Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-05-11
Seraps uf gutat 9tisturu.
"REMINISCENCES OF YORK.
Valuable Bits Of Local History Pre-.
served by a Septuagenarian.

DR.. Maurice Moore in The Enquirer Of 1870.
In 1924 Lafayette accepted the invi-
tation Of the United States government
and visited the great republic he had
nourished with his own blood, in its en-
feebled infancy.
When the news of his arrival in New
York reached our village, the enthusi-
asm of the citizens prompted the illu-
mination of the little town. Every
window, facing on the street, had
lighted candle to each pane and in those
houses which boasted no sash, ranged
rows of candles, one above the other,
in their unglazed openings, so not one
could be accused of deed of darkness.
The streets were light as day, the popu-
lation promenaded them, greeting
one another with a kind Of gleeful vi
vacity, for there was a great heart
throb throughout the states-then truly
united-of joyous welcome to the ma
tion's guest.
The Monday after the news Of his ar
rival, the people Of the country crowd
ed into the village to hear the pacticu-
lars of LaFayette's coming. All min
atiae relating to the generous veteran
was of interest and the gathering ex-
ceeded even those of sales-day or court
week.
Lafayette first, after his reception in
New York, came to Washington city;
then travelled east, then south. His
tour was one series of ovations, and it
was March, 1925, before he reached
South Carolina.
The uniformed volunteer companies
of Lancaster, Newberry, Lexington,
Fairfield, Chester and York, went to
Columbia to receive, with all pomp of
circumstance the loved foreigner. The
legislature had made handsome ap-
preparation to pay the expenses of
proper reception; love and pride stimu-
lated each section to vie with the other,
in handsome appearance for the occa-
sion. York, ambitious to pay all defer
ence to the man the state delighted to
honor" made up very handsome COM
pany of mounted infantry-numbering
80 men-all we'll uniformed, under the
command of Capt. William Randolph
Hill. The complimentary position of
surgeon, was given to your Septuage-
marian.
A bright spring day saw us take up
our line of march, in the highest spir-
it's.
Jest and youthful jollity.
QuipS and crankS and wanton WileS,
Mods and beck and wreathed smiles"
echoed from every heart and lip. We
stopped at Chester on the first day for
dinner, at the hotel of George Ken
nedy, Esq. After thus refreshing man
and beast, we continued our way till,
as the shades of evening deepened, our
officers began to think Of halt. We
stopped at one or two well-to-do farm
houses, but on account of the number
desiring it, were denied anything like
accommodations. 1t was nearly eleven
o'clock at night when we stopped again
| at a Mr.. Mobley's, on Wateree creek.
Again was the refusal given us. The
large corn cribs, with the generous
grain, was too tempting a spectacle to
the men as they looked down on their
hungry and somewhat jaded horses. 1t
was impossible to reach Winnsboro un-
til long after midnight, and here was
as good a place to stop as any other.
The choice was, therefore, given 1.-The
lord of the manor" to measure out
corn for our horses and be paid for it,
or the men would throw down the cribs
and take it, Such an alternative quick
ly forced him to compliance; and not to
do things by halves-as we prepared to