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THE TIMES AND DEMOCEAT: SATURDAY, MATMONUMENT UNVEILEDMARKING SITE OP THE HOMEOP REBECCA MOTTE.^Orangeburg Daughters of the Revolution and Three Hundred GuestsTake Part in the Exercises.Three miles from the village of Fort Motte, .on a great hill overlooking the muddy waters of Congaree river, says a correspondent of The News and Courier, the Moultrie Chapter, D. A. R., of Orangeburg, with three hundred invited friends, held full sway Wednesday. It is a happy trait, implanted in the civilized breast, which bids us revere the memories of heroes and heroines of a past age, and the 4'Daughters*' are honoring themselves by honoring and perpetuating the name and fame of Mrs. Rebecca Motte.She it was, as every schoolboy knows, whose home was taken and used as a garrison by the British during the Revolutionary period. She it was, as tradition goes, who shot Marion’s loaded arrows which set fire to her own home in order to rout the tories; and it is to her memory that a strong and abiding granite monument was unveiled Wednesday.One feels that he is treading hallowed and historic soil hereabouts. A few miles up the river, and with-in sweep of one’s vision, lies buried old Commodore Gillon, who figured somewhat conspicuously during his day; who owned thousands of acres around his obscure grave; who w’as the first president of Charleston's Chamber of Commerce, and whose name is pertetuated by a prominent street in that city upon which her Postoffice formerly stood.A few hundred yards down theriver is clearly seen old Belleville plantation, one of the finest in the State (now owned by tbe Peterkins), upon which lived another Revolutionary hero, Col. William Thompson. His magnificent home, which stood with its Revolutionary bullet holes until fifteen years ago, w-as also a British stronghold and fell simultaneously with the Motte Fort in May, 1718.Hard by was the home of Col. Isaac Hayne (whose descendants are still honored citizens in this neighborhood) who espoused the cause of American Independence, and who, at the head of a corps of dragoons, around Charleston, fell into an ambuscade laid for him by British commanders. Thrust into a dungeon and condemned to death, without trial, by Lord Rawdon and Col. Balfour, he went to his doom with the same intrepid courage which he displayedon the field of battle.In a. few* appropriate words, Miss Mary McMichae! introduced the orator of the day, Mr. A. S. Salley, Jr., the well known historian. He read, in a most impressive manner, a carefully prepared speech, setting forth in detail the facts bearing upon the life of Mrs. Motte and the periodin which she figured. He scouted themyth that she shot the arrow' w'hich fired her own home.The truth of history forced him to state that her house was burned by a ball of gum rosin ard brimstone, set on fire and flung on the roof. The house was not raised to the ground, as some historians state, but was accidentally burned several years after the close of the Revolution. He gave high praise to the Moultrie Chanter for its noble work and sug gested that it build a monument in the public square at Orangeburg to Gen. Moultrie, the great patriot, twice Governor of South Carolina.It w'as a great mission to erect these monuments to our illustrious dead, and he specified those to Sumter, Marion. Hampton and Calhoun, He was glad that the new county bore the latter's illustrious name, but hoped that old Orangeburg would not be called upon to honor any morein the same way. It was a scholarly address, from start to finish, and greatly enjoyed by his large audience.I. W. Bowman, Esq.. of Orangeburg. made a few happy remarks, then read a letter of congratulations from the Rebecca Motte Chapter of Charleston, and placed a palmetto wreath upon tbe monument sent by the Charleston chapter.Col. P. T. Hildebrand read a tele*gram from Mrs, Bratton, of York-wille. State regent of the D. A. R., to Mrs, A. C. Ligon, expressing hercongratulations.The Orangeburg Brass Band enthusiastically played Dixie when the crow’d repaired to a beautitul grove nearby and enjoyed a splendid picnic dinner. The inscription on the monument reads as follows:Site- of Rebecca Motto’s Home. Sacrificed for her country, May 121781.Moultrie Chapter. D. A. R.Mav 12, 1909.PROHIBITION MEETINGS.Mr. Harley Gave Two Lectures atthe Town of NorthRev. John L. Harley, superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League of theState, made interesting talks Monday and Tuesday nights at the Methodist church on prohibition. Rev. Harley came unexpectedly and his meetings were given short notice, but being well acquainted here and being knowm as a zealous fighter for prohibition, the meetings w’ere largely attended and much enthusiasm shown. He spoke both times from different points of view on the subject and his discussions filled with with valuable facts and interspersed with bits of humor, made him both interesting and delightfully entertaining. •M*. Harley spoke Monday nightju the financial feat Lie of the liquor ' traffic and forcibly impressed iac*.s not often thought of. The p rob Lin of eliminating the traffic of whisky, he says, is froughL with difficulties jut the surest way of doing it is to attack it in the most vital place, the money side. The difficulty he thinks, was once like the boy whose hat w*as taken, from him by an elephant in a circus. The elephant standing on his hat, the boy became furious and drawing back his fist said, You two-tailed beast, you, if I knew' on which end your head was I would knock your brains out.4* The vital spot of the liquor traffic is no longer like the elephant’s head to the boy, in doubt about, but is found and all there is to do is to strike there. The folly of tbe claims held by whiskey advocates that it brings large revenue to the towns, to the schools and to other purposes appropriated to, was laid bare by Mr, Harley and he show'ed from authoritative records that ail the revenue gained was more than offset by the cost of courts, jails, and lawyers fees to try and punish criminals produced directly by liquor. Men who advocate.the sale of it for revenue are just as simple as the little girl whose mother paid her to take cod-liver oil and then gave the money back to her mother to buy more oil with, Mr. Harley Tuesday night spoke on the subject in the light of what has been gained for prohibition, what some of the difficulties are, and what will be the outcome of the fight going on. He produced from reliable sources a vast amount of information as to the great reduction in whiskey sales in those States operating pro* hibition law's and how' fast the idea is gaining favor, and emphasized the statement that prohibition is prohibiting. He complimented the recent legislature on shutting out of the State all whiskey agents but deplored its action in other respects. Mr. Harley reminded the people of the great unfairness practiced by the liquor element to discredit the claims of prohibition and to defeat if possible the efforts of prohibitionists.He pointed out that the most unfair scheme used to defeat the prohibition was the work of irresponsible hired newspapers, of iniqpitous liquor journals, and the distribution of obscene literature by whiskey drummers allowed to travel over thecountry. On account of the compromise made by many preachers and others wTho ought to strike for the cause, prohibition is suffering.Mr. Harley is doing hard work and urges the people not to let the present conditions exist and says in order to win we must be on the alert.He is asking for libera! contributionsthat he might enlist more help anddistribute literature over the 21 wet counties before the election in August, at which time he hopes the question will be settled right,H. 0, L.STOOD EXAMINATIONS.HEARD FROM AGAIN• p(Continued from page 3),of the good old way. was each combatant a new shirt and confinement to their home until some more hair and more whiskers grew some. My. my, T remember at the approach of each lumbering old train, there was to be found at least a dozen darkies with their coffee pot and a little weak stuff, a few friends fish and plenty of gingercakes to appease the hunger of the weary traveler. Well, from those old ruins the sons, grandsons and great grand-sons, with agood cross of blood from other sections, Branchville has been converted into a very pretty little town, withbroad streets, up-to-date mercantile houses, good schools. churches, railroad work shops, sawmills, ginneries, etc. All controlled by what seems to be fine business men and women, and last but not least, is the appearance of that long felt want, the Branchville Journal, edited by one of Colleton’s best bloods. I see no reason why Branchville’s future should not be a thing settled. And now’, as I expect to travel that way again, and don’t want to be put to the trouble to carry feed for man and beast. I’ll slop, trusting that there still stands open doors for me whenI com e.UNCLE JACK*About Sixty Applicants for Teachers* Certificates,Yesterday morning all who desired to stand teachers' examinations stood them in the court house. There were about sixty applicants on hand. Following are the names of thosestanding:Miss Ella Wilkes, Orangeburg. Miss Mary Wilkes, Orangeburg. Miss Maud Radcliff, Orangeburg. Miss Kate Fair, Elloree.Miss Mamie Fair, Elloree.Miss Annie Stone, Winnsboro. Miss Pearl Price, Raymond.Miss Georgia Antley, Cordova. Miss Pearl Joiner, Jamison.Miss Rosalie Fitts, Pineland,Hampton county.Miss Jessie Easterling, Bowman.Miss Ida WhrtrcR. Bowman.Miss Mattie WUtsel, B-.wman.Miss Jennie Stokes, Rowesville. Miss Mattie Funehes, Rowesville. Miss Jessie Dukes, Orangeburg. Miss Eueebia Dantzler, Parlers. Miss Helen Evans, Elloree.Miss Lillie Spires, Orangeburg. Miss Eva Heustess, Bennettsville. Miss Rena Smith, Bowman.Miss Julia Dash, North. x Miss Sarah Annie Rast, Cameron. Miss L. E. Barton, Cameron. Miss Lila Jordan, O. C. I.Miss Clara Steele, Scranton.Miss Carrie Gaskins, Kershaw. Miss Gertrude Serie, Greenwood. Miss Mella Stokes, Rowesville. Miss Eunice Oliver, Swansea. Miss Dot Bull, Vances.Miss Maud Peitigrue, Troy,Miss Della Wilson, Holly Hill.Mr. G. A. Bull, Vance.Miss Mannie Gue, Timmonsville. Miss Wilhelmena Bennett, Lodge. Miss Lieze Thomas, Edgemore.Miss Lessie Walsh, Jamison, Miss Mabel Bethume, Manning. Mr. W. L. Heaner, Orangeburg. Miss Bertha Spires, Orangeburg. Miss Lessie Phillips, Rowesville. Miss Nareissa Gray, Cope.Mr. H. D. Bull, 0. C. I.Miss Mabel Campbell, Smoaks,Mr. R, G. Corbett, Springfield. Miss Rebecca Morgan, Springfield. Mr. H. L. Gardner, Salley.Miss Fannie Ed wards,’Orangeburg.Miss Julia Reed, North.Miss Justine Hiers, Smoaks.Miss Ruth Hinnant, Siittons.Mr. Fred T. Boyteston, Orangeburg.Miss Margaret Wood, New Zion. Miss Lillie Felkei, Elloree.Miss Gusste Dantzler, Cameron. Miss Viola Dantzler, Cameron. Mr. Tom P. Horger, Jr., Jamison. Mr. Wilbur Clayton. Calston.Mr. Wm. Marchant, Orangeburg.ESCAPED CONVICT CAPTUREDNegro Who Ran Away From Lexington Caught Here.Caroline Richardson, colored, was arrested in this city Thursday morning by Mayor Dukes and Superintendent of Streets J. B. Ethridge. Richardson is about forty years of age, copper colored and has a rather pleasing facial expression. He is an escaped convict, having been sent up from Richland county in I89S for the murder of a negro named Myers.In an interview with the Orangeburg correspondent of The Xtfws and Courier, Richardson admitted his identity and stated that he had escaped with about seven other convicts from the chain gang guard ii.Lexington county in November last, and made his way direct to this city, where he has been ever since working under the name of Frank Middleton.He said he did not kuow the names of those who (escaped with him, neither did he know their whereabouts, that they took other directions and he has heard nothing of them since. He says they were shot at by the guard, but none of them was hit. He found little difficulty in releasing himself from the shackles once he was beyond the reach ot the guard, and then made his way here on foot.When asked why he had risked stopping so close to the scene of the crime and among those who would surely recognize him, he said his intention was to go to Georgia, but, as he had no money, it was necessary to make some to pay his expenses.Mr. Etheredge had had his eye on the negro for several days, but was not in possession of the proper information on which to arrest himuntil Wednesday night, and li* lostno time in taking the fellow inThursday morning. This information came through the Penitentiaryauthorities at Columbia, and also showed that a reward of $50 is offered for the capture of RichardsonA LETTER FOR YOU.If You See Your Name in This ListFussed Away.Call on the P. O. ClerksList of letters remaining unclaimed in the Orangeburg Postoftiee forweek ending May 13, 1909. Per-enne railing for same will pleaseWHAT WAS THIS RUIN?AN OLD MAUSOLEUM OR FORTON THE SANTEE,The Builders of This Strange Structure Left Us No Clue That TimeHas Not Obliterated.Mr. M. T. Carlisle writes of anold ruin in this county in the State that will be read with interest by tions its romantic development into a never heard of it before. Here iswhat Mr. Carlisle says about this mysterious old ruin:South Carolinians have begun to treasure the history of their entire 1 otate. Much effon is now being made to preserve to future generations its romatic development into a great State. However, there is nruch ' of its history that dates so far backInto the vague, uncertain past, thatits very obscurity stimulates in usthe wildest conjectures.On one bank of the Santee rivernear Parler, at a point formerlyknown as Pinckney’s landing, stands a remarkable ruin. It is evidently the remains of an old fortress or of a mausoleum. However, it can not be determined for which purpose this vast work of masonry was employed.As it stands today it consists of a wall indosure in rectangular shape, 30 by 60 feet. The walls are five feet high and 18 inches thick. They are completed on top in octagonal shape, which indicates that they stand today at their original height.A noticeable peculiarity of the walls is the fact that they are solid and intact, not containing a single opening for a door or gate, they are built of firm English bricks, which are substantially cemented. It is with great difficulty that one is able to extract ever, a souvenir brick from the wall.As to the history of this unique inclosure very little can be learned. It is known to have existed very much in its present condition 150 years ago. Beyond this period it ’is obftqure and uncertain, but is thought for various reasons to have existed since the earliest settlements were made in the State,It is situated on a high bulff overlooking the river just opposite a huge bend and for this reason is claimed by some to be the remains of an old fort. Thi3 theory is further strengthened by the substantial nature of its walls. However, the fact that the walls are only five feet in height, we feel, totally disconcertsthis idea.The oldest inhabitants of the section claim that far back about the close of the 17th century an English settlement was made at this point. The settlers after a year of hardships, had nearly all died of malaria (which is known to be severe in that section). The few' survivors erected this wralled inclosure as a mausoleum around the graves of their dead : comrades and returned to England. This theory is substantiated by the ^distance of a large feurfrotyDdling field, which, like the inctOBure, dates back beyond the recollections of the oldest inhabitants for several generations. This, also, of course, isnothing more than mere theory, but being the more rational of the two is tbe generally accepted one.What ever the facts may be there is some unrecorded history of importance connected with Ihis mouldering ruin worthy of inquiry; indeed, there is something romantic and fascinating about this secluded spot. More than one curious observer, after much examining, inquiring, dreaming and guessing, has had to abandon the hope of ever reaching the clue to the history of thissingular structure.I for one have examined the wall with the utmost care but could not. discover anything that enlightened me in the least. The builders left us no clue that time has not obliterated unless they liave placed something in one of the cornerstones. I hope son: e time to make a search for this.Though I can offer no explanation for the existance of this interesting structure, I feel that it must be a landmark in South Carolina history. Its very antiquity inspires one with awe and wfe can not look at its grim walls without feeling that it stands as a monument commemorating somehistorical achievement.ge:GrandThe have 1 jurorspresen St. Ma Mon da J. H W.JLI3S¥}M.J.A.R,J.F.H.G.* G.J. J J. HB, IElio L. JiW. ■\3The the ge: to sen of cou A. J T, C J. D ‘ T. *w. ;Wallc. a w. i s. vw. iJ. F • Web J. C H. A R. IGeo. L, IW. 1A. IW. 1Fleti T. FJ. EE. I J. M O. ¥B. FC, TW. ’ W. 1f, yJ. F J. K T. E T. B J, C. Judf the at menceBRANIGoodP.J.B.J.J.Team B Wins*In a featurless game Thursday afternoon team B defeated team C by a score of seven to five. Team B made three scores in the fourth inring, after which team C never had much of a chance to win. The score by innings stood:R. H. E,C .. .*• -002 001 011—5 8 4B....... 020 310 100—7 7 5Batteries—C. Josey and Fairey;B. Henry St ms and Kortjohn.Strike out, by Josey. 6; by Henry Sims, 10. 2-base hits, Fisher, 2,Martin. Kortjohn and Bates. Um-The J, R. and M: the fo man’s Survive P. E. ; p. :D. £x. ;B. 1A. 1 WallacCash , Abe PeW. V. O. F. 0 H,S. C= J. JM. 1F. TiE. ECash . J. A. B F. F. 13 J. B. W A, Kar R. FC. SD. £ Dra1Cash . A. F. I J. D. B L. W. \\\ W.\v. c. £W. P. -F. A. F O. \V. £ C. J. Flt;F, F, I Rev. E.L.J.J.J.J.J.J.L.H.A.: 4TI m*Thetracts r to lie i: of the t ous.Artif ing paj varnish powder lamp b Guru ing wit the soi; i ions c electro-Near makersr:nrmril
Newspaper Details
The Times And Democrat
Orangeburg, South Carolina, US
Sat, May 15, 1909
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
University O.
South Carolina, USA 26 Apr 2023
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