Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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"tse public printing'." | AN EFEORT fyJADE TO LET IT OUT TO 1 THE LOWEST BIDDER. An Interesting Debate on the Subject in the House of Iievresenta lives?Kov the Members Voted on *he 2?att?r?A Close Vote. Columbia, S. C., Feb. 12.?la the House of Representatives vesterdav the question of the public priming claimed considerable attention. Un der the present law a Public Printer is elected. At present Mr. Charles C&lvo, owner of the Register, fills the position. It is claimed bj many that the State wouid save money by letting the work out to the lowest bidder. A few days ago Mr. Reynolds ' introduced a bill abolishing the otlice j of Public Printer and instead let the j work out to the lowest bidder. When this bill came up yesterday Mr. Xinard moved io strike out the enacting words of the bill. Mr. Reynolds said that for a great I many years South Carolina had been letting out the public printing under contract. Until 1S93 the work had been given to the lowest bidder. In 1S77 the matter was considered so important that the act, practically the same as this bill he presented, was passed. In 1S93 the new act allowing the general assembly to elect a public i printer was passed. This bill was simply to let this work to the lowest bidder just as they wouid any other class i of work. The bond protected the State, and, further, the responsibility of the bidder had to 03 passed upon. There was no reason in the plan now in operation: it had no precedent in this State. The practice in regard to all other work was totally different. Re made clear the noint that no high er prices could be paid under his bill than those now paid fcr the work. If they could offer a chance to get a reduction of from 10 to 20 per cent., why not do it. The State had been paying: a fancy price for public printing, flippantly appropriating $20,000 for upwards of 20 years without trying to get at the bottom prices, while doing the State an injury. The printing should not cost over $15,000. He j had merely retained the present prices j at the maximum figures, and opened , the doors to competition. This was i founded upon right and reason and j custom. In Georgia, a State having j greater population and :vrice as much taxable property, only $15,000 was paid. For 20 years a great deal c-f | useless printing had been going on. He quoted a goad many figures to show what could be done by competition. He believes that the cost of the work could be done for$15,C00 instead j of $20,000, without reducing the vol- j ume. The State was not able to pay I this sum if she could get it cheaper. { The cost of materials had gone down j very considerably. He did not argue that the cost of labor was or should be cheaper. They were legislating for the future and there was no telling what considerations might come to ap ply in the selection of a public printer. Mr. llderton, as one of the minority of the committee, said nothing had been presented to the committee in; show that the printing could be done | cheaper. The prices paid were almost admitted to be as reasonable as could ! be obtained. This being so, he could not see any reason whatever why they should take the power out of 134 men's hands and put in the hands of j a few men. They were investigating j boards now. If any trouble came un- j der this why all of them would be re-' sponsible. They could have a voice I in the selection of a public printer. 1 He thought it was unwise to deviate from the principle laid down in 1S93. Mr. Stevenson said under this bill the prices can't be higher than they are now. Mr. Hderton went on to say that the present public printer had purchased a plant. Suppose by a combination some people should come and try to run him out of business, his plant would be destroyed- If the combination said $10,000 must be paid, the combination had the State and they j woald have to pay it. Mr. Cushman asked if when the j public printer was elected it was not known that some parties were willing ! to do the work for less. Mr. Ilderton said that the committee had heard some talk of that, but no proof had ever been offered that 1 ] A na c ^ TTp luwcr pritca uuuiu j wanted to know why the necessity for I this bill at this time? That was the question. He did not expect to make any big fight on this matter. The bill was before the house. There was no demand for it. The most defective part of this bill was the clause delegating the power to elect a public printer to a few. Mr. Cushman said the matter of se j lecting a State printerwas a plain j business proposition. Re could see no reason why they should require j argument to convince them on this j matter. He said that it had been stated and many of the papers had j stated that lower prises couid have been obtained. It was a fair ana square deal. We take no risk in pass-j ing this bill. Mr. Ilderton said that at present the printer's bills could be scaled by the general assembly, if it saw St. Mr. E. D. Smith said the principle involved was just this: What right had the State to go back upon the l general custom and virtually subsidize a public printer and pay prices manifestly larger. If any company could reduce it $10, was it not due them that they should have the work. He hailed with delight any measure that carried out the principle of equal rights to ail and special privileges to none. Let this principle be engrafted in all our laws/ The question should be left open. Touching Mr. Ildertons fear of a combine, he said vvhy should not this same company now subsidized do something on the same order. Dr. Wyche referred to Mr. Smith's very remarkable speech." He was j not here when the vote for the public j printing "steal" was cast. It was not j right to take un newsnaoer resorts and j -t- ~ I impure motives to iuriner lucui^cu. i He thought that the governor's office ] should as well be let to the lowest responsible bidder. He had always un-; aerstood that the printer would com-1 bine to do the work; it required a j a great amount of money to secure j the plant. He denied that any man ! who voted for the so called steal did j so from any improper motives and he j repudiated any aspersions upon the j members so voting Air. Graham was here when they j elected a public printer. I; had been predicted that the cost of t printing | would be increased. He haa been here j since 1S90 and wished to say now that the cost had been cheapcr for the pub-: lie printing. "Don?t you think we can get it sheaoer yet,v asked Josh Ashley. ""We haven't in the pas;," answered Mr. Graham. Mr. Kinaru wished to have but iii.le to say. The men of the house knew him and knew that he would not advocate anything extravagant. The bill had some objectionable features. It took away from the house the right to pass upon this matter. The house put some of its best men on the committee on printing. He was satisfied thai the work was being done now as i cheaply as it could be done. The men j on the other side did not think the rates were too high, for they left the same rates as the maximum rates. Mr. Reynolds, he said, should have lowered the scale. : >?fr. T?o.vrif>lfi'c; sr,irl vlf am willine to reduce the seals if you want it done." Mr. Kinsi-d believed that half the opposition had been for the purpose of destroy!eg competition. When the previous question was about to be called, Mr. Gage said that if the he use did not strike out the enacting words he would ofi'er this amendment, saying it would meet the objections of Dr. Lderton. Amend section S, line 31?Strike out all the section after the words k;for proposals'7 and add the following: "And said proposals shall be opened before the house of representatives, and the contract shall be awarded by a vote of the joint assimbiy to such person as it may choose us public printer." The house then on a viva voce vote appeared to refuse to strikeout the enacting words. Before the decision of the chair could be annourceu the roll call was demanded. Tue house refused to strike out the enacting words by the following vote: Yeas?Hon. F. 13. Gary, spsaker; All, Biilev, Beihune, Blyihe, Carson, /-, 1 /-i n m . I k^aui;uLuau, v/ruiu, i/ivu, w. , ! Dukes, Etird, Epps, Fox, Garris, ! Goodwin. II. P.: Goodwin, 0. P.; Graham, J. S.: Graham, Thos. A.; Henderson, Hoili?, Humphrey, Ilderton, Kennedy, Kinard, Henry J.; Kinard, J. D.; Lancaster, Lester, Magill, Mauldin, McDaniel, McKeown, McLauria, !>IcWhite, Phillips, Pric*, Rainsford, Russell, Sturkie, Tim merman, Toole, Westmoreland, Vv7ingo, Wyche, Yeidell?14. Nays.?Asbill, Ashley, Bacot, Banks Bedon Breeland, Carraway, Oolcock, Cushman, DeLoach, Gadsden, Gage, ; Glenn. Hiott, Johnson, Kibler, Layton, Limehouse, Livingston, Lofton, | Heartens, Miller, Joei H.; Mishoe, I Pollock, Princs, Pyatt, Reynolds, | Robinson, Rogers, Sinkler, Skinner. Simkins. Smith, J. R.; Smith, W. S.; I ~ n m. I omnn, x. u.; oieveusuu, oumvau, | ! Thomas. Jno. P., Jr.; Thomas, W. H.; j Yerner, Vincent, Whisonant, Wilson, i Winkler, Williams--16. | Josh Ashley had the vote clinched. Mr. Gage's amendment was then presented. Mr. Reynolds feared that this would do away with what they were fighting for. He raised the point that the previous question had oesn called on this. The chair sustained the point and looked as if Mr. Game's I amendment would be excluded. The house, however, reconsidered its action in calling the previous question. The amendment was then discussed. Mr. Simkins thought that this would destroy the whole intention of the bill. So did others. The house by a vote of 15 to 36 ad| journey at this juncture leaving the j | matter open till tonight. Gov. Ellerbe'a Stafif. j Columbia. Feb. 11.?The appointi ment of the if of Gov. Ellerbe was j annonncsd yesterday in the following j general order: j General order No. 1. i The following named officers are j i hereby appointed on the statf of the I governor, succeeding all officers of corresponding grade whose term of service expires upon the publication of this order: ~ ? /-v ? -nv TT i Quartermaster general?ugi. n. n. ! Sweeney. S11 nicervilleI Commissary General?Col. T. J. j Cunningham, Chester. ! Engineer-in Chief?Colonel E. 0. I Woods, Darlington. Surgeon General?Col. J. H. Hopkins, Columbia. Paymaster General?Col. J. X. Drake. Drake's. Judge Advocate General?Col. S. G. Mavfield, Denmark. Chief of Ordnance?Col. W. M. Con- i nor, Charleston. Aides to the commander-in-chief: Lieutenant Colonel?Austin S. Man| ning, Little Reek. Lieutenant Colonel?Thomas H. Burris, Anderson. Lieutenant Colonel?J. W. Knight, j Sumter. Lieutenant Color el?C. W. Garris, ! Smoke's. | Lieutenant Colonel?Dan E. Dukes, | Orangeburg. I Lieutenant Colonel?T. Y. Willj iams. Lancaster. ! _ Lieutenant Colonel?J. P. Thomas, [Jr., Columbia. Lientenant Ooloii&l ? David H. ' Wise, ^iken. Bv order of the comrnander-in! chief. J. Gary Watts, Adjutant and Inspector General. Civil Service Examination. The United States Civil Service Commission has ordered that an examination be held by its local board in Columbia, S. C., on Saturday, March 20th, 1S97, commencing at 9 o'clock a. m., for the grades of clerk, deputy collector, in the Internal Kevenue service. Only citizens of the | United States can be examined. The i The age limitations for this examination are as follows: Miniimuro, 21 years. No application will be accepted for this examination unless filed with the undersigned, on the proper blank, before the hour of closing business on Monday,March 1st, 1S97. Applications should be filed promptly in order that time may re- j main for correction if necessary. The j commission takes this opportunity of j stating that the examinations are open to all reputable citizens of the United States who may desire to enter the service, without regard to race or to * " ' " ' " 1 T- ^ tneir political or religions aaiuauuuo. ; All such citizens are invited to apply. They shall be examined, graded and certified with entire impartiality, and vrholly without regard to any consideration save their eiliciency, as shewn I by the grades they obtain in the examination. For application blanks, full | instructions, and information relative i to the duties and salaries of the differ! ent position, apply to John L. Little, : Secretary Board of Examiners, Interj nal Revenue Service, P. 0. address, Columbia, S. C' A Conveniens Invention. j An Orangeburg farmer comes to the I front with a new invention in the shape of a Lubricator for oiling vehicle wheels without taking them off the axle. It is inserted in the hub between two of the spokes. When jou want to grease your wheel all you have to do is to withdraw a plunger, which operates with a spring, and put as much oil as is needed on the axle. Upon bein'i released the spring closes j up the oil hole until it is opened ior oiling up igain. It is a very ingeni-1 ous and clever device, and is bound to j be used generally. With these iubri- j caiors a vehicle can be oiled up anywhere along the road in less than one minute. The patent for this valuable invention is o^ned by the National Lubricator Company of Orangeburg, S. 0. Mr. Jas- L. Sims, Editor and Proprietor of the Orangeburg Times and Democrat, is the manager c: the company, which is a guarantee that it is ail right. The company vranis an agent in this covnty to seli the Lubricators. See advertisement in another column. HANGING OF THE FISHERS, j THEY KEPT AN INN NEAR THE: CiTY j OF CHARLESTON. Travellers Who Put l'p at their House j "V7er3 Robbed and 3iardered?An Inter- j estln~ Account of the Trial and Conviction. T7^J1 n Je? O c-vn An v. ! \JT<XWl 1AU O o. XJ OJ uv&*j I incus in Parisian literature for that which is the most startling and sensational in the depiction of crime. His I power is such that e^en minor points are produced with thrilling effects. What would he not have given for the material offered by the tragedies at the Six-mile House! That terrible story, the chapters of which were enacted more than three-quarters of a century ago. is known in its entirety to but few men living. For the most part, and to the many, it exists only in a fragment here and there. Last year some one inquired about it through The News and Courier, but no one replied, doubtless because none of those who saw it could. By searching closely the files of those old papers, the Court records and other documents, and by drawing uj.cn the memory of an older member of the family, who had much of it !rom an eye witness, the writer is enabled to give what is believed to be the only fuil and true account of the Six-mile tragedies ever published. Before the days of the '"Best Friend" all the land traveling in South Carolina, or in any othor State for that matter, was done on horseback, oy means of gigs, carriages or the stage coach?generally it was the stage coach. Two mainlines of travelled to Charleston, the one bringing the Eastern passengers and mail, and the other the Southern and Western. The great thorougbtare was oy tne jp ive ana Six-mile Houses, both o? them inns for public accommodatioa. These houses, though they have long since passed out of existence, have not out of history, nor will one of them ever pass out from under the shadow cf terrible crime. a murderous young couple. At the beginning of the year 1S19, the host and hostess of the Six-mile House were John and Livinia Fisher. They were young married people, not yet in the thirties, of pleasing appearance, ready address, and knew how to give the weary traveler such a welcome as made him feel the inn was I more like a home than a public resort. ; Added to this there was excellent fare ! for man and beast. | Some months prior to this, that is in i the fall and winter of ISIS, there had | been numerous robberies along the i j two stage lines. Not only had the J | mail been robbed, but the passengers, j In one or two instances life had been I ! taken. The Charleston papers of those j j dates were full of these robberies and j murders. Many private travellers j were also attacked. In some instances i they vanished avray as though the ! earth had swallowed them. They | would start to a place, but never reaeh j there, nor would they ever be heard I of again. Private detectives and i squads of armed men were sent from Charleston and from other points, j The Governor and the United States I Government both offered rewards. ! But all in vain, the robberies still went j on, and people continued to disappear, i Beyond catching a suspicious charac! ter here and there no real headway ! was made in locating the principal I criminals. From points gathered by I the detectives there seemed to be a j band of robbers, working one with | the other. Finally, they were located in the neighborhood of the Five and Sis-mile Houses, then traced to the houses themselves. Early one morning, while matters were in this shape, those who were witnesses' of the "scene were startled uy tiic ui <x jvuiig hatless, coatiess and on horseback, | rusning through the streets of OharlesI ton- He was seeking the sheriff, and to him when found he told a thrilling : storj of successful robbery ana of attempted assassination; and those who : had se.. upon him, he declared, were no less persons than the man and wo| man who kept the Six-mile House. I The sheriff was astounded, then in! credulous. John and LaviniaFisher; | he could not believe it. But the young : man told a straightforward story. He ; had put up at the Six-mile House. He ; had been awakened in the night by ! the murmur of voices. He had looked ! through a crack into the adjoining room. There he had seen the Fishers emptying his wallet and counting its coin. He had heard the woman say that he must die, that it would not do to let him escape. But the m"-. plead for him. Finally, she said she believed he had other valuables, that his norse, too, was a fine one, and really she must attend to him at breakfast. He knew what this meant, poison in his cup! That was an easier way to sret rid of him than by pistol or knife. Tftt.npr1 rJ thft latter would leave traces' of blood. At daylight he managed to escape, ana mounting his horse, sped toward the city. The name of this ^ung man was John Peebles, and the opposition is that he was a traveller from Georgia. CAPTURE OF TITE CRIMINALS. The sheriff acted quickly; he gathered an armed squad and placed his deputy, Col. Cleary, -,e head. So well did Cleary manure, that he not only adroitly surrounded the House and had the Fishers in custody ere their suspicions were aroused, but he also captured with them six characters all but two of whom turned out to be j members of the band of robbers. The others were strongly suspected, but were released because of the -want of direct evidence. These arrests were made on Satur- i day, February 13, 1819. The deputy | found in tht house eight or ten muskets, some pistols, knives and a large j keg and cannisterof ponder. By this time a crowd had gathered. In an old out house was discovered a quantity I of fresh meat and naer-by, roiled up j in a bundle, as though it were ready j to be carted off?doubtless for destruc-j tion?th* aide 5 a cow, the blood not i yet dried upo .. A bystander was j amazed to recognize in it the hide of a S cow he had recently lost. Thus the j petty thefts going on in the neighbor-! hood were accounted for, as well as the larger robberies. The house was not thoroughly searched that morning, Col. Cleary j intending: to return later for that pur- j pose. The Fishers were allowed to re-1 move what they claimed as their per-1 socal eifects. Not knowing just what to do with the house, and certainly not apprehending any danger in broad daylight the deputy put a Mr. Ross in | charge of the premises until he could return. Col. Cleary was not more than ! half way back to Charleston, when j Mr. Ross was set upon by a portion of the robber band yet at large, violently J beaten and almost murdered- He i barely escaped to the woods with, his ! life. That night the house and the j outbuildings were burned to the \ Sround, doubtless the work of the rob- \ About this same time the Fire-mile j House was raided by the sheriff or his | deputy, and some arrests made of parlies suspected of being members of the band of robbers and murderers. As no evidence could be collected against the proprietor of the House, as being an accessory, he was allowed to go I free, on this premiss to destroy the house, which was done. The Fishers; and those arrested -with them were carried to Charleston, and lodged in jaii. There they were visited by young Peeples, who identified Fisher and his wife to the satisfaction of all, save, of course, the criminals j themselves. Indeed, the woman especially was considerably upset on mis occasion. THE FISHERS BROUGHT TO BAY. The Fishers; and others were brought to trial on March 23. 1S19, before Judge Bay. T^o were admitted on baiJ, Lfevward and Roberts. The Fishers, with the remaining ones, were sent back to jaii. The evidence against them, particularly against the Fishers, vrc.s very damaging. A few days later Roberts was re-arrested on a new charge, and once more imprisoned. He worked his way out of the jail and endeavored to escape on horseback, but broke the neck of his horse while attempting to make the animal leap across an excavation in the street, and was thus recaptured. Shortly after the Fishers were sent back to jail, intense excitement was aroused by the discovery in the vicinity of the Six-mile House frf a suspicious; looking grave. Search had been going on from time to time in the neighborhood for something of the kind, but unsuccessfully until this grave was stumbled upon by a mere accident it seemed. The sheriff was notified. He sent Mr. Henry Stevens, the coroner, to investigate. Mr. Stevens opened the grave and found two bodies side by side. Pnysicians pronounced them the bodies of a man and woman. One body was in a box made of rough slabs, the other was uncoffined and covered with brush. The same physician stated that they had been dead about two years. There w?:> no clue whatever to their identity. They were doubtless private travellers;, from a long distance probably, who hac! met the tragic fate of other unfortunates in that House of Horror. Indignation against the Fishers now ran high, and violence would doubtless have been attempted but for the caution of older and cooler heads. CELLAR FULL OF HUMAN BONES. _ At the June term of the Court Fisher and his wife were found guilty, but petitioned for a new trial. While the petition was pending, horrible discoveries were made at the Six-mile House. i After the house was burned, the ruins ! were not disturbed, doubtless owing i fn ihp f^alincr that thprA was rtothinp" | there for which to disturb them. But one day, some months afterward, an ; individual with a turn of mind rather | more investigating than that of the others, whiie poking about among the charred pieces of beams and the miniature hillocks of ashes, almost lost his lif& by coming within a fraction of ; fal ling down into that gaping mouth j of an excavation. He raised the alarm, i a crowd gathered, the charred beams j were cleared away, and the entire op I ening of a cellar exposed to view, i They brought a ladder, one of the ' number made the descent, and discov ered?bones, plenty of them, and human bones at that! This was surely enough to ruin the Fishers, but they denied all knowledge of it, declaring vehemently that if the bones were there, they had been there before they took the house. But there were those who connected this ghastly find with the story young Peeples had told. The cells.r was about where the dining room had stood- How convenient to have it beneath the table, with a trap door hiding it from view! Behold the preparation and then the deed: A solitary traveller sitting at | table, valuables on his person, and j doubtless more valuables in the baggage in. his room. He eats his breakfast, drinks without suspicion the tempting cup of coffee offered him, doubtless chatting gayly with his hostess as he does so. Then a sick, next a j drowsy feeling seizes him. his head j whirls, sinks upon his breast; he j clutehcs spasmodically ones or twice at the air. gives a gasp or two, and is gone! Pockets are quickly rifled, the spring is touched, the trap is sprung, and with a sickening thud there falls into the horrible deDths the body of one never heard of more. There is one wife somewhere in the world who will never see her husband's face again little children who are fatherless; or ; perhaps an aged mother, a gentle, lov-! ing sisier, wailing for the son and brother who never comes. THE FISHERS BREAK JAIL. On Monday, September 13, pending the hearing of the petition for a new trial, John Fisaer and Joseph Roberts escaped from the jail. This they did by forcing a hole through the wall under one of the windows,descending therefrom by means of a rope made from strips of their blankets. Mrs. Fisher also intended to escape, but decided to be the last one to make the attempt. Roberts went down first, then Fisher. When Fisher was about twenty feet from the ground the rope broke and he fell, bruising himself considerably. This, of course, deterred Mrs. Fisher from attempting the descent, and she decided to wait until she could make the rope longer. Fisher and Roberts escaped, bat not before they had conveyed to Mrs. Fisher their intention to return and assist her in getting from the jail. There was considerable excitement and great indignation over the escaue of Fisher and Roberts- They had been allowed too much freedom about the jail, many declared. Instead of beicg confined in their cells they had been permitted to walk about the corridors and visit the other prisoners in their apartments. These charges the jailer and his assistants bitterly denied, declaring it a movement to injure them politically. The Governor, John Geddes, at once issued a proclamation offering a reward of $500 for the capture of Fisher and Roberts. In this proclamation a description of Fisher was given, as follows: "About six feet high, slim^made, knock-kneed, fair-complexioued,dark hair and dark eyes, and about 30 years of age." THE MURDERERS RECAPTURED. On the night of the 14th of September, at about ll o'clock, as Mr. Bull, a grocer on South Ray, was preparing to close his store for the night, he had a call from two men who expressed the desire to purchase a small supply of eataoies, as they had been out all day in their boat, and were very hungry . Mr. Bull would have thought nothing strange of this request nor of their coming at that late hour, as such things were of frequent occurrence, but there was something in the actions of the two men that aroused his suspicions. They were nervous and excited, ana seemed in a great hurry. They could not wait for MrBull to wrap up the articles. No sooner were they gone than it flashed upon him who they were. He had read the description of Fisher in the Governors proclamation, and it tallied with one of the men exactly. Hastily closing his store he set out to stealthily follow them. The pursuit led him to what was then known as William's v* ua: i. xucic iagu w'juceal themselves under a boar. Mr. Bull quickly -withdrew and hastened to notify the city guard. In less than a half hour Fishc1* and Roberts were again under arrest. It was afterwards disclosed that they were waiting for midnight so as the better to make the attempt toward assisting Mrs. Fisher to escape. They had been over to one of the neighboring islands, but had returned for this very purpose, and for no other. As soon as Mrs. Fisher j was free, they had intended to leave | in a schooncr bound for Matanzas. A j number of gold pieces and several i watches were found on their persons. Both criminals were completely unnerved by their recapture. But no one took it harder than did Mrs. lasher nerseit. Ail nope or escape seemed now utterly cut off, for the iailer, annoyed by the accusations mat had been made, redoubled his vigilance; they were also more closely confined. SENTENCED TO BE HANGED. On January IS, 1820, the Fishers were again brought to trial. The charges were so grave and the evidence so overwhelming that bDth were sentenced to be hanged. The Judge?the papers does not state definitely as to whether it was Judge Colcock or Judge Bay?fixed the time for the execution for Friday, February 4. Both husband and wife were completely overcome by the termination of the trial. Thev had almost to be carried back to the jail. Great con cern was now felt for them spiritually by the different ministers of the city and other humane people. They were daily visited at the jail by both men and women, who earnestly sought to prepare them for eternity! Among the latter were Mrs. Matilda Wightman, mother of Bishop Wightman, Mrs. Magdalene Brown, Miss beiina smitn ana a granamotner or the writer. It is through this grandmother that much with reference to the last days of the Fishers, especially of Mrs. Fisher, has come down. She was then a happy young bride, and the condition of the miserable woman so great in its contrast, made an impression never to be forgotten. Fisher seemed penitent from the first aod deeply concerned about his soul, bat not so his wife. She was reckless and defiant, again and again upbraiding her husband for his "chicken heart." She seemed more concerned about a petition for pardon tuaii auj miu^ ciocj aituvu^u in^r repeated assurance that any effort of this kind would be utterly useless. The fated day drew near ;the wretched beings were so unfitted to meet it that special petition was made the Governor, praying a stay of sentence till time could be given them in which to "make preparation to meet their Gc?d." This petition was signed by i numerous clergymen and many citizens. Governor Geddes granted a respite till Friday, February IS. When that day came he refused to further interfere, despite the frantic appeals of the condemned themselves, and the sheriff began preparations for the execution of the awful sentence of the law. MINISTRATIONS OF CLERGYMEN. During their last days the Fishers were confined in the dungeon of the Jail. Here the ministers and other good men and women continued to! visit them up to the very last hour. Or,e of the most faithful was the Rev. Dr.. Furman, pastor of the First Bap- ! tisi Church. I saw his grave the other day, just under the shadow of that historic building. He stood by j the miserable pair through everything, went with them in the carriage to their execution, and received Fishers dying messages and his last requests. Another faithful one was the Rsv. Mr. Galluehat, of the Methodist Church. He was particularly concerned with reference to Mrs. Fischer, he and Mother Wightman, as she was afterwards called, working ana praying over her to the last. Fisher expressed thorough repentance for his sins, but declared his innocence of the awful crimes laid to his charge. He admitted that he had led a wicked life, but declared he was not; a criminal. His peace having been made with God, he implored his wife to do the same. She would not. To not one word of religious instruction would she listen. She expected to live, she declared, then why should she prepare for death? MRS. FISHER SHRIEKED, i "Wh^n t.ViA fnr thft ftYftnntion I arrived and they went to conduct the criminals from their cells, Mrs. Fisher shrieked and raved like one insane, and fought with the strength of desperation. It was some time ere they could remove her. Her husband sought to soothe her. He took her in his arms, his agony was pitiful to see. He entreated, implored her to be calm and to employ what little time remained in making preparation for the end. He endeavored to show her that it must be, and thai all her efforts could not prevent it. She returned his embrace, but made no answer. The executioner again approached, and again her frantic shrieks burst 1 r?4-t. T 3 l^ .f iurtu. one iiau iu us lurciuij (jiui ioned ere she could be re moved. Fisher and his wife were clothed in white garments provided at their own expense. The carriage started from the Jail at 12.45. The prisoners were guarded by the sheriff, his assistants, and also by a detachment of cavalry. All along the route an immense concourse had gathered, for it was an unusual sight to see a woman led to execution. The procession moved out Meeting street to a spot just beyond the city limits. As Fisner beheld the gallows on which they were to die he turned deathly white, and seemed to faint. Not so his wife. She looked at it stolidly, her mood having changed since she left the prison. When they atcempti ed to make her go up, she positively 1 refused. Neither persuasions nor threats could avail. DRAGGED TO THE GALLOWS. She could not believe she was to die. She had literally to be dragged up the gallows steps. From an eye witness, Mr. John Blake White, we have this vivid nen-nicture of that aw ful moment: '"'She called upon the multitude to rescue her, and stretched forth her trembling arms, imploring pity. At one moment she would rant and blaspheme, and stamp and rave, with incoherent wildness; and now, with execrations the most shocking, she would imprecate perdition on the Executive who would consign a woman to an end so ignominious. Silence like that of death hung over the vast assembly, broken only by the shrieks (truly demoniacal) of this verv maniac on the very verge of eternity. Nothing could be more ap- j palling. She was totally unprepared j to die. It was pitiable, it was pitia- j ble, it was truly heart-rending to be- j hold the unnappy nusoana, nimsen ; just about to perish, and needing every moment for his own soul's sake bending with interest the most intense toward his frantic wife, and, in the tenderest accents conjuring iier to make her peace with Heaven.'7 A JIESSAOE TO HELL! A minister approached, the Rev. Mr. Galluchat; besought to calm her, to attract her attention, to offer her words of spiritual he ps. She stopped, and fixing her blazing eyes upon him, said in accents clearly distinguishable by many: "Cease! I will have none of it. Save your words for others that want them. But if | you have a message you want to send J to h?1 give it to me; I'll'carry it:" The minister drew back, shocked, overcome with horror. At that moment the sheriff took a paper from his pccket to examine it. It caught Mrs. Fisher s eye. Her every thought centered upon the hope of pardon, she naturally connected this with the expected paper. She made a frantic effort to leap toward the sheritf and to tear the paper from j his grasp. Only the cords that bound i her prevented. The sheriff recognizing iier mistake, quickly folded the paper, assuring her in the most solemn voice that all hope was groundless, and that she must die! '"The words." says ilr. White, "were electric. She seemed to pierce with her eyes into his very soul!. For a mo ment she was mute.'' SHE CRIES TO HEAVEN. Her execrations were husned, and now, with frantic gesticulations, she called upon Heaven to have mercy upon her and save her soul. Brief exciamauons, nurrien ejaculations tions half uttered, but glowing: words, llowed from her lips with rapidity quicker than thought. All was terror, hurry, disri*-. Tremendous conllict! The tinr- was brief; she felt she had delayed too long to make her account with heaven, and now the dreadful messenger of death tugged at her despairing hsart." It was while she was in tnis condition that the cap was adjusted. Her husband called to her again and again endearingly. He sought to comfort her, to assure, to sustain her. At a little past 2 o'clock the drop fell, and the close of the awful chapter of tragedies at Six-mile house had been written in explanation. Their bodies were cut down and interred in the Potters' Field. Afterwards I have heard they were disinterred, and that their skeletons now hang in the Museum of the Charleston Medical College. A. M. Barnes. GALLANT SAILORS. Creelman and Gherardi Deserve Medals aa Heroes. vVashington, Feb. 10.?Secretary Herbert this afternoon received the report of Admiral Bunce on the voyange of the North Atlantic squadron from Hampton Roads to Charleston. The admiral encloses a report from Captain Crowninshield, of the Maine, making a thrilling tale of danger and high courage. Rear Admiral Bance states tha1; on the 5th inst. the battleship Indiana reported that her turrets were begin <* ? 4-y* mnwl* AVS y? /N j vl At* +A i.u vv uris. anu uc uixcutcu u.ca i.v return to Hampton Roads. The squadron then proceeded Southward. After daylight it was too thick to see any of the vessels except the Maine. The wind blew a strong gale with a high and swift sea. At about 10:30 a. m., the Maine was about three miles astern and reported that three men had been washed overboard and lost. | The Marblehead was lying to with a I sea anchor out; she reported that she had been boarded by a sea, killing one man and injuring seven. After lying by the Marblehead until sundown and finding that she was not in need of assistance, the admiri.l prnceeded toward Charleston. C.-niam Crownshield's story of the loss of his three sailors and the attempt at rescue is as follows: "On the morning of the sixth instant a sea swept-over the deck from the port side and washed overboard Charles Kassel, gunner's mate third [ class, and Leonard C- Kogel, appren! tice second class. Both life buoys wAfp Ipf. crn ftncines stormed: the | " ^ -iw ~ JT IT 7 - I I starboard engine backed aud the lifeboat was lowered, naval cadet W. R. Gherardi inking charge. Immediately after th cry cf man overboard ana before the life bo~t was lowered, Wm. J. Creelman, landsman, jumped overboard from the poop in an attempt to rescue Kogel. Creelman swam well, but was unable to reach Kogel, who sank within about one minute after he went overboard. Creelman's act was gallant; the more so, perhaps, because it was at the same time deliberate. "Hassel reached the buoy soon after being washed overboard and on seiDg Creelman swam toward him making every effort to share the buoy with him. In the meantime the life boat was unable to do more than to take care of itself and the sea was so tremendous that it was in the greatest danger of being swamped. The swivel for the steering oar brck? short off ana the boat was once nearly filled with water. To bring the ship into position to pick up the life boat was a grave matter; the boat was dropping to leeward and the ship had to be turned through the trough of the sea to reach her. While turning, the ship rolled heavily, water was taken on board over the tops of the turrets ana one sea swept overboard the port quarter, John Brown, seaman, and .&.xel D. Nelson, private U. S. M. C. With the exception of Naval Cadet Knepper, who threw a grating to Nelson. and a boy who thought he saw Brown dead in the water, no one can be found to say that the seamen were seen after being washed overboard. "At about 9:15 ths life boat was hrmiorht iirul?r the lee Quarter and all of her ere 57 were taken out, Naval Cadet Gherardi being the last to leave the boat. It was impossible to recover ibe boat. "The men on the life buoy had been lost sight of but their general direction noted and immediately after saving the life boat's crew the ship was headed for them and shortly after they sighted and after manceuvering for a time they were hauled aboard at about 9;39 a. m., in an almost helpless condition. ''I desire to recommend Wm. J. Creelman, landsman, for a life saving medal of the first class in recognition of his gallant action on this occasion. "Naval Cadet W. E. Gherardi showed courage and able seamanship in handling his boat under the most trying circumstances. Naval Cadet Gherardi commends Percy Herbert, coxswain, for his courage. "The following were the crew of the life boat: Naval Cadet W. R. ' ' 1 T-l A _ J U-nerarai, in cnarge; jouu xiuuersuii, seaman ;Gustaf A. Anderson, seaman; Axel C. Anderson, seaman: Percy Herbert, coxswain; Heinrich Brink man, seaman; George Libsr, apprentice first class; Walter Cameron, seaman.,: Killed for Teasing. Blocton, Ala., Feb. 10.?"Elijah Price, a well known citizen of this place, was instantly killed yesterday afternoon by Isaac Creel, a half-witted boy. It has been the custom of the men and boys of the town to tease and play pranks with ihe Creel boy. Yesterday a crowd was gathered about him, among them Mr. Price. The latter had a knife in his hand and said he was going to cut Creel, who was carrying an ax3. He kept on teasing ihe boy until the latter sua denly raised the ax and with a territic blow buried it iu Price's head. He was instantly killed. The haif-wit is now in jaii. An lacoasiderate Brute. Tarpin Springs, Fia., Feb. 10.? While in bed by the side of his wife and baby W. J. Philips blew cut his braine. He was suffering from a chronic a'Hie-.ion and doctors said an operotion was necessary. Rather toan undergo the operation he killed himself. Suicide at Feraarxdln?. Jacksonville, Fia., Feb. 9.?At Fernandina; Fia, today the dead body of P. H. llclntcsh was found on the beach. Mcintosh quarreled with his wife and suicided. Ee was a well known plumber and went to Fernandina from Brunswick, Ga. ' A B^D BILL KILLED. I Tfao Scats Senate Believes In Observing the Sabbatb. Columbia, B.C., Feb. 12.?The senate had but two hours to derote to the calendar yesterday and one of those was consumed in discussing the running of fruit and fish trains on Sua- J aay ; nence poor progress was maae in getting through -with che bills on hand. Mr. Archer started the war of words when he moved to strike out the enacting words of Mr. Walker's bill 10 amend the act relating to trains carrying fish, fruit, vegetables and other perishable products on Sunday. The amendment was to add January, February and March to the list of momths in which fast trains beaming these products can be run on the Sabbath. Mr. Walker pointed out the great loss that would entail on the truck farmers and fihermen if the bill was killed. Messrs. Ragsdale and Archer opposed the bill. Mr. Archer said that Sunday was tbe balance wheel of civilization and further st&ted that the negro had preserved southern civilization by refusing to work on Sunday. Mr. May field pointed out that there were two sides of morality 1o this question. It might be morally wrong to run trains on Sunday as Mr. Archer held, he said, bv.t it was a greater moral wrong to injure one's neighbor and fellow citizjns. The bill wouL not necessitate the crews of trains running on Sunday unless they wanted, for they were portected by the laws of the State. Mr. Norris said the senate had no moral or legal right to vote away the Sabbath day to be used for business purposes. Mr. Archer arose and characterized the arguments of Mr. May field as specious. Mr. May field replied that he wanted the gentleman from Spartanburg to understand that there was nothing specious in what he said. He had spoken his opinions unreservedly on this matter and he intended to continue to do so in the future. He then continued that Mr. Archer indulged in a sentiment that was not shared in by his constituents of Spartanburg county. He had not the slightest doubt that the good farmers of that county on a Sunday when they saw a rain coming up Hastened out ana put meir curing fodder under shelter. They did so to save it and for the same reason the truck farmers and fisn shippers were anxious to have these trains run on Sunday. In the course of his remarks Mr. May field termed the oppositon to the bill4 'sickly sentiment." This brought Mr. Norris to his faet who demanded if Mr. May field thought the observance of the Sabbath sickly sentiment Mr. May field replied that he did not. Mr. Archer arose to repel Mr. Mayfield's assertion that the farmers of Spartanburg took their fodder in out of a rain on Sunday. In doing so he stirred up a hornets'^ nest in Mr. w aiser, wno saia mai me opponents of the bill had tried to make it appear that ttie supporters had no regard J whatever for the Sabbath, but he wished it distinctly understood that they observed Sunday in as Christian a way as they the opponents of the bill. Mr. May field closed the debate by quoting the Scriptures, directing his remarks to Mr- Archer in particular. The Savior taught, he said, that if a man had an ass in the ditch on Sunday, he should pull him out, but it was .his honest opinion if Mr. Archer bad an ass in a ditch on a Sunday he would let it stay there until Monday. The aye and nay vote was taken, resulting in the bill being defeated by a vote of IS to 16. The vote is as follows: Aye, Alexander, Archer, Brown, Connor, Dean, Douglass, DuBose, Gaines. Griffith. Love. McDaniel, Norris, Pettigrew, Ragin, Kagsaale, Sanders, Stackhouse, Wallace?18. Nay?Boist, Dennis, Hay, Henderson, Mayfield, McCalla, Miller, Moses, Mower, O'DelJ, Scarborough, Sloan, Talbird. Turner. Walker, Williams?16 Pianos by the Mile. See Ludden and Bates' new advertisment of one thousand Mathushek pianos. Suppose them ail loaded on to wagons in one grand procession, allow 15 feet for each wagon and team and the line would be nearly three miles long. That is just the wholesale way this great southern house does business. Having acquired an interest in the noted Mathushek Piano factory, they are now supply' ing purchasers direct and saving all intermediate profits. This means a saving of from $50 to $100 on each piano, and the securing of one of the j oldest and most reliable instruments at i i-vi_ i?^ ! a remarisauiy iuw ugure. j-toumsa ?uwtheai at Savannah, &a., or at 93 Fifth Ave.s New York City. Xt la Said That of all the diseases that affect mankind, diseases of the kidneys are the most dangerous and fatal. If this be so, how important it is that the kidneys be kept in a healthy condition. " The use of Hilton's Life ;<>r the Liver and Kidneys will do thN. It is 4he "ounce of prevention" in thes troubles, Tlie trustworthy cars for the Whiskey, j Opium, Morphine and Tobacco Habits. For further information atiiress The Keeley Institute, or Drawer 27, Columbia, S. C. : Machinery A3S"D Supplies. Engines, Boilers; Saw Mills, Corn M'lls. "Wheat Mills, Piarers, Brick Machines, M u'lers, Gang Ed-jer:. An 1 a 1 kiacli o! WjjI Working Ma chinery. JTo one In the South can offer you higher gr-de go?ds, or at lower prices. Talbott, L!<3deU and Watertown Engines. We are only a few hours ride from ycu. Write for prices. Light, Variable Feel Plantation Saw Mills a Specialty. V. O. Badham, General Agent, COLUMBIA, S. C. ! WE Ijg WANT 1 A PARTNER J EVERY || TOWN. H Postmasters, Railroad Agents, Genera tore Sespjrs, Clerks, Ministers, or any other person, lady or gentleman, who can devote a little or all of their time to onr l business- We do not want any money in advance, and pay large commissions to those who work for us. We have the bes Family Medicines on earth, aid can proluce lots of testimonials from oar home people. Send for blank application and circular. ^.uuicaa BRAZILIAN MEDICINE CO., 844 Broadway, An? sta, Ga Advice to Mothers. Wd take pleasure in calling your atten Hon to a remedy so long needed in carry. Ing children safely through the critical stage of teething. It is an L'ilcnlable blessing to mother and child. If yon are disturbed at night with a sick, fretful, teething child, use Pitts' Carminative, It will give instant relief, and regulate the bowels, and make teething safe and easy. It will cure Dysentery and Diarrhoea. Pitts Carminative is an instant -elief for colic of infants. It will proinc'uti digestion, > give tone and energy to the stomach and bowels. The sick, puny, suffering child will soon become the fat and frolicking joy ' of the household. It is very pleasant to the taste and only cost 25 cents per bottle* Sold by druggists and by THE J5XJBBAY DBUG CO., Columbia, S. O. 1 "MATHUSHEK"-The Piano for a jjfcjjjjJ PIANOS I | ^When other ILUDDEN & BATES, interested Inf this Factory, now offer this great stock 1 M at S50 to S100 less than former prices. So ! strictly nigh Grade Piano ever sold so low. |K ONE PROFIT from Factory to Consumer. M Greater inducements than ever In slightly used Pianos and Organs?many as JgaflM good as new? sold under guarantee. JS&H& Latest Styles. Elegant Cases- Also New STEIHWAY Pianos, 1J Mason & Hamlin Organs. 11 "Write for Factory Prices and Bargain Lists, f |j|| LUDDEN & BATES, SAYANKAH, 8A.11 All Sheet Music One-Half Price. UBh8B SEE m HERE. Jll is:your liver all rig it^? Are your Kidneys In a healthy condition ? j If so, Hilton's Life for tbe Liver and Kidneys will keep them so. If not, Hilton's Life for the L'ver and Kidneys will make them so. A 25c bottle Jffl will convince Taken regularly after meals it Is aa aldfflj digestion, cures habitual constipation, """SaP? ana unus reixesnes sua cieara both body and mind. SOLD WHOLESALE BY The Murray Drug Co, COLUMBIA, S. C. AND Dr. E. BAER, Charleston, S. C. ENGINES, . BOILERS, SAW MILLS, *? GRIST MILLS, ATj FAUTU&X PRICES. E. W. ;SCEEYEN? i COLUMBIA, S. C. $ AGENTS WANTifil) '$ $ In each county in South Carolina & b to introduce a LUBRICATOR for p oiling vehicle "wheels without re- J, moving the wheel from the axle. It $ a v is a reccnt South Carolina inven- ;* 2? tion, and will sell rapidly, as it is 2? ^ ? a very convenient device. Exclu- ^ w sive territory given to the right v J ?man. For particulars address, S A $ UATIOHAL LUBRICAT02 COMPANY, I | ft Lock Box No. 43, $ g ORANGEBURG, S. C. ? i - i