Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-11-08
EMILY GEIGER.
Interesting Story of a Famous Rev
OlutiOnary Heroine.

Mrs. r. G. Bacon, Of Edgefeld read
before the recent meeting Of the
Daughters Of the Revolution the fol-
lowing interesting and instructive adj
dress on 1.-THE Revolutionary Heroines
Of South Carolina:
Madame Regent and Daughters Of
the American Revolution: I have the
honor by appointment Of our state re-
gent to address you on "The Revolu-
tionary Heroines Of South Carolina"-a
truly grand and inspiring theme But
our limited time is too short to do JUS
tice to the long roll Of noble women
who devotedly stood by to uphold their
lords and heroes in the momentous
struggle as they fought and triumphed
in our cause for liberty. Their lives
and records are too well-known to you
and to the world for words of mine to
add one iota to their lustre and glory.
Therefore, have selected one choice
spirit among them to claim your at
tention on this occasion whose deed Of
daring illumines the dark pages Of his
tory and show what a brave woman
can do for love Of country. Though the
tale be oft told 1t can never grow stale
or Improbable to the present audience
assembled in the capitol Of our state
so near the home and grave of Emily
Geiger and in site of the beautiful
mural tablet the Daughters Of the
American Revolution have so approprl-
ately erected within these historic
walls, commemorating her heroic act.
About two miles from Columbia, 8.
c., In secluded spot on the banks Of
the Congaree under the shade Of far
spreading oaks, within hearing Of the
low-murmuring stream, with no beaten
path to point the way is lonely grave
unhonored by monumental shaft or
stone. mo storied urn or animated
bust" marks the spot. Under this ne
elected mound rest the mortal remains
of heroine Of the American Revolu-
tion whose heart, long since stilled in
death, once throbbed with fond love Of
country and warmed to perform a dar-
ing deed not surpassed even in those
stirring times that tried mems souls"
History and tradition have preserved
to us the story of Emily Geiger and her
brave act substantiated by relatives
and old persons who lived in the neigh
borhood.
In 1871, when the cloud of defeat was
darkest over the south, when Charles
ton and the low country were in pos
session Of the British and Gen. Greene
had raised the siege of Ninety-Six, the
stronghold Of the Tories in the up
country, and was retreating before the
approach Of Lord Rawdon, strongly re-
inforced from England, a striking
event took place.
Gen. Greene had halted on the banks
Of the Enoree, after having had the
good fortune to intercept dispatches
sent by Balfour to Lord Rawdon an
nouncing change Of plans. This i'm
portant news he was exceedingly anx-
ious to communicate to Gen. Sumter,
the partisan leader who was many
miles below him on the Wateree. But
the country was teaming with blood
thirsty Tories, ready to seize everyone
suspected Of sympathy for the Wings
and none Of the men were inclined to
risk certain death should they fall into
the hands Of the enemy. In this dilenl-
ma, unexpectedly, young and pretty
girl appeared before Gen. Greene to
offer her services in the hazardous un-
dertaking. The general was delighted
by the spirit and boldness of the young
girl, not more than 1S years old.
Perceiving her to be bright and in
telligent beyond her years he carefully
communicated the contents of the let
ter he entrusted to her for fear Of its
being lost on the way.
The heroic maiden mounted a fleet
steed, crossed the Wateree and pressed
on to Sumter's camp. The second day
Of her journey while passing through a
dense wood she encountered party of
Tory scouts who seized her as an OBJ
ject Of suspicion and locked her up as
prisoner in a house nearby. Her ready
wit and innocent replies protected her
until woman was sent for to examine
and search her. No sooner had the
men left her in solitary confinement
than she, with great presence of mind,
disposed of the dispatch most effectu-
ally by eating it piece by piece, and
nothing contraband was found when
the matron arrived to make the search.
Her apparent simplicity and innocence
so imposed upon the British officer that
she was soon released and allowed to
proceed on her journey to visit
friend" she said, and thus she was
soon flying across the country towards
Sumter's headquarters at Orangeburg,
where she delivered her message from
Greene, which brought Sumter and his
forces to his aid, and enabled him to
carry out an important move against
the enemy.
Pretty Emily Geiger survived those
narrowing days Of war and its conse-
quent trials and lived to rejoice with
her country over the splendid victory
that crowned her struggle for liberty.
Forty years after we hear Of her
dancing with Gen. Lafayette at the
ball given to him when he passed
though Columbia on his triumphal tour
through the United States in 1925.
She married a Mr.. Threewits, re-
spectacle planter Of Fairfield and un-
fortunately left no lineal descendant to
represent her in the patriotic societies
Of today.
But history and tradition have pre-
served to us the story Of her heroism
and her memory is encircled with the
halo of a dauntless deed. AS we look
upon the beautiful tablet erected by