The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-11-12
THE COUNTY OF ABBEVILLE.
THE MOTHER OF STATESMEN, ORATORS,
SOLDIERS, AND A STURDY RACE.
Our Revsred Patriarch Pays Touch.
Ing Tribute % the County That
Has SO Long Loved and 30 Highly
HonOred Him,

Ing Tribute % the County That
Has SO Long Loved and so Highly
Honored Him.
To the toast of Abbeville County, Judge Nc.
Gowun responded substantially as follows:
Mr.. Chairman: / am sorry that my name
has been connected with the toast to '.Abbe-
Vile County" for several reasons. In the first
place, l have grave suspicion that It was
aone on the principle OF seniority-on the
Idea that am The oldest man in town, which
soft impeachment most earnestly disslaim.
l think see around az several gentlemen
who are Vt least as far down on the shady
side OF the calendar as am. But there II an
other reason. have been 80 long bottled up,
that have lost the power Of talking In pub
lie, and feel that am not competent to the
task Of doing justice 70 q subject 50 large and
been 30 long partially bottled up that, now
"she ls open to the world" we would prefer 10
remain silent ourselves and 10 hear others-to
our friends, to whom it gives us the greatest
pleasure TO open our gates and our hearts to
all the kindly duties and amenities Of hospi-i
tality, but would rather not infict upon them
Chinaman says the Mclean man is dIstin-y
guished for, much talk" .igs. Hl
But the toast is "Abbeville," !" and upon that
subject should always be ready TO cay some
wintry morning Of January ], lS42, when,
fresh from College. arrived about an hour
before day. at POsey's Hotel on the public
ISOLATION or my life has been 10 some way
connected with the good old County OF Ahbe.
vile. II have ever done anything worthy
OF remembrance after am gone, take this
That, OF course, makes AbbevilIe very dear TO
me, and think may venture TO say that 1t
is the same to all OF uR, who happen to have
to shS% sh n sr9S
the Intelligence, public spirit and patriotism
Of her soas, we might refer TO host Of Abbe.
viile's worthies-a long list Of distinguished
for the most part descendants OF two Of the
great races OF the earth-the pious. long-suf.
tering French Huguenots, and the sturdy, In.
domitable scotch'Irish. Yes, Abbeville conn
fruits Of high character and honorable
achievement, but not TO be attempted on an
occasion like this, which will only tolerate
pnrins the war the tsrriory
now comprised within the limits of Abbevilie
was part OF the District Of Ninety-Six, with
Court House and headquarters at the old
town Of that name, which bears the works OF
that struggle, In the times OF the old Star
Fort, still distinctly visible, after the lapse Of
a century. This territory here was very near
Langley's Ford on the Saluda River, 70 Due
West or Dewitt's corner, and thence to the eSa-
vannah River. This whole country was ha-
rassed and bounded by the ruthless Indians.
Gen. Pickens built a Block House just over
the branch in Fort PIckens as q refuge for the
women and children OF the country: These
whole families, victims OF the tolnahawk and
scaiping knife, and II.
Where once their pleasant hamlets stood,
Were heaps Of ashes slaked In blood.
After the great struggle was terminated by
the treaty OF Paris In 1888, that Is TO say In
the year 17s5, the old District OF NinetySix
was divided into six coun ties, viz: Edgeneld,
Newberry, Union, Spartanburg, Laurens and
Abbeville. The last named was given COM
pact form OF about forty miles square, lying
snugly between Saluda River on the East and
the Savannah on the West and containing
some Of the best lands In the State. Commis.E
sioners were appointed to select site for the
Court House. There was then living within
the limits assigned TO the county, very re-
markable man-an educated Frenchman, DR..
was driven from his country by the revoca-
tion Of the edict OF Nantz and sought an asy-
lum on the shores OF the new world. He ref
dians. and settled at Lethe where be prosper
ed. The tradition is that being an intelligent
man. he was appointed one OF the commits
sioners to locate the Court House. There
he consented that the location might be fixed
here, near Major Hamilton's big spring, on
condition that he should be allowed to give,
the name, which being accepted, he named 1t
partment OF Somme Of France, which bythe
way is in the neighborhood or the world
renowned battle fields OF Agincourt and
Cressy. So. although q new town, Abbeville-
known TO the world. !.
The county soon filled to overlooking with q
hardy, Industrious thrifty pSpSlation @ = which
modesty, we think we may say, has still
maintained-the reputation OF good moral
and patriotic cltizens-ready In the discharge
of all civic duties. especially devoted TO the
order, and peace on earth and good viii TO-
men.
We pass by the contribution OF the county
Mexico, which showed the meitle Of their
pasture. We also omit all reference 10 their
deyotion, In the late gigantic struggle be-.
tween the States, There is, however, one tact
state. During the Confederate struggle Six
gentlemen lived on one street IN this little
town-within a stones throw OF each other.
mander OF regiment and i've Of them fell
leading their commands into battle. Col. Mar
shall. Col. Perrin, Col. Lythgoe and Lieut.. Col
Smith. and Lieut. Col: Simkins. The other-
several times severely wounded. 1t seems TO
me that this fact speaks volumes as to the de-
votion Of this people and their services and
It is said that the first private residence
erected in the town was built by gentleman
by the name of Quay, who came up here nom
Charleston, but was originally from Ph1ladel-
phia. The house for long time was known
az the Quay house" afterwaIds as Is I'll the
of that name was born and reared. afterwards
as the Thomson house" and someThat me Snaa.ed en-.
ants. That is the nearest house to the new de-
pot Of the new railroad and 1t strikes @ me ,.a as
the lapse of a century, the spirit OF modern I
progress In the form Of this H r3ad running 1ong
route, TO the new purchase in Georgia, should
find It's way back 10 the cradle Of Its early yand in
we hope the cornncopia OF prosperity, but at
all events bringing facilities for trade to smq
ancestors one hundred years ago. Abbeyille
county proposes health and happiness .ts to
Georgia, Carolina and Northern Railroad"
and especially of the officers and engineers
who carried the laboring oar, not overlooking
the horny-handed sons of toll, who have
built railroad-if not the most magn1hcent =
on the continent. certainly the finest IN the
Southern States of America.