Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-12-19

Why the County Went Democratic in
1876.
For The Yorkville Enquirer.
Reading the account of the 50th
wedding anniversary of Mr.. and Mrs.
Jno. C. Blair has placed me in a
reminiscent mood. 1 will attempt to
jot down a few recollections of the
happenings of that period of the his
tory of York county and South Caro-
| lima.
School Houses Then and Now.
In comparing the condition of the
county then and now 1 recall that the
youth of the county then had poor edu-
cational facilities. The school houses
were generally built of logs, the cracks
plastered with mud, stick and dirt
chimney at one end which smoked in
cessantly, not more than two windows
at most, with shutters only which had
to be closed in cold weather. Slabs
with four round sticks for legs for
seats with no backs, 'one long table
with sloping top at each side for the
writing lessons. The lone chair in the
house was for the teacher and this
sometimes had a pin arranged for the
benefit of said teacher.
How different now I passed on my
way up last Saturday not less than
ten comfortable school houses with
two to six rooms glass windows and
all nicely painted with large pile Of
coal for fuel. So the country youth Of
today have a great advantage over
those of fifty years ago. The youth Of
fifty years ago had but one advantage
over those of today. When you get
your sweet Dulcie in your fiivver, it
takes your undivided attention to keep
old Henry" in the road.
Then we got her in one of Wheeler's
buggies and old Dobbin did the driv-
ing while we gave our attention to the
subject uppermost ir mind.
We then had no telephone, no gas
engine, no flying machine, no electric
power or lights.
How do you wonder did we live and
get on then? Pretty well I'll say. The
worst thing we had to contend with
was our Southland was just out of an
unsuccessful war, the flower of our
young manhood had been killed in bat
tie and the government was entirely
in the hands Of carpetbaggers and
negroes.
Roads Filled With Soldiers.
Yes, fifty years ago our highways on
Saturdays were filed with marching
negro militia armed with rifles, loaded
with powder and ball and it was safest
for white people to stay at home.
At this time scores of our best men
were languishing in northern prisons
for trying to rid our state Of this de-
plorable condition.
Not All Serious.
Notwithstanding these troublous
times the light side of life was not
altogether neglected.
There lived in Dowdletown near Bull
locks Creek church two brothers, Uncle
Tom and Bill. Dowdle, widely known
for their practical joking. On one oc-
casion Uncle Tom was admiring Broth
er Bills fine array of hogs for fatten-
ing. Remarking that he would like to
feed one on shares it was agreed for
him to take one home, which was done
at once. The next day Uncle Bill no.
ticing pork for dinner, says: Nancy,
where did you get pork?" why, Tom
sent half a hog over this morning" re-
piled Nancy Sure enough he had fed
the hog supper and breakfast, butcher
ed and split it from nose to tip Of tail
and sent Uncle Bill half.
You may be sure he would get even
if he had not already done so.
Dr.. Ross Overdd 1t.
This very amusing story used to be
told about one Of the ruling elders Of
Sharon Seceder church. A good many
years ago that whole section was visit
ed by a drouth of long duration. 1t
was along in August and the crops
we're in a bad way. This old elder was
a good farmer and he was worried over
the situation. There had been no rain
in weeks. At the meeting of the ses-
sion one Sunday he proposed a resolu-
ton that DR.. Ross, the pastor at that
time, pray for rain. In due form the
resolution was adopted During his
prayer before the morning sermon the
good doctor pleaded long and fervently
for rain. During the dinner hour the
rumble of distant thunder was heard.
The afternoon service was hurrledly
held and those who lived nearby were
able to get home before the rain began
to fall: but those who lived farther
away were completely drenched with
the rain. The next morning this same
ole elder went down to his Turkey
creek bottom to see is corn. He could
only see an occasional tassel waving in
the surgng flood. AS he contem-
plated the situation, he exclaimed,
"Sakes alive, that's just like Ross. He
always overdoes the thing"