Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-09-30

w uOsO ldht'l SunuIN
tions thereof runneth amuck, and pro-
claimeth himself bold, bad man, from
the head waters of Bitter creek. His
supremacy is then challenged by some
other bibulouS visitor. and the hitherto
classic and celebrated Donny Brook
has long been out clasSed.
During these carnivals of blood,
Owens standeth TRANQUILITY by and
laugheth with ungodly glee.
Anent this remarkable man, he en-
listed as Il Confederate soldier when
the first desolating boom was heard at
Fort Sumter, and till the stars and
bars traied in the dust, he followed
the varying fortunes of his beloved
banner.
On going home, he found Cherry
Mountain had not escaped the ravages
of war. He went to making whisky,
which, while standard proof, was not
by any means taX-paid.
About this time the south was in
the tolls Of construction, and the
chaotic state of affairs developed the
kuklux khan. Into this went the in
trepid old soldier, and many red
string and lawness Negro felt the rod
of Amos Owens, the avenger. At
length, he was captured, but neither
threats nor bribes could make him
prove recreant TO the oath he had
taken. He was taken to Sing Sing,
New York, and for Is months he trod
the wine press. He went into the
gloomy recesses of that institution an
unreconstructed rebel, and he came
out son of Ishmael, as far as the gov
ernment was concerned.
Cherry Mountain became place
where the still worm dieth not and the
fire is not quenched, and Uncle Sam
with all his minions have failed TO re-
form Amos. He has served three
terms in the penitentiary, has been in
jail often, and paid fines innumerable.
But on being released, he goes to doing
business at the old stand. stay with
him, and if any son Of South Carolina
feels like coming up, the celebrated
dialogue between the governor OF
North Carolina and the governor of
South Carolina will be in order.
Nearly too weeks since, / concluded
10 visit the pleasant town of Iorkville
and adjacent vicinity. l mounted an
eruptive broncho, got my shot gun and
fiddle, and pulled for Will and John
Gordon's pleasant and hospitable
home. l am not an adept on the
violin, but ain able to furnish good
amateur music on a shot gun. | ar
rived ship-shape and the boys took me
to the chaingang first thing. Rather
peculiar way to treat a guest of an
inquiring turn of mind but their OBJ
icct was to show me some Of the sys-
TENS of road-making and road i'm
provement. I found Mr.. H. &. Culp
and Mr.. Clarence Mendenhall using
a par, of the convict force in macada-
mizing six miles of highway from
Yorkville in the direction of Charlotte.
They had Il steam crusher capable of
breaking up several hundred tons of
rock a day, and roller. Some 35
convicts are on the force, and Messrs.
Culp and Meudenhall seem TO be
adapted to their job.
What pleased NE was the enterprise
of the people. In order to get and
utilize the convict force, these people
subscribed money, furnished wagons
and teams, and helped do the work.
The day | was present, ITO four-holse
loads of stone were delivered at the
crusher, and more, perhaps, hauled
away.
"rhose who would be free, them
selves must strike the blow" is the
rule that applies in any enterprise,
and / frequently wish we had such
roads in our section.
Friday night witnessed social gath
pring at the home of Gordon Bros.
Among the ladies present, were Misses
Kate Hobbs, Mamie and Maggie Bar
nett, Rosie and Mamie Ioungblood,
Jessie Long, Florence Cody and Mrs.
4. d. Dorsett Everything was nice,
and all seemed to enjoy the occasion.
Next morning, Mr.. W. :. Gordon
and I took in Yurkvile. We met the
men of prominence or at least many of
them, and was favorably impressed
at the refinement, air of business and
general prosperity, that seems to per-
wade this ideal southern city. Gentle
men, my regards and as Amos Owens
would say: "Here's looking at ye."
CORNCRACKER.
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