Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-10-14

those ScOtcH-1TlSn freSDyCerlanS, whose pa
triotism and dauntless courage would hand
their names down to the remotest posterity,
read prayer, said to have been made by one
of them-David Miller, of Rutherford county,
N. Ca copy of which had been handed to
him but few moments ago by a friend. He
then read the following prayer, which, though
heretofore printed in the ENQUIRER, will bear
repetition here. 1t is supposed to have been
made just after the victories of Kings Noun
tain and Cowpens:
"Kind Parent: We thank thee for the many
benefits bestowed upon us in fighting for our
liberty, and especially for the great victory at
Kings Mountain, where Ferguson fell; and
the victory at Koopens, where Tarleton was
defeated. But, Kind Parent, we think that
thou ought not to have permitted the hated
tories to burn Billy Hills iron works. If thou
hadst not done this, we would not have asked
thee for any more favors."
This unique prayer provoked shouts of
laughter and applause.
While the exercises were progressing, Capt.
Bryan, with detachment of the Washington
Light Infantry, of Charleston, bearing the
time-honored, historic Eutaw flag, passed up
and took seats upon the stand. After Rev.
Mr. Wills concluded his remarks, Col. Coward
called attention to this flag, saying that it was
first unfurled at Cowpens, and was carried by
Col. Washington's men through the Revolu-
tionary war, and afterwards presented by his
widow to the Washington Light Infantry.
Waving it before the people, Col. Coward pro-
posed three cheers for the flag and the gallant
company it represented, and they were hearth
ly given.
Thus ended the exercises at the stand, and
Col. Thomas announced that the ceremonies
of the afternoon would close with the unveil-
ing of the monument.
THE UNWILLING.
The people now moved in procession toward
the monument, approaching it from the cas-
tern side, the band heading the procession
and playing an appropriate air. Arriving at
the monument, while the preliminaries for un-
yelling were being arranged, and the four
young ladies who were to perform the cere-
mony were taking their positions on the four
corners of the base Of the monument, the band
rendered in exquisite style the simple but
beautiful Sunday-school hymn, 'Safe in the
arms of Jesus"
Miss Mary Bell Culp, who represented South
Carolina, was supported by Governor Jeter.
She carried blue shield, on the centre OF
which, in white, was palmetto tree sur.
rounded by the words in white, "So'ah Caroi.
no.: Animis opibusque porati." Miss Culp is a
great-grand-daughter of Captain Giles, who
fought in the battle of Kings Mountain
Miss Leila Young, who represented North
Carolina, was supported by Governor Jarvis
Miss Emily Buford, who represented Virginia
was supported by Governor Holiday. Miss
Nora Nixon, of Yorkville, who represented
Tennessee, was supported by the representa-
tive of the Governor Of that State, Gen
Campbell.
When the music ceased, Col. Coward, rs
Chairman of the Centennial Association, as
cended the base of the monument and said:
Fell0,u- Citizens americans: The critical mo-
ment of months of expectation has ut lengtl
arrived. The long-delayed tribute to the vir
tues of the heroes who won the battle OF civil
liberty upon this ground is now ready to meet
it's fulfllment. The Association is now ready
to report this work as the humble result OF
it's labors. The ground upon which it and
you now stand, is no longer private prop
erty; but the birthright of the American peo'
pie. In the name of the American people this
monument is now dedicated as tribute to the
virtues of the past, an expression of the char
acteristics of the present, and lesson for the
future. I call upon all of you, in the spirit
that animated these veterans when the battle
was won, with uncovered heads, to unite in
singing the grand words of the long-metre
Doxology-
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise him all creatures here below,
Praise him above, ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The band struck the familiar strain, in
which a thousand voices joined, and as the
words were waited ION the plain, )" the young
ladies drew the yelling from the monument,
disclosing graceful column, erected as trib-
ute to the men whose patriotism and deeds OF
bravery, just one century ago, will render their
70 a N
the marble OH which their names are craven.
THE MONUMENT.
The monument is erected on the summit OF
the most elevated point of the battle ground,
which, it should he borne in mind, is not the
"pinnacle" of Kings Mountain, which rises
in majestic grandeur seven miles northeast.
It is a neat structure, and considering the
embarrassing circumstances under which the
Association labored, is highly creditable to
their efforts. 1t was built by Mr.. F. A.
McNinch, of Charlotte, N. c., at total cost
of $780, The cornerstone was laid, with
Masonic ceremonies, on the 23d of June last,
Grand Master A. T. Smythe, and the other
Grand officers of South Carolina officiating,
assisted by the Grand Masters, or their repre-
sentatives, of Virginia. Tennessee, North Car.
olina and Georgia; Philanthropic Lodge OF
Yorkville, and members Of the lodges in
Greenville, Spartanburg, Gaffney's, Kings
Mountain, Rock Hill and Fort Mill.
The monument is made of native granite,
quarried about seven miles from the battle
ground. 1t is eighteen feet square at the base,
and twenty-eight feet in height. The base is
five feet high, consisting of five tiers, each
successive tier decreasing two feet as they as
cend. Upon the top tier rests the first die, 4
feet square, and on this rests second die, Q
feet high and 81 feet square. On this die rests
the shaft, II feet in height, % feet at the base,
and surnOunted with capital 3 feet square
and % inches thick.
It was originally designed to surmount the
shaft with a bronze statue of soldier OF the
period, dressed in coon-skin cap, and with
shot-pOuch and powder horn at his side, in the
act of loading his gun; but the increased cost
of this figure rendered itimpracticable to carry
out the design. But with this monument,
like the ladder of fame, there is still ''room at
the top" and succeeding generation may,
and doubtless will, complete this work so pa
triotically inaugurated by the Kings Noun
tain Centennial Association of 1880.
The inscriptions on the monument are as
follows:
North Side
. Here the tide of Battle
Turned in favor of the American Colonies.
East Side
Here on the 7th day of October, A. D., 1880, the
British forces, commanded by Col. Patrick Fer
guson, were met and totally defeated by Campbell,
Shelby, Williams, Cleveland, Sewer, and their
heroic followers from Virginia, the two Carolinas
and Tennessee.
South Side ...
Fell on this battle ground in defense of civil
liberty, Col. 10! n Williams Maj. William Chron-
icle, Captains Jvhn Mattocks, David Beattie, Will
liam Edmondson.
First Lieutenauts: Reece Brown Thomas Nc
Cullough, William Black burn, Robert Edmond
son.
Second Lieutenants: John Beattie, Andrew Ed
mondson. Henderson Lyon, James Cory, James
Laird, Nathaniel Guist, Nathaniel Dryden, James
Phillips.