The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-09-07
RICHLAND'S FIRST PLANTER.

Con. Wade Hampton, OF Kovolu-
tionary Fame, Planted tho First
Cotton in Kichland County.
TO tho Editor Of The state:
AB the farmers OF Richland arc
gatho orlng the lloecy staple 1t may IN
terest them rs well AS some OF your
other numerous readers to learn that
1t is exactly 100 years ago since the
cotton plant was introduced into Rich
land county, and, although tho gentle
man who planted this cotton was u
prominent citizen, | don't suppose
thoro Is u teacher In the Columbia
graded schools who could answer this
question Who WAS the first man
that planted cotton in ltichland ?" A
striking instance OF how we neglect
our interesting, If not important local
history.
Well, this gentleman WAS Wade
Hampton, whose name is 80 familiar
TO the student OF our Revolutionary
annals. During that war he served
under Marion and Sumter, and in 1913,
with the rank Of major general, he
was placed In command OF the army
on tho northern frontier. He resigned
his position in 1914. by land spccula-
tioLs he acquired Immense wealth,
and when he died, in 1898, he owned
more than 200 negro slaves, at which
time ho WAS estimated Ia he the most
wealthy planter In the whole Union.
We have quito full accounts OF Con.
Hampton in the published diaries OF
two widely different mcn-in tho
second diary wo have glimpscs Of him
on tho tented field. The fret diary
alluded to is the one OF Edward |
Hooker, who was tutor OF mathematics |
at tho South Carolina college in 1907 |
to 1908. MIR. Hooker's diary Is a very |
volumnous ono. Writing under the |
date OF November $, 1905, he dcvotes
several pages TO a philosophical vic ~
OF Con. Hampton, whom he evidently |
regarded AS most remarkable man.
Among other things, he observes
Col. Hampton, | find, Is considered |
by everybody about here Il worry singu-
lar man ono OF million. The load
ing traits OF his character are bold |
ness and orig ginality OF scheme, remark
able foresight in the judicious sclec-
tion Of means fer the accomplishment
OF this schome and undauntcd pcrso-
voranco in the application Of these
means"
The other diary to which | alluded
was that OF tho Rev. Elcazcr Williams,
whose personal history was stronger
than a romance, end to which we may
RlNo SOIlC )asSlnS NlluSlOu. by SOIlo,
Eioazer Williams, Is thought TO have
been Q son Of Thomas Williams, :.
mixed breed Indian chloi, who was
the greatgrandson Of the Rev. Jonn
Williams, the famous redeemed cap
tive" Of Doorfiold. Mass. There are,
however, several plausible reasons for
supposing that EleaZcr Williams Was
not the son OF Thomas Williams that
he WAS not even an Indian, on the con-
trary, that ho was Louis XVII, OF
France. He became missionary
among the Indians. In the war OF 1872
cral Of the Northern Indian depart
ment. Ho mentions Cen. Hampton
several times in his diary, and he ovi
IDENTIFY didn't admire his military
genius. In the following cx.r"c',
written Deco mbcr 2, 1873, MIR. WIZ
linms appears 20 have taken d m.JGu
writes:
warm temperament, on account Of
unnecessary offence to those who have
aundiccd eye upon his privaLd acSs
and military operations. He has, un-
dOubtcdly, erred In the latter, and this,
not from the heart, but IN. judgment
and for adhering too much to ignorant
and OWL advisors, but he is q brave and
good officer, who sincerely wishes to
sustain tho honor OF his country. May
his noble son, (who Is acting as HIS
aidc.do campl initiate his honorcd
father In his Patriotism"
MCDONALD "UKhIAN.