davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-09-05
EMILY GEIGER.
interesting Account of the Famous Ride OF that
Brave Revolutionary Heroine.

must communicate quickly with his
subordinates. and couriers are dis
patched to each of them. The uncer-
tainty of finding Sumter Immediately
and the certainty of exposing messen-
gers to danger and delay in a country
infested by bands of tories. made II
important that extreme care and eau
ton should be exercised. Spies were
constantly near and every movement
closely watched. An invalid John
Geiger. a wealthy planter, in whose
home Greene was quartered, was
trusted patriot. The blood of the best
German families coursed his veins.
He was in the confidence of the COM
manding officer and fully acquainted
with his environments. His daugh-
ter Emily who was only sixteen was
his nurse and companion and equally
loyal and true Fully informed with
references to the generals embarrass-
ment, she eagerly sought the prlvi-
lege of bearing the message to Sum
ter, feeling sure that she would not
be suspected. She had frequently
visited relatives on the Congaree and
was familiar with the route. The i'm
portance of instant communication
with Sumter: the doubt as to the
possibility of having the message safe
ly delivered by a trooper; and above
all the eagerness and earnestness OF
the brave girl. overcame all scruples,
and on the morning of July =, 1881,
Just as Greene was moving on tC
Winnsboro. she left his camp on her
perilous mission. bearing instructions
to the game partisan to move rapidly
to FRIDAYS Ferry where it was de-
sired to concentrate the forces with
the view of surprising and intercept
ing Rawdon at that point.
There were spies in the camp and
the truth was soon known to these
watchful foes. Near by lived rabid
Tory, one Lowry, who was soon in.
formed of the girls departure and
that she carried an important paper
She must be stopped if possible be-
fore Morgan's Range is passed and
friendly hands are ready to protect
her-a horseman is quickly dispatch
five hours and has ridden rapidly and
with a steady rein and the dangerous
point has been left behind and she
has not been intercepted. A motor
ious and merciless tory-Bell Mick
, is chosen to continue the pursuit
! Weary and almost exhausted by he1
! long and tiresome ride, the child al
nightfall reins up at farm house
near her road and inquiries the dis
| tance to Elwood's. where she hoped
! to rest until morning. Being inform
ed that she was ten miles from the
point she wished to reach. she accept
ed the invitation SO kindly offered tc
remain till morning. There has been
no news of Sumter. only that he was
thought to have crossed Broad river
and she accordingly indicates that she
The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-09-05

The following article was written
by W. T. Brooker, NJ. D., of LeXlng-
ton county. and published in the Lex
ington Dispatch under date OF wed
nesday. January l6. 1901:
4 quiet country home between the
Broad and Enoree rivers and near
their confluence. Midnight. wan
inc campfres in the grove near by
mark the resting place OF an arm!
sleeping. The stiffness OF the qulet
summer night is scarcely disturbed
bv the gentle football of the wary SEN
tinel as he PAGES TO and fro in the
weird shadows of the towering OAKS.
Suddenly the silence is broken by the
sound OF the gathering hoofs a morse
approaching rapidly. Quickly are
heard the formal Halt. Who comes
there" and the usual response
Friend with the countersign. Al
ter exchange Of few words IN nur-
ried converse. the rider moves prompt
lv in the direction Of the farm house
and dismounting. enters the chamber
of General Nathaniel Greene--the Of
ficer in command Of the Continental
army operating in upper and central
Carolina whose headquarters 10I
the time are here. The courier proves
to be a trusted scout who brings the
intelligence that Lord RaWdon. BE-
fore whom Greene has been retiring
has declined further pursuit and de-
cided to retrace his steps and recap
ture Fort CRANKY. near Fridays S Fer
ordered to abandon the fort at Nine
ty-SiX. and, keeping the North Edlstc
between his column and the American
army, to move to Orangeburg and
form a junction with Stuart, who had
been directed to march there from
Monks Corner These two columns
were to move together up the Con
saree and join Rawdon at Fridays
Ferry
The natural course for Greene tC
pursue would be to attack the enemy
in detail-to attempt the destruction
of Rawdon's column while he was
separated from his main army. I'm
fortunately his own troops are wldel!
separated, Lee in command of the
cavalry is near by. Marion is on the
:Santee trying to intercept or harass
Stuart. Huger and the Hamptons are
near Camden Colonel VIM. Wash
ington is on the Congaree. while Hill
and Bratton are above WinnsbOro iI
the direction Of Charlotte. Just
where Sumter was at this time (the
night of July LIST, 17SD was not ever
known to Greene himself. as he haC
not been heard from in some days
The week before he was moving tC
form junction with Greene who was
being pursued by Rawdon. Subse
uuently he had been ordered to move
down to the Congaree-from his po
sition between the Broad and Saluda
To accomplish his purpose. Greene
The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-09-05

ant and devoted nurse and it is prob
able that he had passed away before
her marriage.
Major Threewitts and his wife, En-
lily, lived happily together for more
than forty years. Their home for
part of the time was at CRANKY, and
later near the old State road about
ten miles below Columbia on what is
now known as the Patsey Jumper
place. When Lafayette visited Char
lesion seventy-five years since a ball
was given in his honor at which Mrs.
Threewitts was an honored guest as
the most distinguished heroine Of the
Revolutionary war. She passed away
in 1925 when she was sixty years old
and was laid to rest in the cemetery
at the old ThreeWitts' Homestead
(now owned by w. n. Martin) near
the Congaree river and about ten
miles from the city of Columbia. The
ancestor of the Geiger family in this
county was Herman Hans Conrad Won
Geiger who was once private secre-
tary to the king Of Nuremberg. He
came over in the earlier half of the
eighteenth century, (probably about
l1745) and settled in Lexington coun-
ty on the Congaree river, just south
of the mouth of Congaree creek. The
place during the Revolutionary war
belonged to his son Major Jacob Her
man Geiger. Another son, Hans or
John. was Emily's father. Her moth
er was Emily Nurph from Switzer-
land and was a member of the Murph
family so long and favorably known
as citizens of Orangeburg. Mrs. John
Geiger's brother, Colonel Murph, was
a distinguished officer in the Amerl-
can army. A number of Swiss pala-
tines came over together, and some
of them settled on the Saiuda and
probably gave the name to Switzer
Neck near the mouth of that river.
John Geiger moved after his mar
riage to that fertile section between
the Enoree and the Broad. now
known as Maybinton township in
NeWberry county. If Emily was
born after the removal it is prob
able that she was native of New
berry as is claimed. Otherwise 1t IS
most likely that she was born at the
paternal homestead in Lexington. At
any rate all of Emily Gelger that
could die sleeps beneath the soil OF
the last named county, which was for
many years the home of her adoption.
The honored subject of this sketch,
so far as the writer has been able to
learn, left no lineal descendants.
Very many of her relatives and their
descendants have been prominent and
influential, while not few have from
time to time been trusted public SER
wants. Major Jacob Geiger, after the
death of his first wife. married Miss
Dorothy ("Dolly") kinsler, charm
ing daughter of a Revolutionary hero
who was killed from ambush by
tory while at home suffering from
wound received at Fish Dam. This
estimable lady. after the death of her
first husband. married Major Abram
Geiger, who was LeXington's first
member of the house of representa-
tives. She lived to extreme old age,
dying in 1857. She knew Emily Gel
ger we'll and frequently entertained
her at her home After the death of
Mrs. Threewitts her husband placed
in keeping of Mrs. Geiger certain fam
The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-09-05

lily relics which are still in possession
of members of the family and are
priced above rubies. Among them
is a shawl of light texture which was
worn at the Lafayette ball.
= General Greene always gratefully
remembered his fair young courier
and presented her with handsome
set of jewels on her bridal morning.
Among the descendants of the Gel
gers of the Revolution are the Gel
gers, Kaiglers, kinslers, Mullers, Pat
ricks, Davises, Wolfes, Cayces and
many others who are more remotely
connected w. T. B.
Swansea, S. c., January, 1901.
The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-09-05

road. lived tory leader named Hog
abook: from whom came the name OF
the we'll known Hogabook Swamp.
This man had the full confidence of
the Royalists, and to his wife and
daughter were assigned the task OF
searching the person of the brave and
lovely Emily Geiger, with the hope OF
discovering the hidden paper and
thus disclosing Greene's plans. The
proud girl so overcame her chagrln
and scorn as to aid her enemy in
Fastening the search, as she had been
all the while in dread of the approach
of Mink who had passed the day in a
| fruitless search for the courageous
messenger. Nothing was discovered
to incriminate our heroine and Raw
don gallantly offered to place her in
care of female companion till morn
ing, as it was then near nightfall.
For reasons known to the reader she
asked to be permitted to go on to the
home of her uncle, Maj. Jacob Her.
man Geiger, who lived some five miles
below. This home was afterwards
burned by the tories and was just be-
low the mouth of Congaree creek, in
the plantation now belonging to the
Kinsler's. The grave yard is still to
be seen, and is near the old home
stead.) She was sent under an escort
to the place designated and after a
light repast and a short rest, still in
dread of her hated pursuer, continued
; her journey under the care OF brave
young cousin, down the COngaree to
McCord's Ferry Crossing here the
next morning and riding and inquir-
ing all the forenoon, she succeeded
at three in the afternoon of July 18th,
1881, in reaching Sumter's camp on
the Wateree where the road to Cam
! den crosses that stream. In less than
/ one hour after receiving the dispatch
! the brave officer had his troops in
motion, and though Greene failed in
his original purpose, the movement
of his troops in consequence OF this
effort hastened Rawdon's retreat to
! Orangeburg; arrested the march OF
Stuart, and placed Greene's army in
possession of Fort Motto (Which was
captured by Marion and Lee) and on
the line of communication between
Charleston and the up country.
The troops thus concentrated con-
tinued to press the Royalists in the
direction of the sea and soon came
the decisive battle of Eutaw Springs
which practically ended the struggle
in the Carolinas.
Among the captives at CRANKY
when the fork fell into the hands OF
the American forces in May ISL
when Greene surprised and captured
Maxfield with four hundred officers
and men-were four brave patriots
who were then prominent and influ-
ential and whose names are identified
with that of our herOine-Randal
| Geiger-a cousin-Wm. Rea who af-
forwards married Mrs. Tateman who
was originally Annie Geiger, Randal's
sister, and John and Llewellen Three
Wits The last named soon learned
to admire the brave young girl of
whom we are writing, who was as
beautiful as brave Eight years later
| in the summer 1889, at the home of
her uncle. Maj. Jacob Geiger, he led
/ her to the altar charming young
bride. Her father had long been an
invalid and she his constant attend
The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-09-05

will make her way in that direction
next morning. While her host was
caring for her horse the good woman
of the house piled her with confus-
ing questions, to which she necessar-
lily gave evasive answers. She told
her true name, however, and that she
was making her way to the nome or
relatives on the Congaree. The hus-
band is quickly informed that their
guest is the daughter of the rebel
John Geiger." but replies that she
should have food, and shelter and rest
if she were his worst enemy. Emily
retires early and sleeps soundly un-
til awakened by the halloo of belat-
ed rider who asks of her host the
alarming question, Have you seen
bit of a girl riding a small bay
horse, pass the road during the after
noon" A negative response is given,
and in the short conversation that
follows she learns that the ruthless
Bill Mick has traced her to her rest
ing place. Her host told the rider
that he would go on fools errand'
if he proceeded further that night
and easily persuaded him to stop.
The watchful girl caught occasional
words of the low voiced conversation
that ensued and she learned that they
were depending on vicious yarddog
to prevent her from leaving the house
before morning.
Some hours after. while all were
sleeping, she quietly dressed and
opening a window on the piazza
aroused the formidable brute who
was resting near. Meeting him with
fondling caresses as he approached,
her fears were changed to JOY when
she found that her dreaded enemy
was converted into friend. With
the faithful dog as an escort she
found and bridled her horse, and
lightly mounting bade a kind adieu
to her mute companion, and was soon
on the highway and beyond the hear
ing of her sleeping foes.
Quick witted as we'll as brave she
turned across the country to Kenner-
Iley's (now Lorick's) Ferry on the Sa-
luda, instead of continuing her jour
ney to the Broad as she had intended
the night before. A kindly shower
of rain had removed the traces of the
foot prints of her horse before her
departure was discovered, and her
pursuer was easily misled when he
attempted to follow. 1t was still ear
ly in the day when she crossed the
Saluda, and after passing Zion church
and riding some miles on her way
she was accosted by three British
troopers and learned for the first
time that Rawdon had passed down
the river on the south side the night
before and had retaken the fort at
Fridays Ferry. Young and inexper-
fenced and alarmed for the safety of
the concealed paper, her replies to
the questions Of her captors were con-
fused and unsatisfactory and she
was conducted to the headquarters
| OF Rawdon at a house near Cranky,
now known as the Cayce house (Still
standing) and there confined in the
south east room. Realizing that her
secret was in danger of being reveal
ed, she tore up the paper and swal-
lowed it piece by piece.
Near the banks Of Dry Creek, a
short distance above the point at
which the creek crosses the old State
The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-09-05
POSTSCRIPT.

Miss Anna PAMELA Cunningham,
who was living at or near Cokes-
bury less than forty years since knew
Emily Geiger we'll and frequently re-
lated the story of her brave adven-
ture. There are now living in
Bamberg and the other near Bakers
vile in Lexington county-two very
estimable ladies, of superior culture
and intelligence, who are grand
daughters of the Mrs. Dorothy Geiger
whose name appears in the narrative,
and who remembers clearly the story
as it came from the lips of their ven
cradle grandmother.
The story of the heroic deed of the
splendid girl has been so familiarly
known to the members of the family
and their friends; is so we'll authen-
ticated historically and by tradition;
and is so clearly sustained by the fam
lily records, that the futile attempt
of a recent writer to discredit the in
cident has excited wonder and amaze
ment at the temerity of the author
of the paper, and surprise and chagrin
that the fame of Carolina's most illus
sailed by one of her cultured and in
telligent sons.
The author of the sketch which
appears in the current issue of your
paper, has made patient and untir-
ing research extending over period
Of several months, has conducted a
voluminous correspondence, with the
hope of eliciting the truth, has ac-
quired facts heretofore unpublished
and is convinced in his own mind that
the story here told is true as it is
written or it would not now see the
light.
That it is substantially true does
not in any wise admit of doubt any
thing that has appeared to the con-
trary notwithstanding.
These papers will be continued
from time to time as opportunity is
afforded and the necessary facts OBJ
tained.
A biographical sketch of the Rev.
Tost NIeetze will probably appear
soon W. T. BROOKER.
Swansea, S. c., January, 1901.
The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-09-05

All of the roads in the county have
been pretty we'll worked up and
many have been claved. but the road
from Bamhers to Ehrhardt is very
heavy and should be clayed This is
one Of the most important highways
in the county, and we trust that our
Supervisor will have it claved very
soon.
The Washington times., 1908-04-16
SAIL DOWN THE POTOMAC
ENDS IN HISTORIC SECTION

Inc san down the Potomac via Nor
ioik and Washington steamers Is a +rlp
which few visitors to the National Clpi-
tai forego. This line brings within con
venient reaching distance OF this CITY.
Old Point Comfort, Norfolk. Portsmouth.
jamestown. Yorktown. and many other
Old Dominion localities and spots riyh
in historical associations.
Sailings are made daily az $50 .. IN
rom seventh street wharf Fort Mon
roe and Norfolk being reached aarI[- a.,
the morning. Daily connections ure
made with boats for New York and
Boston; likewise train connection for
points south StateroOm reservations
and all information can be obtainpd ~
the wharf or at the uptown ticket OF
nee, hrst floor Of the Colorado building.
sO0 Fourteenth street
The Washington times., 1908-04-16
BRYAN IS NOT ENDORSED.
THOUGH HE is PRESENT

LANSING. Mich. April i6.-William
j. Bryan was in town and delivered
two speeches. and yet the Democratic
state committee, which met here. de-
cilned 10 indorse him as the candidate
Tor President. The committee, by a
vote Of twelve to eleven, decided that
the question OF preference should be
Ieft TO the State convention, which is
TO be held here on May 30.
The committeeman who opposed his
lhaoFsement declared that they were
NOT opposing Bryan's candidacy. bur
they thought # was in accordanca with
Ihe principles OF the party TO leave that
question to the State convention.
BTyan made a brief address before the
stuoehts OF the Michigan Agricultural
college. and then spoke before a large
gathering In Baird's Opera House.
The Washington times., 1908-04-16
WEBER And FIELDS
UNITE FOR A NIGHT

NEW YORK. April 1s.-Joe Weber and
Lew Fields, the burlesque comedians,
are TO reunite for one night only These
two German character Comedians. who
once formed the best known sketch
team IN the country, but who for sew
eral years have been separated, follow
ing a disagreement, are to come to-
gether for one revival Of their famous
German Senator act.
The occasion viii be May IA, the date
Of the vaudeville festival, TO be given
by the "Friars," an organization OF
theatrical press agents.
The Washington times., 1908-04-16
REcHABITEs TO CELEBRATE.

The members Of the John B. Hender-
son Tent. No 1859, Independent Order
OF Rechabites, viii celebrate the fourth
anniversary OF their organization this
evening at the American Home Life
Insurance Building. Fifth and G streets
northwest. A special program has been
arranged with Representative y w
Hale Of Tennessee as the principal
speaker.
The Washington times., 1908-04-16
FfUe Foremost Citizens Accept
Roosevelt S Dinner h4Ufatfon

new questions in precedence and Ell
quette TO determine. when the banquet
is arranged at which he viii entertain
these distinguished guests, N ths his
toric East Room. The Supreme court,
Cabinet. and governors Will be dinec to-
gether In what order shall SEE IS 0e
assigned to the governors Of states
What order of precedence is to be recog-
niZed among COeQu2I COmmOnWe dlthS
The question is new. in the form now
presented.
It is understood that the authorities
on etiquette opine. after prayertuI con-
templation. that New York is 50 sially
and officially no better than Ny ada
that Texas is exactly the same slzs as
Rhode Island; and that the guests nluSt
be arranged in some order when VIII
relate to their historic status IN tie
union.
The Washington times., 1908-04-16
TEN KILLED IN JAIL DELIVERY

ST PETERSBURG. April 16.-Eleven
political prisoners at Penza stabbed two
wyardens to death yesterday, and. after
throwing a number OF bombs. escaped
ION ie5 prison Guards pursued and shot
and Killed eight OF the men.
The Washington times., 1908-04-16

President Roosevelts five foremost
private citizens are all going TO accept
his invitation TO the hospitality Of the
W hite House next month.
The list, which has attracted such
wide attention, is composed OF Grover
Cleveland. william Jennings Bryan, An
drew Carnegie. James ]. Hill, and John
Mitchell All Democrats.
Four Of them have sent unqualified
acceptances. Mr.. Mitchell = came to
Washington and told the President in
person that he would attend the gath
ering Of governors of all the States.
The gathering. the first Of its kind ever
held, viii meet May u and continue
three days.
Mr.. Carnegie wrote that he had made
plans to sail for Europe before the date
set, but would postpone the trip. Mr.
Hill also accepted promptly. and Will
deliver an address.
Mr.. Bryan's acceptance came with
out any delay It is understood tI5at he
didn't say anything about making ?,
speech. but the White House decliu g
to indicate whether this is attributed to
the recent embarrassment which AR
Bryan experienced by reason of ascent
ing an invitation to dine, and MERTON
ing the subject on which he would taIk
when he was expected merely TO dine
and not to talk.
The Washington times., 1908-04-16
Aches

Are in the nerves-all feeling is.
Headache, toothache, neuralgia,
'sciatica, rheumatic pains, back
ache, etc.-they're all there, but
IN different parts. LIS nerve irri-
tation. DR.. Miles Anti-Pain Pills
relieve nerve irritation, and pain
Subsidies. They do not derange
the stomach, or leave disagree
able after-effects. Your druggist
can tell you that many use them.
and would not be without them.
i, II take DR.. Niles Anti-Pain Pills for
headache. neuralgia, stomach ache and
pains OF any nature. The best medicine"
MISS LULA Inch. Macon. Ca.
II they fail TO help, your druggist will
refund the money on first package
p doses, % cents. Never sold in bulk.
Z MILES MEDICAL Sou EIkhart, Ind.
The Washington times., 1908-04-16
In Order of Ratification.

Probably. Of the thirteen original
colonies, the governors will be given
precedence in the order in which the
States ratified the Constitution; and OF
the rest OF thu States, the arrangement
as to precedence will be IN order OF
admittauce TO tie Union.
This gathering is expected TO be the
greatest talkfest in the history OF tg
country. That its business will be con-
pleted in the time assigned for it is
not suspected by anybody. An ADJOURN
ment to some later date, with proDaDly
some arrangement for the formation OF
an organization Of permanent character
are already contemplated
Whether to try TO steer the gather
ing; whether II was desirable u prepare
a program In advance and expect thal
it should be followed. was orc OF the
difficult questions. It was COMPROMISED
by making an outline OF program, but
c0nceding that G good many things
would be sure to inject themselves
into the proceedings that were not eX-
pected. and that these would likely be
the most important ones
The Washington times., 1908-04-16
Delegates-at-Large.

The delegates at large who were
named are Lewis Nixon, Charles F.
Murphy, Charles Froeb. Alton 3.
, Parker.
Alternates: George H Thacher
Trancis X Pendleton, Jos. Z. Schwart-
zenbach, William F. Rafferty,. Elec-
tors at large Nathan Straus, VIM. II.
Fitzpatrick.
The Washington times., 1908-04-16
McCarren's Threat.

eff this IS the way you are beginning
q mayoralty campaign, you had better
prepare for defeat, for there is not a
single one of you who ever viii see a
Democrat elected to that place. never
voted a Republican ticket in my