The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-04-25
IN, s. c., WEDNESDAY, APRIL Is, 1900.

cmplifed, and far away i'll brighter
realms is now worn crown of rejoic-
ing and the white robe of righteousness
for which she was made meet in those
days Of trial and tribulation.
Down yOntler is the spring whose
clear, crystal waters come bubbling
from the foot of the hill. and being
with stately clms and oaks
this was always favoritc resort for
the town folk. Mr.. Keys gave much of
his time i'll perfccting the surroundings
and keeping the spring in excellent or
der. He utilized the water for keeping
fresh and cool tho milk and butter, and
for irrigating the garden which was
below the spring house. Fish ponds
were still further down the stream,
and In many ways the famous spring
contributed to the comfort of the
family.
This identical spot was the scene of
the first reunion Of the Confederate
soldiers after their flag was furlcd ut
AppOmattOx, SO far as l have any
knowledge, and which reunion took
place in July, 1865. Mr.. Keys was the
originator of this early gathering of
men who had surrendered only three
months before, after four years of
hardship and privation, and his idea
mainly was to have the members of the
company lin which two of his sons had
served) to become his guests, and Incl
dentally it was his purpose to give
them such quota of rations rs would
go fur to make them forget the dcfici-
encies in that line when they were
marching and fighting in Virginia.
He had every membsr within reach
summoned to the feast, and represen-
tatives of every family who at any time
had malo member connected with the
Palmetto Rihemen. which was Co. C,
Palmetto Sharp Shooters. His intcn-
ton was to provide the entire company
and their invited guests with dinner
from his own larder, but this was such
an immense undertaking that neigh
bors and friends insisted upon having
the privilege of contributing to the
royal feast, which was served under
the leafy oaks and wide spreading
elms. with mothers, wives and sweet
hearts as the happy distributors of the
bounty which loving hands had pre-
pared for the survivors of most gal
liant band. The writer and Warren d.
Wilkes had been chosen to "tell the
story Of the glory" that had gathered
around the stars and bars under w:.;eii:
they mad fought, and an hour was
spent in narrating facts and incidents
connected with their experience. But
the most effective speeches were made
apart from the crowd, and resulted in
other invitations being sent out st q
later day. Twenty years afterwards
l1eS5) the members of CO. c., p. S. s.,
again assembled at Keys spring, when
the writer read history of the COM
pany, and there was an exchange Of
story and incident far more interesting
than before, because Time was cutting
down. our comrades here and there,
which made us realize moro than we
did i'll 1865 the nature and character Of
these reunions as perpetuating the
name and the fame of the Confederate
soldier.
Our noble and generous host has
years ago passed over the river at q
ripe old age, and he is entitled to the
distinction, I verify believe, of inaugu.
rating the reunions which in recent
times have grown to such proportions
and engcndered so much interest.
Leaving the spring he loved 80 well
this afternoon, went by the old path
TO the house on the hill, and each step
was reminder of happy hours whiled
away in gOodly company. The path
seemed peopled again as of yore, but
only shadowy forms were around me,
and the echo of loved voices ne back
from wooded glen and loy valley.
The orchard WAS atlooni once more,
and there were gnarled trees here and
there from which had pluclSed ripcn-
ed fruit with young men and maidens
Who are now going down the hill of
life, or else who are gathering fruit
from the tree of life over y0nder.
Change is written on all before me
and the desolation of the hearthstone
was evident on all sides. Near the
house, stretched out and asleep, was a
darkey who might have been one Of the
former servants, but alas, he was an
alien and q stranger, and he never so
much as knew one of tile old time
darkies who always sprang forward to
greet me as drove within the gate.
1t would have been healing to my
stricken spirit if one of them had been
there to talk about master and mis-
tress, and even to revive memories
that are mOurnful and sad. Not q
familiar sound was heard, nor a voice
that ever mingled with the tuneful
melodies of the household. My foot
stene -e-o:::: =o::::::5;; Win tho echoes or
distant past, and I turned away with
sorrOwful heart that 80 much of earthly
pleasures had been submerged in the
ever rolling tide of human affa;ra and