The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-05-25
A RECONSTRUCTION STORY.
The First klu-Klux Club Formed.


Mr.. j. P. Gibson, Of Bennettsvi,le,
S. c., contributes the following to the
Charlotte Observer:
This thrilling little story, SO preg-
nant with facts, came under my own
observation, and scores Of people now
living can testify to the absolute truth
fulness Of every detail herein related,
Notwithstanding it will read like an
imaginary blood-curdling love episode,
so often the production Of some sensa-
tional romancer's mind. I was lad
in my teens during the exciting period
of 1865-'66 Immediately after the
bloody Civil War, when the Southland
was under military rule, and Federal
troops were stationed in almost every
Southern town.
Thousands Of slaves, ignorant and
inflated with the joy Of their recent
freedom, were giving citizens much
trouble and by their numerous depre-
dations and encouraged by the pres
ence Of Yankee soldiers, were embold-
ened to the perpetation Of deeds
which banded the whites together for
protection. Squire Lawson, who re-
sided near the Pee Dee river in South
Carolina, >on the old "Wire road,"
near the North Carolina State line,
was constantly annoyed by neighbor-
ing Stree negroes" who, even in the
day time, would enter his pasture and
kill his hogs, and frequently fat beef
cattle were shot down and butchered
by negroes from large "querter" ad-
joining the Lawson farm.
Squire Lawson had spent four years
in the army, having been wounded
three times, had two horses shot from
under him, and st Bull Run lost his
left leg. Squire Lswson's brother
was killed in the war, leaving one
daughter, Miss Minnie Lawson, who.
after her fathers death, made her
home with her uncle, Squire Lawson.
She was beautiful brunette. and had
during the war graduated at Salem
College, N. c., and was universally
popular, for indeed she was charm
ing Southern girl. Miss Minnie was
engaged to Lieutenant Foster, mem
Der Of the Hampton Legion, who was
captured near the close Of the war,
and for several months after General
Lees surrender, this young Confed-
crate officer was detained in Federal
prison, far up North.
Miss Minnie, on account Of the mis-
erable mail facilities, had not heard
from Lieutenant Foster since his cap
ture, and really did not know whether
he was dead or living. She had many
suitors, among whom was o dashing
Yankee officer, commanding the gar
rison stationed at B but Of course
his visits and attention met with stub
born opposition from Squire Lawson.
In Fact the one-legged Confederate
soldier had personally ordered the
Yankee officer to discontinue his visits
and attention to his niece. This
highly incensed the garrison comman-
der, and he was more persistent than
ever to meet aud arrange elandestine
engagements with Miss Minnie.
Thesyoung lady dearly loved Lieu.
tenant Foster, and daily watched
through the vines froy, tha old portieo
hoping to see her lover returning.
She often looked at the large gold
ring and photograph given her while
her loyerfaass 90 home on his last fur
lougli. ssShs would take his Old letters
from her trunk and rssa shsua over
aud over, while tears nnrestrained
flowed down her checks. She would
soliloquise and wonder if he vas still
living, and howiloDg-iif ever--besore
she would see him.
Lieutenant Foster was reared ten
miles from the home tof Squire Lave
son, and sasit ne owner Or 800 slaves
and several thousand acres Of valu.
ableireal estste--he had jus. gradu-
ated from the University Of Virginia,
when he enlisted ~ his country's Q
cause. and WAS soon camping on the
hill1 of fljld. Virginia. His courtship,
|engag gemens aud marriage, which was
IpianSsd TO take place as soon as the
wsr closed was agreeable Co both
3families, and had :;ioesn announced By
Miss Aiinnie,s father before his tragio
death Of 3. Eavs's Shop one of the
2severest battIna of thS., isvar.
While Mics Iinnie meant ITO BE
true and loyal Cd har brave and eourl.-;
zsgeous loYer, and while she respected
and dearly loved her uncle, and did