Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-08-20
a VOICE FROM OLD plckrNs.
"reminiscences Of Some OF the Older lnhabl.
tanis Of the "Dsserte,, vlIase.v

Col. Jeptha Norton, who owned and re-
sided upon large plantation four miles
from the old court house, near Craven's 8
Ford, on Keowee River. He is said to
have been an exemplary citizen and a
man OF much influence for good in his
community. He was the father of Col.
Miles M. Norton and Judge Joseph j.
Norton's grandfather. He died about
forty years ago and was buried at Old
| Pickens.
Alexander Harris, another one of the
old residents, kept hotel here and acted
as deputy sheriff for long time, making
a good officer.
ness there for number of years. He
was very active man. After the war
he was appointed Deputy United States
Marshal, and while on the lookout for
illicit distilleries was waylaid and shot
to death somewhere in Pickens county.
His assassin was never discovered by the
authorities. Hence no one was ever
punished for the dastardly deed.
| A rather unique character by the name
of Thomas Breckenridge was fixture
at Old Pickens before the division of the
District and will be remembered by MANY
of your readers. When 1 knew him he
was alone in the world, so far as relatives
wero concerned, being widower, and
his only son John, gallant youth having
seventeen. Prior to the war he had a
competency, and being man of more
| than ordinary intelligence he was sort
of self-constituted counselor of the
officials about the court h use. Being
very kind and popular his advice was
often sought by his fellow citizens in
matters of business. Like many other
wise good mon he was much addicted to
the habit of profane swearing, scarcely
uttering word unaccompanied by an
| oath. l do not vouch for the truth of
the following story, but it is said of him
that just after the location of the court
house at New Pickens some poor fellow
| was on trial for some trivial offense be-
fore trial justice and jury. After
| counsel and the charge of the court
heard, before entering upon their delibe-
| rations, the jury adjourned to dispen-
| sary (called a bar-room in those days).
breckenridge happened to be present
and after refreshments, in which he
Joined, the foreman of the jury inquired
| of him what should be the form of their
verdict. breckenridge said: "Guilty,
Cd d-n him, and sign your name as
foreman" 1t is said tho jury returned
| to the court room with that endorsement
Oh the record, but l have never heard
what became of the prisoner, the record,
tho jury or the court. Breckenridge was
a great admirer of Col. w. @. Keith and
he used to boast that if Col. Keith had
client of previous good character and
him (Breokenridge) for a witness no
matter what he was charged with, no
jury on earth would convict him. He
was man of most kind disposition
and much esteemed. l believe he was
taken care of in his last days by Col.
Keith. He died in Walhalla and is buried
there.
During the war James McCary bought
the High Falls property, near Old
Pickens, and did business there for a
number of years. He was man of large
means and most generous heart, as was
proven by his many acts of kindness to
the soldiers wives and their children
during those trying days. His hand
was always open to the poor and suffer
ing.
Among the many useful and good men
who lived near Old Pickens the name of
Rev. Harvey Kennemur should not be
omitted. He was an industrious farmer
and minister of the Baptist church. Not
highly educated, but his strong common
sense, deep and sincere piety, extensive
knowledge of the Bible and the humble
entire consecration Of himself to the
holy cause of his Master, rendered him
most useful to his church, and won for
him the love and confidence of all who
knew him. He was regarded as peculiar
in some respects, believing most strongly
in observing the ceremony of foot wash
ing and absolutely refusing any compen-
sation for his services as a preacher. AS
a preacher, / have been told that he did
not believe in what is known as "close
communion" but Thought that all who
believed in the name and power of Jesus
to save and endeavored to walk in his
footsteps should be welcome at the
communion table. He died few years
ago at very advanced age, and was
buried at Old Pickens.
Silas r.. and Monroe Cannon are re-
membered as influential citizens in the
neighborhood of Old Pickens Just after
the war for number of years. Both
were gallant soldiers in the Confederate
war, and have proven equally brave in
the pursuits Of peace, and, by their in
dustry. energy and fair dealing, have
accumulated considerable property.
They are living now in Franklin county,
Georgia, and are among the foremost and
most respected citizens in that section.
Capt. Robt. Steele and Alexander Nim-
mons, both veterans of the Southern
cause, are living prosperously few
miles above Old Pickens-one on each
| side of Keowee river-both owning and
cultiyating extensive and fertile lands.
Tho home Of Capt. Steele is noted as
being the site of Fort George, erected
~, oohooiJ "So' uutihS our IrOuDle
with the red man, and as the place from
which the Indian maiden, Cateechee,
started on her perilous journey to in
form the whites of impending danger
and thereby immortalized her name.
She is said to have made the trip on foot,
nearly one hundred miles, in an almost
incredibly short time, and as she trav-
eled named the streams she crossed
Mile Creek, Four Mile, Six Mile, Twelve
Mile, Eighteen, Three and Twenty and
NinetySix. The Norris Cotton Mill on
Twelve Mile Creek in Pickens county
perpetuates her name, the place being
called Cateechee in memory of her devo-
tiOn and invaluable service to the whites
at that perilous period.
l was deeply impressed by the beauti-
full allusion to this event made by Major
Wm. j. Stribling in his recent address
to the people at Walhalla, in which he
so fittingly compared the unchanging,
ever-tiowing constancy of these mountain
streams to the pure immutable fountain
of truth, right and justice. Whoever
heard or has read that address must
have been moved with admiration for
the ability, patriotism and eloquerce of
the speaker. His friends in this District,
especially in Oconee county, are Justly
proud of his record, and from reports
coming from all over the District, are
justified in believing that he will be
elected to the high Office to which he
aspires. G.
Hon. John Gary Evans for ths Senate.
On tomorrow will close tho most
thorOuph canyasa eyar maHe in South