Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-05-31

ful indian story, by William Gilmore
Smms, who wrote much of tradi-
tion in the history of our state. He
was probably the most gifted and
prolific writer that South Carolina
has produced.
II was in his early years that he
paid visit to Col. Joseph Grisham,
who then resided at West Union. in
Pick0ns District, In which he had
large landed interests. 1t is prOba-
bio that MIR. Simms and Mr.. Grisham
travelled together on horseback for
many days on Whitewater, Jocassee
and other streams of this section
bearing Indian names. These trips
served double purpose, and were
utilized not only for recreation, but
us well for engaging in pleasing mar
rativc of traditions Of local interest
which gave life to rocks and val
leys, and pcoplcd the earth with
beautiful oo]ors and creatures OF i'm
agination' so graphically set forth
in the Indian story Of Jocassce.
IN 1850 Col. Grisham sold to Gen.
John A. Wagcner, and others Il tract
OF about 1900 acres OF land for
$27, 200, on a portion OF which the
town OF Walhalla was afterwards To-
Gated. lie then moved to Cherokee
county, Georgia. and died there on
April 3, 1857, full Of years and
hOnors. We reproduce from The
keowcc Courier, issue Of April 25th.
1857, the following account OF his
death. written by Robert A. Thomp-
son, the then editor:
Death Of Col. Joseph GriSl,am.
The numerous friends OF this gen
tleman will be paincd to learn that
he departed this life on the 9th in
stant. The sad event was not un-
looked for by his family. and occur
rcd at his residence near Canton,
Ga. Ills death is supposed to have
been caused from the effects Of an
injury received in 1897 by being
kicked on the leg by a horse. and
from which he never fully recovered.
Latterly his sufferings were very
great, hut ii will be gratifying TO his
friends to know that they were
borne with Christian fortitude and
resignation. lie died with the heav-
,enly promise bright before him.
Col. Grisham was horn in Ander-
son District in l7S9, but was, for a
long number OF years, a useful and
prominent citizen Of Pickcns. His
industry and enegry. combined with
punctunliy and strictly temperate
habits. amassed for him Il large
property. Notwithstanding heavy
losses by fire and flood. ln public
affairs he took the same active inter
est that characterized him in the
management OF his private concerns;
ample evidence OF his success in
which may be seen in the workings
of our district police at this time His
integrity was above reprOach, and
hif patriot ism nndoubtcd. He was a
friend to the deserving. and his char
tiles, public and private. accorded
harmoniously with his ability to give.
1t is impossible. in passing news
paper article, 10 do justice to his
life and memory: therefore We leave
il for more competent and appropri-
ate hands.
'"Keowce Old Ion."
About fifteen miles south OF .Jo-
cassce. and eight miles north OF the
site OF Old Pickens Court House, on
the eastern bank OF Keowee river,
stood what was known as "Keowee
Old Fort"
In the days Of the Rcv0lution this
fort was built and occupied by the
Americans as "A protection against
the Indians Just opposite the fort,
on the western .idc OF the river.
VAS the Indian village OF .Iocasscc,
which was destroyed by the Ameri-
can forces.
1t is matter OF history that fre-
Hucnt engagements took place he
tween them and Indians. near this
tort. Such engagements arc evil
denccd by the finding Of lcaden bul-
lets, arrow heads and tomahnwks.
which are uncarthcd by the plow OF
The farmer in the fertile fields sur
rounding this historic fort. Not only
so, but many beads. pipes. as we'll as
trinkcts OF brass and silver and arti-
cles OF pottery. have been found in