Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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A , . ' ' ' "'; ' , : ; - IMf^^WQPT- lr~MpCn"""1<, "." t v;**-' -y^W^-'A-V' ;'4 The Abbeville Press and Banner. 1 BY HUGH WILSON. ABBEVILLE, S. C., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1901. ESTABLISHED 1844 | ____^___ DITCHES AND PASTURES. Ij i ( 'i'lie Mont Important (Inention XowiBefore I lie American People I* | ( (JrHNN - The Jftiw* hdiI Courier? j Friendly Ailvicrx (In DllcbeN-The > Editor'* Conceit. ? ltecent utterances of the News and Courier I c would lead us to believe that that paper s lavors the Big Indian Show, which we believe, somebody suggested ought to come otl" t next winter in tbe City by the Sea. d As a politician we often take Issue with the News and Courier, but tu practical matters it is generally pium right. If its practical talks on grass aud farming were put in the weekly, a* we p:eiumc it Is, it would be worth many times its cost. The greatest and most important question hefore the American people today is grass. | t This editor is studying grass and taking testimony as to tbe value <>t the same. Fur winter pasture we have no doubt that land Ret In bur clover and bermuda grass In more valuable as a paHture Tor winter and summer than any other laud could be, no matter In what It may be set. The News aud Courier, we believe, concurs in this view. 80 thoroughly, is this editor convinced oi tbe value of these grasses that he is now experimenting with bur clover and bermuda grass. Several acres c were set in bermuda^last spring, and we have ? planted, and still have on band, wbat is extl- H mated at about 52 bushels of bur clover seed. , Some or it has been planted and is now coming up. We have still on hand some 23 . bushels of the bur clover seed, which we ex _ pect to throw broadcast on about twenty f acres, where bermuda grass was set last ? spring. ? We do not expect great results from the c clover tbe oomlng winter. Tbe bermuda f grass, which we set In rows three feet apari last spring, is doing fairly well. Much of the c roots that we planted have taken bold, and c we hope to have the ground thickly sodded ^ f In the course of a lew years. Stock of all d kinds like bermuda. Kxcept horses, the same 1s true of bar clover, or that Idea Is borne out .. by the testimoi.y on the subject. If we succeed in getting a catch or a Ret of v both grasses we will have a good pasture for c winter and summer. If we get a good pasture ? for winter and summer, we will report re- * BU1W*. , Nearly everybody seems to think that hl? own bottom*cannot be made useful, uuless bis neighbors flrst ditch or drain tbeir low land. The tact Is, bottoms on almost an> tract can be Improved, If attention be given to them. ? It Is altogether a mistake to suppose that a ? ditch Is Intended to prevent the Hooding ui the land. The flood fertilizes and makes It . rich. It Is not desirable to dig a ditch so . large that the waters of a flood can be carried J off within Its channel. Tbe channel Is useful d for drying the land in normal conditions and to prevent the sand from spreading over the , rich bottom land during freshets or high water. Band will not slop or lodge in an h ooen curtent, but will go on until obstrncHons are struck. Obstructions stop the sand rj and ruin the land, wblledltches carry It lor- ^ ward. ,i The Almighty, in his wisdom, laid offthe . Rtreams crooked in order that the water might descend gradually to the sea. If our streams were straight for great dlstauces ibe earth, through which they run, would be carried away by the great rush of water, ano ? the adjacent land would be destroyed. . The great trouble with our streams lies li> " Ibe fact tbat the hillsides are washed into ,, them by the bea\y'ralns. It the sand meet* ' rafta or other obstructions. It is lodged In the stream or diverted from the main current, ? when It lodgeB on tbe fertile soil with Injurious effect. If streams are kept open, or h .j? wr% Inht IhABOnfl flnPU flOt. J1H H. TU IP. leaVf 7 tbe current. It Is carried to great distanceby tbeswlft running water, and does not step V until obstructions are found. Running water may be compared to a shaft, * or volume, wbwe natural Inclination is to , run straight. If a creek is tapped by a ditch ? atrigbtangels.it will till with sand. There ' i?, we believe, no exception to this rule; Tbe . swift running water curries with It tbe saod, L white the water in the ditch at right angles 1* j le*s swift and the sand will settle there. A dltcb should lap a stream before it reaches a bend, if it be intended to change the current or bed of the creek. Tbe water rebounds when It strikes tbe bank, and, like a bail . thai strikes a bard substance, its course N } changed. Water In passing over a log, a dam ? or other obstruction goes straight over it. ? For Instance: If the dam is straight across P the stream the water will continue straight ' down tbe channel. If the dam is set diagon- , ally across tbe stream, tbe water will strik? tbe baok to whlcb the upper end of the dsni Is attached, and greater or less damage will ? be done according to circumstances. We do not desire to prevent tbe flooding ol i our bottoms for the simple reason that tb? flooding enriches tbe soil. When land Ik dui ? overflowed it losses its fertility and In but a ^ Jew years the rich bottom land, that was irrl gated by tbe overflow, is common upland. Logs and brush, or obstruction- ; of any kind on the even surface of the bottom ' land, will cause serious damage by high f water. Tbe only safety for the average flat , land is to give the high water unobstructed flow. 15 Neighbor farmers are laughing at us now. They think we are wasting money in various ways, but especially In tbe matter of ditching. We have dug two long ditches. One 01 them was to take a spring branch oil' of a bottom. Tbe other Is intended to take tbe cieek at ordinary low water, and to drain some wet portions. Tbe creek dllcb is about | 800yards long, varying in wldtb from 80 to Ui; inches at top, and In depth varying from two to six feet, iu a perlectiy straight line. No man has looked at It who has not thought he could have lal<l It off better, and if we had not bad some experience In laying otf ditches, and were not supported by a reasonable degree of self conceit, we would likely go ott and commit suicide. One man thought it ought to have been V curved at a particular place. He didn't give : his reason for desiring tbe graceful line Tbe S suggestion struck us all in a heap, and before we recovered, tbe Idea of asking bis reason escaped our attention. And so the rea- I son lor that improvement's lost forever. Another neighbor thought it ought to have varied Its course so, as to get a better fall, which would let the sand get a better outlet. ? One gentleman who knew what be was " talking about said the ditch was not big ., enough to carry off the water that runs by Mtller'8 store in town, when we had heavy rains. Another friend said that the ditch would till up with sand, and then consoled us by telling of a neighbor who speut a considerable sum In digging a ditch that was tilled up with band by the first rain.' . Another looker-on said tbat the sides of the ditch would not wash, and that It would remain the same size lorever, and tberelore defeat our purpose. All said that the ditch would not carry the water "when the creek was up." Many claimed that the ditch ought to be six leet, or eight feet, wide, Ac.. &c. About a thousand thought there was no use to dig a ditch (where we have just had one dug,) UDless the creek was cleaned out to Long Cane, a mile aud a half below. We look all the criticisms uud suggestions in good part and we now know more about ditches than any man on earth. We have stored away iu our mind the valuable lufor- , mation received from a thousand sources, 1 ahead ou ditches. Nearly every man on eartb thinks that he can by instinct lay off a ditch to perfection, and the editor of the Press and Banner In no exception to the rule He was boru on a creek.in the bod of a millwright, and has bad something to do with creeks nearlv all his life. While he has found no means of preventing the til 1 ing of a drain ditch through low-lying land, he has Dever laid off a ditch for a stream that did not serve the purpose for which it was intended?(of course this r last ditch has not yet been ruliy tested.) About twenty years ago we bought a farm c od Hard Liaoor Creek, near White Hall, now H in Greenwood County. The creek ran in all directions about as nearly on top of the ground us it ever does. The creek was ditched in Mime places, corners were dug down iu other places, until the creek was nearly straight. Result: the banks are from three to six feet deep, the water standing in muuy places to considerable depth. A three loot ditch was dug to keep a branch from running over the bottom land. To get it straight a considerable depth had to be dug through the nose of a little hill. The ditch was dug some three teet wide. It is now from eigLt to fifteen feet wide, and deep enough. The ditch on Norrls Creek, if we are not mistaken, will serve the purpose for which It was intended. We are willing to acknowledge that our critics are better farmers, but we are conceited on tbe subject of ditches. The bottom lands of this country can be reclaimed by a little care and attention. The KH III C IttUUJ U"*" ? *' ftwp H pUUi hillside from washing away would restore the rich swamps and we would hear no more of cow mires, and abandoned bottoms. The cry for corn would be heard no more lu the land. If our ditches on Morris Creek till ut> we f will telegraph you at our expense. More i work is to be done on them. They are not yet finished. The only neighbor that seemed to approve he work which we have been doing, we earn, Ik now seeking a contractor to dig a Jitch on a small branch, some two or three Imesasbigas that which we have dug on S'orriH Creek, a tenfold larger stream. If there In a liviDg man on earth, who does jot know it all, we would say to him, dig ?ou r ditch deep Kills dug deep you need lave no lears. The floods and freshets will J nake It wide enough, uo matter how narrow t may be dug. A little attention. Keep tne litch clear of rafts, dig away the Jutting puis, remove the stoue and stumps, and the ugh water will do the rest. If the current of lie stream is set fairly down the straight lUch, there can be little chance for failure. h mTTTI A fN TT T1 f*1 I SJ.TTJ.JNtr IJN Tflij iLSniiS. 'harlestou's Closed Doors Hhn I'revenlrd Progress?The Open IMtor Bins .Made Npartanblirjt n Mvc and Hustling <"lty?A True Statement as to tlie Folly of One City and the WlHdoui of the Other. Carolina Spartan. It seems passing strange that business peoile who have bad an opportunity of looking , little beyond tbe reach of tbelr noses should dvocate closed doors In our commercial relaIons with the balance of the world, would InIst on closed doors. Any provincial populalon, who believe that ibey are tbe best peoile on earth, would be opposed to the conamlnatlng Influences of the expansive lOllcy. But It is singular that leading men, r those who assume leadership, should op>ose tbe progress the State Is making and iK>k with suspicion atanyone whoadvocates xpansion of any sort, whether social, polltlai, religious or commercial. The word exlanslon gives them cold chill*. Tbe way in which the doors swing makes a lltTereuce in a community. The first decade fter the civil war there was only one cotton alii In the county and that was a very boddy affair. Taking out real estate, the Hiue Ol WU1CU wan ?Cljr i-?i u, muiy .tod ierhaps not a man in tbe ounty worth .'0,000. But the people concluded to open ride the doors and keep them propped so bey could not close. They voted subsidies to allwaysand to cotton mills until tbe politilaris stopped that business. They sought omme'cial relations with tbe people North nd West wbo bad adopted tbe open door ollcy and wbo believed In expansion. Tbe par tan burg doors have never been cloned lnce tbey were thrown open thirty yearn go. We are not ashamed of the policy. It as done us good. Of course, It costs someblng. All good and valuable things come lgb. But we do not regret the price. The oors are still open. It strikes us up In these foot-hills an strange hat Charleston should afford a striking exmple of the opposite course. In the old days efore the war our mercbants all went to lharleston lor their goods. It was the necropolis of tbe State in name and Jam. Hut ow changed ! There she sits, tbe Nlobe of be State, solitary.by the sea. Our mercbants ave forgotton the road to tbe old city. The Id highways that were worn by a thousand rheels bearing tbelr burdens to tbe busy aarts. have grown up In brambles. All that omes from the closed door. She has tried It d long that the hinges are rusty and tbe oors will not open again. The grass-covered lleys leading down to the decaying wharves, he shlpless harbor, the empty warehouses, 11 Indicate that the closed door and comuaerlal contraction are very dear to the good and enerable people of Charleston. About tbe time when Spartanburg opened er doors and a few men without capital promoted the Air Line road from Atlanta to lharlotte, business men of the county weni o the president of tbe old South Carolina iallway and showed him and other CharieR nn neoDle that the opportunity had come for be old city to open a door to the West by way f Asheville. The only reply they got wan bout this: "Gentlemen, you see Charleston } the natural port aud trade centre for Upper outh Carolina and Western North Carolina, 'he people are obliged to come here." With bat the door was slammed and It has been losed to the up oountry for thirty years. Charleston drummers never annoy our aerchants. Charleston goods do not come his way. They seem to preler:lo go where be doors are open and where a warm welome awaits them. That being Charleston's Ian, It may be expected that there will be pposlilon to all progressive and aggressive oovements unless they emanate trom Chareston. We like the old city for its history, for its atriotlsm in the past, for its St. Michael's hiines, lor the unique and picturesque virues and peculiarities of the old Charleston jmllles, for their exalted virtues and highly eflned natures, for their exclusive St. Cecilia oclety, lor the sweet intonations of tbelr ousical voices, but we regret that they are so atisfled with the bay and battery and Isle of 'alms and a few old churches that they have jrgotten to open their commercial doors and xpand In all directions and fall In line with be great business and commercial procession bat is beginning to move forward in the outh. THE CONCEKT. 'ine .Music, Sweet Mlnifing ami I)eIl|CliIfiiI K?-rl tut Ions were Cilven Hi I lie School limine Last Friday Eve ill UK voui|iiim?*ini?ry 10 me ?i*u* i?if Teacher* ? Reception and Ke> IreNhmeutM. Last Friday evening in the assembly room f the School House, h concert was given by lie local talent of the town complimentary t> Ibe teachers who had beeu attending the lummer Institute, which cloned Its lour?eeks seHslon here that day. Hy nine o'clock early all of tbe teachers and many of their rlends, to tbe number of about 150 In all, had ssembied In the school house. The tlrst number on the program wasasong ntltled 'Love's Old, Sweet .Song," suug by a uartet consisting of Messrs. Harden, Cochan, McDavid and Jones. Next was a solo, Madeline," most beautifully buo? by Miss anle Uolllngsworth. Then Miss Jenule ArHnts delighted the audience with a comic ecltatlon about a little boy always having , headache at school time. Mr. Hardeu then ung a solo entitled, "A Son of the Desert am ." The tilth number upon the program was he playing upon the piano of a very difficult peratlc piece, which was most charmingly ?'udered by Miss Hattie Jones. Alter this, rtissJanlc Uolllngsworth and Mr. Cochran ang a duet eutitled, "Whispering Hope." Then tbe program was most dellghfully vaied by a recitation entitled, "A Race for a Jirl's Heart," which was very nicely renlered by Miss Eliza Thomson, and showed ibillty, Mr. Hampton Jones then mine h olo entitled, "Always," followed by Mr. Coehan, who wing with great etrect the beautiful >td favorite, "Hocked In the Cradle of the Jeep." He received a long and loud encore rom the delighted audience, but on account ?f bin modest timidity would uot reappear on be stage. At this Juncture Prof. Gilliam announced hat after ibe concert a reception would be leld, and all who would like to meet the eacbers were requested to stay. Last but not least on the program was a nost beautiful song entitled "Come Where Dy Love Lies Dreaming," wblch was sung vltb Hue etrect by a quartette consisting ol Messrs. Jones, McDuvld, Harden aud Cochan. This piece was considered by all to be be best ol the evening. After the concert many of the audience renamed to the reception aud became acquaint>d with the visiting teachers. Ice cream and :ake was served by the ladies of the town and l most plea?ant hour was spent by all. The concert, as announced iu the paper last veek, was to have been held In thv Court louse Thursday evening, and the reception u the school house Friday evening, but on iccountof the sickness of Mrs. J. 1). Kerr, *ho was to have taken an Important part In he singing, the concert was postponed to Frllay night in the hope that Mrs. Kerr would >y then be well enough to take part, but she vas not, to the great regret of nil present. So lie concert and reception were both blended ntooneand held in the school house Friday sveulng. The visiting teachers especially enjoyed the ntertalnment and feel very grateful to the food citizens of Abbeville who took part iu he concert and to tbose ladles who so geoer >usly furnished the delightful refreshments, md to all others who contributed iu auy way ,owards the pleasure of the evening. Mr. Guy 1'ltner. with his usual skilful ouch upon the keys of the piano, played all be accompaniments for the singing. W. H. M. Tf votl want to see Hip ??r?lt.lARt. show push of lne box paper and envelopes. You will find t at the Speed Drug Co. Ju-*t received a car load of ice. Phone No. 1. Maxwell's Market. THEY HATE EACH OTHER Evhiin anil I,iitliiirr are Open Political KnemicR?How the Anti-itleLHnrin AcicreKntion Ntrlke a Charlotte >ew?paper Man?Their Strong and Weak PointM. I J. C. Abernatby. who attended the Union and Chester meetings for the Charlotte Observer, wrote th?t paper the following interesting summar.'zlug letter from Chester: There is no danger th?t tne senatorial campaign In this state will lack heat,even though [.Senator AlcLaurln should withdraw from the race, (or the notable developement Id the meetings here and at Union for the last three days, aside from 'he strong denunciation of the Junior sennlor, was the fact that while both are fighting what they consider the common enemy, A. C. Latimer and John Gary Evans are at daggers" points, and It would not ( surprise iuen who Itnow the two politicians to see the ex-governor and the congressman come to blows on the stand when the campaign is fairly under way. Evans Is a slender fellow, about five feet and ten Inches tall, with sharp features, a bright eye. black moustache and hair, slightly tinged with gray, and there is something about him that will make a North Carolinian think of Marlon Butler as soon as the ex-governor takes the stand to make a speech. His political antagonist, < Congressman Latimer, is recognized as being one of Senator Tillman's closest friends, and he certainly resembles the senior senator in more ways than one. In comparing the two men. as they sat together on the speakers'stand, I made the following deduction : Square the congressman's jaws, punch out one of bis eyes, let him flu his mouth with qululne and to all outward appearances the result will be a second Ben Tillman. As to the ability of Latimer compared with Tillman, I oannot say, for it may be that he is only following ihe leader as Marion Butler followed Col. L. L. Polk in North Carolina. In fact bis political enemies term him "one ol Tillman's bands." I can add. however, that he has a more pleasant address than bis chief, and would probably create a better impression among strangers, provided he did not too closely follow Tlllmau's style. These are the two men?Evans and Latimer ?who gave it out by their words and actions that they distrusted eacn other. In assuming bis snare of the responsibility for the election of McLaurln to the senate, Latimer said that two evils were offered the people and he voted ror the junior senator as the lesser of the two. John Gary Evans was tbe other. At other times he referred to Evans in more or less direct terms, wblch all South Carolinians Ar* t ho rvi K , * hand thfl a*. governor made it plain to bis hearers that be meanl Latimer when he spoke of the action of certain "political traitor*" who had refused to take note of tbe warnings he had sounded In regard to MeLanrin. He warned tbe people against turning out one traitor to put In another. Mr. Evans has been out of politics for quite awhile, having some time after tbe expiration of his term as governor removed to .spartanburg, wqere he has Seen practicing law, aud it was not. generally known until tbe meeting at Union- that be would enter the field as a senatorial aspirant. Tbe ex-governor, by the way, is ibe man whose name was formerly printed in a Columbia paper thus: "Jobngaryevans." isoutb Carolinians can rest assured that should all others drop out of the race these two performers alone will be worth the price of admission. I tmve been asked what manner of men are these South Carolinians wbo have appeared upou the stump within tbe past tbree days, and in reply 1 would say that tbe majority of them appear to be of unusual ability. But to tell tbe truth, I do not believe there is one In tbe wbole lot tbat denounced him so harshly who could in a Joint debate, under equal conditions, bold up his end of the argument. with Senator Mcl..aurln. Tillman cannot do it, because he is not a debater. He is a fine public speaker, but is not in tbe same class with tbe Junior senator when it comes to high class argument. Hemphill could not do It. because be bas not tbe brilliancy of tbe "Commercial Democracy." Evans cannot handle MoLaurin, for he is not built for that task, and Latimer cannot do it because be is fnn mnAh Hbfl Tillman, fn (hp! IhA nnlv man wbom I beard oq tbe stump this week, that, in my opinion, would be able lo do anything wltb Senator McLaurlu In a sensible, high class, clean discussion of issues Is Hon. George Johnstone. He Is, however, not strictly up lo date on poll ileal affairs, as be says tbat be has been taking no band in politics recently. He is not the product of any political upheaval, but Is a man of ability, education and travel, and while be made two of the best speeches in the three day's meeting, he probably did not impress his audience as his utterances deserved, for tbe argument was above the bead of tbe ordinary attendant upon political meetings. The appearance of Mr. Jonn B. Cleveland, of Spartanburg, at Union, to put in a word iu favor of the policies advocated by Senator McLaurln, was a brave act. Although not a public speaker, lie had tbe nerve to accept an invitation tu tbe enemies' meeting and tell tbem a few thlnes, and he received an attentive bearing. He also resembles a North Carolinian lo some extent?Dr. George T. Winston?and has tbe general clerical apappearance. It Is not thought by the other side that Senator McLaurln had anything to do with Mr. Cleveland accepting the Invitation to Union. Tbe greatest need of the South Carolina speakers is a new stock of campaign Jokes. There were put into words last week some old fellows which Ham used for probably the hundredth time when he spoke In Charlotte In the campaign of '92. But for that malter, all the speakers will have to get up something different from tbe arguments used for the past three days, for, as I beard It remarked, several times, a campaign cannot be fought out entirely on tbe abuse of one man or the things he stands lor. Tbe real purpose of these meetings, however, whs not so much to get the people out as to reply to McLaurln In the newspapers. The Tillman side Is not ut all pleased at the space In tbe newspapers which has been given to the junior senator's utternncies. and with a view to get "leave to pfrlnt" replies to him these meetings were tield. It may not be that this was tbe idea of the local committee at either Union or Chester, but It is that Inducement which brought out the speakers. If North Carolina Is to follow the example of this state In treating the matter of tbe disfranchisement of the negro, those Tar Heels who have been longing for political freedom are wishing for something which will never be realized. It Is a well known fact that tbe neero Is not, a factor In South Carolina politics, yet for the past three days uf-arly all the speakers held up negro domination to the people lu ah its horrible aspects as a warnilist agalnnl following .Senator MoLaurin. The lact, it was said, that young negroes tfere becoming educated put white supremacy in-danger. Senator Tillman said the sword of Damocles would hang over the people of the South so long as the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments remained iu the constitution of the United States, and that the race question was only temporally settled. He also warned cotton mill operatives that there was a probability that they would be expected to herd aud vote with the negroes if the new schemes were carried out. I have always heard that there were no people on earth who liked politics better than the people of this state, and I believe it. These people will stand for hours aud listen with upturned laces and in wrapt attention to a discussion of the tariff?the driest talk In the world. They will also take large doses of imperialism and ship subsidy argument without flinching, and do without their dloner during the ordeal. It would take a regiment of soldiers to hold a crowd of North Carolinians together during some of the speeches that were made during this continuous performance. A FAITHFUL SECEDER. The Itcv. Mr. JoIiiinoii, of Leslie, HefliiittN Two OfferN ol Prenbytcrinn Oiurcln'M in Wnwliiiiutoii., I>. Washington, August 1").?Special: It is j learned that overtures were recently made to the Kev. Oliver Johnson, of Leslie, S. C.. by | the Westminster Church, of this city, with a j view to calling him to Its pastorate, which Is i now vacant. This is the second time within the last year that a Washington church has Rougbt Mr. Johnson, both churcheH being members of the Northern General Assembly. The Westminster Church Is the oldest of the Presbyterian faith In southwest Washington, having been organized in 1888. The present] church edifice was built within the last two| years, and is one of the neatest ol its size in I the city, the main auditorium having a seat-j ing capacity of 400. Mr. Johnson would be a | strong addition to the pulpits of any cliy, but I he seems a bard man to tempt from his seceder mooring. Our box paper ranges In prices from 5c. to 50c. per box?we have something very nobby at 50c. a box at the Speed Drug Co. WEST END. Happening* nud Incidents of a Week ? About tbe City. Abbeville,8. C., Aug. 20, 1901. Miss Leora Doutbet, of Pendleton, and Mies Jane Thomas, of Wurrenton, were In tbe olty last Wednesday. Mr. Tom Grant Perrln returned Wednesday from a two weeks vacation spent In tbe mountains. Miss Evle Lewis, who has been tbe charming guest of Miss Eliza Thomson for tbe past ten days, has returned to her home In Ander* ' son. Mr. Allen Long has retnrned after a six weeks stay with friends In Georgia. SUMMER SCHOOL.. The Summer School closed Friday evening, i A delightful reception was Riven In honor of ] the/ teachers at the School! bnllalng, and the , County teachers and a number of Aboevllle people were present; the evening was In every i way a pleasant one. All the teachers have re- , turned to their home after a profitable month's study. I Miss Allle Mae Fennel has gone to Green- , wood to see friends, alter a short stay In the clt.v. Miss Florenoe Templeton has gone to Greenwood for a short stay. She will be the guest i of Mrs. W. R. Kennerly while In that city. | Mr. Sidney Cannon has gone to his home In Monroe, after a month's vacation. Mrs. Chris Chalmers has returned to her home after a short stay with relatives in Anderson. Miss Ellse Long returned last Tuesday from Colleton, Ga., where she has been the guest of her cousins, tb? Misses White. Miss Mary Fawcett left Saturday for her home in Spartanburg, alter a delightful stay here with her friend Miss Mary L. Robertson. Miss Fawcett Is a charming young lady and Uaa made a host of friends during her stay In our city. Mm. Oonr?n Whltn nnrl Miss T.ncu Whtt.A rft. turned Saturday from a delightful stay with relatives In Union. Mr. William L. Templeton spent Sunday with friends In Greenwood. Mr. Kenlth Hill who has been living In Florida for a number of years is here staying with t|1ft sister, Mrs. James Hill. Mrs. R. C. Wysong and her children have returned after an extended stay with relatives at Latta, Florence County. ? Mr. Ringan Thomson spent several days last week at Antrevllle with his friend Mr. Roy Power. Miss Allle Kerr, of Greenwood, arrived In the city Saturday aDd Is the guest of her brother Mr. J. Davis Kerr. Mr. W. P. Ferguson Is In the city for a few days. Mr. Louis Blount. Jr., Is at his post once more at Mllford's, His many friends are glad to welcome him back again. Miss Florence Henry has gone to Blshopvllie for a short stay with friends. Mr. Mao Henry has returned from a pleasant stay at Moffatsvllle, where he was the guest of his schoolmate, Mr. Reld Sherard. Mr. C. NV. Kendall left Tuesday for a short Sleasure trip to Buffalo, before going on to ew York to buy his winter goods. Mrs. R. M. Haddon expects to leave today for New York, where she will be Joined by Mr. Haddoo. < Miss Susie Sneer Is spending this week at her home In Monterey. Miss Rosa Hamlin went to Wllliamstoii Sunday for a short stay with friends. Mr. Roy Power is back after a week's stay In the country. Miss Kllza (iambrelt 1b spending nwnue at Antrevllle with her cousin MIbs I^ena Brownlee. Miss Elma Cllnkflcales, a charming young lady from Due West, has been In the city for a few dayB staying with Miss Alma Gambrell. Mrs. T. A. Cater, of Monterey, Is In the city staving with her son Mr. McD. Cater. Mrs. W. T. Cunningham and Mrs. George W. 8peer were in the city Monday, shopping. , Mr. Howard Llgou, of Iva, was In town Mooday on business. GONE NORTH. Miss Florlde Reese left Monday for Spartanburg, where she will spend a few days before going on to Baltimore to take a position with Armstrong & Cater, the well knownjdry goods < house. Miss Reese is a most deserving young i lady and her friends hope she will meet with every success. i Misr Adelaide Harris, Miss Florlde Calhoun i and MIbb Willie Calhoun have gone to Stone < Mountain, Ga., where they will be the guest I of Mr. W. H. Venable, at a delightful house party. Mr. J. Kraser Lyon and Mr. Guy R. Pltner have gone to Bordeaux to attend a bouse party given by Mrs. Albert Glbert, In honor < 01 her Mater Miss McMakin, of Spartanburg. Mrs. J. L1 Ambler, of Greenville, arrived in the city Tuesday and will be the guest of tier cousin Mrs. James H. Perrln for a few days. Mr. Frank M. Murphy, one of Anderson's leading lawyers, was In the city several days last week representing the American JLaw Book Company. Miss Frank Holloway and Mrs. J. C. Holloway, of Cbappels, returned to their homes Tuesday, after being the quests of Dr. G. A. Neulfer and Miss Mary Hemphill for the past ten days. Rev. T. W. Sloan has gone to Newberry for a few days. . Mr. W. A. Templeton goes to Anderpon today to attenu a Sundy School Convention. Mr. H D. Reese has gone on the road again after spending a few days with his family here. Mr. James Edwards, of Charlotte, N. C., has returned to bis home afler spending a few days in the city the guest of Mr. J. M. Wllkersou. Captain L. W. White and Mr. Willllam H. White left Tuesday lor New York. Mlsa Rosa G. Maxwell expects tr> go to Ray Wednesday for a short stay with friends. Mrs. Hamnel Boyd, of Jacksonville, Fla., and Mrs. Mattle Mann Edwards,'of Charlotte, are here staying with their sister Mrs. J. M. Wllkt-rson for a few days. Miss Bessie Murray and Miss Lou Vose are home again, alter an extended stay with friends In Georgetown. Mrs. Roberts. Link returned from Atlanta Monday, and it la hoped that she la a little better. Miss Sarah Thurston left Monday, after s having assisted Prof. Gilliam in the Summer [ School. Miss Thurston Is a teacher of rare ? merit, and those who have attended the lectures have been greatly benefitted. MUSICAL. The musical preceding the reception given I to the teachers Friday evening was very de- ) llghtful. Those who assisted In the entertainment were Mms Hattle Jones, Miss Eliza ? Thomson, Miss Jennie Arrants, Miss Jauie Holllngsworlb, Mr. John M. Harden, Mr. J. , K. McDavld, Mr. W. H. Jones, Mr. J. S. Coch- ' ran. Mrs. L. A. Garrison has returned to her home after a delightful stay at Old Point Comfort. The Presbyterian congregation were dls appointed Sunday morning that Dr. Frank Y. Pressly, of Due West, was unable to fill his appointment here at that time. Mr. George Divine Is In Abbeville, after spending several months in Mexico. Mr. Frank Henry and Mr. John Hill have returned from uiemson, wnere they spent several days last week. Hon. John R Bradley spent Sunday In the city the guest of his daughter Mrs. J. C. Klugb. Mr. and Mrs. Will Ferguson are spending a few days In the country with their father, Mr. R. \V. Crawford. ' Mrs. Eliza .Lyon Is staying a few days with Mrs. Fannie Allen. Those who attended the reception at the school house Friday evening are Indebted to Prof. Gilliam and Dr. Kllllngswortb for the pleasant time. XeWMpnper High In. i Kvery successful newspaper is more or less annoyed by libel suits brought by persons who have no solid ground for their action or which have been Instigated by shy?ter lawyers In the hope of making a "stake" by getting the newspaper? to set tle for a small sum j rather than go to the expense of defending I the suit. It Is gratifying to newspaper publishers to learn that a court has at last taken action which will be llkelyto discouragethese harra^slug suits and afl'ord some protection against Irresponsible plaintiffs, who seldom are real sufferers from alleged libels. j The cane referred to was an action brought by a woman against a New York newspaper. The newspaper proved the truthfulness ol Its allegations, showiuK that the woman had no case, whereupon the court ordered that the plaintlll' pay SoOO to the newspaper as a recompense for the annoyance and expense ol detendlng a suit brought without cause. No reputable newspaper ever deliberately libels a person and if a misstatement is inadvertently made Is always ready to make a b correcuou.?uaiuueu (,n. ?j.; i eii'gruiu, 11 Call at P. Rosenberg & Co's store and get a copy of tlie 'Interlude," edited by the ladles for the benefit of the Charleston Exposition. Only 10 cents. MR. J. J. McMAHAN. The State School Commissioner Make* a Live an'l Interesting Talk to the Teachern attending the Abbeville County Snmtner School. The teachers and teaober-scholars attending the Abbeville County Summer School for white teachers. were taken muchly by surprise last Thursday morning to have State School Commissioner J. J, McMaban gppear In tbelr midst. Tbey bad all been looking for and expecting him the week belore, having beard that be was In Anderson and Greenwood, but business called blm to another part of the State and he failed to come at that Lime. So tbe teachers and teacher-scholars of the Hummer Institute had given him out and at course were very much surprised when bo turned up Tbey were tafeen by surprise, but not at a disadvantage. For a Summer School carried on with the excellent proficiency which has characterized this school ail through Its four weeks session could not be caught unprepared by tbe advent of any visitor, even though be might be no other great a personage than the Slate School Commissioner himself. Mr. McMaban at tbe earnest solicitation of Prof. Ullllam. made to tbe teaober-soholars a plain, pointed, practical talk. He started out by saying that be bad visited most of tbe Summer Schools this summer, and that this, with tbe possible exception of tbe one at Laurens, was the largest attended one In the State. That be bad found much interest manifested in tbe schools throughout the ~~ uIn Ir>toi-aot in tho irolforo OlttlD,aUU UUJJCU hUlOlUkUlKIJI. AM of tbe Reboots would continue to be manifested especially by tbe trustees of tbe schools. That tbe school trustees should belp tbe teachers bear tbe expense incident to tbe at tendance upon tbe County Summer Schools und should even pay all the expenses when possible. Was much pleased tbe other day to see tbe great Interest manifested by the trustees of tbe public schools of Pickens county. Though tbey were nearly all bard-worklng farmers, tbey appeared to take a lively inter est In education, and was mucb pleased and surprised to have one of tbe old farmers ask him If he did not think education should be compulsory. He answered that It should be for at laast six months in tbe year, and up to tbe age of thirteen. Tbe great trouble of teaching In tbe country was, that most farmers wanted and wonld have their children In tbe fields about (our months In tbe spring and three months In tbe fall, with a month's rest In tbe summer at tbe "laylng-by" season, thus leaving about lour months during tbe winter for scbool time. He said tbat If every man, woman and child In this State had a thorough education this would be tbe grandest State In tbe Union. He spoke of the rapid progress In tbe State of tbe graded school system. Twenty years ago It was not known In this State. To-day every town of any Importance In the State 4nfnHoH aohnnl Hull/line Hfl finokfl Of bow much pleasanter country life was becoming because ol the wide-spread Introduction and use of modern inventions, such as the telephone and electrlo lines. He said tbat ibe University of Chicago gave eaoh one of its professors a trip abroad every lour years and tbereby broadened their knowledge, and for tbla reason the University of Chicago was one of tbe very best institutions of learning In this country. He Intimated tbat tbat sbould be tbe lot of every scbool teacher, and hoped the time not far distant when it would be so. He said tbe salaries paid to sobool teacbers were too low when It was taken Into consideration tbe great amount of work to be done and tbe long time of tralng beforehand. Little two-for-a-nickel lawyers, for instance, would get a salary of from 3600 to 83,000 a year, while a hard-working smart scbool teacher would get bat 880 a month, or 3270 a year. Was one of the great injustices In tbe equalization of wages. Every county sbould have a superintendent whose business it would be to over-look tbe scbools ol tbe county, but ?ucb a man would have to be paid a salary of 81000 or 81,200 a year. A Stale tax sbould be levied for tbe support of tbe schools, and In that way tbe rich towns and counties would help along tbe poor weak onces. The sobool year everywhere should be at least nine months. He closed by giving a little "taffy" to scbool teachers?especially school "marms"?In gensral and to these In Abbeville county In particular. Mr. MoMaban is a smart, Intelligent, bandgome?(so tbe young lady teacbers thought, and I agree with tbem)?young man, and with credit HUB the place to which be has been elected by tbe people of tbe State. W. H. M. The Marriage of a Runaway Couple. A few evenlugsago, near tbe hour of midlight, while tbe writer was In ;tbe study ol ;he Baptist pnrsonage engaged In conversa* ;lon with Mr. Gordon, a knock was beard on be door and to the answer of Mr. Gordon's 'come In," a young man opened ibe door and >ald would like to speak to Mr. Gordon. Mr. Gordon stepped out on tbe piazza and directly same back In again and said "there would bea narrlage In the study In a few momenta." The vrlter straightened up bis coat, with bis bands imootbed down his hair and felt to see If bis >le was on Btraigbt, while Mr. Gordon was ooklng on tbe shelves for his marriage book. '.a a few moments In came tbe young man ollowed by a very pretty young lady, and hey immc*lately took their position facing be them'- * *r and the audience, which was uyself an . Gordon's Itttle six year old girl >ut who u not a few of a minister's cooiregati *ras happy In tbe arms of Morpheus ind a'l unconscious of what was going on. The marriage service was read, tbe right land grasped, the promises given, tbe knot led so "that which God bad Joined together jo man might put asunder." a prayer made isking the blessings of the Lord upon the mited couple, congratulations given by tbe nlnlster and tbe audience, that Is by tbat >art of tbe audience who were awake, and tbe lappy couple went out into the gloom of tbe nldnlgbt hour, with a smile all over their aces and happy elasticity in their steps. Tbe vrlter would like very much to give the lames of the happy pair, but was earnestly equested not to do so aa tbe marriage was on he sly and to be kept a profound secret till ome future day when It will be duly anlounced to tho public. It was certainly quite i romanlc little affair. W. H. M. Our line of toilet articles Is complete?When n need of anything In this line It will pay rou to come to see us?Tbe Speed Drug Co. You will always And a nice lot of fancy box sandy at tbe Speed Drug Co. NOTICE! WAREHOUSE. ABBEVILLE Hill IS NOW READY TO STORE jotton, Grain, Guano, Heavy Groceries \ND ALL FARM PRODUCTS. t Will Also Be Prepared to Press and Store all Hay Brought to i Market. , The Company will continue to erect other lUlldliiKH Hufliclent lo meet all the demands ' or utorage. JOHN LYON, ; MANAGER. I June 12, tf | JOLTING OVER BAD ROADS. The Majority of Farmers Show No Interest In Boad Improvement. With the same patience that the early Hfittler waited for the railroad to be bnilt mast Ibe advocates of good roads wait for any decided action to be taken for the betterment of onr public highways, says the Whitewater (Wis.) JourUal. For the last five years our roads have been the topic of the press, but we fail to see the good effect that this should have had on the minds of an intelligent people, and, strange as it may seem, the farmers are the very last ones with which this matter finds any favor. While our city cousins have long since protested against the slow, uncomfortable horse car and compelled the companies to build expensive electric lines with palace cars, we are contented tc jolt along in cumbersome vehicles ovei nearly as bad roads as those our grandfathers traveled in early pioneer days, and farmers who read from time tc time of fche large sums of money spenl by the government in making public improvements would vote against an equal amount being expended on oui highways. For a tiroof of this fact just see witl what reluctance most farmers work or the road, even when well paid for theii labor; better paid than they often arc for the work which they do on th< farm, and yet a greater proof is the fact that in many of the towns in thic | county they still oling to the old waj of working out road taxes by allowing a man so much for bis team, plow oi shovel and giving him ten hours' storj telling. At a rough estimate there is betweei $10,000 and $15,000 expended annual!} on the roads in this county. If part ol this large asm of money was investec | in machinery used in making roads, anc | then have the work done by a body oi j men working under a county overseei who had proved bis ability as a roac builder and civil engineer by passing a satisfactory civil service examination, we could get more and better worii done. Such a man could i be obtained for a moderate salary, and the wori done would be more uniform and satisfactory than that^done by pet overseen who are appointed regardless of ability, but because of some political poll ai town meetings. Of course there are exceptions to the general olass of farmers who are working and talking to the best. of theii ability for good roads. It is to be hopec that success will in the end crown th^u efforts. WIDE TIRE BENEFITS. rhey Not Only Improve the Road, but th? Load Is More Easily Drawn. The benefloial effect of the wide tin on dirt roads is strikingly shown ii some recent tests at the Missouri agricultural experiment station at Columbia. A clay road badly cut into rub by the narrow tires was selected foi the test as presenting conditions least favorable to the broad tire. A numbei of teats of the draft of the narrow tire were made in these open ruts and immediately followed by the broad tirei running in the same ruts. The first rur of the broad tire over the narrow tir< ruts was accompanied by an increasec draft, the second by a draft materially less than the original narrow tire, the third by a still greater decline, and ir the fourth trip the rut was practically obliterated and filled. The 'narrow tiref were then run oyer the same road, witl the resultB that the draft was lighten than before the broad tires had beet UBea. .aiieriiauiJg uib uruau auu uaixvn tires on this road for a number of timet resulted in a gradually decreased draft In other words, the broad tires wert improving the road surface to such an extent when run but half the time as tc make the draft considerably less for all vehicles. This clearly demonstrates that if even half the wagons used on dirt roads had broad tires the results would be beneficial in draft and enormously beneficial in bettering the condition oi the roads. In another trial, when a clay road was so badly cut into ruts as to be almost impassable for light vehicles and pleasure carriages, after running ths 6 inch tires over this road 12 times the ruts were completley filled and a first class bicycle path made. A careful record of the drafts shows that the draft was materially less than with the narrow tires immediately before. Thus the road would have been gradually improved by the nse of the broad ti es at the same time that the farmer would have been able to transport his products over the road with greatly reduced draft. Steel Roadway. Secretary Wilson has given directions to General Boy Stone, chief of the bureau of good roads at the department of agriculture, to construct a sample steel roadway at the most convenient location he can find at the Nashville exposition, where it may be seen and studied by the visitors who will attend the exposition during the summer. Secretary Wilson thinks the steel trackway for wagons is the easiest solution of the good roads problem, particularly in the west, where stone and gravel are scarce, and the soil is deep and sticky. Improved Roads For Mississippi. Mississippi now has a road law, which, if nrooerly carried into effect, and if kept in effect for a material length of time, will probably give the state a system of public roads superior to any that it has ever had and perhaps ?uperior to that of a majority of the Bouthern states.?Mobile Register. Farmers Took the Lead. It was the farmers who originated the state aid law of New .Jersey and who carried it into execution, with its vastly beneficial result, not only in the state, but as an example to many other states. It was also the farmers who built the excellent Canandaigua road* In New York at their own cost HANDMADE PILES. . i AN INTERESTING DESCRIPTION OF A DELICATE PROCESS. ?: M Workmen Bccome So Accurate That They - Could Go on if They Became Blind?Mechanic* Held It to Be an Art In Which Machinery Could Not Compete. Hasps and files in the bands of a first olass mechanic rise to the dignity of toola of the first order in a machine shop. To "file square" is a test of skill which has caused manj a braggart to lower his crest, and an A 1 vise hand is a treasure in a shop where finishi ng is done on the bench. To filo square means to file true; to finish the face of the work without marring it with scratches and rounding surfaces, and to do this as a regular everyday thing, la an art to be won only through practice and long experience. Files ruin thousands of dollars' worth of work, and files add thousands of dollars to the value of manufactured product. In some of the machine shops of Chicago are gray haired meohanlcswho have worn overalls for 40 years and more. They remember well the time when machine made files were held up to ridioule jind j. scorn ana wnen an nrst ciass, wen Known makes of fllee were oat by band. Some of ' ! these old fellows still insist that maohine made flies'are not and never can be as | good as the flies whiob are cat by hand, ' and they carry this prejudice to sach an ' extent that they declare they cannot do ) good work with the machine oat flies. i It woald be difficult for them to tell the g difference between the two makes of flies, , for within comparatively few years ma- . , chines have been waking files that cannot 1 be approached by the most expert file cot' tere of Sheffield. Files, and many of them, r are still cat by band, and a file cotter la probably tha most expert user of a ham> mer and oold ohieel in the Industrial world. ' f Files and rasps are made of steel which ' ' varies from the "blistered" steel for the I poorer quality of flies to the best crucible, I or "ca6t cast" steel, for the higher grades. r The blanks are prepared for the flle cutter _ by forging tbe "tang," or tapered point ' for the handle, and shaping the steel to k j ' the proper form nnder a die or press. The ) blanks are thoroughly annealed or soften? ed, and are perfeotly clean and free from ; scale when laid on the bench of the work[ man who cuts the teeth. : A flle cotter -generally Works on tbe same kind of a "cot" year in and year oat. This gives him a mechanical perfeo- - $ tion whloh cannot be secured in any other ' f ' way, and it Is said that a workman's : Land becomes so accustomed to the spacing that were he to become blind he could ) cat just as well. H Files are made of many forms to salt . the great variety of work which they are I called upou to do, bat the "cats" whloh r give coarseness and fineness to files are comparatively few. They are known as "rough, ""bastard," "smooth" and "dead smooth." These are the common "cats." "Floats" are single cat files, and double cat files are made by crossing the first ' oat with a second cut, thus changing tbe parallel, unbroken cutting edges of the i floats into numerous points. " i When a face, or one or more edges on a . file, is left uncat, It is said to be "safe." . No matter what the form of the file is, , whether fiat, square, round, half round, . rat tail, three square or knife edged, the ' cutting is done the same way. A short, I light, steel cold ohlsel, with a broad, : straight cutting edge, is used. The ham> mer is a carious looking affair, for it Is carved somewhat, and tbe handle is in? 6erted well toward tbe smaller end. The i hammer weighs from one to six pounds. , In striking the workman gives a peculiar t .J I pulling blow which raises the "bur" aad r gives the particular out characteristic of r files, and It was this out that for nearly * 200 years prevented inventors from design1 ing machinery which would cat a file ' equal to the hand cat article. ) The workman sits on a low bench which i comes out from a long wide bench. Before . him is his anvil, usually a stone block or [ a slab of iron. The blanks are held in r place by straps which pass over the. tang and point, and then form a loop or stlrrap ' under the anvil. The workman puts his foot in tbe loop, and thus holds the blank ' j > secure while he is catting it. He holds the i chisel between the finger and thumb of i the left hand, and after each cut.moves the [ blank slightly for the next cut. He do..s . this by lifting the chisel over the bur and ! then pressing tbe point of the tool against [ the raised edge just out, at the same time . r.Jj loosening tbe strap so that the blank can be moved. ' In cutting small files or smooth or dead smooth files tho hammer blows, movement i at the chisel, loosoning the straps, moving , the blank, tightening the strap and striki lug the next blow are done so rapidly that they are nearly simultaneous. The float . cut is made first, and then the second cut 1 is made. In making the second cut the ' workman strikes the chisel with less force, thus making a shallower out. If the file is > to be out on tho other side, the out side is laid upon a plate of lead or pewter to proi tect the cutting edges. If the file is othor than a fiat shapo, the lead or pewter is grooved or hollowed out to fit the shape. After cutting, the files are hardened, for the annealing makes the steel so soft that the first use of the filo would bend the outting edges. Some files are curved before being tempered. This is done by heating the cut files to a dull red and bending them to the required curve over a wooden block with a wooden mallet. The files to be hardened are first covered with a mixture of salt and some sort of oarbonaceous substance. This covering serves a twofold purpose?it prevents the teeth from oxida- . % tion and from losing the carbon in the steel, and by fusing indicates the proper heat for tempering. It also serves to prevent cracking when the file is suddemy plunged into tho cooling liquid whioh gives the file tho temper. Naturally a heated file suddenly cooled will warp more or less according to its form. This is prevented by giving the file a "set" in the other direction before it is tempered, so that the tendenoy to warp actually straightens the file. When the 6teel has reached the proper heat, the file is lifted from the lire by tho tang and suddenly immersed in cold water, and before it has grown cold it is withdrawn and put In a screw clamp, which keeps it from curving or bending. The tang is then softened by sticking it in melted lead,and then ionloanod ilrifirt Anil nil nil ?> ! go Record. Wood Gm. j The town of Deseronfco, in Canada, i where there are several large lumber mills, is partially lighted by gas mado from saw: dust. The sawdust is charged in retorts j which are heated by a wood Are, tho gas : from the rotorts passing into a sorios of j coils, and thence into the purifiers, which l are similar to those used for coal gaa. I Lime ia the principal purifying utfunt ?ni* 1 ployed.