Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-04-02
Humuruus department.
Aunt Polly Muggins' Fish Trap.

Aunt Polly Muggins' Fish Trap.
Spencer G. Dabney, was one Of the
most remarkable men ever knew. He
was the first drummer and in all prob
ability the most superior one who ever
lived. He now lies buried on a noun
tain near Jackboro, Tenn, and If the
drummers would do their duty they
would place monument above his last
resting place. He was drummer, sad
dler, lawyer and politician. No man
had a larger acquaintance or more
friends, and. few more native talent.
Among the many anecdotes that he
told at his own expense was an ac-
count of his speech at Polly Muggins'
fish trap in Whitley county. Aunt
FOLLY was quite famous old woman,
and kept a little tavern which was
supplied with ush from a trap set In
the Cumberland. Once every year she
gave a fish dinner. On such occasions
a large number attended and toasts
and speeches were the order OF the
day. Mr.. Dabney tells of his speech
on one Of these occasions which he de-
scribes as the greatest effort of his
life.
He always dressed elegantly and was
the only man who could travel through
the Kentucky mountains wearing
silk hat. With his Prince Albert but
toned tightly about his person he spoke
at the fish dinner in substance as fol-
lows:
Mrs. Muggins and Gentlemen: 1t
gives me profound pleasure to be pres
ent on this occasion as one of the hon
ored guests of one Of the best and mob
lest women God ever made. AS the
traveller, weary and worn, dust
strained and hungry, on sultry day
of summer, reaches the mountain
brow, from which he can look down
and see the smiling valley, where nes-
ties amidst forest trees the hospitable
home of this good woman, he invol-
unfairly exclaims God Bless Polly
Muggins and her fish trap
1.-THE oasis in the desert, where the
sun-burnt traveller may revel in cooling
shade and slake his thirst in the cold
and crystal water, IS no more to pe
compared with the glorious homestead
than the most diminutive minnoW Is TO
the great whale. And if were stand
ing on the brink Of life today, and the
Lord should give me my choice as to
where should spend eternity, would
say, Goodbye heaven, only ask to be
allowed to live forever at Polly Mug
gins tavern"
At this point he said old Mrs. Mug
gins was overcome and tears streamed
down her furrowed cheeks. Seeing that
the whole audience was weeping In
sympathy, he concluded his speech, and
stepping to one side, unbuttoned his
coat to relieve himself from the heat,
which had we'll nigh overcome him.
While standing there and tanning HIM
self with a large palm leaf, old man
Creekmore walked up to him and said:
Spence, you are the finest looking
man I ever saw on the stand"
Dabney inserted his thumbs into the
armholes Of his vest, while his chest
heaved with honest pride.
And that's not ALL" continued
Creekmore, II have heard Bell and
Marshall and Clay and Powell and
Crittenden, and you just like one thing
to beat 'em all.
Dabney was again filled with most
pleasant emotions.
What is that, Uncle Johnny" he
asked.
Creekmore moved up close to him
and paraiyzeu MIN by whispering in his
ear:
"Idees. Spence, idees." Gov. w. o.
Bradley's Stories Of Kentucky Lire.