The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-10-13
SHAFT UNVEILED
Impressive Exercises Held on a Historic
battle-ground.
OF KINGS MOUNTAIN

Governors and Members Of Congress
of South and North Carolina, Will
Many Other Prominent Men From
the Two States, Take Part In Ger
emonies Attending Dedication.
A special from Kings Mountain
N. c., to The News and Courier
says upon that historic battlefield
men lived again Thursday the strug
gle for American liberty. North am
South Carolina Wed with each othel
to do honor to the memory of the
heroes of that decisive engagement
of the Revolution. Within sight o.
the graves of those who perishe(
for their country, their descendant
recited the story Of deeds of days
gone by. They told of the blood!
battles Of the war with the mother
country, of the ~privation Of thf
soldiers, Of the final success of lib
erty and Americas freedom. In tina
mighty conflict Kings Mountain play
ed an important part-the turning
point Of the war;" the spot 80 sacred
to sturdy mountaineers Is right!
called, Ferguson was routed here
the brave British warrior lost hi
life here-and the fortune of wal
vas changed.
To commemorate the brave deeds
of the American soldiers on this bat
tlefeld, the United States has giver
a monument. This monument was
dedicated at Kings Mountain Thurs.
day. On the very spot Of ground
where Ferguson was routed, the PEG.
pie of the two Carolinas joined In
| paying tribute to those who fell fol-
the cause Of liberty. On the sacred
soil consecrated by the blood OF
these men OF the Revolution the
honor due them was given.
1t was a great occasion for the
countryside. From early morning
people came from the neighboring
towns, and from the farms wagons,
buggies and every form of vehicle
conveyed the crowds to the noun.
tain. On the side Of the hills and
for quite a distance around groups
were gathered as If at a picnic. The
trains brought hundreds, and in their
enthusiasm Of the occasion many did
not hesitate to walk for miles to
reach the battle ground. The crowd
that packed and surrounded the
stands and was stretched In every
direction the country around could
hardly be estimated. Many Of those
who came could not get within the
sound of the voices Of the speakers,
Eight thousand people were probably
in the :mmeiiate neighborhood.
A distinguished gathering packed
the stands provided for the OCCASION,
Governor Martin P. Ansel presided
gracefully over the exercises. The
Governor of South Carolina, by his
pleasing and happy manner, won the
hearts Of the audience. On the
stand with the Governor were seated
Governor W. W. Kitchen, of NORTH
Carolina; Senator Lee S. OvermaI
and Congressman r. N. Page, of the
same State; Senator Smith and Con
gresham Finley, Of this State; DR.
H. n. Snyder and DR.. s. C. Mitchell
presidents Of Wofford and the Uni
versity, respectively, the ladies oil
the Daughters of the American Rev
olution; Gen. Julian S. Carr, of NORTH
Carolina, and many other disttn'
guished persons.
On the stands and Immediately
surrounding the main stage were the
ladies of the Daughters of the Con
federacy and visitors who were giver
cards to enter. There has rarely
If ever, been seen in South Caroline
such a large assembly Of beautiful
women and young girls, and woman
got her share Of tribute. 1t Is tc
woman that the State Is responsible
for the preserving Of true facts o
history. Woman has made possibl:
! all the beautiful monuments to wal
heroes. the Daughters of the Ameri'
can Revolution we're untiring in thel'
efforts to get a monument at Kings
Mountain, and finally succeeded
The battle heroes will eve be for
! got as long as the women live tC
commemorate their deeds Of yalor
God bless the women was the sen
timent In mems hearts at this un'
yelling, as always.
AS a fitting feature Of the cele'
bration the soldiery Of this State and
of North Carolina were represented
| Col. Lewis, commanded the provis'
ional regiment from this State, com
posed Of the following companies:
: Greenville, Cornwell, Rock Hill, Co.
lumbia, Camden. Fort Mill and Spar
, tanburg. The North Carolina con-
pany was from Dallas. Governor
Kitchin's staff was present as fol-
lows: Adjt. Gen. J.. F. Armaeld
, Lieut.. Col. W. w. Pierce. Col. G. B
| Armstrong, Personal Aide Col. H
Montague, Major A. A. Hicks, Col
T. r. Robertson.
The battle of Kings Mountain
was fought in sham conflict by thu
troops. These manoeuvres were un
der Gen. Boyd's supervision.
The soldier bows are encamped OF