The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-05-16
Our Trip to ErwIn,s rdin.

Last Thursday afternoon, in company
with our young friends. R. L. Robinson,
j. N. Watkins, R. C. Webb, G.. F. Bigby
and Walter Geer, We left Anderson, our
ultimate destination being Erwin's Mill,
on Saluda River, in Abbeville County,
where the Honea Path and Gentsville
Reading Clubs were to have pic mic on
the day following.
We we're driving swift horses, the roads
were in good condition, and each member
of our party felt happy with pleasant an.
ticipations of what was in store for us
during the trip. The crops along the
road had been worked nicely, and looked
well, though needing rain badly.
Our drive was exceedingly pleasant,
and about dark We drove into Honea
Path, where we were to spend the night.
We accepted the kind invitation of Prof.
J. 3. Watkins, the accomplished and en-
ergotic Principal of the Honea Path High
School, and spent the night under his
root. The Professor has recently built a
commodious house, in beautiful grove,
near the school building, and if be only
had wife to preside over it Lie would be
prepared to enjoy this life to the fullest
extent. at present he has about twenty
pupils of both sexes boarding with him,
and lady of experience looks after his
household affairs. His school roll now
numbers about two hundred pupils,
which is perhaps the largest school in
upper Carolina. He is deservedly popu-
lar with both his patrons and pupils, and
the work he is doing in that section will
be felt for years to come. Honea Path
should never give him up. The Profess
sor is most courteous, excellent gentle
man, and if he don't hurry up and get
married. some girl should try the "Leap
Year" game on him.
Friday morning dawned bright and
clear, and at an early hour the people
from the surrounding country were on
the road to Erwin's Mill, which is about
elk miles east of Honea Path. In compa-
ny with q charming young lady, We
drove out TO the pic mic grounds.
AS is we'll knowa, the corners of four
Counties-Anderson Abbeville, Laurcns
and Greenville-come together a short
distance above the Mill, and these Coun-
ties never fail to be largely represented at
the annual pic MICS held there. It is a
beautiful place for a pic mic. The scenery
around, is grand and romantic, and the
beautiful elms, water-oaks, holly bush,
ivy and thick shrubbery. together with
the lovely countenances of the many
pretty girls present, presented scene that
Is hard to describe.
By 12 o'clock the crowd present was
estimated at from eight hundred to one
thousand persons. The major portion Of
the crowd soon gathered around q stand,
which stood under the shade of some lofty
oaks at the lower end of the lawn.
After fervent prayer from Rev. D. w.
Hiott, Prof. J. B. Watkins called the
meeting to order, and stated that Rev. A.
A. Marshall and Hon. W. G. Benet, who
had been invited to address the Reading
Clubs, wero unavoidably absent. He then
introduced Mr.. Hiott, who, though just
from a sick bed, made most excellent
address in his usual happy style.
at the conclusion of the address, the
crowd scattered in groups and couples,
but it was not long before the dinnor bas.
kets were brought out, and on all sides
could be seen an abundance of good
things. We received numerous invita-
tions to dine with friends, and our only
regret was that we could not accept all of
them. We accepted the invitation from Q
fair friend, and Jared most aumptuously.
The afternoon was spent in various
ways, and to minutely describe all that
happened or recount all the pleasures OF
the pastime would consume space allotted
to other matters. Suffice it to say that
The hours fitted away as moments, and
everybody present, both old and young,
seemed to make good use of their timo.
! Tho boys engaged IN game Of base ball,