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Jwaps and <factsi. ; ? Responsible and reliable gentleman are reported to have seen white frost in the vicinity of Astoria, 111., last Saturday morning. ? A negro in Bullock county, Ala., while raising a crop last year, slept in one end of a hollow log and kept his cooking utensils in the other end. ? The recent discovery that cotton seed oil is a perfect and satisfactory substitute for lard bids fair to create quite a revolution in household ecouomy. ? Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Davis will sail Sunday morning for Liverpool on the British steamship Bernard Hall, of the Liverpool and West India Line. They are going after their daughter, who is beiug educated abroad. ? A colored girl in Washington Territory recently ran away with a white, man who wanted to marry her. The father of the colored girl prosecuted the man for abduc UUIJ. ? The passeDger rates war in the West continues. A ticket from Indianapolis to New York can be purchased for 95 cents, reduced from $14. The Grand Trunk Company's Chicago agency sells tickets from Chicago to Boston for $5 and to New York for $8. ? One of the features of the Atlanta Cotton Exhibition will be the manufacture of a suit of clothes from raw cotton in twenty-four hours. The cotton will be picked, ginned, spun, dyed, woven and made into a suit of clothes for Senator Brown inside of cne day. ? The Southern cities are very healthy this summer. So far no sign of yellow fever is visible in any of them, and the medical and municipal authorities in the threatened sections all unite in the opinion #that there need be no fear of the epidemic this year. ? Lightning struck a calf at Northport, Me. The calf was covered with black spots and white spots. Every white spot on the animal was singed, even to the taking off of the skin, while not a hair of the black spots was injured. " ? There is much disappointment that the hopeful predictions made by the President's physicians early last week have not been fully realized. The operation of Monday left the patient exceedingly weak, and up to this time he seems -not to have fully recovered from its effects. ? The straight-out Republicans, in convention at Lynchburg, adjourned without making any nominations. They authorized the executive committee to do so, but their ofrnntrpst. men "decline the honor." This leaves the race to Daniel, Debt-Paying Democrat, and Cameron, Readjustee ? The Oglethorpe Echo says: "You can't get the negroes in this county to touch the Revised New Testament with a ten-foot pole. They think it a scheme concocted by tbe Democrats to get all the darkies to hell, so that they won't have to associate with them in heaven on terms of equality." ? A Philadelphia policeman, becoming disgusted at the recent appointment of four colored men on the force, has resigned his place. "I believed in treating the colored man ivell," said he, "and have always tried to do so, but when it comes down to sleeping with him I am a little off." ? Spotted Tail, who was recently murdered by Crow Dog, was the husband of six wives, one of whom he brought to Washington a few years ago. He was a fine specimen of physical manhood, and was a savage of unusual amiability. Some time ago an effort was made to convert him to the Christian faith. After the scheme of salvation had been fully unfolded to him he remarked : "White religion no good. God come on earth, white man kill him. Indian wouldn't do that." ^ ? The ingeuuity of the small boy in need of penuies appears to be practically inexhaustible. A precocious youngster was arrested in New York on last Tuesday, who had driven quite a brisk trade in coming up behind richly dressed ladies and soiling their dresses. He would then call their attention to tbe damage and remove the stains, receiving a reward for his services. The business was becoming profitable until it was nipped in the bud and the boy committed to j^il. ? During the past fifty years, the Memphis Avalanche thinks, there has not been so long o dni*ntinn nf pvtrpmplv lint, wpnt.hpr rb has been felt in most parts of the country, but especially, perhaps, in the South, since about the middle of June. The year 1881 will Jong be remembered as the scorching year, when the North was visited by more sunstrokes and more storms and whirlwinds than in any previous year during the past fifty, when more houses were blown down and more lives destroyed by tornadoes than ever before, and when the South was more generally burnt up in her corn crops. ? The New York savings banks, if the reports from eight of the twenty-five in that city may be taken as a criterion, are, in a prosperous condition. In spite of the general reduction of interest to 4 per cent., the number of depositors has increased during the last six months, as, in most cases, has also the amount on deposit. In all the city savings banks there has been an increase during the half-year of ten millions in the amount deposited. The aggregate amount held by these institutions is about two hundred millions, and this sum is owned by over half a million of persons, showing an average deposit for each of some 8400. ? The bill introduced in the Georgia Senate, making the importation of commercial fertilizers or their manufacture in that State an offence punishable as a misdemeanor, has excited a great deal of comment and aroused a strong opposition, lhe author of the bill claims that between 170,000 and 175,000 tons will be used in the crop of 1881, costing in round numbers 810,000,000, or 170,000 bales of cotton. He claims that the continued use of the fertilizers will not only bankrupt the farmers, but that the action of the chemicals used in the manufacture of the fertilizers "must necessarily destroy the gasses of the soil and thereby render it non-productive within itself." ? A Lynchburg paper of a recent date says: "Mr. W. A Ford, one of Lynchburg's largest tobacco manufacturers, was poisoned this morning in the following manner: Last night a demijohn of whisky was purchased by Ford, Moorman & Co., and a part of it issued to the firemen, many of whom were exhausted from heat and work, and afterwards was placed in the office of their factory alongside another demijohn containing flavoring for tobacco, composed in part of two ounces of bitter almond. Mr. Ford took two swallows of the flavoring, thinking it was the whisky. He was taken extremely ill at once, 1 and medical aid was summoned. The effects were very severe, and at this hour he is lying at death's door with no hope of recovery. ? A bill before the Georgia Legislature, regulating the sale of liquor, makes the law of 1876, now in force in thirty-one counties, ap- i plicable to the whole State. Under this law a person must have his application signed or endorsed by two-thirds of the real estate owners living within three miles of the place in which he proposes to do business, if in the country, before he can obtain a license ; and ; then it is optional with the board of county commissioners or ordinary to issue the license or not. Section 2 of the bill provides that, as ' to incorporated cities and towns of the State, ' upon the petition of one-fourth of the inhabi- 1 tants to the ordinary of the county, he shall order an election, and, if the vote is for "whis- 1 ky," it may be sold under the laws now existing ; if against whisky, no license will be ' allowed. ' ? There was one passenger?a woman?on 1 a Louisville and Nashville Railroad train, the 1 other day, who evidently believed that rail- ( roads were made for the people, and not the ( people for railroads. Bv some untoward mischance she dropped her artificial teeth from the car window. The thought of going among ( her friends at Nashville all toothless was not t :o be endured, so she summoned the conduc- ] ;or and ordered that the train be taken back j ;o Louisville, or to the nearest town where a lentist was to be found. The conductor denurred, and finally compromised the matter 1 iy stopping the train five minutes while the ' .soman's husband ran back to hunt up the i ;eeth. When this time expired he had not | eturned, and the train was started on without lira. Forthwith the wife sought the conduc;or and demanded that it be stopped, that she 1 night getoff and stay with her husband. The i :onductor hesitated. The svife remarked, < 'Stop this train and put me off, or I'll put a , lullet through you." Here was business, and ;be train was backed to where the husband 1 svas, and he got on the train again, but with- 1 lut the missing treasure. Then the wife in- , usted that the train be "turned around and ( yo: back to Louisville." This, the conductor having locked himself in the baggage jar to avoid the threatened bullet, refused to 1 - * - X- .*1.1 Jo, and the train went on nun its luuwuesa but irate passenger. On reaching the next 3tation an offer of reward for the recovery of the teeth was telegraphed back, and they were found and sent on by the next train. ?ftc ?0tMIe inquirer. YORKVILLE, S. C.: THURSDAY MORNING, AUG. 18, 1881. THE PRESIDENT'S CONDITION. The latest intelligence we have from the President is discouraging in the extreme, and the possibility is that ere this reaches many of our readers?loth as we are to make the gloomy prediction?he will be dead. While from the first, we Lave indulged the hope that his case' was properly and truthfully represented to the public, we confess to the fear often expressed, that much was concealed by the brief "official bulletins," invariably closing by announcing pulse, temperature and respiration as in no more satisfactory condi "" "? Jain r\C nrpppdintr bulle tlUii tuau aw tug uub\ u* ?uv ^?0 tin. This, coupled with the fact that Dr. Bliss was recently poisoned by some of the "laudable" pus discharged from the wound, from the effect of which bis hand is in a sling, was not calculated to inspire great confidence of ultimate recovery. The continued loss of strength which must have ensued, the continued high pulse and the abnormal respiration for 45 days, are stubborn facts which, to'the unprofessional mind, go far toward disproving the mere assurances of the physicians that the President will recover. According to the bulletins of Monday he did not rest as well as usual on Sunday night ; his sleep was not sound, and he awoke at short intervals. At the Monday morning dressing, while the discharge of pus was free and of good character, his pulse became more frequent, reaching 118, though his temperature fell to 99. In the afternoon the irrita bility of his stomach returned, and between 1 and 6.30 o'clock he vomited three times. At 8 o'clock the indications presented a still worse condition, the pulse having run from 130 at the evening dressing to 150 after the dressing of the wou nd. Not a word of encouragement could be gained from the White House, nor could the doctors be seen. At 12.06 Tuesday morning, Dr. Agnew informed Mrs. Garfield that she must prepare for the worst, an hour previously Dr. Reyburn having said to a correspondent that the President's condition was graver than at any time yet. Such is the tenor of our latest intelligence, which, it must be confessed, gives not one ray of hope. GERMAN CARP. The cultivation of the above variety of fish has attracted the attention of economists in this country for the last few years, and has been the subject of much discussion in the public press. Impressed with the importance of this industry, we have, from time to time, devoted several columns of the Enquirer to the same subject, and in our issue of the 9th of last June, we published an illustrated article, giving all the n( pessary directions for the proper construction of ponds, and other information relative to the cultivation of the fish. To the exertions of Hon. A. P. Butler, Agricultural Commissioner of this State, and his zeal in advancing the industrial welfare of the people, several of our citizens are already indebted for small quantities of the young fish, which he has distributed for the purpose of stocking private ponds. In this county, those who received them, to our knowledge, are Major T. P. Whitesides, Mr. R. E. Guthrie and Mr. J. F. Hinson. Major Whitesides lives a few miles northwest of town, and Messrs. Guthrie and Hinson are neighbors, the former living at Guthriesville, seven miles scuth-east of town, and Mr. Hinson 2 J miles east of Guthriesville. These gentlemen received twenty young fish each in January last. Major Whitesides placed those sent to him in his mill-pond, and he informed us last Monday that he has not seen them since. Messrs. Guthrie and Hinson placed theirs in ponds prepared for the purpose. When placed in the ponds last January, these young fish are described as being "about the size and shape of an ordinary Congress pocket-knife." On the 3rd of June, Mr. Guthrie wrote us that two days previously he had drained his /.%/*% 1 f* 1 pond, when he saw two ot tne Dsn ana iouna i that they had "made a growth of ten inches in length, and were very thick and chubby." These two, as was subsequently ascertained, i were the only fish in the pond, the others having been destroyed, evidently soon after beiDgputiu. Mr. Hinson drained his pond on the loth of July, for the purpose of transferring his fish to another, and by invitation we were present. Of the twenty, which, last January, were placed in the pond, nineteen were found. These, like Mr. Guthrie's, were between three and four inches in length when placed in the pond, but on the day of draining it they were found to have variously grown, the largest being sixteen inches in length and six inches; broad, and the smallest ten inches in length, j' This extraordinary growth was well calcu- : lated to strengthen in the minds of the i i doubting the opinion that the fish could not I < be good, while the iuith of the more sanguine j < tras somewhat shaken. To set this matter j 1 Snally at rest, Messrs. Guthrie and Hiuson j determined to practically test the matter with j < ;he frying-pan. Accordingly, Saturday last J J ivas appointed as the day for preparing one 11 >f the fish for the table and submitting it to s he palates of a number of gentlemen com-1 > 1 petent to judge of the eating qualites of the Sony tribe. i We were honored with an invitation to the repast, and in company with two other gentlemen, took the train for Mr. Guthrie's, arriving in due time, and to find him with the 5sh already caught and placed in a large tin vessel for inspection. It was, indeed, a beauty, and would have gladdened the eye of any disciple of Isaak Walton. It was of the 'Mirror" variety, a correct engraving of which we published last June. The fish was hatched fourteen months ago, and was one of the number placed in Mr. Guthrie's pond last January, it being then only between three and four inches in length. On Saturday last it measured 17J inches in length, 5 inches broad - - - - ... * ? i ffc and 2J inches thick, it weignea 6 pounas. As may be observed by the engraving, there are but few scales on the fish. These are large, and from their shining quality this variety takes the name of "Mirror." The fish was cleaned by scalding, similar to the pro cess of cleaning the cat-fish of our streams. Opened and cleaned, it presented as fine appearance as a dressed shad or any of the most aristocratic of the fish family. Served and placed on the table, it is the equal of any fish we have ever eaten, and superior to the savor of many of the most popular varieties. Our kind and accomplished hostess regretted the necessity of having to serve it for the table so soon after dressing it, without giving it time to be properly seasoned with salt; but making due allowance for this deficiency, the eight persons who partook of it gave but one expression as to its merits as table food, and that was that in point of texture of the flesh and flavor, it is the equal of any fresh water fish known to our most favored streams. Some of those who partook of this fish had their doubts, but upon eating it they were removed ; and we can confidently assure any who desire to undertake the cultivation of the fish, but may be deterred on account of fears as to inferior quality, that this need be no im pediment. It is palatable, and all that could be desired by the lover of the red-horse or brook trout, of which varieties the opinion prevailed that it partakes. We regret that Mr. Guthrie found but two " .t n I - , ; J ? TTV; 01 1116 BSn 111 1)18 puilU, UU uituuiug It lull uday. He attributes tiff. destruction of the others to eels, "cooters," Or some other enemies of the finny tribe in his pond, and this experience shows conclusively the importance of properly preparing the ponds for this purpose, and especially to protect the young fish from depredators. Those contemplating the preparation of ponds are referred to our issue of the 9th of last June. Mr. Hinson was more successful than Mr. Guthrie, having lost but one of the twenty placed in his pond. Mr. Hinson feeds his regularly, having accustomed them to a feeding place, to which they repair at a given signal. Those who desire to procure the young fish should file their applications as early as possible with Hon. A. P. Butler, State Agricultural Commissioner, who will furnish blanks for the purpose. He informs us that he will have the fish ready for distribution some time in December or January?possibly sooner. The ponds, however, should be prepared in advance, and every precaution taken to " ? * i J j _ i.: protect the young nsn irom me aepreuuuuuo of eels and other enemies." ? + SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS. ? It is reported in Camden that the purchasers of the South Carolina railroad intend at an early date to extend the road from Camden to Charlotte, N. C. ? Bales of new cotton have been sold in Columbia, Sumter, Winnsboro, Aiken, Barnwell, Camden and Newberry, at prices ranging from 11 to 121 cents. ? Mr. George H. Cornelson, of Orangeburg, whois runningseveral Clement's Attachments, pays over $50,000 a year in wages to his employees. ? Two million four hundred and seventyfive thousand shingles have been sold and shipped from Prosperity, Newberry county, during the past year. ? Dr. J. B. Patrick, of Charleston, has been elected First Vice President of the National Dental Association, now in session in New York City. ? The Lancaster Ledger denies the truth of Judge Mackey's story about the man who attempted to send an insulting telegram from Lancaster to the President, and says it has no foundation in fact. ? A gentleman 60 years of age says that the Edisto River between Orangeburg and Branchville was lower this year than ever before within his memory. Children could wade cro^p it with ease in many places. ? A petition is being circulated in Greenville asking signatures recommending the appointment of Mrs. T. L. Brayton, the widow of the recently murdered deputy collector, as postmistress of Greenville. ? The Governor has appointed Hugh S. Thompson as Colonel, and L. DeB. McCrady as Lieutenant Colonel of the South Carolina Battalion which will go to the Yorktown Centennial. The position of Major has not* yet been filled. ? Among the distinguished men who used to live at Pendleton were John C. Calhoun, Langdon Cheves, Governor Hamilton, Judge Prioleau, Col. F. K. Huger, C. C. Pinckney, Col. Thomas Pinckney, John L. North, Col. B. E. Bee, Sr., father of Col. Bee, killed at Manassas, and many other noted men. ? During the month of July there were shipped from Chester, over the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad, 300 bales of cotton ; in June and July 291 bales were shipped over the Chester and Lenoir Railroad. Total shipments since 1st of September last, 27,334 bales. ? A pig with six feet is owned by Mr. M. A. Drawdy, on Ashepoo, Colleton county. The fore legs fork below the knee, from which have grown out two additional legs and feet. All four of the fore legs touch the ground, and are used in either walking running. The pig is finely formed otherwise, and seems to be in a good, healthy condition. ? The Aiken Journal ar^ Review has interviewed Hon. James Aldnch, a member of the Constitutional Commission who says : "Another change recommended by the Commission was one making it easier for the formation of new counties by fixing the standard of size at an area of not less then four hundred square miles, or a population of not less than twenty-five thousand." i ? The Columbia Register suggests that the I jommissary of the South Carolina Battalion I it Yorktown furnish a regular bill of fare i iccording to Confederate times for one day, I to as to give the boys a gentle reminder of i vhat they had to put up with in the trying l times when McClellan was in front of them on the same ground, and throw in a litt'e parched corn, by way of bringing to memory the scarcity of rations on the retreat from Yorktown." ? The Columbia correspondent of the News and Courier says that "Governor Hagood will offer, in a proclamation which will be published in a day or two, a reward of $200 for the arrest with proof to convict of John McDow, the murderer of Deputy Collector Brayton. Collector Brayton will also offer a personal reward of $500, and the United States Government have already offered $300. McDow is believed in revenue and official circles to be still'lurking in the mountains of his section. This is also believed in Oconee county. The revenue office has information that his brother-iu law visits the trains at Central daily to ascertain if the officers are after him." ? I/lSirU'b UWUgC XI U, 1?J| Ul UUUbiJ vaiuuuaj of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, colored, was in session in Columbia for two days last week. Delegates were in attendance from all portions of the State, and much important business was transacted. The following officers were elected : C. D. Lowndes, of Columbia, District Master ; W. P. Coles, of Charleston, Deputy District Master ; W. H. Rutherford, of Columbia, District Secretary ; P. B. Young, of Spartanburg, District Treasurer ; V. B. Harrison, of Georgetown, District Guardian*; Hiftm Young, of Columbia, District Chaplain ; T. R. Brutn6eld, of Rock Hill, District Warden; L. W. Generet, of Charleston, District Marshal. The following members were elected the Executive Committee : P. F. Rornere, of Yorkville ; P. Motte and E. F. Jefferson, of Charleston. The Order in this State erabraces twenty-five lodges, with a membership of over two thousand. NORTH CAROLINA NEWS. ? Near Beaver Dam, in Union county, on Friday night, Sherrod L. Mullis was stabbed with a pocket knife and killed by Jesse Coker. The murderer made his escape. ? Official returns from 73 counties in North Carolina give 98,965 majority against prohibition, with 23 counties still to be heard from. Haywood gives 21 majority for prohibition. So far it stands alone. ? On Thursday of last week, Rutherford county voted a subscription of 850,000 to the Spartauburg and Rutherford Railroad by a large majority, variously estimated at from 600 to 1,500. ? The cotton crop on the line of the North Carolina Railroad is very poor, presenting a disagreeable contrast to the vigorous plants, fully fruited, seen in Wayne, and below. The crops off the road arc better, but the best estimates place the crop at two-thirds of an average. ? The Sergeant Manufacturing Company, of Greensboro, have been erecting new build iogs and making additions to their heretofore large works, and when the improvements now making are finished it will be one of the most complete machine shops in the whole Southern country. ? Mr. W. J. Best, who Bigns himself "President Western N. C. Railroad Co.," publishes a card, setting up his claim as such officer, and forbidding the ittuiirg of bonds by the Richmond and Danville combination, into whose possession the road seems to have passed from Mr. Beet. This is probably the tocsin of a legal war in earnest. ? The proposition for a subscription of 825,000 by Lincoln coun^ in aid of the North Carolina Midland Railroad, was defeated at the polls, the alleged reason being that the subject had not been sufficiently canvassed before the election. The county commissioners will be petitioned to order another election at an earfy day. Cleveland county voied in favor of a subscription of 825,000 by a majority of 915. > ? The Baptist Church at Gastonia, has adopted a series of resolutions among which is this : "That if any of our members should, from and after the date of the adoption of these resolutions, make, sell, buy or give away alcoholic or malt liquors as a beverage ; or should knowiugly furnish grain, fruit or any other material for their manufacture or sale, or in any way aid or assist in the manufacture or sale of said liquors, or in any way, knowingly, give aid and comfort thereto, or be engaged as storekeeper in a still-house, or visit any place where ardent spirits are sold for the purpose of buying or drinking as a beverage, if therefore, after due admonition they should persist in so doing, we positively will not hold such in church-fellowship." MERE-MENTION. General Chalmers, of Mississippi, has announced himself as the Greenback candidate for the United States Senate, in opposition to the Hon. L. Q. C. Lamar. Mahone thinks Ben Hill's disease of the tongue a welldeserved punishment. The negroes of Baltimore talk of running one of their own race as an independent candidate for Mayor. Mrs. Millard Fillmore, wife of the late ex-President Filljpore, died in Buffalo, N. Y., on Thursday night, aged 71. Sitting Bull is having as good a time as if he were in the happy bunting grounds. He boards at a 85 a day house and sells his photographs at 82 apiece. An Iowa wife sues for a divorce and makes as her chief complaint the fact that her husband bought candy for another woman. On Wednesday afternoon of last week, at the Advent camp meeting, in session at Springfield, Mass., Rev. Peyton G. Bowman, of South Carolina, delivered an address. General Hancock declines all entertainments while his commander-in-chief, the President, is sick and suffer ing. At Rochester, N. Y., on Thursday, the celebrated Maud S. trotted a mile in two minutes and ten and one-quarter seconds. The thirty-eight States of the lJuion contain 2,299 counties. Texas leads off, having 151 couuties, followed closely by Georgia's 137. After Georgia, in the table, come Kentucky with 117 counties ; Missouri, 115 ; Virginia, 105 ; Illinois, 102 ; Iowa, 99 ; Tenuessee and North Carolina, each 94, and Indiana 92. As a rule, the Southern States have more counties than the Northern States. King Alfonso has issued an order that Cuba abstain from participating in the forthcoming International Cotton Exhibition at Atlanta, Ga., on account of the scarcity of money in the treasury and the little cotton thus far raised in Cuba. A bill has been introduced in the Georgia Senate making the propagation of polygamy in that State a felony. The corn crop is iuffering much for want of rain in Illinois and Iowa, while in southern Indiana there is a water famine. In some localities hey haul water five or six miles. The continued illness of the President is leading to the inquiry whether Vice President Arthur should not assume the duties of the office until his recovery. The amount of subscriptions to the Mrs. Garfield fund up to date is $155,000. Judge Advocate Geueral Swain has concluded his review of the proceedings and verdict in the VVhitaker case, and his summing up is now ready for approval or dissent of the President. Until he has acted in the matter its tenor will remain a subject of conjecture. The Philadelphia Times says that ex-Congressman Rainey, of South Caro liua, will be a candidate for Clerk of the House of Representatives on the organization of Congress in December. EDITORIAL INKLINGS. Rev. J. 0 Lindsay and the Drummers. The Abbeville Medium of last week published the following card from Rev. J. 0. Lindsay: To the Editor of the Medium : Allow me to say that in the little squib you copied from the A. R Presbyterian, about drummers, I intended to speak chiefly of those I encountered on the trip of which I was writing. I have not the article before me, but think I expressly mentioned those whom "I met on the train," and those who came under my "personal observation." If, however, in the hurry of writing I did not sufficiently discriminate between these and the whole class I regret it. I did not intend in anything I .wrote to do an injustice to any individual, much less a whole class. . Allow me also to say that I feel very grateful for the good advice which has beeu dealt out to me, so plentifully, during the past week, from five or six newspapers. Yours truly, J. 0. Lindsay. North Carolina Midland Surrey. The Pittsboro Record gives the following account of the progress of the survey of this road, which is to connect Goldsboro and Salisbury by an air-line, aud will be the eastern connection of the Western N. C. Railroad with the sea coast. This, it may be proper to remark, is an entirely different route from the "Midland" contemplated from Danville, Va., to the South. The Record says : "The survey of the Midland N. C. Railroad is nearly finished. Col. Gardner's party have surveyed one hundred miles of the ir t i *11 route?trora uoidsnoro to oianeys muis, twenty miles west of this place, and Capt. Cain's party are surveying from Salisbury in this direction, aud will probably complete their task this week. Col. Gardner, with his corps of surveyors, after leaving here last week, followed the course of the old stage road, in the direction of Asheboro, but he soon ascertained that this route would be too costly, so after arriving at Marley's mills (just in the edge of Randolph county) he started upon his return to this place, run ning a new line on the northern side of Hickory Mountain, and arrived here Tuesday night. This line runs about half a mile north of Matthew's X Roads, crosses Rocky River a mile north of Hackney's mill and passes within a few yards of Emmaus church, and is pronounced by Col. Gardner to. be an excellent route, on which there would not anywhere be a cut deeper than teu feet. This line completely flanks Hickory Mountain, and is no longer in distance than the old stage road that runs right over that elevation. "Col. Gardner and his assistant engineer, Mr. R. J. Latta, will remain here a few days, engaged in making up their estimates, after which they will wait until about the first of September before beginning to locate the route upon which the road will be constructed. Mr. Best informed us a month ago that he would build the road and have the cars running from Salisbury toGoldsboro in less than eighteen months. We sincerly hope that he may not be disappointed." Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer. LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE. notes from hickory grove. Hickory Grove, S. C., August 8.?A note from Western York may not comj under the head of news proper, but I hope it may not prove entirely uninteresting. "Paul may plSnt, Apollos may water," but the increase came from "Bottles." I was invited to a picnic at Hickory Grove Academy by the principal, Professor Bottles, on the 6th instant. Upon my arrival, I found a large-assemblage of young ladies and gentlemen, who were passing a pleasant time, the enjoyment of which was considerably heightened by the arrival of the Bullock's Greek Band. The spirited strains of music inspired the timid men, who acted the part of gallants with true knightly style, and the hours glided rapidly by until dinner was announced, when all repaired to the table, trembling under the weight of a delicious repast. After dinner each couple selected a shady nook, where they discussed topics most congenial to their inclinations, the band meanwhile discoursing elegant music. The next feature was the address of J. C. Chambers, Esq., complimenting the ladies, the music and the dinner; and here let me say that I will wager a dollar that Hickory Grove and Vicinity can produce more pretty ladies and finer dinners than any other section of York county. The affair passed off splendidly, nothing occurring throughout the day to mar the festivities'of the pleasant occasion. Bob. from ranaleburg, n. c. Ranaleburg, N. C., August 11.?The prospect of affairs?especially agricultural? in our locality, is auything else but flattering at the present time. We are now in the midst of a protracted and burning drought, with hot sun and drying breeze, which has continued nearly all the time since the first of May. From that date we have had no rain, except partial showers, confined to narrow strips, which have had no telling effect on the crops, even where they fell. The corn on uplands is withered and dead, and many fields cannot make the seed planted, while even the bottom lands cannot, at furthest, produce more than half a crop. The wheat crop was not a full one, and the oat crop was a total failure, except that sown last fall, or on bottom land. .1 . Ml 1 V_ _ /? !1 Uotton id tnis section win aiso oe a lanure. i The best farms cannot make more than a | fourth crop, under the most favorable circumstances presented, while late planted red land will be an entire failure. Some of our farmers are offering to compromise their guano debts by offering their crops in liquidation, and the offers are not accepted. This looks like trade is rather dull. Everything, in fact, is at a stand still. The health of the country, however, is as good as usual at this season of the year. Theo. important invention. Fort Mill, S. C., August 12.?Among the remarkable recent inventions, I think one just perfected by Rev. J. C. Russell is worthy of mention. He has constructed a vehicle which he calls the "trinity vehicle"?three in one and one in three?a carriage, sulky and buggy, the various parts so adjusted that the 1 vehicle can be used as either. 1 have thought this useful invention ought to be published to 1 the credit and honor of a worthy son of 1 York. The vehicle can be seen at Fort Mill. I think that Mr. Russell ought to obtain a patent for this remarkable improvement in < our vehicles for road transportation, as it is destined to become as popular as the sewing i machine. H. 1 LOCAL A Far AIRS. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Jos, F, Wallace, Administrator?To Creditors. H. A, D. Neelv, Treasurer York County?Tax Notice?1880. Latta Brothers?Red Rust Proof Oats. Withers Adickes?Glass Fruit Jars, Etc. Dobson A Parish?Groceries?Pocket CutleryLivery and Feed Stables. H. F. Adickes. Jr.?We Have Just Opened?The York Shoe Store. Witherspoon A Spencer, Plaintiff's AttorneysNotice to Defendants. Concert. SEND US THE NEWS. We respectfully request our friends in every section of the county, to send us a statement oft any local news that may transpire in their respective localities, such as accidents, tires, marriages, deaths, and also the condition of the crops, the state of the weather, Ac. Such communica- j tions should be restricted to giving an outline of 1 the facts, and will be written out in the office for J publication. Such articles should always be ac- ' companied by the proper name of the writer, not, ' however, for publication, but as evidence of good 1 faith. If our friends throughout the county ' would give this matter their attention, they would 1 confer npon us a favor, while it would render the < Enquirer more interesting to the readers gener- < ally throughout the- county. MONEY ORDER OFFICE. Rock Hill, in this county, has been created a money order office by the Postoffice Department. DEATH OF J. J. WILSON. We regret to record the death of Capt. Josiah J. Wilson, which occurred at his residence* near Clover, in this county, on Tuesday evening of last week. Capt. Wilson was aged about 74 years, and was among the best citizens of the county. FENCE LAW ELECTION. An election was held at Black's Station last Friday on the question of adopting the fence law in Cherokee township. The managers failed to mate their official report to the County Commissioners on Monday, as required by law; but we learn that something over 300 votes were cast, resulting in a majority of 110 against adopting the no-fence system. CONCERT. The lady members of the Episcopal congregation, assisted by a number of young gentlemen and the Yorkville striner band. will give a concert to-morrow evening for the purpose of raising funds to aid in repairing the church building. 1 As will be seen, the programme ?s replete with choice selections, which will be rendered by accomplished performers. Aside from the rich musical treat in store, the object is a worthy one, which we hope will meet with liberal support. CHURCHES NEXT SUNDAY. Services will be held in the churches next Sunday as follows: Methodist Episcopal?Rev. Marion Dargan, Pastor. Services at Yorkville both morning and evening, at the usual hours. Associate Reformed Presbyterian?Rev. R. Lathan, Pastor. Services at 10} A. M. Sunday-school at 9. Presbyteriau?Rev. T. R. English, Pastor. Services will be conducted in this church, .at the usual hours, morning and evening, by Rev. T. D. Latimer. Church of the Good Shepherd?EpiscopalRev. R. P. Johnson, Rector. The rector will preach in the Court House, at Chester, at 10} A. M., and in the Church of Our Saviour at Rock Hill, in the evening. THE CROPS IN YORK. From time to time, we have made inquiries of persons living in different sections of the county with regard* to the condition of the crops; but the replies given were so diverse that we have found it difficult to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion. It seems to be conceded that many of the farms between this place and Rock Hill are in a sorry plight, and the prospect in that section for cotton and corn is very gloomy. The reports we receive from the section including Zeno, Clay Hill and the "Point" are to the same effect. In the Philadelphia section, and for a distance of four or five miles south-west of Yorkville, the prospect is equally bad, as it is also in the Clover and Bethel section. From other sections of the county reports are various, but on the whole more encouraging. Some farmers say their crops will be as good as they were last year, while others in the more favored sections say they cannot expect as good an outcome as last year's crop. We propose to mail circulars this week to gentlemen in various sections of the county asking for information as to the condition of the crops in their respective neighborhoods, and when all the replies are received, will publish them for the information of our readers. To aid us in this, we hope that those to whom we address circulars will be prompt in making replies. WEATHER AND CROPS IN THE STATE. The Union Times says : "The average condition of the crops of corn and cotton in Union is about the same in every county in the State, so far as we can judge from published accounts." In Sumter the drought has been very severe, but there were general rains all over the county on Sunday of last week, since which time planters are somewhat more hopeful, though the crops have already been materially cut off. . The Abbeville Frees and Banner says: j "Notwithstanding the fact that in many , sections of the county the crop is the shortest j that we have ever had, the general average will not be as bad as one might be led to ( believe by looking over the dry places." ( The Orangeburg Democrat says : "Therein \ on Sunday afternoon and night is the first < that has penetrated the ground for months. It is, however, too late to do much good. The i forms are all dropping from the cotton, and < corn, as a general thing, is a failure already." ] The Florence Times says : "The drought 1 has ended. On Sunday last a good rain vis- 1 ited this section, but it came too late to do f much good. One-third of a crop of cotton, 1 and scarcely that much corn, will be the av- 8 erage." ? In the Cartersville section of Darlington c county, the corn crop, as a general thing, is * beyond redemption. Cotton will improve a creat deal, but there will not he a half crop _ raised. The prospects at present are encour- * aging for peas and potatoes. ? The Clarendon Enterprise says : "On last Sunday nearly every section of our county fl was blessed with a good rain, and we hope that the discouraged farmers will now cheer ? up, for there is Jots of "come out" in late corn, and with favorable seasons the fruit that cotton puts on by the first of next month & will mature and make white cotton." rj The Colleton Press says : "The rice crops a on that section of the Edisto River, known w as the Pun Pon, are splendid. The planters e all say that they have never had better. The b corn planted early is also fine. Sea Island 0 cotton crops in this section were never better, n and watermelons and excursions by steamer, and the not infrequent tournamedt, are the gj order of the day." 8, The Cokesbury Argus says: "Rains have h fallen over a greater portion of Abbeville d county during the past week, and in the " White Hall section, where they have had no v rain of any consequence for four months, they1 a have been blessed with good seasoning show- 1< 0 ire. The bad effects of the long drought, we lope will, in a measure, be lessened by these ains." The caterpiller has made its appearance in Georgetown county, and they are. demolishng grass, rice, cotton and corn. On one Farm in the Black Mingo section they have :ut and finally ruined three and three quar:er acres of young corn, eating even the bud jut of the stalk ; they also have taken to the poung boll in the shape of the cotton. The older corn does not escape them ; in some ? parts of the fields its blades are eaten up to :he ear." Advices from the different sea islands are rather doom v. indicating: much casting of fruit, caused by changes in atmospheric conJitions. The caterpillars have appeared in greater force than they have done for oue or two years, threatening a clean sweep unless shecked by poison, which will not be used by our colored population, who now plant two-thirds of the crop. In certain sections, where the disease is peculiar, there is said to be more "blue cotton" than there has been , for years. By "blue cotton" is meant a disease of the stalk, which leaves it almost with- . Dut fruit. The Lancaster Review says: "Encouraging accounts of the condition of the cotton crop come from many sections of the county. In some places the weed is small, but it is well fruited, and with a late fall it is thought the crop will not fall far short of the average. In fact, some farmers tell us their cotton is much better than it has been in several years. The corn crop, however, with an individual exception here and there, will be short all over the county. In some instances it is almost a total failure. This applies, more especially to the upper and northeastern sections of the county." The Hampton Guardian says : "The late rains have undoubtedly saved the cotton from total destruction. About a half crop, we hear, is expected, although a late fall may carry the yield something over that. The corn is emphatically a failure, excepting a very few favored localities. Acres of dead and dying stalks stand in the fields, and it is really distressing to say that the rains came too late to do this crop much good. Farmers are putting in turnips, peas, Ac., and they thank kind Heaven that the drought did not kill the bull yearlings, the heifers, the cows and the hogs. The rice crop in the lower sections of the county promises a splendid yield." The Marion Merchant and Farmer says: "There is little complaint from north of the railroad, where nearly three-fourths of the ^ cotton crop of the county is made. There will be a full average cotton crop and twothirds of a corn crop made. Peas are doing poorly, and but litt.e rice is planted. Iq some sections south of the railroad the crops are fair, but generally cotton has suffered in this part of the county, and from the scanty information gathered we judge cotton will be at least one-third short, in some places more, others less. The damage by drought here is greater than we before thought." The Camden Journal says : "We have of ten seen men look "blue" and melancholy when their business prospects did not appear bright and encouraging, but at this time our merchants, farmers, lawyers and all other callings are the most despondent set of looking people we ever uaw. The crops?upon which every business depends?are very short, and in many places are entire failures. The immediate future for our people looks dark and gloomy indeed, and what the final result will be we are afraid even to surmise. Let us work on and trust that some bright ray of light may soon dawn upon and dispel the darkness that now threatens nine tenths of our people with poverty and want." < ? The Aiken Journal and Review says : "Early in the season we inaugurated a system of reporting minutely and carefully the crop prospects of the county. Reports from every ^ section and neighborhood have come in, and there is now no doubt of the fact that * bountiful harvest awaits the husbandman. The crops of cotton and corn are undoubtedly above the average. Besides, potatoes and peas are both doing well. Truly we have cause to be thankful. From only one section along the Barnwell line comes the wail of distress caused by the excessive drought, but from every where else come the most gratifying reports. In the midst of a general and disastrous drought it seems that our county 11 i ti nas neen signally sparea. The Cheater Reporter says: "There is but little of an encouraging kind to report concerning crops in this county. The best crops ? are about Baton Rouge, according to our information. The worst accounts come from Crosbyville. Mr. M. C. Stony told us on Saturday that where he made from 20 to 25 bushels of corn per acre, he will not gather, this year, a peck per acre. In parts of his plantation the corn stalks, acres or them, have fallen to the ground. He will not make one third of a cotton crop. Mr. John B. Corn well, one of the county's most successful farmers, says that with favorable circum- * stances from this time on, his cotton crop cannot exceed a half crop. His prospect for a corn crop, all planted on creek lands, is very fine. Immediately around Cornwell's and ' Blackstock, crops, with few exceptions, are reported very poor. Ail old farmer near Blackstock told us on Monday his estimate was that the crop, both corn and cotton, would not be more than half of that of 1845." TEE REDOUBTABLE REDMOND. Major Lewis R. Redmond, the famous moonshiner and hero of a hundred newspaper storiies and 9 book that is a concentrated lie, arrived in the city yesterday in charge of United States Deputy Marshals, having been brought here from Asheville, N. C. As soon as the news of his presence spread, there was considerable excitement and curiosity, and many people visited the jail to obtain a sight of the terror of the revenue officers, idol of the more lawless portion of the mountaineers, and admiration of the many good people who, while not sympathizing with' the conduct of the prisoner, cannot avoid admiring his dauntless courage and fertility of resources in evading and baffling the officers. The fron t of the jail was beset from early in :he afternoon until dark by little knots of jurious people, very few of whom, however, were gratified by a sight of the redoubtable japtive. A representative of the News found Reduond in the upper hall of the jail leaning on me crutch and cordially shaking hands with Revenue Officer Holden who was just leaving. Vlajor Redmond has so often been "written ip" that it seems hardly necessary that it ihould be done again. In fact, there is nothng peculiar about him. He is rather tall, omewhat slenderly built, with dark hair, lark blue eyes, and a face that, while not ileanly cut, is bright and intelligent. He is 1 ? 1?t ? J.. _i. >.a.. 1 lie&Uljr suavou c&ucpi a uaia. luuuaiauuo auu ight imperial. He was dressed in clothing hat seemed rather heavy for the season, conisting of a checked cloth coat, striped pantaoons and a dark waiscoat of some heavy ribted material. His color is good and healthy, ,nd his cheeks full. In one lappel there was , loose bunch of common flowers carefully tinned. He wore a white shirt and collar nd a narrow black tie, and had a pair of oarse wooden crutches. Altogether, one rould note him at sight as a rather handorae young countryman in holiday clothes, i'here is nothing to mark him as being in ny way different from hundreds of others rho can be seen in to wn on any public day, xcept his deep bright and rather restless lue eyes. There is no indication about him f more than ordinary strength, and certainly one of ferocity or desperation. Major Redmond talked a good deal, but lid very little of interest, most of his conversion being devoted to his experiences on is trip from Asheville and during his resience there. He complained of having been worried" at Spartanburg and Asheville by isitors, and stated that at the former place 11 who wanted to see him had been aliwed to do so, by his arrangement, at