The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-10-07

Correspondence augusta Chronicle.
ANDERSON, s. G., Sept. 80.
The term "ancient" is here used advi-
can standpoint. Evergreen" is the
name of a fine old country seat in Ander.
son County, s. c., about fifteen miles
from Anderson City, and four from the
Savannah River, and is the residence of
Elias John Earle, Esq. It was the family
homestead, and in ante bellum days, un-
der the old regime akin to the feudal sys-
tenn of baron and vassal, was the scene of
many festive gatherings, of sumptuous
feasts and unstinted hospitality. On the
afternoon of the 25th kind friend Mrs.
S. Bleckley), who had planned the de.
lightful jaunt, came by for me at Oak.
hurst, and I'VE set out, merry party OF
four. Taking the old Abbeville road, our
way lay through an interesting section of
level stretches of we'll cultivated fields of
cotton and corn, alternating with finely
timbered land-the forest growth consist
ing chiefly of pine, hickory, walnut, ash,
poplar (Tulipifera liriodendron), locust,
persimmon, gum and splendid oaks.
indeed, Anderson County is conspicuous
for its magnificent groves OF oak, and
abounds in many species. The water oak
is deseryedly popular shade tree, and
when transplanted in the grounds about
the dwelling or along the streets becomes
very handsome and Symmetrical object,
the dense, dark green foliage having fine
and pleasing effect.
Comfortable looking farmhouses, sur.
rounded by thrifty gardens and orchards,
and cosy negro cottages dotted the lands
cape on every side. Now and then We
passed a rural church and school house
and country store. a few miles out
from A.. is mt. Tabor" an extensive
negro burying ground. Several miles
farther on is "Mt. Sinai," campground
of the colored Methodists, we'll appointed
in its commodious church and large
stand" under which the hosts assemble
for worship when the church building is
inadequate to accommodate the throngs
during campmeeting.
Grouped about the stand and church, at
a convenient distance, were about fifty
rude huts or shanties, constructed of
scantlings and pine saplings, and used for
sleeping quarters during the annual
camping season.
All along the route the wild asters or
"Michaelmas daises," helianthus and
golden rods shone resplendent. The
solidagoes were particularly noticeable for
their lnxuriaut growth and branching,
shrub. like character; their large pannicles
Of gorgeous blooms lighting up the road
sides and fallow fields with golden glory.
Near clear, rollicking brook patch of
cattails, tall, stiff and stately, lifted their
tufted heads, lending an artistic air to q
bit of fen land. Had there been only a
solemn stork standing on one )eg in med
itative mood among them, the picture OF
the familiar design would have been
complete.
A bold, pretty stream, which had once
turned the busy wheels of the famous
Evergreen mills, was then encountered.
This we forded, allowing the horses to
slake their thil st from the bright waters
sweeping away in swift, graceful currents
beneath the overhanging sycamores and
willows The country now became more
broken and rugged, and with the steep
inclines of the highway, and the knobs
and ridges rising on the distance, quite
took on mountainous appearance.
At twilight. ere we reached the gate OF
Evergreen, there stood awaiting US the
hospitable host and hostess, with their
sweet daughters and sturdy sons, ready to
give us greeting and cordial welcome.
We were soon invested with hearty
home feeling and led to supper, where
good appetite and happy flow of spirits
accompanied the cheerful evening meal.
Returning to the parlor we were favored
with some delightful music on the violin
by one of the young ladies. After the
late earthquake was talked over, (still the
engrossing topic everywhere, it seems,)
the cyclone, which DEVASTATED a portion Of
the county last February, was discussed.
We passed through section of its track i'll
going out to Evergreen, where the sites of
several dwelling houses We're pointed out
which had been totally destroyed by its
of its terrific force. It was said that such
was the power of the whirlwjnd that tor
rents of rain down billsides were often
driven back upward with such might as
to erode them into channels. That the
water was swept out OF mill dams and
their basins left empty: that the waters
were blown out of the Savannah River
and numbers of fish scattered on it's
banks! There is ever but one step from
the sublime to the ridiculous. A little
girl was born during the raging OF the
storm, aud in commemoration Of the
event was named Cyclonia! My facetious
cousin, Lizzie B., suggested that one of
tho baby boys, born during the recent
convulsion of nature should be chris
tened Earthquakey!
Notwithstanding, the baleful Virgins
predictions to the contrary, that night,
the next day, and so on down to date,
were as calm and tranquil as the most
timorous heart could wish. The Goth of
September was especially peaceful and
unperturbed of meteorological distur-
bance, and, with the kind attentions of
the family, the entertaining conversation
of our genial host and his brother, the
doctor, the boys offerings from orchard
and woods in baskets of rosy apples and
purple muscadines, the day was thorough
fy enjoyed and long to be remembered.
A curious specimen of maize was ex-
hibited-a tall, branching variety, having
four or FIVE lateral stalks springing at in
teryals along the side of the main one,
each of which bore one or two fully de-
veloped ears Of corn. E. i. H. W.
C. A. Reed, Agt., has just fitted up a
Parlor for the exhibition of all the favor
ite makes of Sewing Machines. The Ia