This was a letter to the editor of
The State
newspaper from Andrew L. Garick in the early 1900s

When President McKinley called for volunteers to lick the Spaniards, I was one of the first to fall in and answer to roll call of Company “C” Orangeburg and was mustered into the service on May 3, 1898 at the old fairgrounds in Columbia.

Your column (From Across The Editor’s Desk) brings to memory so many happy events of long ago. Columbia was at that time a small city — the finest and most friendly place I have ever spent a few weeks in. I shall never forget the peoples’ kindness in inviting so many of us to their homes for lunch nearly every Sunday or at anytime we could get off for an hour or so.

We were encamped for a while at the old fairgrounds and then we were moved out to Shandon and remained there until September 15, 1898 when we left for Panama Park, Fla. At that time Shandon only had a dancing pavilion near Five Points. That was the only building there except Epworth Orphanage.

I wish to say that I shall never forget Col. Wilie Jones, Lt. Col. Henry T. Thompson, Capt. W. E. Gonzales, all of whom were as fine and kind men as will ever live to be in this good world of ours. I certainly cherish their memory.

I was born on November 20, 1876 when Gen. Wade Hampton was elected governor. My father took me to the voting place that day, and we really elected him governor. I recall vividly the Red Shirts the men wore then, and I think I had one on too.

Andrew L. Garick

Old member of Co. “C,” Second S.C. regiment)

North, S. C.