Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1903-02-18

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Old Pickens, February 14.-Edi-
tors Courier: Nearly everything
have written concerning Old Pickens
has been of reminiscent character.
have endeavored to describe the
most notable events, and to tell all |
knew or could learn of her most
prominent people.
These sketches, however, would be
Imperfect were it not stated that
only three of the old buildings within
the corporate limits Except the
churoh) remain: One large and sub
stantial building, combining store
house and dwelling, on what was the
public square, known as the Kirksey
house, now owned and occupied by
Mr.. Edward CAN'T, who is engaged
in merchandising and farming there.
Mr.. CAN'T is the only descendant of
any OF the former residents of the
village who still resides there. He
is a son of the late learned and ac-
complished VIM. j. CAN'T, and a
grandson of that able jurist and dis
tinguished Judge, Richard CAN'T, of
Greenville. Mr.. CAN'T is now in the
prime OF his manhood, and though,
like most young men at the close of
the war, he began life without means,
he has made a success and accumu-
lated considerable property.
The splendid, picturesque resi-
dence above the iron bridge, on the
elevated bank of Keowee river, was
built nearly one hundred years ago
by Pleasant Alexander, and is now
owned, with several hundred acres
of fine lands, by Mr.. j. b. Hill, for
merly of Pickens county. Mr.. Hill
is shining example of what indus
try, economy and perseverance can
accomplish on the farm. Beginning
life as a renter boy, he has risen,
step by step, until he is now the
owner. of this splendid river farm,
besides much other valuable prop
erty, and has barely passed the
meridian of life.
The handsome dwelling erected
by Col. Elliot M. Keith in the early
days is still standing, and, with the
adjacent farm, is now owned by Mr..
G. w. Moser, formerly of West
Union. Mr.. Moser is another self
made man who began life with noth-'
ing, and, unaided, has gained for
himself an independence on the farm.
With such examples as these be-
fore our very eyes, how can we say
to the young men of the country,
90 to the towns; there is no money
and no pleasure in farming?
One mile west of the old Court
House site stands the magnificent
brick edifice which was the residence
of the gallant Col. Miles M. Norton,
aud which, with a large tract of val
liable land, is now the property of
Mrs. II. A. and Miss Sallie Norton,
widow and daughter of the late
Judge j. j. Norton, whose inimita-
BILE life and admirable career have
already been sketched. This prop
erty is now under the control of Mr..
s. l.. Richardson, who is largely en-
gagged in farming and saw milling,
and is doing much for the commu-
ENTHUSIASTICALLY, morally and re-
ligiously.
Messrs. Thomas r.. Keith and
Lucius b. Lee, near by, each in con-
troll of many rich ancestral acres,
deserve mention as two most intelli-
gent and promising young farmers.
But this weather is discouraging
to farmers. Nothing done in Janu.
ary, and still 1T rains and it rains.
wonder if the heavens are weep
ing over tho infamous conduct of
Roosevelt, or the bloody deed Of jim
Tillman--or both |! AS Bill Arp
would say, | have BEEN "ruminating"
about these two fellows for some
time. When / read about Roose-
welt in Cuba, and Joe Wheeler
praised him, / thought he was and |
admired him as patriot and soldier;
when he came to Charleston, made a
speech, presented that sword and
appointed Major Jenkins to office, /
thought he had imbibed little of
the magnanimous spirit of the great
and good Mckinley, and cared some
thing for the South. But when he
dined with Booker II. Washington
l changed my opinion somewhat !;
and when he denounced our great
chieftaiD, Jeff Davis, as an "Arch
Traitor" | knew he was an "Arch"
liar and bitter enemy to the South !;
and when he invited "them niggers"
to reception at the White House
knew he was corrupt socially as well
as politically; and this Crum busi-
ness in Charleston caps the climax.
i wonder how he relished the medi-,
cine administered to him by John
Temple Graves. tits just what he
needed, but guess he is too stub
born and bull.headed to listen to any
body--cven the God who made him.
Somebody has compared him to a
chameleon--a sort of lizard that
changes its color to that of whatever
| it gets on. reckon he is on black
tree and is going to stay there.
am sorry for his family, and
don't think the "seven wise men" of
New Orleans should snub Miss Alice
on account of the 'cussedness OF her
father and his negro affiliations.
Judging from her picture and what
/ have read of her, she is pure,
good girl, and no doubt many a
blush has mantled her cheeks at the
misconduct of her father. She can't
help it.
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