The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-08-12
Che Nerala and Nens
HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.
A Review of the Book by Prof. 4. Mea ns
Davis as Published In the Baltimore
American.


American.
History of Edgefeld County-By
John A. Chapman. (9x51, PIP. 521.
Maps.) Elbert H. Aull, Newberry,
S. G.
Edge6eld County, South Carolina,
lies on the Savannah river, and be-
fore it's proportions were curtaileG,
bordered on that part of Georgia EN-
bracing the city of Augusta. It's
history forms large part of the his
tory of the State. Since the first
settlement its people have been noted
for their independence and fearless
ness, sometimes degenerating into
recklessness. Edgefeld was long
considered the Galway Of South Caro-
lima, but is now one of the most peace
full sections of the State. Being on
the border land between the low and
the up country, this region was un-
til 1853 a portion of the hunting
ground of the powerful Cherokees,
although in 1870 Fort Moore, on the
Savannah, was erected as a trading
post and frontier defense of civil
zation. During the Revolution this
territory was the scene of fierce con
6ict between Whig and Tory. It
formed a part of the old Ninety Sixth
district, in which after peace was re,
stored were found 1,4O0 widows and
orphans, living protests against frati-
eide strife. Edgefeld has been the
birthplace or home of many men dis
tinguished in State and national his
tory. William Butler, noted Wing
partisan, defeated Robert Goodloe
Harper for Congress in 1900, and
served several terms, voluntarily re
firing in favor of the rising states
man John @. Calhoun, to whom be
said: "You can debate with John
Randolph; I cannot" He WAS the
progenitor of Gov. Pierce NJ. Butler,
who fell at the head of the Palmetto
Regiment in Mexico; of Judge and
Senator A. P. Butler, the attack on
whom in his absence by Charles Sum
ner led to the assault on the latter
by Preston S. Brooks, relative, who
also came from Edgeheld. Former
Senator M. G. Butler is from the
same family. Among other citizens
of Edgefeld were George McDufie,
the fiery free trade leader of nullif
cation; F. w. Pickens and NJ. l..
Bonham. Congressman and war
generals; Chancellor Wardlaw, au-
thor of the ordinance of secession; :;
James II. Hammond, Louis T. Wig
fall, of Texas; Travis snd Bonham,
heroes of the Alamo; Gen. James
Longstreet and Senator Benjamin R.
Tillmsn. Many others were promi.
nent in many walks in life.
Mr.. Chapman, the author, is ma
tive of Edgefeld. Born in 1917, his
personal "reminiscences cover period
of fourscore years, and he has dill
gently collated all published history
and much valuable tradition relating
to the county. His volume of more
than 500 pages abounds in local in
cident and anecdote,. interspersed
plenteously with biographies written
in a pleasant style. The work is
somewhat loosely put together and
lacks an index. It is, therefore,
faulty as a book of refert nee, but is
pleasant companion for one who
wishes to while away a leisure hour
It's value consists in the original ma
terisl, which is now for the first time
preserved for the future There are
many general histories, but the life
and genius of the people are to be
found only in local annals portrsying
their homely ways and thoughts.
While intended for local demand,
this work will be of value to the gen
eral reader who wishes to obtain a
closer insight into people that has
played prominent part in making
the peculiar history Of South Caro-
lima. The volume is we'll printed on
good paper and is attractively aid
strongly bound.
R. Means Davis.
South Carolina College,