Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, December 18, 1889, Image 1

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lewis m. grist, Proprietor. | giii Jndcycmlent Jamil]} Uncspajjcr: Jor Ihc promotion of the folitiral, Social, ^cjriculfural and Commercial Jntcrcsts of lire j^outh. jTERMS?$2.00 A YEAR IN ADVANCE VOL. 35. YORKYILLE, S. C., VEDNES^^^CEMBER 18, 1889. JSTO. 51. m??????w? ijfltfe ^OWlltg'S ioll'ttSi. FoITmiIE Brief Sketch of a Prosperous York County Town. Tracing its history from the first settle ment of the township in 1755 and the building of the first business house in 1851, The Enquirer this week undertakes the pleasant task of showing up the progress improvements on main street. and condition of the prosperous little town of Fort Mill. Though the surrounding country had long been recognized as one of the most fertile and productive agricultural sections of the upper portion of the State, the building of a town was not commenced in this locality .until 1851, when, in anticipation of the proposed completion of the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta railroad, a general merchandise store was established there by the late Wm. E. White. This was shortly arterwara ionowea dv otner enterprises of a like cliaracter, but it was not until twenty-two years later that the town was incorporated. A charter was secured in 1873, and though as yet the municipality numbered Jess than a hundred persons, the town government was organized in the same year with B. F. Powell, intendant: T. B. Withers, N. G. Bradford, J. M. White and R. Young, wardens. In 1875 a neat brick academy was built at a cost of two thousand dollars. The growth of the town had been steady up to this time, but the population was still less than three hundred. In 1884 the people again united their efforts in the building of an elegant brick church, and in 1887 the next great- enterprise was the erection of a large cotton mill, employing a capital of $100,000. The completion of this latter undertaking was the means of increasing the population to near nine hundred, adding several other business establishments and developing the community into a full fledged town. The present town officers are Messrs. J. A. Withers, intendant; L. J. Massey, K. Shannon, B. D. Springs, J. H. Stewart, wardens, and J. W. McElhaney, marshal. While up to the present time the in- ] crease in population has not been remark- 1 ably rapid, the social, educational, relig- ' ious ana industrial growth of the town has 1 reached a high stage of development, and ' the enlightened spirit cf progress that has ] ever pervaded this whole section is now beginning to find expression. Abundance : of surplus capital is looking for employ- ' ment in various industrial enterprises ] calculated to promote the welfare of the 1 community, and the future rapid and sub- ! stantial growth of Fort Mill may be con- : fldently looked for. The citizenship of this locality consists . for the most part of a native population, descended from the first settlers of the ' country, and possessed of all the character- ] istics of their honored progenitors, being ] church goers, church supporters, and consider the maintenance of first-class schools J an essential part of ; >ligion. Fort Mill i "was the first town in he State (if not J the only one) to secure au olute and total prohibition of the sale of spirituous liquors ! within its limits. 1 BUSINESS. i INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES IN A FLOUR- 1 I8HING CONDITION. Ever since the building of the railroad, the most important business pursuit of Fort Mill, ana in fact the one that has developed the town to its present proportions, has been merchandising. The territory from which the town derives its support, though limited in extent, in proportion to its area is probably one of the most productive portions of the State. The farmers of the vicinity raise large crops, buy large quantities of goods, and pay for all they buy. They are getting their affairs established on a firm basis and are enabled to buy a considerable proportion of their supplies on ,time without being required to give collateral security. The local trade, too, is a considerable item, and is of itself sufficient to handsomely support some two or three mercantile establishments. In addition to the considerable amout of cash put in circulation each week by the cotton mill operatives, it is estimated that in the neighborhood an average of more than five hundred dollars per week is paid out to farm hands, working on different large plantations in the vicinity. The merchants of the town are generally thorough going business men whose knowledge or merchandising istne growtn of long experience- The requirements of their customers call for a good grade of goods, which are sold on as favorable terms as they can be had in any other jiortion of the county. Following is a list of the different industrial pursuits in which the people of the town are engaged: General Merchandise-Massey & Hughes, P. K. Mull, S. M. Mills, J. W. Ardrey, Stewart & Co., W. Ii. Leonard, Harris & Potts, M. B. Massey. Plantation Supplies?Springs, Heath & Belk. Jeweler?L. J. Massey. Drugs?W. A. "VVatson. Grocers and Confectioners?R. A. Fulp, Erwin & Stewart, B. Dorion. Dry Goods and Notions?K. Shannon, J. E. Massey & Co. Cotton Buyers?B. D. Springs, J. W. Ardrey, Stewart ? Insurance, and Doors, Sash and Blinds* Jno. M. Spratt. Liyery Stables?H. C. Culp, R. A. Fulp. -KB63K-- ^JncU BKwSS&^l^'Wk. -~" -^B PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Shoemakers?S. L. Laney, J. C. Clawson. Meat Market?H. B. Williams. Blacksmiths?A. J. D6wns, A. A. Young. ' Cabinet Makers?T. D._ Faulkner. Shaving Saloon?Tlios. Barber. Physicians?J. E. Massey, A. Mack, T. S. Kirkpatrick. There are no lawyers. The local news is furnished through a well conducted five column folio newspaper the Clarion, published weekly under the auspices of a joint stock company and edited by J. S. Prakeford. A well appointed job oftice is also under the same management. SAVINGS BANK OF FORT MILL. This is a new enterprise, organized bust October, and is the outgrowth of a building and loan and saving association, started some six months before. It is chartered to run twenty years with an authorized capital of $50,000. Over $25,000 have already been subscribed, and the business of the bank is established on a Arm footing. Receiving the hearty support of the merchants and citizens generally, it furnishes all the necessary banking facilities demanded by the town, and is contributing not a little to the development of all the financial interests of the community. Following is the board of directors: Samuel E. White, J. W. Ardrey, F. M. Whitsell, R. A. Fulp, L. N. Culp, M. M. Mauney, A. W. Parks. The executive officers are Samuel E. White, president; J. W. Ardrey, vicepresideni, and John M. Spratt, cashier. All three of these gentlemen are thorough business men and skillful financiers whose management insures success. A significant and gratifying feature in the capitalization of this bank is the fact that nearly one-fourth of the stock is owned by the factory operatives, who, being sober and industrious, are enabled by means of easy assessments, to cultivate habits of economy, and at the same time lay up a steadily increasing accumulation for the traditional rainya^^^-^''^ THE MA^^CCTUillNG COMPANY. FfRST CRYSTALIZATION OF THE SPIRIT OF PROGRESS. In 1887 the population of Fort Mill was not quite five hundred. In that year the Fort Mill Manufacturing company was organized, a large cotton mill erected, and the population of the town nearly doubled, while business experienced a corresponding increase of $125,000 per annum. The company was organized in April, 1887, and afterwards consolidating with the subsequently organized Catawba Manufacturing company, is now operating on a capital of over $100,000 and is engaged in making fine ginghams, from raw cotton, turning out about 9,000 yards of finished cloth per day. The mill buildings, both of which are one story brick structures, contain about 30,000 square feet of floor room, occupied by 5,000 spindles and 200 looms, with considerable extra space, available for additional looms and spindles, which are to be placed as soon as practicable. At present, the mill gives employment to about 150 operatives, representing a population of some 300 people, most of whom are housed in about thirty neat and comfortable cottages erected by the company for that purpose. Fully one hair of we employes at the mill are from Fort MiH town and township. The affairs ol the mill, which are in a most Srosperous condition, are entirely under le direction of home management, the present board of directors consisting of Samuel E. White, president; John L. Watson, vice-president; John M. Spratt, secretary and treasurer; J. W. Ardrey, B. D. Springs, O. P. Heath and J. B. Mack. The superintendent is -/VI. M. Mauney. EDUCATION. EARLY TEACHERS?A NEAT BRICK ACADEMY?GRADED SYSTEM TO BE ADOPTED. The educational facilities that have been enjoyed by the people of Fort Mill township from the earliest settlement of the country, has been productive of abundant fruit, and the general intelligence of this section ranks second to no other in the county. From Reminiscenses of the late Thomas D. Spratt and with the excellent memory of Mr. A. Sydney White, we are enabled to present the names of the various school teachers who have labored in this place back to 1808, with the exception Df the fifteen years intervening betweefi 1825 and 1839, where the one leaves off" and the other begins. They are as follows: ? Hugh White, 1808; Hugh Ticer, lSO^' William Davidson, 1810; Thomas Hutt*niHon, 1811-13; Larkm Stowe, 1814; Thomis Garrison, 1815-17; Captain Joseph Mc2orkle, 1818-23; Thos. D. Spratt, 1824 * * < t *. Sam Campbell, 1839-40 :~Wm. Dob- 1 son, 1841-42; Andy Love, 1843-44; Thorn- : is Watts, 1854-56; S. G. Cothran, 1858; 1 Butler Alston 1860; Gad Alston, 1861. I From 1861 to 1875 the school was presided ] Dver by various efficient teachers, prom- i inent among whom were Miss Nannie McRae, Miss Tillie Davant and Robert Fulwood. Upon the erection of the academy building in 1875?a neat two story brick struct- ; ure, 40x60 feet?the Fort Mill High school was established, which, under the able FORT MILL COT' management of experienced teachers, has attained a high rank among the most efficient academical institutions in this portion of the State. This school is now conducted by Professor J. A. Boyd, a thoroughly proficient educator of enviable reputation, with Miss Etta Ardrey as his principal assistant, and affords an academical education which prepares the student either for college or active business. A movement is now on foot, with every promise of success, looking to the organization of the town and territory embraced within an area of three square miles from its centre, into a special school district, in which the graded system is to be adopted. It is to be effected by the levy of a small tax in addition to the constitutional two mills and the charging of a small tuition fee. The educational affairs of the town are at present in charge of the following board of trustees: Samuel E. White, president; J. W. Ardrey, vice president; John M. SDratt, secretary; Dr. J. E. Massey, Rev. j: B. Mack, Dr." S. A. Kell. THE CHURCHES: - HEALTHY RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN TOWN AND TOWNSHIP. The religious denominational organizations in Fort Mill town and township are the Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian. The latter largely predominates in town, and the two former denominations are most numerous throughout the township. FORT MILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, up to 187G known as "Unity," is one of the ' oldest religious organizations in the county. It was organized March 18, 1788, and last year celebrated its 100th anniversary. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Joseph McRea, of Steel Creek church, and William Black, Joseph Robb, Robert Harris and Andrew Foster were the first officers elected to the elders' bench. The records of the church, at some time in the past, having been lost or destroyed, the long list of ministers who have presided over the church as pastor, or' stated supply, since the organization of the church, has recently been restored at the expense of much time and labor by Rev. J. H. Thornwell, the present pastor, j It is as follows: Rev. Bryce Miller, 1788 to 1793; Rev. John Brown, 1793 to 1800; Rev. Hum-!, phrey Hunter, to 180a; Rev. John Foster ;' and George Iteid to 1807; Rev. J. B. ! Walker, 1808; Rev. James Wallace, 1810; Kev. nai: iviorrison, irs^u; ivev. josiuu Harris, 1825; Kev. P. E. Bishop, 1833; ! Rev. J. Monroe Anderson, 1847; Rev J. M. Baird, 18o(>; Rev. E. R. Smith, 1857; Rev. A. R. Miller, 186(5; Rev. St. Clair, j 18(57; Rev. W. W. Hatch ford, 1868; Rev. William Banks, 1871-75; Rev. Dr. J. B. i Mack, 1876; Rev. F. L. Lieper, 1879. The present pastor, Rev. J. H. Thornwell, has been serving Fort Mill and Ebenezer churches since 1882. Since its organization, the congregation is known to have built four churches. The j rirst building of which there is any record was erected in 1788, It was built of logs, j and though it has long since disappeared, I is described as having l>een constructed in the form of a cross, the pulpit situated in the centre and the congregation occupying the arms. The next building, also of logs, was shaped like the letter T, and was built about the year 1792. The third building was an ordinary frame structure, which was supplanted by the present handsome edifice, erected in 1884. This building is one of the best appointed churches in Bethel Presbytery. Forty feet wide by sixty-five feet long, constructed of brick and situated on an eminence overlooking the town, it is a model of architectural beauty, and the pride of the entire community. It has a seating capacity of four hundred, is heated by a furnace underneath, and cost the congregation $4,200. The membership of the church now numbers over two hundred. A flourish ing Sunday-school is maintained, and the congregation is presided over by the following officers: raster, J. H. Thornwell; Elders, J. M. Spratt, clerk, T. G. Gulp, L. N. Culp, J. A. Boyd; Deacons, J. E. Massey, treasurer, J. W. Ardrey, R. A. Fulp, D. G. Kimbrell; Trustee, Samuel E. White. The pastor occupies a neat parsonage, delightfully situated on a handsome lot in a pleasant part of town. The building was erected in 188G, contains eight rooms and cost something over two thousand dollars in cash, most of which was spent for material, a large portion of the labor being performed gratis. THE BAPTISTS did not organize a church at Fort Mill until 1870, when the work was accomplished by Rev. W. A. Gaines, the first pastor. The congregation then consisted of forty members, who secured the present building in 1873. Although at present the Baptists have no pastor, and tneir work is not being very actively pushed^ it is understood that this denomination proposes soon to make an earnest effort in this field, calculated to result in a full development of its interests at Fort Mill. THE METHODIST _ church at Fort Mill was established in 1875 by J. F. England, under direction of the South Carolina conference, with J. R. Harris and S. J. Ormand as the officers FORT MILL HIGH SCHOOL. of the congregation. The church building is a frame structure on Cleburne street, between Main and the railroad. The congregation also owns a neat parsonage, built in 1886, at a cyst of $1,000. It i3 occupied by Re\>*B?>3K Price, the present pastor LODGE HAS NOT BEEN A SILENT FACTOR IN THE PROGRESS OF FORT MILL. Catawba Lodge No. 56, A. F. M., was organized in 1858, and since its organization has been closely identified with the splendid school privileges of the town. The school building erected in 1858 was built at the instance of, and by the liberal help of the Masons, who located their hall on the second floor. The next building, the brick academy, owes its existence to the same source, and is still partly the property of the fraternity, which lias recently taken up its quarters over the store of Massey & Hughes. The charter members of this organization were: Isaac Spencer, W. M.; B. M. I il Ijii 11 . ' \r - v:1# TON FACTORY. Cobb, S. W.; J. H. Faulkner, J. W.; J. H. Stewart, treasurer; W. J. Culp, secretary; J. M/ White;S. D.:B. J. Patterson, J. ?).; B. F. Powell, T. B. Withers, stewards; T. G. Culp, tiler. The present officers are: J. W. Ardrey, W. M.; W. E. Spratt, S. W.; D. G. Kimbrell, J. W.; J. C. Jones, treasurer; J. M. Spratt, secretary; J. O. Stewart, S. I).; J. M. Armstrong, J. I).; J. D. Withers, W. E. Sledge, stewards; T. 1). Faulkner, tiler. EARLY SETTLEM EXT. Though it may still be possible to collect' much of the necessary data for a complete history of Fort Mill township, such an undertaking would be attended with so many difficulties that we hesitate to attempt it. The oldest existing signs of the white man's presence in this section are the distinctly marked outlines of an old palisaded fort, situated just without the limits of the town. Of the history of this fort there is little or nothing known at the present day. Tradition says it was built by the early Indian traders, prohahly-abuut the year 173(1. Its site is now marked by what was once a deep ditch, enclosing a square of probably a quarter of an acre, in which there are a couple of deep depressions, which were, no doubt, at one time the wells from which the inmates of the fort obtained their supplies of water. Of these supposed traders, nothing authentic is known. There is, however, every reason to believe that they were an honest and upright set of men, and that they treated the Indians as justly as circumstances seemed to require, doing: much toward paving the way for the friendly relations that ever afterward existed between the Indians and the white settlers who subsequently filled up tbe country. THE FIRST WHITE SETTLER. The first white man who permanently located in the Fort Mill section was Thorn us Spratt, the progenitor of a number 01 well-known families in Eastern York. Spratt was an Irishman, born on the ocean, while his parents were emigrating from County Down, in 1730. His parents first settled in Pennsylvania, but afterwards located at or near Charlotte, N. C., where Thomas Spratt also remained until about the year 1735, when he decided to move to a place near Abbeville, S. C. On his road to Abbeville, his first day's journey brought him to the neighborhbod of Fort Mill, and he went into camp for the night at a place still known as Spratt's spring. Early next morning he was visited by a party of Catawbas, who wanted to know where he was going and what he was going for ; and on learning his destination, persuaded him to stop where he was. They promised to give nim all the land he wanted, and assured him thai, it was better than any he could find in Abbeville. Though somewhat reluctant to accept the offer, Spratt saw that the Indians were thoroughly in earnest, and deemed it imprudent to refuse. Heaccordingly made his choice and the Indians measured off and set apart to his own use a body of land equal to nearly one half the present limits of Fort Mill township. Settling down on the land thus acquired, at a point just without the present limits of Fort Mill, Spratt engaged in stock rais ing and farming, and also began devoting his attention to inducing immigration into the country. By donations of large plantations to desirable settlers, he soon succeeded in surrounding himself with neighbors, and among the newcomers induced to locate here, through his influence were the progenitors of many of the beel families of York, among which are the Whites, Elliotts, Springs's Ervins, Har ris's, Kimbrells, Isims's, Barnetts anc others. Mr. Spratt lived to a ripe old age, foughl through the Revolutionary war, anc died in 1807. Many interesting stories are told of his early adventures, first with the Indians and afterwards with the Tories and British. Of a powerful physique, and bold, fearless character, he accompanied the Indians in their expeditions against hostile tribes, attaining the dignity of chief, and by his prowess in ? great battle with the Five Nations, in Virginia, on the river of that name, earned the title of "Kanawha." It is related that on one occasion while visiting Charlotte, he got on a "spree," and was put in the lock-up. When nis Indian friends heard the news, they collected in a body, went to the town, broke open the doors of the guard house and brought him back home in triumph. On another occasion, when the counfrgp had begun to fill up with settlers, it is said that a murder was committed in the vicinity. A French musician was passing through this section, and fell in with a party of Indians. Tney wanted to know what was in the mysterious looking box he carried, and to satisfy their curiosity the musician played them an air on his violin. The Indians were delighted, and when the Frenchman left, one of them determined to possess the wonderful instrument, and secreting himself in ambush, assasinated the unfortunate owner. The news that a murder had been committed soon became noised about, and the tell-tale violin in the hands of the guilty Indian indicated the perpetrator. The whites appealed to Spratt for protection, and he, collecting together a number oi neighbors, went to King Haiglar. They found the king out hunting on a small stream now known as Haiglar's branch. Mr. Spratt told his story, and asked foi Justice. The Indian replied that justice should be done immediately, and without further parley raised his he lting horn to his lips and blew a piercing blast. Pretty soon the warriors began to gather Tisfrom all points of the compass, in answeTto^e^aignal^ while the king stood on the alert with hisnfi?-resting in the hollow of his arm. At length the guilty .Indian appeared, carrying a dead aeer upon his back. Without a word of warning, King Haiglar raised his gun and shot him through the heart, and turning to the whites, asked if they were satisfied, which of course they had to be. A big feast was then prepared, after which the whit* men and Indians parted good friends. It is said that this was the only instance where a white man was murdered by the Catawbas. Thomas Spratt ("Kanawha") is now repiesented in the fifth generation by the the two sons of John M. Spratt, Thomas and Leonidas. The Pen.?The "iron pen" is mentioned in the Bible by Job; the Biblical pen is supposed to have been a chisel of bronze used for cutting hieroglyphics on stone 01 other hard substances. Who invented the first flexible iron pens, fashioned after the style with wrhich we are so familiar, is nol certainly known. Prior to the advent ol ste j1 or iron pens, quills or reeds were used for writing on skins or parchment for centuries. The English word pen is from the Latin penna, a feather, because quills were used for pens. The first instance of an iron pen being used on paper or parchment is recorded & having occurred in 1G85. This first attempt was a rude imitation of a quill, and its use very limited. Crude and imperfect ai this embryo pen was, as others fashioned after the same model, a clumsy iron quill, were the best any one could afford up tc about the beginning: of the present century, In 1803 Wise made the steel barrel pen, which, besides being very clumsy, was alsc expensive?consequently it was never used to any great extent. In 1820 Joseph Gillot, an ingenious English manufacturer, whc had, up to the date given, been engaged in the manufacture of a barrel pen, made e lucky hit, whereby he could manufacture the steel pen in almost exactly flae same style in which it is used to-day. These he made in Birmingham, England, and sold at what seems to us of the present daj an enormous figure, $36 per gross. Ira provement and competition soon reduced the price. In 1830, ten years later, they sold for $2 a gross, and in 1860 for twelve cents. At the present, time a steel pen better than the Gillot of 1820, can be bought for less than twenty-five cents a gross, ?[St. Louis Republic. Old Age. - A medical man compares at old man to an old wagon ; with light load ing and careful usage it will last for years but one heavy load or sudden strain will break it and ruin it forever. Many peoph reach the age of fifty or sixty or seventj measurably free from most of the pains and infirmities of age, cheery in heart and uAimrl tn Knalfh rnr\o in Mfiuflnm ilflfl X*Y. perience, with sympathies mellowed bj, age, and with reasonable prospects anc opportunities for continued usefulness ir the world for a considerable time. Lei such persons be thankful; but let then: also be careful. An old constitution i.< like an old bone, broken with ease, mendeti with difficulty. A young tree bends to the gale, an old one snaps before the blast. A single hard lift, an hour of heating work an evening of exposure to rain or damp a severe chill, an excess of food, the unusual indulgence of an appetite or passion a sudden fit of anger, an improper dose o.1 medicine?any of these or other similai things may cut off a valuable life in an hour, aiul leave the fair hopes ot usefulness and enjoyment but a shapeless wreck, Farming in China.?A farmer maj be hired by the year for from $8 to $14, -with food, clothing, head shaving and tobacco. Those who work by the day receive from 8 cents to 10 cents, with a noon-day meal. At the planting and harvesting of rice wages are from ten cents to twenty cents, with a noonday meal. A1 the nlahtinir and harvesting of rice waires are from 10 cents to 20 cents a day, with five meals, or 30 cents a day without food, Few land owners hire hands, except a few days during the planting and harvesting of rice. Those who have more lands than they and their sons can till lease it to theii neighbors. Much land is held on leasesgiven by ancient proprietors to clansmen whose defendants now till it, paying from $7 to $14 worth of rice per acre annually for its use. Food averages little more than $1 a month for each member of a farmer's family. One who buys, cooks and eats his meals alone spends from $1.51 to $2 a month upon raw material and fuel Two pouuds of rice, costing 8J cents, with relishes of salt fish, pickled cabbage, cheap vegetables and fruits, costing 1J cents, is the ordinary allowance to each laborer foi each day. True Politeness.?There is no mor( important factor in individual success thar good manners, for it is not in human nature not to prefer a pleasant to an unpleasant person. But for manners to be truly good they must he habitually ti e expression of a courteous mind, and must be universal?not kept for "company," but foi home use every hour in the day. A person who possesses every other title of respect, except that of courtesy, is in danger of forfeitiner them all. A rude manner renders its owner always liable to affront. The per son is never without dignity who avoid* wounding1 the dignity of others. Good manners include not merely pleasant things said and done, but unpleasant ones undone True friends seldom hear evil reports, and if by chance they do, they never repeal to any one, much lass to the friend slandered. Gentle, loving words will lead to gentle actions, and all will be peace where otherwise disturbance would reign. Charity thinketh no evil. But kind thoughts, gentle judgments are our duty, and in exercising these we will be bringing every thought into captivity to the law of kindness and politeness.?[Christian Index. Many of the new apartment house* that have been built in London are fifteen stories high. m?n"of fort mill. > PORTRAITS AND SKETCHES OF LEADING 1 CITIZENS. I CAPTAIN SAMUEL E. WHITE, -^president of the Fort Mill Manufacturing Tcompaoy, and one of the largest landhold1 era ill ihe county, 1b a native of Fort Mill \ township, and was born on the lands where he now resides, the same having ' been owned by his father, grandfather and great-grandfather before Kim. After receiving a thorough military training in the King's Mountain Military school at 1 Yorkville, the Arsenal at Columbia and the Citadel at Charleston, he spent a part of three years?1858, 1859 and 1860?in Texas and Mexico. Returning home in the ' latter part of 1860, he volunteered for the war in 1861; entered theservice as a lieuten| ant; was promoted to a captaincy, and af; terward received a severe and almost fatal wound in the head?aminnie ball striking ! him in the forehead, and leaving a mark . that will be carried to his grave. After the war Captain White returned to his farm near Fort Mill. He had inherited 720 acres of land, four mules and fif; teen thousand dollars in money and | bonds, etc. Though farming with free ! labor was an entirely new experience, he made money rapidly, and after a few years 1 invested largely in merchandising, and during the financial crash of 1878-9, in which all of Fort Mill's merchants were completely bankrupted, he lost something 1 over $15,000. After thia misfortune the Captain went to farming in earnest. De~ .voting his attention almost entirely to 1 colton^ia&eJ^SO he has raised an annual ' average of 14Tt5sl.es to the horse, in ad1 dition to sufficient feed for his stock. In1 creasing his operations eatdl-year, he is ; now one of tne largest farmer? 4l\the county, the owner of 3,500 acres of laTld^ and is rated by Bradstreet as being worth ; from $50,000 to $75,000. | Captain White maintains, and his opin! ion is certainly entitled to respect, that with proper management larger returns | are to be derived from money invested ! in farming than any other industrial pur' suit in which this section has yet become engaged. He farms entirely on the wages system, pays his laborers cash every week, [ and allows them to spend their earnings i wherever they like. He also claims that ? there if? no such thin*? as "wearing out" land, and points with pride to several s highly productive tracts in his possession, . which were purchased for a song as "worn out wastes" only a few years ago. f A clear and active thinker, thoroughly [ informed on the affairs of town, county . and State, and deeply interested in their welfare, the Captain enters heartily into ! every duty as a citizen, and though never [ having sought political preferment, holds all of the positions of honor, and trust at > home. He is trustee o? the Fort Mill i , Presbyterian church property, president of j the Manufacturing company, the Bank and j the board of trustees of the High school. J. A. WITHERS, ESQ., | intendant of Fort Mill and trial justice for [ Fort Mill township, was born near Fort 'r Mill in 1849. He received his academic education in the town, and since leaving , school has been engaged in fanning, in which occupation he has met with uniform success. He became a citizen of Fort I Mill in 1871), and has ever since maintained a lively interest in the affairs of the town, serving on tne council ior several years as warden, and last year being elect' edas intendant. Firm, fearless and con? scientious in th'e discharge of his official [ duties, Mr. Withers is the right man in * the right place, where he will probably he ' kept so long as he consents to serve. ! "It will do!" is the common phrase of those who neglect small things. "It will \ do!" has blighted many a character, has . blasted many a fortune, sunk many a ship, , burned down many a house, and irretriev. ably ruined thousands of hopeful projects of human good. It always means stopping short of the right thing. Itisamaker shift. It is a failure and defeat. Not what "will do," but what is the best possible ! thing to do, is the point to be aimed at. Let . a man once adopt the maxim of "It will i do," and he is given over to the enemy ; . he is on the side of incompetency and ; defeat, and we give him up as a hopeless ; subject. i J. w. AUDREY, dealer in treneral merchandise, and one of [ the oldest and most successful merchants ( of Fort Mill, commenced business at this . place in 1873 as a member of the firm of i Cureton, Ardrey & Co. Continuing with . the firm for six years, at the end of that ; time he established himself independently, [ and since 1871) has been conducting his j business alone. Mr. Ardrey was born in , Mecklenburg county, N. C. in 1845. He spent his early life on a farm, and at 1(5 years of age entered the war with the first I . regiment of volunteers that was formed in . North Carolina. The regiment was only i enlisted for six months, however, and re. turned home in November, 18(51. Mr. ( Ardrey's father dying about this time and . his brothers having already re-enlisted, - he was prevented from returning imme. diately to the army; but after arranging the affairs of his father's estate, again volunteered in the spring of 18(53 and serv> ed until the close of the war in the first i North Carolina cavalry. After the war he attended school for a short time at Ebe zer, and in 180(5 began trying to make s something out of his farm. Having no | ready cash on hand, he borrowed ?3,500, t stocked his plantation, built a house and i went to work. At the end of six years, g he had paid his debts and was ?1,500 c ahead, and it was with this amount that 1 he commenced business at Fort Mill in ] 1873. Mr. Ardrey is a business man of t unusual ability; safe, liberal and energetic, 1 and for a number of years past has fol- g lowed as an invariable rule the policy of a an annual outside investment of one thou- 1 sand dollars, which has contributed not a { little to the development of the different enterprises from time to time projected in the town. Since 1877 helhas served five terms as lutonuiuu, ami is iiuw u umxiui in the Manufacturing company and of the Savings bank. Importance of Personal Cleanliness.?Very many people do.not keep the skin active' and healthy as they ought; the fear of catching cold leads them to neglect to maintain perfect cleanliness of the body, and, as the functions of the skin are impaired, the work of throwing out waste material, which rightfully belongs to it. falls upon the internal organs, which will bear the imposition for a time, and will labor to do the work forced upon them, but will sooner or later become weakened \ by the strain. Then the waste of the sys- \ tem accumulates within the body and as- > | sists in depressing the vital forces. Thus j ; by neglect to keep the skin in a healthy J ' state, many a person becomes dull and sluggish and disinclined to mental or bodily effort; all the organs concerned in life share in the disturbance, and become indo^^ lent and torpid. The need to maintain^ Eerfect cleanliness of the body is, if pop#* le, greater in winter than in sumnii?f?a J fact which but few appreciate; and to 1 the neglect of this essential may be attrib- * uted much of the sickness prevailing in : j cold weather, which really ought to be the 1 healthiest portion of the year. i DR. J. E. MASSEY .2. ? r T7 nAim^ir nn/1 lirno l.S II IlilUYti UI lYUIMlil? UUUJIIJ mm >Yiir? i born near the site of the present town of Kershaw in 1849, hut has been a resident of Fort Mill since he was ten years of age, his father, Hon. B. II. Massey, locating at that place in 1859. The doctor was educated at Davidson college; began the study of medicine under Drs. Bratton & Barron, of Yorkville, and graduating from the University of Maryland, settled down to the practice of his profession in Fort Mill in 1871. He was for several years engaged in the drug business, but in 1888 sold his stock to W. A. Watson, and a few months since invested in a stock of dry goods. The doctor is also a large farmer, but devotes his attention mostly to the practice of his profession. He is also proprietor of a valuable fruit preserving powder, discovered by himself, which commands a lafge and steady sale. jgf Cellulose is a fibrous substance produced in France by a secret mechanical process, from cocoanut husk. When comnrp*sp<i. its own snecific cravitv is far less than that of cork. It is the lightest solid known, and therefore invaluable for life belts and life matresses, while in large quantities its buoyancy will make a ship non-sinkable. It is used to fill compartments in a ship's, side, and serves to prevent water entering the ship through a hole made by a projectile or rock, because the instant the water enters the celulose is expanded by its own impenetrable tightness. It does not decay or emit any odor, and has been packed in ship's compartments without undegoing any change. If < a mass of celulose be penetrated by a pro- i jectile, it will not be ignited by the trie- 1 tion. | 93T In France, if a patient who is under s chloroform, shows signs of heart failure, < those in attendance hold his head down- 1 ward till he is restored. The method is i said never to fail; and so convinced are 1 some surgeons of its efficacy, that they i have operating-tables made in such fashion s that one end can be elevated at a moment's < notice, and tiie patient be practically made < to stand on his head for an instant or two. } W?. A. WATSON, dealer in drugs, medicines, etc., and one of Fort Mill's enterprising young business men, is a son of John L. Watson, Esq., of Ebenezer. After attending the excellent academy at Ebene/.er for several years, Mr. Watson entered the King's Mountain Military school at Yorkville, where he spent a year, and then taking a two years' course under Professor Hanks, at Fort Mill, entered Davidson college in 1881, and remained in that institution until 18.%, when he commenced business at Fort Mill as a member of the firm of Fulp & Watson, dealers in general merchandise. He was next a member of the firm of Watson, \ Kell & Co., and in 1887, after spending a ; year in the Maryland College of Pharmacy at Baltimore, purchased the drug busiiness of J. K. Massey & Co., and is now engaged in building up a prosperous and strictly legitimate drug business. * 4 ~ a R. A. FULP, t dealer in groceries and confectionery. 1 Mr. Fulp was born in Stokes county, N. t C., in 18f)2. liaised on a farm and having 1 nnr.iiivn/l mi nvtnnciirn iivnnrioni-o in tlio I S (U.lJUilVU <111 tAlvuniiv, Vrt|/v.iiviivv JM Vi.v P. cultivation of tobacco and corn, in 1K74 he t removed to Charlotte, N. C., to accept the 1 uperintendency of a large farm near thai dace, and conducted under the auspices o he Mecklenburg bank. The bank failing n 1875, however, after assisting in th< traiglitening up of its affairs, he secured u lerkship with Miles & Rogers, of Char otte. Shortly afterward, he moved tc donroe, N. C., and conducted business al hat place about one year, subsequently ocating in Fort Mill in 1880, whei 3 he has ince been permanently established. Ir iddition to nis mercantile interests, Mr ?ulp is engaged in the livery business >ricK making and farming. REV. JAMES H. THORNWELI,, >astor of Fort Mill and Ebenezer churches s a son of the distinguished philosophy md theologian of the same name. Mr rhor.iwell has his residence at Fort Mill md lias heen the spiritual leader of tha lommunity since 1882. Born at Columhii n 1843, he entered the Confederate a run n 18(52 when eighteen years of age; wai ippointed drill master with the rank o ieutenant, and \Vhile acting as adjutant o lie Fourth reeriment of reserves, was ap jointed to the arsenal. Remaining theri mly one session, however, he again enter id the army, connecting himself with Bol oil's cavalry company, and continuing ii ictive service until Johnston's surrender During the next^ear he was engaged ir arming, but in >^o7,jentered the South Car ilina college, and" in 18(59 studied law ii iforkville under Wilson & Witherspoon \dmitted to the bar, he practiced law ii Anderson about twelve months, but ii .871 became a student in the Theologica leminary at Columbia. Graduating fron his institution in 1874, he was licensed, ti ireaeh by the South Carolina Presbytery n September of the same year. Afte erving Concord Presbytery for severa rears as an evangelist, andofficiating fo some time as pastor of the Presbyteriai :hurch at Poplar Tent, Mr. Thornwd! lecepted his present charge. He wa ftftCried to Miss Florence Earle, of Ander on, in 1^69. Though gifted to a wonder ill degree wit1t4lljd remarkable intellect lal power for which*h4?4i^hfr was so em nently distinguished, Mr. tf1t8ni'w<'eN pre ers the peace and quiet of the moddUlttf lommunity over which he presides, to tiil ligher positions of honor and distinctioi o which his talents and ability would af ford him easy access, and were minister if the gospel susceptible to envy, there an few who would not covet his lot. T. G. GULP, me of Fort Mill's most valuable citizen: md the oldest resident of the town, locatet lere in 18o(5 when the community consist k1 of less than thirty inhabitants, ant wasted of only three dwellings and tw< itores. In partnership with his brother, h< 'stablished a wagon factory and successful v conducted the same until 18f>8, whei trie plant was destroyed by lire. Afte this misfortune Mr. C'ulp engaged in rail reading, and pursued that occupation fo ibout ten years, when he again settle! lown to private business in Fort Mill? lealing in machinery, sawing lumber ginning cotton and farming, etc.? in al jf which occupations he was uniformly successful. Always most particularly in :erestod in the welfare of thecommumtynaterial and social?in 1881 he acceptet the office of trial justice, and during ai idministration of eight years contribute! lot a little to the promotion of the law ibiding spirit for which Fort Mill town >hip is so conspicuously pre-eminent. En oving to the highest degree the confidene ' i x .. Un l.^ rut esteem 01 ins itruuw townsmen, uc ua leld numerous positions of honor an< :rust, and his abilities are generally regard ?d as the valuable property of the communi ;y. Last year, becoming a candidate fo he office of county commissioner, Mr. Cul] vas elected to the position by a majority if 448 votes over the next highest success :'ul candidate, and received more than two ;hirds of all the votes cast, although then .vere eight other aspirants to the offlo n the field. JOHN M'KEE SPRATT, ecretary and treasurer of the Fort Mil Manufacturing company and cashier o he Savings bank, is a son of the late Thos 3. Spratt and a great grandson of Thorn us Spratt, f"01d Kanawha") the first set ler of the Fort Mill section. He was bort n Fort Mill township, near the old Sprat lomestead, in 1849, and spent his boynooc .nd early manhood on his father's farm Though not yet sixteen years of age, h< vas just preparing to enter the Confeder tte service, when he received the news o jee's surrender. The next few years h< levoted to farming, and in 1871, on ac ount of the indiscriminate manner ir vhich the United States government waj .rresting certain citizens of the Fort Mil leighborhood, left the State and went t< Florida. Remaining there only a shor ime, however, he went to West Tennes ee and engaged in teaching school. Re urning to Fort Mill in 1878, he again en faged in farming; shortly afterward lie be ame interested in a general merchandis* jusiness, and in 1879 took charge of th< ailroad and telegraph offices at Fort Mill !n connection with his duties in this posi ion he built up a profitable business ii umber, cotton seed and fertilizers. Whei he question of building a cotton mill a Port Mill was first agitated in 1887, Mr Spratt at once took an active interest ii he project, and it was largely througl lis efforts that the enterprise was carriet t to successful completion. Mr. Spratt's f whole business career is marked by conr spicuous, energy, enterprise and a most ? liberal public spirit, which shirks no duty l and which neglects no opportunity to pro mote the welfare of the community by > the contribution of either time or money, t He was married in 1876 to Miss Sue E. r Massey, a daughter of the late Hon. B. H. j Massey. [ The Greatness of London.?Doubtless you are quite accustomed to the state' ment that London is a great city. But possibly the following figures will help you to appreciate the statement: Every four minutes marks a birth. In the next two hours after you read this, thirty babies have been liorn, and twenty deaths will have taken place. Think of it! the evening paper that records the birth and deaths of the preceding four and twenty hours must give three hundred separate items. Verily, its joyfl and sorrows are a multitude. London has 7,0(10 miles of streets, and if you walked them at the rate of twenty miles a day you 1J 1 11. ~1 a ? J wuuiu nuve hj vviun. unnu?i it year, mm more than a year by nearly fifty days, if you should rest on Sundays. And if you were a thirsty sort of a traveler, and coldn't pass a public house, don't be alarmed?the 7,(KM) miles have five and seventy miles of public houses; so you need not think of thirst. In a year Lon! don folks swallow down 500,000 oxen, i 2,000,000 sheep, 200,000 calves, 300,000. swine, 8,(HK),(KK) head of fowl, 500,000,000 pounds of fish, 500,000,000 oysters, 200,000,(HM)?is that enough to figure on ? If not, there are some million tons of canned provisions, no end of fruit and vegetables, and 50,IMK) bushels of wheat. But how ? they wash all the food down you might be r glad to know. It takes 2(H),000,(XX) quarts of l>eer. But more than this, they drink t 10,OIK),000 quarts of rum and 50,000,000 t quarts of wine?the wine, the rum, the 1 l>eer, 200,000,000 quarts. l. j. massey, ,, ~ senior member of the firm of Massey A Hughes, dealers in general merchandise, ' was born in Fort Mill in 18(12 and is a son , of the late B. H. Massey. After receiving ^1 &is educatiort in the schools of Fort Mill 1 autJsthe fclouth Carolina collegej he served " an apiifgUjc^hip of four years in the mers cantile busitfcetfs under the excellent traine iug of Mr. j. Ardrey, and in 1884 embarked on his oNttiJlSCOunt. . Shortly^afterward, forming a partlieftsiMt5 "With Mf. ''" Hughes, another shrewd young business man about his own age, the present firm was established. Mr. Massey has acquired his working capital through his own efforts, and being an .earnest advocate of the cash systemL conducts his business on a principle which says: "Pay as you go, and if you canjt pay, don't go." He is a member of the town council, and has contributed to the appearance of the business portion of town by the erection of a neat two story brick building in the place of a frame structure recently destroyed by fire. Alphabet of Maxims.?Attend carefully to details of business. Be prompt in all things. Consider well, then decide positively. Dare to do right, fear to do wrong. Endure trials patiently. Fight life's battles bravely, manfully. Go not into the society of the vicious. Hold integrity sacred. Injure not another's reputation or business. Join hands only with the virtuous. Keep your mind from evil thoughts. Lie not for any consideration. Make few acquaintances. Never try to appear what you are not. Observe good manners. Pay s your debts promptly. Question not the 1 veracity of a friend. Respect the counsel - of your parents. Sacrifice money rather 1 than principle. Touch not, taste not, han) die not intoxicating drinks. Use your e leisure time for improvement. Venture - not upon the threshold of wrong. Watch i carefully over your passions. 'Xtend to r pvprv one a kindlv salutation. Yield not - to discouragement. Zealously labor for the r right: And success is certain. i BREVARD D. SPRINGS. Mr. Brevard D. Springs is a son of the late Hon. A. Baxter Springs, and was l>orn at the old Springs homestead, in Fort Mill township, in 18(10. He received his academic education in the schools of Fort Mill, and after spending two years / \ at the Carolina Military Institute at Char- <r f lotte, N. C., assumed the management of his farming interests in Fort Mill township in 1876. He located in Fort Mill in 1888 and engaged in merchandising as a member of the firm of Springs, Heath & Belk, which he continued until last year, when he disposed of his interest to his partners, and since that time has been engaged in the development of his farming interests, cotton buying and railroad s building. Possessed of a considerable fort\ une, Mr. Springs has invested largely in ; all the enterprises of Fort Mill, and is a director in the Manufacturing company. Self-Made Men*.?When a "self-made man" commences his career in almost the same condition that he entered the world, gets his own education by his own indus1 try, and carves out his own position in f life, he is well-made, and his Maker, has ii.uf miica tn lia nrnnH nf fho norf ha Vioa # j uoi vauav w wv vwu v* vnv ^ivi i. uv, tiuu . played in the matter. But remember one . thing, young man, that money is no test i of success, for you may make millions, and t still be a pitiable failure. Money can 1 make money, but it takes a man to make a man. There is another thing that young j people should not lose sight of, and that is, I whatever there is in this world worth f striving for, you can take with you into the 3 next; hence, "With all thy getting, get . understanding." One million dollars cani not purchase one single hour of content3 ment. A clear consciense can do this. As 1 you climb the ladder of intelligence the ) vices will leave without effort, and, as nat ture abhors a vacuum, the virtues will . flow in to take their place. important i rusts.?Men snouid seek - to attain a true conception of the knowla edge, thought and wisdom that are re3 quired to form wise opinions, or draw cor. rect conclusions upon even ordinary sub jects. In this way they will be in less i haste to proclaim their ignorance by formi ing rash judgments; and, when they realt ize the importance of bringing energy, pa. tienceand self-abnegation to tne task, they l will become better fitted to bear the responi sibilities and arrive at the decisions that 1 life requires at their hands.