The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1911-10-04
The RED SHIRTS
Annual Reunion Of Veterans Of Recoa-
struction HeId.
VERY GOOD ATTENDANCE
Col John S. Mobley, Miss Grace
Lumpkin, and Governor Blease
Speak at Formal Opening Of Re-
union.-Senator John Sharp Will
lian1s Unable to Attend.

|
liams Enable to Attend.
A Columbia dispatch says no more
demonstrative gathering of men and
women has probably been seen in
Columbia in recent years than the
assembly which crowded the lower
floor and two galleries of the Colum-
gia Theatre Wednesday night at the
formal welcoming Of the Red Shirt
Veterans, who began their annual re-
union.
By far the large majority Of the
men in the gathering wore the red
shirt, and aside from the picturesque
ness of the view Of blazing red mingl-
ed with the fashionable gowns Of the
fair sex, the spirit of good humor was
abroad in all its vigor, and, time after
time, bubbled over in cheers, ap-
plause and shouts upon the slightest
provocation.
Col. John G. Mobley, commander
in-chief, presided over the gathering
and by his side on the stage sat the
sponsor, Miss Elize Stribling, of Pen
dleton, and her two maids Of honor,
Misses Agnes Ravenel, of Spartan
burg, and Zena Evans, of Cheraw,
and Miss Grace Lumpkin, who deliv-
ered the welcome to the 'tMen Of '76."
After the prayer and the Doxology,
sung by the entire assembly, Col.
Mobley in brief but we'll chosen
words, introduced Senator Francis H.
Weston tor the audience, and he, af-
ter a stirring recital OF some of the
scenes and conditions of reconstruc-
ton days, introduced Miss Lump
kin.
At nearly every possible interval
in the remarks of the speakers, ap-
plause broke spontaneously from those
seated near the front Of the house,
most of whom wore the red shirts
and cheers were not infrequent dur
ing the middle of Col. ,Mobley's talk,
while he was mentioning some of
the leaders who took part in the red
shirt days of reconstruction.
A life sized portait Of Gen. Wade
Hampton, which had been yelled un-
til now, was suddenly placed in full
view of the vast assemblage when the
name Of that political leader was
mentioned; instantly there arose
from every male voice in the house
cheers upon cheers, and the ovation
given the portrait of the old Grief
tain required several minutes to
spend its force.
In thrilling voice Miss Lumpkin
welcomed the Men Of '76' to Co
lum.bia. She recited briefly some Of
the things that the Red Chirt Veter-
ans had accomplished and assured
them of the gratitude and love Of
everyone who enjoyed the great her
itage they had left.
Governor Blease, who next arose
to welsome the Red Shirts on behalf
of the State, was welcomed by the
veterans with prolonged applause. He
was several time interrupted in his
remarks by cheers. Governor Blease
spoke of the return of the soldiers
after the war, the Reconstruction
times, conditions and what had been
accomplished by the wearers of the
red shirts during tie days of rs.
He spoke also of the prosperous con-
dition of the State at present due to
large extent to what the men Of
'76 had done.
1t was matter of general regret
% all that it was impossible for Sen
ator John Sharp Williams, Of Mis-
sissippi, to be present. Col. John G..
Nobley. commander-in-chief, an
aounced Wednesday night that he
lad just received letter from Mr..
Williams stating his inability to be
present.
1t would be a haro matter, in
deed, to conceal from even the most
,asual observer, the fact that the
Red Shirt veterans Of the State are
making an invasion of the Capital
City. Clad very, very, distinctively,
shirts of the reddest red, set of
oy black trousers, and broad trimmed
hats, even a single one standing in
crowded street, is easily singled
out by the eye as mark of special