The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1916-07-20
Communication

communication
Editor Pickens Sentinel:
The following communication has
been sent to the Anderson Farmers
Tribune for publications.
Editor Farmers. Tribune, Anderson,
S. c.:
My attention has been directed to an
article that recently appeared in your
paper, in which you call upon Hon.
Wyatt Aiken to tell about trip he and
another gentleman took to Highlands,
N. c., last summer, Sin company with
two ladies from Washington"
AS the article is reflection on me as
we'll as Mr.. Aiken, since am the other
gentleman referred to, though not by
name. will ask that you publish the
facts IN the case, which are as follows:
About year ago, in response to an
invitation from me, Mr.. Aiken came up
to Walhalla direct from his home at
Abbevlle. At Seneca his train was
held some minutes for train from At
lanta. On its arrival the two ladies re-
ferred to (whom | afterwards learned
were from Mississippi, accompanied
by their children, got off the train and
inquired the way to Highlands, where
they were going to spend the summer.
Mr.. Aiken, or perhaps Major Stribling,
who was present, very courteously told
them to go on to Walhalla, which was
the best and most direct route to High
lands. The next morning P. S. Shook.
proprietor Of the Walhalia livery stable,
sent the ladies and their children to
highlands in carriage. The same af.
ternoon Mr.. Aiken, Charlie LYONS anC
myself went on two days. trip to Jo
ccAssee, which is In an Qpposite direction
| from Highlands.
On our return to Walhalla Mr.. c. r,
Brown, contractor on the Walhalla.
highlands auto mail route, which Mr.
Aiken short while previously had in
d9ced the Post Office Department to
establish. came to me and begged that
| persuade Mr.. Aiken to go over the
route, see the roads, and make an eff
tort to get his contract price increased,
statlng that he would take us both to
Highlands and back free of charge.
We finally prevailed on Mr.. Aiken to
make. the trip, which we did the next
morning.. going in an auto, Mr.. Brown
driving the car. At Highlands we ston.
ped at the Edwards House. After din,
ner Mr.. Aiken decided that as, we were
80 near to Cashiers Valley, where his
old friend. Judge Benet, lived, and who
ne mad not seen in years, he, would run
gown TO see him. BY the merest chance
Mr.. Aiken and / met these ladies on the
street s as we were preparing to leave
the car we invited them to take the 10
trip with us, knowing that they would
enjoy this mountain trip, which is al
most unsurpassed. They accepted the
invitation and Mr.. Brown again drove
the car. We returned to highlands be-
fore dark, the ladies getting out at the
Hall House and Mr.. Aiken and I went
to the Edwards House, occupying the
same room, where we remained till we
came home.
The ladies referred to were to all an
pearances refined and cultured and il
ls my belief that any insinuation against
their character. is foul slander. While
they were unknown to meas am
sure they were to Mr.. Aiken, except as
casual acquaintances- cannot believe
That, II you could have met them. YOU
would have connected them with any in
slnuation of wrong doing.
flnally, allow me to say that the
practice of besmirching public men has
become so common that MANY unjust
and false accusations are allowed to 90
unanswered. In this instance, howey-
er, l Know the facts and say unhesitat-
ngy that the insinuations are false. I
am pretty we'll known in Oconee coun-
ty, also in Anderson, where was rails
ed, also up and down the Blue Ridge
Railroad, where served for years, and
believe that my statement of the affair
VIII not be questioned. | would not
warp or cover the truth for my best
friend, and emphatically deno1nce as
false the insinuations contained in the
article referred to. N. l.. FAMT
hereby certify that | have read the
above statement made by Mr.. Fant. in
which several references are made to to
in every particular.
G.. +. Brown.
Contractor for Highlands Route at that
time. ~ VIC
This July 10, 1916. Adv.
Hampton school will begin Monday
teacher. "''ey as
Montvale M, ut school will open Monday.
,July ~. with Hol II;o41