The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-06-19
REMINISCENT.
Reool1ect;ons Of Juag. >. b. O,Neal1 and
Others
e. q. Rice in Baptist Courier.

FoSS auu OuuCto OA 1omp6rBQC6.
from Abbeville, Anderson, Belton,
Cokesbury. Geenvilie, Greenwood and
Williamson, and an immense throng
were present. Samuel Cary, "Apostle
OF Temperance" from Massachusetts,,
Judge 0Ne:!!, aud others, were the
speakers. The cadets from military
school in Anderson, conducted by
VIM. Kirk, in pretty brown linen
uniform with brass buttons, with
beautiful regalias and banners, undor
our loved leader, Mr., A. B. Towers,
took the prize for the finest appear
ance among the cadets, and were much
elated. The speakers specially noticed
the cadets. Judge O'Neall used, as
he oft did with singular power ard
effect, this scene in simple story, with
pictures, as follows: "This is the
house that Jack built and so en- till
complete. ''This is the maid that
milked the COW, that tossed the dog,
that worried the cat, that killed the
rat, tnat eat the malt, that lay in the
house that Jack built.'' The cause
OF temperance was fourishing and in
auential then all over the State, as
well as in other States.
There were present at all these occa-
sions the able young editors and pub
fishers Of our county newspapers
several Of thzm lawyers, viz: G.F.
Townes and G.. E. Elford, of Green
vile; Robert Thomson, Of Pickens !;
Ben Lane Posey and W. E. Lee, Of
Abbeville; James T. Bacon of Edge
field {some yet living: T. B. Crews,
Of Laurens; F. P. Slider, Of New
berry s James A. Hoyt, succeeding my
cousin, Ibzan j. Rice, of Anderson,
who, with the cream of our noblest
Southern young men, went to Kansas
in 1867. My cousin established the
first newspaper ever published in
Leavenworth, and with many died
there, as truly giving his life for his
country as any other hero Of 1865,
before or SINCE. These kept the peo-
plc we'll posted of all public affairs
taking a leading and active part.
There were monster meetings North
and South in the interest of temper
ance, and if there was ever a time
when South Carolina was near rid and
free from the curse of liquor, it was
during the decade of the fifties. At
times there was only one ''doggery, .
and not much patronage, in Anderson.
Keeper, business and customers were
certainly under tho ban-objeots Of
dislike, pity and contempt. 1t was so
over the State, and such blessed
condition was due, more than to any
other man, to Judge John Bolton
O'Neall. He was honored and loved.
and welded an influence for good in
all the relations of life in its highest
and best forms second to none. AS a
citizen, all remember the active part
he took in building the Greenville and
Columbia railroad, as we'll as in the
material interests Of his State. So in
moral and spiritual affairs; and such
an impression waa made that it still
continues. His work and worth were
recognized and honored towns, town
ships and numbe-less persons were
named after him.
! My father was the first and only
railroad agent in Anderson (about six
years), until we moved in the fall OF
1859 to Texas, the last two years living
on our plantation three miles south OF
town. Going home one evening he
was attacked by man belonging to
one of the best families Of Anderson
county, and who was in state OF
intoxication. He was indicted by the
grand jury for assault and battery and
found guilty. Judge O'Neall, "whc
showed unusual excitement and inter.
est throughout" passed this sentence
PAY all the costs in the case, and 6
fine Of two hundred dollars The
eulogy in words of my honored and
loved father, son of Revolutionary sire
then living, and as citizen and
Christian, and of all the family or
both sides, residents for near an hun
dred years, was thrilling and moved
/ all greatly. Then his words to "thi,
old gray-headed man-what he shoult
be 40 citizen, father, and Christian
and toas not, were styled as terrific.
| A noted lawyer said, 81 wouldn't hav,
had such a philippe from the Judg'
for one thousand dollars /; no, not fo
the world" Similar words ant
4 thought came from all. It produced
@ serious and profound impression "a
J, and near for good d-to the helping o
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