Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1893-02-22
THE CASE OF PREACHER ATTAWAY.
Presiding Elder Campbell Denies the
Story Of Starvation.

Presiding Elder Campbell Denies the
Story Of Starvation.
The following card from Presiding
Elder J. B. Campbell, is published in
answer to the startling communication
of Rev. J. p. Attaway, published last
week. 1t is dated at Greenwood on
February 13, and addressed to the
Columbia State
On Saturday, while away from home,
I was handed copy of the Semi
Weekly State containing startling
account of the insanity of Rev. A.
McSwain Attaway and his wife, both
of whom have been recently sent to
the asylum in Columbia.
l wish to state the facts in the case,
as the author of the article, Rev. J. P.
Attaway, seems entirely unfamiliar
with them.
AS far back as two or three years
ago, while Rev. A. NJ. Attaway was in
charge Of North Edgetield circuit, he
gave out alarming symptoms of men,
tai depression and nervous excitement
during the progress and after the close
of a revival meeting. His friends
were greatly excited over his condi-
tion, and Mr.. Attaway afterward re-
ferred to it himself as bordering on
insanity. This passed away, and his
health became good again. Mrs. At
taway received a fright during that
year, as Mr.. J. P. Attaway states, and
never after this could she be left alone,
until late last year, when she became
more quiet. Mrs. Attaway's mind has
been giving away for three or four
months, and from my personal knowl-
edge was intensely exercised over the
subject of sanctification. would not
undertake to say that this was the
cause of her failing health, however.
/ have no means ofknowing this. Du-
ring this period she received the most
considerate and delicate attention from
her neighbors and friends.
| wish here to state that I am the
presiding elder of Rev. A. NJ. Attaway,
have visited his work five times during
the year 1929, and have frequently
visited Mr.. Attaway's home. Mr.. At
taway received S453 as his salary in
Butler circuit for the year 1892. In ad-
dition to this, he lived in comfortable
and nice parsonage, rent free, and used
the furniture supplied at the expense
of the charge. The house and furni-
ture are as good as that used by the
average family living in the country.
Mr.. Attaway paid nothing for wood,
vegetables, potatoes, chickens, milk
and butter, etc. He owned three
weeks ago, when was with him, three
cows, young and old, and spoke cheer
fully and strongly of his prospects for
beef for the opening year. Mr.. Alta
way also planted quite literally of
corn and made crop sufficient to sup
plement his salary very considerably.
This corn was cultivated by colored
man, and not by Mr.. and Mrs. Alta
way, as Mr.. J.. p. Attaway states.
Living in the country is exceedingly
cheap, but few of the enterprisng and
progressive farmers will spend during
the year one-half of $453, after deduct
ing home productions. This was true
of Rev. Mr.. Attaway and family.
In addition to the above, Mr.. Alta
way was tenderly loved and cared for
by his charge, and received constant
evidence of their interest in him. Mr..
J.P. Attaway states that his church
was kind to him. Hear him: "Dur-
ing my stay with them) the kindness
of the Pensioners overaowed, and
they had abundance" This was De-.
cember '92. Mr.. Attaway adds 81 left
them hopeful, cheerful and happy"
How could these loved ones be both
"hopeful cheerful and happy and at the
same time be verging on insanity from
starvation ?" l visited Mr.. Attaway's
work just after Mr.. J. P. Attaway left
his brothers home; and the board of
stewards paid him at that time-Janu-
uary IA, 5000. never saw Mr.. At
taway more cheerful and hopeful of
success than during this visit. Never
one time did he intimate that he was
needy, and we were very close friends.
l am sure that at no time did Mr.. or
Mrs. Attaway suffer for the essentials
of life.
Mr.. J. p. Attaway says that his
brother chad no right to complain"
Just let me remark that Rev. A. NJ.
Attaway urged me to return him to
Butler circuit for the year 1893, CIV
ing as his reasons that he had gotten
along well, had been happy and would
be we'll supported by his charge.
Mr.. Attaway was returned, and the
missionary appropriation raised from
$3.50 to $500 for the present year. The
above are facts.
Whatever may be the opinion of per-
sons living in cities as to the salaries
our preachers in the country places
should receive, l wish here to state the
preachers of the South Carolina con-
ference do not in any proper sense SUI
fer for the want of all the substantials
of life. They are we'll provided for,
are cheerful and happy and are doing
a grand work in the interest of hu-
manity and the cause of God.
Respectfully J. B. CAMPBELL.