The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-01-11
Swear Not At all.

4 curiously dramatic story has been
recalled by the death of the Rev. John
b. Adgcr, ID. ID. 1t illustrates both the
ingenious picty Of the man who is now
dead, and the fatal results that some
times instantly follow profanity and
ungodlincSs. 1t further demonstrates
that DR.. A.lgcr's religion WAS of that
heroic type that dared fight evil no
matter under what conditions it was
encountered: to him every place was
the right spot at which to unfurl the
bannerof the Church and make Il stand
for right. The incident alluded to.
took place in the northern portion OF
this State ut Il time when, during the
Civil war, the ravagcs Of the Federal
army had been complete. Shcrman's
horde of soldiers. with their attendant
stragglers, had invested the Piedmont
section. Raids were being made in all
directions. Houses were daily looted
and then burned. Stock was being
driven off, old men were openly insult
ed and even the women and children
were shown no consideration by the
invaders. DIR. Adger then lived near
Pendlcton and was in the very storm
centre of the depredations. Day after
day his home escaped ravage, and a
hope that the owners calling would
render his roof tree free from pillage
had begun to be entertained. EXpec-
tation was in error, however, for moth
ing that could be removed or destroyed
was overlooked by the men who had
stubbornly fought their way southwark
to be transformed into spoilsmen Of Il
very low character when the goal
for which they had striven was finally
reached.
One day party of raiders belonging
to Gen. StOneman's cavalry were at
tracted by the house, which had thus
far enjoyed immunity from spoliation.
Thither they directed their way and
proceeded to take everything that was
of value. From garnet to cellar the
old home WAS sacked by the soldicry in
such boisterous manner that the Ia
dies were frightened and the servants
rushed from the premises. Profanity
was falling from the lips of the men in
showers, the most obscene language
fairly flowed from them and dirty cpl
thets were applied to everyone whom
they encountered. 1t was this profanity
that stirred the soul of DR.. Adger. He
stepped boldly forward and. looking
the rutfianly captain squarely in the
eyes, said: "Sir, | have not objected
to your thefts and the other indignities
that you have heaped on my home and
family. suppose that I am compelled
to bear such treatment in time of war
and have consequently held my peace.
But you have no right, sir, to use the
profanity of which both you and your
men have been guilty, and | consider
it my duty as a Christian and the head
of this house to object"
This simple speech wrought the great
brute up to point of frenzy. He swore
more violently than ever, unheard-of
profanity welled from his obscene
mouth as he threatened the old gentle
man with personal injury for having
dared to suggest that it was wrong to
take in vain the name Of the Creator.
A strange denouement resulted. The
soldier when in the paroxysm of rage
had worked his body until his pistol
was loosened in his holster and fell to
the ground. There was sharp report,
a cry of pain, the profane officer reeled
and fell to the ground, dead. The
bullet had gone straight to the heart
that knew no respect for man or rever-
ence for God.-News aud Courier.