The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1899-09-06
A Page from the Past.
To the Editor If the Dispatch:

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Mr.. C. S. Roof is moving bis mill
ing locations from the South Bourd
to the Southern Railway, which is
DOW being built across our county.
He has purchased tract of land
from MIR. G. S. Bradford on Cedar
creek, which is almost as famous as
Pond branch. MIR. Roof is making
an effort for town on his lands.
They were once owned by the
wealthy Harth family and once
teemed with life and industry from
slave labor. The older Harths we're
remarkable men for business and
from them many noble men and wo-
men have been born to bless their
day and generation. The first one
who ever landed in Charleston was
named John, who was barber by
trade. When he reached the City
by the Sea, it is said, he had but one
Spanish crown in money, and with
these few cents and unlimited indus
try, he finally bought many thous-
and acres of land and several hun
dred slaves. The ''old plantation"
and residence was once in Lexington
hut is now in Aiken, just opposite
the mouth of the famous Pond
branch. 1t is told of him that in
the days Of the long ago he brought
q mechanic from London, England,
to build him a mansion on that place
whose name was Cobysair. The build
ing was for that day marvel of me-
chanical skill. When Cobysair's job
was ended and the Englishman was
about to leave for home, thela part
ing was amusing. Taking each other
firmly by the hand, Harth said: Good
bye, Cobysair." "Good-bye, old
friend" said Cobysair. We'll never
meet again till we meet in heaven"
said Harth. Odd lucky, sir" said
Cobysair, eff we meet each other
there" and with eyes bedimmed
with tears without other words the
friends parted to meet no more. I
have heard my mother cay that her
father was present and witnessed the
afectionate farewell between these
two friends one evening after sun
down at the mouth of Hollow creek,
and the Epglishman took board on
raft to make his way to Charleston
Oh his voyage to England, and Harth
made his way back to his mansion,
about mile distant. While this
mansion was the homestead they
owned broad acres and slaves by
dozens elsewhere. Near the land
now owned by G. S. Roof, and on a
tract still owned by grand daugh-
ter, Mrs. Henry A. Meetze, of Lex
ington, stands a persimmon tree n
der which, on hot day in June, one
of the younger brothers took fair
''6st and skull" fight with the over
seer on the place. He was over from
home looking after his business and
disagreement occurred between him
and the overseer. The hired man
said he did not have fair chance,
his wages and position were both in
jeopardy and as he was poor man
and his family needed both, but it
was hard for him to take. The boss
replied that neither was in danger
and that his wages should 60 on and
his position be retained even if he
was ''the best man." and he could
have fair light if he desired one.
The overseer took his "banter" and
two whites-the boss and the over
seer-called some of the negroes
from near by to see fair play to both
and to allow neither to brutally beat
the other in anger. Hath was much
the older man but for several rounds
the result was in great doubt, but
finally the old man shouted, Il
have done my best, Sharp, and I ke-
lieve you are'the best man" and turr-
ing to the faithful negroes be said,
"boys, I give it up" Interference
was immediate and the overseer de-
clarcd that be was powerful ready
to quit" No feelings were broke,
no friendship sacrificed and no con
fdence lost between the combatants.
The overseer got his wages and held
his position in business and in con-
fdence and afterwards the landlord
gave him hundred acres of land
cornering near and taking in the
renowned Clay Springs, the head
waters of Little Pond branch. That
overseer was Nike Sharp, we'll known
to all the older citizens of this
county. 1t was long pride and
boast of bis negroes how "ole mas
ter" could 6pbt and boosted greatly