The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-11-02
HORSE SHOPPERS CONVENTION,
It's Proceedings Described.
News and Courier.

SAN Va Viz StICcts hIIeISAsG =
beautiful country. A pasture here
with dwelling on the hillside backed
by woods-then another clearing-the
land more and more adulterating, then
the foothills OF the Appslaohiau range,
above, the rugged but picturesque
lines Of it's numerous blue peaks.
On the left of the street at the cor.
ner, and opposite the stately old
whitewashsd, stuoooed Court House,
was vacant let, then came the large
free stable" mentioned in the faripg
hand bills, after that were some email
buildings once occupied as Offices by
gifted men Of the legal profession
whose names now adorn the pages of
history, but whose Offices are now hab-
tied by negroes. And, almost in the
centre of the negro cabins, q long
building, the habitat in later years of
many gay and jovial souls, being then
q bar, while..now of the State "moral
institutions"-s dispensary.
BY midday the whole section of
country for miles around had come,
and it was not long before the trading
begun. The invitation had been &C.
cepted literally. There were horses
and mules of all colors, ages and ply
sical conditions. Dogs were also
plentiful, from the finest setter or
pointer to the ''yaller,n fop-eared,
aea- bitten hound. But most siguifi.
cant Of all, was the absolute oblitera-
tion of the color-line. Men who had
participated in white cap" expedi-
tions were hobnobbing with negroes,
not only bartering and trading, but on
the hillside under the caves of the
free STABLE" drinking out of the
same bottle. Then out they would go,
some arm in arm, then on their ami
mails and up the street at break neck
speed, laughing and talking.
Near the corner outside Of the va.
cant lot, had been established what
was called show, 3 negro calling him
self the "Sly Coon," putting his head
through piece Of canvas stretched
over an upright frame, offering those
paying 5 cents the exquisite pleasure
of throwing at his head three times
with an ordinary base ball. Each hit
got cigar Imported, of course,) three
hits SO cents. And to this the crowd
aocked. Numbers took off their coats
and threw a. the darky's head. AS
those more invigorated than others by
some of the States chemically pure"
would either throw wild or hit the me-
gre's head, there would be pesls of
daughter and exultant yells. All
swapping or trading was abandoned,
and ct last the president Of the con-
vention interfered. The man run
ming the show, however, said he had
paid license 60 the town aad vas going
to run on. That he did the balance
Of the day and had the crowd.
The third dsy was clear and cold.
The "sly Coon" was again in evidence,
but failed to catch the crowd. 1t
looked as if the "delegatea'' 30 the
Convention meant business-were 60
ing to swap-and they soon got at it.
The large lot adjoining the stable
seemed to please their fancy. Il had
hollow in it, but Of that they seemed
TO take but little notice. Two by Two
they we're seen rushing down the
sward, over the hill and then up the
hill. a ss;s here, pair there, could
be seen to 'light" and, in the twink
ling Of an eye, saddles and brides
changed and they were riding back
each triumphant-they had swappedi'
And thus it continued for hours. But
there was white man, with white
horse, that had apparently come
through the Revolutionary war. It's
legs we're bowed like that Of q bull.
dog, with face careworn, indesd pa.
thetio, to degree, The white man
had been bantered for trade by an
old half drunk negro. the possessor Of
white mule, the age Of which equal
led, if not exceeded, that Of the horde.
The two men rode and talked. mixed
with others, got together, rode and
talked again. At last they attracted
the attention Of many. This trade,
should there be one, was being watch
ed with interest. ,;ls
A cold wind was coming from the
mountains; the sun sinking ID : halo
Of crimaon and gold--the third and
last day Of the s'Conyention' ,wss