Lillie Belle Riddle (O'Shields) A few Memories of a Loving Daughter  Spartanburg County - South Carolina Genealogy Trails The Courageous heart of a Faithful Wife Written by Lillie Belle Riddle O’Shields This was my mother and I cherish the memories she left behind for all of us to read . I was reared in a small town of Laurens S,C My father was a contractor by trade. Many buildings are standing in that town and near by Communities that he contracted and built,, One of these is the enterprize ,Bank of Laurens, It was while building this Bank that the accident Ocurred My father was on the ground below the building rolling a huge Beam, Just then he looked up and saw another man on top of the bank ,rolling a heavy Iron beam off the top of the building, Stop, Stop he yelled but alas, his voice was drowned amid the roar of the mens’ voices and the Clamp clamp of the tools against steel,His right leg was was caught between those two beams and crushed only a thin Piece of flesh kept it together, This was before Cars and Amblulances were so plentiful. So imagine my mothers pounding heart ,And grief stricken eyes when she saw my father lying stretched out in a wagon as it stopped in front of the door Although she was deeply worried, Mother kept a smile on her face as she stood over the bedside administering to my father, Handing the doctor hot water towels, And helping in any way she could, Our good old family Physician did all he could for my father in our home So one day he said to Mother. I think we will have to take him to a hospital .Mrs Riddle I was only a little girl of six. But we were all Anxiously Watching our Mother ,And I Saw her face turn white. She hesitated a moment but when she spoke her voice was calm .Anything you say Doctor I know you wouldn’t suggest anything unwisely! As there was not a hospital in town at that time. Father was sent to the nearest Hospital which was Columbia, Each day mother was visited by Job’s conforters telling her what to do and how, He will never come back alive Mrs Riddle says one well meaning neighbor, If he does he want bring that leg another said. With a smile upon her face my mother would answer, Prayer and faith changes things. The struggle was hard ,And at times her heart was heavy. But she always went about her task with a smile. The sewing she took in from the neighbors furnished food and necessities for the family. Thus we got along. Three months passed. And one day a carriage drove up in front of our Humble Cottage .How happy we were to see father setting up in the carriage. Mother was at a neighbors house quickly she came skipping across the yard. What a reunion she laughed and cried at the same time. Thank God he is here with both legs too” she cried What a happy group to have father homw with us even though we had to roll him around in a chair. I was the youngest and Smallest so it was my delight to push that chair out into the sunshine. And it pleased me very much when the doctor called me the little nurse. My Father is now 78 years of age . And has been walking many years with out crutches, although one leg is shorter than the other. He and Mother are now living in Greenville S,C Many years have passed since this portion of Writing , And now their journey on earth has been completed , that is they have both gone the last mile Father went first a very cool and pleasant in November The twenty third to be exact the year 1943 on a Tuesday just before Thanksgiving God called my Daddy home. But to soften the grief he gave me a very Sweet and Precious baby boy that all of us could enjoy. Even our mother with her heart strings torn. And again she was that stanuch courageous person as she had always been during crisis that came to our door. Ah! What a women, wife and mother , many times I heard my daddy say” there was never a person like your mother before her and there will never be another after her. What a grand and wonderful remark to come from a husband and father .and how my heart would would tingle with joy to hear it. Because I too knew it was all so very true. And my prayers are always , Dear God thanks for giving us such wonderful parents. But do teach me to be a little bit like that mother. God blessed our family fifteen years long after Father died by extending mother’s life. In 1958 September 28 she left us to join daddy she was 94 at the time of her death. .....contributed by Patrick O'Shields July 2010 A Mountain Adventure Written by Mrs Lillie Belle O’Shields Place Mountains of North Carolina August 1928 Lillie Belle Riddle, her husband Denny L. O’Shields, their children Denny L. Jr &  Mildred O’Shields Every Summer My Husband Children and I would spend a few days Camping in the mountains. Our location selected for this happy adventure being Cove Creek twenty miles beyond Waynesville NC. Not only is the scenery beautiful and romantic, But the good ole Mountain people are so friendly and hospitable we have met so many of the good people so we like to go there. It was August the year 1928 My husband got our old model T Truck out of the garage overhauled it and made a canvas top for it, like is seen on a mountain wagon. We packed it with the tents cots bedding ,cooking utensils food and clothing even had watermelons chickens and two dogs on the truck. ‘Gee what a loaded truck, We had planned to let the kids ride on top of all those things and my husband and I in the cab. My husbands brother his wife and little girl were going too ( being my Uncle Manley aunt Agnes and their daughter Margaret) But they were traveling in their Dodge Coupe following along behind. It was six oclock when we left , And a black cloud was brewing in the sky, I was not in much favor of leaving at that time. But we had everything ready, The crowd wanted to go . My sister-n -law said I think everything will be alright , Perhaps we will run out of the cloud. Of course I didn’t want to be contrary So I said O.K all aboard and we were off. But instead of running out of the cloud the further we drove around the curves, the deeper we drove into the cloud, Keen streaks of Lighting flashed about us and the rain beat down in torrents. Night was coming on ,And going around those slick curves and going up Saluda grades , Our lights burned out on the truck. We stopped several times and fixed the lights, But the last time they burned out we were on a very narrow dirt road, Only room for one carto pass, All the bulbs were gone, And not a filling station in site or even near one. I said lets us stop and spend the night .And go on and put up camp in the morning, But again the crowd argued that all was well . And we could drive by my brother-in-laws lights which was behind us. Off we started again. My husband driving by the reflection of the cars lights behind us, By this time the moon was shining bright, Thus the moon light and the car lights together blinded him. So he slipped a little to close to the bank. Down Down we went Crash !!Crash. There I sat upon the ground, Too frighten and to stuned to bat an eye, Looking around I saw my husband by me . But Oh !where was my children ? A thousand horrible things went running through my mind. Hurt and scared as I was. Next thing I found myself sitting on top of the hill, Looking down upon the turned over truck below. How I got there I can not till this day explain. Any way there I sat . I saw my little eight year old boy crawl from under the truck with one little scratch on his face. I breath a prayer of thanks. Yet I was afraid to breat very loud, For I had not seen my baby girl . At last my brother-in-law Pulled her out from under the truck. Her little eyes were closed. And her lips were not moving ,my heart was sinking. He shook her and her eyelids opened and she looked around as if to say why did you wake me up” she had only been sleeping. I surely thanked God when I saw we were all OK except my shoulder was bruised badly and gave me trouble for a long time after. Still I was happy to know we were all alive. We piled into my brother-in-laws car . And drove into Cove Creek that night and even though I had a sore shoulder , I enjoyed my camping trip that summer. I did not feel like roaming around like the others , I lay around on the cot at the tent and read good interesting books, While they climed the hills and waded the creeks. And at night we enjoyed the Mountain music played on the Fiddles and Guitars “ When the moon comes over the mountain--Carolina Moon--And such songs that fit in with the romance of the Mountains. This was an adventure of the family of Denny Leonard Sr and Lillie Belle Riddle O’Shields, their children Denny L O’Shields Jr AND Mildred O’Shields Seaborn,  in 1928. .....contributed by Patrick O'Shields, August 2010 Courtship and Marriage of our Parents Written by Lillie Belle Riddle O’Shields Friendship Baptist Church, Gray Court, Laurens,  SC Our Parents told us all about it . Told us so we couldn’t doubt it How they met fell in love and married long ago . It was a crisp spring Sunday morning , The Carriage stopped at the hitching post in front of the Little White Church beside the old country road, Perhaps its looked a little forlorn ,Buts its name gave it away. Welcome to Friendship the sign read in colors bright and gay. Funny how things work out. But that is just how they came about. Calvin Riddle and a few men bunched up together chatting about the weather. Wondering when planting time would begin. But wait who is that pretty lass with Miss Mary Watson Calvin asked? I suppose that must be Miss Mary Watson’s Niece , I hear her sister whose husband has passed away recently has come to live in the Watson’s house with her little brood. Can’t you see she is a mere child. Therefore your interest could not be worth while. Well just like Carrie Nation I am a man of Strong determination says Calvin with his black mustache and scotch grey eyes that twinkled when he smiles at the pretty young Miss. Whose Cheeks flush as red as the rose peeping from under the blue grey bonnet. May I help you Miss the Chilvarous Calvin. For that is the way of the southern gentleman. My niece Carrie Rampley aunt Mary bows Politely just as he takes Carrie’s hand and lifts her from the carriage . From that moment on .He was a frequent visitor at the Watson’s house . As the whipoorwill sitting in the tree near the palor window called out the doeful sonnet whipoorwill . And we just don’t know all that went on in their young minds. One thing we do know Calvin couldn’t be frightened away. So the birds song changed “stay will stay “ After sixty some odd years of married bliss we came up with sis girls and a son. Mother and Dad had the seed and God gave the increase . They are plucking the flowers one by one. Thus we are thining out three girls and a son. We are scattered ,we don’t know why . But someday we will meet them in the sky. That is if we follow him , Who gave himself for us at calvary . Thanks be unto God for his Holy Word. The sweetest lesson’s that were ever heard were learned as we sat at mother’s knee none other could teach as she. This is another history of my Grandparents Calvin and Carrie Rampley Riddle my mother wrote in her memories, and as I have researched the Riddle, Rampley and Watson Families of Laurens and Spartanburg Counties I find the History she spoke of. My Grandfather Calvin Montgomery Riddle and Carrie Anna Rampley both had father who fought in the War for independence in 1861, Calvin was only about 6 years old when his father died in the mine explosion in Petersburg Va. In the 1880 census my Great grandmother Nancy Ann Rampley came to live with her mother Jane Rhodes Watson and her sister’s Mary Watson in the Cross Anchor community of Spartanburg County. Her husband Joseph Rampley died in 1874 he died of disease he contacted while in the War for southern Independence in 1861. After he fought all through the war. My Grandmother Carrie was only about 10 years old when her Father died. And they came to live with her grandmother Jane Watson My grandmother Aunt Mary Watson was single and living with her mother also. 1880 Census Cross Anchor Spartanburg County S,C HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD Jane Watson fe-white Widow age 60 born in S,C Daughter--Mary Watson fe-white age 30 born in S,C Son --John D Watson Male -White age 22 born in S,C Son--Jesse Watson Male --white age 19 born in S,C Daughter --Ann Watson Rampley female-White--widow age 34 born in S,C Grand-daughter-- Jane Rampley female --white age 18 born in S,C Grand-daughter--Carrie Rampley female-- white age 15 born in S,C Grand-daughter --Docia Rampley female --white age 11 born in S,C Grand-daughter --Alice Rampley female--white age 9 born in S,C Grandson John C Rampley Male--white born in S,C This was researched and transcribed By Patrick R O’Shields from hand written histories of my mother Lillie Belle Riddle O’Shields and records of the 1880 Federal Census of Cross Anchor in Spartanburg S,C..contributed August 2010. The Little bunch of Blue Violets by Lillie Belle Riddle O’Shields in her own words In a small southern town several years before crime and desperados were so plentiful word was received that a yeggman was heading in that direction, coming in from a distant city. All small Stations and stops were notified to be on the watch out . Although he was human with heart and soul as any other human. Officers and possemen lined the tracks, Mothers were running and grabbing their children shoving them off the streets Run along honey get in side bad men are coming” They would say While Fathers grabbed a thick two x four .quick son get me the hammer and nails . Help me get the door pad locked He’s liable to outwit those men and get by this way “ As if one lone man could run through all those guns. Gee but that town was aglow with excitement that night inspite of their fear. Every one wanting to see what the desperate Yeggman looked like. Noses were pressed flat against window panes and voices babbling in undertones. Yes they say he’s got two guns. And may have a knife too” says one old gossip. And jump and squeal at ever creaking noise. So the night wore on trains went coming and going. But no sign of the yeggman, And at last a long straggling freight came puff. puff puff into the yard. Scatter out men he’s hidden on some of them loaded cars. I Know yes boys git yea guns ready he’s sure to be thar” some old bearded Man yell’s So shots were popping up along both sides of the Tracks as thick as quills on a porcupines back. Oh! Such whooping and hollowing as never been heard in that quite town, since the settlers first saw the Indians. At last nothing else to be done ,a slim young youth with a thick stubble of beard upon his face came crawling from under a dirty coal box, There he is fellows there he is git him don’t let him escape” all of them cry, Guns are busting in every direction boom ! Crash! POP ! In the fire and scrambe of defending himself. As anyone would try to do The Yeggman as he is called; Shot and killed officer stone . Ah! How awful poor Mrs Stone was left a widow with four or five little orphaned stone to provide for the best she could. But the yeggman was dragged to a near by tressel and his body was riddles with bullets in a most unhuman way, Sad heart broken sympathizing friends , gathered at the home of Mrs Stone. And followed the long procession to the cemetery, kind words were being spoken flowers were being heaped upon the grave of one. While in a briar grown corner of the same cemetery , Another grave was being dug, A few curiosity on lookers were standing around , From the other grave a few more eased around the crowd and slipped over to peep in to the box, Say who is he anyway ? Why he looks very young since all the beard is shaved off is whispered among them” Who put that bunch of violets in his hand? Wait what does this piece of paper say pinned to the violets? Some mother’s boy Shamefully they hung their head white hank chief’s were seen dabbing their eyes, as a few songs were sung and a prayer Whispered. Both boxes the wooden one and a pretty grey casket were lowered into the ground and six feet of dirt made both look alike, Only one was covered with flowers till not a speck of red dirt could be seen. Years after that a little old lady … passed a way in a city not so far from that town. Among her belonging was found the secret of the little bunch of Blue Violets a poem written in her own hand writing. Some Mother boy I have misplaced the poem which I regret very much, Because this dear old lady was such a dear friend of ours, She lived on the same street and in the same town in which we lived by the way was Laurens S,C And I believe I can say along with Paul , as he described his town in which he was born , A very Gracious and Aristocrat town filled with old pioneer settlers who built the town and made it what it was, The Riddle Family which I am a part was one of those families, Ropers ,Bennetts , Flemmons Wikes ,Ah ! Many others but space doesn’t permit, Never the less this dear lady who we were talking was Mrs J.B Pluss A very rich person in Material wealth , But doubly richer in Christain wealth . She was our brother’s Sunday school teacher for many years , there fore our friendship lasted on and on . These good people I have been talking about have gone on my parents included , but it has been said , Old soldiers never die they just fade away, how true that is for many many memories linger with those who love and care. All of these Histories My mother wrote . I have found the history in public records of the census and other records. The 1910 census enumerated April 20 1920 of Laurens County, House hold of John Pluss age 66 banker from Switzerland /germany--wife Susie B Pluss age 62, My mother would have been about 10 years old at this time. Transcribed, researched and rewritten by Patrick R O’Shields..contributed August 2010 BACK to Spartanburg County SC Genealogy Trails © all rights - reserved to the original submitter