Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-04-20
HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
From the First Settlement to the Close OF
the Revolution.
From the Yorkville Enquirer Of 1875
INSTALLMENT XXXII.
Notable Period of Drought.

The summer of 1928 was, in South
Carolina, excessively hot and dry. The
crops were cut off and so great was
the evaporation, that many OF the
small upland streams and ponds were
dried up. Wild animals were reduced to
the greatest straits and many of them
lperished for want of water. This drought
was followed in August by a terrific
storm. The streets Of Charles Town
were covered with water driven IN
from the river. Houses and trees were
blown down. Twenty-three ships ly-
ing In the harbor were dashed with
violence on shore and totally destroy
ed. Only two large vessels-the Fox
and the Garland-outrode the Storm
These were warships stationed at the
entrance of the harbor for the protec-
ton of the town. For security from
the flood the inhabitants of the town
were forced to take refuge In the up
per stories of their houses. 1t may not
be uninteresting to remark that this
was the third hurricane that had Vis-
tied the country since its settlement by
the English The first was In 100,
the second i'm 1713. These as we will
see were followed by others at irreg-
ular periods.
Yellow Fever Scourge
The storm of 1928 was followed by
the yellow fever This was the third
time that this dreadful disease made
it's appearance. So fatal was 1t at this
time that it was often difficult for
friends to obtain assistance in burying
their dead The people in the country
became alarmed and no person from
the plantations was permitted to visit
the town, lest the disease might be
contracted and carried into the coun-
try. The town was dependent upon the
plantations in it's vicinity for supplies.
None being brought in, the town was
threatened with famine.
Sale of the Soil to the King.
In the year 1928, the proprietors,
with the exception Of Lord Carteret,
sold their interest in the soil to the
king of Great Britain. The purchase
Of the seven -eighths Of this extensive
territory was made for the insignificant
sum of eighty-seven thousand five
hundred dollars. The payment was to
be made in 1929. In 1719 the govern
ment of the state was surrendered to
the King of England. Now the soil
was bought and the province became
directly under the control Of the crown
of England. All things considered, this
was a good thing. Under the proprie-
tary government it is very probable
that the colony would have struggled
for few years and then died. BY the
act of the British parliament, power
was granted the king of England to
appoint governor for each of the
Carolinas. In 1929 the province was
divided into North and South Carolina,
but the division was not effected until
|1732. The line was not run until 1876,
and then with no degree of accuracy
Situation Begins to Brighten.
So soon as the province was placed
wholly in the hands of the king, every
thing began to assume new and ia
vorable aspect. Among the first un-
dertakings of the royal government was
an attempt to conciliate the Indian
tribes and form, with them. alli-
ances Of friendship. To effect this OBJ
ject, Alexander Cummings was sent out
with full power to treat with the Varl-
Gus tribes living in the region now oc-
cupied by the northwestern counties OF
the state. In 1880, Cummings pene-
trated the forest as far as Keowee
town. Here, in April, the chiefs met,
and in friendly manner, entered into
negotiations for the general welfare OF
themselves, their people and the Eng
lish settlers.
Six Of the chiefs accompanied Cum
ming to Charles Town, where they
were Joined by another and all seven
of June arrived safely in England.
They landed at Dover; thence
they went to London, and were
ushered into the presence of the
King of England. Speeches were
made by the Indians and by King
George, and finally treaty was drawn
up and signed by Alured Popple, secre-
tary of the lords commission Of trade
and plantations for and in behalf OF
the English crown, and by the marks
the Cherokees. These six chiefs had
gone to England as deputies to Moytoy,
the chief warrior of the Cherokees; and
of course, their action was regarded as
binding. In 1871 these Indian deputies
returned to America. They accompa-
MED Robert Johnson. who was ap-
pointed by the king, governor of South
lCarolina.
Governor johnson Comes Back.
This was the same Robert Johnson,
who was governor of South Carolina,
when the proprietary government In
l1717, was superseded by the royal. The
Iappointing of Johnson governor show
ed that he had not, in the least, for
feited the confidence of either the peo-
pie or the king. He had struggled
nara 10 Teldlll llle proprietary lollll VI
government. but had failed. He did
his duty He was faithful to his en-
ployers the proprietors of the province,
and now, in 1881 he is again honored
with the office of governor. The choice
was certainly wise one. Robert
Johnson was thoroughly acquainted
with the colony. He knew the men.
The New Government.
Thomas Broughton was appointed
lieutenant governor. and Robert
Wright, chief justice. William Bull
James Kinloch, Alexander Skene, John
Fenwick. Arthur Middleton, Joseph
Wragg, Francis YOnge, Jno. Hamerton
land Thomas Waring, were the remain
ling members of the council. From the
commencement of his administration,
johnson manifested great interest in
the Royal government, and also In the
people of the colony. He recommend
ed the assembly to pass a vote OF
thanks to his majesty the King of Eng