The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-04-11
GEN LEES
Defended in Italy by Carolinians-
Columbian Fought an Ital-
ian.

The death Of Miss Mildred Lee,
the younger daughter OF Gen. Robert
E. Lee. says the Columbia State, re-
calls an incident in which several
South Carolinians played a most
worthy part in defending the other
daughter OF the Confederacy's crate
military chieftain.
In the year 1873 Messrs. w. A.
Clark and John T. Sloan Of Column
bia and the late D. a. Parker Jordan
of Greenwood, with Dr.. Roberts OF
Georgia, were making a tour OF ltatly
and were staying at a hotel in Naples
at which Miss Mary Lee with a lady
from New York CHANGED to be guests
Miss Lee had just come over from
the African coast. 1t was summer
and very warm in Naples. Miss Lee
in handling the candle with which her
room was lighted accidentally set fire
to the netting Of the bed and the
taDestrv in the room. The fire was
quickly extinguished and the damage
was uncomfortable.
Mr.. Clark was in the hotel Office
when the proprietor mentioned the
fire to him and declared that Miss
Lee had set fire to his house malici-
ously. Ordinarily there is no more
mild hammered mar than the presl-
dent of the Carolina National bank
and of the Columbia Chamber OF
Commerce, but this insult to the
daughter Of the great leader whom he
had followed in the fortunes Of the
loved Lost Cause was more than Mr..
Clark could bear and quick as light
ming he struck the insolent Italian
hotel man over the head with his UNI
brella and was proceeding to give
him a sound thrashing when the EN-
ployes of the hotel rushed to the res
u of their master and Mr.. Clark,
like the Confederacy, was being over
whelmed with numbers.
The present lieutenant governor OF
South Carolina was standing outside
the hotel looking out over the beau
tiful Bay of Naples when a friend
brought him news Of Mr.. Clark's en-
counter within. Col. Sloan rushed in
to his friends assistance and soon
Mr.. Jordan and DR.. Roberts had join
ed in the fray. The four southerne-s
were fighting a score OF more OF the
"cowardly Italians" as Col. Sloan
calls them, and the bravery which
had distinguished the followers OF
Lee would have put the sons OF the
south to flight had not the police
been called in and the fighting ceas-
ed.
When the cause OF Mr.. Clark's en-
counter was made known to the 9TH
er gentlemen of his party their anger
was as great as his own, and each OF
them was ready for another tight
with the man who had reflected upon
Miss Lee. Col. Sloan challenged him
to come outside and fight with any
weaoons he should select.
The Americans got their luggage
and went to another hotel, expecting
TO be arrested and not caring to seek
safety in flight. Miss Lees baggage
was attached by the hotel man, who
made a bold demand for damage,
which he could not have recovered IN
law, and the Americans were also
anxious to remain until this matter
was properly settled. Mr.. Duncan, OF
Newberry was then United States
consul at Naples and he was interest
ed in the affair by the gentlemen
from his state and used his Offices to
effect . settlement. Miss Lees et-
fects were soon released and she con-
tinued her journey.
During these few days spent IN
Naples awaiting the outcome, a trip
was taken down the bay and Miss
Lee expressed her gratitude to the
heretofore unknown defenders OF