Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-11-22
Tuesday, November %, 1921.

here and not get back again if you can
help it?" he inquired. 1+-v'
Every hand was raised and therc
was a broad grin on every face ac-
companying the hand raising.
1t developed also at this point that
ajority of the prisoners on the coun-
" chaingang are not residents of York
county Col. Cobb asked those who
lived east of Tirzah to raise their
hands and then those living west and
north of Tirzah TO do likewise, The
raised hands indicated that the ma
jority of the prisoners were non resi-
dents Of the county.
II am no preacher" said Col. CobD:
"but we have a preacher with us and
/ am going to ask Rev. j. r. Tucker,
pastor of the First Baptist church OF
Rock Hill to say few words to you
and TO offer prayer"
How many of you fellows believe in
Jesus Christ?' inquired Rev. Tucker.
Again every hand went up.
81 want something more Definite
said Mr.. Tucker. What do you mean
by believing in Jesus Christi"
Believe that he loves me and dled
for me Cap'n," said a bright colored
negro chained to the steel rod that runs
through the stockade.
THAT'S right" said Mr. Tucker. "Hc
loves YOU even though you have broken
the law of the land and are now with
out your liberty. If you believe in Him
and obey His commandments He Will
watch over you and guard you ana
care for you The minister spoke 1oI
several minutes to the conVicts VINO
listened most attentively to his re-
.l,n,, loa 1,nl HnnR1II1D1
started a prayer every head was bow
ed i'm deep reverence. When he con-
cluded there were tears in the eyes of
several men wearing striped clothes
and who were stepped and hardened in
sin.
Then the hand organ was put into
use and a chorus from the. kiwanians
sang hymns. The convicts were ask
ed to sing and this they did right
heartily. Led by n giant black negro.
a trusty, they sang old and familiar ne
gro songs with spirit and with ZeSt'
holding their visitors thrilled with the
melody Of their songs.
They sang a song about the prophet
Daniel and they sang Swing Low
Sweet Chariot" and another song about
! the Gospel Train. They sang "Old
Time Religion" and other selections,
song and quite a few of the white con-
victs ON the other side of the stOckade
joined in the songs. 1t was wonderful
music-SongS sung with such clearneSS
and perfect time and harmony that the
rough and hardened singers would pu'
many Il practiced church choir tC
shame.
you men can sing much better than
we can" said a lady who was in the
party Of Kiwaniahs. 1T is fine" And
it was.
Then the gifts of fruit and cigars
ard candies and tobacco wee distrlb-
uted. There was a plenty for each
convict. They didn't scramble TO get
the presents. Each negro and each
white man quietly waited until the dis
tributors came to him and then he re-
Ceived his gifts with grateful thanks.
Oats de fust cigah ah is had in er
long time" said one big black negro,
with a broad grin. as he stuck the cigar
behind his ear. Hit haint no cheroot
either"
convicts the party of kiwanians left
dn the return journey to Rock Hill,
happy in the knowledge that they had
made others happy.
The party included: Rev. j. Z. Tuck
or r. +. Bell. c. a. Johnson, Fletcher
Kuykendall, j. Stewart Walker, V. B..
Blank5nship, Z. NJ. London, J. c. Har-
din. ID. b. Moore. II. E. Ruff. John r
VIII Jams. Z. y. Few"ll r. NJ. Fcwon 7.
=. Reid. f. =. Barnes, &. NJ. JOyc, B. J.
White, otis PartlOw, DR.. Mccain Mich
OILS, II. T.. Cartwright, y. c. Patterson,
w. B. K'ugh. r. l.. Hamilton. ID. Il. Nc
Fadden. John r. Shurley, G. Fl. Greene,
c. #. Fuller. Thco. Roddey, G. l.. Cobb;
Mesdames c. r. Fuller, ]. +. Reid, T. +.
Cartwright, X. l.. Camp, V. b. Blank
cnship. ID. Il. Moore, J. c. Rhea, j. f.
Roddcy. ". Il. Klugh; Misses Mary
Love, Elizabeth Higgins, Nan Roddcy,
Nell Reid.