The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-10-01
$. O. JOURNER BOBs Up AGAIN.
The Death of Bill Arp Recalls to Mind
Two Post. t.Bellum Incidents.

| ULMER, September 26.-Mr. Editor:
| The facts referred to will be "chestnuts
| to some but will be new to majority OF
the readers of THE HERALD. The late
Chas, Smith, Bill Arp, had neighbor
prior to, during the Civil War, and sever
al years afterwards, by the name OF Will
lam Arp. The latter was plain, practl-
cal farmer, and only Zigzag fence sepa-
rated the lands of the two honest yeomen
the one to "the manor born, the other,
in the parlance of the day, piebeian.
The twain would often meet at the line
| fence and "cuss" and discuss the topics
of the day. Mr.. Smith would eagerly
listen to the odd and unique ideas ana ex-
pressions of his friend, and then return
home and indite them on paper ana IN
few DAYS those ideas would be in the
public print, perused and Illuminated on"
by thousands of readers throughout the
land. All know that Mr.. Smith possess
ed a store house of wisdom and original
ity of thought, but it was the peculiar
lotions of his neighbor-friend that be
wished to convey to the world, and IN his
early writings often purposely mlspeiled
words in order to do SO.
On one occasion there came terrible
freshet in a nearby stream, the Tomblg-
bee. William Arp had a hog pen on the
hillside of the said stream containing
several hogs. A cloudburst fell late one
afternoon and the creek, like Johns
town food, overfowed its banks, ana
next morning Mr.. Arp went to look after
his stock and behold, the pen had been
swept away by the rushing waters from
the face of the land. Meeting Mr. Smith,
who had also repaired to the river to see
the extent of damages, etc, be said: "Well,
'nabor' my pen, swine and all have gone
on 'scursiOn down the Tombigbee." .
Away back in the sixties, the writer &C
companied a notable character, Major
B, of old Barnwell county, to "the
city by the sea-" He, like the Edgeheldian,
Ned Bruce, (Bacon) had pcnchant for
having fun wherever he went. Meeting
up with the late Dr. B, of Aiken
county, they went to the drug house OF
Dowie & Noise and on coming out the
major said the doctor had bought all the
pills, powders, and pullakens the firm had
in stock. Having spent three or four
days in the city, purchasing goods, seeing
the sights, visiting some of the forts, ETC.,
the major and the writer boarded tram
for Bamberg. A mile or so from the city,
the conductor entered the door and hal
looed tickets" When he approached
the major, the latter said: Gap, | have
no ticket or the tin to pay my fare; now,
what are you going to do about it!"
The captain replied: well, ifyour friend
here can't lend you the money, you must
get off at the next station Major B
retorted: "My seat-mate and are just
from Dead -brokenborough,' and can't
scare up ha' penny" With a shrug the
conductor passed ON. Before reaching
Summeryille the newsboy came in with
his papers and books; among the latter
was an epitome biography of Bill Arp.
The Major opened one of the latter at the
frontispiecc and gazing at the picture
awhile said: "Why, that is an imposture;
you see that is not true type, and even
the autograph is not facsimile and l
will tlammergast the publishers for such
burlesque." The newsboy passed
through the coaches and "norated" that
the renowned Bill Arp was aboard.
Passengers and train crew soon came IN
the aisle craning their necks and leaning
over the seats to get look at the social
ed great humorist. At BranchVille sever
al of the citizens came to the windows to
get glimpse of the Georgia writer, and
numbers left the waiting Columbia train.
ran across the v-shaped platform, and
some of the ladies even passed through
the doors of the mo tick" bar-room to
get a peep. One lady passed through
the entire length of the coach facing
Major B. and wore rather short
dress of cheesecloth or sarcenet when he,
with look of dry humor in his eyes,
subtlely remarked: 81 bedadgummed it
that woman oughtn't to retire to her bou-
doir and finish her toilet"
The incident had created so much
curiosity and pleasurable excitement on
the train that the conductor followed the
major to the waiting-room and Emporium
ed him to continue his journey to Au-
gusta and his car fare should be-nil, but
he was just opening a store about 20
miles in the country and had to forego
the kind invitation. Of course he had
handed up his ticket before reaching
Rranchyil)e