Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I \ r ledger Readers Wfcbuid Patronize Ledger Advertisers. DGER To Reach Consumers in this Section Adver tise in The Ledger. A Newspaper in all that the Word Implies and Devoted to the Best Interests of the People it Subserves. -A voL. T L no. ;;d. (tAFFNEY CITY, S. C., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER fJ, 189(5. §1.00 A YE Alt. WILLING TO TAKE THE JOB. TWO CONTRACTORS THINK THE SUM SUFFICIENT. • Contractor Propst, of Concord, N. C., and Contractor Baker, of Gaff ney, Wili Build Court House and Jail for $15,000. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) <i UKNTV, S. 0., Oct. 29. Editok Li . (.kh—Hear Sir: I have read every uv’iele publidlied in Tiik Ledokk, Keadlijjht and Herald in re gard to the now county, including the able and and truthful letters of Hon. Oeo. I> Tillman, also, a report from Coniptrolier-tlencral Norton, making a statement of tho amount of taxes paid by the old and new counties. Every mm lias a right and ought to change hi • mind when facts are jresentcd that are so overwhelmingly _ -rjiinst hi.. 1 . How can any sane man l^tr.y tlie buielits that will come to him by n ■ establishment of new counties, deseribed in such plain and forceful laipruage as that of the lion. Geo. l>. Tii’.n- 1 uV I hope every citizen in tills pro posed new > inty who lias an inter est in the upbuilding of his country and who, without prejudice or senti ment, wili not only read the articles carefully but keep them and study them. The them and T Geo. 1) as a ba : 1: will do great good to T posterity. The Hon man ha-, been sneered at .nibir, a sorehead, etc., less his utterances on ;v t rut hs, plain and un- but neverth this subject varnished, and that is more than some would-be leaders of tho oppo sition cun say for many of their as sertions. Legions 1 patriots and statesmen of other days may ho called back vmimbers and M fogies, but many of Vlieir letter: and speeches will be liv ing monuments of their good sense and sound ; clginent long after these same se!. r -e.d;ing. self-constituted sorehead lenders of to-day are for gotten. This is v day of progress and edu cation; our farmers are not such dummies and numbskulls as some people intimate, but they keep well posted as to what is for their best in terests nor can they be dictated to or be* driven to act against their own judgment, but will act with the large number of to or real friends who do not intend to be domineered over by any one having no other motive ex cept. personal aggrandizement and personal protit. We as a people in the proposed new county are banded together as a fam ily and acting in harmony for what we conceive to be for the best inter ests of our community and tlntter ourselves that we are intelligent enough to know our own needs and when we comply with the law and move in a mutter that benefits us solely. We call it presumption, to say the least, to have others outside of our union to meddle with our af fairs. What can be their motive? Can it be anything else but selfish ness? What great interest can an outsider have in our affairs? A statement in Tiik Lkduer of to day from Comptroller-General Nor ton, showing the comparative taxes of old and new counties, shows be yond the shadow of a doubt that the taxes in new counties are much less than in old ones, even when the new counties boil-1 their own court houses and jails. Are wo so much more ig norant that we cannot make even a better showing than they? When the people of GulTncy have given a certified bond to build a court house and jail and pay all other expenses in the formation of a new county and are really doing so now and in addi tion have xecuted a lease almost, scot free, for as handsome and roomy a building as there is in the up coun try. r l)oes this look like fraud? The bond for $ 11,000 is sneered at and belittled by some but this is not all tho cost to tho people of Gaffney by considerable, and by reference to the town clerk s books you will see the sum will be fur in excess of tho little .flu,000. Mr. Editor, I am a practical me chanic and contractor. I made an estimate on the courthouse at York- villc, ah’O on the town hall in Gaff ney, now nearly finished; almost every person in the proposed new county knows me personally, for I am in daily contact with the farmers and laborers In the community; I mak my living by the sweat of my hr- \* Mie same as they do. Their in- teiv > are my interests and I hope 1 urn sensible enough to know that my interests and theirs are identical. I do not make my living by wind or iy trying to arraign country against !>\vn or Lawn against country. I have "worked wild them, voted with them and suffered with them. Now I make this proposition : 1 will enter into ! contract ond give an approved bond 1 | to build a court house and jail supe rior to any in our up country, except Spartanburg, which we helped to pay for, in consideration of tho little { $15,000, and will guarantee to have j the building completed within six in stead of twelve years, and as I know the bond given by the town to be gilt edged, I will take their personal notes bearing legal interest due in twelve years. Some have said : “Sup pose the signers to the bond die be fore the twelve years expire?’’ If they should be so unfortunate as to shuffle off this mortal coil before en joying any of the benefits of the new county, which the people are going to have, the opinions and predictions of outsiders to the contrary notwith standing, their heirs are likewise ob ligated and bound to fulfill the agree- ment. The above proposition is not made for electioneering purposes, but sim ply as a business proposition and I stand ready to fulfil it at any time and I leave it to my friends in the country and in town whether I gener ally carry out my contracts in good faith or not. 1 concede that in case a new county is established that this town will be more benefitted than some parts in the country. From the fact of its be ing a county seat, its property will increase more in value than property more isolated and in that ease v.ill we not have to pay more taxes than others in addition to tho obligation already given? I also know that not only wili wo bo benefitted, but every single indi vidual in the new district will be ben efitted in proportion to the amount ho owns or controls. Why is il that nearly all tho largest land owners in the proposed new county are in favor of the enterprise? Is it not because they know their taxes will be less? Common sense and precedent have taught them this, and if their taxes are less, naturally will not the poorer man’s be less also? It is all buncombe to cry out about a great burden of taxation if the measure carries. The real tax payers are not fools; they know what is best for themselves, and as a consequence are in favor of the new county al most to a man except a few nearest the old county seats. Wo naturally expect opposition from the old county seats. They have, through I heir attorneys, made the law as hard to comply with ns possible, and why? it is useless to ask. The answer is patent to almost everv one. Thcv want to hold us than any other submitted they can so testify at the election. Wc are for a new county under any circumstances—even if the court house is erected on top of Drayton- ville or in the valley of Thickety. Very respectfully, L. Bakkk. Gaffney City, H. C., Oct. 30. Editor Ledger—Dear .Sir: In so far as the proposition of L. Baker, of Gaffney City, is concerned ns to build ing the proposed new court house and jail, I am willing to join him in the proposition or will take the contract myself and complete the buildings mentioned for the consideration of $15,000. Very respectfully, A. H. PROI’ST, Contractor and Builder, Concord. N. C., now building the new Town Hall in Gaffney City, S. C. — -• — NEW vs. OLD COUNTIES. A SLANDER IS REFUTED. The Tax List as Furnished By Comp troller Norton. The following tax rate of counties is furnished The Ledger by Comp troller General Norton of Columbia. It is official. Wo ask you to read and study it, as it will do you good. In addition to the 11 mills in York county there is a tax of one mill in Cherokee Township which would make the total for York 12 mills. Spartanburg (old county).. 14 mills. Union (old county 17A “ York (old county). 11 “ Saluda (now county) 12^ “ Florence (new county) 121 The tax of 12^ mills in Saluda and Florence includes a tax for the pur pose of building court house and jail and surveying the county and paying past indebtedness of old county. In Limestone there will be no tux for court house and jail and surveying. Wc predict that the tax in Lime stone county will not be over 11A mills as follows: For state purposes 4.1 mills which is the uhiforn tax all over the state; school tax 3 mills; for ordinary county purposes 2 mills; past indebtedness 1 mill; jurors and witnesses $ mill; roads, bridges, etc. n. 11 THE ELECTION. simply for revenue. It is natural when they have a good thing they should want to hold fast to it. Nor cad we on that score blame them much, but as neighbors and friends we do think they ought to be liberal and accord to us tl c same blessings and privileges they are so loth to part with. Wo are willing to meet any and all fair and truthful arguments that can be brought to bear against us, but when it comes to mere speculation and unsubstantiated assertion to mis lead our people, we can only tell the truth and leave it to the intelligence of our citizens to follow as their judgment and interests may direct. They ought to know whether it is best to go with the majority of their friends in this purely local matter, in line with the best information given out by the most progressive statesmen in our republic, or whether they should be led astray by those whose interest are purely selfish. Tho poor farmer! What do they care for the poor farmer or the poor laborer, poor mechanic, or any one else, only to get their money? \Y hat a farce to hold up a burdensome tax bugaboo! That old dodge is ns old as the hills and about as bare as some of them. But our people know their own interests better than those out siders can tell them. A geographical center for the loca tion of the court house, and the peo ple’s voice in locating it, is another lame argument to try to prejudice country people against the measure. In the first place the town of Gaffney is, so far as population is concerned, as near the center as can be. it lias the advantage of a railroad, cotton market, telegraph and telephone, is a point at which u great many farmers naturally do their trading, a good market for all they have to sell and is within less than half a day’s travel from the farthest point in the pro posed new county; it has first-class schools and churches, and it also agrees to pay the cost of public buildings, etc., in addition to bearing their share of any other necessary taxes. What other geographical center can and will supply these necessities? If there is any other that will do so we are willing, if wo cun not got it, to let them have it and will cheer fully aid them all in our power. Our people want, reprepen tat ion in the affairs of our state, consequently, a now county is a lirst step in that di rection. Our people till have a voice in locating the county seat and in naming it, and wo submit our offer of erecting the necessary buildings and bearing oilier expenses as an induce ment to locate the seat in this town. If the people think our offer is better Indications Point Toward the Man From Ohio. The latest returns up to our going to press indicate McKinley’s election to the President of the United States. It seems that McKinley has curried a majority of the doubtful states. We will look for better news, however, to-day and to-morrow, as then the farmer vote will be in, and wo believe that will be in Bryan’s favor. Etta Jane Etchings. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Etta Jane, Nov.. 2—Capt. J. N. King will finish his work on the 'Ihoinson’s mill bridgn in about ten more days. Rev. W. R. Ovvings preached at Salem yesterday. Owing to the Presbytery having rescinded its ac tion for him to take the field as an Evangelist his pastoral relation with this church was not dissolved as was expected. The chills are sub&iding some what. The low price of cotton coupled the short crop is somewhat dis couraging to our fanners, but they will plant it next year as usual. Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Estes have a new comer at their house—a boy. “Hambo’’ went to Gaffney last week to sell his cotton. He is an out and out new county man. iSomc of our neighbors say that R. \V. Davis is greatly mistaken in his estimate of the strength of the oppo sition to tho new county at Surratt’s box and that he will find out more fully on the 8th of December. Your correspondent had tho pleas ure af attending tho South Carolina Synod at Orangeburg last week. That historic town threw open its doors to the representatives of that body and gave them a hearty wel come. Our homo was with that genial, whole souled gentlemanly young man, Mr. 0< Dantzler, Esq., who, with his excellent young wife, did all in their power to make our stay pleasant and comfortable. J. I.. s. THE PROMISE OF OFFICE IS DENIED. A Signed Statement by Men Prominent Who Are Interested in the New County Move ment. Hill—Glover. Mr. J. T. Hill and Miss VinaGlover were married on the 29th of October at the home of M. M. Glover in the presence of a number of friends, \V. T. Thompson, notary public, per forming the ceremony. The dinner was elegant and the hours were pleasant ly passed. Every- Lody was in favor of a new county. —— • —• *- —• A cough which persists day after day, should not be neglected any longer. 11 means something more than a mere local irritation, and t he sooner it is relieved the hotter. Take Ayer's Cherry Pectoral. It is prompt to act and sure to cure. r . . ' Editor Ledger: We notice in the Spartanburg Daily Herald of the 29th inst. under captiorP'Curbstone Chat” where some person has been talking through his hat to the reporter of that paper about the proposed County of Limestone. We recognize the right of all ptople to discuss this matter, and wc are glad when those in the ter ritory of the proposed new County, or those without, say anything if they will be just and fair and not try .to mislead the people,and when t his gen tleman in the Herald said “they (the new county people) had promised the county offices to various sections to induce votes, and these forces are ex pected to show up well in the elec tion,” he either mislead the re porter or else had been mi-lead by some one. As some of the pro moters of the enterprise, who have been at all the meetings in further ance of t his enterprise, we ask you to give this place in your columns. We have no right to speak for any one and would not assume that right, ex cept for ourselves, hut if any such proposition bus ever been suggested we know nothing of it and do not be lieve any such scheme has been for mulated. Will this gentleman or any one tell us how a few people can divide out the offices for any county and bind the people to support any one for any office? Who lias the power to compel people to vote for anyone? People in this proposed county are free men as well as in otiier sections of the “Iron District” and about this matter they would resent any such an insolent sugges tion, ns they proposed to resent out side interference in a purely local matter. Wo ask this “gent'eman” to bring forward his proof of his state ment if he can, and stop making statements as wide as the one above referred to. We are working for a new county and not foranyjone, or set of men for any office, believing the people will select whom they please for the various offices as they always have done without consult ing anyone, by a majority vote. We ask this “gen tleman” to bring forward his proof— put up or shut up.” We are en deavoring to be fair and do not and have not resorted to questionable methods to aid us in our enterprise, and if outsiders or those inside the proposed new county will say any thing, wc ask them to be fair and honest and never make a statement they cannot verify. And further, as to where the court house shall be lo cated, we would say, the people, the voters, decide where the court house shall be located ai d the name of the county at the same time they vote on the formation of the county— a wise provision of the constitution. The Gaffney people simply offer inducements to locate the county seat here, tho people cun by vote put it where they please. R. A. Jones, A. N. Wood, Tiios. IL Butler, J. A. Carroll, T Daveniokt, L. Baker, J. X. Lii'Scomi*. Gatlin , S 0. October 30. LIMESTONE’S RESOURCES. What the New County will have With in Its Borders. The proposed new county of Lime stone embraces a portin of York, Union and Spartanburg counties. It .vill take in many historic spots. The buttle field of Cowpens, Whig Hill with its revolutionary history, tho murder of the original Nuckolls over on Broad River below Cherokee Falls and tho camp of General Morgan at Grindall Shoals are all iu this terri tory. Daniel Morgan retreated front Grindall Shoals and passed up on tho West side of Thickety, perhaps, fol lowing the Green River rroad and went into camp at Cowpens. Tradi tion says that name was originally “Hanna’s Cowpens,” for a man by tho name of Hanna, prior to the Revolution, kept cattle for people living farther South. The wild peu- vinc, cane and fine grass wire abun dant in that region. He took mfc of cattle during the summer. Colo nel Tarleton, who comunded tin* Biitish nt Cowpens, retreated by way of Gaffney, Cherokee Ford and Hamilton’s Ford. Not for from tlie junction of Gouchcr Creek ami Thickety was Fort Anderson, <>r Thickety Ford, built as protection against Indians. There sixty or seventy tories were captured by some of Sumter’s troops during the war. The British officers claimed that the surrender was made too easily, and that there was a very feeble effort to defend it. The body of Colonel Will iams, who was mortally wounded at King’s Mountain, was laid to rest iu the upper part of York county not far from Blacksburg. The citizens of that flourishing town ought to mark his grave, if they can identify tlie place. So much for tho Revolu tionary history of the new county. How the people lived and prospered for the first thirty years after the surrender at Yorktown. history is silent. Struggles for a living, the taking up of lands, the building of log houses,the quarrels between Whig and Tory families, the thousand incidents common to pioneer life are all buried in oblivion. The old story tellers, who, fifty years ago, gave ttie early traditions to eager listeners, have all passed away and their stories were never recorded. Early iu this century, or perhaps before the close of the lust one, Michael Gullney came to that section. He married a Miss Smith near Smith’s Ford and settled at what was after wards known as Gaffney’s Cross Roads and then as Gaffney’s Old Field, and now Gaffney. He was a thrifty man and soon started a store. In 1812 he raised a company lor the war but they never got farther than Charleston. We hope to publish the names of his company very soon. It was. perhaps in the twenties, or even before that, the first furnace for tho manufacture of iron was built at Cherokee Ford, afterwards called Coopersvilie. If any one knows the history of iron making at that place lie will please give it. Wilson Nesbitt was perhaps one of the leading men who organized a company to make iron. On the other side of the river the King’s Mountain iron works started up. ’The Blacks, wo believe, were the men who started that enter prise. Dr. Black, an intelligent citizen of BlacKsburg. will please give us a short sketch of old King’s Mountain Iron Works and the Juke Moore gold mine. That all belongs to tho new county. The Cowpens furnace also started up but more under the control of the Hurricane shoals Rolling mill than Cherokee Ford. At one time there was a small fur nace on Thickety, we believe, not fur above Hugh Moore’s farm. Limestone •Springs first attracted attention between 1825 and 1830. Wilson Nesbitt, generally called Neasbitt in the old days, built tho lirst house, which is now standing near the North east corner of Cooper-Limestone Institute. That was originally a double log cabiu, used as his summer home, for Cherokee Ford was consid ered a great place for chills in these days. A joint stock company was formed in 1830 to 1832 to build a large hotel. That was a political project. For several years, prior to that time the low country and our country begun their sharp eoiiteaion. Then tho great nullification excitement culminated in 1832. That separated our people and arrayed neighbor against neighbor. Some consevative putrioic men thought a large watering place in the up country would draw representatives men from all parts of the State and that by eating at the same table, playing billiards together and drinking out of the same gourd at the big spring they would heal up the old wounds and restore harmony. For two or three years it flourished as a hotel. Crowds came from the lower counties. Of course all came in private conveyances and brought their ser vants with them. The famous race tracks at Gaffney grew out of tho Limestone hotel organization. In 1815 Dr. Thomas Curtis, and his son. Rev. Win. Curtis, bought the5property and established their famous school, the first female col lege in the State, except the school of Dr. Marks near Columbia. When the Washington Monument who going up. each State was re quested to send one stone. South Carolina contributed a block of clouded marble from Limestone Springs. That was about 1854. It was sent in tho rough and had to be hauled in a wagon to Chester or Char lotte. Any ascending the monument may see it, if he will take the trouble. So far as we know only two men in this territory ever went to Congress. The first was William Nuckolls, with whom, it is reported, that Calhoun considered it a privilege to talk for a few hours. He was well informed on all national questions and his conversation was full of suggestions and information. The other represen tative came from the York side and some of the older people remember him. lie was James Black, a brother of W. C. Black, who represented York county many years in tho Gen eral Assembly. In mineral resources this new county is rich. Limestone and marble abound. A fine quality of granite may beJJ found on Cherokee crock. It has never been developed hut from our recollection of the sur face rock ! t lies near t lie Clark place above Gaffney. A fair quality of soapstone is found below Gaffney in great abundance. That section is rich in monnzitc. Iron ore is very abundant. Tho magnetic ore is there found in perfection. Tluin- bngo has been found in small quan tities, and also lead. Gold is found in many places} and years ago a “pocket,” not far belovf Limestone Springs, yielded $2,UU0 in a few days. Tho water power of this section is most abundant. From the mouth of King’s Creek 4o the North Carolina line Bro;nl River affords power enough to run 200,000 spindles with ar ade quate number of looms.—Carolina Spartan. AN OLD CAMPAIGNER jCOMES. Bulges for the Bull’s Eye and Gets There. Editor The Ledger: Much has been sail of late about the new county, and a great many good argu ments has been advance in favor of it but there is one 1 would like to call to the attention of the voh rs, especi ally the Reform voters, and that, is this, which so many are overlooking. New counties were i ot heard of scarcely until the Reform moment began, and clearly new counties are the children of that moment. Who, I ask, has been agitating the forma tion of new counties? Who has fought for new counties in the field and on the floor oft lie Constitutional Convention, which convention was called by the Reformers? No less a personage thanjthe great leader of the people, Gov. B. R. Tillman, aided by Ids brother. Congressman Jasper W. Talbert and Congressman John L. McLaurin. who uo>v is working for a new county at Billion, in Marion county wou'd have by letting the farmers and a part of Marion has al ready gone to establish the county of Florence, whose tax levy is as small us any county in t he state, and much smaller than HpartanbUrg, Union or York from which tho new county is proposed to be taken. Did you ever hear of a new county until the farmers got in the saddle? Then is not. this a Reform measure, ami don’t you know if Senator Tillman was living here he would take tho stump for the proposed new county. Would he put an additional tux on the people? Hasn’t he been trying to reduce our taxes and hasn't ho been our friend ever isnee he came to the front by our votes? If we vote,against it would not we be saying “Governor you do not know what you are talking about?” Did he not lead the tight for the new county of Saluda in the Constitutional Con vention? And do you believe lie would willingly put a tax on the peo* pie of his own country, for Saluda was cutoff from Edgefield, the county that he first saw light inland where he first saw the benefits that the farmers get control of this, their government? Then by veiling tiguiust the county are we not giving the lie to his teach ings? This, my fellow Reformers, is a^reform measure that our leaders have fought for since the beginning of our fight. Let us rally to the support of our principles and for tho conviences that our leaders have said wo will en joy if we get the county. Another great argument that is in favor of the new county is that none.of the new counties that have been established by the Reformers, are crying against new counties and begging to get hack. They are satisfied, or else they would be trying to get hack in the old county they came from, and under the late constitution they can voto themselves back if they are over burdened with taxes. Think of these things and ask yourself if Ben Till man would tell us to create new counties if he thought it would in crease our taxes. Let us lay aside our prejudices and go to the polls on the 8th of December and vote “yes” and have our court house and tax collector near us. I could mention other things that could be said in favor of the county but I am not accumtomed to’ writing articles for the papers, and there is lot in this for the tax payers to think on. Always a Reformer. *- — •— — LOOK OUT FOR A STORM. The Opponents of a New County May Get in a Trap. The Ledger anticipates that the opponents of a new county will bring forth the argument that the taxes of Saluda county are higher than Edge- field, the county from which it was taken. We had not overlooked that part. Tho taxes of Edgefield are 10} mills, with an additional tax in Cooper township of 11-12 mills. Leav ing off the 11-12 mill tux iu Cooper township and taking the 10} mills of the county as a basis we find that Saluda county, if it were relieved of of the 1$ mill tux for building court house and the A mill tax for survey ing the county—tho tax that Gaff ney proposes to hear alone—would have a tax of hut 10J mills. Add the 11-12 mills that Cooper township pays in Edgefield county to tho 1<>} mills and you have a total tax of 11 ln-12, or a fraction more than one mill than Saluday would pay if that county were relieved of the tax for the court house and jail the expense of surveying the county. - • The only permanent cure forehronta catarrh is to thoroughly exp»*l the poison from the system by the faith ful and persistent use of Ayer’s Sar saparilla. This wonderful remedy proves successful when all other treat ment has failed to relieved the suf ferer. '1 iff*-- \.