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F VOL XLVI Q.4NWBRYS.(. UDA.ARL2.10PTIEAWE.S50AER WInMG THE WALLACE HOUSE Statement of Facts by One Who Knows .-How Samps Bridges Was Secured. Some time ago, Dow, Jr., wrote an article for the State, giving the inside story of the "Winning of the Wal lace House." For good and valid reasons, I suppose, it was not pub lisehed. That paper may have doubt ed the truth of the matter and feared. a suit for libel or a prosecution of some of its friends for bribery. What I write is truth, but -those concerned -who wish to deny it, can do so. Col. Keitt gave a graphic account of what he knew of the "getting over of Bridges," but that was all ancient history, and published in all of the papers of the day. Then Logan Wyse comes forward and says, he knew where "Tony hid the wedge.'" But he didn't tell. Well, Loge is a great, good fellow, veteran and Democrat to the bone, but during those stirring scenes of '76, Loge like Dow, went too often to Abram Stork's. and that makes us all forget. Jokes aside, here are the facts, and those who think they know better. Ghould tell it better. The State, protected ty U. S. troops, had been hopelessly Republi can during the whole of reconstrue tion days. It had submitted to rob bery, negro domination ahd infamy, till forbearance ceased -to be a virtue. An informal meeting of the leading men of the State was held in Colum bia; there they declared for reform or revolution. Gen. Hampton was brought back from Mississippi to lead the Democratic forces, then, if that failed, well The Democrats had learned some tricks from the Carpetbaggers, and no doubt there was some "ballot box stuffing." Anyway when the elec tion 'was over, both sides claimed a victory. Contesting delegations were sent to the Legislature from most of the counties. The Democrats were the first in the Legislative hall and elected as speaker, Brigadier Gen. W. H. Wallace, of Union. In a few minateN thereafter, the Republicans chose E. W. M. Mackey, of Charleston, their presiding officer. Both sides undertook to transact bus iness, but eonfusion became more confounded, the longer tihis dual as semblage sat. The Republicans brought from Charleston, the "Honk, A Dory,'' club, a gathering of the worst element in that city, composed of cut-throats, thieves, scallawags and negroes, to occupy the galleries and should trouble begin (everything pointing that way,) this elib was to clean up all the Democrats in the House. Tiese facts were all published in the papers of the time. Whether to avoid a conflict or overawe the Democrats, the Republican Governor Cham.berliain, <had posted at the en trance of the State House, guards of U. S. soldiers and forbid any to en ter, unless they had credentials from the returning board, or commission ers of election. These the great ma jority of Democrats did not have. Speaker Wallaee called his follow ers together at the Carolina Hall. He had no quorum, neither had his ad versary. T wo negroes from Berkeley came over to the Wallace House early, before they knew trhe price of votes. This brought the two houses on an exact equal, 62 and 62. About this time a telegram from President Grant was reeeived by the authorities, that he would recognize as "de facto'' the first government that had a quorum. Not Hayes, as friend Loge thinks, that worthy coming in months after wards. You see what effect Abram Stork can have on one's recollection. The Na-tional Democratie party on lv lacked the vote of one more state to make Tilden president. There were millions at stake. South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana were the three states with contesting electoral votes. One vote could make South Carolina Democratie and South Carolina Dem oratie would change the zovernment of the United States. This aceounts for the State being flooded with Northern money during t-be campaign. The white members of every c'on testing county centered upon some~ or.e negro in the Mackey House' to try and bribe or beg him over. But th Reubian oranization was "as solid as a stone wall." The delegation from Newberry tackled Samps Bridges. He put hii ear to the ground and smiled. He even listened to overtures, but the gulf was wide yet. Maj. L. B. Maffett and Capt. U. B. Whites from Bridges' home town were brought to the cap ital to help convert Bridges. A con ference was agreed upon at the hotel. Bridges was there, the delegation and the two men mentioned above. No one else, Loge to the contrary notwith standing. Sparring was cautious at first, but became more reckless as time wore on. Bridges did not deny that he was in the market, and had a price. "But,'' Bridges said, "if I go in to the Wallace House one of you white men will have to give way." "There can be but three members from our county and I will, under no cireumstance give up my seat." Col. Keitt, with patriotie zeal, sel dom equalled, said "you shall have my seat.'' Then the Colonel left and ,his information ceases. Y. J. Pope one of the white dele gation, attended to the legal and ar gnmentative end of the discussion, while Maj. Maffett and Capt. Whites looked after the persuasive and rea soning end. Y. J. Pope put some figures on a piece of paper and showed -them to Bridges. He only smiled, didn't even shake his head, then some more fig ures were made. That woke up Bridges' horse sense. "Gentlemen. let me tell you, I ain't no cheap man, I know what I am worth and I know what you can pay.'' This brought up more talk. The fig ures had started at $300, $500, $800. It was then Bridges wo-ke up good. Pope put down $1,000. This seemed to anger the negro. "That's baby mon ey, white folks. I am a man, if I is -a nigger. You must talk a heap louder or I will never hear." Then Pope who seemed to guide the money venture asked, "What will satisfy you?" "Twenty-five hundred dollars, all cas6, and my seat not to be dis turbed.'" That gave the boys a rift. "Every thing is off. We will all go home and trust to luck. Can't raise the money, and wouldn't if we could." This brought Bridges' ear lower to the ground. "Well, split the differ ence, $800 offered and $2,500 asked, give me $1,650 and the 'thing is done." Chairs began to shuffle as if the party was about to disperse. Then spoke up Pope. "Bridges, this is our last offer. We will pa you down to night $500, then as soon as you are sworn in. will pay you $1,000 more." Then, drawing a long breath, scan ning the eeiling the while, Bridges said: "Well, I'll 'take it, give me my money." The money -was counted out, then after he had been sworn in, he repair ed to the back end of the hail and there Y. J. Pope counted out the~ re' maining $1,000 in new crisp ten dol lar notes. Now these are tihe facts of the buying of Bridges, and there is no use of denying or lying about it. "If this be treason, make the most of it.'' Dow, Jr. SENATOR TTTJMAN TALKS. Senior Senator, Speaking at Banquet Says He is a Democrat Because He Is a White Man. The State. New York, April 22.-Senator Ben jamin R. Tillman talked on the Taft policy of breaking up the solid South tonight b)efore a dinner of the South Carolinians at the Hotel Knicker boker. Senator Tillman does not ap prove of it and he said so without making much ado over it. "I'm not the sort,"'said he, "that likes to throw bouquets at anybody. I'd rather throw rocks instead.'' Then he got to it. " There is one thing that is on my mind, and it stays there most of the .time. It boils up once in a while and when I'm called on 'to make a speeeh, why, it just naturally comes to the surface. t mean the problem. the South 's problem, the pobem oif the Sphinx. "'Why is the South solid? Why dee it always vote the Democratic ti.ket? Wearwe in the minority. Why should the other fellow be coming along now and try to bamboozle us and lead us off after false gods after ll these yearsT Why the Democratic ticket-the Democratic ticket in this day and time? Why do I vote for the Democracy? Because I'm a white man, that's why. "Taft thinks seriously and ear nestly that it would be good to have the South split up. It would he a great thing for this Republican grab game in Washington. He says th3 election laws that the Southern States have passed have made us free of this black peril, and that it would be well for us to get some of the good that comes from being members of the dominant party? "You might think, if you, only think on the surface, that there are benefits to be -derived from what Mr. Taft urges.' AN ARCTIC TRAGEDY. The -Story of the Ill-Fated Erichsen Expedition. There is a romance and fascination about the frozen reaches of the unex plored region which appeals even to those who are quite willing to accept their knowledge of the* bleak North land at second hand. It is this whieh gives interest to the story of the expedition headed by Mylius Erichsen which left Copen hagen in 1906 to survey and chart the uncharted section of. Greenland and to determine whether this north ern possession of Denmark was an is land. The expedition accomplished its object, but only at the cost of life and great hardship. The party sailed from Copenhagen June 24, 1906, on the steamer Den mark. Its object was that of charting Greenland between Koldeney island on the east side and Cape Bridgman, Peary Land, at the northerly end of the island. The distance to be covered was approximately 1,400 kilometres, or 870 miles-a distance greater than the air-line distance between New York and Chicago. The vessel was an chored in an inlet beyond Cape Bis marek, on the east side of Greenland, which was christened port of Den ma-rk. Here the vessel remained two years while explorations were made. On Mareh 28, 1907, a caravaii of ten men and ninvety dogs set out to establish stations and take up the work of the expedition. It was di vided into four groups. One of these was made up of IErichsen, the leader; Lieut. Hagen, eartographer, and Bronund. Greenl'ander who could write. The second group was com posed of Capt. Koeh, Behtelsen, an artist, and Tobias Oabvielsen, of Greenland. This group, after travel ing for three months -toward the northeast, reached Cape Bridgmain, Peary Land, 'and turned back, hay ing reached its goal. On the way ack they met Eriehsen, who bed en countered difficulties. Eriehsen or dered them -to continue on the back track, and with his party continued toward the northwest, .hoping to find Cape Glacier, in Independence Bay. He 'and his two companies were not seen alive again. The progress of the party was made known by the diary kept by Bron'lund, which was found with other documents, carefully pack ed, slying beside his body. From the journal it was learned that within a week after leaving Koeh's party the supply of provisions became exhaust ed. From this time Eriehsen, 'his companions and their dogs, lived on such game as they could shoot. It ws under the same date, June 4, that these triumphant words appeared in the journal. "Cape Glacier is reach ed. The problem is solved. Greenland is an island.'' The journey back was a trying one. The ice had broken up, and it was~ evident that th-ey must wait until the autumn ice formed before they could advance. In the meantime the game heecame scareer and scarcer. On August 8 the journal recorded that several days had passed without a taste of meat. The dogs were losing strength and the men's boots were worn out. They tried to go further, hoe ferd geme, 1vt succeeded onNv in >nding on n'ye ice pack, where they found themselves sur rounded by water. They began to kill the dozs, whi'eh were unable to drag t.he sledges, feeding the remain their fellows. Sixteen days after be ing stranded on the ice floe they were enabled to reach land, They w ad only eight dogs. There was a break in the journal at this point, but the entries begin ning with October 19 indicate that the interval was a period of etruggle for life against hunger and *cold. On October 19 there were only four dogs -left, and they were without strength to pull the sledge. Their thought now was of saving the documents at any cost. On October 23 their boots gave out, and they were suffering agonies from their frozen feet. The last entry in Bronlund's diary bore no date. It read "Dying, 79 de grees in the fjord, after the attempt to cross the interior ice in November. I arrived here at the setting of the moon. I cannot proceed, as my feet are frozen and it is dark. The ,odies of the others lie in the midd&x of the fjord before the glacier. Hagen odied on November 15, Mylius ten days la ter. Jorgen Bronlund.'" Bronlund's body was found by the party which set out from the ship in search of the delayed group. By its side lay the journal and the precious documents, for the making and pre servation of which men and dogs willing and unwilling martyrs--had paid the price of their -ives.-Illus tration. SOCIAL. * * * * ** ** * ****0** * On Friday afternoon, April 16th, the members of the Philatea Class of the First Baptist Church gave a de lightful birthday 'party at the honre of Mrs. J. R. Davidson. A most de lightful afternoon was spent and much interest was taken in the gues ing contest which was had. The an swers to the questions were to be the names of flowers, fruits or vegetables. Miss Ethel Bowers received the prize for the best answers given, and the prize itself was a basket of flowers and fruits. The funds realized from this guessing contest will be used in furnishing the class room. Dmring the afternoon the hostess served a salad course. Saturdtay afternoon, Miss Carrie Pool gave a luncheon in honor of her friend, Miss Mary Camp, of Frank lin, Va., who ison a viit to her. Those who enjoyed Miss Pool's thos pitality were Misses Fannie Me Caughrin, Lucile Wilson, Blanche Davidson, Maud Langford, Lulie Hunt, Ethel Bowers, Mable Meador, Vanessa Williams, Semfih RIobinson, Florence Bowman, Adeline Johntone Annie Harms, Cora Dominiek, Elisa beth Dominick, Fannie Mae OC.rwie, Gertrude Carwile, Annie Jones, Ca mille Evans, Bessie Gilder, Mary Car wile Barton, Mesdames R. Herman Wright, David A. Langford, R. C. Boylston, A. T. Brown, J. W. Halti wanger 'and C. D. Weeks. The dining table at thi exquisite lunheon was most tastefully decora ted in pansies and nareissis. In the center of the table was a vase- of the narissus and banked around *tis were pansies and narcisus, and seat tered over the table were pansies. A delicious course luncheon was served, and between the courses the guests were entertained by post card puz Miss Sarah Robinson entertained the Wednesday Morning Club this week. The young ladies present amused themselves for a short while making embroidered ties, and the prize, a very dainty tie, was given to Mrs. W. C. Sehenek, as it was con eded she had succeeded in making the best tie made during the morning. The consolation prize, a bunch of violets. was given to Miss Maud Langford. Miss Robinson served ream and cake to her guests. Only the members of the clnb were pres ent wit'h the exception of Miss Camp, who is visiting Miss Carrie Pool. Mrs. W. K. Sigh entertained the Woman's Club this week, and she gave a talk on domestic science. Mrs. R. D. Wright was the leader of the lesson during this meeting. It was also tie time for electing offieers and the followinZ were elected: Mrs. S. B. Au-ll, prsidet: Mrs. W. H. Hunt, first vice president: Mrs. J. H. Harms, second vice president; Mrs. I. H. Hunt, sec retary; Mrs. M. L. Spearman, treas .urer, is Eiabeth Dominick, critic. Mr. Sam Dixon, from a Photograph Col. D. A. Dickert, from a Photo Made in 1877. graph Taken in 1872. A DANCE WITH DEATH E By Col. D. A. Dickert. Written for The Herald & News. All rights reserved. Some time in March, I enclosed a letter to one Mr. Sam Dixon, whom I had heard by chance, lived near Florence, to the Postmas ter of that -place, and asked him the favor -to see that it was de livered. In my -letter to the Postmaster, -I stated my reasons, for wishing it safely given to Mr. Dixon. That he ihad been my sole companion on a long and dangerous trip, as bearers of dispatches from the Army on the Santee, to the commander of Hood's army, that was supposed to be somewhere in Georgia or the western part of this State. Gen. Sherman's army was moving between and we had to pass twice through it, disguised as -tramp Federal soldiers. That Dixon had been so loyal and true, that now, that he still lived, I wished to -communicate with him, after having passed out of each other's lives, for forty-five years. The Postmaster was kind enough to have it delivered, and Mr. Dixon -was still suffi ciently interested in me, as to come to see me at once. The editor of the Florence Times, thought enough of my letter to .the Post master as to publish it in his paper. This was copied by other County papers in the State. Since that time I have received many letters from over the State, asking me to -write the story of our trip. I have never spoken or 'written of our experience, for two reasons; first, that for ten years after the war, such ineiden'ts of which I here write, were so common 'to all, that ours would not have been interesting. Thous arids of Southern soldiers suffered far more than we, and thous ands went through far more exciting and dangerous scenes than either of us. Second, 'that should Mr. Dixon be dead, his family might, have takien umbrage at my writing of him, whi-le not living, to defend 'himself, or deny incidents that might be considered detrimental t'o his moral character. But now, 'that hre is still living and gives his consent to the -telling of the story, I do so, 'with truth, as I remember it. Mr. Dixon can deny such as he thinks is error, and be silent about .those he knows to be true. So much for *explanations, now for the story. Gen. Hardee, of the Confederate Army, had evacuated Charles ton, and all the coast defences in his military district. Had eon centrated his little army on the North Eastern R. R. at .a small hamlet, St. Stephens, on the south side of the Santee. The Con federates under Gen. Hood had been disastrously defeated at Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and -were now making their way southeast, to' join Gen. Hardee. Gen. .Sherman, of the Uniorn army, with 60,000 troops was marching between, and nearing Co lumbia. It was imperative, to Gen. Hardee, that he should com municate with the command-er of Hood's beaten army, now Lieunt. Gen. Stewart. He made enquiries among his subordinate Generals, for a good. reliable officer, who would undertake the doubtful. mission of bearing orders to General Stewart. Maj. Gen. McLaws, for whom I had done much service, scou-ting down in the direction of Poc-otaligo and Savannah, recommended me to Gen. Hardee, and I was ordered to -that General's 'headquarters.. When the old Gen. saw me, he 'looked surprised, as well a-s disap pointed. He was looking for a man, not a st ripling, tow-'headed boy, and intimated as much in his enquiries. I must confess, in all can dor, there was nothing prepossessing ininy looks, nothing that would inspire confidence. He asked me many questions, my age, expe rience, what service I had seen, etc. After a long silence, he said, "I wish to communicate in all possible speed with the commander of Hood's army. and want a man who is willing to give his life, if necessary. nv" :, me. but to our country. This will be a 'hard undert'aking, full of hardship and fraught with many perils. I will not -omnand you. but if you will undertake the mission and carry it out successfully. you will be -rendering our c-ause a great service." I -aged He asked me if I knew my capt-ure meant