In writing the foregoing reminiscences I came near omitting an incident
that unless inserted would make them incomplete. In 1868 I went to New
York, via. Charlotte, North Carolina. It was a long journey by rail, on
account of many disconnections and lay overs. On arriving at Greenville
the South Carolina Legislators had adjourned in Columbia and boarded the
train enroute for Washington, D. C. to see General Grant inaugurated as
President of the U. S. The body at that time was composed of a mongrel
set of coal black negroes, mulattoes and carpet baggers. Cartoosa, a
mulatto, was then Treasurer of the State. A negro named Miller was
General in chief of the S. C. militia of State troops. They came
prepared to have a regular holiday. They carried large willow baskets
full of the best provisions and champagne by the quantity, all at the
expense of the State of South Carolina. On arriving at Aqua Creek, which
was about 5 o'clock p. m., we took the boat up the Potomac and were
furnished with dinner. When the bell rang, one of the South Carolina
Legislators, a coal black negro, took his seat at the table when one of
the waiters, also a negro, whispered in his ear. He replied in a very
boisterous manner that his money was as good as any white man's. The
waiter reported to the Purser, who took the would be gentleman by
putting two fingers in his collar, lifted him up and gave him a kick
that sent him reeling into the engine room. The white carpet baggers
seemed not to have noticed this little side show. However the black
brute continued his boisterous remarks and abusing the white race, and
that he, a South Carolina representative had his dignity grossly
insulted and that he was going to report the incident to General Grant
on arrival. When an old gentleman who must have been between 65 and 70
years of age could not stand his abuse any longer, although the balance
of the passengers were amused at his discomfiture took a pistol from his
coat side pocket, shoved it near the negro's face and remarked, I stood
that abuse as long as I intend to; one more word and I'll send you to
hell where you belong, you black brute. The representative, seeing that
this man meant what he said, kept mum. The South Carolina delegation
undoubtedly made a report at headquarters of the above incident, for in
the winding up of President Grant's inaugural address he expressed the
following sentiments: That he hoped that white and black races would
conform to the situation and that by mutual good conduct would maintain
the peace and harmony so necessary for both races, or words to that
effect.
Arriving in New York I took in the City. It was my first trip there
since I had landed at Castle Garden from the four masted schooner, The
Geneese, nearly ten years previous. I visited the large firm and
emporium of H. B. Claflin & Company and spoke to Mr. Bancroft. I gave
him a statement of my commercial standing, such as it was, and asked for
his advice, as it was my first attempt as a dry goods merchant. My means
being very limited I wanted to make them reach as far as possible. He
treated me very courteously and furnished me with a salesman, whom he
introduced as Mr. McClucklan. On our way to the basement he asked me,
What State? I said Georgia. D----n Georgia. I stopped at once, looking
him squarely in the face I said, You can't sell me any goods, I am going
for some one not prejudiced against my State, and started back, when he
exclaimed, Hold on, you misconstrue me; I have been a prisoner at
Andersonville and I hate the name of Georgia. I do not mean to say that
there are no good people in Georgia, like everywhere else. Noting a
keystone that I wore on my watch chain he said, I see you are a Mason?
So am I, displaying a square and compass pinned on the lapel of his
coat. We can talk together, said he. If it had not been for a brother
Mason I don't think I'd be here today, I think I would have died of
starvation. He told me of his transit from Andersonville to the Coast.
When the train stopped at a country station, the name of which he did
not know but he knew it was on the Central railroad, he gave the words
of distress. It was a dark night, he could hardly have expected anybody
to answer it, but someone did and before the train left some one brought
him enough fried ham and biscuit to last him several days. So I said, It
was wrapped in a home made napkin with blue borders. He looked at me
with astonishment, saying, So it was; what do you know about it. I said,
I am the fellow, and told him what I did and that Mrs. Hardwick
commended me for it and would not take any pay and that the station was
Davisboro. The man was beside himself. He hugged me, tears ran down his
cheeks; he acted like a crazy fellow. He said, You can't buy any goods
today, you are my guest. He ran to Mr. Bancroft to get excused, saying
that I was an old friend and that he wanted to get off that day. He
hired an open carriage and we drove over the whole city, showing me
everything worth seeing. He carried me around to a fine restaurant and
ordered an elaborate dinner, spent his money with the most lavish hand,
regardless of my protestations, for he would not let me spend a copper.
The following day I made my purchases. It is useless to say that he
dealt squarely with me and with his advice and experience I made what
small capital I had purchase me a very decent stock of merchandise.