Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-03-02
Sfraps of gufat 8istory.
"REMINISCENCES Of YORK.
Valuable Bits Of Local History Pre-
served by a Septuagenarian.

DR.. Maurice Moore in The Enquirer Of 1870.
The land which is the present site of
Yorkville, was owned by William Ed
ward Hayne, Esq. He possessed thou
sands Of acres called "the Barrers."
his furnaces on Allison creek, with
the exception Of some settlements on
the low-grounds. This gentleman do
mated lots for public buildings, and
afterward drew a plan for the laying
off Of the town, which, had 1t been ad-
hered to, would have added to its
beauty.
The first house built was on the spot
now occupied by the Presbyterian
church, and was owned by Robert
Smith. OF him I know no more than
his name. The second residence was
that Of "Gentleman Alec Love-" SON.
in-law of old Mr.. Jimmy Ross. His
connection with that worthy gentle
man, and a customarily neat toilet,
presume. gained for him the pleasant
appellation under which he was always
known. The site of his residence was
between H. r. Adickes's store and res
idence, where now stand tin and shoe
shop. The third domicile was put up
by David McCall-a large two-storied
log building-and was opened by him
as a house Of entertainment. He, after
a few years, sold out to his brother,
John Mccall, who thus became mine
host" Of the village. However, when
court week came, old Mr.. Michael
Moore and Mr.. Jimmy Mcneil were In
the habit Of carrying wagon loaded
with beds, cooking utensils, plates, ETC.,
to the village, and renting house
owned by Mr.. Beatty; and while the
crowd remained, furnishing entertain
ment and accommodations. The week
following always being court week at
Chester, the worthy copartners and
their impromptu hostelry, migrated
thence, ready, for the week, to take
in bench and bar, as we'll as common
folk.
And after the death Of Mr.. Mccall
his wife still continued to keep open
house. For many years she might be
truly called "the Mother Of York." and
was a woman whose generous soul,
warm heart and charitable actions, are
beyond all praise. She was beloved by
all the classes; and with reason, for as
a friend, neighbor, mistress, she had
scarce a peer. Left widow, with five
small children, she managed with in
dustry, energy and economy, her home
affairs; but in sickness and distress ho
matter whether among high or low,
she was ever ready to minister to body
or mind diseased, out Of the flowing
springs Of sympathy ever yelling up In
her tender heart.
MEMS due deserts, each reader may
recite,
For men Of men do make a goodly
show;
But women's work may never come to
light,
No mortal man their famous acts
may know"
Many now in Yorkville remember
old Mrs. Mccall, and the kindness
that lived with her to a green old age.
The same beaming benevolence seemed
to have distinguished her girlhood, for
on the occasion referred to In another
number, when in company with Presi-
dent jackson, of none did he inquire
with more affectionate interest, than
a blooming lass Of his school days at
Bethel, named Grizzly Mckinney" At
the time Of the conversation with Gen.
eral Jackson, she was my loved and re-
spected landlady. Universally, among
her acquaintances, was her death Ia
mented. The whole village mourned
her loss. OF few it can be said, as OF
her, she left not an enemy. Her son,
Mr.. Hilly Mccall, now lives in the VI
cinity Of Yorkville, and knows probably
more Of its early history than any one
else living. To him I am indebted for
the name Of the first resident.
DR.. Josiah Moore located in Yorkville
in 1903 and was the first physician who
settled there. He was one Of DR.. Alex
ander's pupils and received his first
classical instruction at the BullGck's
Creek academy. He graduated, after
ward, at an institution in Kentucky,
and studied medicine with old DR.. NC
Dowell, Of Danville, Kentucky, and
then returned to his native state to
practice. DR.. Moore was man OF first
rate natural abilities, with a cultiva-
ted, well-trained mind. He was sue
cessful as a practitioner and loved as
a man. He played most delightfully."-
on the VIOLIN and had voice remark
able in the sweetness Of Its varied
modulations, and was fond, I presume
of dancing and society, as I remember
he was one Of the managers Of the first
ball ever given in Yorkville. However,
the social habits, which contributed to
his popularity, led to his early death.
He contracted habits Of intemperance,
which induced disease, cutting him of
in the medium of his days and In a
full career Of usefulness. He left a
widow and two children. The latter
married early, and all Of them long
ago left the state. Thus no memento
of this once esteemed and prominent
citizen now remains. How evanes-
cent are the things Of sense. How
true the mournfal cadence of Raleigh's
lines:
"Even such Is time that takes on trust,
Our youth, our joys, our all we have,
And pays us with but age and dust;
And in the dark and silent grave,
When we have wandered all our ways,
Shuts up the story of our days..
JUDGE WILLIAM SMITH.
The limb Of the law" which first
engrafted it's destinies with those of
the growing town, was of material
which afterward formed a strong plank
in the bench of the state.
William Smith-later Judge Smith
was the first resident lawyer OF York
Vile. 1 have always thought he was