to organize among
the farmers, he adverted to the tendency of
all things to centralization, and. cited as an
example the mighty power concentrated in
the railway By stem of the country, by which
it was made possible'for an aggregation of
immense capital to oppress , and tyrannize
over the producers, which power was
virtually wielded by six or eight persons,
who were kings and princes among men.
The education of young men was necessary
to enable them to keep pace with the ad?
vanced improvements of the world, and the
education of farmer's sons most essential in
this calculation. In a moral aspect, it was
a necessity to put down corruption in gov?
ernmental affairs and set aside trading poli?
ticians who made politics a business. He
then alluded to the power of the press in its
bearing upon this point, and said that the
local'press every where was the friend of the
order, because it was owned and edited by
those who were in hourly contact with the
farmers, while the great metropolitan dailies,
in the habit of dictating to conventions and
manipulating politicians, never looked with
favor upon an-organization which would
make itself, felt among the people. The
Grange reeeaved :the sneers-, an>\ jibes .of
those not?co'm.prehending.-its. mission at the
outset, but ttfifite.owere none who could
reasonably object to the declaration of pur?
poses put forth by the National Grange,
which was a grand document, foil of wis?
dom, and deserved to rank with the Declara?
tion of Independence. It is not revolu?
tionary in its character} and seeks not to de?
stroy, but to fo^ex and build up every in?
terest?the basjs.-'ufall. being agriculture.
Differing from all others in this respect, it
seeks to bring woman to her proper sphere
of usefulness and adornment in society, and
its triumphant success must be that the male
members walk hand in hand with their
wives,'mothers, sisters and daughters.
The practical results to be achieved are
three-fold. L;8ocial; 2. Educational; 3.
Business, .which'Is .mi outgrowth or an inci?
dent following the others. These points
were elaborated by the speaker, and pro?
duced a fine impression amongst his hearers.
He said that the farmer needs social; eleva?
tion and enjoyment; and received1 "too little
social culture, which deficiency the Grange
sought to supply, and that any life purely
material was a sad failure. The educational
feature deserved to be magnified; it is wide,
broad and deep in its meaning. More than
any other class the farmers need education
to qualify them for the discharge of duties
as citizens, and as they are most numerous
in this country, they need to be taught their
relations to government. As an organiza?
tion, the Grange can never mix in partisan
politics, but there are questions of political
economy which rightfully merit a place in
its discussions, in order to create public sen?
timent, which .was more powerful than the
aggregation of capital or its corrupting in?
fluences.
In regard to the business feature of the
Grange, Col. Smedley said that he imagined
no one has made the mistake to suppose
that this organization was intended to make
money. U any one conceived such an idea,
it would be better for him to direct his at?
tention to making money outside of the
order, for it. was never designed that bis
wishes were to be gratified within the or?
ganization. The saving of money in buy?
ing and selling was only an incident of *he
fraternity, which was neither new or origi?
nal with its founders. Co-operation is the
foundation of all successful movements,
and every great and important movement in
its general bearing could not thrive without
co-operative effort. This system had been
in operation more than forty years in Eng?
land, and was spreading all over France,
Germany and Switzerland, without injuri?
ous effect upon any class of busiuess, among
the producers of those countries. -Intelli?
gent and vigorous co-operation among
farmers would not antagonize uny other
class, and the objects of the Grange are not
comprehended when such an impression
was produced. He closed with an eloquent
appeal to the members to preserve their
organization, and persevere in all that per?
tains to its welfare, progress* and improve?
ment._?
TO CANDIDATES AND THEIR FRIENDS.
We desire to remind candidates and their
friends that all nominations for office arc
required to be paid in advance. The charge
is Five Dollars for each name, inserted in
the' usual manner, and we trust every one
will give especial attention to this require?
ment, and not expect any relaxation of the
rule for personal or political reasons. It is
also necessary to direct general attention to
the published rates of advertising, which
fixes the charges upon personal communi?
cations, as it is necessary to state that articles
intended to advance the claims of particular
candidates are classed under this bead,
whether written by themselves or their
friends._
We print to-day a historical sketch of the
Battle of Fort Moultrie, contributed to the
Spartanburg Smrtan by a gentleman of fine
literary abilities. The celebration of this
event next week gives the sketch peculiar
interest at this time, and we trust none of
our readers will omit its perusal.
THE GREAT FRESHET.
The Damage In Anderson County and
Elsewhere.
The heavy and alraoBt incessant rains of
lost week resulted in immense damage to
the growing crops, and changed the. fair
prospect for an abundant harvest into deso?
lation and wide-spread ruin. The rains
began on Sunday, 11th instant, and con?
tinued throughout the week, more or less
falling every day, and occasionally the tor?
rents of water descending from the heavens
were fearful to behold. Tins 'section has
not witnessed so great a deluge of rain*
since the great freshet in August, 1852, and
the streams have never been swollen to such
an alarming extent since that time. Per?
haps greater destruction to bridges and
other property occurred in January, 1805,
but it must be remembered that the condi?
tion of bridges was rauch more insecure at
that period than now, as the country had
just passed through a protracted struggle,
and public works wore somewhat neglected
of necessity. Besides, this calamity occurs
at a time when the farmers are most easily
damaged by continuous rains, with their
crops in the field, and the ground in a con?
dition to wash away the more readily.
Hence, the present disaster far exceeds all
others since the August freshet in the de?
struction of crop, interests and ha unhappy
results. From all sections of the County
we receive accounts of the great destruc?
tion to the grain crops especially. Wheat,
oats and other small grains were just har?
vested, and the damage is quite extensive
from the fact that much of it has sprouted
in the shocks and is considered almost
worthless. Such portions as were not har?
vested have been blown to the ground, and
only a small quantity will be saved there?
from. The bottom lands were overflowed
to such an extent that in many instances
tbsir culture for this season will be*ptirely
abandoned, while' th6 uplands?>are*^washed
to a terrible extent, and great gullies were
made by the floods of water bursting
through the hill-aide ditches. Hundreds of
bushels of grain" has become a total loss'in
being carried, away by the surging waters
which overflowed the fields. 'In every im?
aginable way the freshet has inflicted dam?
age and loss upon the farmers, which will
aggregate thousands of dollars-and impov?
erish our citizens to a fearful extent.
The interruption of the mails and the
unfrequent means of communication with
remote localities- prevents a full statement
of the actual destruction which is known to
exist in every neighborhoed. The farmers
are too busy in saving the remnant of their
grain crops and repairing damages, to fen?
cing for them to visit our town, by which
we might learn the particulars from each
locality. But we have gathered such in?
formation as was attainable, and herewith
append the main items .of damage to mills
and bridges which are reported up to this
time.
Wilson's bridge over the Saluda River,
near the town of Williamston, was swept
away by the freshet The mill-dams of.
Messrs. J. & J. R. Wilson and Dean, on
Big Creek, are likewise destroyed'. -. Martin
V. Barkley's mill-dam on Grove Creek, in
Greenville County, iormerly known as Sul?
livan's mill, is also gone. The nulls of T.
W. Anderson, near Wilson's", bridge, are
damaged ,to some extest. Our correspon?
dent at Williamston writes that the crops
on Big Creek bottoms are almost an entire
loss, and'that the wheat and oat crops in
that vicinity, which were unusually fine
prior to the freshet, are now in a sprouting
condition in the fields: One crop of wheat
threshed by Messrs. C. E. Horton & Son on
Monday last resulted in only' one-fourth
being regarded merchantable, - While the
remainder was classed almost worthless.
Coolers bridge over the Saluda-was only
slightly damaged, although it has been ru?
mored that this elegant structure, which
cost Greenville and Anderson Counties
about $4^606, was carried away. But wc
are gratified to state, upon reliable authori?
ty, that the only damage was the washing
away of the embankment made of rocks
and dirt, which interrupted travel for the
time being. It was also reported that Dun?
ham's bridge went down the river, but this
proves a mistake, as it remains intact.
The bridge over Three-and-Twenty at the
Pendleton Factory is reported gone, and,
other bridges in that direction :,oyer small
streams were swept offi. The bridge over
Deep Creek and Earle's bridge over the
Seneca are all right at this time, although
the former was slightly 'disabled during the
freshet, but we believe that communication
has been uninterrupted with that portion of
the County. The bridge over Broadaway
Creek at Prevost's mill was in-such a con?
dition that the public were warned against-'
crossing, resulting from one of the benches
being moved by -the high waters. . Alto?
gether, the citizens - of Anderson are to be
congratulated upon the meagre loss in
bridges compared to former freshets, espe?
cially when it is known that the money
raised for the construction and repair of
bridges was nearly exhausted before the
freshet. The substantial character of the
work done prevented greater loss in some
iustances, we have no doubt, and it is truly
fortunate that there are no very heavy ex?
penditures required upon bridges beyond
repairing, which would entail a deficiency
tax upon the people.
The railroads met with the severest losses
in our County. Besides the fearful catas?
trophe at the Broadaway trestle, on the
Anderson Brauch, there was considerable
damage on the Blue Ridge Railroad, about
seven miles from Anderson, near Bird's
Crossing. The trestle over Steele Creek" is a
total loss, from the fact that the bed of the
stream was washed out several feet in depth,
and it will require an entirely new trestle
to enable trains to pass over it. In two or
three Weeks the structure will be replaced,
we understand, when a train will be put
upon this end of the line for the accommo?
dation of the public. At present the mails
and passengers for Walhalla, Seneca City
and other points in that direction will be
carried in hacks. ?
We are informed that Wilson's bridge,
in floating down the Saluda River, struck
the middle span of Cooley's bridge and was
broken in twain. The debris went on down
to Erwin's bridge and carried that structure
with it. This was a severe test of the
strength and solidity of Cooley's bridge,
and proves that it is a substantial piece of
work.
The damage to the Greenville and Colum?
bia Railroad below Ninety Six has preven?
ted any regular trains from Columbia since
last Saturday. Between Alston and Colum?
bia the washes were inconsiderable, but the
water overflowed the track in the Broad
River bottoms, and trains were not run?
ning until Tuesday, when communication
was opened between Columbia and Helena.
The track along the bottoms of the Saluda
River was damaged to some extent, and
the bridge over that stream below Ninety
Six was deemed unsafe, so that trains were
not permitted to cross. ? The nature of the
damage to that bridge we have not learned,
and it is uncertain when a regular train
will pass over that portion of the road. It
is more than probable that several days will
elapse before we can expect the passenger
trains to resume regular trip<t, and it is ut?
terly impossible for us to state the exact
truth in regard to the damage, as we are
without any means of ascertaining the
facta.
NARROW ESCAPE.
We learn that Mr. W. A. Dickson, of
Townville, made a narrow escape from
drowning on Wednesday, 14th inst. He
left here that morning in a buggy belonging
to the livery stable of Mr. John Catlett,
and after attempting to cross the bridge at
Deep Creek, went to the Centreville Mills,
on Six-and-Twenty, where he Aras unable
to get over the bridge. He then attempted
to ford the creek below the mills, and got
into swimming water at once. It was with
great difficulty that Mr. Dickson saved his
life by clinging to bushes, until he was res?
cued from peril by persons coming to his
assistance. The driver, a small colored
boy, was even in greater danger of losing
his life, but he was likewise rescued. The
horse was drowned in a short time after
getting into the water, as it could not be
extricated from the buggy.
BRIEF MENTION.
The breaks on the Air Line Railroad
caused by the recent freshet have been re?
paired, and trains are now running between
Charlotte and Atlanta.
The commencement exercises of Furman
University are in progress this week. The
difficulty of reaching Greenville by railroad
will doubtless cause a slim attendance from
other sections of the State.
. An impromptu gathering of the Masons
will take: place on Saturday afternoon, 24th
inst., at the Masonic Hall, for the com?
memoration of St. John's Day. Brethren in
good standing are invited to attend. .
We would suggest a certain journalist for
the position of Solicitor of, the Eighth
Circuit, only that'we are apprehensive of
spoiling an excellent newspaper man and
making only a "medium" Solicitor.
One of our citizens returned a lead pencil
to this office, which he "borrowed" in the
usual way a few days ago. Either he is an
honest man or he intends to secure a more
valuable prize in throwing us off guard by
this transaction.
We are requested to announce that there
will be a Temperance pic nie at Storeville on
the second Saturday in July. Mr. G. F.
Tolly, Rev. C. V. Barnes and Dr. W. G.
Browne are the speakers for the occasion.
All Temperance Societies and the public
generally are in vited to attend.
. No mails from a distance have been re?
ceived at this point since last Saturday.
Our Columbia and Charleston exchanges,
which usually furnish us the latest tele?
graphic news, have not come to hand in that
time, and we are without information as to
the movements in the outside world.
The painful intelligence reaches us that
our friend, Mr. Alexander H. Waddill, is
no more. He was well known to the citi?
zens of Anderson, and removed to Texas
about twenty years ago. Faithful, honest
and upright in all his dealings with man?
kind, Mr. WaddilFs memory will be cher?
ished by numerous friends and acquaintan?
ces in his former home. Peace to his ashes.
We are pleased to learn that a company
of gentlemen from Brunswick County, N.
Y., who are manufacturers of agricultural
implements, propose to settle in Anderson
County, if they can find a suitable location
for their machinery The Pomona Grange
has extended them a hearty welcome in our
midst, and adopted a resolution to that effect
at the meeting on the 5th inst. at this place.
A large party from Walhalla arrived on
Tuesday afternoon in backs and buggies, re?
minding our citizens of the days when stage?
coaches were the only means of transporta?
tion for the public through this section.
The ladies and gentlemen composing the
party were in attendance last week upon the
commencement exercises of Newbcrry Col?
lege, and are now returning to their homes
in lower counties.
The Abbeville Medium seems disturbed at
the prospect of the cotton crop, since we
ventured upon the cultivation of this im?
portant plant. One of the inducements for
us to grow cotton this year was to take a
portion of our crop down to Abbeville for
the purpose of glutting that market, to the
intense disgust of oHr neighbor. He will be
more careful in his allusions to the cotton
market thereafter.
President Lander, of the Williaraston
Female College, was made the recipient of
an appreciative token last week, which
.must have been exceedingly gratifying to
him as a teacher. A sufficient sum of
money was raised among the students of
that institution to defray his expenses to the
Centennial Exhibition, and we learn that it
was his intention to start for Philadelphia
on Tuesday afternoon.
An esteemed friend has kindly furnished
us with a graphic description of the com?
mencement exercises at the Williamstou
Female College, which appears in another
column. Business engagements deprived
us of the pleasure always afforded by the
well-managed and interesting exercises of
this institution, and we are greatly indebted
for the services of our correspondent, who so
happily describes the event -
We regret to announce the death of Mrs.
James Wilcox, which sad event occurred at
the home of her husband, about one and a
half miles south of this place, on yesterday
? morning. She has for many years been a
consistent and devoted member of the Meth?
odist Church, and in her death the Church
sustains a sad loss. Wc understand she
died from the effects of an apoplctic stroke.
She leaves a husband and large family of
children to mouni her loss.
The temperance, movement among the
colored people deserves a cordial encourage?
ment from their white neighbors. The evil
of intemperance has done much to degrade
and disgrace mankind in general, but the
negroes are more often steeped in crime from
its effects than any other class. The well
being and social order of the community
can be largely promoted by the progress of
temperance among them, and we are glad
to know that philanthropic gentlemen have
undertaken the work of reformation. Such
efforts merit the support and endorsement
of every one disposed to advance the moral
welfare of the colored race.
The express train on the Air Line Rail?
road, on Thursday morning, ran into a wash
about five miles east of Toccoa City, making
a complete wreck of the engine and tender,
and badly damaging the express car. The
engineer, George Berry, had his collar bone
broken and severe cuts about the head.
Charles and Henry Pollard, colored firemen,
were mortally wounded, and we learn that
both died afterwards. Several persons who
went up to Seneca City for the purpose of
taking the excursion train to Atlanta, were
compelled to return on Friday morning, as
the excursionists were disappointed by the
accident. The regular trains were not run?
ning for several days.
THE FOURTH Of JULY CELEBRATION
ABANDONED.
An extra meeting of the Anderson Demo?
cratic Club was held on Tuesday afternoon,
with President Watt in the cliair, for the
consideration of a suggestion to abandon the
proposed celebration of the Fourth of July.
After the *-'jcct of convening the Club had
been explained by the President, the follow?
ing preamble and resolution were submitted
by Col. R. S. Hill, on behalf of the Execu?
tive Committee, for the action of the Club,
and on motion the same was unanimously
adopted:
\Vhereas, a most desolating flood of rain
has passed over our County and surround?
ing country within the past few days, doing
immense and In some instances irreparable
damage to the crops; and Whereas, the late
fearful tragedy of Broadaway R. R. trestle,
resulting in the death of five of our citizens
in the most horrible manner?both of which
events combined have caused a gloom to
settle over our entire community, There?
fore,
Resolved, That we deem it expedient that
the action of the Club providing for a cele?
bration of the Fourth of July be rescinded,
and that all the Democratic Clubs of the
County be notified as soon as convenient of
the same, expressing the hope that at no
distant day, under more favorable auspices,
we may be permitted to meet in grand coun?
cil and sympathy.
We are confident that this action of the
Anderson Club will meet the approval and
endorsement of our friends in the country,
who proposed ?. unite with us in the
observance of the natal day of American In?
dependence, : the grounds for Its abandon?
ment will appeal to the sympathies and
hidgment of all right-minded citizens, who
properly appreciate the stern calamities
which have befallen this community.
SUMMER MEETING OF THE 8TATB AG?
RICULTURAL SOCIETY.
It will be remembered chat the State Ag?
ricultural Society, at the annual meeting in
November last, resolved to hold its summer
meeting on the second Tuesday in August
next at this placo. These meetings are in?
tended to create greater interest among the
farmers in all that pertains to the progress
; and welfare of the State Agricultural Society,
and the time is occupied in discussing sub?
jects of value and importance to the farming
community. We would be glad to welcome
a large attendance from aU parts of the State,
and witness a 'grand gathering of farmers
and planters from every section, as we
believe that such a meeting would prove
beneficial in many respects, and secure the
permanent establishment of the State Agri-"
cultural Society. It cannot live in its
present languishing condition, and unless
measures arc inaugurated to bring together
in harmonious co-operation the bone and
sinew of the State, its future is most uncer?
tain and problematical.. The summer meet?
ings will do much to revive and concentrate
the needful interest in its success and pros?
perity.
We are not aware that any arrangements
have been made with the railroads to bring
members and delegates to Anderson at a re?
duced rate. The principal railroads in
Georgia for several years past have carried
all persons to the summer meetings of the
State'Agricultural Society free of charge,
upon the ground that whatever conduces to
the advancemen t of the agricultural interests
will benefit the railroad inter -ts. It is pos?
sible that. the railroad authorities in' this
State might look with similar favor upon
the summer gatherings of our Society, and
we. direct attenf'qnj to" the fact that proper
efforts may be made at once. Certainly, a
great reduction from the usual fare will be
conceded upon due application.
SAVANNAH DEMOCRATIC CLW
The Savannah Democratic Club met,
June 10th, 1876, according to adjournment.
The President called the meeting to order,
and declared the Club ready for business.
The-constitution of the Club was read. The
minutes of the last meeting having been
misplaced was not read. The report of the
Executive Committee was called for, when
several names were reported and added to
the list. The resolutions in regard to John
R. Cochrau, passed at last meeting, were
rescinded, and a committee of three appoint?
ed to draft resolutions in regard to the ac?
tions of John R. Cochrnn, and also to his
reply to the several Democratic Clubs of
Anderson County. The President appoint?
ed the committee, and after an absence of a
few minutes reported as follows:
Whereas, John R. Cochran, Senator pf
Anderson County j in reply to the resolutions
of several Democratic Clubs, requesting his
resignation, has proposed to submit his case
to the decision of a committee, selected from
a list of citizajs-furnished by himself; and
? whereas we recognize in John R. Cochran
the man who first drew the color line, and
inaugurated the: conflict between black and
white in Anderson (bounty; and whereas
we hold that certain sins in politics as in
morals are unpardonable, and that said John
R. Cochran has repeatedly ? and habitually
"blasphemed the Holy Ghost;" and whereas
we believe that it would be worth almost
any sacrifice to'get rid of said John R. Coch?
ran,
Resolved, That the Democratic Executive
Committee be, and is hereby, requested to
accept the proposition of John R. Cochran.
and institute the investigation of his official
acts "proposed.
Resolved, That.Messrs. B. F. Whitner and
A. R. Broyles are proposed by this Club to
constitute the committee, and that the Ex?
ecutive Committee should appoint some
suitable person to manage the impeachment
on behalf of the Democratic party.
Moved and adopted that this Club fully
endorse and sanction the action of the Ex?
ecutive Committee of the County Club in
regard to the time of holding the primary
election. It was unanimously requested
that all the candidates now in the field, and
also those that may come out by our next
regular meeting, should be present, and the
public generally and ladies especially, that
we may have a basket dinner, Ac. The
Secretary was ordered to send the minutes
of this meeting to the Anderson papers with
the request that the same be published.?
Adjourned to meet on second Saturday in
July next at 10 o'clock a. m.
REUBEN BURRIS, President.
T. J. Holland, Secretary.
SANDY SPRINGS DEMOCRATIC CLUB.
At a special meeting of Sandy Springs
Democratic Club, held on Monday, 19th
inst., the following names were suggested
for the various offices, County and State:
Legislature.?James L. Orr, H. R. Van
diver, R. W. Simpson, Dr. W. C. Brown.
County Commissioners.?R. M. Bums, C. S.
Mattison and J. Jamison.
School Cohunissioncr.?Wm. H. Haynie.
Judge of Probate.?W. W. Humphreys.
Clerk of Court.?John W. Daniels.
Sheriff.?W. T. Grubbs.
The following resolutions were then
offered and unanimously adopted.
Resolved, That this Club endorse the recent
action of the County Executive Committee
as wise, expedient and to the best interest of
the Democratic party.
Resolved, That we accept the invitation of
the Anderson Club to join with them in a
pic nie on the 4th of July next.
Resolved, That we tender our thanks to the
ladies for honoring us with their presence
and their respectful attention to the pro?
ceedings of our meeting.
Resolved, That these proceedings be pub?
lished in the County papers.
The Club then adjourned to meet again on
the third Saturday in July, at 2 o'clock p. m,
PETER McPHAIL, President pro Urn,
Wm. A McWhohtek, Secretary.
CATCHING AT STRAWS,
Messrs. Editors : A large portion of the
colofed people* of tlic Town of Anderson
have organized themselves into a Tempe?
rance Society, and arc at present in a flour?
ishing condition, and should be encouraged
by every' Well-wisher of morality and vir?
tue; and I hare been astonished to hear'
street rumors that there is opposition to so
praiseworthy an object by Mr. John R.
Cochran, who is likely to become a candi?
date for re-election for the office of Inten?
dant of the Town of Anderson. Can it be
possible that such a small and insignificant
office can induce him to oppose the eleva?
tion ol the colored people, who have al?
ways stood by him ? Can he give a single
reason why such an organization should not
he in existence ?
TEMPERANCE.
ANNOUNCEMENTS.
FOR SCHOOL COMMISSIONER.
?&- The many friends of DR. W. G.
BROWNE" respectfully nominate him as a
suitable candidate for School Commissioner
of Anderson County?subject to the action
of the Democratic party.
jZ3r* The friends of Mr. ANDREW J.
WATT respectfully recommend him as a
suitable person for School Commissioner of
Anderson County?subject to the nomina?
tion of the Democratic Party.
?ST- The many friends of J..N. CAR
WILE respectfully recommend him as a
suitable person for School Commissioner of
Anderson County?subject to the nomina?
tion of the Democratic party. Help our
disabled soldiers.
?03* The undersigned hereby presents his
claims to Democratic Clubs for primary
election for the office of School Commis?
sioner. Jf nominated by the Clubs, he will
be a candidate for the office; if not, he will
not be a candidate, but will support the
nominee.
WM. H. HAYNIE.
?S' The friends of Mr. ANDREW H.
OSBORNE beg leave to nominate him as a
candidate for School Commissioner at the
approaching election?subject to the action
of the Democratic party.
FOR SHERIFF. ? ?
?Sr The friends of JAMES H. McCON
NELL respectfully announce him as a can?
didate for Sheriff of Anderson County at
the next election?subject to the Democratic
nomination.
The many friends 01 W. T. GRUBBS
announce him as a suitable person for the
office of Sheriff at the next ensuing elec?
tion?subject to the result of the Demo?
cratic primary election. Help our one-arm
Confederate soldier.
??r The friends of SAM'L E. MOORE
nominate him as a suitable person for the
office of Sheriff at the next election. He is
therefore nominated for primary election,
and if nominated by it he will be a candi?
date, but under no other circumstances will
he consent to run for the office.
FOR CLERK OF COURT.
??r At the solicitation of many friends, -
I present my claims to the Democratic Clubs
-at the primary election for the office of
Clerk of the Court. If not nominated at
the primary election, I will not be a candi?
date, but will support the nominee.
THOMAS P. BENSON. .
SPECIAL NOTICES.
A Flower that Changes its Color.
Botany is a division of natural^science
which treats of plants, and a study of
Vegetable Phisiology must be the foun?
dation of botanical knowledge?a study
only possible by the improvements in the
microscope and in organic chemistry. As
plants are not scattered haphazard over
the earth, botanical geography must he
studied, and; with this, plant-history.
Botany will be applied to the wants of
every-day life, as in Agriculture, Horti?
culture, or Medical Botany. Animals
often exhibit a marvelous instinct in se?
lecting medicinal herbs, and art observa?
tion of their habits has often, even in the
present time, led to most valuable discov?
eries. And should man, with his knowl?
edge and appliances, fail to discover less
than the brute? It Is of Medical botany
?we would speak, or of the HEPATLNE
?PLANT, discovered in Southern Nubia,
the Flower of which changes its color
with every hange of the atmosphere.
The remarkable changes and variations'
of this Plant and Flower have been for
years our special study, resulting in the
discovery of its possession of wonderful
medical properties, the existence and
Value of which have heretofore been en?
tirely unknown to medical science: Af?
ter much labor and scientific investiga?
tion, we have succeeded in extracting its
peculiar medicinal principles, which is a
specific- and cure for all diseases of the
Liver, Stomach and Bowels; a perma?
nent cure for Dyspepsia, Indigestion,
?Spleen, Constipation, Jaundice, and all
Billious Complaints. Of course we can?
not send a livingFlower of this Plant to
all who read of Heparine; but to all who
will send their address to Merre'll &
Cotjden, Philadelphia, Pa? with a three
cent stamp for return postage, we will
send Free a fac-aimile of the Flower,
that will change its color just the same
as the real Heparine Flower.
The Medicine, MERRELL'S HEPA
TINE, for sale by Simpson & Sadler,
Anderson, S. C, and will cure all diseases
of the Liver.
Sir John Franklin.
History possesses fewer examples of more
heroic bearing and self-sacrificing efforts for
the advancement of the material interests of
mankind than that exhibited by this noble
martyr in his exertions to make* a discovery
which if accomplished would open to the
world advantages beyond computation.
But how insignificant are geographical dis?
coveries, when compared with those that
benefit the human organization, showing
how in this life enemies may be vanquished,
how the brain may be invigorated and ren?
dered capable of grasping the most abstruse
questions, whether scientific, commercial or
mechanical. This can never be the case
while the body is enfeebled by disease. The
blood must be healthy, all machinery of
body must be hi perfect working order,
otherwise the brain is weak and total in
competency to grasp the great issues of life
is the result..
Such a discovery has been made by Dr.
Tott in his celebrated Liver Pills. They
have accomplished more good to the human
family than could ever nave been attained
by the success of Sir John Franklin.
Is Tour Life Worth 10 Cents?
Sickness prevails everywhere, and every?
body complains of some disease during their
life. When sick, the object is to get well;
now to say plainly that no person in this
world that is suffering with Dyspepsia, Liver
Complaint and its effects, such as Indiges?
tion, Costivencss, Sick Headache, Sour
Stomash, Heart Bunij palpitation of the
Heart, Depressed Spirits, Biliousness, &c,
can take Green's August Fi.ower without
getting relief and cure. If you doubt this,
go to your Druggists, W?hlte <fe Williams,
and get a SampleBottle for 10 cents and try
it. Regular size 75 cents. Two doses will
relieve you.
Good Taste.
In nothing do men and women show
their possession of this quality, or the want
of it, so much as in the appearance of their
homes. People of good taste and judgment
in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida and Alabama, patronize Mr. P. P.
Toale, of Charleston* 8. C, who supplies
the best doors, sashes, blinds, newels, cor?
nices, &c, and the best paint to make them
beautiful. Also, plain and ornamental glass
of the best French and American manufac?
ture.
AT PRICES
TO SUIT
THE- TIMES.
TOWERS & BROYLES
WILL sell DRY GOODS, HATS, SHOES,
CLOTHING and CARPETS, at
greatly reduced prices for cash for the next
twenty-eight days, as they wish to reduce
their stock by the 16th of June, the time for
their annual stock-taking. They mean
what thev saw Give them a call.
NO. 4 GRANITE ROW,
Anderson, S. C.
HATS! HATS!
BARGAINS to be had in Hats for the
next twenty-eight days, at
TOWERS & BROYLES'.
Groceries and Provisions.
WE have on hand a good supply of Gro?
ceries and Provisions at low prices for cash,
viz: The celebrated Diadem Hams, Bocoh,
Lard, Corn, Flour, Sugar, Coffee, Molasses,
Rice, Salt and Fancy Groceries.
Also, the best Oolong, Young Hyson and
Gunpowder Tea.
TOWERS & BROYLES.
LADIES' DRESS GOODS.
JAPANESE SILK?price reduced from
60c. to 25c, and other Dress Goods reduced
from 50c. and 60c. to 25c. Grenadine from
50c. to 25c. per yard. A lot of Dress Goods
reduced from 40c. to 15c. per yard. We
take stock on the 16th of June, and these
goods are for sale at these prices until that
time, or until thev are sold.
TOWERS <fc BROYLES.
CLOTHING!
CALL and examine our stock of Cloth?
ing, and you will he satisfied that wa are
giving bargains in Clothing, and will do so
until the 16th June next.
?_TOWERS & BROYLES.
HARNESS, SADDLES AND
BRIDLES.
WE have the largest and best lot of Har?
ness in Town, all manufactured by Mr.
JAMES M. PAYNE, which we offer for
cost for cash until the 28th June, orieduced'
prices to prompt customers on time. Give
us a call.
_TOWERS.<fc BROYLES.
SHOES AND BOOTS.
A LARGE lot of Men's, Women's Misses
and Children's Shoes and Gaiters, for sale at
low prices, until the lGth of June, by
TOWERS & BROYLES.
TO REDUCE STOCK
WE have determined to reduce our Stock
of Goods by the 28th of June.- Therefore,
we are offering some goods for less than
cost, some at cost, and all of our goods at
low prices for cash, or to prompt paying
customers on time. Give us a call.
1 . TOWERS & BROYLES.
NEW GOODS.
JUST ? arriving a new. lot of FANCY
PRINTS, from six to ten cents per yard.
TOWERS & BROYLES,
No. 4 Granite Row, Anderson, S. ft
May 18,1876_44_.-. .
1776. 1876.
c ??ro-:
CENTENNIAL
TraasDoMon Arnppt
? ; ? !'.". :'!?? - ! :i-h.-ti.. :
OF THE GREAT
ATLANTIC COAST LINE,
FOR THE .
' ? J .
Accommodation of Visitors
? y ...
To all Points South.
THE Railways ami Steamship Companies
between Augusta, Ga., and Philadel?
phia, comprising the Atlantic Coast Line,
will during the progress of the
Centennial Exhibition of the United
States,. ?'
Present for the patronage of the citizens of
the South, routes of transportation and.
forms of tickets upon which' to reach Phila?
delphia, that will immeasurably excel- all
other lines in point of- . ? "
Direct Daily Movement,
Comfortable Accoiiimtdatiou,
Variability of Transit,
Economy of Expenditure. .
?.;
To enable this to. be - done, the- sombined
rcsources of the Railway Lines!South of
Norfolk, together with those of t>c Balti?
more Steam Packet Company and the Old
Dominion Steamship Company will be em?
ployed, and the individual tourist, the social
party of ten, .twenty or more, or the civic
or military organization of one hundred to
three hundred, can each be cared for in a ?
manner that will satisfy their desires.
Price Lists, Time Cards and all needful '
information are now in hands of our Agents.
It will be to the interest of every-indi- '
vi dual and each organization proposirigto.?
make this trip to communicate. With ??the*-*
undersigned.
A Centennial Exhibition Guide Book as
authorized by the Commission will be given
to the purchaser of each Centennial Ticket.
Call on or address the following named
agents of the Atlantic Coast Line:
J. H. White, Macon; A. L. Reed, Savan?
nah; H. V. Tompkins. Atlanta; M? J. Di?
vine, Macon ; W. J. Walker, Montgomery.
A.. POPE,
General Passenger Agent,
Wilmington, \. C.
May 4, 1876 _ 42_4m
THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, j
COUNTY OF ANDERSON.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
Albert J. Clinkscales, Plaintiff, against The
Pcndleton Manufacturing Company, Wil?
liam Perry and others, Stockholders, Wil?
liam Rnhipley and others, Creditors of
the said Company, Defendants.?Com
plaint for Injunction, appointment of Re?
ceiver, Sale of Property, Relief, <tc.
TO ALL CONCERNED:
NOTICE is hereby given that the under?
signed has been appointed Receiver
of the Money,.Property and Effects of The
Pendleton Manufacturing Compauy by
Judge Thompson H. Cooke, under the
above named proceeding, and that all per?
sons indebted to- the said Corporation byc
Note, Book Account, Lease or otherwise,
will make payment to him; and all persons '
having in their possession any property or
effects of the said Corporation, will deliver
the same to him.
JOHN B. SITTON,
Receiver.
June t.4, 1876_48_3 ?
G. F. WATSON,
Furniture Works and Lumber Mills,
RICHMOND, VA.
COTTAGE Beadsteads, Chamber and
Parlor Furniture, Lounges, Chairs,
&c, manufactured of Walnut and cheap?
er hard woods. No soft Pine used. Cot?
tage Bedsteads and Cheap Mattresses
loading articles. ?
Obt 14,1875 13 ly