Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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i; Ledger Readers Should Patronize Ledger Advertisers. i o rceacn consumers in this Section Adver tise in The Ledger. A Newspaper in all that the Word Implies and Devoted to the Best Interests of the People it Subserves. VOL. III. NO. 23. GAFFNEY CITY, S. C., THUUSDAY, JULY 10, 1890. $1.00 A YEAH. THE REUNION IN RICHMOND AS SEEN BY OUR FRIEND J. L. STRAIN. v v - The Grand Parade to the Jefterson Mon ument-—-Gen. Wade Hampton, Corporal James Tanner and Others Speak. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Etta Jank, July 11—After closing my last letter I concluded that I would visit some of the principal places in the city, and gather all I could for this letter. My kind friend, the place selected for the meeting— had been built an auditorium capa ble of seating 10,000 people at one time. On the right, left and in front of the speaker’s stand flags had been stationed with the names of the diff erent states. Around these the dele gates of the various states gathered as they Came in the hall. The South Carolina delegates were stationed immediately on the right of the stand. North Carolina and Texas were on our right. In rear of eacli delegat ion was what was supposed to be a sufficient number of seats to ac commodate all the veterans from that state. Ours was full part of the time, as we had upwards of 1,000 veterans reported present. The meeting was opened with prayer by Uev. Jones, chaplain gen- Mr. C M Priest,'of Boston, hitched, ^al. While Governor O’Farrell was up his dashing young horse and asked me to tak. a seat with him and he would show me all the noted places in the city I had not visited. First he took me to the Colonial State- house, which is now a museum. Here I saw something of almost every thing that can be found in such a place—Gen’l. Pulnan’s uniform coat, sword and pistols, the shoes worn by Gen’l. Washington at the battle of Trenton, some of the dishes of Mrs. Martlia Washington, the original American Hug when only thirteen states composed the I'nion, any amount of muskets, bayonets, pow der horns, the bullet moulds which were used for furnishing the troops with bullets to fight the batfclp of Bunker Hill. This I will describe as a loug pair of bullet moulds in which the melted lead was poured in at one end of a grove and running down filled all the holes, making a dozen bullels at a’time. 1 could not in any reasonable time tell all I saw in this the oldest and most thoroughly equip ped museum in this country. The next place I went to was Fan- nuel Hall—the|higtory of which is known to every well read school boy and girl in this country. Here was the cradle of American liberty. I next visited the Boston harbor where the tea was thrown overboard. Noth ing is there but the calm sea with its hundreds of little boats and larger vessels to repeat its history. Between Fannuel Hall and the old Colonial State house, in the middle of the street, is a mound which is ktpt as a reminder that iiere the first blood of the revolutionary war was shed. I did not go to the Bunker Hill mon ument, only got a glimpse of it at a distance. The “Hug pond.” which is u natural basin of water,clear as a crystal, stands in the center of one of the most public and delightful parks in Boston. The green sward on all sides protect it. and its waters have never been known to get muddy or become stagnont. I think it is a spring witli a subterranean outlet. It covers about half an acre of land. From the top of the Ames building (which is over 200 feet high) one can get u full view of the city and its surroundings, even as far us Worces ter, (pronounced Wooster), which is 44 miles oil. This, of course, re quires the aid of a glass. Taken all in all. Boston has properly been called the “Hub” for it is the hub of this nation, sure. I hud made it up in my mind to take the fastest train in New England when the time came for me to return home. This 1 did. Leaving Boston at 12 m. on Haturduy we came into New Yoikjust ten minutes behind the train which left three hours ahead of us. Wc made the following stops : at Worcester, (Wooster), Springfield, Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport and New York. The distance from Boston to New York is 2114 miles and the trip was inode in five hours in eluding the stops. Springfield is the ■ prettiest city ii^ail New England, I believe The trip was a very pleasant one—and in daylight. I was struck with the beauty of the Connecticut rive.-. It is about a quarter of a mile wide below Springfield where we crossed it, and we could see the rocks and sand on the bottom all the way across, the water was so clear. The bridge is high enough to let sail boats pass under it. Home one has said it is the m* st beautiful river in all New England and so it is. if I am any judge. Along its banks are fine grain of all kinds as well as vegetable gardens, which dot all the New Eng land states, the cultivation of which is a profitable industry. We left New York at 9 p. m. and arrived at Richmond at 9 the next morning.« Monday was spent in looking around tli6 city and making prepara tions for the veterans who were to come on the evening trains. All, or most of tiie business places, dwell- Jng houses and public building were beautifully decorated and the entire \ty preserved a holiday appearance. The veterans and their friends were ten charge of by the city authorl- ps and given quarters and board liero they hadn't made arrange- ance for it in the city. > given them at head- ch enf illed* them to the the city. AJ1 Monday IKBeduy morning they kept tntU the city was overflow- Jtn, At thefairiyounds— bents in adi adges wen triers whi s of making the address of welcome Gen. .V’ade Hampton entered the hall. This was a signal for tremendous ap plause. As he walked up the aisle bowing to the right and left, thous ands of handkerchiefs kept time to the pandemonia of applause from the floor and galleries. Governor O’Far rell was forced to stop until the storm subsided. But before he got through calls were made for Hamp ton! Hampton! we want to hear from Hampton! While the other speeches which followed Governor O'Farrell were being made, repeated calls were made for Hampton and General Gordon was compelled to suspend the regular programme and let General Hampton speak. This put a quietus on matters and the program was proceeded with without further interruption. Before Genl. Hampton spoke us Genl. Gordon would introduce some other speaker cries were made*. “Sit down, we don’t want to hear anything from you,” “We want to hear from Wade Hamp ton of, South Carolina.” Things went on in the tenor of their ways for the next throe days the convention was in session, with everybody and everything brimful of rejoicing and hilarity. Everybody was in good spirits. Officers and men occupied the same level, and no drunkenness or other disorderly con duct was seen or heard of on the parade ground. The presence of a large force of policemen in citizen’s dress was, no, doubt, a great protec tion to our rural people against pick pockets and other sharpers. The city authorities had thrown every safeguard around their guests that possibly could he done. A policeman was on each street car and on every street corner, ready to lend a helping hand to ladies, children, decrepits and others who needed protection or help to pass through the hustling crowd. The colored people were not allowed to blockade the sidewalks as they often do in our Southern cities. Neither were the white allowed to do so. The second and third dayu of the convention was one constant source of pleasure. The exercises were in terspersed with incidents which pro voked tremendous applause. When Mrs. President Davis’ family came into the auditorium the vast throng went wild with enthusiasm. Ten thousand vaiies were yelling liuzzalis, and as many haukerchiefs and hats and umbrellas kept to time the music. This matronly mistress of the Con federate White House politely ac knowledged the compliment witii a gentle bow to the vast audience and took her seat. The sumo applause was repeated as Genl. Gordon intro duced each member of the Confeder ate Presidential household. The next incident was the introduction of Cor poral James Tanner, the legless ex- Union soldier whose speech has al ready been published in most of the daily papers. This I feel like repro ducing here even if it is like thresh ing over the old straw. It is too good and patriotic to be lost and goes a long ways toward healing the old sore that politicians and other male- contents would like to keep running. Of his speech I took copious notes, and on comparison with those of official Stenographer Wood I found we were a unit on what he said. I will give his speech in full next week. I took it down especially for Tiik Lkixjkk readers as well us other papers which I hud the honor to rep resent. I must acknowledge the courteous treatment 1 received at the hands of tbs gentlemanly correspondents of some of the leading daily papers of this country, both north and south. Although most of them wore young men yet they were, so far as I could see, first class gentlemen in every respect. The reception of Mrs. President Davis, at the old Executive Mansion on the first evening, and that of the grand concert at the auditorium on the second evening of the convention were among the leading features of the occasion. Tens of thousands of all classes, ages and conditions of people attended these meetings. The sing ing wf-’* some of the confederate war songs in which five hundred well trained voices took part is better im agined than described. These songs were interspersed with music from the various bands present. In speaking of Corporal Tanner’s speech 1 forgot to say thii, us he the band In the the stand struck up “Dixie.” This was followed with prolonged cheering. As soon as quiet was restored Genl. Gordon turned around and with a significent wave of his hand said, “Now play ‘Yankee Doodle.’ ” This was the signal for tremendous ap plause, and well did it succeed. During the day a band of thirty pieces from Baltimore, Md., entered the auditorium playing “Maryland, My Maryland.” This was followed by “Dixie” from the gallery to which round after round of applause gave emphasis Baltimore was bidding for the next meeting of tiie United Confederate Veterans, but Nashville, Tenn., had already secured the prize. The third and last day of the con vention was only a repetition of the scenes of the two previous day in the auditorium. Early that morning I took a street ear for Oak wood ceme tery, where I hud not yet been, al though I had spent several days in the city. As soon as we disembarked from the cars and started for the grounds I fell in with a man by the name of Duncan, from Georgia, who with his two sons, was going to look after some relatives and a brother who was hurried there. He is a dis tant relative of Muj. I). R. Duncan, of Spartanburg, and left Spartanburg county several years before the wur. His brother was wounded at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1804. and died in one of tiie hospitals in the eastern portion of tiie city. He had taken his two sons (now grown) to show them the ground upon which lie fought during the bloody days of ’01 to ’05. Orders were issued the evening be fore that the South Carolina Division of United Confederate Veterans as semble at Third and Broad streets at 12:30 p.m. to join the parade and march to Monroe Bark, wlieie the corner stone of the JelTerson Davis monument was to be laid that Thurs day afternoon. As soon as our line was formed a full supply of palmetto was given each man with instructions to do ns he wished with it. The visiting mil itary companies from the different states were first in line before tiie veterans, following the children’s brigade which headed the column. The children’s brigade was com manded by Captain Smith Bedford. The bright faces of the little folks was the prettiest sight in the parade. The girls, some of them not over seven or eight years old. led the bri gade. All of them were dressed in white with red sashes over their shoulders and around their waists. Then came the little boys who were as demonstrative as the old vets or the more active military could have been. These principally made up the Sunday school classes of the city, and that fact made it tiie more im pressive with the writer. After tiie military came Mrs. Jefferson Davis and the sponsros and maids of iionor. They rode in carriages behind match horses beautifully coparisoned, while the vehicles glistened in the sun. When the South Carolina’s sponsor, Miss Capers, with Miss Mary Elliott Moore, maid of Iionor, came along her carriage was profusely decorated with palmetto. This was a signal for applause in which thousands on eacli side of Broad street, even to the topmost windows of the highest buildings on either side, took part. Flags, lulls, handkerchiefs and para sols in countless numbers were waved to the huzzahs for the Palmetto State. When these had pas ! cd there came the veterans of the two Virgin ias all dressed in gray uniforms. After these the South Carolina Di vision followed by the other states in the order in which they seceded from the Federal Union. The pro cession moved at 1 :30 p. m. The line of march was down Broad street from Adams to Eleventh, then to Capitol street, down Capitol to Gov ernor then to Grace, up Grace to Fifth, thence to Franklin and up Franklin to Monroe Bark. The entire line was one continuous ovation. The streets and sidewalks, balconies, porticoes, doors, windows and even the top of the tallest build ings was literally packed with* hu manity and on all sides before and behind a sea of faces greeted us and such a yelling, waving of hats, hund- kurchiefs and liuzzuhing 1 never heard before. At almost every street crossing the column came to a halt, and such a jabbering you never heard. Along tiie line of march as we passed young ladies, and elder ones, too, would run out and grasp the old soldiers’ hands and wish them God speed and with tears in their eyes tell that they have a husband, father or brother killed in the war. Every old soldier had something cheerful to say in response. Frequently an old decropid veteran,standing on the side walk would throw his arms around the Dock of IBs comrade as lie passed and gi' e vent to his emotions in tears. Frequently an old gruy- headed veteran would step oftfc of tanks and grub the arm of a young lady and tell her to come on and go to Houth Carolina with him and he would take good care of her, etc. Bomctiines they would pull away at once and in good humor, or else walk half a block and then *gth many wejl wishes and “good byi^' return former experience. Muj. Tom Wood ward, of Fairfield, kisse l a beautiful young lady on the route. This pro voked a deafening round of applause. The average reader may think that tiie whole party—men. women and children were drunk, but such was not the case. It was a day of general hi arity and everybody understood it as such. The best of feeling pre- virlcd and tm dis inciiou was made be:ween high and low, ricli or poor. The old soldiers had captured tiie city and their captives were rejoicing wirh them. Arriving at the park the gu : x* was thrown open and the old veterans marched in and took pos session. The beautiful lawn was soon covered with tired old soldiers \vl j) went to cracking jokes while waiting for their comrades to come up Al/iut this time 1 said to Gen eral Walker, “General, what’s the or'er now?” “Just do as you ph ase,” was his answer After the military, veterans and ejfniatis had all arrived and sur rounded the stand the ceremonies preparatory to laying tiie corner stone of the Jefferson Davis monu ment were opened with prayer by Rev. George Rov, of tiie Masonic brotherhood. The following were th" exact words he used : “Our Eternal Father, God of love an i mercy, God of all comforts, joy and peace, giver of all good gifts and graces, we ask thy presence and blessing, as we essay to place this foundation stone of the shaft of our distinguished countryman. As tiie sky that bends in beauty over this city and southland in this high noon of the year, so may thine own haml send in blessings over the Grand Lodge, of Virginia, and all Masons here present. May this pleasant auspices bo carried to completion with thy gracious ulessing. May high wisdom lie displayed, not only in the choice but in the arrangement of the sundry materials of which this memorial is to be built. May those charged with the execution of this work be enabled to complete it in the beautiful simplicity of its architect ure, and be in Thy divine keeping. May.every metuDer of the committee of this memorial association live to see Jlie cap-stone placed upon it and receive the plaudits of the veteran Confederates and their children, and rejoice in 1 liqconsciousness of having done well. May no accident befall the workmen from the architect down to the lowliest stone quarrier or burden bearer, and when com pleted may this shaft, pointing heavenward, lift alike Hie hearts of the men in gray and the men in blue to better hopes in American destiny and inspire our people with nobler aspirations for freedom, home and conn try. We stand at tiie base of this rising monument, and thunk Thee thou great sovereign of the ages for our private and pubic rights as citizens of this great republic, for the rights of self-government and state sovereignity maintained by four years of bloody warfare; and while the nation’s integrity is happily maintained, being cemented in blood; we thunk Thee ’that in the grandeur of its unity the great principle of local self-government is enthused in the hearts of our countrymen in tiie north, south, east and west. We bend under tiie sunlight today to thank Thee for the presence of this great multitude of battle-scarred veterans—tiie fettered and worn links that bind us to a generation of heroes, pour out thy blessings on them today in copious effusion. We give Thee thunks for the story of our heroic dead, for our Leo and Jackson and Jefferson Davis and the great heart of their co-udjutors now dead. Assembled at this spot, sacred to the memory of our dead chieftain, wo now recall his exalted virtues—we remember the distinguished accom plishments, the statesmanship and heroism of tho dead president—the first and lust chieftain of tiie dead confederacy, whose influence by re flex action is still felt in preserving the liberties ami moulding the des tinies and civilization of tiie nation. We arp thankful to Thee our Heaven ly Father that he was permitted by a long life of virtue, self con trol and fortitude to show the glory of their own image even down to the sunset of his own life. Wo pray that Thy blessing may bo on tho people bo loved in all this southland, and on any people who may have hated him. Commend Thy blessing on the noble woman who is with us today, and who shared his fortunes in victory and defeat. May the evening of her life bo as bright and peaceful as tho summer sunsets. Let tho charms of her life story be a goodly heritage to our w.ves and daughters in this our Sunny South, and in this grave old city—tho capi tal of tliejsouthorn confederacy. Bour out Thy richest blessings upon the daughter of this illustrious family who is kept from this scene today by accident, and let her pathway he bright and Irtir heart bo glad with Thy fervor all her days. Grunt that the veteran soldiery ol the confeder ate armies who have assembled hero to do homage to the ‘Lost Cause.' May each carry with him Thy heav enly benedictions. Forbid that any accident may befall thorn while re turning to their hoi ones while they are absent from them. And now. Oh. Heavenly Fa ther, look kindly on our reunited na tion, and give to it that ‘righteous ness that exulteth u people’ and let the liberties purchased for us by the blood and treasures of our fathers be perpetuated to unborn generations that Thy name may be glorified in the history and destiny of our native land. All this we ask through the merit of the Lion of the tribe of Ju dah and for thy name and mercy’s sake. Amen.” Tho band then played “Nearer my God to Thee—nearer to Thee.” Af ter some other preliminaries, which 1 have not room to report here, Gen’l.. Stephen D. Lee, the orator of the day, delivered an oration which was well received and which practically' ended tiie reunion exercises. Tiie posters “keep of the grass” which were conspicuous all over the park were without force during the exercises at the monument, and all over the green sward, under the cool shade, could be seen groups of veter ans, or young men and young ladies enjoying the balmy air as it rustled through the foliage overhead. It was a perfect hey-day with the visitors. Young and old enjoyed themselves together. Some sparkling wit with a little sarcasm—enough to make it palatable—flowed in 'profusion. The old nicknames of states were used in addressing troops from different states, for instance, the South Caro linians were “sand lappers,” North Carolina “tur heels,” Georgia “goober granblers,” etc. While all this was going on I was accosted by a dudish young fellow witli his best girl on his arm, his hair parted in the middle, spike toed slioes on his feet and fuzzy mus tache on his lip—evidently he was one of the smart aleck vanity of southern gentleman in his own es- ^ timation, amt I hope the readers will not charge me with egotism for re I peating what passed between us' He said : “Hello mister; are you from North or South Carolina?” “I am from South Carolina,” was the seply. “I didn’t know, that they raised palmetto in both those states,” he continued, Tiie young lady*, who evidently was not present at the laying of the cor ner stone of Solomon’s Temple, said : “I have some palmetto which came from North Carolina,” at the same time exhibiting a .wisp she had pin ned to her bosom. “That may be so. madam; but I doubt if,” was our answer. “Oh, it grows in North Carolina abundantly,” she said. “Berhaps it does, but its not tho genuine article,” was our reply. “Well,” says our dudish friend, “what do you raise in South Caro lina, anyway, besides palmetto?” “VYc raise ladies and gentlemen,” was our reply. “And you buy your liquor by the bottleful,” he continued. “Yes; we go the whole hog or noth ing. We are none of your two-for- a-nickle kind of people down there.” “Good bye old friend,” he said as he took his dulcina on his arm and pro ceeded toward the* Magrtida-Ewell Camp, of Williamsburg. Va., who had enjoyed our colloquy very much. “I’leasaiit day to you both. Hope your troubles in ill's life (if any) will he few at a time and small enough for you to handle with ease and pleasure,” was our henedition. Thus ended one of the moat joyous occasions it was over my lot to take part in. Next week I will try and give Home other items 1 find it impossible to crowd into this tong letter. 1 have purposely left out some items I pro cured specially for Tiik LKixiKK for fear of trespassing upon the space, as well as patience of the Editor. You will hear frorfl me, yet. 4. r. s. The Nomination. The nomination of Bryan and Sewn 11 was well received in the city. Mr. Bryan’s masterful argument on silver has hud inuch to do with alienating tho fear of the gold men and the ticket will be heartily sup ported. This one thing we should bear in mind: No matter who is elected it cannot affect the prosperity of this great American people. Tho only thing we need to fear is flood, famine or pestilence. Fear God and do right and no political power can affect you. Tub Lkikikk hopes to see William Jennings Hrynn inaugurated on March 4th, 181)7. He represents the cause of a common people and above all he Is a Democrat. * Qermetucr ta the Beat. Mr. C. P. McLain, Acworth, Gn , says: “Several years ago my wife suffered from attacks of bilious colic and indigestion. She used different medicines and tried several doctors, hut all without permanent benefit. She used Royal Germotuer some years ago, and it has given her more relief than all else, and she recom mends it to tho afflicted.” Write to tho Atlanta Chemical Co., Atlanta, Ga., for 4M page book giving full In formation, free. New package, large Ixiitlch. 1 os doses, $1. For sale by Dui’urc. I FLAW CONSOLES HIMSELF BY PICKING HIS BANJER. He Don’t Look For Much of a Punish ment After Judgement Day— T ells About Missing Dinner, Etc. (Correspondence of The ledger ) Dkavton\tli.k, July 14.—Down in this here ole Coalin’ Grouu’ precinct, where the grand ole lofty mountain giveth forth her healthful sprays, where tho mockin’ birds an’ bee- martins gather to practice their lat est songs of comfort, where the keen, shrill voice of the thoroughbred game cock an’ the cackle of his companions tend to cheer an’ aunimateone who’s overcome by discouragements, where corn bearin’ from four to six full grown ears to the stalk blacken the field an’ cluster ’round an humble cottage an’ makes domestic life u source of happiness, lies old Flaw postrale on a bed of affliction, while iiis ole banjer occupies tothcr half of tiie bed. When 1 git to studyin’ about Ule Pete (starvation) an’ my heart gits heavy, 1 resort to my ole banjer an’ console myself by its sweet melodies till all is forgotten. “Love begelteth love” is an ole adage 1 know, but hit sounds so much like Bible talk an’ has proved itself to me so many times lliat 1 can’t help but b’lieve it. The peo ple of this immediate neighborhood have all showd their sincere affec tions fer ole Flaw, an’ ole Flaw’ll re member them so loug as the ages of eternity shall roll ’round, or rather so long as i keep my memory. By tiie way. Kernel, the editor talked sorter like he thought you an’ 1 was off on a drunk together right after the Fourth, didn’t he? An’ he went on to say that “Flaw would tell if it was so,” er somethin’ to that amount. He lias got ole Flaw down ’bout right, fer if it had bin so 1 shore would have told it, jist same as I did the time I went a possum huntin’ an’ didn’t have sense enough to git out of the woods—through tiie papers. No sir-ee, you won’t find one jot or title ol hypocracy about Flaw; every spot or blemish on him is shown up to tho public eye; every evil or good thought worthy of note is freely spoken or pencilled off to the public hy ole Flaw as hit comes up. That’s what makes ule Flaw such a booger- boo. Ef some other folks would show’their hand to the world thus- wise, an’ stop bein’ such infernal hypocrits the Christian citurchos of today would disburse of half their numbers, an’ half tiie world would be surprised at tho other half. Somehow er oilier I don’t look fer mutch of a punishment after judge ment day, fer because the Bible don’t speak of but one judgement day fer the wicked as 1 cun find any wheres and He’s more than likely to git a holt of Monroe Mize or Little Mack before lie does me an ef it comes out that way he’ll be all day on their cases an I’ll be moru’n likely to come clear. Some Flav-loviu’ Lkhukimtk is anxious to hear what he lias to say about the Fourth, it seems. Well, I’ll jist bile it down in a few W’ords an jist say as 1 go ’long that the crowd was thur. Et anybody in Spartanburg, York or Union counties knowed anybody else in Spartanburg, York or Union counties they was liable to meet ’em thur that day, an ef anybody failed to git their dinner it was because somebody else acted the hog an eat too mutch, but, shuw ! you’ll always find a drove of these dadburn little pine ridge pinch sided shouts at most every gatherin’, an they can eat as much as a hog, an then, after they cat twice as much as they ort to—all they cun possibly hold—they most ingennerally git in the trough witli their feet an turn it over—in other words, they eat all they can hold and then grab fer more an throw it on the ground. A dog would do better’ll that, fer ef he should chance to git more than he could hide internally lie would hide it elsewhere and go back an git it agin when he got hungry, .^w, 1 wasn’t at the table at dinner tmie an didn’t see none of this carryin’ on, but I say, most ingiuneruliy bit’s the esse st Bitch s gatherin'. Fl.AW UlfKKlt. —- — - — Free Pills. Send your address to 11. E. Bucklen A Co., Chicago, ami get a free sample box of Dr. King’s New Life Fills. A trial will convince you of their merits. These pills are easy in action and are particularly effective in the cure of Constipation and Sick Headache. For Malaria and Liver troubles they have been proved invaluable. They are guaranteed to be perfectly free from every deleterious substance and to be purely vegetable. They do not weaken by their action, but by giving tone to stomache and bowels greatly invigorate the system. Regu lar size 2o«. per box. Sold by W. B, DuFre, Druggist.