University of South Carolina Libraries
THE WILD MUN OF CHEROKEE HE INHABITS A MISERABLE HOVEL. Seemingly Afraid of the Companion ship of His Fellowman, “Wild John Starnes’’ Resides in the Woods. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Blacksiu'ku, March, 21.—Out in a dense patch of woods, about five miles northwest of this city, lives a white person coming he endeavors to hide in the woods. Sometimes he suc ceeds, and sometimes he does not, but he has never been known to fail in his attempt to seclude himSjlf when the individual was a woman. To him the female is the incarnation of the world, flesh and the devil. Of the outside world he knows nothing. Of its pleasures and troubles he has no conception. Money and its value he has never seen or learn ed. On one occasion some gentlemen, while out hunting, discovered John in his “castle.” lie would not talk with them. They hunted around Ids place and on their way back pass ed his hut. John was still there but “WILD JOHN STARNES.” (Reproduced from a photograh furnished by the Piedmont View Co.) inatojbfct of Jge b etween sixty and sixty-tive year* by the name of John Starnes, commonly known as “Wild John.” He is the son of a highly respectable farmer, of the same section of coun try, by the name of John Starnes. From early childhood John showed a disposition to shun the society of Ids youthful companions. That dis position grew stronger and stronger until one clay, when about the age of twenty, he disappeared. Somtime passed, when it was discovered that he had gone out in the woods, dug a hole, covered it with brush and poles and was living in it. What prompted him to take such a step is not known. There are numerous reasons suggest ed for his leading such a life; some of which are : failure in love, an accident when a child which impaired Ids mind, and fear of being required to enter the army during the war be tween the States. However that may be, his relatives tried to get him to give up such a life and offered him a house at the Gaston Mill, but lie spurned their of fer and continued to live in the hut. About 189c, during a very heavy snowstorm, he was found in his hut frozen near unto death. He was car ried to bis father’s house. After re covering he fancied that ids relatives were determined to kill him and, in spite of their earnest entreaties, re turned to his hut. A young photographer at this place, by the name of Gold, was anxious for picture of John, so he went to see a him, and, finding him in his hut. induced him to partake of some of the Dispensary’s “chemically pure (?)” 80 proof. That had the desired ef fect. and a picture was obtained. Unfortunately it proved a failure. Mr. Gold, determined to have a good p*cture of this freak of human nature, went back again sometime af terwards. This time he obtained a remarkably good picture. He sent a copy, in a beautiful frame, to John. The recipient showed his apprecia tion of the gift by getting wilder than ever and tearing it to pieces amid soft and delicate expressions of love and affections for the young ar tist. “Wild John” is of average height, extremely thin, and dressed in rags. His features are hold, resembling those of an Indian. His eyes are bright and show slyness and cun ning. His complexion is sallow and his black hair long and unkempt. His abode beggars description. He sleeps in an old dry goods box, which only covers the upper part of his body. His food is cooked ou a fl it stone. When he leaves his home on a hunting or fishing trip, he never fails to lock his door, which consists in the plac ing of a board across the opening, with stones and chips upon it, so that should any one attempt to re move fcltf board and enter, he would kno«rt2*by the chips and rocks hav ing fallJyi off. “Wild John” dislikes for anyone to visit him. Whenever he sees a as uncommunicative as ever. They laitl a piece of silver money on his door sill and then departed. A few minutes later John arose, and, satis fying himself that his unwelcome guest had departed, picked up the coin gingerly, examined it dubiously, and then carried it some distance from his hut and placed it upon a stump. When asked once why he never visited Blacksburg he replied that ho owed some people there and that they would ask him for it. The truth is, nothing worries him as much as to have to go where people are. He has u horror of even going to a cross-roads store in the neigh borhood for shot and powder, which he gets in exchange for peas and corn, refuse gathered from the fields of others. But he has this to do to secure ammunition. He subsists upon game and fish. Although he is, to a certain extent, responsible for his condition, there is something indescribably sad and pa thetic about that lonely, erratic, unkempt creature, as seen during the hunting season in the woods looking for game, on the banks of Bowen river and adjacent streams, trying to catch fish, or in that low, dingy, loathsome hovel, without even the companionship of a dog, He has no conception of the trials and tribulations of this world, the bearing of which develop the man hood and character of a human be ing. Witli no desire for the esteem or companionship of his fellow man, nor the pleasures of this world, he is, because of his own choosing, a so cial outcast—a living dead man. K. A. T. We have to guess what the future and the merchant who never adver tises lias in store. Cures to Stay Cured. Thousands of voluntary certificates received during the past fifteen years, certify with no uncertain sound, that Botanic Blood Balm, (B. B. B.) will cure to stay cured. Rheumatism, Ca tarrh, Ulcers, Sores, Blotches, and the most malignant blood and skin diseases. Botanic Blood Balm is the result of forty years experience of an eminent, scientific and conscientious physician. Send stamp for book of wonderful cures, and learn which is the best remedy. Beware of substi tutes said to be “just as good” and buy the long-teided old reliable Bo tanic Blood Balm (B. B. B.) I’rice only $1.(X) per large bottle. EFFECTED AN ENTIRE CUKE. For over two years 1 have been a great sufferer from Rheumatism, af fecting both shoulders to such an ex tent that 1 could not put my coat on without help. The use of six bot tles of Botanic Blood Balm. B. B. B., effected an entire cure. I refer to Rev. W. W. Wadsworth, proprietor Coweta Advertiser, and to all mer chants of Newnan. Jacob F. Spoxclkb, Newnan, Ga, For sale by Druggists. CAMP JEFFERIES’ MEETING. OFFICERS ELECTED FOR THE ENSUING YEAR. The Sage of Etta Jane Tells The Led ger Readers of the Neighbor hood News in Low;r Cheroke County. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Etta Jane, March 21.—Camp Jef feries, U. C. V.. Xo. 889, met at Wil- kinsville last Saturday, and was call ed to order by G. W. Kown, com mander, who announced that the ob ject of the meeting was to elect offi cers for the ensuing year, and also delegates and a sponsor and maid of honor to represent the camp at the Charleston convention, April 27th. The following were elected by accla mation, to wit: G. W. McKown, commander. W. L. Goudelock, 1st Lt. com mander. P. S. Webber, 2nd Lt. commander. J. G. Garner, fird Lt. commander. J. It. Poole, Adj’t and treasurer. J. L. Strain, chaplain. J. G. Love, color sergeant. J. E. Bratton and Thomas Peterson, color guards. D. M. Peeler, quarter-master J. D. Goudelock, commissary. Delegates to the state convention, J. L. Strain and P. S. Webber. Al ternates, W. L. Goudelock and G. W. McKown. Miss Olive McKown was elected sponsor and Miss Avalonu Webber maid of honor. On motion or W. L. Goudelock it was agreed that a committee be ap point e.l to secure the services of an ex-chaplain, if fossib'e, to preach the annual sermon to the camp at Salem on the 5th Sabbath in May, but if it be impossible to get an ex chaplain, then some other minister. W. L. Goudelock, J. R. Poole and J. L. Strain was appointed as such committee. The camp adjourned to meet at Elbethel on the first Saturday in July. 1898, at which time delegates to the national convention in Atlanta, July, 20, 21, 22, will be selected. It was agreed that any member not present could hand in the amount of his dues, 15 cents—that ia 10 cents to the national and 5 cents to the state—to the adjutant or commander on or before the lirst of April, and he will be enrolled as a “paid up mem ber.” Or be could leave his name and money with Mr. C. W. Whiso- nant, if more convenient, and also be reported as a member in good and regular standing. We hope that all our members and those who haven’t joined yet, will take advantage of this and keep our ranks as full as possible. Year by year they are being thinned out by the scythe of death. Yesterday, Messopotamia Sunday school elected W. 0. Kirby, Gibbs Wilkins, Miss Mollie Kirby and Miss Dussie Goforth us delegates to repre sent it in convention at Elbethel next Sabbath the 27th inst. Salem elected W. O. Blackwell, H. T. Estes and Sam Strains as its delegates to the convention. The 0. E. Society met in our home last night. A full attendance was present and new names were added to the roll of active members. With each successive meeting greater in terest is manifested among the young people. The lesson topic was, “the evils of intemperance.” Some of the members gave short talks which were greatly enjoyed by those present. The next meeting will be at Sum W. Foster’s. We made a trip to Hickory Grove yesterday and met many of our old friends over there. In the bill to establish a national park atCowpens butt e field, publish ed last week, some of our readers will, no doubt, take issue with it for calling the public road passing through it Howard's Gap, Instead of Mill’s Gap or Island Ford road, as it is commonly known in thr.t commu nity. This, of course, is a very small item when properly considered, which I wish to explain. The travel ling public from this section over Into East Tennuessee and beyond, for many years before the war and long since, recognized the road from Gaffney to Howard's Gup (through the Blue Ridge) as the Howard’s Gap road. They took no note of the sub division of the roads and therefore we have omitted them in our efforts to establish a national park there. Dr.Lathan, whose sketches of South Carolina are accepted as good author ity, if not the best, makes the state- mont that at the battle of Cowpens Colonel Howard, who commanded the regulars, formed his line of bat tle with his right and left flunks pro tected by the swampy lands, thus completely tilling the pass and forc ing the enemy to attack him in front. That incident more than any otlur couples Howard’s Gap with tbs history of Cowpens, and Dr. Lathan was of the o union that it perhaps gave rise to the name in the moun tains,as the seme thoroughfare passed through both places. While he did not assert these as facts, he believed them to be entitled to high consider ation. Good Friday this year comes on the 8th of April, and our gardners will no doubt do most of their plant ing about that time. If those who are troubled with cut worms among their plants will sprinkle a little acid phosphate under them in planting, they will find an it efficient remedy, if not an absolute preventative. We have had some very favorable weather for wheat and oats to get a start, and they have done so. though both need rain, just a mild shower. Ed Edwards, (deaf Ed), says he will go to Cuba in August and fight till Christmas if the government will pay him for it. 1\ B. Love, the wide-awake man 1 - ager of the Western York depart ment of the Yoeman. was at Wilkins- ville last Saturday. He’s got the get up and get about him when he is afLr news. On account of the meeting of the C. E. Society at Clinton April 1, 2, 3, there will be no preaching at Salem until the second Sabbath in April, at which time the sacrament of the Lord’s supper will be administered. J. L. s. Asbury Notes. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Asbury, March 21.—The rains of week stopped the farmers from their works a few days. There is some talk of war in our community but we hope it will not amount to anything. Morgan Hames has been having chills for several months. Charley Bryant spent last Satur day night with his friend Morgan Humes. •James Harmon spent last Saturday night with Thomas Mabry. John Baines spent last Saturday night and Sunday with Aron Har mon. Miss Delia Harmon spent Sunday with Misses Cora and Clarissia Hames. Miss Ramoth Barnes is visiting her sister near Gaffney. We have an interesting Sunday school at Asbury. N. G. Littlejohn will have an en tertainment at Asbury school on April 8th. The subject for debate at the As bury Debating Society last Saturday night was, Reso. ed, “That money will carry a man farther than man ners.” It was decided that manners would. J. D. Jefferies, Jr., is preparing to build a nice dwelling house. Rev. Mr. Jones will fill his appoint ment at Asbury church on the fourth Sunday in March. He is a most ex cellent preacher. Ffbntis Bryant has been very sick but rs improving. Most of the people of Asbury take The Ledger. We highly appreciate it. It is one of the best papers in the State. William Mabry has a very sick child, but it is improving. John Mabry spent the day with Eiiphus Harmon Sunday. Hustler, Hickory Grove Paragraphs. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Hickory Grove, March 21.—The death angel has visited our country and has taking away old Aunt Marga- riteBratton. She passed off quietly on Tuesday the 15th. She was near seven ty-five years of age and was a member of the M.E.Church. Her remans were laid to rest at Hickory Grove. Mr. J. R. Allison, has been on the sick list, but is better. Mr. John B. Martin says lie ate too much. Mr. J. L Strain visited this side of the river Saturday. I met one of Cherokee’s bachelors at Hickory Grove yesterday. He said he had been out ever since Thursday and hud not got to wl.ere he wanted to stop yet. I think some of our people are going to Charleston in April. 1 hear such talk. Mr. 1*. B. Love and N. M. McGill visied WilkinAville, in Cherokee, last Saturday. The Roller Mill at Hickory Grove has made some improvements by ad ding a wood saw and a rip saw and are ripping up hickory lumber for the Rock Hill Buggy Co. Cow Boy. Beats the Klondike. Mr. A. C. Thomas, of Marysville, Tex , has found a more valuable dis covery than has yet been made in the Klondike. For years he suffered un told agony from consumption, ac companied by hemorrhages; and was absolutely cured by Dr. King’s New Discovery for Consumption, Coughs and Colds. He declares that gold is of little value in compar ison with this marvelous cure; would have it, even if it cost a hun dred dollars a bottle. Asthma, Bron chitis and oil throat and lung affec tions are positively cured by Dr. King’s New Discovery for Consump tion. Trial bottles free at Du Pre Drug Co. Regular sizes 50cts. and 91 00. Guaranteed to cure or price refunded. GITTIN’PRITTY BLASTED HOT THE GINERAL APPEARMENTS AND SIGNS OF WAR. Flaw Picker is Agin the Whole Busi ness and Will Likely Hide Himself in Old Drayton- ville Mountain. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) The ginerai appearments an’ signs of the times makes one bleeve that things are a gittin’ pritty blasted hot in regards to war. an’ they say the furdor south the hotter it is. Well, that don’t surprise me none in the least for I alius did hear it said that {Uie furder south one gits the hotter it is. Bill Brady tole me one time about a country somewheres down south what couldn’t manafac matches worth a continential an’ a powder house weren’t never known to be built there fer certaint. There’s where ole man Newt Skidmore went when he died so they say. ^ es, Bill said that ole man Newt called all the connection up to his bed side an’ tole ’em all good-bye, an’ that in his closin’ remarks he said, “Mandy, (that was his wife) I’ve bin a livin’ in this country fer a long time but I’m a goin’ to transfer now soon to a country where there’ll be no snow storms, to speak of, an’ the rich people say it don’t rain none down thrra of any account accordin’ to the scriptures.” I ruley do bleeve that ole man Newt was a describin’ of the war when he was a talkin’ about that country down south, so fer as hotness is concerned. The mainest reason why I say that things are a gittin’ hotter down soutu is because I seed four big guns on the train t’other day headed fer the south—goin’ to war. By gatlin’s. I bleeve hit will be “fight Luke er give up your gun” in less time than two months, an’ ef it do I’m a goin’ to tunnel ole Draytonville an’ plaster up the hole behind me an’ ef I ever go to war it’ll be when somebody has mined an’ dug to the heart of her an’ forced me out by some kind of pusb- ency. No, my friends and feller citizens, if ever I fight anybody it’ll be when I’m on one side of the river an’ the man I’m a fightin’ of on the other, an’ a fair fist an’ skull fight at that, or when I’m at one end of a telephone line an’ him at the other. Youmeby mought think I ain’t got no grit to speak of but it ain’t no hard matter for me to find plenty when I start. I seed a picture in some paper t’other day wherein “the new wo men” was a marchin’off to war whilst their husbands was a standin’ with their own nateral born flesh an’ blood babys in their arms a tellin’ of their wives good-bye. Well, that meby mought suit some men so fer as I knows but, I ganneys, I druther set spank dow on a yallerjucket’s nest or charge on a gattlin’ brigade as to stay at homo with three little Pickers fer a day. Most inginerally you can hear the women folks a talkin’ powerful big in regards to war an’ a shootin’ of fire arms an’ the like, an’ most peoole ain’t figgered it out like I have. The new patent guns of today ain’t got no ramrods to speak of an’ I alius did think that ramrods was all what made the female woman creation guushy. Flaw Picker. Ezell Etchings. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Ezell, March 21.—Farming is pro gressing fine at this writing. Some of the farmers are planting corn. Messrs. Blanton and Brewington, of Clifton, were at Newpleasant church yesterday trying to organize a singing school. We wish them success. Wheat and oats are looking fine. The past week has been very nice weather for small grain. Some o» our boys are hunting out and talking of secret plates to stay in during the expected conflict we are hearing so much about between Uncle 8am and the “little nation across the deep sea.” The people of this section hope that the national park bill will be passed and the park built?. The people here arc having a lot of fun over the war scare. A certain man the other day quit plowing and put up hla mule, saying that they had only given him thirty days to get ready to go, and that he would uot fool with a crop. Wo think the plowing should go on, war or no war. Blue Haiik. Bucklen’s Arnica Salve. The Best S dve In the world for Cuts. Bruises, Sores, Ulcer, Salt Rheum, Fever Sc -<»s, Tetter, Chapped Hands, Chilblains, Corns, and all Skin Eruption, and poetively cures Piles or no pay required. It is gura- anteed to give perfect satisfaction or money refunded. Price 25 cents per box. For sale by The DuPre Drug Co. SILVER QUESTION SOLVED. BUI Wants Everybody to Wear White Metal Buttons. .Correspondence of The Ledger.) W illik, S. C., March 21.—We bor row, in part, the following solution of the silver question, and us we are now almost upon the eve of war, it seems a very opportune time for its adoption. Hereitis: The United States government should establish a factory of silver buttons under the supervision of the director of the mint, as it would not be safe to en trust a business of so much impor tance to a private enterprise. To commence with, the army and navy should be provided with silver but tons. then all employes of all depart ments ot the civil service to follow. Of course, no senator or member ot congress is to be admitted to the sacred balls of the capitol unless he wears a full set of silver buttons. The president of the United States will decline to receive any culler unless he or she wears silver buttons. The individual states will at once take up the matter. The uniforma of the militia will be provided with silver buttons and all officers of the state and of municipal governments will shine in silver buttons. But the wearing of silver buttons will not stop here. While a law forcing the people at large to adopt this custom might not be constitutional, a much more powerful agent can be brought into requisition, namely, fashion. Of course, to maintain the demand for the buttons, it would be neces sary to make a law that when a man dies his buttons are to be buried with him. But, we can go a step farther, the government, having the monopoly c! manufacturing silver buttons, could rule them, especially those of artistic design worn by the rich, at an enormous profit, and be in a position to abolish all other taxes. The national uebt would soon become a relic of the past, and there would be plenty of money to double the pension of the noble men who upheld the integrity of the Union. It does seem to us that if the gov ernment would adopt the above policy, in regard to silver, that it could not fail in giving perfect satis faction to the most ardent advocate of the l(i to 1 idea. Then, indeed, would the millennium be ushered in for which we have hoped so long in va*n. Mrs. A. G. Howell, wife of our effi cient postmaster, has been very ill with miningitis. At one time she was not expected to recover, but we are glad to report that she is now convalescent. Thanks to the skill of Dr. R. E. Thompson and to the mer cies of an all wise Providence. We have in this section about a half score of boys who have just grown up to manhood, of whom we are satisfied that nothing less than two years service on the county chain gang will ever bring them to a sense of civilization. A few weeks ago some of them went to a Mrs. Pilham’a house, ran the family off, broke up her chairs, tore up her bed clothing and destroyed almost all her house furniture. Mr. Henry Briggs, of Greenville, moved a family of negroes on his place near here. One night last week a mob went in on them and rocked the house and bursted down the door and shot in the house, seriously wounding one of the children. There was no provocation for the crime. The mob should be detected and punished to the full extent of the law. Bill. Ravenna Readings. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Ravenna, March 22.—If quilting is an indication of approaching mar riages we shall expect io he ir several changes in the names of some of our young ladies 'n the near future. We have heard of quite a number of new quilts being made and at one place ten are to be quilted this spring. Miss Laura Pettit is at home to rest awhile. MissAddie Brown has returned home after finishing her school at Cowpens. Messrs. George and Wm. Wood of Pacolet, visited our Sunday school last Sunday. Mrs. Elbert Green returned to her home at Union, Monday. Miss Lilly Goforth, of Pacolet, visited relatives here this week. T. C. Green is able to ride out. Lamar Littlejohn has been quite sick but is better now. J. R. Wilkins is quite sick. The colored people are busy now preparing for Easter. a. b. c. Free Pills. Send your address to H. E.-Bucklen & Co.. Chicago, and get a free sample box of Dr. Kings New Life Pills. A trial will convince you of their mer its. These pills are uasy in action, and are particularly effective in the cure of Const'pation and Sick Head ache. 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 w taken by their action, but by giving tone to stomach and bowela greatly Invigorate the system. Reg ular size 25c per box. Sold by DuPre Drug Co.