The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-02-22

aDhees from burning de house, but
dey is settin it afre, right now. brcss
lie Lawd!"
Stimulated to action by tho horror
of the situation, Miss Hepry rushed
out in the front porch, ringing her
hands, cried:
Is there no Mason among these
soldiers, who will come to the relief
OF a Mason's daughter, in her deep
distress2"
The vow of Knighthood was to de-
fend the defenceless, to protect no.
manhood! Is not similar promise
demanded in the great fraternity of
Freemasons?
A number Of troops were marching
by. A young Federal officer drew
reius; and said in answer to her ap-
peal:
81 am a Mason madam; how can l
serve you?"
Briefly Miss Henry described tbs
situation, and implored him to save
the house, and prevent her mother
body from bcieg cremated.
A sharp order issued to the troops
and soon every trespassing soldier
was forced to leave the inclosure, the
fires wore extinguished and guard
placed around the house.
Then the officer sought Miss Henry
and Informed her that Gen. Sher-
mans headquarters were within
block or two Of her home, that he
would Immediately seek che General,
explain the situation, and secure
permanent guard.
The promise was fulfilled. A guard
was kept around the house, and every
delicate courtesy possible was shown
by the young Federaloficer to the be-
reaved and helpless ladies'.
A gloomy day succeeded the night
of lurid hours. The leaden clouds
hung low over smouldering, black
ened ruins. The volumes of smoke
asscended from the burned buildings,
and blended with the gray, low lying
sky; from which chilly moisture
drippcd, increasing tho discor It of
the homeless, wrctched inha,.tants
of the ruined city.
The Federal army remained several
days in Columbia and it became neces-
sary to- consigu to the bosom Of
mother earth the beloved dead.
A perplexing, as we'll as distressing
question, confronted the bereaved
daughters of Mrs. Henry. The ur-
dertakiDg establishments had shared
the general destruction.
Neither casket, hearse, nor carriage
were left, aud no material nor tools
to make coffin.
The Federal officer, I have alluded
to, was again equal to the emergency.
He, requested permission to examine
the premises. And in the basement
Of Che dwelling he found the piano
box, where'it had been stored.
| Ont of this material the carpenters
of Gen. Sherman's army framed rude
coffin, and the body Of Mrs. Henry
was placed therein.
Ah! the noble spirit had SCARED far
beyond the contracted sphere Of
earthly environment. $
Prof. Henry had beon Inferred
with all the honor which could be
accorded loved and highly honored
professor of the South Carolina Col
lege, in the prosperous ante bellum
days.
What o painful oontrastl at5.....t.f 3! s...5
On dreary February ,dny, q for
lorn funeral procession Wended its
way through the desolate streets Of
the ruined city to Trinity Church
a Young Federal officer was among the
stricken mourners. 4. 4. Ia q
The impressive service Of the 'Epis-
copal Church was read, anil the eB-
teemed and beloved dead consigned
to the bosom oe mother earth. ; y
They sleep--Prof. Robert Henry
and his wife in the shadow OF old
Trinity" s,..ss
And natures choriaters chant an.
unending requiem over the honored
dead who lie theral f39{
turn q tragic leaf Of history, at q.
time when the souls Of men and Wo-
men. in our fair SoAh land were tried
in the erucible affiiction-and no page
shows darker blot than che burning,
Of Columbia.
TO my regret, ! have besn unabIa TO-
ascertain The name AZ hn (lenSa a.. a. B