Edgefield County, South Carolina - The whole text, 1897 (part 8 of 11)

The following is a list of names of the constituent members of this church at the organization in 1823: Matthew Mims, Arthur Simkins, Sr. , A. B. McWhorter, Henry Lowe, Abner Whatley, Wiley Melton, Patience Addison, Elisabeth Milton, Isabel A. Drysdale, Phyllis Whatley, Margaret Pixlcy, Ann Eane, Eliza A. Drysdale, Martha Mims, Sabra Jeter, E. M. McWliorter, Ridley Gray, Eliza Mims, the last survivors, Mary L. Drysdale, Bettie Tutt, Sarah Drake, Mary Tutt, Bethany Blease, Pudence Martin, Elizabeth Youngblood, Winfred Ferguson,

Mountain Creek

Rev. N. W. Hodges, a missionar}' employed bj' the Edgefield Association and laboring in its bounds, made an appointment to preach at this school house. He saw that it was a prosperous neighborhood and had the prospect of becoming a centre of influence. He went to work with zeal and energ}- and for several years continued to preach in the school house. In due time the fruits of his labor began to show. Quite a number manifested a desire to unite with a Baptist church. A few of the members of I^ittle Stevens Creek Church joined the brethren at the school house and organized a church. Tliey then went to work and built a log house in which to worship. The church was not supplied regularl}^ but Mr. Hodges continued to preach there occasionally. The church grew rather slowly for some years, but in 1829 a revival was experienced b}^ the little church and also through the neighborhood. Among the number converted was John Trapp, a young man from Fairfield County, who was then teaching in the neighborhood. He was a j'oung man of great promise and the church gave him all the encouragement possible. He soon applied for license to preach, but he continued to teach .school also until 1833, when he was ordained to the ministr}^, and laying aside all else, gave his whole life to preaching the gospel. The church grew slowly, moving steadily on without any special revival, until about the year 1S40, when many were converted and joined.

Needing a larger house the people now put up a good frame building. About the same time, the year 1840, several members obtained letters of dismissal, moved about ten miles northwest and organized Damascus Baptist Church. Note this if there should be nothing more said about Damascus.

The church grew and prospered until, in the year 1852, there was a gracious revival, eighty new members being baptized and a number restored. Among those baptized was Theophilus Williams, who was soon ordained to the ministry. He lived only ten years after this.

At this time Mountain Creek was one of the strongest churches in the northern part of the Association, the membership being (colored people were then included) over five

During the Civil War the church suffered great loss in membership and financialh'. But in 1866 there was another great revival, and ninety-eight were baptized and five restored. This meeting lasted seventeen days and was conducted by Rev. John Trapp, who received some help from a Methodist minister living near the church.

Though beginning to feel the feebleness of age, Mr. Trapp continued to preach, when able, "without mone}^ and without price." He died August 27th, 1876, having been pastor continuously from 1834, with the exception of the years 1855 and 1856. He was succeeded by Rev. R. W. Seymour, who was pastor for four years.

Towards the close of Mr. Seymour's ministration the church had grown .somewhat cold in the religious life; but in 188 1 that earnest and zealous man. Rev. J. K. Fant, was called and accepted the call to the church. He had hard work to do, but his labors were blessed and he soon brought the members to realize the fact that they had work to do. He preached two Sabbaths each month, and Saturday before each fourth Sabbath. His salary was $300.00.

During Mr. Fant's term of service many changes were made. The old box pulpit was removed and a nice stand put in its place. Suitable furniture was provided, and a .stove, and an organ, and other improvements were made. All this was largely the work of the women. They organized also a flourishing "Ladies' Aid Society." During the year the church gave to State Missions fifty dollars; thirty to Foreign Missions, and thirty to ministerial education. During this year, 1881, in August, a series of meetings were held, in which the pastor was assisted by Rev. H. C. Smart. A revival was had, eight backsliders were restored, and thirty-four were added to the church by baptism.

Mr. Fant was pastor four years, and during that time eleven were restored to fellowship and seventj^-six were baptized. A Sunday-school was also established.

succeeded by Rev. J. F. McMillan, of North Carolina. During the eight months of this year, 1885, he gave all his time to the church at a salary of $500.00. Through 18S6 and 1887 he gave his whole time. In 188S two Sabbaths in each month.

The Sunday-school was reorganized in 1S68, and did fairly good work under Superintendents D. A. J. Bell, J. W. Alton, W. ly. Durst, R. T. Strom, J. M. Rambo. In the spring of 1887 the Sunday-school was reorganized and worked with greater zeal than ever before, with J. L,eslie Andrews superintendent. In 1887 the school contributed fifty-six dollars for missions, incidentals, &c., and increased in giving from year to year, till in the year 1890 one hundred and ten dollars were raised by the school.

In 1888 Mr. McMillan resigned the pastorate, and Rev. B. F. Miller was called. He accepted the call in January, 1890, and served the church two Sabbaths in each month, until April, 1891, when he was compelled to resign on account of ill health. After a long and painful illness he passed to a better world.

In July, 1S91, Rev. J. T. B. Anderson, of Barnwell, was called. He remained pastor during that year. In January, 1892, the church called Rev. J. P. Mealing for two Sundays in each month. He served them during the. year. At this time, 1893, Rev. J. L. Ouzts, of Mountain Creek, a graduate of Furman Universit)^ is preaching to the church. Through Mr. Fant's influence he was induced to study lor the ministry.

Bethlehem

This church was constituted October 14th, 1853, by a Presbytery consisting of the Revs. J. A, Carter and S. P. Getzen, with a membership of four males and eight females.

There was no conference from August 24th, i86i,toJuly 24th, 1864, at which time Rev. J. P. Mealing was elected. Mr. Mealing .served the church until January nth, 1885. Rev% J. A. Bell served from latter date for two years; Rev. J. ly. Ouzts, during the year 1887; Rev. Wm. M. Verdery,

Pleasant Lane

This church was organized and dedicated as a Baptist Church in May, 1837, with but few members, but in course of time there was as manj^ as 100 members, and was served by such ministers as Revs. Brunson, Z. Watkins, Abner Asbill, H. A.

At the close of the war the church membership was very small, and the white population around being very sparse, the land nearly all being owned by a few persons and tenanted by negroes, early in the year 1868 the members thought it best that they should dissolve Pleasant I,ane and join other churches, which they did.

The church property was then claimed and recovered by the I,andruni estate. It was then immediately sold to the colored Baptists to be used by them as a church. The church has, at this date, August, 1893, about one thousand members.

Big Stephen'S Creek

From the best information we can get, the earlier records having been lost, this church was organized b)' Rev. Daniel Marshall as far back as 1769 or 1770, at any rate just before he established himself at Kiokee, across the river, which was in 1770. We find in Bolsford's Memoirs that he preached here in 1773, and there is no doubt that it was an established church at that time. There are no means now of ascertaining who was the first pastor. Like most churches of that day it was a long time from its organization to the time of having any regular supply. And like other churches, situated in neighborhoods of large plantations, where there were many negroes, its white membership was never large. Its present membership is made up in part of descendants of its earliest members.

In March, 1854, Rev. Ivesun L,. Brooks -n^as pastor and had been for several years. He was noted not only for his ability as a Gospel preacher, but for his learning and culture, and as an educator.

Olive Branch And Bold Spring Mount Lebanon

This church, sometimes called Sweet Water from a refreshing spring near by, was constituted in loth month, 1832, and is situated near the line of Edgefield and Aiken Counties. Revs. Robert Carter and Thomas Morris were the first pastors. Brethren John Curry and John Clerrel were the first deacons, and John P. Banks first clerk of the church. Number of original members, 32; present number, loi. Present pastor, Rev. J. M. White, with a long line of intervening pastors, among them Joseph Morris, Samuel Getzen, Wm. B. Shaw, J. P. Mealing, and Thos. Walker.

Red Hill

This church was constituted June 20th. 1S35, b}- Elderp: Samuel Cartledge and William Watkins, with the following members: William Watkins, pastor; Reuben Johnson and Erasmus McDaniel, deacons; Levi McDaniel, clerk; members. Martin Rose, Sr. , Frederick McDaniel, Wm. Roberts, Sr. . Thos. Ford, Calvin Cox, Ead}' Rose, Judy Johnson, Henry Baugh, Anna McDaniel, Emilia McDaniel, Obedience McCary, Seah' Shinall, Caroline McDaniel, Elizabeth Holmes, Clarrac^- Roberts, Martha Cox, Orpha Forde, Eydia Parkman, Luc\' Holmes, Elizabeth Collins, Patience Blalock - ten males, fourteen females. Not one of these is living at this date, September 5th, 1893.

July iStli, 1835, at the first conference, two were received.' b}' letter. August 15th, second conference, two were received by baptism and three by letter. February 20th, 1836, first di-smissal by letter. September 17th, 1836. the first delegate was appointed to the Association, but no record as towhere Association was held.

Rev. W. Watkins was pastor from June, 1835, to iSS'}-,. Discipline was strictly enforced during this time, and thtmembership increa.sed very slowly.

Rev. James Morris was elected pastor in 184 1. In 1842 a great revival is mentioned, but onl}' one member was added tothe church. Mr. Morris resigned in 1843 and Rev. D. JJ. Brunson was called. The .same year Lewns Collins was elected:: clerk.

In 1845 there was a great revival. During the meeting the:- pastor. Rev. D. D. Brunson, was assisted by Revs. Getzen, Kennedy, Abney, and Hughs. At this time Clerk Lewis: Collins was made a deacon, and Samuel Scott elected clerk.

Three were added to the church in 1846. In the fall of" 1850 Rev. D. D. Brunson resigned, and Rev. David Bodie was elected pastor. In 1S51 there -was a protracted meeting of .seven days in August, and .several days again in September, at which 51 were added to the church by baptism, (and a large- number of negroes, ) but few of these are living to-day, September 5tli, 1893. Protracted meetings were held in 1852, 1853, 1854; and in 1855 Rev. D. D. Brunson was again called to the church. William Holmes and E. Bartley were elected deacons, and Captain W. F. Prescott was made clerk.

Rev. S. P. Getzen was pastor the first half of 1856. (Was preaching until a pastor could be had.) Dr. T. M. Bailey filled the pulpit the remaining half of 1856 and the year 1857. Rev. Hams preached from 1857 to 1867 - 1867 W. B. Shaw was pastor to 1869. In 1869 Rev. G. W. Bussey was ordained, and preached '69 and '70; was again called for 1870 and 1871, but declined, and attended the Seminary at Greenville, S. C, and Rev. McCrackin filled in the time for two years. 1873 the first mention of a stipulated salary for the pastor. During the entire pastorate of Rev. Bussey large additions are recorded. 1877 Captain W. F. Presscott resigned clerk, serving 22 years; C. J. McDaniel made clerk 1877. W. L. McDaniel and R. M. Johnson were made deacons in 1878. In 1S79 there were thirt3^-five new additions to the church. In 1882 H. W. Quarter, the present incumbent, was elected clerk.

Rev. E. W. Samons, pastor during 1886; Rev. J. E. Ouzts, pastor during 1887; Rev. J. J. Getsinger, pastor during 1888 and 1889. Rev. G. W. Busse>' again the pastor in 1890, and is still the pastor at this time, September, 1893. The church has now a membership of 167. The number has but a very few times exceeded the present, never reaching more than 175 or 180.

vSome changes and improvements have been made in the building, so that it is somewhat different from the original structure. It was ceiled and painted in 1882. An organ was bought in 1S87, and in 1SS8 and 1S89 tlie Eadies' Aid Society supplied new seats.

The churd: now needs a new building, the old one having served its time, is considerably decayed and is entirely too small for the accommodation of the congregations. At this writing, August 21st, 1893, a protracted meeting is in progress and promises to be very fruitful.

So much for Red Hill Church. There is also a fine school Red Hill, known as Red HillAcadeni}'. It is an old school, having been in existence for a great many years, and it is at this time in a prosperous and flourishing condition.

From information given by J. A. Prime, clei-k, and forwarded to me by Hon. W. H. Timmerman, we learn that Red Oak Grove Church was constituted on the 15th day of February, 18 1 2, b}^ a Presbytery composed of Revs. Samuel Marshy John Blackston and Samuel Cartledge as appointed by the church. The church was constituted with 2S members who brought letters from Antioch and Callahan, (now Parksville) Churches. First pastor was Elisha Palmer and Dempsey Bussey and A. Bush were first deacons. The former deacon belonged to the Antioch Church and lived S miles from the church and usually walked the distance and attended the conference meetings. He was the grandfather of the present pastor, Rev. G. W. Bussey, as well as one of the founders of Oak Grove Church. The church has undergone many changes, but there yet remains the works of our forefathers upon the old church book, which is sufficient proof that those who have gone before us loved their place of worship, and served Him, whose eye ever rests upon us in a way worthy ot imitation.

The church has had for its pastors Palmer B. Carson, S_ Cartledge, William Watkins, L. Furbry, S. P. Getsen, W. LHawes, and for the the last 24 years Brother G. W. Bussey, with the exception of one j^ear when Rev. Eddie Walker preached for it.

This church began with 28 members. There have been at times as many as 200 members. At present it numbers amongst its membership the Griffins, Dorns, Whatleys, Timmermaus, Busseys, Princes, Thurmonds, Hon. W. J. Talbert, and many other good men and women.

The Baptist Church of Salem is situated in the Northern portion of the county, known as the Saluda section, about 3 miles from Bouknight's - Herbert's Ferry. The church wasconstituted in 1800. This is as far as the records show, but tradition says that the church was in existence here prior to that date. It was a place of worship before the Rovolutionary War. In the membership of that early date we find names .still familiar in that section, viz.: Corleys, Kings, Colemans, Rii^is-s., Wheelers, Havirds, Worthingtons, Merchants, Berrys, and Abneys.

Rev. Samuel V/orthington, whose name we find among the students of P'urman University, when that Institution W2LS located on the high hills ot Santee, was received into the -clmrch in December 1824.

The first pastor is not known. The name of Rev. Henry Kiag is the first appearing on the record as jDastor. Mr. King arid his wife were received by letter in 18 10, and he was called at ciuce as pastor. The pastors since Mr. King have been lleva. B. Still, D. Peterson, Pvobert Corley, Zedekiah Watkins, J. F. Peterson, J. \V. Coleman, H. T. Bartley, and others utidl the present time. It is now supplied by Rev. M. D. Padgett, lu 18 ID there were 90 members; in 1834 there were log; in 83; in 1850, 52; from 1S50 to 1867, 52; from i867tol878 there was an increase of 10, sliowing 62 members in 1876. Sisice that time the membership has fallen off, so that now, in *S93. there are only 33. This reduction was caused by expulsions, deaths, and dismissals, but the principal cause was the advent of the Second Adventists into this section, many leaving and going into the new sect.

For some years this church has been aided in her work by the State Mission Board. The present church building was -es'ected in 1837 - has been since repaired and improved. House -and other church property valued at $Soo.

Pine Pleasant was organized or constituted about the year 1852 or 1833, and the house was built soon after. This was one of the fruits of that great religious wave that swept over the whole county about that time. The preachers at Pine Pleasant who took an active part in the revival there were N.

W. Hodges, Samuel Worthington, - Barnes, and - Chiles - Dr. J. C. Ready was one of the converts and second pastor. The church has been served since by Revs. Jones \V. Coleman, Watkins, - A. P. Norris at the close and during the war - James Carson since the war, and others whose names I cannot recall, as I write from memory. The church has sometimes been without a pastor - sometimes quite low in feeling and in membership, and sometimes quite zealous and healthy.

Chestnut Or Chestnut Ridge

This is an old church constituted by Revs. Robert Marsh, Samuel Marsh, and John Bolger in 1809. The Culbreaths, Scotch people, settled in that neighborhood in the year 1765. The house of worship was built not long after the church was constituted, it may be before, as the Culbreaths were religious people and did not choose to remain destitute of the ministry of the Word. The first deacons were Thomas Scurry, John Culbreath, and Thomas Christian. There was a church once on a hill near Mill Creek, Mine Creek, and near the Saluda Old Town, (also a schoolhouse, where A. P. Butler went to school when a boy,) but whether Chestnut Ridge took the the place of this, drew off the membership, and this was permitted to go down, I cannot say. Be this as it may. Chestnut Hill, or Chestnut Ridge, is one of the old churches of the county, and has at this time a good membership and is in a healthful condition. Some of the first and most prominent members of this church were William Smith, Sr. , William Culbreath, Sr., William Marlow, Daniel Rodgers, Toliver Towles, Daniel Butler, and James Maynard.

The church has been served as pastors by Revs. Mangum, William Watkins, Jones W. Coleman, James F. Peterson, and James Carson, nor is this all, but the records of the church are so broken that it is impossible to do more than I have done.

"Whereas on Saturday 24th of March, 1804, the Baptist Church at the Cross Roads appointed John Cogburn, L,ewis Tilhnan, Stephen Norris, WilHam Howel Smith, Floyd Mitchel, Barkley Martin, and John Huffman to form rules for the government of the church to be presented at the next meeting for the inspection of the same.

The E Igefield Baptist Association met here September 6th, 1893, having met with this church only once before since the church was organized. That meeting was held about 40 years before as stated by the oldest members. The church record is silent on the matter.

Episcopal Churches

There are three Episcopal Churches is the county; one in the town of Edgefield; one in the direction of Ninety-Six, and about twelve miles from that place. This church was erected under the aupices of Mrs. Brooks, the mother of the Hon. P. S. Brooks, and widow of Whitfield Brooks, Esq. One of her sons. Colonel J. H. Brooks, now (1893) owns the property and lives near the church.

Roman Catholic

There is only one Catholic Church building in the county, and that is in the town of Edgefield, near and just north of the court house. This house is strong and substantial!}^ built of the best and most durable granite. Like all other structures built b}' Rome from the time Romulus laid her foundation until now, this house was made to outlast the ages. Rome and the Roman Church in the way of building do nothing poor. The Cluirch tries always in material things to realize and make good the truth of the promise that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Second Adventists

There is only one church of this denomination in the county, and that is situated a few miles from Butler Methodist Church. The congregation used the O'Neall Baptist Church building for some time after their organization, but they set about and soon succeeded in building a house of their own.

The Universalists

This denomination has one church and church building in the county. This is at Mount Enon, and has a membership of about three dozen zealous, active, and intelligent members. It was organized about the year 1885 by Rev. D. B. Clayton. There is no regular pastor, but the church is supplied from time to time by Revs. D. B. Clayton, Burruss, Thomas Chapman, and Rev. Mr. Bowers is now pastor.

These are all the denominations I believe. There are no Mennonites, Quakers, Tunkers, Swedenborgians, nor Christians that I can now call to mind.

Young Men'S Christian Association

With the introduction of the Young Men's Christian Association into Edgefield began a new era. The testimonies of ministers, lawyers, physicians, and business men generally, have been sufficient evidence of this fact.

After two or three unsuccessful attempts at an organization of this kind, the present work was established first with simply a Young Men's Prayer Meeting, organized by seventeen Edgefield boys, January 19th, 1S90. So great was the enthusiasm that a public meeting was conducted that night, and after remarks by several of the leaders of the movement, a general hand-shaking followed.

Over thirty public meetings were held during the year for the presentation of the work. Nor was the main object lost sight of, namely, work for young men. The meetings for young men increased in numbers and in influence, daily; and the result can only be appreciated by a former resident of the town. Several conversions were the result during the first year; and when the Association was finally visited by State and international secretaries, it was found, to the astonishment of all, that a bona fide "County Association Work" had sprung up unknown to the members themselves. The fact of its being a "County Work" amply justifies the introduction of this sketch into a history of the county. No apologies are necessary for its iutroducton. This history of the county would be incomplete without it.

Prior to this only three counties in the United States had attempted anything like organizing the Associations by counties, with county conventions, county committees, county secretaries, &c. Here in Edgefield, while the }^oung men were ignorant of what was going on elsewhere, branches had been organized at four country churches, and a constitution, for the government of all under one system, had been adopted.

A county convention, the fifth ever held, was therefore called for February 28th, March isl and 2nd, 189 1. At this convention, besides delegates from the several branches in the county, there were present two international secretaries, one State secretary, three general secretaries, and one president. The convention was characterized by a display of enthusiasm, and yet of sound judgment worthy of any gathering of mere mortals. Indeed, the future outcome forces the belief upon the reflective mind that the Spirit of the lyiving God was present, quickening and guiding.

The Convention elected a county committee of seven men, namely: A. S. Tomkins, Chairman; James T. Bacon, Secretary; A. J. Norris, Treasurer; Dr. J. W. Hill, W. E. Eynch, R. A. Marsh, and E. J. Minis, all of Edgefield. It was afterwards supplemented by W. Hading, of Meeting Street; J. W. Mitchell, of Batesburg; B. E- Caughman, of Mount Willing;

To this committee was given the supervision of the work in the county; and on May ist, 1891, Mr. Mr. John Lake was employed as the only County Secretary then in the South.

Mr. Robert Wiedensall, of Chicago, the oldest Secretary of the International Committee, and the father of nearly all of the leading features of association work, as college work, railroad work, work among German speaking }^oungImen, &c. , and who first conceived this plan of county work, wrote the the following in his annual report to the International Committee, in New York. It was published in the Year Book for 1S91 :

"No service during the year afforded me more satisfaction, and promised more for the future, than the County Convention at Edgefield, S. C. It began on Saturday evening with one of the most impressive meetings I ever attended; and in this meeting the most solid testimony was given by responsible business men of the good work that had been done for the young men in the county. The services on Sunday were very complete in their interests and results.

"At the Young Men's Meeting in the afternoon twenty-five fine looking young men rose for prayer; and a number of them accepted Christ in the after meeting. The topics were well discussed. The paper on 'County Work,' read by a lawyer, was excellent, and will be published in the minutes of the Convention, and will be a great help to the work. The Convention seemed like a miniature State Convention. A good county committee was appointed, with headquarters in Edgefield, the county town, where a working quorum, including the officers, resides.

' 'The author of the paper referred to was made Chairman of the Committee; the .strongest financial man of the place was made Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee; and the editor of the county paper was made Secretary. It was determined by the Committee to raise $5,000 to prosecute for the year a true county work.

"This county is noted as one of the most difficult in South Carolina for Christian work; and it is a very significant fact that it should be the first one in the great South to take up this important phase of association effort. The International

Committee's plan of systematic giving for association extension was adopted by the Convention for the Association of the county. State Secretary Wynne was present at all the sessions of the Convention, and did all he could to make it a success."

This movement is regarded as one of the most important steps in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association; and Edgefield Count3^ ever forward in such movements as Nullification, Secession, and Red Shirtism in days gone by, has taken the front rank in this. There are now seven Young Men's Christian Associations fostered b}^ this county organization.

The daily papers throughout the State, as well as the local press of Sumter, have given glowing accounts of the recent Convention of South Carolina's Young Men's Christian Associations. This gatheiing of eighty or ninety picked men from the Associations of the State was a model of harmony, enthusiasm and spirituality. The subjects relating to the work were ably discussed ; the Bible studies and devotional services were strengfhening and ennobling; and everything was conducted in a business-like manner that reflected credit upon all connected with it.

Edgefield was represented by four delegates, and the work in our town and throughout our county made a most encouraging showing when the reports were called for. County Y. M. C. A. Work, as conducted in our county, is regarded as a model for the other counties of our State, and indeed for the entire nation.

Reports received from various points in the county since the Convention are exceedingly gratifying. At the last meeting heard from, at Good Hope, about 75 young men were present. Mt. Willing was visited last week, and new life has been infused into the work there.

In our town on Sunday last there were 23 at the young men's meeting, 16 at the boy's meeting, and over two hundred at the public service at night. During the same da}^ a committee from the Association visited the jail, while a similar committee has been appointed to visit the Poor House at stated periods. The Bible classes are still doing good work, and everything betokens progress along all lines of Y. M. C. A. work.

The subject of education has already beeu mentioned more than once, but the reader will find here the official statement of W. D. Mayfield, Esq., Superintendent of Education, for the year 1891, showing the number of high shools and graded schools in the county, with the number of pupils in attendance, male and female, white and colored.

We find there are four high schools, viz. : Denny's, Emory, Harmony, and Red Hill. Two graded schools, one at Edgefield and one at Johnston.

Teachers Employed In Common Schools

Male, white, first grade, 37; female, 51; total, SS. Male, white, second grade, 2; female, 15; total, 17. Male white, third grade ^ o; female, 2; total, 2. Male, colored, first grade, 6; female, 3; total, g. Male, colored, second grade, 16; female, 10; total, 26. Male, colored, third grade, 20; female, 25; total, 45. lyicentiate, colored, 4; total, 4. Males, first grade, 43; females, 54; total, 97. Males, second grade, iS; female, 25; total, 43. Males, third grade, 20; females, 27; total; 47. Males licentiates, o; females, 4; total, 4. Total ain't paid to teachers during the year 1890-91 $12602 31

Average Monthly Wages Paid To Teachers

From the foregoing statement it is very plain that the education and the amount of instruction to be had in the public schools is not at all suflScient to make one a scholar. Pope, the poet says:

I am not sure that he is right, but whether he is or not, this is clear, that he who is able to read well, is able to drink deep, is able to store up in his mind the best thoughts of the best and wisest men of all the ages. The public school system lays the foundation and opens the way to the acquisition of knowledge, and the seeker can go on if he wishes. A collegiate training does little more.

The public school system is rather hard on the teachers. Three and a half months' employment during the 3-ear is not sufficient, hence the danger is of not being able to find teachers strictly first grade for the public schools. There is great danger of lowering the standard.

In addition to the foregoing mentioned high schools and academies I can add that there is at Ridge Spring a good academj^ for boys and girls where pupils are prepared for college. Batesburg has two good schools, one under the control of the Baptist denomination, the other under control of the Methodist. Both have good teachers and both do good work. They have good buildings. These schools belong to Lexington as well as Edgefield, as Batesburg is on the line between the two counties. Johnston has alread)^ been mentioned. The schools there have been good for a long time. Johnston now has a graded school. Trenton, the old Pine House, has a good academy. At this time, September i§93. the school is under the mastership of M. W. Purifoy - he has just entered upon its duties. He has had some experience and is a good teacher. The school has a competent corps of assistants.

At Edgefield Rev. L. R. Gwaltney has just entered upon his duties as headmaster of the old and venerable Edgefield Academ)^ where many eminent men were educated in the past, and where one eminent native and citizen of Newberry, James J. Caldwell, taught in the year 1819. Mr. Gwaltney, as pastor of the Baptist Church at Edgefield and a master of the academy, has a fine field for doing good work.

Parksville, Modoc, and Plum Branch, on the Augusta and Knoxville Railroad, have good high schools. And so in every section of the county from Lexington to Abbeville and from the Savannah to the Saluda, education is not neglected anywhere, but from every hamlet and homestead in the land children flock daily to the school houses with their satchels full of books. And all who wall may get a good education in the County of Edgefield.

Literature

Edgefield has been the home, native or adopted, of many eminent men, lawyers, judges, physicians, ministers of the Gospel, statesmen, Governors, and military men, but of few writers and authors of books. The talent and genius have not been wanting; but the atmosphere of Edgefield has always been too intensely active and practical to give a suitable home to the story teller, to the dreaming scholar, or to the poet. There have been men and women both, who, under other auspices, might have developed into poets and writers of general literature. Indeed, the feeling that makes the poet, the scieutist, and the scholar is in all lands and in all communities. Circumstances foster, or retard and hinder, the growth of the feeling to the fl[owering and fruit-bearing age.

In Edgefield the taste and scholarship of Mr. Edmund Bacon were so remarkable that when a boy at school in Augusta and only fifteen years of age, he was selected by the academy to give the address of welcome to Washington on his visit to that city m 1791. Mr. Bacon's wish then was to devote himself to literary pursuits, to which his guardian was favorable, perhaps injudiciously, as his fortune v.'as small. Washington was so well pleased with the address of welcome that he made Mr. Bacon a present of books, and among them were some valuable law books. This present determined him to give his life to the law. He made a good and successful lawyer; but the"e is little doubt that literature lost a worthy servant. The taste for polite learning (and the love of it) has always been .strong in his descendants, but they have produced, so far as is known to this writer, no permanent works. The editor of the Edgefield Chronicle is a graceful and ea.sy writer, of pure taste and is a fine musician. What James T. Bacon might have done had he given himself to letters entirely, I know not; but I feel that he could have done well.

Arthur Simkins, so long the able and popular editor of the Edgefield Advertiser, was a poet and musician of no mean order; but he passed away, leaving no permanent work, except what may be found in the files of the Advertiser. There are others now bearing the name, who might rise to eminence in the world of letters, but the exigencies of life press upon them and force their labors into other channels. Poverty and neg-

Mrs. Sophia Lake, born Blocker, the wife of Dr. John Lake, was a good writer; wrote stories and sketches for the Advertiser, and was an occasional contributor to Godey's Lady's Book, and perhaps also to other magazines. She left no book. Had I a specimen of her verse it would afford me pleasure to give one or more here. She was kin by blood to James Beattie, author of the Minstrel.

Why should I write the name of Catherine D. Hammond here? Because she was, or might have been, a writer of verse. She lived and died perhaps a hundred years ago. Hers was a bright, ethereal spirit, the spirit of a past.

Professor La Borde's History of the South Carolina College is one of the few books, the work of an Edgefield man. The work is very valuable as the historj- of an institution that has been, and, it is hoped, will long continue to be, of great and lasting benefit to the people of the State. Professor La Borde's work, with Colonel J. P. Thomas' History of the Citadel Academy, should never be permitted to drop into neglect before the sea of oblivion covers all.

William H. Abney had poetical ability of a high order, but no work of his remains, except some few verses which were published in the Advertiser, and which are here given, witli remarks of the editor of that paper:

Something Unique

W. H. A. sends us from Grahamville, S. C, the following chastely-wrought stanzas, remarking that "although verses of another stripe would be more suited to a time of war like this," yet he does not think "that Melpomene should utterly dethrone her gentler sisters." We decidedly agree to that sentiment, and find room with pleasure for our absent friend's eflfusion. The ladies will scan its peculiar merits with zest, and, although plain philologists may at first uplift their critical brows against the quaintness of its verbiage, they will, upon examination, find that it stands the test of orthoepy. Only further premising that we should ourself have preferred that our classical contributor had furnished a clue to one or two very pretty phrases which (to be candid) are not entirely within our ken, we beg leave to introduce to the public:

Thorney Isle

"The sweet loneliness of Thorne)^ Isle pleaseth me more now." These words are ascribed to Edward III, the Monk- King, by Sir E. Bulwer I^ytton in his powerful romance of "Harold, the last of the Saxon Kings." They were addressed to William the Conqueror, as the royal twain rode side by side to London.

Joseph Abney was a graceful and fluent writer as well as an eloquent speaker. He wrote much for the Advertiser, as he always took a deep interest in the political movements of the times. But he left nothing in the form of book or pamphlet, that I now remember, except an address before Butler I^odge, No. 57, A. F. M., on the Anniversary of St. John, the Baptist, in 1854. Mr. Abney was an ardent and devoted Mason, and in this address he traces the history of the order and shows how strong the tie of brotherhood is amongst all nations and people who ha\-e become members of the fraternity. There are some eloquent passages in the address, and if the incidents related are true, and I have no reason to doubt them. Free Masonry is truly a noble order. Like other good things, it is abused sometimes.

Giles Chapman, who was killed at the battle of Bueua Vista, soon after the close of his school days wrote and had printed at the office of the Advertiser a poem of three or four hundred lines, descriptive of a trip to the then new country of Texas. It was written before the Texan War of Independence. The poem was inscribed to Charles K. Johnson, for whom the author had great admiration and reverence as a teacher and as a man. Mr. Johnson was then editing and publishing the "Native American" at New Orleans. I transcribe a few lines from the poem:

Thomas J. McKie, M. D., of Woodlawn, is a graceful and pleasant writer, and has given to me great assistance in the preparation of this book. His "Medical Biographies," which was printed and published in pamphlet form several years ngo, the reader will find incorporated in this book. Dr. McKie Avas Surgeon in the Tenth Regiment, Gist's Brigade.

The following lines by the author of this book were written and published in the Edgefield Advertiser soon after the decease of the great man whose death they were intended to commemorate:

The same writer has also published two small volumes of verse, "The Walk and other Poems," and "Within the Vail," also a "History of South Carolina for use in the common schools." This was adopted in 1893 by the State Board of Education. He has also published Part Second of the Annals of Newberry and this History of Edgefield.

W. C. Moragne was a man of fine education and remarkable for his good literary taste and ability. He made, during his life, several occasional addresses, which were well worthy of preservation, but he did not devote himself to literature as a calling. He was a lawyer, and at the Bar as a practitioner of law he was eminently successful. A sketch of his career is found elsewhere in this book.

There may be others or may have been other workers in the literary field, of whom I know nothing. There may be some now in other States, natives of Edgefield or descendants of natives, whose names I would be glad to record here. Edgefield has produced too few who have devoted themselves to letters, and who have been faithful followers of the muses.

The newspapers of the county have always held a good position as papers, pure and hightoned. The Advertiser was the finst, and stood alone for many years, published by the elder Mr. W. F. Durisoe as editor and proprietor. Then there was a paper published in Hamburg for some years, the title of which I do not remember, though it seems to me it was the there are three weekly papers in the county, two at the Court House - Advertiser and Chronicle, and one, the Monitor, at Johnston. They are all Democratic, though they differ somewhat in their views as to the true policy of the Democratic party. This is but natural and right, so they a>gree to live, and do live in peace and good fellowship.

Ladies' Library Society

A constitution having been prepared, it was adopted, and the following officers elected, viz.: Mrs. Jos. Abney, President; Mrs. Dr. Hill, Vice-President, and Mrs. Robert A. Lynch, Secretary and Treasurer.

Medical Biographies

"The blows out, the bubble dies; The spring entonib'd in autumn lies; The dew dries up, the star is shot; The flight is past, and man forgot."

The laborious and well nigh impossible task assigned me, by this Association at its last meeting, in Aiken, two years ago, of collecting and recording biographical sketches of the medical profession in Edgefield, having been partially and very imperfectly performed, I beg to submit the following brief and barely more than traditional sketches, as a part of that dutj', so imperfectly performed. The difficulties which surround this undertaking can only be appreciated by those who have engaged in a similar work, and from such, at least, I hope for the mildest criticism.

As geographers crowd into the edges of their maps parts of the world which they do not know about, adding notes in the margin to the effect that beyond this lies nothing but sandy deserts, Scythian ice or a frozen sea, so would this work be, were more to be said of the few whose names and lives I have attempted to record.

Although the doctor's life is most intimately fraught with that of the human family, from the moment of birth to the hour of death, the first to welcome the new creature into life, and the last to minister to his dying wants, yet he retains not a memory,

Dr. W. Brazier

Dr. William Brazier, though a native of England, died in Aiken, then a part of Edgefield, in July, 1843, and may be claimed as an Edgefield practitioner, though much of his life was spent elsewhere. Dr. Maximilian Laborde has left us, in an obituary notice, all we know of this rather remarkable character. Born in London about A. D. 1740, (being something like one hundred years old when he died) of highly re- .spectable parentage, one of his cousins, Captain Lambert, of the British Navy, fell at the capture of the Java by the Constitution; another. General Lambert, was in command of the British reserve at the battle of New Orleans; he obtained favor of the British Government, and secured a collectonship at the port of St. Christopher, in the West Indies. Here he turned missionary to the negroes, preaching the doctrine of John Wesley.

About 1791 he was invited to Charleston by a Societ)^ of Primitive Wesleyan Methodists, to take charge of their congregation. Here he determined upon the study of medicine, and repaired to Philadelphia for that purpose, a year or two after. Receiving an invitation from Dr. Rush, who discovered rare talent in the student, to go into his office, he prosecuted his studies so successfully as to obtain a license to practice among the inmates of the Philadelphia Almshouse, for six months of the year 1795. He then returned South and practiced medicine at and near Augusta, Ga. , and in Edgefield until 1803, when he was again called to Charleston, to take charge of the church, by which he had been invited in 1791. Nine months after he abandoned the pulpit and removed to Columbia, where he practiced medicine a short time; thence he returned to the neighborhood of Edgefield Court House, where he practiced his profession until about 1827. Five or six years were then spent in the valley of the Mississippi.

As a physician, Dr. Brazier stood well with the profession of his day. Between the Shakers, to whom he was at one time strongly attached, Methodists and Baptists, his theological ideas were not always clearly understood, and it is believed he died in the faith of Baron Swedenborg. His intellect was of a high order, but for want of cultivation and discipline, which insure logical precision and perspicuity, and owing to an ardor of teinperametit which rendered him impatient of contradiction, he was not successful He was an inveterate talker and a bold listener, so much so that he has been known to talk his friend into a sound sleep, and then arouse him b)' a verbal chastisement for his inattention or want of capacity to understand him.

Dr. Elbert Bland

Was born near Edgefield, S. C, on the 29th of April, 1823. Born and reared in affluence, and having a father ambitious for his son, his educational advantages were of the best.

Nature gifted him with a clear and vigorous intellect, together with an almost unparalleled native energy, and vigorous application capable of rapid and lasting acquirements. His was a strong, manly, and forcible character, well calculated to carve its way through the deadliest opposition. Having selected medicine for his profession, he properly understood the high requirements of the vocation. He entered the medical department of the University of New York, and remained there during the sessions of 1843 and '44.

In March, 1844, he graduated with honorable distinction. Being' ardent and ambitious in his profession, he was not satisfied with merely entering upon the threshold of science, but was desirous of penetrating into the inmost recesses of its mysteries. He consequently returned to the city of New York, and spent the greater part of the year 1845 and 1846 attending the hospitals, and still deriving knowledge from the learned men of the faculty, among whom he had w-arm and lasting friends. His knowledge of the philosophy of medicine was deep and accurate.

In the captivating and instructive branches of physiology and anatomy he was exceedingly well versed. But it was in the specialty of surgery that he rested his hopes for future eminence. He w^as singularly fitted by his temperament for this dignified and important branch of his profession, and it only needed a longer life to have placed him in the front rank of American surgeons. On the breaking out of the Mexican war he applied for and received the appointment of Assistant Surgeon of the historic Palmetto Regiment, and with them proceeded to the distant field of action. He passed through the arduous Mexican campaign with honor and practic?.l im- provement to himself, with sterling usefulness to his fellowsoldiers, and with the highest intimacy and applause of his commander, the heroic and knightly Colonel P. M. Butler. He returned to Edgefield at the close of the war, in 1848, and resumed the practice of medicine. He was married to Miss Rebecca Griffin, daughter of Honorable Nathan L. Griffin, also of Edgefield, in March, 1854, and from that time until the breaking out of the late war, lived there as a popular, scientific, reliable, fearless, and sympathetic physician. Though actively engaged in arduous professional duties, yet he never ceased to be more or less a student, but with the application of true mental devotion, made himself one of the best informed men of his day.

Unpretentious and unpedantic, he was yet a better scholar than many around him distinguished for high literary and political position. The dark clouds of dissension gathered and the call of an invaded country disturbed the study of scientific pursuits, and with unexampled devotion and patriotism, he exchanged the scalpel for the sword and placed his services and his life upon the altar of his country.

On the 6th of January, 1861, he was commissioned Surgeon of the First Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Maxey Gregg, and stationed on Morris Island. In this capacity he served but two months, and fired with patriotic ardor and love of martial glory, he resigned this position, determined to seek more active service. He returned home and in March, 1861, was made Captain of the Ninetysix Rifles, one of the best organized, drilled, and equipped companies of the war. This company formed the right, and rifle company of the Seventh Regiment, .Soxith Carolina Volunteers. During the first year of the war he led this companythrough all the marchings and countermarchings of the Army of the Potomac. At Fairfax, at Bull Run, at Manassas, Fall's Church, Munson's Hill, on the retreat to the Peninsula, at Yorktown, and at Williamsburg. In April, 1862, the Seventh Regiment was reorganized and Captain Bland was elected Eieutenant Colonel, and, with the exception of four months, he was in active command of the regiment. In the battles around Richmond, at Savage Station, he received a severe wound in the right arm, from which he never recovered - only a few weeks before his death, a tumor proceeding from this wound, caused him intense suffering. At Fredericksburg, in the terrible battle of December, 1S62, he led the Seventh Regiment. In this battle he narrowly escaped death, and was only saved b}- a spy-glass in his left breast pocket - the cylinder of which was torn and the glass shivered by a minnie ball. At Chancellorsville in May, 1863, he led the regiment. At Gettysburg he led the right win.:. In all these battles he was slightly wounded. After his return from Pennsylvania, his health was so shattered, and his wounded arm so troublesome, he determined, very reluctantly, to return home to his profession. The regiment was ordered South, and clamored so loudly for him to lead them that he consented, and on the fatal 20th September, 1863, he marched to the "River of Death," and fell on the bloody field of Chickamauga - shot through the left lung.

He lived three-quarters of an hour, and died in the arms of his devoted Sergeant, vStalhvorth, and calmly and bravely as became his life, entrusted messages of love and farewell to wife and children.

Dr. William Butler

Of the distinguisr.ed sons of Edgefield who have adorned the medical profession, besides being a rich heritage to the district, State, and county, none are more worthy of record than Dr. William Butler, Jr., who was born in 1792, at Big Creek, near the spot where Butler Church now (1889) stands.

When quite a young man, handsome, tall, (six feet) erect, and graceful, he appears in connection with the medical staff at the battle of New Orleans. From the Navy Department, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, we obtain the following record of naval service of Dr. William Butler, Jr :

Surgeon's Mate, (equivalent of Assistant Surgeon now) commission dated loth December, 18 14, and handed to hira at this Department on the 2nd June, 18 15, with an order to report himself to Dr. Cuthbush for duty in the hospital at Washington.

January 28th, 1818, report to Commodore H. G. Campbell, commanding officer, Charleston, S. C, for duty on Blackbeard's Island, under the immediate command of Lieutenant Thomas Newells.

About this time Dr. Butler was married at Newport, Rhode Island, to Miss Jane Tweedy Perry, daughter of Captain Perry, United States Nav}', and sister of the two Commodore Perry s, and seems not to have practiced his profession to any extent afterwards. He settled on his plantation adjoining Saluda Old Town plantation, and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits.

In 1824 he exchanged his plantation for a large body of land in Greenville District, and built on Butler's Hill, near to Lowndes' Hill, four miles from Greenville Court House, where he resided until 1849, when he removed to Arkansas, When Waddy Thompson, his brother-in-law, was appointed Minister to Mexico, Dr. Butler represented the Greenville Congressional District in Congress for the unexpired term. He is represented as being rather stern in manner, at times approaching austerity, distinguished for elevation and integrit)' of character, with a rigid sense of right, from which nothing could divert or swerve him.

His stay in Arkansas was a brief one. Attacked by gastric disease, he died at Fort Gibson on the 26th of September, 1850, and is buried near Van Bureu, Ark.

Dr. Augustus W. Burt at one time enjoyed a large and lucrative practice in the lower Horn's Creek portion of Edgefield, occupying quite an extensive field, often requiring two or more days to make a round of visits. Fevers, mostly of a malarial type, were the prevailing diseases at these busy seasons, and though in the earlier days of quinine in full or even moderate doses, he had a fair degree of success. It is remembered of him that his library was exceedingly small, and his stock of medicine, which every county practitioner was compelled to keep and dispense, was very limited. Mercury, followed by jalap, &c. , was the then prevailing fashion of treating fevers. Sulphuric ether was with him a favorite remedy in what he called red tongue fever, a remittent, with excessive gastric irritability.

His death was a tragic one. Perhaps in 1841 or 1842, he Avas called upon to treat a negro man whose brains had been knocked out with the eye of a weeding hoe, in the hands of another negro on the same plantation. A difficulty arose between them while working in the field together, and the hoe was put to the unlawful use of crushing in the frontal bone, and displacing a considerable quantity of cerebral matter, some of which remained upon the hoe. Shortly after the recovery of this case in the hands of Dr. Burt, both negroes were sold in consequence of the death of the owner, when the Doctor became the purchaser of the assailant. After the close of the sale the Doctor laughingl}^ remarked upon the cheapness of his purchase, the negro having given him a good paying case in thus wounding his fellow servant.

Two years after the purchase, early in 1847, when the Doctor attempted to administer some slight punishment to the negro, while holding a club-axe in his hand, he turned on his owner, and with the axe, treated him as he had before done the negro with the hoe, except that immediate death was the result, the blows being repeated until life was extinct.

Dr. Burt was a tall, commanding figure, with fine face, winning manner and pleasing address. He was popular, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of a large clientage. He was also a lover of all field sports, in which he freely indulged when the time and opportunity favored, but worked with such assiduous industry as to accumulate quite a competency. His death was a great shock to the entire community, and was deeply regretted by all.

Dr. Wall Burt

fair practice for several years at Edgefield Court Plouse, where he was well spoken of. But, like many others of Edgefield's sons, thought best to seek fortune in the West, and removed about a quarter of a century ago, to Shreveport, Ea., where he practiced till not many years since when he died.

Dr. H. Burt

Dr. Harwood Burt, the eldest of the three, was also the most talented. He was a fine conversationalist, a most popular and successful practitioner, a good speaker, and with all, a metaphysician of no mean order. It is .said of him that on one occasion when worsted in an argument by a learned gentleman who opposed him he turned to him and .said: "Sir, j'ou remind me of a piney-woods pond - all over creation and ankle deep no where. " He stood at the head of the profession in Edgefield and was considered a safe and wise cou.nsellor in all matters pertaining to medicine.

Being a genius, he was also erratic. At times a religious enthusiast, at others an eloquent lecturer on temperance, and at last an industrious and most successful farmer, making an impress of his versatile mind upon agriculture, which redounded to the benefit of his entire section, whose capabilities as an agricultural territory had never before reached such a high state of productiveness as was developed under his skillful hands.

Dr. Mathew W. Abney was born in the Saluda .section of Edgefield in 1814. He was descended from an honored Saluda family, who claim descent from an old English family, members of which still hold honored places in the mother country. Dr. Abney 's parents both died when he was young. From early youth, however, he was brave and self-reliant; and in the country schools of his native .section, he acquired a fair education. Before reaching manhood's estate he volunteered for the Seminole War under Colonel David Denny, al.so of the Saluda section. In this campaign his health became impaired.

He travelled in Kentuck)- and Ohio for the benefits offered by the lime water of those States. While in Cincinnati he became a student of Dr. Curtis, an eminent ph^-sician of his day.

Returning home, he continued his medical studies with Dr. John Read}', a prominent physician of the eastern side of Edgefield. He graduated from the South Carolina Medical College in 1838, his thesis having received complimentary notice.

Beginning practice in the Pleasant Lane section of Edgefield he obtained some distinction the following year by his successful management of his cases in an epidemic of typhoid fever which prevailed in his neighborhood.

In 1840 he married Miss Caroline Blocker, a lady whose every quality conspired to bless and brighten the Doctor's whole life - the last thirty years of which was spent in active practice at Edgefield Court House interrupted only by his service as a medical officer in the army of the Confederate States.

This noble gentleman of the old school died at his home in Edgefield village after a lingering and painful illness. Four years before his death he was stricken with paralysis and remained an invalid - the trials of which he bore with such fortitude and courage as to display in an exemplary way his Christian character. For almost half a century, Dr. Abney pursued his work of duty and devotion to his profession and patrons with singular and steadfast earnestness, and died in his seventj'-second year.

The following additional tribute to the memory of Dr. M. W. Abney is from the pen and heart of James T. Bacon, Esq., editor of the Edgefield Chronicle:

"This noble gentleman of the old school, of high and honorable Saluda lineage, died at his home in our town on Friday morning, the 20th inst. Four years ago he was stricken with paralysis, since which time he was a helpless, though a cheerful invalid, strong in intellectual keenness and Christian fortitude. And never did mortal man through long years of suffering receive such sublime exemplification of woman's love and truth, and faith, and work, as did our revered and departed townsman.

but his noble wife and daughters will ever wear the crown of duty fulfilled with heaveul}- completeness. For half a century Dr. Abney was an acknowledged leader in his great humanitarian profession of medicine; a shining light in the scientific world beloved of all, and that grandest of all characters, a genuine Christian.

"We gazed upon his face in death and the clean years of duty showed their impress upon the peaceful countenance, chiseled by thought and tinted with the sweet glow of perennial benevolence.

To this brief biographical sketch of Dr. Abney I do not think it improper to add that at his wedding supper, to which I was an invited guest - he married Miss Caroline Blocker - it was my good fortune to eat off the table cloth, or part of the table cloth that had been used at the entertainment given to Marquis de LaFayette on his visit to Charleston during the administratioti of Governor Manning.

Mrs. Abney 's grandfather was one of the committee whose duty it Was to entertain L,aFayette on that occasion, and after the feast, as the cloth was very large, the committee divided it among them, and Mrs. Abney's mother used the piece which had come to her at her daughter's wedding feast.

*Dr. Edward J. Minis, the second son of M, Mims, Esq., one of the oldest settlers of Edgefield village, practiced there almost to the time of his death. He also carried on the first drug store in Edgefield, in partnership with Dr. M. LaBorde. After many years he retired to his plantation, eight miles off, which has since become the site of the flourishing town of Johnston on the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Road. He was well educated, kind-hearted, liberal in his views, and a safe and successful practitioner.

r.early all of his life at the place of his nativity, several miles above, where he practiced with satisfaction to his patrons. In manner he was gentle and dignified. He improved his mind not only in the science of his chosen profession, but in general literature as ^vell. Politics also commanded his attention, he liaving been chosen a Representative in the State Legislature. He was also a successful farmer, and possessing- an able second in the person of his amiable wife, he accumulated a fortune, as fortunes were in those days. He was liberal and kind to the poor. He died comparative!}- a young man.

Dr. John Lake

This trul}- good and able man, Dr. John Lake, was no less a philanthropist than a physician - physician in its broad and true sense. Whenever appealed to he rarely, if ever, said no. And in his special branch, that of obstetrics, he perhaps had no equal in Edgefield County. It is currently said of him that when the first to be called in he never lost a mother in child-birth. He was a firm believer in the necessity of prompt removal of the placenta without the usual waiting taught by the books.

To arrive at any degree of prominence in any special branch of medicine or surger}- is rarely to be hoped for by a countrypractitioner. The duties u-hich devolve upon him are so varied, the amount of physical labor to be performed is so arduous, and the time necessarily consumed in going from house to house, often at long distances from each other, is so great as to preclude the possibility of any specialty without some genius or special adaptation of the individual.

Though reared in Edgefield he was born in Newberr}^ District, April 2Sth, 1809, and was educated at Cokesbury, in Abbeville. His father removed to Edgefield when the son was about twelve years of age, and soon afterwards both parents died, leaving the son with three other brothers to carve their wa)^ in life.

At the age of twenty-one or two Dr. L. graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, and began the practice of medicine soon after. Two or three years later he was married to Miss Sophia A. Blocker, who was well known in Edgefield as

Besides doing a good practice and having a general supervision of his farm upon which he lived, Dr. L. found time to engage in political matters, and represented his district in the State Legislature, having been chosen to that office in 1848 (or thereabout) by a very complimentary vote of 2,300 out of a possible 2,700.

Dr. I,, was also active and prominent in his County Medical Society, which lived and flourished most under his able administration as president, which office he filled so ably and acceptably to the members, that the office was thrust upon him against his earnest protest. When well advanced in years, and stricken with the infirmities of age, it is remembered that, in one of his annual addresses before the Society, perhaps the last he ever made, with much feeling and effect he referred to the story of the seven men who agreed among themselves to meet on a given day in each succeeding year, and dine together until the last man was left. He said that, "when I look around me for the associates of my earlier life their seats are all empty. I alone am left to greet you, the rising generation of representatives of Edgefield medicine. I bid you God speed, and I entreat you to foster and perpetuate your Society for your own benefit, for the advancement of 3-our profession and for the good of society."

At one time in its earlier days, Dr. L. was vice-president of this Association. In early life he connected himself with the Baptist denomination, and on January ijih, 1884, in the 75th year of his age, Dr. Lake died as he had lived, a pure and upright man.

Dr. William W. Geiger, whose place of nativity is on the Saluda side of Edgefield, came to Cherokee Pond, about eight miles from Hamburg, and began the practice of medicine in 1837 or 1838. He was a g'"aduate of a Kentucky school, Lexington, perhaps, which vv-as a popular resort for students from this section at that time. He enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his community, both as a man and as a physician, doing at one time quite a large and extensive practice. He continued in this field for twelve or fourteen years, and afterwards abandoned the practice for the less laborious business of a commission merchant in the then thriving- town of Hamburg. Dr. G. was twice married, and after the second marriage hegave up his business in Hamburg and moved with his family to Florida, where he has since died.

Dr. Nicholas Meriwether, another worthy practitioner of Edgefield County, was born August 8th, 1 82 1, near Clark's- Hill, a station on the Western Carolina Railway, where he alsolived and pursued his work until his health failed.

Like most country doctors, he pursued the double vocation of physician and farmer. The latter was almost a necessity, he having inherited quite a landed estate and a numerous body of slaves; for none of his school, similarlj- situated, would willingly part with their slaves, who had been handed down, from generations past, however unprofitable they might be, being looked upon as part and parcel of the famil}^ household. Having acquired a liberal education, he took up the stud}' of medicine, and graduated at the Georgia Medical College, at Augusta, in 1843. After a few years' practice he abandoned it, and gave most ot his time to planting. Like many other Carolinians, at the beginning of hostilities betvreen the States^ he took his place in the ranks (Seventh South Carolina Volunteers) as high private, and served until failing health drove him from the field. The close of the war found him brokendown in health, and his fortune swept away. Beginning life anew, he found it necessary to resume practice, of which he was never fond, though well versed in medical lore. He was a great reader, and possessed a powerful memory, retaining most of what was found in books or practice. He was not successful financially, and was once heard to say that any moneymaking scheme, undertaken for that purpose, always turned to dust in his hands. He was a Baptist in faith, deeply religious, and scrupulously honest and upright in all the relations of life. His religious duty was his first dut}'', from which nothing was allowed to divert him. As a neighbor and friend he was faithful and true, as well as hospitable and kind. In practice he somewhat prided himself on his successful management of pneumonic fever, in which he had early resort to blisters. He also thought that the disease was in some way associated with malaria; that is to sa}^ any given case of pneumonia in the spring or winter, is apt to have been preceded by fever in the summer or fall. This view, however, has not been sustained by the experience of another physician in the same locality.

This pious and upright physician, having suffered long and painfully from gastric disease, passed peacefully away on the iSth day of November, 1S78.

Dr. A. G. Teague

Dr. Abner Griffin Teague was a native of Laurens District, but practiced for a considerable length of time in that portion of Edgefield known as the Dark Corner. He afterwards removed to Edgefield village, where he also engaged in practice, besides doing a drug business in connection with Dr. T. Jeff. Teague. Dr. T. was a good man, an able physician, and a successful farmer. But, like man}' others, he grew weary of work, and sought rest on his farm, about three miles from the village of Edgefield, where the evening of his life was passed. He is, therefore, claimed as an Edgefield physician, having spent his professional life in our midst. He died a few years ago, honored and respected by friends and neighbors, who looked upon him as a safe and wise counsellor and upright man.

The subject of the following sketch, Dr. Thos. H. Pattison, was born at Old Cambridge, in Edgefield County (then district) in the year 1S20. Eeft an orphan at an early age, he was taken in charge by a maternal uncle, who educated and ^brought him up to the mercantile business in the city of Augusta, Ga. , where he also studied medicine in the office of Dr. 'L. D. Ford, who was, at that time, professor of the practice of medicine in the Georgia Medical College, which is situated in that cit}'. In 1843, he graduated from that institution, and -immediately began the practice of medicine in the neighborhood of Republican Church, in the Martintown section of Edgefield Count}-. Here, b}' his genial manner and strict attention to duty, he soon acquired a fair practice, which he maintained throughout a long and useful career. As a prac- titioner, he stood high with his patrons, who were his friends as well. Earl}' in the war between the States, he entered the ranks as a private, and served creditably until discharged, often acting as medical officer to his command, the Seventh South Carolina Volunteers. As a practitioner and farmer, he was fairly successful. Frequent indulgence in his cups - (he v/asa Bacchanal, and at his own house in one of his bouts, he unfortunately killed Dr. West, another practitioner and drinker) - did not destroy the confidence of patients or friends, or prevent his moderate success as a farmer. In 1845 he married the daughter of Joseph Crafton, a substantial planter, living then between Steven's Creek and Savannah River - a section known as the "Forks."

In the management of malarial fevers, wliich at certain seasons were rife in his field, he thought mercury a necessity in man}^ cases, in order to prevent recurrence. In such as were of a remittent type, w-ith high fever and gastric irritability, he relied greatly on dram doses of sulphuric ether, to allay the fever and quiet the stomach - a practice he had borrowed from a neighboring physician. Dr. A. W. Burt.

Not many years after the war had closed, by over-exertion in some farm work, the Doctor brought on pulmonary hemorrhage, which was soon followed by a decline in his general health, resulting in death in a few 3'ears. None realized more clearly the danger of the situation, and no one ever met the remorseless monster with more heroic courage.

Dr. James F. Adams, the subject of this sketch, was a native of Edgefield Count}-, and fairly exemplified the energy and industry of the people who adorned the age and country in which he lived.

He was born about the year 1790, and began the practice of medicine in his native district, at about the age of twenty-five or thirty years. Of his educational qualifications preparatory to the study of medicine, very little is known. His professional education w-as obtained at Philadelphia, to which place he journeyed from his home on horseback, consuming almost a month on the road, after having spent some time in the

Being well equipped, Dr. A. was not long in acquiring an extensive practice, which he maiutained to quite the end of hib professional life. It is said that ten or twelve doctors occup}- the territory at one time exclusively held by himself. Ivike most countr}- doctors, he was also engaged in planting, to which he gave all of his attention during the latter years, and was quite as successful in this as he had been in medicine.

His forte was in the management of chronic cases, and of ulcers. He was a strong believer in the efficacy of calomel in the treatment of malarial fevers, in which he frequently induced ptyalism. Ciachona bark was used not as a tonic after the sufferer had been properly (?) depleted with mercurial purgatives, emetics, bleeding, etc. This was before the introduction into general practice of the cinchona alkaloids.

In the matter of dress, doctor A. acquired some distinction. [In some way the remaining porti'")',! of this has been lost, and the manuscript is also out of place.)

W. Scott Sheppard

Died at his home on the 27th of January, 1893, Dr. W. Scott Sheppard. He was born April 28th, 1848; baptized into the Bethany Baptist Church by the Rev. John Trapp, 1866; graduated as a physician March. 1S69. He was in every sphere of life the true Christian gentleman. In his religion the Word of God was his rule of faith and practice, and while his tinusually bright mind was seen in every department of his life's work, in nothing was it more manifest than in attainment in the knowledge of God's precious Word. His conscientious sense of his obligations to that rule, cau.sed his life to conform more and more to its requirements, so that it may be truly said of him, his was the path of the just that shines more and more to the perfect day.

The Master selected him as one who should witness for him under peculiar surroundings that would give no grounds to question the honesty of his testimony.

ally grew worse until it terminated in total blindness in April, 1889, in his sense of the Christian privilege to take the promises of God to himself, he was cheerful through all his painful sufferings, counting his afflictions light, however severe, in this life, as working for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Nor did his severe afflictions abate his love for and interest in his fellow man, which w^as ev^er manifest by his anxiety for tlieir welfare and sympathy for them in trials and afflictions. He had truly a heart to weep with those that weep and rejoice with those that rejoice, yet with perfect resignation to the supreme love and wisdom of God.

As a physician, he was diligent, conscientious, and efficient, having the most implicit confidence of his patients, to which he attributed the blessings asked of God on all his prescriptions. His sympathy with suffering humanity caused him to continue to practice until afflicted with total blindness, and even then his counsel was eagerly sought and cheerfully given.

In his own family, as a loving husband and father, his character and Christian light shone most brightly in his tender love, safe counsel, and earnest prayers. As a son, he was devoted and affectionate; as neighbor and friend, true, kind, and hospitable. As a member of the Mountain Creek Church, his life was read and known with profit to church and community, and especially will his life and memory be cherished by his pastors, who e\'er had his prayers and co-operation.

He leaves to feel their irreparable loss, a devoted wife, and seven children, with the dying counsel, "goto God for comfort and help, he will ever be true to you," an aged mother, three brothers, and a sister, and a large circle of relatives and friends. Yet they sorrow not as those who have no hope, knowing that the dear one has entered into that rest that remains to the people of God. J. P. M.

Dr. William D. Jennings, Sr

Dr. William D. Jennings, Sr. , died on Saturday last, the 9th day of January, at the residence of his life-long friend and kinsman, John R. Blackwell. On Monday his remains were brought to our town and laid to rest by the side of his wife and oldest son. "Old Doctor Bill," as generally called, was one of our ancient landmarks, as widely known in Edgefield County, perhaps, as any man living or dead. For more than seventy-seven years he has been going in and out among us, and for only a short period of this long life was he absent from his beloved old county and people. (Immediatel}' after the war he lived in Galveston, Texas, where he was a member of the faculty of a medical college in that city.) Dr. Jennings w-as noted above all things for his genial disposition; he "showed himself friendly" to all, and in affliction or distress was unremitting in his ministrations. A kinder hearted man or physician never lived, if we may judge by his acts. And if all in Edgefield County who have received kindnesses at his hands would bring a wreath for his grave it would make a monument higher than any other in our city of the dead.

Dr. George M. Yarbrough

It would please me much to give an extended sketch of the life of Dr. Yarbrough, but it is out of ni}' power. I knew him well for raaui' years; at one time he was a near neighbor and mj' family ph5'siciau, but his life and mine at that time flowed on in such a calm, uneventful v.'ay that there is nothing to relate, unless one had kept a diar\', which this writtr has never done. Sometimes I regret that I liave not.

For a good many j^ears Dr. Yarbrough and myself. Dr. William Colema.n, Joseph Griffith, Esq., and some others, occasionally met for the purposes of debating an)- question that might be chosen for the purpose. In other words, we formed a debating society. We were not mere boys at this time, but grown men, and thought ourselves competent to discuss almost any question. One peculiarity, or weakness it might be called, I discovered in the Doctor's character at that time. He often said that it made no difference on which side of any mooted question he might be chosen to speak, before the discussion was over, he had convinced himself, if no one else, that he was on the right side.

This is altogether natural. One who is pledged to maintain a cause hunts up and gathers together all the evidence that he can possibly find to sustain it, passing by and ignoring for the time everything that militates against it. In this way it is possible to make a ver}- good argument in order to show that

Dr. Yarbrongh was one of the most intelligent, intellectual men I ever knew. He was a good neighbor, a good physician, good compan)-, genial, and kind-hearted. He was born on Big Creek, on the vSaluda side of the count}-, not far from the old Butler homestead, of wdiich famih', indeed, he was a connection by blood. After the War of Secession he moved up the countr}- to the neighborhood of Walhalla, where he died about the year 1881 or 1882.

Dr. Yarbrough w^as twice married. His first wife was the daughter of Bennett Perry, Esq., of Perry's Cross Roads. She brought him one son, whom he named Burr, after liis old preceptor in medicine. Dr. Burr Johnstone, of Newberry. His .second wife was a widow Coleman and a daughter of Mark Black. She brought him one daughter, Elizabeth, a most lovel}^ and amiable girl.

Dr. Beaufort T. Yarbrough was a brother of the foregoing, and younger by several years. Although I was at school with him - as also with his brother George - for awhile, yet there never was that same degree of intimate acquaintance and association as there was with the elder, though he was a man of fine intelligence and amiable nature. He did not practice his profession long in Edgefield, but Vv^ent West. He returned tov.'ards the close of. his life in ill health and died on the :6th of April, 1880, at the hou.se of his sister, INIrs. Culbreath, mother of James Y. Culbreath, Esq., in Edgefield County, and near the place where he was born.

Dr. William Coleman

Dr. Coleman was born loth of March, 1S20, at Coleman's Cross Roads, Edgefield District, and was the son of Richard Coleman and his wife, Eydia Carson. After graduating in medicine he married Miss Elizabeth Payne, daughter of Mr. David Payne, near Chappell's Ferry on Saluda.

After some years he moved down into Bullock County Georgia, where he farmed and practiced his profession. He died there, leaving some famil}'.

Dr. Charles M. Burkhalter In Life And In Death

Dear Chronicle: Having been intimately associated with Dr. C. M. Burkhalter for the last four or five years, I feel that I am better qualified, possibly, to write of his true worth than anyone else except his immediate family, whose modesty, as well as great grief, would prevent an expression of the great loss they, as well as the entire community, have sustained in the death of this pure and strong man. Most men, in dealing largely with the public, where almost everybody in the community owes tiiem, will have enemies; yet the concensus of opinion is that Dr. Burkhalter died without an enemy.

John Ploughman says "that when a man owes you a debt, he is more than apt to owe you a grudge, and he is more willing to pay interest on the grudge than the debt." This saying of John Ploughman is true in most instances, but not so in the case of Dr. Burkhalter, for everybod}', at some time, in the community, owed him, and still he died without an enemy.

In analyzing his character, I find the explanation of his phenomenal popularity - his kindness of heart, his tenderness. In these regards he was as gentle as a woman; and yet his conscientiousness made him as "true as steel" and as "firm as flint."

Dr. Burkhalter is gone, but he still lives in the hearts of those who were so fortunate as to know him. Truly lie left "foot prints on the sands of time" that will be of inestimable value to his children and neighbors, "foot prints" of character, of tenderness, of Christianity, of love, of energy. What more can a man attain in this life? What more need he wish to attain? What more priceless l*^gacy can he leave to his childrei.? "Yea, he rests from his labors, and his works do follow him."

I could fill columns of your paper, Mr. Editor, giving grateful reminiscen.ses of his life and character, exemplifying his true worth; but to those who knew him, it would be superfluous.

Dr. Burkhalter was an honest man in its strictest and broadest sense. His family have lost a true, tender and loving husband, brother and parent. We offer them our sincerest sympathies. D. A. J. B.

Among the worthies of Edgefield - Westside - perhaps none stood higher, and none more worthily stood high, than Dr. W. Henry Garrett, who died at Hepzibah, Georgia, in August 1892. From the days of the Revolutionary War, and, doubtless even previous to that time, the name has been an honorable one in the county. His wife was Miss Ann McKie, a sister of Dr. Robert McKie. She, with only one daughter and five sons survives him. Only a few years before his death he had removed from his old home in Collier Township to Georgia for the purpose of educating his sons, Hepzibah affording better facilities for that purpose than the township in which he lived. He was buried at Hepzibah.

"One of the saddest events that has occurred in the village in a long time occurred this morning about 11 o'clock when the Angel of Death entered the chamber of Dr. H. C. Garrett and touched his eyelids into sleep. He was loved and admired by all who knew him. His family was peculiarly blessed in the light and joy dispensed by him in his happy household. He was endowed with the attribute of a gifted intellect and talents of a high order.

-'The Doctor had been sick some time with fever. It was thought, however, he would rally from the attack and this hope reigned from time to time until today when the eyelids closed in death and his spirit went to its eternal reward and heavenly rest.

' 'We can only commend the bereft wife, the sorrowing daughter and grief-stricken sons to Him that stood by the grave of the one he loved and wept with the Bethany Sisters. ' '

"Death is the crowu of life; Were death denied, ] oor man would live iu vain; Were death denied, to live would not be life; Were death denied, e'en fools would wish to die. Death wounds to cure; we fall, we rise, we reign! Spring from our fetters; fasten in the skies; Where blooming Eden withers in our sight; Death gives us more than was in Eden lost, This king of terrors is the prince of peace. When shall I die to vanity, pain, death? When shall I die? When shall I live forever?"

Historical Hints Of Edgefield

The Rev. Dr. George Smith, of the North Georgia Conference, who preached so acceptably in Edgefield a month back, has written the following pleasant letter to the Nashville Christian Advocate:

From Greenville, bj- wa}- of Augusta, I went to the historic old Town of Edgefield. It is not as old by a hundred j-ears as Charleston, and has been known as Old Edgefield for a long time. Beverly Allen preached in the court house here over a hundred years ago. Lorenzo Dow preached in it near ninety years ago, and years ago the Methodist societies v.'ere large and strong. Then came decline, and 'great changes passed over the countr}- and the Church, and for years Edgefield has barely held her place in the famil}- of the Methodists. The Baptists have been the ruling religious power, and are now much the .strongest. With the building of a new railroad the village has taken on new life, and Brother Watson, the faithful pastor, determined on a new church, and by hard work has completed a very handsome brick church. In this beautiful and attractive church I have just conducted a meeting, which was, I hope, profitable.

In Edgefield lived and died "Ned Brace," the "Native Georgian," of the "Georgia Scenes," and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren abide here still. His name was Edmund Bacon, and he was descended from the old Bacon stock of Bacon's rebellion in Virginia. His venerable daughter, Mrs. Wigfall, the widow of an Episcopal minister, a lovely Christian woman, still lives here, and so does his grandson, Colonel James T. Bacon, a charming member of the old noblesse. Among other members of our Church, I met Mrs. General Evans, whose husband was a major-general in the last war. When a young man he was among the Indians, and she showed me a red flag made with eagle feathers and red flannel, which he captured from a Comanche Chief, and one of the arrows from his quiver. General Evans became an earnest Methodist before he died. Edgefield has been the home of many governers and senators. General A. P. Butler lived here, and Senator M. C. Butler still lives here. Preston Brooks died here, and Governors Pickens, Bonham, and Sheppard, and divers and sundry of the great Carolinians have lived here, and still do. It is a pleasant little city to visit, and I much enjoyed my stay.

Although settled some years over a century, the town of Edgefield has never, until recentl}- , improved to an}^ great extent. Though alwaj^s noted for the culture and refinement of its people it has onl}^ recently got into the gulf stream of progress. It may be that the very culture and refinement of its people acted as a bar to what, according to modern ideas, is considered progress. The town now, however, slow as it may have been in the past, is fully up in the march of progress with other parts of the vState. It has two banks, about twenty lawj'ers, half a do/x-n medical doctors, about fifteen stores, two able and well-edited weekly papers, the Advertiser and Chronicle, a rock quarry, from which granite of the best quality is taken, an oil mill, a few private schools, patronized liberallj' by both town and country, stores and private dwellings continually in course of erection - besides several churches.

Edgefield is connected with the outside v^'orld by railroad. The R. and D. Railroad runs within seven miles of the town; the C. and C. Railroad runs through a portion of the county, and the special pet. Old Cumberland Gap, connects the town directly with Charleston.

On the R. and D. Road, within the County of Edgefield, are the towns of Graniteville, Trenton, Johnston, Ridge Spring, also a part of Batesburg. On the Knoxville Road are Clark's Hill, Woodlawn, Modoc, Parksville, and Plum Branch.

The climate is simply delicious, neither too cold nor too hot. The soil is excellent and produces cotton in perfection, tiaat is the larger part of it. About two-thirds of the county is clay land - oak and hickory - the balance heavily timbered with the 3'ellow pine; is sandy and lying well, produces heavy cotton crops. This is the same land through which Washington passed in May, 1791, and mentioned in his Diary as poor pine barrens of the worst sort. It was so different from his own rich lands on the Potomac that he conld not perceive the wealth that laj' hidden in the sandy soil requiring only the industrious hand and arm of the laborer to bring it out to view. Indeed it was many years before the people settling there knew and understood its real value.

The rock quarry near the town is daily shipping the best quality of granite to Charleston. An extensive oil mill, ginnery and fertilizer factor}^, with their large buildings, are all indicative of great life and activity.

The county is well watered, Big Saluda on the one side and the Savannah on the other, with their tributary streams flowing into them - lyittle Saluda River, Big Stevens' Creek, Shaw's Creek, Turkev Creek, and others, give an abundance of moisture which fertilizes the soil and sustains the growing crops.

The town of Johnston in the County has two banks, four churches and a fine graded school, and is a good market for produce of all kinds. Trenton and Ridge Spring are also good market towns and have good schools, chtirches, and railroads, and telegraphic communication with the outside world.

I do not know what the mineral wealth of Edgefield County may be, other than the granite and the millstone on Cloud's Creek, and these are inexhaustible. Gold is found in a belt of country running across the count}' from Saluda to the Savannah River. It touches the Saluda near Higgins' Ferry and runs in a southwestly direction near Richardsonville, crosses Mountain Creek above where Dr. John Lake used to live on to Dorn's Mine in the lower part of Abbeville and crosses the Savannah River into Georgia. It was in this gold belt that Mr. Calhoun's rich mine near Dahlonega, Georgia, was located. In places in the same belt traces of copper very distinctly appear. I have found gold in the rock on the surface simply by breaking them, in an old field once belonging to Mr. William Attaway, afterwards to Mr. John Coleman, afterwards to Edward Coleman, on the road not far from Shiloh Methodist Church. About the 3'ear 1886 a piece was picked up on the land of A. P. Coleman, two miles from Higgins' - Kiuard's Ferr}'. The lump was worth about thirtj' dollars. A small lump worth about two dollars was found in the same neighborhood a great many )-ears ago. Almost an3'where in the belt of country mentioned from the Saluda to the Savannah gold may be found by washing the sand and gravel in the streams or hillsides near or by pounding and washing the rock. Whether any paying working mines can be found is another matter, but the gold is there in ver}- fine grains, and in occasional lumps worth as much as thirty dollars each. I have seen two such. It appears most plentiful on or in the neighborhood of Mountain Creek. In that region also traces of copper show most distinctly.

It was the love of gold that lured De Soto from Florida and finally led him to his death. Early in the spring of 1540 he, with his devoted followers, set out from the head of Appalachee Bay led by an Indian guide to,wards the gold regions of North Carolina. They passed through middle Georgia, and in April reached the head waters of the Ogeechee, passing still North imtil they came to the head waters of the Savannah and the Chattahoochee. Finding no gold, though inidoubtedly they must have passed through a gold region, the}' turned southward and southwestwardh', passing through Alabama to Mobile, where they destroyed an Indian village and killed many natives. The}^ then again turned North and Northwest. Crossing the Mississippi at Chickasaw Bluff, in May, the\' still continued their progress North, until about the last of July, in the neighborhood of the Mississippi, we find them at a place named Pacoha, the site of which is now unknown. From Pacoha they went on North and Northwest, until the}' reached the highlands of White River, more than two liundred miles from the Mississippi.

In all this time no gold was found. Finally from the heart of the continent west of the Mississippi, the_v returned down the Washita to that river. Worn out, De Soto died, and to conceal his death, his body was wrapped in his cloak and in the stillness of midnight was sunk in the middle of the stream. The discoverer of the Mississippi slept beneath its waters. He had crossed a large part of the continent in .search of gold, and found nothing so remarkable as his burial place. These men knew nothing of the geological indications of gold. The}' were not miners. The}^ were not men of science and searching for gold as peaceful and peaceable explorers. They were

There is much gold in Edgefield, but more near the surface of the earth than in its bowels. At any rate, it will pay better to dig it thence.