The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-04-30

O.. !
RIVERS BRIDGE MEMORIAL.
A Large Crowd Present and Eloquen'
Speeches Made.
Last Friday was the day set apart by
the Rivers Bridge Memorial Association
as memorial day, when they would meet
to commemorate the herolsm OF the
gallant confederate dead, some of whom
lie sleeping in the cemetery on the mem
orial grounds. No braver soldiers fol
lowed the starry cross than those patrl'
otic souls who volunteered from this sec
ton of old Barnwell county, and the same
spirit of devotion to patriotism and
principle has prompted the custom OF
memorial day. With hearts full Of 10y.
atty to those who fought and bled and
died for their country's sake, each year
these loving people meet to strew the
graves with flowers and to hear from the
lips of eloquent speakers the story or a
brave fight made by soldiers who feared
death less than dishonor. Handicapped
by many obstacles the people of the
Rivers Bridge section have pressed for
ward in this work of love until to-day
this memorial day is accounted the largest
and most important gathering IN the
lower part of the State. Some OF the
ablest men South Carolina has produced
have been the speakers ON these occasions,
and to be invited as one of the orators on
memorial day at Rivers Bridge is an
honor to be held in high esteem.
Sad to say, however, some OF those VINO
gather there each year do not seem to
enter into the spirit of the day, but take
it rather as day of recreation and pleas
ure. Let US hope that this idea will be
dispelled, and that there will hereafter be
more of the true spirit of memorial day
shown.
The day was beautiful one, and as
usual there was an immense crowd OF
people present, from Bamberg, BarnWell,
Hampton, Colleton, and other counties.
Before the exercises were commenced
the Association held a business meeting,
at which Capt. J. C. Mcmillan, who has
served faithfully as president for the past
four wears, rendered his resignation. DR..
N. F. Kirkland, ST., than whom there is
no grander character, was unanimously
elected president for the ensuing TWO
years Capt. Mcmillan has served the
Association ably and we'll, and DR.. klrk-
land only takes up again the work which
is near his heart-for the cause he loves so
well-for we believe he was the first presl-
dent the Association ever had. Capt. ".
E. Sease and Mr.. J. J. Copeland were
elected vice. presidents; Capt. J. w. Jenny,
secretary; Mr.. J. F. Kearse, ST., treaurer;
and Rev. s. P. Chisholm, chaplain. A
new executive committee was also elected,
but we failed to get all the names.
The memorial exercises were begun by
a song by the choir, then Chaplain CHS
holm offered fervent prayer, after which
President Mcmillan made short but very
appropriate and timely address, at the
close of which he introduced Hon. A. r.
Lever, Congressman from the second dis
trict, as the first orator of the day. After
Mr.. Levers address there was another
song, and Rev. f. W. Peoples, the elo-
ouent and beloved pastor of st. Johns
Baptist church, was introduced. NO
synopsis would do justice to either
speaker The speeches of both were In
deed fitting to the occasion-one a grey
haired Confederate soldier, and the other
the son of man who folio Ted the nag
till it went down at ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
fully illustrating the truth that the same
spirit which induced the fathers to lay
down their lives for their country's sake
still lives in the breasts Of the young men
of to-day.
After the exercises the graves were
decorated with beautiful flowers brought
by the tender women, and it was especi-
ally noticeable to US that there was 4
much greater quantity of flowers brought
than ever before
Then dinner was announced, and
hearty and generous hospitality was dis
pensed by these whole-souled people to
all, even the stranger within the gates.
None were overlooked, but all were
kindly and generously cared for
After dinner social conversation and a
general mingling of the people was in
order, until little after four o'clock,
when many who came from distance
began to leave for their homes.
Only one unpleasant feature marred the
day. About dinner time row took place
on the lower edge of the grounds 1t
seems from the best information We could
gather that two men, named Barnes and
Till, got into fight, in which Till was
slightly cut on the throat and face. Then
Magistrate J. G. Copeland and his con-
stable, Mr.. Johns, went to arrest Barnes
or stop the fight, and Barnes cut them
both. Magistrate Copeland was cut on the
left thigh and Johns in the right thigh
and on the cheek. Barnes was badly beat
up in the melee, but made his escape.
Several physicians were on the grounds
and they dressed the wounds, all OF which
were slight, none of them being at all
serious. 1t was very regrettable affair,
and it is extremely fortunate that no one
was killed or seriously hurt. We do not
know the origin of the trouble, but are
afraid liquor was largely responsible for
it. In fact there was too much Whlskey
afoat anyway. Numbers of men, while
they were not drunk, were drinking,
more so we think than at any previous
gathering. This is lamentable, and we
truly deplore it. Until last year these
gatherings had been much disturbed by
shooting down in the swamp, but last
year the Association decided to break it
up, which they effectually did. Now if
they can stop drinking, they will have
done a good work. These memorial
meetings are sacred occasions, and are
the times of all others when man should
leave whiskey alone. We trust that it
will be put an end to, at least to the ex-
tent that it will not be so noticeable.