Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-01-23
From the Columbia Register.
INTERVIEW WITH GOV. HAMPTON.
IN "HHH WV 1 WV
ON TILE WAY TO THE SAND-HILL HOME

ON THE WAY ~ The SAND-HlLL dOhE.
Accompanied by an old and long-tried friend
of the Governors, we drove out to his Excel
lency's residence in the Sand Hills, some mile
and half from the court house. 1t was a
bright, a beautiful day, and never Wednes-
day smiled back with brighter and gladdeI
heart than that which found us on our way to
consult with Cardinals great leader, who,
without seeking it, seems uncOnsciOusly tO
have climbed into the position of the great
leader of this wide Southern land. Brave,
frank and steady, yet careful, patient, poised.
If he is not great man, he has the singular
faculty of being all that great man ought to
be, without the least appearance Of effort in
that direction. Heleads because men instinct
lively vouchsafe him leadership, as much in
their own interests as in his own mOdestly.
worn right. True as the truest to his personal
friends, he is yet thoroughly unselfish man,
so far as he himself is concerned. These were
the reflections which naturally regaled us as
our trusty bay nothing 10th, turned off the
sand from his heels for the hospitable portal of
the Governors humble little home among the
"black-jack ..;.... ....-
THE HOMESTEAD.
AS we drove up to- the quaint little brick
cottage, with three rooms on row, and pro-
jecting frame entrance, we were much i'm
pressed by the primitive, simple, inexpensive
air of all the surroundings. If an old-fash-
ioned log hut in brick can be imagined, we
have the mansion" to dot. u'
As we drove up to the door, we drove round
dismal effort at an old-fashioned circle in
front, bordered by a family developed hedge
struggling for life in the thin sandy soil. In
this ''circle" of fair dimensions single stunt
ell magnolia was shimmering in it's dark green
leaves in the bright January sunlight, and it
reminded us of the colOred brothers recon-.
mlendation of his pig-'ee little but ee ole. u
Well, we circled round and up to the Govern
O:'S door,
FORMER MILLIONAIRE IN HIS BLACKJACK
HOME. .'. ".
AS we did so, a colOred servant of the gen.
uine tint, who had evidently not attempted q
change of skin, approached us politely, and
quietly receiving our names retired to the Gov
elnor's room for instruction. He soon return.
ed and taking our horse he invited us into the
middle room-a plain, very plain, but comfort
ably furnished room-s,lrroundcd OH all sides
with fair remnant of the Governors ante
bcllum library. There they reposed on the
shelves-the well selected, handsomely bound
tones of the best authors in the language.
Over the mantel leant rishly-framed paint
ing-the last, perchance, Of once priced gal
lery, as the great McDuffie quoted in memo
rable speech, and the great Swedish songstress
has oftentimes 50 sweetly resuscitated, ''like
the last rose of summer, left blooming alone.'
We were not left to our own reflections long,
for soon the door to the Governors chamber
opened and we were kindly invited in.
THE MAN HIMSELF. ... .':fs
We found the old hero in bed, but every
inch man. He received us with quiet, yet
frank warmth, peculiarly his own manner.
10 1sp ofE bin 10 an
Enthusiastically modest man, and reticence
which amounts to something of hateur in the
eye of stranger at first glance is soon recog-
nized by one familiar with society as the natu-
raj coyness of truly modest nature. The
gentleman accompanying us congratulated the
Governor OH his stalWart appearance, notwlth-
standing his wrestle with the grim-visaged
Mors, at the same time taking occasion to
excuse himself for not calling before, saying
frankly, II thought, Governor, unless came
to nurse you, played the part of true friend
ship in staying away "Ah, well,' said the
Governor, 81 was always glad to see my old
friends. i sent you several messages to come
and see me. You would not have disturbed
me at ALL Yet, I recognize and appreciate
your kind intentions, and am only glad you
have broken all restraint and come to see me
this morning." 1t was then remarked, "Why,
Governor, your face does not show your recent
illness at ALL either as to it's fullness or the
cheerful, yet composed expression Of your
countenance. Oh, We'll have you out before
long, as much man as ever"
The Governor smilingly shook his head, and
with d reflective shade passing across his
broad, open face, replied: "Perhaps not, my
friend" ooh, yes" was the quick, genial
response of friendship. "An you want is
some sea-shore air, the fresh oysters and fish,
some of the good wine of your numerous