The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-06-15


acy, held at the home of Mrs J. E. Brea-
zeale on Monday afternoon, 9Th inst, the
following paper was read by Mrs. Olive
Cochran Minor:
1t is hardly without the pale of the pres
ent generations memory since the roar
and thunder of Jackson's guns had ceased
to echo through our happy Southland
The dying embers of Lees camp-hies
marked the places where recently stood
watch the chivalrous flower of Southern
manhood. Sherman hes begun his march
to the sea and in his wake there Is leis
naueht but devastation and sorrow.
Thanks to the fates that old Anderson
was spared a visit of this fire iend.
1t was May 1st, 1865, that courier, said
TO have been member of Wheeler's cav
-alry. came dsshing down Main Street CIV
ing the alarm, 1.-THE Yankees are coming"
In short while the news had spread like
wild fire, creating terror and CONSERVATION
throughout the village. One Of the lead
ing citizens met the raiders in front of the
Court House with a flag of truce, impro-
vised by tying handkerchief on the end
of his cane. He claimed that the war ives
over and demanded of the officer in COM
mand protection for the citizens and their
property. He also informed the officers
that they might make his house head
Quarters If they 30 desired. Protection
was promised, but the Benson House was
chosen as headquarters.
On this eventful day there was a pic mic
party at Silver Brook, the pretty little
stream that winds its way through the
sSilent City" near our homes. Just as the
merry crowd were ready to enjoy the
feast spread before them, they were rudeiy
interrupted by the raiders. All OF their
teams were captured, but they were given
the privilege of returning to their homes
in the wagons. And as the Federal SOL
diers rode on each side of them through
the public square it is safe to say that they
never guarded fairer prisoners than those
Southern girls.
Ex- President Jefferson Davis. By some
means the Federals had ascertained that
he had been in Abbeville. 1t was also re-
ported to them that large amount of
Confederate gold and silver was on the
road, having left that place.
The raiders were commanded by Gener-
al Palmer, Kentuckian, who was candi-
date for vice-P President during the last
campaign on the gold.bug Democratic
ticket. Palmer's command was sent in
every direction and especially to all towns
and to the bridges over Tugalo, Seneca,
and Savannah Rivers. hoping to learn of
Davis's crossing place and whether any
gold or silver had been sent across those
rivers.
Many were the laughable scenes as this
family or that rushed hither and thither
seeking hiding place for their valuables
or necesssries. One member of the fami-
ly watched the front door while another
hid the Jewels. Carrot and cellar were
searched for hiding places and floors and
ceilings were ripped from their places to
find storage for handful of sugar or
cup Of salt, worth anywhere from ten to
one hundred dollars per pound.
No doubt there are old wells hereabouts
still holding their treasures, and many
family relics still bear the mark OF hasty
concesiment.
A lady who still resides in Anderson
owned very handsome watch. and when
she received the intelligence that the raid
ers had come she was sorely distressed. 10
great haste she secured tin cup and plac-
ing the watch therein, concealed it in the
bosom Of old Mother Earth meath tree
in an immense orchard, and, covering the
place with grass, she felt that her watch
was securely hidden. After the raiders
had left town she returned to reclaim her
treasure but to her disappointment she
was unable to locate the tree and finally
called out the slaves to assist In the
search.
It may ba interesting to mention that
located ut johnson University, now Pat
rick Military Institute, was the Confeder-
ate Treasury, or branch of it. Our Gov
ernment had eighty foreign expert artists
employed, who were turning ont millions
of dollars Of cheap Confederate money.
One hundred and twenty-five dollars in
Confederate money was worth about one
dollar in gold the day before the raid.
There was small amount of coin in the
treasury. It was paid out pro rata to the
employees from officers and clerks down
to the laborers in the printing department.
Most OF the books and papers were stored
in the building now occupied by the Hill
Orr Drug Company. This building con-
taiued money. books, safes and many val
uables that belonged to citizens all over
the South, some having been shipped from
Richmond when the treasury department
was removed from there. At the time of
the raid the dining room of the Benson
House was connected by door with the
storage room of the treasury department..
When it was rumored that the stores were
being broken open some OF the citizens,
with the assistance Of the slaves, SET about
to remove the trunks and boxes into the
dining room. There, under double row
of tables. were placed the trunks and
boxes. The tablecloths were arranged go
as to nearly reach the floor. Tne Federal
officers who had headquarters at the Ben
90, IJ,noo ata tbeir meals over those