Galivants Ferry Stump Meetings

 The history of Galivants Ferry Stump meetings were a Democratic Party tradition. The first one originated during the 1876 gubernatorial candidacy of Wade Hampton, the former Confederate General from South Carolina. The meetings were started in a place called “the Thicket” by Press Daniels an area Democratic club president.

 

These meetings developed into a tradition under the guidance of the Holliday family. The “stump,” which referred to a time when politicians promoted their candidacy by giving speeches while standing on a tree stump. The site was beside the Holliday family store and continued through four generations of Holliday’s, beginning with John W. Holliday. The tradition was carried on by his son, George J. Holliday, who became a state senator; then by his two grandsons, John Monroe Holliday and Joseph W. Holliday. The tradition was continued by his great-grandchildren.

 

The stump meetings soon drew hundreds who traveled by wagon, buggy, or horseback to hear candidates speak about their political positions. Over the years, the event assumed a festive atmosphere, featuring balloons, streamers, chicken bog and barbecue, country and gospel music, and clogging. Politicians such as longtime U.S. Senator Ernest F. “Fritz” Hollings had perfect attendance for years.