The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-06-21
Athens VS.. Anderson.

From an interview published In the
Eseniny Gruphic. OF Athens, Ga, it seems
that some Of the Athens Firemen were not
pleased with their trip to Anderson, and
especially with their entertainment and ac-
commodations while here. The Graphic
reporter alleges to have interviewed one
W. F. Dorsey, of the Athens Fire Depart
ment, who, after saying all the hard things
he can about Anderson, her firemen and
hotels, says the Tournament was not con-
Quoted fairly. The INTELLIGENcER does
not care what he says about our town, our
firemen and hotels, but when he says the
Tournament was not conducted fairly, he
simply misstates the facts. The managers
of the Tournament, and all of the judges
of the races, with one exception land that
exception is Georgia many were high
toned, honorable gentlemen, who did their
duty faithfully and conscientiously, and
who would not do otherwise under any
conceivable circumstances.
Dorsey says that our firemen did not pay
any attention to the Athens firemen. In
reply to this We would say that our firemen
did the best they could, and if an Athens
firemen did not receive any attention from
them it was his own fault. Upon their ar
rival in the city they were met at the depot
and escorted to the Pioneers Hall, where
they were served with ham, chicken, salads,
sandwiches, cake of various sorts, ice
cream, lemonade and cigars, and Of all
these there were an abundance. There was
no whiskey or beer. In the Independents
Hall there were also an abundant supply
of tho same eatables. These Halls were
open day and night during the Tourna-
ment, with negro portes always there
ready to serve the visiting fremen in any
manner. The fremen were invited to visit
these Halls at any time. What more could
our fremen do?
In reply to what Dorsey says about the
sleeping accommodations, we would say
that it is the general opinion that some of
the Athens firemen, during their stay in
our city, were not in fit condition to
tell whether they slept on corn cobs, straw
or feathers. A few of them, we are told,
occupied the cutters one or two nights.
Perhaps when the Graphic reporter met
Dorsey, he Dorsey had not recovered
from the too liberal use Of "agaric'' and
"corn milk" -
We had the pleasure of meeting num-
ber of the Athens 6remen during their stay
in our city, and found the majority of them
to be true gentlemen, and we do not and
cannot believe that all of them will en-
dorae what Dorsey says.
Before the first days programme of the
Tournament was over, our firemen found
out that among the Athens fremen there
were some "chronic kickers," and that
nothing that could be done would satisfy
them. The rules did not suit them in sew
eral instances, and they were changed three
times to accommodate them. There are
many other little incidents that we could
mention to prove that few of the Athens
firemen were about the most contentious
men that ever participated in any Tourna-
ment, but we fcrbear. We regret to write
this article, but in justice to our city and
Tournament we are forced to do 1t.
Athens Mayor pro tenn, Hon. w. A. Nc
Dowell, was here throughout the Tourna-
ment, and we believe he will substantiate
what we have said.