Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-07
SEABOARD TO MOUNTAIN.
A PLEASANT RAMBLE THROUGH
OLD LIBERTY.

Theft of u Skull-Buried Relies Resur-
| rected-The Crops-On to Macon and
Atlanta-Esst Tennessee, Virginia and
| Georgia RailrOsd-The Gubernatorial
COnventiOn-OH for the MOuntains-A
Growing Country II New Holland
Springs, Etc.
After the centennial celebration OF the
Liberty Independent Troop. the writer
made flying trip through the lower part
Of the county, once the abode of refined
and wealthy population, but now princl-
pally occupied by negroes. He spent an
hour amid the venerable monuments ana
moss-grown tOmbs of the cemetery at old
Midway church, which is surrounded by
massive brick wall, we'll nigh hidden by
lichens, vines and parasites, the growth
of three-fourths of century. Here re-
pose the remains of many notab les, in
GLIDING Senator John Elliott, Commodore
James Mcintosh, Gen. James Screven,
Gen. Stewart, Col. William Maxwell,
Rev. @. q. Jones, ID. D., Rev. Robert
Quarterman, venerated pastor of the
church, Lambert. the philanthropist, John
B. Mallard, and host of other good and
true men who made their mark in their
day and generation, and fill honored
graves.
The vault of Senator Elliott is literally
wrapped in the anaconda-like embrace OF
gigantic vines and creepers, and vlgor-
GUS young tree springs from the roof. 1t
is indeed a picturesque object. More than
| fifty years ago some ruthless collector Of
relics, or hostile wretch, made tOrcible
entrance into the vault, undermining the
| marble door, and
STOLE THE SKILL
of the dead Senator, who had a remark
| ably fine head. Not one trace of the thief
has ever been discovered, though it was
! surmised that during the chronological
craze of that period some vandal disciple
| of the so-called science committed the
dissertation to secure so distinguished a
trophy tor his studio. But this is mere
| speculation.
Some of the dark stone monuments of
New England origin, with quaint images
| of angels carved upon them, and unique
inscriptions, are nearly cOeval with the
history of the settlement in 1862. In those
days and through many subsequent years
before the inhabitants became acclimated
and learned by sad experience the neces-
sity Of removing to the seashore or piny
woods during the sickly season, the aver
age Of human life was very low.
The writer can remember hearing his
|
ton Of the present century anyone was
considered old at 40 years. Aud this is
fully borne out by careful scrutiny OF
the ages recorded on the tOmbs OF those
who, at that early period, sojOurned amid
the sWamps the year round. When the
summer retreats of the Sand Hills (now
Walthourville) J, Jonesvile, Coils Island,
Gravel Hill (FlemingtOn), and Sunbury
were established, there was a marked i'm
-. ~ IL
and consequent prolongation of human
life and wonderful decrease in the death
rate.
But TeUenOnS q nos mOnt0nS. The old
cemetery is in painful state of dilapida-
ton, albeit the negroes, who have had the
use of the church up to this time since the
war, were required to clear away the
weeds and bushes once year. This they
did very faithfully, but still the watchfu
care and tender attention OF fond relatives
and friends have been lacking, and time
and the elements have wrought sad havoc
with the monuments. In the enclosure
stands
GIGANTIC MONARCH
of the forest. magnificent live oak,
which measures thirty-three feet. in cir.
conference, aud spreads over an area OF
| near one-fourth of an acre. 1t is an old
land mark which, doubtless, antedates
the landing of Oglethorpe by many de-
cade of years.
The church, which was rebuilt upon
the same spot after it's destruction during
the revolutionary war by Col. Provost,
is a most substantial structure, the
weather boarding being an inch in thick
ness and firmly fastened with wrought
nails. ORIGINALLY it was painted red,
then white from time to time, as needed.
But about ten years ago the latter coat
ings had all been effaced by the weather,
and the red again stood forth promi-
nently. There is no end, however, to the
wear and tear OF time and the elements,
and to-day even the red has well nigh dis
appeared. Happily, at this opportune
juncture, the granddaughter OF one of the
first pastors, Rev. Mr.. Gildersleeve, a
Northern lady, has donated a sum OF
money sufficient to repaint the dear old
tabernacle, and the good work has actu-
ally commenced.
A meeting OF the selectmen and all the
right holders of the church still in exis-
tence has been called to assemble in
March next, on the day annually set
aside in the past for more than century
for the selection of pews. A large gath
ering of the friends and ancient wOr-
slippers at this time-hallowed shrine is
confidently expected at that period, and
the suggestion has been made that each
Individual come provided with a basket
of refreshments, that the entire day may
be devoted to religious exercises and the
interchange Of experiences, both past and
present. II will be an interesting Occa.
sion, and the future status of the old TEN
pie will then be decided.
Before leaving that sacred spot your
correspondent dug up under the caves OF
the old church, several fragments OF mol.
ten glass and charred wood that ones
formed portion of the old tabernacle
that was consumed by the torch OF for.
eign foe. During the recent civil war the
Yankees cOrraled the cattle OF the Con.
federates in the old cemetery, and slew
them by hundreds, Soon after the cessa.
ton OF hostilities the writer visited the
place, and found multitude of
cows HEADS
bleaching upon the ground almost upon
the very threshold Of the churcn. No pOr.
tiop even of the blood stained ''Old Do.
minion" ever suffered more from the ray
ages of the invaders than Liberty county
From Midway we rode TO Dorchester,
and were struck by the sad changes on
every side wrought by the war. Spending
the night there among old friends, who
were as hospitable as in their palmiest
DAYS. the next morning the writer pro-
ceeded to Walthouryille, stopping few
moments ut Riceboro, which Is Sit
uated at the head Of navigation
ON North Newport river, and was for
many years the county site. 1t is still a