Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1905-01-11
FIFTY YEARS AGO.
"reminiscences Of schoolboy Days In the
Newberry ot the Past.

Wllilam heeuer, an estfmable cltlzen,
an excellent, though aus.oTe school,
master, taught school at Bush River
Baptist church. Bennett Wallace,
John Satterwhite, Capt. Asa Davis
and Capt. Bella Mangum were the
trustees. The Oldest and largest
boys in school were Wash johnson,
Wesley Pitts, Charlie Davenport and
your humble scribe.
In those good old ante-bellum days
it was customary for the scholars,
about the first of July, to turn their
teachers out, that is force them, if
necessary, to treat the school and
give them short vacation. This
was done in various ways. The last
resort was to seize the teacher, carry
him to some pool or stream of water,
and if he would not grant the re.
quest duck him until he yielded.
The boys determined week or
two before hand to turn Mr.. Reeder
out, and committed, as the sequel
will show, a great blunder in making
the matter public. Mr.. Reeder heard
of our intentions and consulted the
trustees, who agreed to aid him in
his resolution to thwart the boys
purpose. The first Friday in July
was set to make the trial. Early
that morning the largest boys as
sembled at the school house, ignorant
of the determination of the teacher
and trustees. Wash Johnson, the
oldest and largest boy, was chosen
leader and spokesman. Mr.. Reeder,
who lived too far from the school
house to walk, rode horseback. At
the customary hour of his arrival, he
hove in sight, in a sweeping gallop.
1t was noticed that instead of stop
ping at his usual hitching place, he
came straight on to the house in
front of which we boys were stand
ing ready TO meet him as he rode up.
johnson advanced to the horse's
side, saying, "Come on, boys, let's
take him off his horse" Johnson
caught the bride reins with his left
hand on the horse's withers, and
placed his right hand on Reeder's leg
above the knee. l caught hold of
his leg on the other side. Johnson
said, "Mr. Reeder, we want you to
treat us and give us week or two
vacation" Mr.. Reeder replied, "I
will do no such thing at this time !;
when l get ready may do So"
johnson again called on the boys to
assist in taking Reeder from his
horse. Reeder had in his hand a
long hickory switch. This he flour
ished over my head as if ha intended
to strike. ! SAID, aMr. Reeder, don't
you strike me with that switch |" and
stepped back few feet to avoid the
blow.
About this time the trustees were
seen hurriedly approaching. Man
gum was a heavy built man, weigh
ing perhaps $50 pounds, very procu-
berant in front The weather was
very warm; heg was in his shirt
sleeves and wore pair of large
legged linen pants. Putting and
blowing as he approached, he said,
"Boys, if were Mr.. Reeder, would
whip every one, and make you 60 in
the house to your books !' To which
johnson replied, using an oath,
"Capt. Mangum, perhaps there are
some here that neither you nor Mr..
Reeder can whip" Matters were
growing warm apace. Danger ap-
peared imminent. The other trus-
tees said, "Boys, you had better de-
sist; give it up; Mr.. Reeder no doubt
will grant your request when he gets
ready. Go to your books and all will
be right in short time" Johnson
had the school house key on the fore
finger Of h;s left hand, which was
resting on the horses name. Reeder
snatched the!key, dismounted, turned
his horse over to the care of one of
the smaller boys, and unlocking the