Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-02-12

lature. At that time Josh could neither
read nor write. For that reason the
Tillmanites did not receive the an
nouncement Of his candidacy with en-
thusiasm. One Of them twitted him In
| his wise:
"-ou go to the legislature, Josh, he
exclaimed with a laugh: why you
can't write YOUR name"
II knowed that without you telling
me-" retorted Josh. And you kin go
to an Anderson bank and write your
name on note and it won't be wuth
five cents; but If put my mark on It,
you kin get all the money you want
And this was true.
But the conservatives resolved to
vote for Josh. They had no candidates
of their own, so they played him to
win since his election would be joke
on the Tillmanites and add to the glory
and renown Of their delegation to the
legislature. When the votes were
counted Josh was cit" Some few
Tillmanites could not help supporting
him for wool hat and one gallus rea-
sons, and this, with the conservative
vote enabled Josh to harpoon victory.
That was in 1892, and since then, excep-
ting one term, Citizen Josh has been
member Of the "legislatur," and his
admirers say he can make laws as cas-
ily as he can break them.
When Josh rears up on the floor OF
the house to do a few Demosthenean
stunts he ladies out an assortment OF
talk that is not infrequently crowded
with hard, horse sense. What he knows
about political economy and the science
of government signifies nothing, but In
dealing with practical propositions that
are not beyond his ken Josh can make
"spooch" that is anything else but
fiat, stale and improbable.
In the fullness of time Josh's affec-
ton for Benjamin r. Tillman began to
suffer for lack Of proper nourishment.
The Edgefield politician was comfort
ably ensconced in the U. S. senate and
he began to, give Josh cold and repel-
lent glances. The latter recalled the
many golden promises that Benjamin
had made and did not hesitate to re-
buke him for his deeds Of omission
But Tillman 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 favor
ite. When the McLaurin bandwagon
came rattling down the pike of oppor-
tunity, Josh tagged it and fought his
way to front seat. And now he says
he is lest as happy as big sunf1ow-
er that mods and shines IN the breezes. "
| In Anderson county Josh Ashley Is
regarded as a formidable proposition
in fisticuff. He is chiefly feared since
when he has a 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 a mans anatomy it would probably
mean a case for the coroner.
Back in the early GUS Josh Ashley
and ]. L. Farmer, of Anderson, clash
ed on a train while en- route home from
Greenville, where a big political pow
WOW had been held. Farmer was an
anti-Tilmanite and was known to be
not afraid Of anything human or other
wise. Josh was lusting for trouble;
Farmer was in a mood to deal out sud-
den death to anybody who craved It.
| ~ hftnhn6
Very much so, thank you. Above the
roar Of the train and the noise Of the
combat, Josh's teeth could be heard
swapping as he strove to clamp down
on his opponents ear or nose. 1t was
even reported that Josh's teeth were
seen to strike fire; but this story could
not be verified. Anyhow, Farmer was
able to take care Of himself until pas
sengers interfered and stopped the
battle. However, it was a great scuff1e
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 a number Of members Of the
Legislature, and he had at least one un-
happy experience. The party were TAX
en- for a sail around the harbor. Josh
got seasick. When the boat returned
to the wharf and Josh found himself
on terra firma, he was asked how he
enjoyed the sail.
Hit was all right" he replied, weak
ly; "but, my God, how I did fling up
Josh recently announced himself g
candidate for the state senate. He
will make hot canvass of his county
and astonish the dear peepul" with
linguistic ireworks.-Charleston Post
| Eobr,,orv