Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-11-07
The lecture Of Hon. walter M.
Gibson,

The lecture Of Hon. Walter Nj.
Gibson,
hi, on Thursday night, of last week, the people
Of Walhalla enjoyed pleasure which they
seldom havo enjoyed. It had been previously
announced through the KEowgE COURIER
that on that night the Hon. Walter M.
Gibson, Of tho Sandwich Islands, would
lecture in the Baptist Church. To meet this
appointment, and to hear the distinguished
speaker. quite largo number of our people
gathered at the church. Mr. Glbson's reputa-
tion 4; made our citizens very curious to
see and hear him, and they wero more than
repaid for the attention given him. When
tho ,ohurch was nearly filled, Hon. J. S.
Norneri introduced tho speaker to his audi
ence. Mr. Werner; in his introductory
remarks, said that South Carolina had oonr
tributed more distinguished and remarkable
men to the development Of tho new States of
the Union and to the new countries Weste
ward Of her borders than perhaps any State
Of the Union. Her sons had penetrated the
wilds Of our Western territory and had there
made new homes, new settlements and
new States They had not stopped Within
the boundaries of the territory Of tho United
States with the ooasts of the PnciGc, but had
gone far beyond, into the isles of the Pacific
Ocean, and thete in those wild Islands, amid
hostile tribes and unknown tongues, had
converted barbarism into the highest type
Of civilized life. One Of those sons wo have
with us here to.night. whose reputation is
known, not only in Mexico and the United
States of America, but also in Europe and
in The East Indies. Ills adventurous and
remarkable career mark him rs one of tho
most distinguished mon that have ever COMO
from South Caroline aud now aftor tho expo,
rienco Of euch career and tho good fortune
which always attend energy, perseverance,
and brains, he had come again to old South
Carolina crowned with tho honors of his
adopted home in the Sandwich Islands, to
meet his old friends and form new acquain-
tances. AS South Carolinians we delight
to honor such mon, and when they return
we can give them hearty welcome, and
here to night we have tho pleasure of seoing
and hearing tho Hon. Walter NJ. Gibson
mombcr of the parliament of tho Hawaiian
Government, Sandwich Islands, of whom we
arc proud, and as such We now take the
pleasure Of introducing to you, this honored'
son Of Carolina. -
Mr.. Gibson, referring to the remarks Of
Mr. Werner, said that tho credit of having pro.
duced so many men of mark and national
note must DO mainly confined to tho up
country of the State. to region comprised
within radius Of twenty miles from old
Pendleton. This fine old mountain region
could claim q host of leaders Of men, such as
Calhoun, Pinkney, Orr, Cheyes. Poinsett,
Warren Davis, Waddy Thompson Rusk,
and several scores of auch men; but ho did
not claim to belong to this roll of honor OF
noble names devoted to oountry's welfare.
lIo belonged to the GLASS Of advonturcrs who
made tho wido world their home.
What m adventure whom he sot out from
Sandy Springs. near old Pendleton, alone
with his three ohildron to traverse the conti-
mont; and how remarkable his experience in
tho Indian country, before tho iron rail had
bound the East and the West with IN affluent
band of civilization. At that time he toiled
across tho continent in five months, and
recently he had run with comfort from
ocean to ocean in two weeks. IIe dwelt
upon one incident Of his carly trans.conti-
mental adventures. IIo was in the Sioux
country, near the Sweet Water, and was Mt
the head of his train of seven wagons. Io
had como to halt for the noon-day meal,
and at tho samo time the other six wagons
had halted about mile back on the road,
and out of sight, to assist in some
repairs. He dispatched his son and an assis-
ttant to hurry up tho laggards, rs ihero was
reason to fear the presenoo of Indians. IIo
remained alone engaged in making fire,
whilst his daughter was inside the covered
wagon. lie suddenly heard tho tramp Of
horses. and looking up to his dismay, beheld
a troop of about % Ogalalla Indians in full
war paint They dismounted from their
ponies, and approaching him formed two files,
and every man appeared to have ramrod or
stick in his hand. A leader, uttering some
words in broken Spanish and Indian, ordered
our traveller to strip, evidently that he should
run the gauntlet betweon tho iles of grinning
savages, and bo cudgolod with blows as long
as he could stand up. lie loaned against
his wagon in terror, heart sick at the
thought of his daughter, fooling, os she was
silent, that sho had tainted from terror, and
would be the victim of theso monsters. As
he stood gazing in speochloss agony at tho
prospect before him, the leader of tho band
approached, seizod Mr.. Gibson by his shirt,
and as thu Indian attempted to drag him
forward tho now aroused father struck the
savage in tho breast making him reel back