Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

V * OAK GROVE SCHOOL This picture of the student body of Oak Grove School was taken around 1890. Oak Grove, a typical rival one-teacher “grammar school* of that era, is located on the “old road’ to Laurens about a half mile from the County Home. The building, somewhat in disrepair, still stands. One of these students, Bla kely Sloan (seated in center of window at right), was later to serve as mayor of Clinton. Front row: Charlie Sand ers, Maggie Sanders, Lil Mae Bailey, Rosa Bailey, Leafe Weathers, Frank Simpson, Franz Shockley. Second Row: Lizzie Sloan, Minnie Cunningham, Lena Cun ningham, Maggie Blakely, Lil lian Shockley, Grace Franks, Alice Blakely (Teacher), Ola i, Minnie McSwain.Thad George Taylor, Lunsford Simpson, PaxieJean- es, M. C. Hudson, Erskine Blakely. Third Row: Zuella Jeanes, Alma McSwain, Estelle Wea thers, Bessie Cunningham, Belle Sanders, Lillie Hairston, Lizzie Simpson, William Sloan, Gregg Jeanes, Charlie ston, Wade Simpson. Hair- Fourth Row: Rex Jeanes, Thad Blakely, J. D. Jeanes, Lucy Sloan, Lidie Sloan, Mary Jeanes, Victor Weathers, Bla kely Sloan, Earl Goodwin. Mary Musgrove -Heroine, Legend Mary Musgrove and Gail- brath (Horseshoe) Robinson have become legendary in Lau rens County for their heroic action during American Revo lution. The bravery and de votion of Miss Musgrove tol Robinson and to the American cause were actual facts, how ever, and were instrumental in the American victory at the Battle of Musgrove’s Mill. Miss Musgrove’s father, Ma jor Edward Musgrove, was a Tory leader and the owner of a grinding mill on the Enoree River, north of present day Clinton. Mary was engaged to be married to the son of a neigh boring plantation owner, but the signing of the Declaration of Independance in 1776 and the first shots fired at Lexington and Concord forced them to postpone their plans when the boy went to war. Mary was an ardent defend er of the American cause, and her father being a leading tory made this a rather dangerous position to be in. Many of the Tory leaders in the Lau rens and Clinton area stopped at the Mill to discuss stra tegy in their battle against the Continentals. Mary often over heard these plans and made them known to American forces operating in the area. Mary performed her most heroic act when she decided to rescue “Horseshoe* Rob inson from the British. Rob inson was a young soldier in the Continental Army and the British were going to excute him. Mary rode into the Brit ish camp with food and a note authorizing his release. After the British had discovered what had happened, they launched an extensive search for the young soldier, but Mary had hidden him under some waterfalls near her home. Robinson was able to escape. Mary was also instrumental in the American victory over a larger Tory force at the Battle of Musgrove Mill. She over heard the Tory plan of battle at her father's house and made it known to the Americans. Thus, Mary Musgrove, a girl only 19 years old, may have changed the course ofthe Revo lution in the extremely impor tant Carolina Piedmont. This was a stronghold of Tory acti vity in the two Carolinas, and the victory at Musgrove’s Mill made them largely ineffective as a fighting force in the Pied mont. As for Mary, her con dition was weakened con siderably by her vallient effort to save Robinson. She took him food every day under the falls, and her lungs became very weak. She died shortly after the war ended. 8—THE CHRONICLE, Clinton, S. C., Nov. 12, 1970 • ••••••••• • « ••••••••a • •••••••a • i i CHEVROLET x $ The late Mr. C. C. Giles was the first Chevy Dealer in Clinton. He served this area from 1928*1957. We purchased the business from Mr. Giles in 1957 and have been here since that date. WE ARE PROUD OF THIS AREA AND OF ITS PART - BUT LOOK FORWARD TO AN EVEN BRIGHTER FUTURE. Plaxico Chevrolet, Inc. 400 West Main Clinton, S. C. aa#aa»a#« LAURENS WkTtefor^V Crtaivt Burner CLINTON Fine Foods.,. At Whitefords, you will find your favorite foods prepared just the way you like them! Service We are equipped to handle the crowds which fine foods create ....so, we may be crowded but you will find the service fasti WHITEFORDS GIANT BURGER IN CLINTON AND LAURENS