The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1913-06-12
Old Soldiers Day
At Gross Roads

A large cOncourse of people
gathered at Gross Roads church
in response to the call Of the
congregation of that church on
Friday, June 6, to do honor to
the old soldiers, and especially
to those who went out from that
neighborhood. A most delight
full program had been arranged.
and thruout the day the throngs
of people in attendance bore tes-
timony to the reverence and es-
TEEN III which they hold the
memory of those who wore the
gray.
The Rev. D. w. Hiott, pastor
of the church, in his usual
forceful but gentle manner pre-
sided-bidding a cordial well
come--and the venerable Rev.
Benjamin Holder led in prayer.
The Hon. e. p. McCravey,
member of the house from Pick
ems county, was then introduced
and made a splendid address.
He selected as his theme the
wonderful work Of the Confed-
crate army. Although few in
number, the marvellous work
done by that band of noble men
had never been equalled in the
annals Of history. He paid
glowing tribute to Jefferson Da-
Wis, whose birthday had just
been celebrated, and spoke of
his service to the United States
thruout the Mexican war, dwell
ing on his sacrifice for the South
and the pathos of his latter days
-disfranchised- A man with
out a country" He then spoke
Of the private soldiers whose
noble deeds had not been record
ed, but to whom the greater
glory is due, and assured those
survivors present Of his loyal CO.
operation in all manner that
might be beneficial to them.
Prof. Med. Weams sang in a
most touching maurer the song,
BE Kind to the Old Folks"
stirring deep memories and
bringing forth good resolutions.
Thruout the entire exercises
Prof. Weams and his trained
choir contributed their splendid
music. and no little part of the
success of the day is to be at
tributed to them for their ser
vices rendered.
Senator Il. j. Mauldin was
next introduced and made a
characteristic address, strong
and logical. He dwelt on the
fact that the position Of the
South was now being vindicat-
ed, and cited the recent prog
ress of events in California,
where the doctrine of States
Rights was being strongly up
held. AS member of the COM
mittee from the senate to inves-
tigate the conditions in South
Carolina in regard to the pen
sion laws, he assured the veter-
ans of his support Of all changes
to their betterment.
After the exercises in the
church had been completed, the
veterans, in command of Capt,
ThOs. Bowen, marched out, fol-
lowed by the pupils of the Cross
Roads Sunday school bearing
armsfull Of beautiful flowers. A |
salute of guns was fired, and
then the graves of the Confed-
crate soldiers were reyerently |
strewn with the garlands.
A most maenificent dinner
was served and hundreds par.
took Of the hospitality of the
people Of this wonderful section
of our county.
In the afternoon the meeting
was thrown open to the veter.
ans as an experience meeting,
and some clever stories were re-
lated, all bearing testimony to |
tho love and loyalty of the Con-
federate soldiers.
June 6 being national decora-
ton day Of the Woodmen Of the
World, the graves of the Wood
men who sleep in that peaceful
spot were covered with flowers
by the local camp of Woodmen,
after their beautiful ritual had
been used.
Thus closed a day long to be
remembered by those who were
so fortunate as to be present.
The Cross Roads community is
to be heartily congratulated