The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-07-05
A TRIP TO STYX, S. c.
CBy Mrs. Mary Hemphill Greene)

our Seceder raising and made one
of party to visit the Abbeville boys
now in camp at Styx, near Columbia
We made the trip in automobiles and
the party was made up Of Mrs. Min
shall and her young son., Fred, Dr.
and Mrs. G. A. Neuffer, Prof. Claude
v. Neuffer and Charlie Calvert, the
level-headed young man who drove
Mrs. Minshall's car. We started ar
hour late, of course, getting under
way at seven o'clock and taking the
road to Greenwood. From Green
wood we went to Johnson, over 6
mean, rough road, and from John
son we went on through Ridge
Springs, Wards, Batesburg and many
other pretty and prosperous towns.
On an automobile trip there are
many interesting things to see along
the roadside. The crops were fine
and we were particularly impressed
with the broad fields of corn anc
peas. Down about Ridge Springs
we saw many broad acres of peach
trees, asparagus fields and pecan or.
chards. The houses along the road
side were handsome and the people
prosperous looking. We were inter.
ested indeed in the many long Leaf
pine trees in the woods below John
son. Near Columbia we saw whole
wood full of pines with the bark cut
and the rosin dripping into the little
cupped out places in the trees. This
was an enterprise which we did not
know thrived in that part of the
country.
We had one puncture on the way
down which Charlie Calvert said
any one could fix in ten minutes. Ir
Columbia we were told to 60 to
Caycee, and from there it was easy
to find our way, the road having
many signboards with the direction
"To Styx" printed on them. From
the constant stream of cars passing
we knew we were reaching our des'
tination. The last six miles of the
way we counted thirty-six cars com.
ing into the city and many were be-
fore and behind us going out. Many
soldiers were in the road and they
raised their hats and waved theil
hands in gay good humor at the pass
ing throng.
The road to camp is miserable and
we bumped and thumped along in
profane silence until we reached 9
bridge and were halted by a soldierly
young man who told US we must get
out and walk across. Mrs. Minshall
asked in her most company voice
and engaging manner els it unsafe?'
and was answered "No nam, it's
weak" which restored our tagging
spirits and we went on our way to
camp.
The camp presents busy appear
ance and it is an inspiring sight to
See so many fine looking young men.
ready and eager for the big things
in life. 1t is veritable city Of
kaki colored tents, each company
has a street, each tent is trenched
around and the furniture apparently
is low cot, a pillow and a blanket
We rode around considerably look.
ing for the Machine Gun Company
of the First Regiment, in which the
Abbeville boys are enlisted. We
found them at last right under the
banner of the Butler Guards which
bears the motto, "Rearing to 60 to
Mexico" .
Our boys looked fine, their uni.
forms are becoming to them and
they look trim, well set up and SOL
diSrly. They seem to have filled out
and have reached mans estate in the
few days they have been away from
home. Mothers who have sons in
cathp should set their hearts at rest
for he boys are happy and conteted.
Sabbath was gala day in camp
ana people from all over the State
asfe there telling the boys goodbye.
There must have been thousand
ellis in camp, beside the constant
stream of people coming and going.
Ii: one tent we saw q woman with q
ttfee or four months old baby spend
III a'last day with her husband. In
M4 cars We saw whole families with
Evidently the eldest son in uniform,
having q goodbye chat, there seemed
M be many picnic parties and hosts
of good looking girls out for the day
With the soldiers.
In addition to the excessive heat
Of the sun there were large trenches
In which the kitchen garbage was
being burned. About two weeks Of
such heat as the boys were standing
last week will have them well sea.
soned for Mexico or the hereafter,
either one.
There are no negro cooks in camp
and the machine gun company is
being cooked for by two good look.
ing Clemson boys, who say that az
the women are taking all their jobs
away from them they are forced to
invade the realm of woman's work
The kitchen was fitted out with
aluminium ware and was well screen
ed.
Preston Speed was the first Able.
vile boy we saw. He Is with the
Association will be discussed at Owl
annual meeting. Please send or bring
any interesting "reminiscences Of thu