The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-09-27
Governor Dye.

ELBERTON, ia, September l3.-Ihe
contest over the will Of the late George
Washington Dye promises to be much
like the famous Dickson case which is
still fresh in the public mind. "Gov-
nor Dye" as he was called, was ia
miliar to all the citizens Of Elbert
county, and his familiar characteris-
tics in life have furnished food for
many 6reside talk. Indeed there
are few persons who knew him
we'll that have not regaled them
selves and friends with stories, some
true and some exaggerated, concern
ing the strange mans ways, doings
and sayings. To say he was strange
but mildly expresses it. 1t is not
putting it too strong to say that
every element in his nature was
strangely abnormal. This istrue from
the carriage of his person to matters
of choice, taste, appetite, habits and
environments.
He was man of exceptionally strong
mind, really approaching the
high order. yet without much cultiva-
tion.
He was so modest and unas-
suming it required much acquaint-
ance with him to be able to
form correct estimate of his mental
gifts.
Owing to some physical trouble in
norIv life. he acquired the habit of
walking one sided. In his younger
days he had brisk and energetic
gait, and to see him coming with his
cane under his left arm with
his right hand behind him, pre-
senting one side furnished speo+
tacle not often seen. In early
life he began his career as a merchant
and it was then he began to manifest
signs of strongmindedness. But he
did not continue long in the pursuit of
this business before he purchased a
farm, and that day until his death the
world lost sight of him.
He was never married, and the only
woman who lived at his home was his
old slave, Lucinda, to whom and her
eight children he left the bulk of his
fortune. He seldom left his home, and
never wanted man or woman to invade
the premises. It's said that he had
not Slept on bed for upwards Of forty
years before he died, but had used a
pallet on the floor with several pillows
under the quilts under different parts
of his body, to suit his peculiar ideas Of
physical comfort. On this pallet he died
| attended by the faithful Lucinda an d
her children.
When he was taken sick Mr.. Dye
told those about him not to let any
of his white friends know Of his i'll
ness, as he wanted nobody hanging
around his house after dark. He fur
thermore requested that he be laid
away on his own land, and so he was
quietly laid away in sight Of the un:
comfortable housein which he had lived
so long.
"Governor" Dye was very wealthy
He had on hand ninety-one bales Of
cotton, and scattered around through
some old trunks and boxes his execu.
| tors found 100000 in cash. Besides
this he held check on a bank in Au-
| gusta for $4,000 more. In connec.
| tion with this property he had 1000
acres of valuable land, all, or nearly
| all, of which he willed to Lucinda
Dye and her children. He had one
living brother, who is very old, and tc
whom he willed the interest on ST 900.
This old brother, who spent the great
er part of his life in Alabama, moved
back to Georgia few years ago, after
absence of about forty years. He
went at once to pay the old "Govern.
| OF" visit. 1t is said that he was re-
ceived very coolly. Whether this is
true or not, the brother did not trou'
Bile him any more.
The old man was suspicious of ev-
erybody and seemed to feel that the
world was his enemy. He was said tc
be thoroughly honest man. He was
true to his principles in politics, was
harmless to his neighbors, and Sill
prcmcly indifferent to religion. He
had no desire to harm any man.
There was no malice Or spirit of re-
venge in his disposition. He lived a
secluded life and even his neighbors
did not sec much of him in his latter
| days.