The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-10-05
A MALICIOUS FALSEHOOD.


boring town of Walhalla to a paper in
Minnesota, has beenisent us, with an in
quiry as to its truth:
WALHALLA, OcoNEE Co., S G., Il
:. September 1st, 1876.
Editors of The Pioneer-P Press and Tribune:
I wish to make statement to you in
regard to the politics and the safety of
northern men down here.
came down here to look out home
for myselfan two or three other families.
came to this town about July 7th, and
as it was necessary for-me to remain for
time, I engaged to make q run of four
feet granite mill stones. for q mill in this
town. AS I was northern man they
seemed to seek me out to find out my
politics. I gave my views freely, but
carefully, saying that large majority of
the best classes north thoug ghtits would be
q great mistake to let the Democrats get
control of the government for the next
four years. They all wanted to know
why. I told them, "because you would
annul the war department, stop the pen
sions (unless you could have pensions too)
and you would put in your claims to get
pay for your slaves. Two out Of three
said, "Why not? The whole world
knows it would be right and just" That
is the sentiment here It went ON very
we'll until two weeks back, When General
Wade Hampton made speech here, and
he has fired up the old rebel heart. He
said he was never whipped, and he had
been praying for the last ten years that
he might live to strike one more blow for
his country-which was received with
real old rebel yells, such as heard when
they had their arms in their hands. A
few evenings ago, as came home from
my work, in front of my boarding house
there was gathered group of negroes,
ten or twelve in number, and awhile Re
publican talking to them. He said, "Here
is Northern man; let's see whathe says
about your joining the Democratic Club"
This evening, as they had called the col
ored men for that purpose at the Court
House, 1 said hoped the time. would
soon come when they would all have
the right to vote either ticket they pleased
freely and without fear; but could not
see how colored man could want to vote
the Democratic ticket this fall, as things
were too unsettled yet, and a few other
words to that effect. L looked up and
three white men had hurried from the
front of their stores, and they said they
had come to hear. [ said there was an
opportunity for any one Who wished to
speak; that 1 had tried to answer ques-
tion for these men, and / saw the fire
flash in theirieyes, and / turned and went
into the house. This eveningI was told
that there was parties here from Georgia
and North Carolina watching for me, and
if I wanted to finish those stones and get
away from here, I must stay in the house
in the evening, and if any one spoke to
me about politics, to answer, would
have nothing to do with them, or [ would
not be safe. My informant told me this
as friend. He is leading mason (sc
I heed his warning.) He was walking up
the street some years ago with a lieuten-
ant of colored company stationad here.
The lieutenant had been. invited to
party, and was shot dead while walking,
and this man was arrested, but as there
was no proof he was acquitted. l. have
heard him say that many would have to
bite the dust this fall ifthey did not stop
their lies to the niggers. fl could write
one-half what I have seen and heard, you
would uot have faith in me.
!, Please change my address on your pa
pei from Highland, Macon County, N.
c., back to Beaver Falls, Renville Coun-
ty, Mimi, as shall leave these parts and
go back amongst the grasshoppers if l
live to get away; and 1 do not intend to
come down here. unless l do so as a vol
unteer for the government or the union.
They say their salvation depends on car
rying this election, and they are going
to do it at all hazards.
If you think best you may print this.
I will direct it to the postmaster, and
request him to hand it to you, for fear
it may be inspected if addressed to your
paper. Respectfully yours,
CHARLES r. ELDREDGE,
An Old Subscriber.
P.S.. I served three years in the war !;
went out in the Second Company Min
nessota Sharp Shooters, Berdan's First
Regiment, and they know There. This
afternoon the people of this town hoated
Tilden, Hendricks and Hampton flag
with the stars and stripes across the street
in front of the main hotel, with the stars
and stripes desecrated with this motto
inscribed on it: "Reform or Death 7"
This is Democratic County as there are
but few colored people, and white Repub-
licans are very scarce down here. It is
rather hot for them to stay here. They
were divided about raising the stars and
stripes; one said if they raised it it would
be cut down, for they would not see it
floating over them, and those that put it
up told me that they did not like to see
it, but it is evident it is to get the colored
vote. 1 shall remain here and finish my
job if I live long enough or for few
days. Truly yours,
G.. r. ELDREDGE.
This letter is fair sample of the false
hoods written about our people by de-
signing politicians Or paid minions of
the bloody shirt campaigners. We pro-
nounce the letter a tissue of lies from
beginning to end, in every material state
ment made in it. The letter reads like