Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-06-03
ROUGH OLD JOKER
Some Facts and Traditions Of The
Very Long Ago.
A STORY OF GEN. EDWARD LACEY

Neiehbor Through Joke That He
Undertook to FIay-How Old Man
McCTintock Was Cured of the
Liquor H abit.
General Edward Lacey, famous
South Carolina soldier Of the War Of
the Revolution, was one OF the great
est practical iolers that ever lived in
the state. 1t is u matter of history
not generally known throughout the
state that he came near losing his
life after the war as q result Of one of
his practical jokes. It is recorded that
the general used to tell the story HIM
self and that he used to say that while
he never entertained but little fear OF
British bullets during the Revolution,
he cid fear tho wrath Of Mr.. jamie
McClintock because Of Il joke that he
played on the old man. The story as
it comes 10 me is about as follows:
Practical iokes-the very toughest
of practical jokes were much in vogue
in Carolina ard especially in the Up
Country during the days following the
revolution. 1t was but natural that at
!east occasionally an irrascible dispos-
ition felt like rcsenting them.
Loved His Liquor.
Now old Mr.. jamie McClintock was
m irishrlan born and IL thorough gen.
tleman. Like most men Of his time he
loved his liquor and in fact he had
such a weakness for it that he was Of
ten overcome by taking a wee drap
too much. Although he was very rich
the old man never owned any slaves,
he had q family Of free negroes In
his employ all Of his life and he also
had Il man Of all work-one Jim
Downs, who &c himself hailed from
the Emerald isle.
Jim Downs, according 10 the story
always ate and slept in the kitchen,
and was withall dirticr specimen of
the genus homo than most Of the
black men.
Old man McClintock thought a lot
Of the Hshman, however. and he was
in the habit of overlooking Jim Downs
many faults. He had the freedom or
the entire place and was often seen
following McClintocli around much IN
the capacity of Il ma ajor- domo or spec
ial body guard.
The story goes that one day General
Lacey went to the home Of Il Mr.. Dan
icl Williams, win lived on Turkey
Creek. The compliments Of the da%
having been passed. Mr.. Williams
naturally inquired if there WAS any
news ;llloat.
Yes" replied General Lacey with
ii. twinkle in his eye, lin Downs is
dead"
How Lacey Started It.
Jim Downs dead" exclaimed Mr..
Williams. Poor Old fellow. Why
had not even heard that he. was sick.
Well. well What Il life he led ut Me-
's-as hard as Il negro. In iact'
McClintock kicked and cnffcd him
about and always treated him much
as he would a negro. When did he
die and what was the matter??
"Why.' replied Lacey. "Old Nc
Clintock came home in Il Irnic the
other night. He lonkcd Downs over
and being impressed with the fact
that the fellow was dirty and ragged
and unkemp. made him take Il bath,
nut on new clothes and then put him
TO bod in IL clean feather he'd. the
next morning they found old Downs
dead"
\ good laugh followed the hoax and
it's explanation. II WAS repeated from
one to another Throughout the Turkey
Creek nrighborhund until it came to
the cars of old MIN McCIintock.
or course the old fellow was simply
furious when he heard it and he made
ur his mind tn give General Lacy il
ccul tongue lashing the very next
time hc saw him.
That information of course soon got
tn the cars Of Lacey and the great
iukrstcr Immediately made up his
mind 10 have SON" fin at the expense
nf McCiintock as well rs old Jim
Downs.
Not long aftcrward there was q
gathering Of citizens nf The nciEhhor-
hood for some purpose. Lacey WAS
there and McClirtmk WAS there ana
after the tmu had taken Il few drinks
together old man McClininck forgot all
ahGut the malice that he hnl'burcd
against Gcncrnnl Lacey.
rsuL the latter WAS determined to
have his little joke. Now it happened
that there lived in that community at
the time !; minister named McCarra
who like most ministers of that day
as we'll as the citizrnS generally, liked
his liquor tnn.
I'arson McCarrn had several drinks
with Lacey and McClintnck. Lacey
was careful in his drinking but the
parsnn and McClin;nck threw diScre-
,jcn TO the winds for the time being
and IL WAS only II short time until
McCiintock, fell down completely stu
pcficd.
Preached His Funeral.
Lacey saw his chance.