The ledger. [volume] (Gaffney City, S.C.) 1896-1907, September 09, 1897, Image 1

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I -*J. C. JEFFERIES,* ) At\»>rncy ,nd Cou Mil the Courts GAFFNEY, S. C. unsellor at Law. Practices in Collections a Specialty To Reach Consumers in this Section Adver tise in The Ledger. • A Newspaper in all that the V/ord Implies and Devoted to the Best Interests of the People of Cherokee County. VOL. IV, SO. GAFFNEY CITY, S. C., THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER !>, KS«)7. $1.00 A YEAR. OLD SOLDIERS’ REONION. GREENVILLE TREATS THEM ROYALLY. The Sage of Etta Jane Gives a Full ' and Complete Account of the Doings of the Old Veterans. and requehtfd to appoint three com- ; to be anatda, but not radcs at his discretion to prepare I the Irishman who sang: narratives, each of them of some experiences or r» collections of the war to he read at our a ions and preserved as a oral history. .Major J. K. Hart spoko in refer ence to the State’s historian and his work of getting up the rolls of the companies now on file in tfie righ awav as [ muid reu ti p-art of gen- ■•1 v. ant to In- an an^fl. For this I hopf and pray. ! want to In* an aniffi Itutnot just right away.' For some litne Gol. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Ktta Jane, Sept., (i.—Before pro-' ceeding with my account of the re- ; union 1 wish to call attention to n few typographical errors which ! makes my published report, so far, i appear in a false light. The fault is j doubtless mine, and not the printers, j as I ought to have written plainer, i an' made to say that the oeautiful women of our State were •‘humbly'' instead of “honorably” represented by the sponsors and maids of honor. It should have been cx-l.ieutenant Governor Mauldin, instead of ex- Lieutenunt Mauldin, Col. Coward in stead of Col. Conurd, and that was pledged by the camps to build a monument to the women of our State and county instead of ifdtHi, Thursday morning opened bright and beautiful and the balmy breeze which always makes the Mountain City a popular resort for low country people during the torrid heat of sum mer kissed the brow and gave prom ise of an auspicious day for the old veteran's meeting. Main street from the Confederate Monument to the U. S. Court House was literally packed with humanity, while the stores, hotels and boarding houses were full of visitors, both oid and young, mule and female. During the night the incoming trains had •brought large numbers of veterans, and sons and daughters of veterans, as well as visitors to the c'ty, and around the hotels and board ing houses aa well as on the streets could be seen scores of sleepy looking men who had to sit up all night or rest the best they could on chairs in the sitting rooms of hotels or upon the curbstones. The city was full and overflowing with humanity. A Tidal wave had come during the wiight and the visitors were unable To hunt up or find the private board ing houses. That was the cause of so many failing to get lodging places. Ample preparations had been made by the people of the city to house and feed the crowd. On Buncombe street Comrade C. T. Bridges and myself had a large commodious room with two good beds in it, all to our selves, and a table at which u king might have feasted in royal style was spread for us both night and morning. After we had breakfasted we set out to see what was going on and who we could find. It was a grand sight to see the old veterans meet after thirty-two years separation and grasp each others hand in cordial fellow feeling and brotherly love, and recount incidents that drew tears from each others eyes. Com rades Dr. A. K. Kant, of Santuck, and Andy Mitchell had the best time of any two veterans on the ground I think. Upon their hats in large letters they had printed: ‘‘Gary’s Brigade, Co., C, 7th 8. C. Cavalry, McKissick Bangers.” This brought them to the notice of Gary’s old Bri gade and through them many of our old comrades were found out. One man, a member of the 21th Georgia Regiment who belonged to Gary’s Brigade introduced himself to the doctor and told of many inci dents with which we were perfectly familiar. When he was told how two of liis comrades were rescued by McXissick’s men at Williamsburg and brought oil the field dead he wept like a child.) Long before the] hour for meeting the stairways to Beattie Hall were crowded with men, women and child ren seeking admittance*. The janitor told the crowd that tliere would he nothing done in the hall until NMO that evening, when the grand re ception would take place. Many were turned away, hut others, knowing the program too well to be bluffed, stayed on until 10 a. m., when Gen. Walker and his slat! with brigade and regimental officers came in and the business of Hie convention was re sumed. Chaplain dwell renewed his ap- pe-ul for the “woman’s monument ” The camps which did not respond on the night before were now given an opportunity to do so, and tell what amount they would give. More than $1,000 was readily pledged which with private subscriptions swelled the amount to more than $o,0U0. The chaplain offered for sale some fifty or more copies of “war recollec tions,” written by himself, the pro ceeds of which was to supplement the monument fund. These were readily taken at fifteen cents apiece by the comrades and their sons. (Your correspondent having bought one two years ago did not need any.) Gen. M. C. Butler then introduced the following resolution which was unaiVm <usly adopted: Keiolved, that the commanding general of this division be authorized Adjt. General’s office, in accordance with a resolution passed two years ago. These rolls he said had been prepared and sent out,’ but few of them have ever been corrected and returned to Gen. II. L. Farley who has charge of the work. A resolu tion was adopted looking to that end. At the request of the ladies’ Me morial Association Adjt. Jas. G. Holmes presented the Winchester monument .-elierne to the conven tion. in behalf of the ladies’ of Greenville ox-Lieut. Gov. Man vited the convention to a picnic at the city park at 1 o'clock p. m. This invitation was met by applause and cheers for the ladies of Greenville and South Carolina. Gen. Crittenden suggested that when the veterans started for the picnic grounds that they form a line and inarch a few blocks down the street, and then counter marc!) so that the whole procession can be seen from the shop windows and other places where the citizens and visitors can place themselves to get a view of the marching column. His suggestion was adopted. He urged as his reason for this request that he was proud that he was a Confederate veteran and since he had looked into the faces of the members of this con vention and seen the fair women who hud graced the occasion with their presence he was prouder than ever of the distinction. Adjt. Gen. Moorman sent a com munication expressing regrets at not being able to attend the convention of the chivalrous sons of South Caro lina. adding that South Carolina had the strongest organization of United Confederate Veterans in the South, This was read by Adjt. Gen. Jas. G. Holmes. Capt. R. S. DesPortes, commander of Camp Hampton U. C. V., offered the following resolution which was unanimously adopted by a rising vote and three cheers for Greenville : “Resolved : Tliat the South Caro lina division United Confederate Yet- ans, in convention assembled, beg to express to the good people of the pro gressive city of Greenville the sincere thanks of the survivors of the armies of the Southern Confederacy in our Palmetto State, and elsewhere, who have been the recipients on this oc casion of Greenville’s most liberal hospitality. We all hope it will be our privilege to come back again.” Col. James Armstrong, the witty and eloquent Irish orator of Charles ton, after being introduced to the convention read a formal invitation of the Charleston city council, and the Young Men’s Business League of that city asking the veterans to hold their next meeting in that city. The invitation was unanimously accepted by a rising vote, and amid great applause. In his-excellent and witty talk lie kept the convention in a roar of laughter for some time. Taken all in all it was the best part of the convention. His Irish wit captivated the convention and cries of -go on” were heard when heat- tempted to take his seat. He said “we want the veterans to come to Charleston, every one of them next spring (or whenever the convention meets), but lie would not invite them us the Irishman did his friend: -If you ever get within a mile of my house, stop tl. -re please.’ If the veterans ever come down near Charleston he wanted them to come on into the city.” Referring to what Gen. C. I. Walker had said in reference to wulk- I ing from the convention hall to the picnic grounds (“that he was a poor hand to walk hut would go with his comrades ’),Col. Armstrong said, “All though the General commanding is in tiie stationery business he is one of the best Walkers in this country. Referring to a witticism thrown out by Col. Hoyt, Col. Armstrong said it was both sweet and fragrant, and he would call upon the ladies to know if there was an. thing in that line more fragrant than Hoyt's cologne. Continuing he went on in a hu morous vein to describe an Irish man’s love affair, and how he got even with the object of his adoration after being rejected. The Irishman while burning his returned letters was asked if he was burning incense to cupid. “No,” said he, “1 am burning nonsense to stupid.” He looked at the great assembly of beautiful and lovely women and re gretted that he was not young again, that he might apply to Chaplain El- well to unite him in the holy bonds of matrimony, “But then,” he said, “I might he in the Irishman’s fix whose second marriage was not happy, and who said, “he was very sorry lie had not married his last wife first.’ ” Col. Armstrong, I learn, is a widower. He referred to the ladies as angels, hut he was glad that they were not going to take their flight to another world as long as they could stay in this one. lie wanted them \rm-drong j kept up his witticisms and enter- ' tained the audience, and there are ! several remarks he made which i would like to give the readers of Tin: J.kdcek, but it is out of my power to do so in I he space allowed me, so I will hope to get them off now and then us i find space for them in fu- •t ure correspondence. Gen. Walker announced that the time had come for the election of officers- for the ensuing year. Col. Asbury Coward and Col. (). L. Schumpert were instantly on tiieir feet and simultaneously made mo tions that the old officers be re elected. This was carried with a rising vote. Col. Schumpert moved that the brigade commanders he re din in- i elected the same way and nominal* d Gen. Carwile commander for the S'-eond brigade. He was elected. So was Col. Asbury Coward elected as commander of the first brigade. The business of the convention be ing practically ended the veterans gave the “Rebel yell” with great vigor and enthusiasm. Capt. DesFortes stepped to the front of the stage while Col. Coward was speaking and waved the portrait of Gen. Wade Hampton. This was a signal for tremendous applause that almost shook the buiidii.g. Calls were made for Gen. M. C. But ler to make a speech hut lie declined, saying,, “I have learned too much of human nature to undertake to make a speech to a lot of Confederate vet erans who are waiting for tiieir ra tions.” Chaplain Elwell announced his ‘‘general committee” for the coming campaign for the “woman's monu ment” in accordance with the reso lution passed the night before. This cominitte has the power to appoint sub-committees us they deem proper, to assist them in whatever way they may 'indicate, and are au thorized to locate the monument in such town as in their judgment offers the best inducements, location and money being considered.” The fol lowing committees were appointed for Ciierokec and adjacent counties : Cherokee. J. L. Strain; York. T. C. Beckham; Union. J. T. Douglas; Spartanburg, D. R. Duncan. it was unanimously adopted that every camp raise $10 for the Win chester monument. After the benediction by the chap lain the veterans tiled out of the hall and forming a line marched in col umns of two down to the Mansion House, then up main street and on to the picnic ground. The col umn was headed by the Butler guards and the graded school hand which had done good service during the en tire meeting. As the marching column passed the Confederate monument the vet erans took off theii- hats and marched by quietly. The sidewalks, porti cos, windows and even housetops and shade trees were lined with men, women and children anxious to get a view of the remnant*of an army who's courage and devotion had changed the history of the world. The veter ans had completely captured the city. As far as the eye could see on both sides of Main street crowds of ladies, children and oid men stood waving their handkerchiefs and hats as the Confederate veterans passed by. Some of the dwelling houses and most of the business houses were elaborately decorated with the Con federate colors. Reaching the park we found our selves in u perfect sea of humanity. The crowd was estimated at from ff.oOt) to 5,000 All around the big spring, and on the hill sides and in the beautiful grove along the branch every available foot of ground was occupied by somebody. Around the speakers stand for several yards they stood packed in like sardines. Sev eral short speeches were made by different dignitaries. Files of water melons and tubs of ice lemonade were on hand, and free to the veter ans, to say nothing of innumerable tables scattered over the grounds for their convenience and comfort. These tables were managed (or presided over) by tlio matrons of the city who had brought to their as sistance all the pretty girls and wo men of the South it looked like, to assist them in dispensing the sub stantial and fastidious product of the kitchen. Scarcely anything alo.ig tiiese lines was omitted, and as fast as one plate was exhausted or emptied another was filled to take its place. Underneath the tables were almost inexhaustible supplies of vic tuals which the ladies and citizens of Greenville had prepared for the sole | purpose of feeding the multitude. They did not intend that the supply should fall abort of the demand, and ho it did not. A'l the tables were full. It was your correspondents good fortune to blunder upon the table of Mrs. Frof. Ferry. This good lady and her corps of assistants showed that they were equal to the emergency. She hud everything that the most fastidious epicure could crave,.from the best cooked pork and pies to the richest pound cakes, together with ice water, lemonade, coffee and tea. Her table was no exceotion to tin- rest. All were of the h>-st style and loaded with the richest < and most palatable viands. After spending u few hours on the picnic grounds in pleasant inter course with old friends, and new- ac quaintances we returned lo the city and remained at our hoarding house until the hour arrived for the grand reception- to take place in Beattn » Hall at !) p. m. Long hef*#e that hour the stairway was literally crowded with eager men and women and children seeking admittance to witness the closing exercises of the grand reunion—the reception.* Ui- naily the great door swung open and we scrambled up the broad stairway and were soon in the spacious hall. Every chair had been removed, and close to the wall on every hand stood groups of men and women of all ages and sizes. The electric lights had been turned on in all their .-nHiaucy and gave t he scene a pit turesqe appear ance. As my chum, Stephen Crosby, and myself entered the hall and made a survey of our surroundings we looked at each other instinctively as if to say, “Well, we’re in for it now, sure.” But iho situation was soon relieved by that affable and gal lant soldier and gentleman, Col. O. L. Schumpert. who came skipping acioss the room and escorted us to commodious seats from which we could easily see the proceedings. The crowd soon became immense. Some said ;t numbered 1U000, hut cer tainly ir was pot less than 2,500, most of whom were the fair ladies of South Carolina. It was one sea of humani- ! ty full of mirth and good will. The i sponsors and maids of honor formed a line, or rather a semi-circle, which extended from one side of that spa cious room to the other, and for near ly an hour were shaking hands with the veterans. It happened that our position was just behind the line of beautiful youngfladies where we could easily see. and I must confess tnat I never saw so much graceful beau ty, dignity and charming humanity as was represented on that occasion. It was a fact that the veterans had captured the city the day before, but now the veterans, city and all hud capitulated to the ladies. Soon they i crowded around us until wo were forced to fall back, and as we retreat ed across the stage to the other side of the room, we were met by com rade C. S. Greer. It was not long until two very beautiful young ladies, Miss Minnie Gray and Sudie Giliillen brought us a waiter of cakes and lemonade, which gave to us a still higher appre ciation of the occasion and its at tendant festivities. (Like ali other busy-bodied* newspaper correspond ents looking for something to tell or talk about, I asked the names of the fair young ladies that I might have the opportunity of thanking them for this compliment.) This banquet was one of the grand est features of the occasion. It show ed how high the Confederate sol dier was esteemed by the young and rising generation and how they de light to honor him. The singing of the Confederate songs was the next on the progam. Col. Hoyt gave notice that the audi ence was requested to join in the chorus only. The first piece sung was “Dixie.” A bevy of young la dies on the stage, with a few male voices, sung the first stanza, and when the chorus was reached the whole congregation joined in the grand chorus that was followed by a shout, from the old Confederates which 1 am told actually shook that immense building. This was follow ed by “Bonnie Blue Flag,” in which not less than a dozen blue Hags with a “single star” were waved by as many young ladies. Tne chorus was sung by Hie congregation with the same effect as that of “Dixie.” In each case a tremendous applause followed eacli stanza. It reminded us more of war times than anything I have seen or heard in thirty-five years. Taken all in all the reunion was a grand success and I am satisfied every veteran and visitor will bear me cut in the assertion. The hospitality of the people of Greenville can’t be out. done, and its leading men and women were careful to see that every one was made as happy as the cir cumstances would admit. Vigilant policemen were constantly on hand at every street crossing to see that nobody was run over or hurt, and that the ladies and veterans, and sons and daughters of v< terans were not WILLIAM DANIEL CAMP- CHEROKEE COUNTY’S AUDITOR. FIRST Horn in Osd Spartanburg—Studied Lav. . Became a Merchant and Af terwards a Soldier ana Politician. William Daniel Camp, the present Auditor of Cherokee county, was born in what was then Spartanburg county, tour miles above Gaffney City in the year 1825. At the age of thirteen years his father died, leaving him in charge of an aged mother to attend to. On arriving at the age of twenty-one, having very little educa tion, he left his mother and went to school, the Limestone ?»!a!e an I Fe male Aeadamy, under charge of Frof. I). 1). Rosa. He graduated in the English branches and took charge of a common school in York county, S. C. After teaching fifteen months he gave up his school to attend to his mother in jier last sickness. After her death he began the study of law- under Messrs. S. Bobo A O. E. Ed wards, at Spartanburg court house. Not liking the practice of law he em barked in the merchandise business ut Limestone Springs in copartner ship witli Col. W. \V. Gaffney, and while at that business he was elected Major of the 1st Batallion, .‘{7th Regi ment, South Carolina militia, and in about two years afterwards he was elected colonel of said regiment by a large majority over his competitor, Lieut. Col. William Webster, which office he held till the breaking out of the trouble in Kansas Territory. He volunteered and went to Kansas in defense of the Southern states and remained there until the trouble was settled, and was honorably dis charged as First Lieutenant of the Coot Guard, commanded by Capt. Edward McKissick, of Union, Cap tain of the Coot Guards, Kansas mili tia. He came back to Limestone and sold out his merchandise busi ness to the linn of Camp, Lemmon A Bros., with the intention of removing to Kansas Territory but the war broke out between the States and he espoused the cause of his State, and raised a company of volunteers, the Limestone Guard, at Gaffney’s old field. This company was presented WIJ.UAM I'WIKI. CAM! obstructed or jostled aside by a rabble. And no boisterous dem onstrations were maho except those incident to the occasion that had brought such an immense throng into the- city. Thus ends the chapter of the mem orable event which will ever prove an oasis in our memory—l ho Con federate reunion at Greenville—ex cept to give a few of the echoes from time to time as they are in accord with my work. J. I., s. -* •— Vim vigor and victory :-these are the characteristics of De Witt’s Lit tle Early Risers the famous little pills for constipation, biliousness and all stomach and liver troubles. Cher okee Drug Company. with a fine, beautiful flag by the young ladies of the Limestone Fe male High School, T. Stobo Farrow presenting the Hag for the young ladies. These colors were curried by ! liis company till its It ‘iirer could .-.ee the capitol of the Federal Govern ment, and it was ably defended and j was always unfurled in the face of ' the enemy, and never was trailed in the dust before the enemy. The company that Capt. Camp led was known as Company I, 5th Regiment S. C. V., sometimes called the “Tigers.” He was dubbed by his comrades “Old Tige.” He was wounded at Seven Fines on May 111, ]Si;2. He received a furlough and remained at home eleven months when he returned to his company in Virginia in ISfiff. He was attached )0 Longstreet’s corps and was in the several buttles around Lookout Mountain, Tenn.. and in the various battles and skirmishes that ihit corps was engaged in during the war, and in 18<il received a second wound in the battle near Dr. Johnson’s house, nine miles below Richmond, which ended his career as a soldier, having received a wound that never healed and which nece. ei nted the amputation of his leg in 1890 since which time hd has had to go on crutches. Col. Camp taught school from 1870 to 1880, and held the office | of Trial Justice in the town of Blacks- I burg for eighteen years in succession. , Ht. received the ermine of office at | the hands of the Hon. W. C. Black, one of the ablest and grandest jur ists of]8outh Carolina, and be laid the ermine of office aside as pure ami un spotted asjwhen he received it. He wr* noted for bis decisions having been seldom reversed. He was elected to the posh ion he now holds in March, 1S97, by a big majority, his former life having endeared him to his numerous army comrades, and courteous treatment of all per- xMi • before ami sine** the war having endeared him to the j op e. lie is now seventy-two years of age and is quite vigorous and active in mind and body and has so far filled his new position with credit and satis faction to all. (’*>!. Camp is a Mason, having join- * d Spartan Lodge No. 70, A. F. M. in JM9. He, with othe- members, applied for a charter d formed Masonic Lodge No. 2<>2. at Blacks burg in 1S7L of which h '•* still u charter member in good standing. Ht joined the Buffalo Baptist church '.n Cherokee Township No. 1, in 1871E and still retains his membership with that church. Co!. Camp is a widowei He is of genial disposition, kind a 1 polite to every body and his presence serves to dispell the gloom for ihe time be ing from any who may come in con tact with him. Cherokee is fortunate in the selection of William Daniel (‘amp as her first auditor. — -• - - — Spring Hill Dots. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Si’king Hill. Sept, fi.—Folder pulling and cotton picking is all the go in tiiis section at this time. Fod der was damage a gteut deal in some parts of this section by the storm on the :10th ult. The watermelon f a- son is about over in this section. Turnip patches are looking very well and swe et potatoes are line. Fruit is about all gone, except late apples. Joe Gaffney went to the county seat to day. The bridge that is being built across Broad river on the G. R. & C. R. R., I am informed, will be com pleted in about two weeks. 1 am sorry to note John \V. Ross is still very ill. Mark Gaffney and wife of Cherokee Falls, were visiting Mr. Gaffney’s mother, Mrs. Mina Gaffney, a few days since. Jack Humphries was on a visit in these digings a short time ago. Mrs. Mina Gaffney has a gourd vine that bus twelve gourds growing on it with handies from 18 inches to 41 inches long this is actual measure without the hoi of the gourd*. The vine is about twenty feet long, and still growing. By the way what has become of Elgin dots. Let us hear from you. Flaw come down and get some good spring water, for there is ten or more of fine springs here as there is on this green earth. Big Bor. Howell’s Ferry News. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Howklll Fkkkv, Sept. fi.—Jas. L. Strain is attending court at Gaffney this week. Fodder pulling is nearly over. A great deal has been saved. Some are cutting hay. Make hay while the sun shines. We were sorry to learn of the un timely death of Aufus Sanders. His fame had gone out to the people of America as a writer. Giles Hill has picked out a bale of cotton this season. James Sprouse bought up a nice lot of cattle out of this neighborhood Saturday. I saw the iron bridge across Facolet river at Skull Shoals Saturday for the first time. In this property Fnion and Cherokee, counties have something of which they can boast. Gibbs Wilkie was all smiles last night. Sammie Lee visited friends among the towering hills of the Steen City yesterday. Ramble has been enjoying him self lo such an extent since the big meeting begun that he could not take time to write an uaticle for publi cation, Jimmie Strain has become a “Flaw” in the banjo picking busi ness. Sam no. • - Wasted Li'-cs. Some people use their energies in a way that wastes the greater part of them. Hurry, worry, irritation, vex ation, determination, and foolish afrxiety keeps them constantly wast ing precious vitality. This is foolish ness. Feople do not want irritation or stimulation. When anyone is tired lie wants rest, not stimulants. When any one’s energies begin to flag recuperation, not irritation, is wanted. “All tired out,” some people say, “I need a stimulant.” A very mis taken idea. No doubt such a one is in need of invigorution, recuperation, hut not stimulants. Stimulants draw upon the vigor which one already posses; they produces no vigor. When one is tired out. ner vous, weak and despondent, Fe-ru-na is what is needed in the system. l\-ru-na invigorates, recuperates, builds up. vitalizes, enriches, rein forces. Unlike so many other reme dies, it does not simply irritate and stimulate. Fe-ru-na is an invigora- tor to nerve and blood. Send for a copy of Dr. Hartman’s latest book. Address The Fe-ru-na Drug Manufac turing Co., Columbus, Ohio.