The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-02-20
A STORY WITH A MORAL.

a STORY WITH A MORAL
Tho Way to Te1ns and tho Way Back.
The down passenger train from Chat
tanooga that reached Atlanta Wednesday
night last brought among its numerous
passengers family of eleven persons
who were on their return. home to South
Carolina from Texas, where they have
been existing for the past three years.
The head of the family gave his name as
F. n. Coker, and asked q policeman at
the depot to show him and his party to.
some place where they could stay for the
night. The policeman took the entire
party to the station-house, where com.
Portable room with fire in twas placed
at their disposal. Here they remained
until Major D. A. Cook, the kind-hearted
and efficient station-house keeper, came.
on duty in the morning. Major Cook,
upon visiting them in the room, learned
from Mr.. Coker that neither he nor any.
member of his family had eaten morsel
on the day previous, and in consequence
were nearly famished for want of food.
AS soon as Major Cook learned this he
sent out and got eleven breakfasts fcr the,
starving family.
"Well, it would have done you good,n
said Major Cook to the reporter, Ito see
how that family demolished the contents
of the numerous dishes that were set be-
fore them. The little ones Just pricked
up their ears and snapped their eyes as
soon as they heard the; rattle of the dish
es. A little three year old blue-eyed boy
sprang out of his mothers lap and COM
menced clapping his hands forjoy. S
Faces that were without particle Of
life in them changed in the twinkling of
an eye and bore expressions of delight.
Despite the great hunger of every one
there was plenty for all, and after half
hour spent in stufing themselves with
the good things, the family, from the old.
man to the. baby in the arms ofthe moth,
or, had their appetites fully satisfied"
At noon the reporter looked in upon
the group. There were the old man and
his wife, apparently sixty years Of age,
seated on the floor, and near them was
their family.
In conversation with Mr.. Coker, the
| reporter learned that the family went to
the southeastern part of Texas about
three years ago, and that they had set
tied upon tract of land that they rem
ted, which is located few miles from
Huntsville. During their stay in the
Lone Star State, Mr.. Coker says he has
met with nothing but adversely on every,
turn. He says that he made poor crops,
and in consequence had little to eat.
The land he said was poor, and would
bring nothing whatever, although he
worked hard to make living for him
self and family. Two of his daughters,
who are grown, assisted him in plough
ing in the fields and worked upon the
farm in various other ways. Shortly af-
ter their arrival in Texas, the members
of his family we're taken sick with chills
and fever, and up to the date of their
leaving that State, nearly all of them
were still subject to this kind ofsickness.
Mr.. Coker says that having become
disgusted with the land and climate of
Texas, he concluded several months ago
to return to his former home, near Viii
liamsburg, South Carolina. Every effort
that he made to secure money enough
upon which to return home proved to be
a failure, until few days ago when he
secured two hundred dollars from his.
brother-in-law, who resides at Williams
burg. With this money he st once pur-
chased tickets which brought him and
his family to Chattanooga. Here he was
again without money. The chief of the
police learned of the destitute condition
of the family, and informed Major Hill
of their situation. This gentleman soon
after repaired to the Office of the Wes-
tern and Atlantic Railroad and reoues-
ted the manager to pass the family to
Atlanta for halt rates, stating that 'fthe
road would do this Chattanooga would
pay for the tickets. The request was
promptly granted and the party arrived
in this city without accident.
Mr.. Coker states that the conductors
along the lines over which he was haul
ed have been universally courteous to
himself and his entire family, and that
he will always feel indebted to them
for numerous kindnesses. He says that
upon his arrival at home he will return
to his old pursuit, which is farming. His
brother-in-law, he says, has promised To
give him every assistance that he can to
get thoroughly under way once more in
| his old State. Mr.. Coker says that they
can all go to Texas that want to, but for
his part he has had enough, and will re-
main the remainder of his life in the
State of his nativity. He says that three
families who reached Texas few days
before he left took the train for home the
day after their arrival, they having seen
all that they wanted to of that State.
Mr.. Coker says, that during his sojourn
in Texas of three years he only accumu-
lated about five dollars, after payiug all
his expenses and feeding his family.
! Yesterday Major w. L. Calhoun tel
egraphed to Augusta requesting the su-
perintendent of the Georgia Railroad to
pass the family over the line to Augusta
for half fare. Major Calhoun says that
if the road will do this, that Atlanta will
furnish the money with which to pay for
the tickets. At last accounts Mayor
Calhoun had not received answer to his
dispatch. BE thinks that the Georgia
Railroad will grant the request and
hopes to get the family off to-day. Du-
ring their stay here Major Cook has
shown them much kindness. He has
allowed them to retain possession of the
room and has given them plenty to eat.
Mr.. Coker, with his family, will prob
ably get off to-day.-Atlanta COnstitu-
ton.