Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1914-05-27
Sketch of His Life,

imam NdSloh OIlILH was the
only sol of Charlotte Elizabeth Gas
ton by her first husband, William
Gilky Smith, and was born July II,
1899, two months after his fathers
death. He was born at the old Gas
ton homestead, in Gordon county,
about three miles from Senoraville,
Ga, and at the age of 10 came to
Anderson county, South Carolina, to
live with his grandmother, Polly
MOOrehead Smith, widow OF Whita-
ker Smith, who lived on SiX-and-
Twenty Creek, about seven miles
northwest of Anderson. The object
of his moving to South Carolina was
to regain his health. BY the advice
Of his physicians he accepted a posi-
ton as trainman on the G.. and G..
(nOw the SOUTHERN Railway, and
entered upon his duties October 10.
1888. After six months in this posi-
zion he was promoted 20 road com
misSary, and two months later was
given the additional duty Of freight
conductor. Two months later he
was promoted to freight and Dassen-
ger conductor. and in this service he
performed signal war duties. Promi-
merit among these were his services
in guarding the Confederate States
treasury and archives during the
flight OF President Davis and his cab
met from Richmond to Abbevillc, S.
c. The following are the cirCum-
stances Of this incident:
When Richmond was evacuated
the treasury and records were ship
ped from Richmond to Vim SbOrO,
tthe road from Winnsboro Co.
lumbia having been torn up by Shcr-
man and the ~freshetS,) and from
WinnSbOrO transferred by wagon
trains eighteen miles to Alston, the
nearest connecting railroad point.
While the wealth and records Of the
CO~nfederacy were stationed at tho
terminus OF the G.. and G.. road it
was necessary that a capable guard
be maintained over it over nivht
awaiting the departure Of the train
next LAY. Upon detail Of Yard Fore
man Matthew Medlock, he, with
Capt. Medlock. kept guard over
three solid cars of ammunition
hONeS-branded ammunition and ad-
dressed to Cen. Kirby Smith. but
containing gold and silver and rec
Ords OF the Confedcracy. This pre-
ciCuS train left Aston at 9 n. m. ar
rived at Abbevillc at , p. m. and left
BY wagon train for Washington, Ga,
at 3 p. M.
1t never reached its destination.
for IT, was held up in the darkness
that night and raided.
Another thrilling incident Of Cant.
Smiths war experiences was when,
with Sherman's army stretching 90
miles wide from Orangeburg to po-
maria, his train came near being cap
tured a half mile west of Peakc's
Station. The Confederate trooDs. ur-
der Gen. Joe Wheeler, were in line
for battle and had retreated to the
railroad Just as his train came M
and stalled nea the head Of a long,
steep grade at the public road cross
ing. The Federal troops were in hot
pursuit. n about a half mile dist
aut. Fearing lest the train should
fall into their hands, Gen. Wheeler
ordered his mem 10 burn the train.
Road Supervisor Ri"cn3 begged that
this order be rescinded, and argued
that if the soldiers would put their
shoulders to the train and help push
il over the grade, it could be saved.
This was ordered. and the train was
pushed safely over the grade.
Hauled Lees Soldiers.
After Lees surrender. Can't.
Smith, as conductor, handled two
thirds of the entire army under Lee
and Johnson, he being the only pas
Senger conductor between Aston
and Newberry.
During the A years Of service on
the railroad he had several wrecks,
but none Of them serious, and in the
nature OF casualties only one death.
After serving as conductor about
forty-three years he resigned in Jan
uary, 1902. His resignation was not
accepted, but he was granted an an
nual leave Of absence, which pro-
tected his seniority and allowed him
to esume his choice OF runs or to
continue his absence, as he might
prefer.