Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-03-23
Straps of gueat Nistory.
"REMINISCENCES OF YORK.
Valuable Bits Of Local History Pre-.
served by a Septuagenarian.
DR.. Maurice Moore in The Enquirer of 1870.

|
In memoriam I again guide my pen.
Joseph Grandson Martin was born in
1885, in York district. He was the son
Of John Martin, ESQ.,, whilom clerk Of
the court in Pinckney district. His
mother was a Miss Palmer, daughter
of old Captain Joseph Palmer, told Of
in a former number, and one Of the
most beautiful and fascinating women
Of her day.
| Mr. Martin studied law and was ad
mitted to the bar. He practiced few
years, but being elected commissioner
of equity for York district. gave up the
law, except that belonging to his office.
He was a man Of good business capac-
| ity, wrote a beautiful hand and was
general favorite. He was elected cap
tain Of a militia company, but was nev-
er known by the title given him by the
rank, for warm-hearted and open-hand-
ed, he was "Joe Martin" to the district.
Generous to a fault, he never accu-
mulated property, but nature had gift
ed him with an unfailing fund Of hu-
mor-rich, rare and racy-with which
he embelished and enjoyed life. His
face was quite handsome. Black eyes
and hair, heavy beard, small in stat
ure, always neat in dress, and in man.
ners a perfect Chesterfield.
The late furore on gold mines re-
minds me OF one of Joe's best practi-
cal jokes, Of which, by the way, he
was very fond. There was a company
formed in the village, to which belong
ed good many Of our gentlemen, who
had associated themselves for the pur-
pose Of leasing, for purposes Of specula-
ton, all places on which they could
find indications of gold. 1t was a
grand scheme, but most Of the number
had the gold fever severely. One Of
the concern, Mr.. Leach, was the COM
pany agent to take leases, sell them,
etc. Wherever he found flint rock on
a mans plantation, he instantly ef-
fected, if he could, lease on all the
minerals for 20 years.
Martin wrote a letter, ante-dating it
but not attempting to disguise his hand
writing, purporting to be from a man
In Richland district, saying he was de-
sirous of going into mining, and pro-
posed to exchange ten likely Negroes
for mine, etc. This letter Joe crumpled
and soiled, to give it the appearance Of
careless handling. Meeting Leech on
the court house steps, he said in an off,
hand manner, 20, Leach, believe I've
got a letter for you. It was handed to
me a week ago down at Jack Lindsay's.
but forgot about 1t. I suppose It's OF
no consequence" And having got it
out Of his pocket he handed 1t over to
the gold mining company agent. This
gentleman read 1t with growing .ex-
citement. "It's very important letter
"a very important letter indeed-just
like your confounded carelessness, Joe,
forgetting it. I must see the company
Immediately" and off he hurried, with
out unfolding the contents. Leach
posted round town from one to anoth-
err and soon members Of the company
were seen in knots consulting with ex-
cited faces. Joe told me the "go," and
that he had not attempted to disguise
his writing, with which most Of the
parties were perfectly familiar. In
their elation, however, 1t did not occur
to them. Leach was not long In ar
ranging the matter; the letter having
been so long delayed, 1t must be at
tended to forthwith. He soon had his
horse ready and a bag Of rocks to take
with him as specimens, the proposed
purchaser desiring to see some. Mount
ing, he bowed a courteous goodbye to
the bystanders, and started for Colum-
bia. The joke had now gone far enough.
and Joe had commissioned me to stop
It, I was standing by one of the
company, as Mr.. Leach rode
off. IT understand" said I, Leach Is
going to Columbia to sell a mine; did
you read that letter." ooh! yes" was
the reply, "it's all right-a fine Offer"
did you notice the writing; you had
better read that letter again." A glirn-
mer of the truth dawned on his mind.
"Stop. Leach!" he called, for Leach had
the letter with him. AS Leach rode
back (he had gone nearly so yards), an
other Of the partners Joined my awak-
ened friend. They all re-read the let
ter, and at once recognized Joe Mar
tins well-known writing. Joe had dis
appeared to the protecting shadows OF
his office walls. The company were
fain, too, to hide their diminished
heads. They could not fight, yet 1t
was but dry laugh to get up at their
expense. The gold mine speculations
seemed to die out like the extinguished
smouldering wick Of a candle. The
hoaxed were so sore and shy, 1t was
hard to get a word with them on leases
or selling.
Joe Martin was never married while
I knew him; but being Of susceptible
nature. he was always in love, and gen.
orally had the luck to become enamored
of a widow. I have heard him solilo-
quize his prejudice to the idea, with
humorous seriousness perfectly mimi
table. washington, Jefferson and
Napoleon Bonaparte, all married wild
ows," he would say, land why not II"
His conversational powers were very
fine, and adorned with a playfulness
very attractive. He had the peculiar
faculty of relating incidents, introduce
ing each particular and detailing what
"he said" and "she said," without be-
come tedious; investing all with touch
es Of his own sparkling wit HE was
a fellow of infinite jest and excellent
fancy"
ALAS! poor Yorick."
He held the office Of commissioner in
equity for four years, being succeeded
by his brother-himself declining re-
election.
Some years later he removed to Mis-
sissippi. and from thence to Arke nsas.
There he met his fate and married,
like washington, Jefferson and Napo-
leon," widow.