Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-06-26
Y,he Latest Dig s;tcrr.

TIE Scotsman tells the failowirg CURIOUS
story: 4 very singular and interesting occnr-
renee was brought to light a few days si;.ce ii
the Burrh Court by The hearing of a sum
mons in regard to a dog ax. Eight and a
half year, ago it seems mall named Gray.
Of whom nothing more is knd,ra, except lha,
he was poor, and lived in aquiat way in some
obscure part Of tie town. was buried in OLD
Gfcylriars Ghurchyard. His grave: leyelcd
-hy the hard OF timc, !a.d ur.aarlicd By any
some, is now scarcely discernibc; but though
TO human interest would seem to attach to Il.
The sacred spot has not been @aollg disre.
rarded and forgotten. Durlne all these years
the mans faithful dog has kept eonstautwatch
and guard over the grave, and it was this AMI
nal 10. which The collectors aought to recover
the tax. James Brown, the cid curator OF the
burial ground remembers Gray's funeral ;
and the deg. Scotch terrier. was, ne says.
one of the most conspicuous o. the mourners.
Tie crare was closed as usua, hand the nex
morning, Bobby" as the dog iscailed, WIS
found lying on the rewly made mound. This
;;as an innovation which cid James could not
permit, for there was an ofder ct The gate
stating, in the most ineligible characters,
that dogs were not admitted. Bobby was
accordingly driven out; but tie next morn
ing he was there again, and Tor The second
time was discharged. phe third morning was
cold aid wet, and when the man saw the
faithful animal, IN Spite of all chastisement,
still lying shivering on the grave, he took pity
na Rim and gave him some food. This re.
cornition of his devotion gave, Bobby the
right to make the churchyard his home and
from that time to the presen5 he has never
spent night away from his masters grave
Often in bad weather, attempts have tesn
.lnade to keep him within doors, but by dis
NAL howls he has succeeded in making i
known that this interference is not agreeable
to him, and latte,ly he has always been ale
lowed to have his way. At almost any time
during the day he may be seen in Or about
the churchyard; and no matter how rough
tlc night may be, nothing can induce him to
forsal;c the hallowcd spot. whose identity, de-
spilb the irresistible obliteratidp it has under
gone, lie has sofaithiully preserved. "Bobby"
has many friends, and the lax gatherers have
by NJ means proved Ills enemies. A weekly
treat of steaks was long allowed By Sergeant
Scott, of the Engineers; but for more than
six years he has been regularly fed by Mr.:
john Trail, of the restaurant 8 Grayiliars'
Place. He is constant and puRctual in bis
calls, being guided in his midday visits by
the sound Of the time gun. On the ground
Of harboring" the dog in this way proceed
ings were taken against Nj. Trai! for pay
ment Of the tax. The defendant expressed
his willingness, could he claiIa the dog, to &c
responsible for the tax; but so long as the
animal refused to attach himself to any one,
it was impossible, he argued, 70 fix the owner
ship-and the court, seeing the peculiar cir
curnstances of the case, dismissed the sum-
mons. Bobby" has long teen an object of
curiosity to all who have become acquainted
with his interesting history. His constant ap'
.pearance in the graveyard has caused many
inquiries to- be made regarding him, and ef-
forts out of number have teen made from
time to time to get possession Of him. The
old curator.of course stands up as the next
claimant to Mr. Trail, and offered to pay the
tax himself rather than have "Bobby"-
"Greyfriars' Bobby" to allow him his full
I,name-put out Of tho way- 'f'' = sss' :