Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1921-08-17
OLD SOLDIERS HAD GREAT DAY.
People Of Richland and Surrounding
Communities Entertained,

merry for the Oconee Camp Of Con
1ederate Veterans. The academy hall,
with late improvements and fresh
coat of paint, was made ready for
their coming. The Stars and Stripes
and Stars and Bars were unfurled
together to decorate the cosy little
stage. Capt. A. II. Ellison, as presi-
dent OF the camp, and j. p. Stribling.
as local manager. had charge OF the
program.
The exercises were opened with
the song, "America," by the audi
ence, and prayer was offered by Rev.
Hardee.
J. p. Striblng delivered the ad-
dress of welcome. He opened the
Richland heart enclosed in the Oco-
nee mother bosom and assured the
veterans. that this heart, in dimen-
sions OF love and veneration for them
is as large as Stump-House Noun
tain, the geographical heart Of Oco-
nee, and that this Richland heart IS
as firmly and deeply imbcdded in the
doctrine Of States Rights and Seces-
sion-the loyal New South-as the
Stump-House Mountain is Embedded
In the everlasting hills. On this heart
Il placard is stamped bearing the
word "Welcome," in letters so large
that their age-dimmcd eyes could
plo
shine and rain Of ages would not ef-
face or wash off.
j. w. Todd fcelingly replied to this
welcome.
Mr.. and Mrs Elijah Gillison. with
fiddle and guitar. cheered the vetc-
rams with old wartime selections.
Ellison Smith. Oconce's gifted
young orator, than whom South Car
lima has no superior, was introduced.
He touchingly passed in rapid review
many stirring statistics, incidents
and scenes in Confederate struggles,
and paid many beautiful and deserv-
ed tributes to the soldiers who wore
the gray.
The "Gillison Stringed Band" gave
'pixie,' and the beat came in the
hearts and the fire flashed in the
eyes OF the "boys Of the sixties" as
they arose and stood at attention"
once more.
Harry 'R. Hughs, Of Walhalla, was
next introduced, and in a forceful
impassioned manner quoted Sher-
man: "War is Hell" lie maintained
that whon mems passions dethroue
ihclr reason war follows, but settles
or decides no Issue states Rights Is
still an undecided issue. The World
War ended, the settling Is undecided,
the peace treaty is still an issue and
Its destiny depends on mans reason
ing powers. minus his passions.
Mrs. j. P. Stribling, historian for
the 'Robt. A. Thompson Chapter, IT.
D. c., read the "Farewell' to the
oconee boys as they entrained 1T
McElroy's Crossing on the 9TH day
of April. 1854, to enter the Confed-
crate Army. This "Farewell' WAS
written by Mrs. Susan Dendy DOYLE,
July Ia, 1861.
At the close OF this reading Mr.,
Julia D. Shanklin rose and stated
mat, as nine-year-old girl, she VS.
with her mother at this %
ng away, and pathetically told Of the
parting scenes there, and read , .e
names OF .he boys who took that
rain
The last and most comforting
lumber on the program was the an
louncement by J. P. Stribling that
beautiful hollow square table under
he spreading oaks was groaning un-
ler Its burden Of eatables-"Ladies
n center and gents all around" The
lall was quickly emptied. The clar
on CAL Of The dinner horn" an
lounced that the table was ready
This horn did service in the Revolu-
,ionary War as a powder horn, and
vas handed down by relatives to |
w. Stribling, veteran of the |
Confederate War. who transformed
t into blowing horn, and many |
IRE the times. in reconstruction DAYS,
When it called the Oconee huntsmcn
ma hounds together in the wee |
lours' of the morning to give chase
o the foxes, coons and opossums.
his dinner blast was blown by Da-
ia Warren Stribling, grandson Of
warren w. Stribling,
The day was lovely. the dinner
llentlfuI. Every one was ORDERLY aud