The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1860-12-13
For The MtciLiaencer.'

To TIE VOTERS OF AyDERsoy DISTRICT:
am informed that reports derogatory TO my
character as Il gentleman now being actively
circulated in diff crcnt parts of the District, and
as these reports doubt intended to affect my
standing at the approaching election in January
next deem it but sheer justice to myself to thus
notice them, and to ask Of those WHO are the au
thors of them either TO prove their assertions, or
cease the circulation of that which they must
know is calculated, just at this time, to do NE an
injury. know not who the author of these re-
ports arc-;t is enough for me 10 know that hc IS
not nv friend and that it is my duty to place my
self right before the people. These reports, Ii
would SEEM fellow citizens, have been based npon
the unworthy and ing,orious part which 1T il
aiiegcd that acted al the caamitous firc which
visited the village Of Williamslon on the 9Th Of
November. 1t WAS my fortune to be present on
that sad occasion, and TO witness, for the hrst Time
in my life, the horrors OF town on fire. Amongst
other charges it is alleged that whilst the hotel OF
my host Ne. Il. II. HudgcnsJ was IN flames that
his lady begged OF me the small favor OF assisting
her 10 remove Il trunk from tie house, but that
ever Ii is also reported that whilst my host WAS
using all tho efforts in his power to save ms prop
eriy, that was continually nlrrasslns him nbou.
my baggage, md tnat even attempted 10 make
INN pay me for M own trtng loss. Another re-
port HAS ii that, during tie tie, that Mr. barron
gave me the stable Aey, ana requested NE TO save
his norsc whilst looking my own, bat that in
stead oi doing so, that went 10 the stable, look
mn horse ou,, locked door, put the key into my
pocket and went oil, leaving his horse and all the
other stock in The stable to the mercy OF the
flames. Now, as | am responsible Tor what did
do and not Tor what | did not d. will give you,
fellow citizens, an account Of my actions that
night, ana then leave you to judge for yourselves
[ did not arrive ut Williamson until after I
o'clock OH tic night OF the fire | took lodgings
at the Central House, which, bye-the bye, L have
always regarded rs one amongst the best hotels III
the country | retired ut lU clock, being much
fuisucl [ was soon i'll Il sound sleep, from which
| did not awake until after , clock, when | was
aroused from my sumbcrs by the awful roaring Of
hames the wild confusion OF persons running 10
and fro, amidst all the horror and CONSERVATION
that might be expected to upon people not
used to such scenes, and q recollection of which
almost makes me shudder to this day. The room
that occupied was in the North end of the build
ing, Immediately fronting, and situated but n few
steps from the big hotel, as it called where
the fire originated. When first discovered by me,
the end Of that vast building next to my room was
enyeoped. l do not think that | was more than
thirty five feet from the flames, and they We're
bursting out of the upper stories OF that house
and across lie narrow street that divided the two
hotels, it was really difficult for me to determine
whether the fire was confined to one to both
buildings Nof being familiar with the plan of
the house. and seeing no chance for escape towards
the fire, my first care was to see if Lcoud get cut
by any other way. opened the door, and seeing
an aisle that led back from the fire, dressed my
self and made my way out of the house as best
could l do not believe that l had left my room
more than fifteen minutes before it was in flames
did not speak to any lady in the house on that
night, and have no recollection of any speaking
TO me-. am sure that had my hostess, or any
other lady, asked me for aid, that my galantly
would have been equal 10 the service having re-
gained the street, and to some extent my selfpos-
session, my first care was to look out for my horse
but in doing this of my accuscrs contend
.that showed too much sefshncss-thas | was
looking after my property when the town was
burning up" Perhaps it is SO, but 1 may be per-
mitted TO urge, in extenualon of my conduct, that
every other person that came in contact with,
irho had anything at stake, appeared to be e1-
ccedngly busy in mindng. their own business, and
showed, as thought, most laudable determine
ton to save their own property. In this, fellow
citizens, did not soar above the common frailty.
The first man met in the street was Mr. Barron,
who appeared to be connected with the manage
ment Of the hotel I asked him where / might