The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1922-05-03

thirsty and hot beverage seekers, look
ing after John Barleycorn. The dwell
ing above the cellar or basement had
two stories which were always fully
equipped as required by the State law
then with spare beds and provender
to feed persons and animals, to care
for their customers while they "drank
away boys and drown your SORROWS,
and never let trouble roll over your
minds"
After two destructive fires the re-
modelled and improved dwelling of G..
NJ. Harman were burned on this spot,
the first fire originated across the
street, the second fire from up street,
with loss of over 100000, with about
$4,000 insurance. Now every inch
fronting on Main street is covered
with a brickbat and is known as Har
man Block, four stores.
o the corner below the "Otter
Slide" we find Uncle Isaac Vansant
the vigilant and worthy sheriff, living
in the elegant, granite Jail. Uncle
Isaac and Aunt Katie were liked by
all the folks in town and country for
their kindness of heart and hand.
Uncle Isaac had but one arm but his
friends were mum nnerous and he could
have filled almost any position he
wanted in the county.
Zouker, one of our bakers, took
notion to raise the town on a general
booze and was locked in Jail for dis
orderly conduct, staying over night.
Some one went to the Jail to see how
he was getting on and asked him how
he liked it. He said firstrate except
ing the board, it was pretty tough,
but, it would do in a pinch. Uncle
Isaac, present, did not like his remark
and said d YOU Eve don't live on
a pinch" Zouker was turned out dur
ing the day and apologized to Uncle
Isaac and Aunt Katie, very gentleman
ly. It is said Uncle Isaac Vansant or
John kleckley transplanted the large
water oaks around the Jail, only two
of them living today. One old hull in
front of the Jail and the other on
the side street, was the spot where the
whipping post stood.
Uncle Drury Lawson was a noted
comical character from the Sand
Hills and he often visited the village
riding horseback. He was well
thought of by the business men and
especially the boys of the village. He
was good natured and loved his dram,
which seemed to make him talkative
and feel rich. One of his usual say
ings, was when tight: Did you ever
see man look like me?" While he
shook his head. He was a chubby,
fat, red face, and red frizzily hair
and true typical Irishman. The
boys delighted in teasing him when
he was ''tipsy" and enjoyed their fun.
On one Of his "carousels" here, riding
his faithful and gentle nag Bette
the boys to devil him, turned around
his saddle, so when he was ready to
start home we'll "soused", they helped
him up on the "critter," and he
reached for the bridal reins anc
caught Bette by the tail. He looked
around surprised and said, "Bettie
what the h is to matter with you
1 can't tell whether I am going OF
coming" However, he took the joke
good naturedly and the boys turned
the saddle right and placed him up on
Bette and started him home, sway
ing first one side of the horse then to
the other, but he would never fall
All the time, talking to himself as the'}
horse walked along carefully, taking
Uncle Drury safely home. So, true
enough: "a man may be down, but
he's never out"
In those days people seemed to
drink more of spirits and think less of
the habit than they do today. Any
kind of drink retailed for six and a |
quarter cents, and while they drank
freely, would fuss and fight only oc-
cassionally. They would settle their
differences by pulling off coats and
rolling up sleeves and face each other
in fair knock out fisticuff seldom |
ever injuring themselves, and after |
the fight they would shake hands anG |
part friendly as best man. Public and |
sale days sure would bring a fight I
but not serious, more liquor than |
else. Wiley Dickerson, Truss
Jackson. the McGee boys, Uncle Dick |
GELD Taylor, Ed. Leaphart, Luke |
Hendrix and others were champions |
<l1.t a.