The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-21
SIDE LIGHTS OF THE COLUMBIA CEN


tAe celebration in detail and with
sketch here and there,
devote most of my time to some CEN
tennial side lights at an historic house
near the old village of CRANKY.
3;;::ec
On the first day of the Columbia Cen
tennial, Wednesday the 18th, the civic
procession occurred. Two hundred
veterans occupied the
place of honor.
s;;<::
Gen. Wade Hampton delivered the
oration of the day. 1t was historically
and he spoke in clear torres
and eloquent manner. When be arose
to begin his speech the enthusiasm Of
the crowd burst forth in tremendous
cheers for the hero of'76.
.::>::%
The place Gen. Hampton holds in
the hearts of the people is wonderful.
Their affection fer him is as strong to-
day as when they followed where be
led in days of victory.
;,:+#
My political career is ended, my
public work is finished" were the clos
ing words Of his address. They are
significant. No man of our day retires
with such peerless fame.
MMH
The city was thronged later in the
day with the arrival and movements
of the various military companies.
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From the appearance Of the weather
on Thursday morning it seemed that
the States soldiers must endure the
hardships of parading through TIE
rain. But the clouds broke away al
noon, and the parade was delayed
about an hour. The parade was
formed at the State House, and with
Governor Tillman and staff moved ul
Main street to the inspiring strains o
seven bands of music and the admira
ton Of thousands of people on balco
nies, at windows and lining the stree
from one end to the other. The par
ade was the grandest in the history O
the State. There were about LOO men
in line, representing thirty-six com
panies.
The Fourth brigade came first. /
was composed, with one exception, o
Charleston troops. The old city al
ways responds nobly. The German
Fusiliers was the handsome company
in the parade, and they had a good
second in the German Artillery Of th'
same city. They lookedlike veterans
and marched with remarkable precis
ion.
Col. Chas. J. Purcell; of Newberry
in a handsome uniform, and mounted
on a spirited charger, rode with tht
Governor as member of his staff.
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The Third brigade was second in tht
line. The Hornets Nest Rifles o
Charlotte, n. c., and the cadets Of tn
Patrick Military Institute, of Ander
son, deserve special mention for the
line they bore and their splendid ap
pearance.
Newberry was represented by Majo
L. w. c. Blalock, on the staff of Gen
Richbourg, commanding the Secont
brigade. Three Columbia companies
the Governors Guards, the Richlant
Volunteers and the Zouaves-were tn
most admired in this brigade. The tel
companies comprising this regimen
paraded together to-day for the frs
time since 1865.
The military spirit was aroused il
many veterans who thronged from th'
sidewalks. They were carried back t.
the days when the booming of cannon
was the music that inspired.
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The Governor was warmly cheered il
passing under the Edgefeld arch, anc
at the Fair grounds the Lafayette Ar
tillery took off their hats and shouted
three cheers for Governor Tillman
which was joined in by civilians too.
s::e::S*
The Governor was dressed in suit
of plain black, Prince Albert style, and
it was quite a while before I discovered
something unusual in his appearance
He had shaved of his mustache!
,*,@*
The description of the parade in Fri
days News and Courier is one of the
finest pieces of writing I have ever
read. 1t is refreshing to get hold OF
something out of the usual stereotyped
style of cold details. 1t must have
been written under the inspiration OF
Charleston's eagle, which scared aloft
on her arch that was left untar-
nished by the advertising feature.
We do utilize the "occasion" too much
sometimes. The Centennial was in
tended to celebrate the past, with a
loyal hope for a propitious future-but
not too much in the utilitarian ideal.
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Turning aside from this crowning
event of the Centennial celebration, /
make visit to the old historic "Cayce
house." which stands on the Lexing-
ton side of the Congaree, due west