The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-08-09
COMMUNICATED.
"Reminiscences of Orangcbmrg
49, Forty Years Ago.
BY AMICALOBAH.

Orangcburg had her two Churches
also, Methodist and Baptist These were
plain, old fashioned, modest looking
little structures with rough walls, bare
benches and pine pulpits; but their
uncomfortableness and Inconvenience
did not prevent the little band of
devout worshipcrs from focking thithcr
Sunday after Sunday. Here they came
in all kinds of weather, not only the
residents of the village but from the sur,
rounding country also, these last in
gigs, carts, queer-looking old carnyalls
and some on horseback. These were
the days of good old. fashioned religion
when the heart could worship God
knecliug upon the baro floor with the
suulightor rain as it might chance to be ,
coming through the great openings in
the roof, with deep, honest fervor we
fear is almost unknown in these latter
times of carpctcd floors and cushioned
pews. Then "our girls" were not
ashamed of their homespun dresses,
checked aprons, sunbonnets, cotton
collars a;;aa cuffs and rough home esmade
shoes. Or what cared they fthcir
rustic escort was clad in suit of clumsy
Jeans much too short at wrist aud anclc,
which plainly showed the check shirt
beneath, or coarse brogans below or
What minded she of his awkward un
calmly movements as he assisted her to
alight and then walked with her up to
The "mectin- house" door, casting
"shecp's eyes" around all the time to
see if any body "was a-lookiu?" Thes
8 were the days when Aattery and coqurt
ny were unknown in our humble, little
lSufgh..
afOraneeburg too had her hotel then
: or rather "pqblic house" as it was call
ed This was % long, low, roomy, wool
en- building, one story in height, and
twas kept by Hir. Winningh IN The
Widespread table and comfortable sleep
ing apartments to be found here 6y
the weary traveller, and the smiling face
: of the landlord, ever ready to welcome
them, were full proof osthe popularity
and esteem in which 'the host" was
held. AT this place the line of coaches
which were than being run between
4 Charleston and Columbia, "pulled up"
e BY this2route, the mail bags too were
brought, whose contents were then car
3 pied to the store of Mr.. William Pooscr
which then served as a post Office, and
T. were there left for distribution. Not
yet had the "snort OF tho iron horse"
penetrated this quiet little village.
e On one of the principal streets, near
where Mr.. Riggs now carries on his
carriage mandatory, there stood a
Trough looking little she'd known as ''the
market" On top of this was placed a
boil, and inside were found blocks for
'HfcuttinS up meat, and the necessary
scales for Weighing, This was placed
e here,for accommo dation of such country.
men as -ould bring in beet pork, nut
titton and other fresh meat On, reucAins
the village they would make their way
here, and ringing tue bell would thus
notify the villagers that they we're ready
''tto serve thom with meat. These would
. flock hither with baskets and the bar
gaining would commence in good ear
q nest! q N
~ Then there was the Orangeburg caval.
rYJ which for short time was comman
ded by Capt Fitzpatrick, if we are not
iHistakon. On "parade days tho gal.
'lhtt captnin rode forth all booted and
fp6sfetl and with drawn, sword in hand
10 the head. Of his men, who "laced
about" 81 ''forwardI marched" and "charg
oa" in quite an appropriate military
aiyls. They were both the envy aud
3 aduriratioh OF the little urchins about
the place. who, follow by d paok OF
& dogs, ran close 10 The .softhe horses
heels rs the cavalry paraded the sttoots.
All! how boyish beafts swellcd with
'ardor and eathusiam as they, too, ioDgo,
to bea gallant soldier"