The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-09-27
LARRY CANTT'S WEEKLY LETTER
By T. Larry CAN'T

that no hotel could ever exist at
CrawfordTlle, for even strangers
stopped at Liberty Hall.
Mr.. Stephens never married, and
was waited on by faithful family SER
wants, and who were devoted to him.
His body servant was a negro man
named Harry, who accompanied his
master wherever he went. In his
later years Mr.. Stephens grew so fee
bic that he had to be wheeled around
in chair, which Harry pushed. Even
when on his political campaigns, he
met his appointments in this chair
and had to be lifted on and from the
rostrum. But even when in most en-
feebled health, his mental powers
were as powerful as ever, and his
eloquence unchecked. But when
speaking he kept 81; SIS of water and
spirits before him, and at intervals,
took sip of liquor. Once during an
address in Lexington, When defining
& ,naocracy, L remember him STOPPING
to raise the glass to his lips, and as he
Gid so exclaimed, "And my fellow
countrynen, this is true democracy"
A wag in the audience yelled back,
"That's soa Alec. Pass around that
brand of democracy. l want to try
it." The retort provoked hearty
laugh in which Mr.. Stephens joined.
Mr.. Stephens was quick at repair
tee. There is an old story that has
been doubted, but l. have authentic
information Of it's truth. During
joint debate between B. H. Hill and
A. H. Stephens, Mr.. Hill, in his sar-
castle manner, turning to his diminu-
tive antagonist, remarked, "The idea
of Little Alec Stephens running
against me! Why if you pin his ears
back and grease him, I can swallow
him whole" In flash, Mr.. Stephens
replied, eyes, Hill, and you will then
ha, more brains in your CUTS than
you ever had : in your head" Mr..
George H. Lester, for many. years
clerk of court in Oglethorpe county,
Georgia, and man of unquestioned
veracity, told me That the incident
occurred during a joint debate be-
tween Hill and Stephens at Lexing-
ton, that he was present and heard
the sarcasm and rejoinder.
I once heard a battle of legal gi-
ants. It was the trial of the Dupree
will case at Lexington, and Ben Hill
and Bob Toonlbs were employed on
one side and "A. H. and Linton Ste
phens on the other side. The verdict.
was a dog-fall. People came from
long distances to hear the arguments,
and standing room in the court house
was at premium.
Mr.. Stephens, on his mothers side,
was Greer, of Greer's Almanac
fames They were in moderate cir
cumstances, but a highly respected
people. His brother, Linton Ste
phens, was also man of exceptional
ability but unlike Alec, was man of
large stature and splendid specimen
of manhood.
Mr.. Stephens ambition was to die
in harness, and when in very feeble
health was elected governor of Geor-
gia, and died during his second term.
He was a kindly hearted man, and MS
generous granting of pardons raised
a howl of protest over the state. 1t
was said that it was needless to con-
vict criminal, for all necessary
was to send some woman and little
CT ldren in tears to Gov. Stephens and
he would grant a pardon.
Mr.. Stephens left his modest es-
tate to his relatives, but bequeathed
his home, Liberty Hail." as school
building, and also provided for his old
servants. The home is still used as
dorn1itcry for teachers and is plain
ly seen from the car windows on the
Georgia railway by passengers gong
through Crawfordville. The furnl-
ture in the house is preserved just as
left by the owner.
Mr.. Stephens was Jetfersonlan
Democrat of the pucest brand, and his
life and political record are compar-
able to thai of Thomas Jefferson. Had
A. H. Stephens lived when the Decla-
ration of independence was written,
his name would doubtless have been
signed to that document.