Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-04-10
is writing history of the Presbyterian Church

In South CarOllna.
The Presbytery was then led in prayer by
Rev. John Douglas, OF Steele Greek Church,
NC. who was present as a corresponding
member. giving thanks to God for the illus
tration Of his faithfulness as it had been shown
in the history of Bethel Church. yg.s
Sunday night was set apart for meeting in
the interest of Foreign Missions.
The weather was fine, except rather cold;
the moonlight nights bright and beautiful;
the people kind and hospitable; and people
went away pleased and grati6ed, and prepared
to vote with hearty good will again to go
up to Bethel whenever the opportunity IS
again presented for them to do 50.
SOLDIERS GRAVES.
We have received the following card from
Mr.. Thomas Vance, in explanation of his mo-
tives for suggesting to the Secretary OF War
the propriety of removing the bodies of the
soldiers inferred at this place to the National
Cemetery at Florence:
Mr.. EDITOR: If you will allow me space in
your columns, will explain my idea for re-
commencing the removal to the Government
Cemetery, the dead bodies of eight United
States soldiers now inferred in the cemetery at
this place. After receiving my final discharge
from the United States Army, at Columbia, in
1876, it was known that was to settle in
Yorkville. When in company of Lieut.. Il.
H. Benner, in Columbia, after had assumed
citizens garb, he requested me to look after
the soldiers cemetery here, and try to keep it
in order as much as possible, during my spare
time, as he expected the bodies would be, in
due time, removed to the Government Gene
terry at Florence After my return here cor
responded with Lieut.. Benner frequently,
stating to him the condition of the cemetery;
r>1,
respOndence ceased. ". 5,tuB
Having occasionally passed by the cemetery,
I have seen children playing thereon-though
know the little ones meant no harm-and
have repeatedly shut the gate, which was care
lessly left open, and on one occasion drove
mule from the enclosure. Before the fence
law existed it was common thing to see ami
mails there when the gate was left open. I
have also found one of the cedar gates off its
hinges and some panels Of the rustic enclosure
out of place. Also, the patent lock which
and Sergt. j. j. Havill put there by direction
of Lieut.. Benner, has entirely gone. mere
ly mentioned the fence as being in a bad con-
dition, and thinking these graves were over
looked in some way by the War Department,
I recommended the removal of the dead to the
Cemetery at Florence. It was all done through
an act of kindness on my part, without mean
ing harm or prejudice to any one and If the
public think it was detrimental in any way, or
reflected upon the people Of this community, 1
must say truly that it was done through igno-
rance, and ask their pardon.
And now permit me to say few words in
conclusion. Within the last three weeks, I
visited the cemetery in company with citi-
zen who has kindred buried there. He re-
marked that he would freely subscribe ten
dollars to have an iron fence put up around
the entire enclosure, as the present fence is in
a very dilapidated condition and will freely
give one weeks pay, or devote one week of my
labor to the same object, though | have no
kindred buried there, but regard it the sacred
duty of the living to bestow proper attention
to the last resting place of their dead. Very
respectfully, THOMAS VANCE.