| The State – December 7,
1917 Little Girl Killed Accident Costs Life of Child in Edgefield County Edgefield, Dec 6
– A distressing accident occurred in the Rehoboth community yesterday
afternoon in the home of Mr. And Mrs. W. P. Culbreath costing the life of
one of their children. While several children were playing in the hall the
jar to the building caused a loaded shotgun that was standing in the
corner to fall and fire, the entire load taking effect in the chest of the
five year old daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Culbreath. The interment took place
at Rehoboth Church this afternoon. The New York Times October 10, 1887 contributed by Kim Baxley, transcribed by Dena Whitesell At Wards, Edgefield County, to-day, Henry Booth, the town Marshal, was shot by a colored man who was resisting arrest. He will probably die. JIMMY VINES WAS OF THE AGE OF THE
REVOLUTION Carl A. Vines, well known Edgefield County citizen has a prized newspaper clipping, one from the Edgefield Advertiser of May 3-, 1875, telling of the very remarkable circumstances attending the birth of his grandfather known at the time of his death as “Old Jimmy Vines.” Mr. Vines has kindly furnished the Advertiser with a copy of the clipping relating to his ancestor. It follows: For the Advertiser – Gentlemen: We send you as an item of
interest, some mention of the death of Old Jimmie Vines,
which occurred on the 26th of May, 1875. He was
born between the years 1778 and 1781. His father (Note: Jonathan
Daniel Vines), at the period of his birth, was in Gen. Greene’s
army. The Tories were in pursuit of the family at the time, and the
mother took refuge in a stable, where she gave birth to twin boys –
James, our present subject, and his brother, Jabez. Not being
secure in the stable, the mother managed to get hold of a pair of
cavalry boot legs; and in these she put her twins, threw them
across her shoulders and escaped. The following night, they they
were hid in a brush heap, still in the boot legs, to escape the search of
the Tories.
Respectfully, B. F. SAMPLE According to the family tradition, Mr. Vines says his great grandfather was one of four brothers who fought in the Revolutionary War. They settled in different sections of the country after the war and never saw each other again. His grandfather, Jimmie, son of one of the brothers (Jonathan Daniel Vines) settled in old Edgefield county, in the section embraced in Saluda county. His father, also named James, lived in that same section. His father had a brother who moved to Alabama. His father also had another brother, Jabez who lived below Ninety Six, a sister, Holly, who died single; another sister, Jane, who married Whit Stuart; and a third sister, Sallie, who married George Howard, of Newberry. James Vines, son of the old Jimmy who is
mentioned as one of the twins in the clipping, married and lived on Big
Creek Post Office Point. He reared 12 children, Dan, Jabe, Tom, Molly,
Lela, Van B., Lou, Lizzie, Annie, Minnie, Carl, and Clara.
George Spires, was accused of several moral violations, among them attempted rape and he wrote a lengthy letter in the paper in his defense, Edgefield Advertiser 4/12/1848, p3 To The Citizens Of Edgefield District And The Public In General It is known to yourself as well as a large portion of the citizens of this district that a letter was exposed to public inspection by Major S. C. Scott during the session of the last court in this district, detailing the most infamous piece of scandal in relation to myself that was ever invented. The letter alluded to purports to have animated from the pen of Hugh Henderson of Lincoln County Georgia. This Mr. Henderson is an unfortunate man, neither responsible in person or property. The only way therefore that I have to read how his foul calumnies is through the public press. I therefore ask a small space in your columns for this purpose. In doing this I feel that I am not only discharging a duty to myself but to the community. I will commence and perhaps might end by simply pronouncing every word, line and sentence in this infamous letter to be a pervision of truth. Mr. Henderson has found it much easier to make grave charges then to find proof to substantiate them and as a maximum of law and a role in society, all men should be deemed innocent until they're proven to be guilty. I might perhaps content myself under the general rule but the publicity given this matter, the baseness of the charge and the feeling that seems to exist in the public mind, appears to require something more. The only part of Mr. Henderson's letter that I deem worthy of notice is that which he charges me with having carried a young lady in my buggy for five or 6 miles to Mr. Harmon's, a near relative of the lady. And at a late hour of the night made my way to her bedroom or chamber for this purpose of committing violence on her person. That she gave the alarm, arousd the family etc.(This charge if I am correctly informed is so expressed and if not it is so implied). Now anyone professing the least discrimination of mine, can perceive that this charge in connection with the circumstances carries falsehood on its face. After having this lady, according to Mr. Harmon's own statement in my power being with her alone in my buggy for the distance of five or 6 miles through a lonely and secluded road, delivering her safely into the bosom of her family and then at night having let all other opportunities pass by that I should have attempted such an act would prove me to be as destitute of sense as of principal. It is preposterous and could only find credence in a mind as ignorant as it is corrupt. The fact will be apparent in any enlightened mind, that even the most abandoned villian would not have taken such a responsibility. Mr. Henderson and those dictating this letter know it to be false of my intent to convince the public from the circumstances that it is so. As to this bedroom or chamber on which great emphasis seems to be placed, I must state that I ate supper with the rest of the family in the same room and it would seem strange that I, an entire stranger (for I had never been in Mr. Harmon's house before) should have been taken into a ladies bedchamber to sup when it would appear that there was plenty of other rooms in the house for it is a large building, having accommodated but recently two families of 10 or 12 persons. It may be proper for me here to relate the circumstances that gave rise to the whole affair. They are plain and simple and can only be magnified into consequence by an un-ingenuous mind. In making this statement I shall “nothing extennate nor aught set down in malice” but endeavor to place the matter in such a light as will be understood by the reader. During my professional tour in Georgia at some time I was unemployed. While in the settlement of Robert Henderson's, I stopped at his house making it headquarters. This I found convenient because he was on the road, kept entertainment and it was a very public place. While there one of my horses became lame by an injury received in the stable from which accident I had been detained from business for six days. On 21 February my horse having just become able to travel, I made known to the family my intention to leave that day for the purpose of making a visit to Mr. Nally's who was living in the neighborhood and very near to Mr. Harmon's. I was informed by some member of the family that one of the young ladies, half-sister of Mr. Harmon, desire to go to Mr. Harmon on a visit. I readily offered her a seat in my buggy as I was going within a half mile of the place. We set out in the afternoon and arrived at Mr. Harmon's a little before night. I was pressed by Mr. Harmon to remain during the night to which I finally assented. About the usual suppertime it was announced ready and I was taken to this famous bedchamber as it has been called. where in company with the family I supped. Here I must digress a little for the purpose of saying a word about this room. It had been represented as a bedroom. It certainly had the appearance of anything else and had to my mind more the look of a kind of a general family working or lumber room. The only furniture being a pine table, spinning wheel and the chairs around the table with a large fireplace in one corner. After supper was over all hands repaired to those sitting room where the evening was spent in ordinary conversation. Between nine and 10 o'clock I was conducted by Mr. Harmon to a very well furnished bedroom, retired and fell sleep and so remained until a late hour of the night when I was awoke by the fighting of the horses in the stable. Knowing the vicious disposition of one of my horses and having been but recently a sufferer from his lameness, I was alarmed and immediately rose and after partially dressing myself went out into a back piazza. I could see no servant and not knowing anything of the locality of the stables I returned to my room where a thought struck me that there might be a servant sleeping by the fire in this dining or supper room as this is a very common thing and not wishing to disturb this family I opened the door and from a few embers in the fireplace could just perceive where it was and after looking and feeling around and finding no servant I was in the act of returning to my room with the intention of calling Mr. Harmon went on turning around I discovered a bed on the floor in one corner of the room in a position nearly behind me as I had been approaching the fireplace. About this time and when I had arrived near the door at which I had first entered I was accosted by a gruff voice, demanding to know who was there. I discovered that it was Mr. Harmon and very promptly inform him. Before I had time to make any explanation or state what I wanted he began to make the liberal insinuations from which I learned for the first time that a young lady was sleeping in the room. I desired again to explain to him but he was with a manifestation of great passion and refused to listen to me. About this time Mrs. Harmon was aroused as well as the young lady and the latter, learning the cause of difficulty very promptly repelled the insinuations and assured those present that she was not aware of any person being in the room and told she had been awakened by the boisterous conversation between Harmon and myself. Mr. Harmon however did not appear satisfied but agreed that in the morning he and myself should go to Robert Henderson's together and explain the matter. With this understanding we all retired to bed. As soon as breakfast was over in the morning I expected to start for Mr. Henderson's but after waiting for some length of time expecting to hear from Mr. Harmon that he was ready I inquired for him. I was informed by Mrs. Harman that he had gone for some time. I felt then at a loss what to do as Harmon had left me in violation of our understanding. I thought it useless to follow him so I determined to go to Lincoln Courthouse and there wait until I could learn what was proposed to be done. While there I wrote a letter to Robert Henderson asking him to come to Lincolnton and give me an opportunity of explaining away the wrong impression that seem to have been made by an occurrence that I regarded in fact as of but little importance. But I felt unwilling that the family should labor under a false apprehension on the subject. He however, for reasons best known to himself, and from motives that have been partly developed by Hugh Henderson's letter decline coming to see me. Does it not strike the reader as a little strange that after committing this most vile outrage, I should have remained in that neighborhood for two weeks, attending to my professional duties, unmolested by these gentlemen who pretend to have been so highly insulted? That too, in a community of moral, intelligent people with laws to protect the innocent and prisons to punish the guilty. It is absurd when I ventured the assertion here that if any man was to commit the base act charged on me in that community, he would not escape punishment unless by flight. Yet in the face of all this Hugh Henderson or others in his name, writes to the people of Edgefield district, the people of South Carolina, to punish me with their frowns for the alleged violation of law. Robert Henderson is the head of the family and the brother of Hugh Henderson and is responsible in person and property. He dare not put his name to such a paper as the one exhibited at the courthouse of this district, purporting to be from Hugh Henderson. The very next day after this letter was written Robert Henderson was at Lincolnton where he saw me for I was determined that he should see me and put my self in his way for that purpose. He evaded me and went sneaking about the street taking and misrepresenting this affair, instead of demanding personal or legal satisfaction such as an honorable man, feeling himself so deeply aggrieved would have sought, for the young lady to whom this outrage is pretended to have been offered in is his half-sister and she resides under his roof. He however knowing the charge to be false and not choosing to take the responsible task of promulgating this vile piece of scandal, visit to his worthy brother Hugh (a man of straw) to send forth his filthy missiles to injure me in Edgefield, behind my back and without my knowledge. And here I might ask what has become of this letter? Has the sober, second thought brought a change over the spirit of their base intentions or have they learned from wiser counsel the absurdity of their attempt and now seek to heal by suppressing what was intended as a fatal weapon against my character? I judge the parties may have been alarmed from fear of consequences for a friend of the Hendersons as I have been informed, hearing that such a letter had gone forth and that it was intended for publication in a newspaper, went to them and cautioned them as to the scrape they were getting into – tells them, they could not sustain the charges, that they will not bear investigation and will not be believed by the people in as much as the young lady herself declares she has no knowledge of any insult having been offered to her and that I had always treated her with politeness. The Hendersons both stated to this gentleman and others that my conduct had always so far as they had seen or known, been marked with propriety. It is somewhat difficult to reconcile these acknowledgments with that infamous letter and leads one to conclude that it was either written under false impressions, created by excitement, growing out of a want of proper reflection on a trivial matter or from a deep-seated determination to do me an irreparable injury. The latter conclusion seems to be justified by the circumstances. Else, why did Hugh Henderson write when it was the duty of either Robert Henderson or Mr. Harmon? For if the facts be as stated, the insult was offered in the house of Harmon and to a member of Robert Henderson's family. They are both responsible men and consequently the proper persons to seek redress. It is always an unpleasant thing for a man to appear in the public prints in vindication of his character and is rendered doubly so when he has to deal with ignorance, prompted by malice. Still the man who would be deterred from such vindication when unjustly assailed, because it cost some sacrifice of feeling, would be little deserving of the good opinion of his fellow citizens. I have therefore placed a plain statement of facts before that tribunal from whom the innocent have nothing to fear and the guilty, everything. George Spires
Transcribed by HC, A Friend of Free Genealogy Special to The State Johnston, Jan. 1-The Rev. W. T. Hundley of Rome, Ga. is spending a while in the home of M. T. Turner. Miss Eloise Jeter and M. L. Scott of Aiken are guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. Scott. Mrs. W. B. Oazts is in Tennille Ga. spending a few weeks with relatives. Miss Pearl Padgett of Edgefield spent a few days recently in the home of Mrs. Jake Smith. Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Williams of Augusta and Marion Williams of Atlanta spent Saturday with the family of T. R. Hoyt. Mr. and Mrs. Sumter Mitchell have been guests in the home of W. M. Wright. Miss Daisy Sawyer of Vidalia, Ga. and Dr. and Mrs. Horace Wright of Georgetown are guests of the Misses Sawyer. Mrs. Ollie Hamilton of Middlebrook, Va. is the guest of her mother, Mrs. A. C. Mobley. Mr. and Mrs. Tom Willis and Miss Helen Willis of Williston have been visiting in the home of J. W. Sawyer. Misses Elliot and Conya Hardy and Mr. and Mrs. Eric Hardy have been spending the holidays in the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Hardy. Capt. and Mrs. P. B. Waters celebrated their golden wedding on Christmas day and present with them on this happy occasion were their children and a few of their intimate friends. The home was decorated and the day was as joyous a one as when they plighted their troth. Dinner was served which would have rivaled a wedding feast. Among the gifts were several $5 gold pieces. Their children are Mesdarnes Boger of Manning, David Phillips of Springfield, L.L. Allen of Atlanta, Miss Annie Waters of Augusta, Miss Mallie Waters of this place, Dr. J. G. Waters of Saluda, P. B. Waters, Jr., and Huiet Waters of this place. On Christmas day Mr. and Mrs. Owington S. Wertz celebrated their golden wedding and the day was a happy one with a delightful reunion of their children and with their families. Those were Leroy Wertz of Belton, Cozen Cland and Wilbur Wertz of Columbia Mesdarnes Taylor Goodwin of Greenwood deSausants Hogan of Congaree and H. N. Chouch of this place. A picture of all was taken. Miss Emmile Wright entertained on Tuesday afternoon in compliment to Miss Virginia Harrison, who is here from Hartsville. The decorated rooms were a pleasant contrast to the disagreeable exterior and the hours were merrily spent. Delicious refreshments were served. Mrs. J. A. Dobey and children have returned from a visit to Spartanburg. Miss Clare Ouzts of Wavncboro, Ga. has been visiting Miss Marie Lewis. David Ouzts of Columbia and Willie Ouzts of Spartanburg have been visitors here under the home roof. The town has been much enlivened during the holidays by the presence of
the college boys and girls, who on Monday morning will depart for the
various colleges W. Wallace Turner and J. Fletcher Horne to Bliss
Electrical school, Washington, D. C., Staunton Lott and Guy Horne to the
University of South Carolina. Frank Kenney to Clemson college, Roland
Ouzts, Everett Herlong and Bob Smith to Wofford , John Fleming Marsh to
Clinton, Mark Cox to the Citadel , Horner Moyer to Newberry college,
Misses Bessie Ford Turner, Hallie White, Mary Luda and Elise Mobley,
Bessie and Isabel Rein to Coker college, Misses Annie Crouch and
Antoinette Denney to Converse college, Misses Helen Lewis Fannie Pratt,
Andrews and Lizzie Lybrand to Winthrop college. Transcribed by HC, A Friend of Free Genealogy Edgefield Jan. 1-Mrs. S. M. Rice and her daughter, Miss Katherine Rice, spent several days here early in the week with Mrs. S. A. Morrail, Mrs. Rice's mother. Mrs. Samuel Craig of Anderson is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Cogburn. Prof. P. P. Burns of Birmingham joined Mrs. Burny here and they spent the holidays with Mr. and Mrs. Orlando Sheppard, Sr. Robert Bee of Mount Pleasant visiting relatives in Edgefield early in the week. The Dixie chapter, auxiliary to the U D C gave a reception at the home of Miss Ruth Tompkins Wednesday evening. The entire lower floor of the home was decorated for the occasion in the Confederate colors. Bridge and progressive rook were the leading features of diversion. At the close of the spirited game a salad course was served, followed by charlotte russe and coffee. The pleasure of the evening was greatly increased by the musical numbers, both vocal and instrumental, that were rendered. Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Rives spent Monday and Tuesday with Mrs. Rives' parents near Sumter. The Rev. and Mrs. P. H. Russey, who reside near Hartsville, have been spending the past week with relatives in Edgefield and vicinity. Thursday evening Miss Rosela Parker gave a dinner in honor of Miss Rosada Talbert of Parksville. About a dozen young friends were honored with invitations. Miss Janie Echely of Black Mountain, N. C. has been the guest of ex-Gov and Mrs. J. C. Sheppard for the past 10 days. O. I. Dobson of Augusta spent Sunday and Monday here with his mother,
Mrs. Emma Dobson. One of the most pleasant occasions of the week among the younger set was the spend-the-day party that was given by Harry Strom Friday. A merry house party was held for a day at this hospitable home. The host is a cadet of the B. M. I. of Greenwood, and in addition to his school friends, other young men and young women were invited. Dinner was served in courses. The young men of the town gave a dance in the opera house Friday night in honor of the boys and girls who are at home for the holidays. There were about 40 couples in attendance among them were young people from Greenwood, Johnston, Trenton, Allien and Augusta. Tonight the young ladies of the town gave a New Year dance in the opera house. Julian Key of Columbia and Charlie B. Key and of Augusta spent Tuesday here with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Key. Miss Monteze Speerman of the Greenwood was the guest of Mrs. J. P. Timmerman this week. Miss Sara Watson of Ridge Spring was the guest of Mrs. Mamie N. Tillman Thursday. |
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