The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-05-29
What tie Veterans Did III the Lone
Star State.
NNaco. Tex. MAY 21. 1895

Waco, Tex. May %, 1888.
Editor of the Manning Times |
promised in my last letter from New
Orleans) to write you from Waco. |
hardly know where to begin.
We left New Orleans at SD p. M.
SATURDAY.. and reached Houston some
time Sunday morning, l hardly know
when. Us the trip was 100 much tor
me and gave way under the 1atlSues
of it. The weather was damp and
chilly, and ] had one OF those attacks
which l am subject to. For hours
almost everybody in the car was
trying to relieve my suffering. shall!
always appreciate the kindness OF
friend Thompson Wilder who, on
this occasion, remained with me
until I found relief.
After our arrival at Houston | was
confined TO my room until 1uesday
morning, when | was able to be out,
and commenced to take in the town.
Flags were thrown to the breezes IN
every direction, bands were playing
in almost every street, and men were
rushing wildly to and fro. The scene
reminded one of preparations made
on the eve of q great battle.
Quite a number of people have
called to see me. J. G. Vincent of
Lancaster county Go. G, Twelfth
South Carolina regiment was the
first caller. He in now IN the Con
federate Home at Austin. Tex. he
was a carpenter, became disabled
through an accident, and was about
to be sent to the poor house, when
he was discovered bya I. G. '. camp
and sent to the Home, where, he
saws, he has everything he wants eX-
cept money. The next was ?. }.
Meekius Ga brother Of our =: T., who
lived at Foreston) from Indian Ter
ritory.
was sitting on the front piazza
gallery they call it here-readins the
papers when | was tapped on the
shoulder with this exclamation, is
this Sump Bradham 2" | did not
recognize Comrade MeekinS for a few
moments. He says the last time he
saw me was when | was being carried
off the battlefield at the second Ma
masses. He looks well and has been
in the territory a long time and has
quite large family. He made tins
trip especially to meet Col. Benbow,
whom, he says. he'd rather meet
than any man on earth. So YOU can
see how men become attached to
each other by sharing dangers and
privations together.
Among the many Carolinians here
are DR.. Elwell of Batesburg, Col. Nc
Call of Bennettsville, DR.. McLaurln
of Sumter, S. Sanders, and many
others.
The meeting commenced Wednes-
day morning at the Auditorium. The
crowds began to gather early, and
long before the time for calling the
meeting to order had arrived, the
hall was Jammed.
Four hundred and thirty-three
camps were represented on the floor
by 1866 delegates. There were
great many veterans, who were not
delegates, and large contingent OF
visitors present. 1t is estimated that
at least six thousand persons were in
the Auditorium building.
The bands played Dixie, " Bon
ME Blue Flag" The Girl l Left Be
hind Me-" etc. Lungs were expanded
to their fullest capacity, and it
seemed impossible thateve the solid
walls of the great building would
serve to beat back the mighty waves
of sound that rolled against them.
General Gordon's appearance on
the stage brought forth great APP
plause, and the arrival of Miss Win
ME Davis was the signal for an ova-
ton that was q remarkable express
sion of the love and reverence in
which the name of the beloved chief
tain of the Confederacy is held by
those who, L third of a century ago,
followed him across Il thousand
bloody battleticldS to ultimate defeat.
1t was I. scene never to be forgotten
by any one who enjoyed the pleasure
of witnessing it.
hardly know how to continue my
letter, SO many things come up be-
fore Inc.
Ny impression of Texas is that she
is a great, large, wild country-half
developed-with many possibilities
ahead of her, as old Mr.. Stania's
snake hunt with Aaron Mitchum will
illustrate Stania said he and Aaron
Mitchum went hunting in Junkey
Yard Bay once. They used COM
mercial musk on their feet to attract
the snakes. Mitchum killed 1S9 and
Stanie 1S3 during the course of the
day. Stania did not like TO be beaten
and so said, Aaron he killed the
most, but think mine the best" So
it is with Texas. 1t is the most, but
l think South Carolina is the best.
l am now here at Waco. spending Il
few days with the children of VIM.
Ridgill, my wife's uncle, who left
Clarendon about 1885 Yours truly, |
DANIEl J. BRADHAM.