Book excerpt: True Tales from the Palmetto State’s Past—from the ghostly Gray Man to the return of the H. L. Hunley Much has happened in South Carolina throughout its checkered history, and the myriad of significant events and fascinating repercussions surrounding them have been described by writers of every stripe for at least three hundred years. It Happened in South Carolina goes behind the scenes to tell its story, in short episodes that reveal the intriguing people and events that have shaped the Palmetto State. • Discover the escapades of “Gentleman Pirate” Stede Bonnet, who terrorized the coastline alongside the notorious Blackbeard. • Make the acquaintance of young Eliza Lucas, who changed the course of American history when she took charge of the family plantation at the tender age of sixteen. • Learn about the famous Haile Gold Mine, at one time the most successful producer of gold east of the Mississippi River. • Learn how the Jenkins Orphanage Band originated the dance craze known as the Charleston.