Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-10-10

BY Victor L. Stephenson for the Char-
lotte Observer.
Kings Mountain, Oct. 7.-Contem-
plating the valorous conduct OF the
Kings Mountain patriots who In l7so
snatched victory from defeat and
turned the tide of the war Of the Rev.
olution in favor Of the cause Of liber-
ty. Secretary of State william ]. Bry-
an today portrayed the signal VIC
tories of peace and appealed to his
hearers to speed the day when the
brotherhood Of man will be universal
ly accepted and higher ideals will hold
sway In every department Of life.
Felicitious in many features was the
celebration of the 1880 anniversary OF
the Battle Of Kings Mountain. Eight
thousand people from a dozen counties
and at least two states gathered here,
thronging the streets until a late hour
tonight when the last delegations de-
parted for their homes. crowding the
outgoing trains.
The programme Of amusements was
diverse, including concerts by the Sew
enteenth Regiment band from Atlanta,
a pleasing parade at noon, end auto
mobile races later. .....
Bryan Central Figure.
The presence of William ]. Bryan
formerly known as "the Nebraskan"
and now a cosmic citizen-was the
crowning feature of the day. 1t was
the magnetism of his name which drew
from points far distant so vast a con-
course of men Of all vocations and all
stations in life. There was regret at
the enforced absence Of Gov. Locke
Craig, Of Secretary Of the Navy Jose
phus Daniels, of Senator Lee Slater
Overman, of Gov. Coleman L. Blease
of South Carolina and Governor Hoop
er Of Tennessee. The seasoned atten-
dant on such occasions has learned,
however, to discount in advance the
usurpation of official duties In turning
a programme topsy-turvy. and the
speech which Mr. Bryan delivered
proved so entirely satisfying to the
crowd that other disappointments
were forgotten in the all-pervading
pleasure of having seen and heard the
three-time national standard bearer
Of the now victorious and regnant
Democracy.
Today will long be remembered by
the inhabitants Of this thriving town.
Happy is Kings Mountain in the pos
session Of an historical asset whose
authenticity no man in north or south
and certainly no inhabitant of Brit
ain-has the temerity to challenge or
to denominate as a myth. The record
of October Z, 1880, as the turning
point in the American struggle. vic
tory achieved when the star Of hope
shone but dimly through the black
ness of discouragement is emb!azon-
ed in letters of fire in American an
mails.
Well Entertained.
The people Of Kings Mountain had
prepared for a host Of visitors and
they were not disappointed. Great as
was the crowd its every need had been
provided for. Officers from Charlotte,
Spartanburg and other places assisted
the local officials in the preservation
of order, and with distinct success, no
accident being recorded.
1t was early morning when the mi
grafton began. On every train stand
ing room was difficult to obtain.
other thousands drove through pur-
pling and crimsoning forests in auto
mobiles and buggies. From Shelby,
Charlotte and Gastonia the number of
visitors was especially large. And the
weather-well. 1t was faultless. The
patriots Of the early days may not
have been considering the convenience
of the celebrants then unborn when
they chose October Z as the day on
which to prove to the daring but over
confident Ferguson that something
less powerful than the Almighty could
dislodge him and his force from their
Gibraltarlike position. Nevertheless
they chose exceedingly well and fu-
ture generations who observe the day
will not forget to be thankful that the
battle was fought in October and not
in mid-July.
Setting Of the Scene.
The scene of today's exercises is q
beautiful grove Of breeze-swept oaks
on the crest Of hill from which the
spectator glimpses through vista the
chain of blue mountains on a portion
of which the stirring drama was stag
ed. Seven miles away deep grounded
in the bedrock Of high plateau q
lofty granite shaft is silhouetted
against cerulean skies-the tribute OF
the government Of the United States
to the men who, in the opinion OF
many, made national independence
possible.
When Secretary and Mrs. Bryan
awaited eagerly for an hour arrived al
noon on Southern train No. 81, pro-
cession was formed in front Of the
Mountain View Hotel. Chief Marsha
Thomas Fulton rode at the head fol-
lowed by the army band, in uniform!
Of red and playing patriotic airs. Mex
followed a float in which rode thirteer
beautiful girls, each representing one
Of the original states. Came next an
other float containing fifty-two yount
er girls, all in white, representing the
states and territories of this nation
Secretary Bryan. the guest of honor
and his party rode next in a hand
some equipage.
When the entrance to the ground:
was reached the young ladies and the
children, bearing banners. followed
the band and formed in front of th'
platform an aisle through which Mr.
Bryan passed. He was given a heart!
greeting by the audience and on
which evidently warmed his heart. H
was accompanied by Congressman E
Yates Webb and Mr.. o. Max Gardne
of Shelby, and Mrs. Webb was will