The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1893-01-26
Tho SnolIygostcr.

Ine celebrated Georgia politician
and humol est, Col. Bam, has added O.
new word to the English language
"snollygoster." This is the way he
gives the history of this wonderful
word:
"Along in the forties there lived up
in the mountains of lsabun County,
Ga, a man named John Kelly lie
had limited education and an itch
for office. He ran for everything,
gong up by regular graduation from
constable to clerk Of the court and
was defeated every time, but nothing
daunted tried at the next election for
the Dcxt highest Office. In 1S48 it
came time for him to be candidate.
AS there was ut shat time somo talk
of war with England over the Niagara
incident he announced rs his plat
form that it was the DUTY of the presi-
dent to seize all the roads leading to
Liverpool SO as to prevent salt fam
inc in case of war. AS everybody
recognized the necessity for plenty of
salt, it was taking slogan and Kelly
was getting on swimmingly.
"kolly's opponent was n tall, gaunt
mOuntalneer named Jonas, Gaines.
He was justice of peace, and to use
his own language, 'knowed all the
law what asn'ttore out Of the books.
He had wonderful flow Of language,
using all the big words he had over
heard and coinmg many more with
out eny reference to what they might
mean, and yet, as such man mater
ally would, now and then said a really
good thing. Superior court comming
on in the very heat and burden of
tie canvass, number of lawyers
gathered at the County scat from all
over the circuit, and the bright idea
struck them Of bringing about a Joint
debate between Kelly and Gaines.
''kclly had the opening and made
Il long, and rs one Of the lawyers de,
scrlbcd it, "a very able bodied speech.
He fumcd and foamed and rantcd,
and worked his salt platform for ali
it was worth and sat down amid
great cheering. Then up rose Gains
his tall form towering high in air,
and working his long arms like the
sails of IL windmill; and in voice
that he could be heard half mile,
proceeded, rs he expressed it to take
the hide off Kelly in flakes as big as
a hounda's car He skinned him
bcllywise up and backwise down,
dlsecctcd his rccoid, enumerated his
various vices, and among other things
said: Fcllow citizens, if there's any
thing on top side of earth that makes
me mad, it's ter see snollvgoster of
Il fcllcr continually q sidcwipin'
aroun' after the photography ov a
little offs what he kahn t never git, and
haint got sense enough to fill it if he
could git it. Finally he reached the
salt question, and raising himself on
lis t!ptocs, ho yelled
liverpool, hell North Carolin salt
isa burned sight saltier, and there's
dozen roads to the works. The ef
feet can be better imagined than des
crihcd. Kelly and his followers flee
the scene, and Gaines WAS trium
phantly elected.
"And SO to this humble, but pict
urccSqne source, WIS the Georgia. or
ator indebted for the word that has
now 10y common consent come ostand
for tie Kelly class Of dcmagogic
politicians. 1t is one Of the aurious
specimens of native originality which
now and then comes to enrich our
language and fill Il long felt want of
something to do the subject justice.