The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-02-14

But the conservatives resolved to
vote for Josh. They had no candi-
dates of their own, so they played
him to win since his election would
be a joke on the Tlllmanites and add
to the glory and rerown Of their del
Q, alton to the Legislature. When
the votes were counted Josh was sit. "
Some few Tillmanites could not help
supporting him for wool hat and one
gallus reasons, and this, with the
conservative vote, enabled Josh to
harpoon victory. That was in 1892
and since then, excepting one term,
Citizen Josh Ashley has been mem
Der of the ''legislatur," and his ad
mirers say he can make laws as easy
as he can break them.
When Josh rears up on the floor
Of the House to do q few Demosthe-
mean stuts he ladies' out an assort-
ment Of talk that is not infrequently
crowded with hard, horse sense.
What he knows about political econ,
omy and the science of government
signifies nothing, but in dealing
with practical propositions that are
not beyond his ken Josh can make a
"spooch" that is anything else but
fiat, stale and improbable.
In the fullness of time Josh's af-
fection for Benjamin R. Tillman be-
gan to suffer for lack of proper
nourishment. The Edgefeld politi-
clan was comfortably ensconed in the
q. s. Senate and he began to give
Josh cold and repellent glances. The
latter recalled the many golden
promises that Benjamin had made
and did not hesitate to rebuke him
for his deeds of omission. But Till
mon was too wise to monkey with
Josh; he merely gave him the in
different eye and the inattentive ear.
Josh "'lowed" he'd play another
fs7orite. When the McLaurin band
wagon came rattling down the pike
of opportunity, Josh tagged it and
fought his way to front seat. And
now he says he is Jest as happy as a
big sunfower that mods and shines in
the breezes."
In Anderson coHnty Josh Ashley
is regarded as a formidable PROPOSE
tion in a fsticuff. He is chiefly
feared since when he has fight on
his hands he manifests an alarming
tendency to bite. And if Josh's
powerful jaws were to fasten on
some important part Of mans anat-
omy it would probably mean case
for the coroner.
Back in the early COS Josh Ashley
and J. L. Farmer, of Anderson clash
ed on a train while enroute home
from Greenville, where big polltl-
cal DOW WOW had been held. Farm
or was an anti Tillmanite aud was
known to be not afraid Of anything
human or otherwise. Josh WAS lust
ing for trouble; Farmer was in g
mood to deal out sudden death to
anybody who craved it. Josh tackled
him; they hitched. Fights Very
much so, thank you. Above.t the roar
| of the train and the noise of the com
bat Josh's teeth as he stroVe to
| clamp down on his opponents ear or
| nose. It was even reported that
Josh's teeth were seen to strike fire,
but this story could not be verified
Anyhow, Farmer was unable to take
care of himself till passengers inter
fered and stopped the battle. How
ever, it was great scufae, one Of
the many in which Josh has played
star role.
This is not Josh Ashley's first trip
TO Charleston. He was here several
years ago with number of members
of the legislature, and he had at least
one unhappy experience. The party
were taken for sail around the har
bor. josh got seasick. When the
boat returned to the wharf and JOSH
found himself on terra frma he was
asked how he enjoyed the sail.
"Hit was alright" he replied
weakly; but, my God, how I did finG
up"
Josh recently announced himself
| 1:lo4o E., tbo Ctoto Gonofo n,