The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-09-06
STORIES OF OUR SOUTHLAND.
William L. Yancey, the Great Seces.
sion Leader, and the Killing By
Him of DR.. Earle.

1t is generally believed that VIII,
ha9a L. Yaneey, the great secession
Asdss, is largely responsible for oul
Civil War, or at least is given that
distinction. He certainly took lead.
ing part in the Charleston eonyen'
tioa, that split the Democratic party
into three factions and insured the
election Of Abraham LINCOLN as pres
iasas. But war between the tres
states of the North and the slave
states Of the South was inevitable
and while that struggle nay hays
been delayed for few years, it heae heae
to come seme tiwe.
was boy in CHARLESTON when
that convention was held and my
family all being Nsllifers and Seees-
sionists, ! was familiar with the
transaction as one Of my Yeas could
be. I remember that among the del
seates vas q stautlbnilt, cock eyed
man, whom ! heard was named Ban
ismin F. Butler, 9 Democratic dele
Kate from Massachusetts,. This IS
the same '"Beast" Butler who, while
in5conanand of the Federal AMY Of
New Orleans issued an order against
the ladies of that city that ever
branded his name with infamy.
: William L. Yancey was a remark
ably handsome man, of imposing ap-
pearsnce and brilliant orator. Ny
fathsr and Col. Yancey were both
reared in Greenville district, c. c. and
we're close and warm friends. Yam
eey married Miss Earle, a LADY who
had lost one Of her eyes, and belong
cd to the eminent family of that
name. Waddy Thompson, minister
to Mexico when that country was rul-
ed by Santa Anna and preceding our
war with Mexico, also married
Miss Earle, a sister to Mrs: Yancey.
DIR. Earle. a brother of these two la
dies, at that time also resided near
Grsenyille. A great aunt of mine
married William Thompson, a broth
srs ssk Waddy Thompson. .
There was political rivalry and no
very good feeling existing between
Col, Yaneey and Waddy Thompson,
sud DR.. Earle and his family were in
synapathy with Thompson. Yancey
ws# no faporite with them. It IS said
that the wife of DR.. Earle was very
maen embittered against Col. Yam
eegs
Thrieay refer to these facts as q
prologue to nay. account Of the unfor-
tunste killiags Of DIR. Earle by Col.
Yaneey. and which tragedy lead to
Wm, l. Yancey being made an exile
from his state and moving to Mont
semary, Ala. secured my informaF- ma
ton irons my father, who was with
Col Yancey when the trouble that
ended in the killing of DIR. Earle
started and he was also with Yancey
at The time of the tragedy. Here is
my fathers report Of the killing and
causes that lead to it:
Waddy Thompson, on his return
from Mexico, delivered a strong ad-
dress TO a large gathering in the
town Of Grsenville, and EXPRESSED
views antagonistic to those entertain
ed ihy Yancey. After the speaking,
as Col. Yaney and my father walked
away from the place of meeting
Ysnssy turned 10 him and reWafksd:
.sGantt, Waady Thompson aasdskp
ass d himself today"
There was walking near them Elias
Eafle,-a lad of some IL years, son
OF; DR.. Earle, and who had imbibed
the dislike his parents felt against
Col. Yaneey, and was champion OF
Waddy Thompson. This Elias Earle
was the grandfather of the late SEN
ator John L. M. Irby of Laurensville,
sc. On overhearing Yanceys
comment on. Waddy Thompson's
speech, Elias spoke up and said:
"Uncle Yancey, if you say that
Uncle Waddy made an ass of himself
today you are liar"
On being thus denounced by hot
headed boy Col. Yancey turned
around and slapped Elias on the face
My father said, on witnessing the
act, he turned to Yaneey and to4d
him that he did very wrong; that he
should have reported the words OF
Elias to is father, and, knowing DR..
Earle as he did, felt assured that ne
would have punished the lad. He re-
minded Col. Yancey of the i'll feeling
existing between DR.. Earle and him
self, he advised Yancey that as they
had to pass near the residence Of Dr.