The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-05-24
Annual Pic Mic at Erwin,s Mills.

MEssRs. EDITORS Thinking that some
Of the readers of your valuable paper
would like short account of the gather.
ing of people and candidates at Erwin's
Mills, shall attempt to write short piece
Leaving home Thursday evening with O
friend, we arrived at Prof. Watkins about
8 o'clock, where We spent delightful
evening, highly entertained by three ac-
complished young ladies. We arose next
morning and found the sky covered with
dark clouds. AS we stood on the piazza
the breakfast bell rang, and we noticed a
crowd Of young men pouring out of large
new house across the street. On inquiry,
we found Mr.. Watkins school so large
that he was compelled to build this extra
house in order to accommodate his In
creased number of boarders.
About 8 o'clock the sun came out and
you could see the people in every direction
preparing to start for the Mills. After q
delightful drive of six miles, which was
very much enjoyed, we arrived at this
beautiful spot-Erwin's Mills. Nature,
ever serenely beautiful, how often does
the human heart swell with reproacb
against thee, for that peaceful repose and
purity which earthly passions can never
mar. Death, the pale boatman, has taken
away the beloved husband and father, who
frightened their life's pilgrimags, the
purple land of rest. This bereaYed family
weeps, while the. glad, warm sunshine
glances as merrily, and nature looks as
benignly, as though all hearts beat in
unison with her smiles. We missed our
kind friend, Mr.. Erwin, who was always
ready with word of welcome to all, and
in his death this community met with a
loss which no one can ever replace.
By 10 o'clock the beautiful grove along
the river was filled with buggies and peo-
pie of every description. Nature did her
part we'll, the weather beautiful, the scene
ry grand. On the one hand the wood
covered hillside, broken with its ravines
and hollows was indeed beautiful to behold.
On the other tho beautiful Saluda rolls
majestically over rocks, with q roar as it
passes over the dam, which is built of solid
rock, and said to have cost over $4,000.
tainly made one grand elysiau scene which,
when once seen, would never be forgotten.
Messrs. Prince. Ansel, Child and Nc
Gowan made short addresses, which the
crowd seemed very much to enjoy.
The fishing began about 10 CLOCK. Then
you could have seen couple, with rod
and line, going up stream, another down.
in fact, in every direction. Seldom would
you see more than two together, which if
not very strange. Idon't think there were
many swimmers caught, or at least I did
not see them, but did see some big walk
ers caught, and without much trouble
About II o'clock, with some of our fairest
friends, we assembled around one Of the
long tables on the bank of the river fol
dinner. The ladies certainly deserve many
thanks for the sumptuoas and bountifu
dinner, which every one seemed to enjoy
After dinner the crowd again dispersed
and amused themselves boat-riding, fish
ing, talking, playing baseball, ETC..
never beheld more interesting Assem-
blage at pic mic, especially of the fair sex
who did 80 much for our pleasure. agIee
with one Of the speakers who said pic MIC
were good things. By assembling together
we could always learn something from
each other, and occasionally rid the bache
lor fraternity Of one of their members.
Every one in this community seems tx
be prospering and happy. Wheat is fairly
good-cotton and corn clean, and in nics
condition to grow.
Our only regret was that the day was toe
short, and we could not stay longer with
our kind friends, who did so much for oul
enjoyment. VISITOR.