The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, October 13, 1909, PART SECOND., Image 9

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i r " Tlie Press and Banner ft IF^IEiT SBCOITD. I I A PEW PICTURE I By Colonel St??aD of Three Promina I Men He Once Knew I WHO BECAME GOVERNOR' I Ool. Pleasant Stovall Gives Earl I Memories of Miles B. McSweenej I Ben R. Tilhnan and John Gar I Evans, All Three of Whom Wer I Elected Governors of S. Carolina I Col. Pleasant A. Stovall, editor o I the Savannah Press, used to work 01 I the Augusta Chronicle. At that tim g three young men from South Caro I llna had the habit of dropping int? I the Chronicle office now and then t( I see the reporters. Col. Stovall ha I been letting his memory dwell 01 | those days recently and the resul Is the following editorial ia Th< Press: About twenty years ?go, In Th< Chronicle office in Augusta, som< Interesting people used to come uj at night and chat with the editors traro f mil Many of tnese vibuu.s across the river, for Augusta is ver: largely made up of South Carolin lans, and In the course of a da: about half of the visitors are fron Carolina. One of these men was a short thick set, florid boy, with light, sandj or reddish hair. He had gray eye; and wore a large mustache. If w< remember aright his hair was curly He was a modest, quiet newspapei man, who published the Hamptor Guardian. Most of these neighbor lng papers lived by securing advertisements from Augusta, and M. B 4 if McSweeney naa gwa that city. He was a practical printer in fact, had begun his career as ? newsboy. His paper was always wel' set up and neatly printed. He wat a stickler for having a clean, brighi print, and his was one of the best of the country weeklies which cam? to the office. Every time McSweene} went to town, which he did about once a week, he received a notice ir the personal column something like this: "Mr. M. B. MoSweeney, the progressive editor of the Hampton Guardian, is in the city. The Guardian I has a large circulation in the new county, and those who patronize tut advertising columns of The Guarglan find it a good investment." "Mac" was really a warm hearted, attractive boy, and the newspaper craft was very fond of him. He probably had a little farm, owned a horse and buggy and enjoyed life in the quiet, simple way of country editor?which, by the way, is about the most satisfactory way that a man could live. Another visitor to the Chronicle office for whom the boys had a greai liking was young John Gary Evans He came over from Edgefield to reat^ law In his uncle's office. John bat" not begun to take life seriously. He was tall, slender, rather frail-looking; had small dark eyes, with a ver\ fine brow. He was popular wltfc everybody. He was essentially a favorite In society. He possessed a flDe, delicate tenor voice, and ever In conversation his tones were rather high and piping. After livln? In Augusta a few years he came uj to the Chronicle one night and tolc " 4 n-ota P'otnc them to announce mat 0 ? to move to Aiken and open a la^ office. There was a perfect howl of protest. The crowd did not wan* him to leave Augusta. They tolr him that the man who left Geor gla left God's country, and that th< move to Aiken was to bury him self and to give up all thought of t career In the law. However, Johr Gary had thought It over, and nex morning the Chronicle contained : personal item something like this "Mr. John Gary Evans, our por ular and talented young townsman who bat1 been reading law in th< f city for the past two years, has de cided to return to his native State o South Carolina. Mr. Evans will han/ out his shingle in Aiken, and w. bespeak for him the confidence of thpeople in his new home.' John Gary Evans was the young est polon of the house of Gary. Hi Opneral Mart W. Gary, ha< been a i>ower in Edgefield during th early days of Democracy, but fo pome reason be did not train wit] the political school of Hampton Bugler. Hagood. Richardson and oth rrs The other uncle, Major Wil llam T. Gary, had- moved to Au gusta just after the war. and wa practicing law. He was later judg of the Augusta circuit, was a mem her of the legislature from Rirb mond county, and was appointee United States district auorcej u President Cleveland. He also ha a good practice in South Carolinj and It was probably by his advic that the young nephew returned t Aiken. Very frequently a plain farme from Edgefield used to come to th Chronicle office. He lived at "Rof ers." South Carolina, which was postoffice in Edgefield county. Reaci" lng the city he would climb th high steps principally to see the Hor Patrick WalEh, who ^-as the edltc and publisher of the , Chronicl< His name was Ben Tillman, and soL. and then he would write a commu nlcatlon to the Chronicle stresslni the rights and recounting th wrougs of the Southern farmei These article were always well writ if ten. The man did not seem to b cultivated In his manner. He hai but one eye and his hair was rarel, well brushed. But he evidently hai read a great deal and there was lot n of vigor and originality in his pieces ^ Generally he signed "Farmer" t< his articles. They mainly related t< South Carolina matters. Next, Cap tain Francis W. Dawson, the edi ^ tor of the Charleston News an< r, Courier, became attracted by thesi articles and wrote Ben Tillman, ask Y ing him to publish them in the New; and Courier. He wrote sometime) for that paper, but was not entirel: t. weaned away from the Chronicle which was really his home paper 1 His brother, George D. Tillman, was a member of congress from that dls e trlct. He was one of the braines' - and most original men who ever rep 3 resented South Carolina in Washing 3 ton. Ben Tillman was a free lance s but his articles set people to think' i ing. Finally he got the farmers stir t red up. They organized a farmers e movement and pretty soon Tlllmar became a political factor In Soutl 21 Carolina. His first appearance It - ' - in fnlnmhlft In Z 4 L<Jii * CUUUU nuo WW. j 1880, when John Peter Richardson . was nominated governor. He was e x ielegate from Edgefield and favored i the nomination of ex-Governor Shep pard, who waa from the same count ty. j . Who was Ben Tillman? The people of Augusta began to talk about , him. His cotton factors said that r he was a good farmer, but that hie ; wife was a better farmer. He was ; a stickler for paying his debts. He . was not a large planter, but his credit : was good ou cotton row. When he i to como to the Chronicle office - it night he Invariably brought a pret ty jar of fresh butter or a little . oHsket of fruit for his friend, Pat i Walsh. This shows that Ben not , tnly raised cotton, but that he made i his own supplies. He had a fine I orchard, a good dairy; many peo; pie said that the management pf his t .vlfe secured these things. At auy t rate, he lived at home, and be lived > well. Now and then the local col' amns of the Chronicle would print an L irticle like this: i "Our popular friend, Captain Ben> lamin R. Tillman, of Roper's, has oft upon our table some fine fruit >nd fresh eggs, just from his flour iahing little Carolina farm. Come i igaln. Captain, the latch string always hangs on the outside." i Who was Ben Tillman? Well, he A-as captain of the cavalry company, jr the red shirt 'fellows over in Edgefield. When Governor John B. > Jordon, with General Wade HampI :oa, was Invited to Augusta to open i the fair, Ben Tillman brought his jompaay over from Edgefield to turn : out in the parade. The Chronicle i joys remember that during the ex rclses the Edgefield troopers were .tanked over in an old field and the ! yun became very hot at midday. : They remember Ben Tillman's dashng across the field on horseback to i ak the commander if he might move ! ils troopers in the shade, as the > :ien and horses had ridden across he river from Edgefield that mornag and needed water badly. i 1 i Now you have the three person i mc Ti-hn nsrrt to Mime to the Chron 1-jle office at least once a week and elieve the long vigil of the boys at ! tight by talklDg politics; gossiping i .bout persons and things?discussing ! the grandeur that was Groece and r .he glory that was Rome.'' Ben illman was remarkably well read; f ohn Gary Evans was classic and [ leilcate and UcSweeney was a very i ;ul?t man who talked but itttle> ' >ut was looked upon as a good : rlpnd and a deserving fellow. I do ot recall that these men ever met t that time. They may have and i iey may not have done so. If they ! id I don't remember that they im>reseed each other. Their lives inovin entirely different spheres, heir ages and professions sent them .r apart. Well, time changes aua i the great crucible of politics these en after a while got together. ' pd Tillman continued to write hir rticles. His faction became a ma^ i nrity party. I well remember th. t .ght he was elected governor. He wr;e over to the Chronicle ofiice a; .suul and sat by the desk of tin ews editor. The Chronicle received f -pedals from all parts of the StaU ? md Ben Tillman read, but from tht p olegraph ticker, the news of his j riumph. Pretty soon the office wa' ti illed with Edgefield people and Car Hui'ins generally, congratulating Ciptain Tillman," or "Governoi .'illman." which should it be? "Boys, call me Ben," said the lead s or. and it was generally that way e myhow. I don't recall that Johi i- Gary Evans or McSweeney came ii r hat night. If they were in towr ' 1 j:j T <-?momher fViat Rnmft Q I OPy U1U. A i CU1CU4UV4 ~ ? v body wanted to Bet up champagm d over TUlman's election, but he re i, i'used it, saying that be didn't lik< c it?never drank It, and that as fo o i raw oyster, he couldn't touch one Well, John Gary Evan6 ploddei r -iloug in Aiken. Uhe Garys all Join c e<i the Tillman movement, and firs ?- hing we knew little John Gary ha* a V>een elected to the senate?the sam i- pale-faced, delicate little chap wh e used to sing tenor and make his re \ ^aarkable speeches in the justic ir court. Then, after Ben Tillman, h s. ^-ae nominated and elected governoi * by the farmerE. Th? rest is kaowi * IN GOOD SHAPE e According t? figures Gi?ea Out Set 3 y Carolina is Prospering i I MANY NEW ENTERPRISE j Seventeen Million Dollars Pat In 3 Various Easiness Ventures Sin 3 First of Year?What Each Conn ? Has Done Along the New Indn 7 trial Line. 3 A Columbia dispatch to T1 - News and Courier says sevente* t million dollars is a big amount i "(money, yet that much has been pi into various kinds of business e - terprises in South Carolina elm the first of the year, according to statement Issued a few dayB ago t 1 Secretary of State McCowu. T1 t statement shows that charters hai i been granted to several hundred coi i cerns, including mercantile house i banks, cotton mills, trust comp&nle 1 water and light companies, real e tate companies, building and loan's. soclations and similar industries t the amount o fover $9,000,000. Tt net increase of companies alread chartered amounted to $8,209,00 ; Mr. McCown haB already collectei ; to the first of October, $16,000.2 i In charter fees, against, to the san i date last year, jmz.udo.iu. s Several concerns were given tt ; right to change their name, i As will be seen from the list ( i counties, Charleston and Marion lea In the amount of capital investei i $1,156,900 and $1,285,000, respec , ively. The least amount Invested i a chartered company wa-s in Salud i county, whi'/b was only $5,00i Greenville is third in the list, wit $897.f?oo. Laurens comes fort] with $565,000, and Richland fiftl with $429,300. The most of the $262,000 investe in chartered companies In Georg< town W88 in real estate companie there having been at least four chai tered within the past month. Co leton was very small, with only $8 000. In the Pee Dee section of th Ctoto fhoro wppfl cpverfll wntfir an light companies chartered with larg capital. The following statement take from the records in the ?ffice of th Secretary of State shows the amour of capital Invested in the dlfferer counties of the State during the pre! ent year. Charters were granted t companies In the following amounl In the different counties of tb State: Abbeville $ 118,500 Aiken 90,000 Anderson 133,000 Bamberg 136,000 Barnwell 89.000 Beaufort 37.000 Berkeley 51,425 Calhoun 2r> 00>j Charleston 1,156,900 Cherokee 255 500 Chester J 09,6 Of Chesterfield 170.450 Clarendon 49,000 Colleton 4n.0f?0 Darlington 129,900 Dorchester ?j0.000 Edgefield 227,010 Fairfield 94.500 Florence 112,000 Georgetown 262.000 Greenville 897,000 Greenwood .. .. .. 137,000 Hampton 32.000 Horry 35,500 Kershaw 114.000 Lancaster 67.000 i I>aurens 565,000 Lee 40,450 Lexington 28,000 Marion 1,295,000 Marlboro 124,000 Newberry 163,000 Oconee 33,000 Orangeburg 136.300 Pickens 115,000 . Richland 420.300 Saluda 5,000 i Spartanburg 283.700 Sumter 332,500 Union 368,000 . Williamsburg .. .. 37,000 ; York 97,8u0 I Me became president of the const ; tutional convention which put dl > nensarv. negro disfranchisement arc i non-divorce In the organic law < i South Carolina. His careers wi - meteoric. No one in Augusta dreac ; ed of it. But Ben Tillman went 1 r the United States senate and Jot Gary went to the executive offli - in Columbia. i But truth is stranger than Actio i In some way McSweeney?quie i plodding, popular?had broken in . the legislature. He, too, was a Til 3 man man. Finally he went to tl . senate, and then became lieutena 3 governor. During his term of offlc r as second in command. Governor E .. lerbee died and McSweeney actual became governor of South Caroliua i This accounts for all three of t] t Chronicle visitors. McSweeney dii 3 the other day?the quiet newsbi e and careful printer. John Ga 0 Evans is living in Spartanburg, ri< i. and successful in his law practlc e and Ben Tillman i6 senator and le e turer. making about as much on I r> platform as he maket from hi& eala u tin the upper bouse. ; CUPID'S PRANKS CONSTANTINOPLE LOVE AFRAIRS END IN TRAGEDY. Armenian Girl (Joes to Mussulman 'C and Hoi- Compatriots Threoton to Lynch Her Lover. A dispatch from .Constantinople says some tragic love affairs among ce Moslems have been reported of late. Gen. Habil Pasha unexpectedly entered the room of his daughter Medlha and was surprised to find her in company with Capt. Mehmedali, a former aide-de-camp of Abdul Hamld. The general instantie ly drew a revolver and fired at Capt. ?n Mehmedall, who died a few hours of later. at In the Bechlktash quarter of the Htv a Mussulman named Ismail car a" ried off a young Armenian girl called w Slranushe, the daughter of a banker, a The parents followed to claim their jy daughter, who, however, Btated that she wished to remain with Ismail. 16 The Armenians of the district Te threatened to lynch the girl, and a- the Moslems made ready to defend b, the two lovers. At this point the s, police Intervened to prevent bloodb shed, and arrested both Ismail and s- Slranushe. The latter was given to over to the care of an old Moslem, as she expressed her wish to be conly verted to Islamlsm. 0. A third case Is that of Lieut 3. Mehmed Aga. lie had two wives, Husna and Fatma, who, during the ie Imprisonment of their husband for a trifling offence, were said to have io taken advantage of his absehce to atjmlt other men into the house. >f The neighbors of the two women d had often to complain of the scan 3, dal, and the lieutenant's wives were t- twice arrested as a consequence, n Hearing of what had taken place, a Mehmed Aga, on his discharge from 5. prison, decided to avenge himself, h He went back to his house, then i. InhHblted by his wife Husna, and i saturated different rooms with petroleum, afterward setting fire to d the place. Mehmed Aga's iwq houso and the houses on either side were s. burned to the ground, together with r- Husna and another woman, named 1- Rushena. EDITOR SHOCKED TO DEATH. ie ? d Waycross Newspaper Man Is Killed ;e by Live Wire. n At Waycross, Ga., A. P. Perham, 8 Jr , editor of the Waycross Herald, was Instantly killed In an electric lt- storm of violence that swept over that place Wednesday, destroying 0 telephone wires and throwing live A wires about the streets. A number of horses, some of them fine animals, met instant death in coming in contact with the wires, while danger was everywhere. That no one met death except Mr. Perham is regarded as surprising. Mr. Perham was on the street near the office of the Southern Express Company when a wire, dangling from a pole, struck him. He dropped to the street dead. Mr. Perham was one of the best known men of this section, having been in the newspaper business in Wavoross for years. DOGS FES'D INCENDIARY. Negro Arrested Charged With Burnin Farmer's House. A dispatch from Statesboro, Ga., c-.n-c Iraplfpd frnm th* hlimin.2: home I of Merfljli Ifendtflcks, a wealthy farmer of that county, Jack Mesca/, a negro, was caught by bloodhounds a few days ago and Is locked up, charged with arson. The home and stables of Hendricks were burned. The fire began at 3 o'clock Wednesday morning, the family being arousel just in time to stagger to safety through the smoke and flames. The bloodhounds were put on the trail at the house and followed without losing the trail to Mercer's house. A quantity of corn, the barn, stables and residence, all were burned. Trains Collide. One passenger was killed outright and thirty-five persons were Injured, four probably fatally, In a collision j between a special, taking home sever-1 _ al hundred excursionists who had J j. (been attending the tftate iair 'in g. j Springfield, 111., and a regular pas1(j I senge rtrain on the Illinois Central ! at Parnell, 111. I , t J5 Q_ Child Hangs. to At Saginaw, Mich., George Henm ! ry Rambo, seventeen months old,' ;e | accidentally hanged himself while j playing In a swing at a neighbor's home. The little fellow naa toaaiea n. over to play with the neighboring it, I Shepherd children. When his mothto j er came for him she and Mrs. Shep[1-1 herd found the child dead, tangled ie in the ropes of the swing. at e, Boat Lost. !1- A Pensacola, Fla., dispatch says ly: all hope for the fishing schooner . I Francis H., manned by a crew of I eight, ha6 been abandoned by the tie owners, who believe that the vessel ?>d! with all hands weut down in the oy Gulf hurricane on September 21. ry * ch Beats War. An average of eleven persons have )C~ been injured daily add one person killed every other day for the last r? I three months by the Chicago street care. SHAFTJNVEILED Impressive Exercises Held on a Historic Battleground. OF KING'S MOUNTAIN j Governors and Members of Congress of South aHd North Carolina, With Many Other Prominent Men From the Two States, Take Purt in Ceremonies Attending Dedication. A special from King's Mountain, N. C., to The News and Courier, says upon that historic battlefield men lived again Thursday the struggle for Americun liberty. North and South Carolina vied with each other to do honor to the memory of the heroes of that decisive engagement of the Revolution. Within sight of the graves of those who perished for their country, their descendants recited the story of deeds of days gone by. They told of the bloody battles of the war with the mother country, of the privation of tha soldiers, of the final success of liberty and America's freedom. In that mighty conflict King's Mountain played an important part?the "turning point of the war?" the spot bo sacred to sturdy mountaineers Is rightly called, Ferguson was routed here? the brave British warrior lost his life here?and the fortune of war was changed. To commemorate the brave deeds of the American soldiers on this bat tieneia, toe unitea states nas given a monument. This monument was dedicated at King's Mountain Thursday. On the very spot of ground where Ferguson was routed, th? people of the two Carolinas joined in paying tribute to those who fell for the cause of liberty. On the sacred soil consecrated by the blood of these men of the Revolution the hoDor due them was given. It was a great occasion for the country-side. From early morning people came from the neighboring towns, and from the farms wagons, buggies and every form of vehicle conveyed the crowds to the mountain. Ou tae side of the hills and for quite a distance around groups were gathered as if at a picnic. The trains brought hundreds, and In their enthusiasm of the occasion many did not hesitate to walk for miles to reach the battle ground. The crowd that packed and surrounded the stands and was stretched In every direction the country around could hardly be estimate.1. Many of those who crime could not get within th? sound of the voices of the speakers. Eight thousand people were probably ia the ." mediate neighborhood. A distinguished gathering packed the stands provided for the occasion. Governor Martin P. Ansel presided gracefully over the exercises. The Governor of South Carolina, by his pleasing and happy manner, won the hearts of the audience. On the stand with the Governor were seated Governor W. W. Kitchen, of North Carolina; Senator Lee S. Overman and Congressman R. N. Page, of the same State; Senator Smith and Congressman Finley, of this State; Dr. H. N. Snyder and Dr. S. C. Mitchell, presidents of Wofford and the University, respectively, the ladies of the Daughters of the American Revolution; Gen. Julian S. Carr, of North Carolina, and many other distinguished persons. On the stands and immediately surrounding the main stage were the ladies of the Daughters of the Confederacy and visitors who were given cards to enter. There has rarely, If ever, been seen in South Carolina such a large assembly of beautiful VVUU1CU UUU ^(JUUfc 511 is, ci uu nuiuo^ got her share of tribute. It is to woman that the State is responsible for the preserving of true facts of history. Woman has made possibl? all the beautiful monuments to war heroes, the Daughters of the American Revolution were iintiring in their efforts to get a monument at King's Mountain, and finally succeeded. The battle heroes will never be forgot as long as the women live to commemorate their deeds of valor. "God bless the women" was the sentiment in men's hearts at this unveiling, as always. As a fitting feature of the celebration the soldiery of this State and of North Carolina were represented. Col. Lewis, commanded the provisional regiment from this State, composed of the following companies: Greenville, Cornwall, Rock Hill, Columbia, Camden. Fort Mill and Spar1 1 n ??a1 Inn /?r?m I a II OUTS. 1 ue 1>UI IU vaiuiuia 1.UIU pany was from Dallas. Governor lvitchin's staff was present as follows: Adjt. Gen. J. F. Armfleld, Lieut. Col. W. W. Pierce, Col. C. B. Armstrong', Personal Aide Col. H. Montague, Major A. A. Hicks, Col. T. R. Robertson. The battle of King's Mountain; was fought in sham conflict by the troops. These manoeuvres were under Gen. Boyd's supervision. The soldier boys are encamped on the mountain's Fide, and right royal was their entertainment to their friends. Beautiful weather marked the joyful occasion. Not a cloud obscurod the sun's rays. Everything was carried out according to the program arranged for the occasion. The educational value of the gathering cannot be stressed sufficiently. The| factB of history -were made known to the younger generations. School children came from Spartanburg and young collegians from the same city. The neighborhood was out In full force and the descendants of those who fought for the Union that was to be born of that great conflict. Altogether the occasion was one to be long remembered. "Such a day happens but once in a lifetime," said Governor Ansel. Col Asbury Coward, of Orangeburg, called the meeting to order, expressing a few well chosen sentiments a6 to the nature of the occasion and the historic significance of the event about to be celebrated. Recounting the historical shafts erected to the memory of heroic deeds, Col. Coward referred to the eloquent addresses delivered on former occasions of this kind on practically the same spot. Within sight of the new monument was erected many years ago the flrst humble stone that the neighborhood reared to tell the story of buried heroes. Then came the uniting of counties In 1855 to have a celebration at iving's Mountain, at which such men as John S. Preston and the eminent historian, George Bancroft, spoke. Then the State erected a monument, and now comes the United States Government and does honor to the dead soldiers. Col. Coward Introduced Governor Ansel as the presiding officer for the occasion, and In feeling words the State's Chief Executive referred to the sacredness of the occasion, the historic commemoration of heroic deeds and valor of mea of old days. Dr. 8. C. Mitchell .president of the University of Sotfth Carolina, delivered the Invocatory prayer, asking the blessings of God upon those who were taking part in the occasion. The King's Mountain Centennial Ode, written by Mrs Clara Dargan McLean, was rendered by the audience. This beautiful lyric had music arranged by Prof. Llnebach Governor Ansel Introduced President Henry N. Snyder, of Wofford College, who was the orator of the occasion, selected by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The address or Dr. Snyder was ft gera of thought 9Pd oratory, and was listened to with the closest attention by all. Dr Snyder'B fine appearance and his eloquent words made his address th? subject of enthusiastic an preclation. Picturing the previous battle before the great American Revolution, Dr. Snyder told of the thrilling struggle for the rights of liberty and finally of the struggle at King's Mountain that turned the scales of the war. A glorious tribute to the women of the land through whose efTorts It is possible to keep alive the old tradition and the history of heroes was found in Dr. Snyder's closing words that had an echoe in the heart of ail those within the sound of his voice. The singing of the National Anthem brought the audience to its feet, and while the patriotic music was being played all remained standing. The Hon. R. N. Page read the speech of the Hon. E. Y. Webb, Congressman from North Carolna. Mr. Page is Congressman from the 7th district. Mr. Webb was unable to be present on account of illness in family, and Mr. Page stated that be would be his personal representative by reading the speech that Mr. Webb had prepared. WOMAN COMMITS SUICIDE. Left Note That Her Home Was in Hell, Body In Creek. A Spartanburg special to The News and Courier relates the details of a strange suicide. "My home Is In hell and my body will be found In the bottom of the creek," Is the way a note read, which wap pasted on \ vallee, which was found on the bank of Lawson's Fork, .near Whlte'B Mill. The name signed to the note was Eula Poster. Near the valise was an umbrella.. The find was made by two carpenters, who were recovering the gin house of Mr. White. Seeing a young white woman walk through the woods towards the creek, they made an investigation and discovered the valise hanging on the limb of a tree with the note pasted on the outside. The deputy sheriff and others visited the scene and made a search, but the body has not been found. Little Boy Killed. David Haulbrook, a boy of 6 years, was killed a few days ago at his i father's home, near Walhalla. He; was shot In the breast and died in-| stantly. No one was present, but) a brother, aged 8, heard the report! of a gun. Reports are meagre and dPtails cannot bo had. It Is not known whether it was accidental killing or homicide. Seven Mules Killed. A dispatch from Summerton 6avs the rains Tuesday night were the heaviest known there for many years. The wind was pretty high In some localities. It Is reported that seven mules, the property of Mr. l>. C. scarooro, were Kinea on ms iarm about eight miles from Summer-! ton by the collapse of the barn situ-j ated over his stables, caused by the< high wind. Florida Man Kills Himself. At St. Petersburg, Fla., W. W. Coleman, 60 years of age, committed suicide at the Paxton House at 5 o'clock Wednesday morning by shooting himself in the head. Ho was found tfc- his wife shortly after shooting him^Blf, -and died at 10 o'clock without regaling oonBdonBtteee. j LOOKS FISHY | ''f?? A Chicago Insurance Company is Trying to SeQ Stock Here. * i BETTER LET IT ALONE ; Insurance Commissioner McMaster ' m Gives Out Some Information About -*?53 a Big Concern Working This State for Cash That Should Cause Our People to Think Before Biting. A Columbia dispatch says inquiry has been made to Insurance Commlssloner McMaster concering the United Insurance Company of Chicago, with a claimed capital of $10,000,000 and surplus of $40,000,000. The c^cular of the company states that it proposes to handle fifty-one kinds of Insurance. The company haa not been licensed to do business in South Carolina. It is stated that the company has an agent in this State at the present time selling stock. Mr. McMaster stated that he had no Jurisdiction over an agent selling stock for an Insurance eompay and would not have any authority over the company until it had been organized and licensed to do business in South Carolina. On the circulars which, it is said, are being sent over the State, is the name of Mr. James A. Cathcart, the well-known Columbia insurance man, as 'a member of the advisory board. Mr. Cathcart, when seen gave the reason for the name being in the advisory board list. He stated that through an old friend of his, an insurance man well known and trusted, he had learned of the United Insurance Company, v. he proposed to write fifty-one different kinds of Insurance. The capital was to be $10,000,000 and surplus $40,000,000. In many of the Biaies me iawa loruia au insurance company from writtlng more than one kind of Insurance. This company proposed to be made up of a number of subsidiary companies, like the United Fire Insurance Company, the United Life Insurance Company, etc., the head company to be the United Insurance Company. A man by the name of Mr. Shaw, who is well known to Mr. Cathcart, was to 4iave charge of the United Fire Insurance Company. Mr. Shaw had considerable correspondence with Mr. Cathcart in reference to his becoming a member of the advisory board, and that he would not be required to subscribe to any of the capital stock. He gave his consent to the proposed company, in good faith, thinking that It might be a success. Several days ago a man, of busi- v, ness like appearances, called on Mr. Cathcart at his office. The agent had a large number of circulars telling of the United Insurance Company and its subsidiary companies. In fact, explaining everything pertaining to the United Insurance Company. He had a long conversation with Mr. Cathcart and then stated to him that before amyone could become a- member of the advisory board that they would have to subscribe to a certain amount of th*? capital stock. Mr. Cathcart stated to.the agent that he was willing to subscribe to a certain amount and asked him to name the lowest amount that one could subscribe to become a member of the board. The agent named a very laige amount and also stated tbat a prominent insurance man ol the I ledniont section had subscribed to the same amount and was a men.bor c-f the advisory board. At the time Mr. Cathcart told the agent that he was not willing to invest the amount named and he might consider the incident at an end. The pgent informed Mr. Cathcar: that he was going V make Coiu \bia his headquarters and would visit the various towns of the State, In uruer iu seu siuck. iu me cuuiyauy. When the agent left Mr. Cathcnrt addressed a letter to the well known Insurance man In the up-country and asked him If he had subscribed the amount of stock in the United' Insurance Company, as named by the agent. The reply came that no such amount had been subscribed, and that the agent had "lied" when he made the statement. It was also stated by the up-country man that he had no interest in the company. The agent has not returned to Mr. Catbcart. In the last issue of one of the best known and most substantial insurance papers, mention is made of the United. Insurance Company, saying that It wa6 flooding the country with attractive circulars, telling of how they were able to write fifty-one kinds pf insurance. Succumbs to Pellagra, Benjamin F. Fent, aged thirtyeight years, a prc^jHnent merchant of Anderson, died of pellagra in a Greensboro sanitarium Wednesday morning. The body was shipped to Anderson for interment. The deceased was well connected and unmarried. Proved to be Good. A dispatch from Bristol, Tenn., says after being kept in jail five months charged with counterfeiting, John Preston has been, released upon the. discovery that the alleged bad t mony, is ?ll gfenuiaa. jv