The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-11-24
SHELTERED REFUGEES
AND WEARY SOLDIERS
Late Mrs. Caroline Cayce, Nearly Sc
Years Mistress of Historic Hcnae
Was Remarkable Woman
BY W. P. Houseal


hospitality dispensed by one Of its
matrons who presided there in most
charming manner nearly so years.
Mrs. Caroline Cayce. who entered It's
historic walls as bride in 1868, full
filed life's mission in a wide meas
ure. Her flower covered grave in
CRANKY cemetery on the afternoon of
November 8 was surrounded by q
large concource Of friends and rela-
tives who no doubt recalled many
scenes around her hospitable frcs;de.
Mrs. Cayce died on the evening Of
November Z. She was born 3. Sandy
Run, within II mileh of the Cayce
house, November 20, 1872 the
daughter of William James Ruckeaa
and Jenima (Rutledge} Rucker, and
there lived all her life within the
same community.
It was in the stirring days of war
and the troublous times CT lSS1-65
when she became the bride {Aay Il,
1869 Of R. W. G. Cayce and assssa7'
ed charge as the young maIrcn Of the
Cayce house. Stern as was the test
ana the duties OF that period, the true
worth Of lovely womanhood never
proved so efficient ror added more
Joy to the hearthstore. Situated ss It
had been in Revolutionary days, d.
rectly cn the chief highway ffoa
Charleston and the low country. It
was on the trail OF soldiers and refu-'
gees. The same conditions were re-
peated in the Confederate war and
never passed day that some soldier
or footsore and weary refugee DID
not receive succor and comfort be
meath the roof of the Cayce house.
Only w::thin'the past year OF two has,
the state highway changed the course
of the old route west Of the Cayce
house-one more direct with which
the old Cayce route again connects
mile to the south, yet route Th:ca
had been in use about 1so Yeas. l.
was here that Mrs. Cayce placed the
comforts Of shelter to many weary
refugees in summers heat and win
ter's cold as they fed from the raw
ages of the invader in the low ccun-
try in the days of 1S61-65.
Present at her funeral was : Co.
lunabian raatron VINO had been wei
coined at the Cayce home, under the
circumstances here described, when
she and her companions had been re-
fused admission at 'other homes on
theft perilous journey from. the low
country in the '60s.. Pages could
be filed with the relation Of other IN
stances to show that the doors Of the
Cayce house opened vide to tag seN
tent of its hospitality hroughouk the
trcublous times of that period for all
sought its shelter.
Mrs. Cayce possessed tact and eX-
ec@tive ability of high degree which
couabined with fine quality Of iAtG-
ition, made her the mistress of nssIy
an extraordinary situation wsnca
might perplex one greatly u2dcf s.n-
liar conditions. To her many vntues
was added a keen sense OF humor.
Nothing pleased her more than to
have as visitors ip her home groups
of young peple whom she always en-
tertained with hearty repartee snd1
Joined in their festivities with the
alacr;ty of youth. The tourist seek
ing information about the eayce
house was likewise as welcome as the
closest friend or relative. 1t was
well said at her death by prominent
Columbia citizen, "She was one OF
the finest women I ever knew" He
had been a friend and visitor al
her home during period OF 50 years.
She was generous to fault. Her
life was a pathway of sunshine. i
IN the passing of one who vas So
long an occupant of the Cayce house
an account of The other residents IS
interesting.
The Cayce house was built aaout
1T7O by Chestnut & kcrshaw, firm
of traders who had quite chain OF
stores in the state. TIE house was
thus first used as a store. and no
doubt also as the residence OF the
storekeepers. The unusually large
chimney on the northeast end with
its fireplace in the cody of the sbsase
was no doubt built to provide: suH-
cient warmth for the Indians, and
other traders as they surrounded the
fire in the winter season
Tho Rritish seized the house when