The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-10-18

square, discoursing some of their best
music. We went not by ourselves, but
men accompanied by the greater number
of those present-all ages, sizes, colors
and conditions to many we thought
it was real Landing-of- Columbus occa-
sion. The circuit Of the square made,
we halted in front the Court House, the
speakers using the steps as platform
from which each delivered his remarks.
Addresses were made by Maj. Shelton,
who seemed to be Grand Marshal of the
day, John B. Benson, Esq, Capt. Craft,
Rev. ]. Vernon, Capt. McCurry and
others. Maj. Shelton, the first orator,
seemed much impressed with the solenl-
nifty of the occasion. He spoke in glow
ing language Of the follow-patriots from
that section of the State in the late war,
and closed by paying a high tribute to
the soldiers from South Carolina, and her
citizens generally. He said, 81 rejoice
in my heart the day South Carolina was
free. l was as proud as any of you in
your own State" He colnplimented
General Wade Hampton in becoming
style, and was thankful we now had a
true Governor. John B. Benson, ESQ.,,
came next. He said: ~ can't make a
speech. l am like our late President,
Gen. Grant. I speak with actions, not
with Words" and we'll did he carry that
out, for much of the kindness and liber-
ality of the town was shown through
Mr.. Benson. Capt. McCurry made a fit-
ting address, we'll suited to the occasion,
as also did Rev. j. Vernon and Capt.
Graft. They, too, spoke strongly of the
high character and patriotism of South
Carolina.
Speaking over, Maj. Shelton, who now
held in his hand banner belonging to.
his Company in the late war, was invited
to a seat on the Band wagon. We now
drove through some of the principal
streets, the Band playing and the flag
waving. Arrived in front of Bobo's ho-
tel and halted, when Maj. Shelton in a
short address delivered the flag into the
hands Of lady. - IS
Next, procession on foot was formed
near the Court House of some five or six
hundred of the veterans of the late war.
These, headed by our Band on foot,
marched around the square under direc-
tion of -; halting again, and opened
ranks on the same ground they left.
Maj. Shelton then announced that din
ner would be given to Hart County sol
diers, and Confederate soldiers from any
other place. Meantime, the Band had
been invited by John B. Benson, Esq, to
dine with him at his own house; and q
similar invitation was extended by his
son, each of which was accepted by US
some going one place, some to the other.
We dined with the younger Benson, who
sat us down to most excellent dinner.
Everything in the way of substantials
and luxuries was there, and served up
with the most scrupulous care. It is un-
necessary to say we did ample justice to
such fine dinner. After our auiplere-
past we met the boys in town. who de-
clared the hospitality and fine dinner at
the elder Benson's could not be sur
passed.
The proceedings of the day now about
over, we got ready to leave for home, but
not without several solicitations to re-
main over night. We reluctantly, de-
clined, and bid Hartwell adieu at four
o'clock p. M, all voting unanimously
that this had been the fourth event of
the year 1877, standing in, the order
named: 1st, Hayes inauguration ). End,
Hampton's; 3rd, Nichols; 4th, Re- Union
of the Soldiers at Hartwell, October 2.
We made good time to the river, arriving
before sun down, and crossed over to our
native soil. We halted a short time on
this side at the residence of Mr.. Fowler,
played tune in regard for kindnesses
received. Two or three miles more dark
came, and the night being cloudy made
driving difficult and slow. About this
time we found we had too many men for
the seats; indeed, there looked to be at
least FIVE men too many for, the seats;
vet, the same number of seats was there,
and by actual count no more mem could
be found, still, the wagon was too crowd;
ed. From motives of comfort, or some;
thing else, three or four concluded: to
take "steerage passage" they getting
under the seats. Near Roberts Church
we met Mr.. David Humphreys, who,
upon being made aware Of our condition,
and the difficulty of travelling, very kind
" loaned us lantern, for which we all
returned thanks. We arrived in town at
IL o'clock. The boys in the "steerage"
reused up, and one by one came forth
rubbing their eyes, and we think from
their forlorn condition they were ready
to exclaim, ''The way of the transgressor
is hard" and "those who dance must
pay the fiddler"
Mr.. Editor, in conclusion, we return
our most heartfelt thanks to the citizens
of Hartwell and County for their kind
regards for us during our late visit, and
for their opinion of the patriotism, yalor
and craftsmanship of our citizens. Our
direct sentiments are these: That the
great State of Georgia may continue to
move onward in internal improvements,
in manufactures, in agricultural. and me-
chanical arts, making her in the future,
as in the past, the Empire State of the
South.
A MEMBER.