The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1922-04-05
"REMINISCENCES OF
THE LONG AGO.
By Uncle Josh

ways glad Of an opportunity to vi
Aunt Matilda Joiner, who lived in t
forks Of the Augusta and old Sta
T. road, near the Columbia bridge. S.
seemed glad when I was there al
certainly treated me as if was h
own little boy. At night, 1 haver
forgotten, how carefully she tuckt
me in bed and covered me with
feather bed.
She ran a boarding house whic
was constantly filled with regular an
transent boarders, and at night e:
pecially, the place was lively an
happy. Her house, two-story,
kitchen and an out house in the yarc
large barn and stables, and an OIL
store house on the corner opposit
her home, were the only building
there ,at that time The lot. opno
site the big barn, was used for drove
OF Tennessee hogs. I remember on,
morning early of taking a shot with
Uncle Jake Clark's gun, at a drove
OF partridges and doves all feedine
and mingling on the ground where
the hogs were usually fed, and !
killed four partridges and five doves
at one shot. I never felt prouder in
my life. Then, there were plenty of
birds, rabbits and squirrels around
the place and it was great sport to
90 out on hunt, or fish.
Mr.. Mayrant had a number Of fish
traps just above the Congaree bridge
across saluda and Broad rivers.
Uncle Dick Mayrant, colored better
known as Catfish Dick" was the
fisherman, who watched and attend
ed to the traps. We often stood near
and saw him take out numbers of
fish, good size sturgeon, 4, 8 and 10
pound shad, red horse, and CATFISH
place them in his canoe and land them
on the river bank and carry them III
on the Columbia market for sale.
This was Dicks work. We imagine
we can hear him now exclaimine a+
the top Of his voice: "Fresh fish
passing by, buy them"
Mr.. Daniel Hook was also the fish,
erman of number of traps further
up on Saluda river, and was success.
ful in his catch Of various kinds OF
flsh OF which he always found ready
demand. In those days, ebfore thei
strict migratory fish laws he had
plenty Of fish at reasonable prices.
NOW fried or baked shad, even in
season, are quite delicacy.
Time has sure brought wonderful
;nanges and today New Brookland
covering acres Of land, with grand ,
improvements. Large, up-to-date busi- ,
less stores, beautiful homes. modernl
'hurches, elegant high school build
ng, machine shops and numerous
'ther buildings, good streets and side
'aiks' and park, extending from the
Columbia bridge to, the old horse
ond. 1t is wonderful how the town
as and is still growing In all direc- q
ons. A factory village that the Co, 8
,mbia mill should feel proud of a.
aldings for comfort and convenience IL
their industrious and efficient heln
hey deserve credit for their thoueht- OF
illness and the interest they are TAX -
g In behalf Of their employees. r'
Brookland has numerous e4ores 70
ell stocked with just such goods as ~
e people need with clever and cour- AZ
Gus proprietors and clerks. ALWAYS re
eased to serve their customers. Ex- Ai
rlenced doctors to care for the sick
q administer to their wants. A ih'
una and safe bank with capable Of '"'
ers' men Of good judgment to trans pc
the banking business and care for oe'
= rnlohey. A thorough telephone
'tem' with bright electric lights for .
stores homes and streets, and w"
yer improvements that go to make ~ w.
thriving little business citv of wa
'ut 5000 inhabitants. Enjoying all 80
their privileges and conyeniences ~
~ should they not feel contented ~
happy. MIC
me old Columbia bridge, crossing
ne junction of the waters of Broad
saluda, forming the Congaree
r IS remembered by some of orr Sta
1oiks living today. This bridge L
a wooden framed structure p
and covered with Hal
lgles. 1t had center partition ri