The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-08-30
The Short Race of q Georgia Asplrant
to the Presidency.

The Short Race of q Georgia Asplrant
to the Presidency.
In 1850. ss the beginning Of the presi,
dental campaign of that year, there lived
in Elbert eoausy, about three miles below
ElbertoD, man by the uame Of Hiram
Davis, whose information Has very
limited, but who imagined be knew q
good deal.
At tic time there was theatrical
company spending some time in Elberton
with large tent stretched on the west
side Of the public square in which the
men of the town would frequently CON.
gregate to discuss the exciting political
questions Of the day.
On one occasion an unusually large
crowd was present in the tent, Davis
being one of the number, when it was
proposed to bold rational nominating
convention to nominate candidates for
president and vice president ofthe United
States
after the meeting vas organized Hon:
Amos T. Akerman (then resident Of
Elberton) arose and after a brilliant
speech on the gravity of the situation,
and especially of that particular occasion,
placed in nomination the name OF
Hiram Davis, of Elbert county, Ga, fcr
president, and Don Pedro Castro, OF
Mexico, for vice president. The nomi'
nation was seconded and carried by acc'a.
nation amid tremendous applause,
A committee was appointed to notify
Davis of his nomination, and called on
him for speech. BE asked for an hours
time to prepare himself. In the mean
time the crowd had gvown to such pro.
portions that the canvas would not hold
them, and it was decided to have the
speech delivered from veranda in front
of the courthouse. Davis's friends, prom
jnept among whom was Captain Ben G.
Henry, then resident Of Elberton, took
him of and rigged him up in large OLD
style blue military coat. with epaulets on
the shoulders, an immense collar that
reached above his ears, q very tall stove.
pipe hat and an old pair Of No12 ditch
er's boots.
At the appointed time he appeared on
the veranda, and more comical looking
appearance never presented itself to the
people of Elberton. Bnt Davis meant
business. He thought that he Was the
bona fde nominee for the Office, and
visions Of the white house and s25,00O q
year had been poured in his ear by bis
accommodating friends until be was
worked up to the highest point OF excite
ment. Hedelivered senseleas harangue
Of an hout's length with as much earnest
ness as was ever displayed BY Stephen
A. Douglas in those days.
During the speech Captain ]. a.
Sanders, TOW deceased, pretended to
become offended at some remark made
by Davis, aud at its conclusion sent him
challenge 10 fight duel. Davis was
averse to spllling human blood and
wanted 10 decline the combat, but his
friends urged him that he was occupying
position in which it would be q disgrace
to decline, and that certain defeat would
be the result of such course. This
nerved him up to the point, and ne
accepted the challenge, and acting under
the adviee of hissecond Captain Ben
Henry chose double.5arrel shotguns as
the weapons, and twenty PAGES as the
distance.
Everything being arranged, a level
street in front of the Methodist church
was selected as the duelling ground,
The distance was measured, the guns
loaded with powder only, but Davis
thought with buckshot also) and the
principals placed in position. At the
command, "Fire," Sanders fred his gun
off Immediately, but Davis took cool
and deliberate aim and fred. Sanders
Of course, fell and his surgeon ran up and
bent over him, at the same time empty
ing bottle of red ink on his bosom, and
announcing that he was mcrtally wound
ed.
Davis saw the blood las he thought
and his friends advised him to flee. Thil
he at first declined to do, stating that h
had killed his man in fair duel and hat
committed no crime, but he saw th'
sheriff of the county approaching him
his courage failed and he made breal
for liberty. He started down the stree
at q tremendous rate. The crowd raiset
yell, aud very large dog took afte
him. The dog overlook him as be turned
the first corner, fastened his teeth il
Davis's pants and tore them completed!
off OF him. He increased his gait, outral
the dog, aud as be turned the top ofth'
first hill, he ran out of his big boots, the!
flying in the air over his head as he spet
onward. He ran to his home but made
no halt, running through the house ant
garden, breaking down a pannel OF tb'
latter as be went out. He turned vi
!! Beayerdam creek and never made q hal
until he reached relatives house in tn
vicinity of Hartwell, having run twenty
six miles in about three hours. For
year afterwards Davis could not be in
duced to put his foot on Elbert county soil
Thus commenced and ended undoubt
edly the fastest presidential race run il
the United States.-Atlanta Constitution
- A citizen of Winueconue, Wis, ha
succeeded ia tempering brass, aud has ex
hibited brass knives aud axes that vii