The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-07-09

now in "the State of Edgefeld." The
are likewise no longer " on the fence
If sensitive ones will pardon this ez
preston, which only means that the
are now on "The Ridge" This is
famous fruit and peach ridge, the fam
of which has spread far beyond tn
borders of the State, as has the patri
otic and sometimes startling recOr,
contributed to the universe in genera
by historic old Edgefeld. The candi
dates are not seeking peaches on thi
peach ridge-they are earnestly seek
ing that other juicy and delicious frui
for which this centre-this vineyard
this orchards equally famous" po
lltical plums." The tree this season
has only about ten plums-even the
fertile soil of old Edgelield can do nc
more.
Plum seekers and plum dispensers
gathered in the old court house here
the scene of much IIdgeiield history
at IL O'Clock to hear discussions on
fruit harvesting, with especial refer
ence to securing plums. Promptly at
IL O'Clock County Chairman Rainsford
called the meeting to order, appropri-
ate prayer being made by the Rev. G..
w. Davis. Ice water and fans weie
among numerous evidences of the
thoughtful reception extended here.
Some of Col. Talbert's friends met
him at the station and made pleasant
cries for their particular favorte. Lib
eral cheers in the audience at the mem
tion Of john G. Sheppard's name.
g L II,
signal for cheers. Plums were eagerly
sought-some Of the brethren " SHIN
nying around" alta LIVELY rate; others
placing patent-extenslOn step lad
der at the foot of the tree--a tree
which stretched in the wrong direction
even as fast as grew the tree of
Jack the Giant Killer.
The court house was full when the
meeting began, many of Edgelield's fa-
nous beauties being present. The
listeners heard with that interest al
ways shown on this subject by an
Edgefield audience.
1t was expected by knowing ones
that this Edgefield meeting would not,
except in its reflex action, be SOL
emn occasion. In genuine Edgelield
spirit, long confined and non-riven
asuuder, it surpassed, so the ola cam
paigners affirm, anything ever seen in
South Carolina. This was OccasiOned
by the mouthy and most vOciferOus
tempest war of mouths and of noise
between the rival factions of Tabert
and Tillman. For exactly 43 min
utes after Col. Ti!lman was introduced,
this howling and yelling was 80 per-
sistently maintained as to effectually
stop even attempts at speaking. Many
times when the roar of howling voices
were at the utmost extreme of frenzled
shrieking it was perfectly patent that
what was once popularity supposed to
have "broke 10 Ise in Georgia" had
permanently established headquarters
in Edgefield court house, South Caro-
lima. The yelling began Immediately
at the close of Ansels speech and for
some time cheers and counter cheers
for Talbert and 'rillman prevented
Hayward, who was TO follow, from
speaking. He did speak and when he
stopped and said, "My hOnofed friend
Talbert came to my town and spoke,
so did my distinguished friend Till
man, and no one yelled for Hayward I"
the cheers Of the house greeted
him. Col. Talbert was received with
most cordial enthusiasm but the cOun-
ter cheering for Talbert and Tillman
grew so turbulent and confusing that
not one word could be heard before he
stopped speaking.
Lieut.. Coy. Tillman was received
with long ngcontinued cheering and ap-
plause. BY this time, however, the
rival factione were wrought TO such
frenzy that Chairman Rainsford, Tai
bert and Tillman could do absolutely
nothing. No appeal had any effect.
The noise grew louder at frenzied in
tervals and then decreased when
throats could no longer bear the STRAIN;
to yell again when renewed strength
came. For exactly 43 minutes Col.
Tillman faced the crowd and only
stopped when it became easily appar-
ent that the rival factions mad no idea
of stopping their hooting and yelling.
There were a few drunken men in the
crowd but not much anger was visible,
the reporters chair and table were up
act when Col. Tillman's friends rushed
mp with crown of flowers, put il on
his head and bore him in their arms
out on the square. The rivalry was SC
great that in few minutes Talberps
friends came up and bore him out in
similar manner. Your correspondent
knows nothing OF the men who made
the disturbance, each side claims thai
the other packed the house, both sides
claim victory. Your correspondent
saw mob of red, perspiring faces an,
wildly swinging arms; yelling mouth
were wide open in frenzy; insane
distorted countenances were wildl,
shouting. A storm OF incessant cheers
hurrahs and cries for Talbert and Till
man were heard With little or no cessa
tion and human beings presented tn
humiliating spectacle of crazed inebri
ates.
1t is impossible, unless with bunc
of dynamite and giant powder washe
down with tabasco cocktail, to d
justice to what transpired, but som
details will be seen below. A cyclon
shook The plum tree which, howeve
Is still standing.
AT the very tip top Of this plum tire
there ia plum of dignity and honor,
revolving light house variety, beir
dazzling at times and totally invisib
at otssrs. This gubernatorial plp
was more than glanced at by aspiran
today. Candidate Ansel first gave