The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-08-02

Sometimss great, strapping, bare footed
youths would trudse aloug by the side
of the cart with gun on their shoulder
going In to the place there to purchase
powder and shot for the purpose of Wa.
ging war against the feathercd tribe.
The public buildings in Oraugeburg
in tho days ofwhich we are writing were
very few indeed. Such thing as IA
town hall, or hall of any other kind, was
altogether unknown. The OLD court
house of that time was plain, modest,
unassuming, wooden building, two stories
i'll heighth, the first floor being devoted
to the sheriff's Office, that of the clerk Of
court and Ordinary and tax. collector.
One or two lawyers also had their
Offices here. The court room aud jury
room occupied the second floor. The
room for holding court at that time was
about forty feet square, with bare foor,
unpaiuted walls, wooden benches for the
judges, etc. This building in after
years was altered aud repaired, changed
to private residence, and still stands
on the same spot it formerly occupied.
Not very far from tli, was the Jail,
small, strong building OF hewn logs,
rough and unpreposcssing i'll spearance,
but serving well the purpose for which
it was designed. About this time the
new court house, since destroyed, was
in the course Of erection and was soon
after finished, also the present Jail Th
last vii! stand for years to come
yet living monument to the industry
md perseverance Of those who planned
it. The days far holding court in
0ranscburg then was regarded as quite
lively time, great crowds hocking
hithcr to attend the sessions. But dcs
pite the influx Of visitors, and the
whiskoy, which was pretty freely cir
culated. very few disturbances Of any
kind occurred, which spoke we'll for the
peaccablencss of the inhabitants. ~
Foremost among the lawyers stool
Jno. VI. Fielder, Thomas w. Clever and
a Mr.. Whitmorc. or the talents and
popularity Of John NJ Fielder his cleo
ton soon after by the people of bis
native State to fill the position of Seua.
tor from that District was sufficient
proof. In the Senate Chamber as well
Il. in the little court house ut home his
voice rang out fclrl, ssly in defcuce of
the cause of truth and ri 1T, and never
by word or deed did he ever betray the
confidence of the people, who had made
him their choice, but stood up boldly for
them, Representatives Of RLom Orange
burg Imiglt well be proud Mr.. Fielder
was 1.-the dark complex ioucl man,
with Back hair aud whiskers, rather
below the medium height, somewhat
nervous and abs.rueted in manner, aud
iuclined 20 be brusquc in speech. In
the tiiHe Of which re are writing he
might otter bc seen walking up and
down the principal streets Of the village,
his hat pulled down over his eyes,
deeply engaged in rcfcctpu. Some
times lie has been known 60 pass by his
most intimate friends without recogni
ton, SO deeply would lie be buried in
revric. Then again throwing off this
preocupicd air, he could bo us merry
and jovial as any, aud his doors were
always Hospitality thrown upon to guests
and numerous were the happy honrs
some of shem spcst at ''Cob-Web Hall"
as his residence was more Familiarity
called. This arpellatiou grew out of
| she Fact OF its masters bciug bachelor
FOR which he WAS taunted numerically 5y
IA number of waggish fellows around the
village, who declared his hou-e was
literally covered inside with cobwcbs for
the want q a fair haad" to keep them
brushed away, Rut their jokes never
had the desired effect "Cob Web Hall"
remained without mistress, it's master
spending all his days in "sinsle blessed.
ness"
Th mas w. Glover, though very
young at that time, was one of the most
talented anl rising young members of
the bar Indeed his eloquenoe was
the theme ofepcry tongue. Sometimes
he seemed inspired, aud then judge ju-
ry, audience, forgot all else as they lis.
tened chained, enraptured, to the
words Of thunder which rolled from the
lips Of the youthful Demosthenes. Nor