The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1910-03-16
STORY OF THE HAYS STATION
MASSACRE OF MANY PATRIOTS.
(By S. E. Boney In The News and Courier.)


to pieces Eager for the blood of his
enemies, he gave the order that his
men might slay whom they would, or
spare ii they desire. Only four OF the
patriots were spared: James and Gold
ing Tinsley, Major William Dunlap
and John Cummins.
Those who were slain and whose
names are inscribed on one slab of the
monument that now marks the bloody
spot were: Col. Joseph Hays, Capt.
Daniel Williams, Lieut. Christopher
Hardy, Lieut. John Neil, Clement Han
cock, Joseph Williams, Joseph Irby,
Sr, Joseph Irby, Jr. John Milven, James
Ferris, John Cook, Greof Irby, Benja-
min Goodman and Yancy Saxon.
Another Account.
From Random Recollections of the
Revolution" is taken the following in
reference to the massacre:
Hays was a bold, inexperienced, in
cautious man. CThls description the
authors information induces him to
qualify. Hays had seen some service;
he certainly was with Col Williams
at Kings Mountain, and probably in
most of his former services, as he is
mentioned by Col Williams Just before
the action as part of his military fam.
ily) His station was at Col. Edgehill S
in Laurens district, east of Little River
and Simmonss Creek on or near the
old Charleston road from Rabun Creek
TO orangeburg. The dwelling house,
built of logs, was his fort He was
told by William Caldwell to put him
self In a position of defence; pointing
to the smoke seen southeast. he said.
Ihat is my brothers house and
know Cunningham is in the neighbor-
hood" Hays was AZ work in a black
smith shop making cleat to hold a
lady's netting and hooted at Caldwell's
suggestion, saying that Cunningham
had too much sense" to come there.
/ Caldwell said: Il will not stay to be
| butchered,' and mounted and fled at
full speed. AS he went out at one end
VI
nam come in at the other.
The surprise was complete and over
whelming. Hays and his men, almost
without resistance, were driven into
the house, and Cuninghams pursuit
was so close that John Tinsley struck
full blow with his sword at Hays as
he entered the door. A few guns were
fired from within and without. Two
men were killed-supposed to have
been slain by their OVID respective
fires. Locky Leonard was killed in
the touse and one of Cuningham's
men in the yard. A ramrod tipped
with flax and saturated with tar was
set on fire and was shot out Of mus
ket into the roof Of the house. 1t was
in moment in blaze. Hays and his
party-on promise of good quarter.
it has always been said-surrender-
ed, Cunningham selected Hays and
Major Daniel Williams-a son of Col
Williams, who fell at Kings Noun
tain-as his victims. He was about
| al
stack when he was accosted by n
young son Of Col. Williams. Joseph
Williams, lad of 16 or II years. who
mad from infancy known Cunningham.
Capt. Cunningham how shall go
home and tell my mother that you
have hanged brother Dapiel?" Cuning
nam instantly swore that he should
not have that melancholy duty to- per-
form. He hung him up with his broth
er ana Hays. The pole broke, and
with his sword he Cunningham liter
ally hewed them in pieces. Then the
work OF death went on. each member
OF the company having the right to
XIII or spare as he pleased. Golding
and James Tinsley, Major William
dunlap, of lIunterville, Laurens and
John Cummins. commonly called
King Cummins, were those who
were spared in the savage slaughter
This was the last of the bloody trials
of the Revolution.
The Monument.
ror much of the following informa-
tlon regarding the monument that
now marks the spot of the massacre
! am indebted to Mr. w. III. Wallace
editor of the Newberry Observer. Mr..
Wallace, says that the shaft of the
monument was not the solid die block
now customary, but consisted of slabs
about four feet long, and three inches
| thick their broader ends RESTING In