Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, December 25, 1889, Image 2

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Scraps and partis. ? The governors of the thirteen original States of the Union, and some of the other States, who were represented at the meeting in Washington the 11th of this month, have agreed to present to congress a bill asking for an appropriation for an arch to stand in Philadelphia as a memorial of the Declaration of Independence. ? Pennsylvania is going to present a claim ofc$2,00o,000 to Congress for losses incurred in border counties of that State during the invasion of the Confederate troops. The State has advanced at differy ent times $900,000 for the relief of people who sustained losses, and congress will also be asked to put that amount into the State treasury. ? United States consul at Santiago, Cuba, ' in a report to the State department, says a < small insect called the cocus disspis vanira- 1 licus is playing havoc with the cocoanut n.n/lnninn twnno In Ollho OIlH ot HnO timfi JJlVSUUV/AUg U A u vuv/u) wust mv vmv threatened their annihilation. It is suggested by Prof. Gundach, of Havana, that all cocoanuts received in the United States be dipped in boiling water before use. ? In Washington, last Friday, a decision was handed down in the district court, granting Alfred S. Witherbee a divorce from Mary E. Witherbee. This is the end of a scandal ^vhich created quite a sensation. Mrs. Witherbee eloped from Washington with ex-Judge Mackey, formerly of South Carolina. They went to Bismarck, Dak., where they were received in the best society of that city until the facts became known. ? Mrs. Morris, of Reidsville, N. C., under indictment for poisoning her husband, has been admitted to bail in a bond of $5,000 which was readily given. She had not been regularly committed to jail, but ( was detained under a guard at her fath- 1 er's residence. The guard has been dis- < charged. Her counsel will press for a trial ( at the next term of Rockingham superior , court, which convenes the last of January next. ? Four negro men, charged with setting ; fire to the town of Rocky Mount, Va., on 1 the night of the 7th of October, were tried i in the county court of Franklin county last week and convicted. They were all sentenced to be hanged. Their names are George Early, Wm. Woods, Boyd Woods < and Nannie Woods. Two other persons ] are held for trial as being accessories to the crime. In the conflagration twenty-four J buildings were burned. ( ? A fight between a gorilla and a bull dog, for a purse of $500, occurred at Fort < Wayne, Indiana, the other day. The dog i was a fine thoroughbred English bull dog i ^weighing 40 pounds, while the gorilla ] pulled down nearly 80 pounds, xney were put into an enclosure 12 feet square and 8 feet high, built of 3-inch oak strips. A large crowd was present and betting was spirited, with the odds greatly in favor of the brute from Africa. The dog was killed in two minutes. Ths gorilla was unhurt. -?Patrick Hunt was hanged at Paris, Kv., on the 18th, for the murder of James Abney. The doomed man was perfectly composed on the gallows and never spoke a word. He was interviewed by a pastor just before his execution, and he denied nis guilt to the last. He said he was not afraid to die, and that he would die an innocent man; that he forgave every one and prayed for his enemies, as for himself. When told that his wife was now in the penitentiary for killing Richard Thomas, he confessed that he had killed Thomas. . ? The secretary of war is making efforts j to reduce desertions in the army to a min- . imum, and is giving the subject much 1 personal attention. He receives monthly t reports from all the regiments showing t desertions during each month. Reports i for November have been tabulated and r show 158 desertions from a force of . 24.000 enlisted men. Desertions among * colored regiments are fewer than among s white troops. The greatest number of j i__-desertion9 T*resido barracks, San Francisco, where thirteen men out of 547 stationed there took French leave last month. ( ? Senator Brown, of Georgia, has not g pnt in an appearance at Washington this j session. His health is poor, and he will c not be able to do much work this season. It is an open secret that Brown would f have resigned at the beginning of the session and given Governor Gordon, his seat t had not Gordon superseded the Senator t with Henry Grady as trustee of the Geor- t gia State University last summer. 44 Very g good," remarked Senator Joe, 44Gordon ] 9 4 m mm n T> MAtM % can wail, uom jdiuwu is uuw uo- j termined to hold on to his seat in spite of everything but death in order to keep g Gordon out of it. g ? Wm. Marquis, aged 17 years, the son \ of a farmer in Miami county, Indiana, has * been arrested by the Wabash railroad de- 1 tectives on the charge of wrecking an east- J bound express at Kellers, in that county, ( on October 24, when a frightful accident i was caused by a misplaced switch. The j boy confessed. He had started from Wa- ( bash to Peru on foot that morning. He <1 ' tried to obtain a ticket for a silk handker- \ chief, and, failing in his effort, he broke f the lock, threw the switch and disappeared. Marquis does not seem to realize the f enormity of his crime, although expressing regret for the act. t ?On Friday night, at Owensboro, Ky., 1 Doc Jones, a negro barber, while drunk, C entered the shop of John Westerfield, a 1 white barber, and shot him dead. He t was arrested and placed in jail. Westerfield was well thought of and his death s created a storm of indignation. At 2 i o'clock Saturday morning a mob of twen- i ty-five appeared and battered in the doors of the jail. The sheriff resisted, but after ? a while gave in and handed over the keys. Jones was found in a drunken stupor in ( his cell, but was quickly hustled out into i ha nnnrf. hnnoa vnrd and hanced to a tree. S the limb of which has served the same purpose before. The mob then dispersed. ?Considering that farmers are usually the most conservative men in the community, the platform adopted by the National Alliance at St. Louis is remarkable. The farmers go in for thoroughly radical ideas. They declare for the free coinage of gold and silver and the substitution of greenbacks for national bank notes, woman suffrage, the Australian ballot system, and opposition to the liquor traffic in all its forms. Further, they demand revision and reduction of the tariff. Finally, they clinch their declaration of principles by a resolution that they will not vote for any candidate who does not stand upon their platform. ? A dispatch from Des Moines, Iowa, says: "The farmers' Alliance seems to be preparing to take an active part in the defeat of Senator Allison, as they did in the election of Gov. Boies. That organization has caused petitions to be placed in every county in Iowa, addressed to the general assembly asking that body to elect Gov. Larrabee to the senate. The petition says the signers have observed the course of Mr. Larrabee as governor of Iowa, and Wm. B. Allison, as senator for Iowa; that they regard the former as the truest statesman the State ever had, and that they are unable to find in the record of Senator Allison any work of substantial benefit to the State. ? Nothing new develops in the Montana deadlock. Both sides hold out manfully and the new State remains unrepresented in the United States senate. Governor Toole has sent his message to tne senate ; and to the Democratic house of delegates, , ignoring completely the Republican house. He did this, apparently, not because a message is in oraer before the legislature is organized, but because he had prepared one and was afraid that if he waited for j an organization he would not have any 1 opportunity to fire it off at all. In fact he urges the Democratic members to continue the deadlock till the session lapses, "rather than imperil any principle of free government." After the session lapses he will appoint two Democratic senators, it is 1 said, to serve until the legislature meets again?a painful thing to the nominees of t the Republican caucus. ?Elderly newspaper readers all over the J country will remember with what avidi- , ty, thirty or forty years ago, they read the ] holiday issues of "Brother Jonathan," published twice a year for the Fourth of j July and Christmas anniversaries. It was 1 printed on the largest sheet, perhaps, of any publication ever issued. The originator and for several years the proprietor of the publication, was Benjamin H. Day, 1 who died in New York City last Saturday morning aged 79 years. He was the pio- < neer of penny newspapers, and the founder of the New York Sun, which he started ' in 1833, and afterward sold to Moses Y. \ Beach. After the discontinuance of "Brother Jonathan," the huge press, f built expressly on which to print it, passed into the hands of a circus bill printer ? in New York and only a few years ago, as it may be yet, was in active use. j ? What is supposed to be among the last j of Jefferson Davis's epistolary work is a etter written by him to a friend, the editor of a Republican newspaper at" Little Rock Ark., on the legal definition of slavery. In the letter Mr. Davis says: "Chattel slavery never existed in this country. Local legislation recognized the right to the service or labor of African slaves, and this right was guaranteed in the Constitution to form the Uni n of States, binding persons outside of the limits of the local law to restore a fugitive slave on demand of the owner. It is true that this right to the 3ervice or labor extended to the power to transfer the slave by sale, but the laws of all the States protected the life and person of the slave so as to make it a crime to kill or maim a slave, punishable as in like ^se of a white man. The slaves were, therefore, not chattels, but property to the axtent of a lifelong right to their service or labor." (She f orhville tfhujitim. YORKVILLE, S. C. ^ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25,1889. >7.JUDGE W1THERSP00N. The re/election of our townsman, Judge Witherspoon, of the Sixth circuit, was an event not unexpected, but none the less the cause of congratulation to the people ef the State. A learned jurist, impartial and upright in his construction of the law, and a man of undoubted integrity and high personal honor, he wears the ermine gracefully, with dignity and creditability to the State which he has long so faithfully jerved. CLOSE OP THE YEAR. To the patrons and readers of The Enquirer on this bright Christmas morn, for the thirty-fifth time we send the compliments of the festive season and our cordial greetings upon the return of the anniversary of the natal day of the Redeemer Df mankind. We sincerely hope that all are in the enjoyment of health, prosperity, the comforts of life, and that each may have a merry Christmas. As the year is drawing to a close, we recur with pride to the pleasant relations that have for so many years existed between The Enquirer and its readers, [t is a pleasure likewise to know that pear by year our labors to furnish an entertaining and instructive journal are nore fully appreciated by the public, and that with advancing age the circulation of he paper increases. In this respect, during ;he present year, the history of The Enquirer has been almost unexampled. 3ur circulation has grown during the year jeyond our most sanguine expectations, tnd we record as an encouraging fact that luring the past three months we haveadd!d more new names to our subscription ist than at the same period for the past en years. We are thus encouraged to abor in the future as in the past, not only "or the welfare and prosperity of our town, he county and our glorious State, bright n the national galaxy, but to put forth enewed exertions to increase the general ittractiveness of The Enquirer, which hall rather strength with its increasing rears. THE LEGISLATURE. On the 18th instant the senate and house >f representatives assembled in joint seslion in the hall of the house for the purjose of electing four circuit judges and )ther State officials. The first elections were for judges of the irst, second, fourth and sixth circuits. Eugene B. Gary, of Abbeville, norainaed Gen. James F. Izlar for judge of the irst circuit. E. G. Graydon, of Abbeville, lominated J. F. Ficken. The ballot reiulted: Total vote cast 143: Izlar 101; Ficken, 40; Asher D. Cohen, 2. General [zlar was declared elected. The ballot came next for thejudgeof the second circuit in which there had been an exciting triangular race between James Aldrich, Gen. J. W. Moore and Judge J. T. Maher. General Moore was nominated >y Senator Y. J. Pope, Mr. Aldrich by Tohn Gary Evans, and Judge Maher by 3ol. I. G. McKissick. The result of the /ote was as follows: Total vote cast 145 ; Aldrich 75; Moore 41; Maher 25; George }roft 1. Mr. Aldrich was declared elected, ludge Hudson and Judge Witherspoon vere unanimously re-elected for the fourth tnd sixth circuits. A. P. Butler was re-elected commission?r of agriculture with no opposition. Five vacancies in the board of agriculure were filled by the election of the folowing incumbents without opposition : General Johnson Hagood, John Lawton, 3. L. Buck, R. A. Love and B. F. Crayon. E. R. Mclver was elected State treasurer ind Charles Kerrison, Jr., registrar of nesne conveyance for Charleston county, ieither having any opposition. For directors of the penitentiary T. O. " r. 1 >anaers ana j. j. oarran were eieeieu. B. W. Edwards, of Darlington; J. L. )rr, Greenville; E. T. Stackhouse, Maron ; T. H. Harden, Chester; Allan Johnitone, Newberry; J. E. Tindall,Clarendon, vere elected directors of the Clemson colege. There were thirteen joint resolutions on he subject of the constitution which wc *e ipecial orders in the house on Wednesday." )ne was withdrawn, four were passed to heir third reading, and the remainder vere killed. Twelve of the thirteen projosed amendments. The other proposed i constitutional convention. It was not vithdrawn, but tabled. Those which passed the ordeal successully were as follows: Joint resolution (favorable report) to imend Article X of the constitution, relating to the judicial department, by repealng section 19, which provides for a board )f county commissioners. The vote on this proposed amendment was 89 to 11? Messrs. McCaw, Stewart and Wilborn, of he York delegation, voting yea. Joint resolution (report unfavorable) prososing ' an amendment to the consti:ution relating to public schools. (In:roduced by John Gary Evans.) Proposes to abolish the constitutional two mill school tax. Joint resolution (report unfavorable) proposing an amendment to the Constitution, Article II Section 8, by striking out the exception in said section which allows two Senators to Charleston county. (Introduced by Mr. Bean.) Joint resolution (favorable report). This neasure provides for the annual meeting \f fho lorriala tiiro nn tha third TllPadftV in January. What was denominated the high license bill, providing that the license fee for retailing spirituous liquors in citiesand towns where license is granted should not be [ess than $500, was killed. The joint resolution to empower the :ounty commissioners of York county to borrow $2,500 for the purpose of erecting i building for offices, was rejected by the senate. TheClemson college bill, with amendments as it passed the house, received its third reading in the senate on Friday. ACTS OF LOCAL INTEREST. The following acts of local interest have been ratified: An act to fix the capital stock of the Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad company. An act to incorporate the Blacksburg Street Railway and Electric Light company. The Senate bill, amending section 10 of the ict chartering the town of Yorkville, approved December 23, 1SS6, passed the house ivith slight amendment, and was ratified. The amendment does not affect the intent of the ict, the full text of which we published last week. ACTS OF GENERAL INTEREST. The following acts of general interest have been ratified: .An act to recharter Davie's ferry, across Catawba river, in Chester county. An act to amend Section 153, 154, 155 and 157, Chapter VIII, Title II, Part I, of the general statutes, relating to the formation and proceedings of the College of Electors. An act to amend Section 3 of the general statutes relating to elections. An act to further empower county commissioners to open and establish public highways. An act to amend Sections 768 and 1777 of the jeneral statutes of South Carolina, relating to probate of deeds or other instruments of writing for record. An act to amend Section 171K5 of the general WWTOWWW statutes of South Carolina, relating to mannei of taking renunciation of dower. An act to enable and authorize School Dis> trict No. 1, of court house township in Chestei county, to issue bonds for the purpose of build ing a public school house, ana provide for ad ditional trustees thereof. An act to authorize the town council of Ches ter to borrow money with which to buy a lo and erect a public building. An act to incorporate the town of Richburg in Chester county. An act to authorize and empower certain in corporated towns in the State of South Caroli na to suostituie nara iauor ou muir sireeia iui fine and imprisonment in cases of misdernean ors that come under their jurisdiction. An act to amend the militia laws of this State Both houses adjourned sine die at 3.3( yesterday morning. CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. The proceedings of Congress are devok of general interest. Congressman Dibble has introduced j bill to regulate the sittings of the Unitet States courts in this State. The bill pro vides for the holding of two sittings of th< United States circuit court every year ii Greenville, and for the appointment of i resident clerk in Greenville, the appoint ment to be made by the United State judge. The special committee of the house which has been engaged in investigating the Siilcott defalcation, by which a larg< number of the members of the house los< one month's pay from their salaries, me on Friday and decided to report a bill t< the House, just after the holiday recess, ap propriating the amount necessary to masi up to members what has been stolen fron them. This measure is supported by flv< out of the seven members of the commit tee, who hold that the sergeant-at-arms o the house is a public official; that th< money which was stolen by Silcott wa intended for the payment of members salaries, and that therefore the loss shoult be borne by the government and not b: individual members of congress. Ofth< two members, Messrs. Hemphill and Hoi man, who do not endorse the majority proposition, Mr. Hemphill agrees witl the majority that the sergeant-at-arms ii a public official, but prefers referring thi question to the court of claims for set tlement. Mr. Holman is opposed to anj appropriations, and favors paying privati depositors out of the funds on hand in th< sergeant-at-arms office, and then dividinj pro-rata the balance of the assets to thost who have any salaries due them. Among the bills and joint resolution! introduced on Fiiday were the following By Mr. O'Neil, to provide for the elec tion of United States senators by vote o the people in the several States. By Mr. Thompson, of Ohio, providing that a sura equal to $100 for passage ant return, shall be given to every person o color, and $40 to every minor person o color, who desires to emigrate to any fret State in Africa. By Lester, of Virginia, to repeal the tax on manufactured tobacco, sraokinf tobacco and snuff. A bill was introduced re-appropriating $tfbu,uuu to pay me mie man uuuuuuiuis u Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, Georgia Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Mis souri, North Carolina, South Carolina Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Vir ginia, or their legal representatives, undei their contracts for the years 1858 to 1861. By Mr. Wheeler, of Alabama, provid ing that 4th class postmasters who receive and close one mail per week, shall receive $15 per quarter. Tne following bill was introduced in the senate by Mr. Wheeler, of Alabama: "To incorporate the Military Order o America and establish a national military and naval museum, library and memoria building in the city of Washington." The bill proposes the incorporation of ? society which is to bring together frater nal association between those who were engaged in the war between the States, "te care for him who shall have borne battle and for his widow and orphan, especially t< aid sick and distressed companions and the widows and orphans of deceased companions; to cherish the memories of camp field and bivouac, and strengthen the ties of reunion and sympathy, valor and patriotism, between those who were enemies ir war and friends in peace." The order is to be non-sectarian anc non-political, and is to have a building ir Washington to be used as a memoria building, military and naval museum anc library, where is to be deposited copies o all government publications. Provisior is to be made for the interment in th< court of this building of the mortal re mains of the great commander Grant anc the erection of a suitable monument to hit memory and to all other soldiers and sail ors and marines who served during the war. Mr. Blair, from the committee on edu cation and labor, reported back his bill tc provide for the establishment and tempo rary support of common schools, and gave notice that as soon as possible after the holiday recess he would call it up for ac tion. It was placed on the calendar. II has been amended in several importanl particulars, among them the following 1. The quota of any State which shall be - ? i -t. - ii i reiusea by tne legislature snan ue uuvered into the treasury instead of being divided among the rest of the States. 2. The requirement that copies of school books authorized by the school boards shall be deposited with the secretary ol the interior is stricken out; also the section giving the respective legislatures power to distribute the funds apportioned to the several territories. 3. It is explicitly stated that the training of persons of different colors to become teachers shall not be required in the same schools. On Saturday, Speaker Reed announced his appointment of house committees The distinction of chairman was conferred upon but one Southern member?Brower Republican, of North Carolina, of the committee on expenditures in the posl office department. The members of the South Carolina delegation on committees are as follows: Judge Cothran was deposed from the foreign affairs, election ol president, vice president, etc., committees, and placed on the committee or expenditures in the navy department and the committee on ventilation and acoustics, two important committees Mr. Dibble heads the minority on the public buildings committee. Col. Elliott is retained on the naval committee, bul dropped from the committee on territories Mr. Hemphill leads the minority on th district committee, and also has his fondest wish gratified by an assignment to the committee on elections of president and congress. This committee will considei " 1 KSIId ATr lue prujjuaeu rcuciat cic^uuua umo. ?<*.1 Dargan remains on the banking and cur rency and civil service committees. Mr Perry goes to the committee on expenditures in the department of justice and irrigation of lands. A concurrent resolution was agreed to adjourning from Saturday last until January 6th, 1890. MERE-MENTION. Last Sunday was the shortest day 0 the year. The days will now graduallj grow longer until the 22nd of June. A bill has been introduced in the Virginif legislature to allow women to practice law in that State. It is in the especial interesi of Mrs. P. A. L. Smith, a bright womar of Danville, but legislative sentiment ap pears to be against it. By the explo sion of the meter of the gas works ir Asheville, N. C., last Saturday morning two men were killed, and two other: were slightly wounded. On the wes coast of Africa there are now about 2(M churches, 35,000 converts, 100,000 adhe rents, 275 schools, 30,000 pupils. Books have been translated into 35 languages ant dialects. There is unfavorable com ment in Southern newspapers on the fac that General Beauregard, now of Nev Orleans, held himself carefully aloof frorr the ceremonies in honor of Mr. Davis's memory. The pension department a Washington has upon its rolls the name: of twenty-seven widows of Itevoluntion ary soldiers who have been regularly paic pensions up to the present time. Three 0 them are 97 years of age and two 96. Th< youngest is 71. The business failure: throughout the country during last weel were 342 against 311 for the corresponding week last year. A conflict betweer blacks and whites occurred at Potts' Camp Marshall county, Miss., lajt Saturday af ternoon. The trouble grew out of a flgh between a white man and a negro. Th( * * 1 1 ? ?? i.?.. AAII Anf A/1 K 1 < latter went to tne couuiry, uuucuwu friends and returned for war. Th< whole assessed value of Jefferson Davis'i property in Marshall county, Miss., ii $7,940. "The personal assessments is $581 Beauvoir is assessed at $4,500 and othei property at $2,859. In Atlanta, las Thursday, Glen McCord was convicted o perjury in a murder case, and sentenced tc eight years in the penitentiary. The mur derer in whose behalf he testified was ac quitted. By a fire in Franklinton, N C., last Friday morning, fifteen building* were destroyed. Col. Jesse A. Forrest a brother of the noted Confederate Gen N. B. Forrest, died at his home in Mem \\\\\ \ vW WWW Wwswwwwwwv^ WW WWWWWV WWWVWWWW WW r phis, Tenn., on Sunday of last week. He served in the Confederate army through' out the war. For seventeen days pre,r ceding last Friday, the temperature was i . from 70 to 76, the warmest period on record r in New Orleans in December. Mr. 1 - Curtis declares in Harper's Weekly that t Grover Cleveland is the most popular liv- , ing American. North Carolina has ' 800,000 acres of swamp land to sell for the j . benefit of her education fund. A New ^ . York school teacher compelled a boy who ] r was too wide awake to be real good, to - write the word "Chicago" 1,200 times as ; a punishment. The New York post- J office issued 70,695 money orders last week ' for Europe, the amounts sent footing up a million dollars. Most of this money was from successful immigrants, sending pres- , j ents to those left behind in old countries, j UEATFOF HENRY W. GRADY. ? ' henry w. obadt. Henry W. Grady, the brilliant editor of 1 the Atlanta Constitution, died at his home j f in Atlanta at 3.40 last Monday morning, 3 aged 39 years. Mr. Grady was born in Athens, Ga., in / 1851, and will probably be buried there l beside his father, who was killed in the j 3 war, while gallantly leading the 25th , 3 North Carolina regiment at Petersburg. ( - Mr. Grady leaves a wife and two children. / With perphaps no exception, Henry W. 3 Grady was the best known editor in all j 3 the Southern States. He stood in the ( I front rank of Southern journalists, and the 3 prospects of none were brighter. He , was graduated at the University of Geor3 gia in his native city, where he graduated : at the head of his class, and his studies - were afterwards continued at the Univerf sity of Virginia. In the December following the Charleston earthquake, he deliver- ] * ed an address in New York at the annual i dinner of the New England society on the f "New South." That speech was and is still f applauded all over the country?South as 3 well as North?and helped to make its author famous in remote localities, where 3 his name had not hitherto been known. I Mr. Grady's last public appearance was at the recent dinner of the Boston Merr phanta' P!lnh wherp hp anH PY-Prpsidpnt, i f Cleveland played star parts. His theme ; , was the status of the negro in the South, f - and newspapers throughout the country , are still quoting from its ringing sentences, - and commenting upon his strong utterr ances on that occasion. I It was while on this visit that he con traded a deep cold, terminating in pneu- 1 } monia, which was the immediate cause of ! 3 his death. His funeral will take place in Atlanta at 2 o'clock this afternoon. ? i ALLIANCE TOPICS. ? A commission has been issued to the J j Farmers' Alliance Exchange, of South : Carolina, limited. The capital stock is $50,000, and the principal place of business ? will be Greenville. ? Says the Spartanburg correspondent of < the News ai d Courier: J. W. Reid, secretary of the State Alliance, has just returned from the farraers's meeting at St. Louis. He was impressed with the idea that there was too much talk in the meeting and that J the actual work was done towards the ? close when the talkers had ceased. He 1 thought Powderly a wise, conservative ' man. He also observed that the North- ; 1 western farmers habitually save in small ' I things and that they are far ahead of us in that respect. There will be no organic union of the Knights of Labor and the Alliance. They will unite in doing speJ. cial work, but the two associations will * not be merged into one. ' ?Mr. William A. Peffer, editor of the ' Kansas Farmer, has made a study of the [ extent to which the farmers are organized into Alliances, Wheels, Granges and other such bodies. He has brought together the [ statistics of the membership of each of ' these organizations, and has collected facts bearing on their methods and purposes, { " which show that the agriculturists are in a c much more complete state of organization ( ' than they have ever been before, for the ! present associations far outnumber the 1 ' membership of the old Grange; and their ( I growth shows a greaterspontaniety and a , : clearer purpose than was shown by the J . Grange. Of the 4,500,000 farmers in the t ' United States, at least 1,000,000 are now j organized ; and a movement is on foot to ' consolidate all existing organizations and J ' extend them, whereby the organizations ' . I exnect. in a brief Deriod, to include in this 1 consolidated association not less than 4,- 1 J 000,000 farmers. Some of these associations have originated in the Southwest, some in other parts of the South, and some in . the West. Their general purpose is to so J 1 express the importance of the agricultural interests as to cause other interests to pay < | greater heed to the farmer. The com- k ' plaint of all these organizations is, in sub- * stance, that the middlemen and money k . lenders, have, in one way or another great advantage over the farmer which has been j used to his impoverishment. All these 1 organizations are secret, and although in J ; a purely local sense none of them is politi- . ! cal, in a larger sense they all have a J " political significance, inasmuch as they all I ' look forward to au opportunity for the ' farmers' vote to change legislation which j they conceive to be particularly adverse to ( _ the agricultural interests. ! THE NEW JUDGES. . The News and Courier publishes the 1 following brief sketches of the new circuit J ' judges, which will be read with interest: * GEN. JAMES F. JZLAR ' 3 is too well and favorably known, and has been t public property too long,to need any introduc. tion to the people of this State. Gen. Izlar is a 5 native of Orangeburg county, and an alumnus { . of Emory College, Georgia, where he fore- j , shadowed his future career, by bearing away j" the honors in a class of 21. In his chosen pro- ] 1 fession, the law, he has succeeded as few men J " ever succeed. He has held many positions of i . honor and trust, and has ever been found faith- i ful and efficient. He was early in his career ( , mayor of Orangeburg; has been a member of . . e'very State Democratic convention held since . * * 1 -A4 3 - J 4. * reconstruction; nas uuuhubu uvu natiuum conventions of his party, once as a delegate at large, and once as a delegate from his dist trict. He has been a member of the State ox ecutive committee and has served as State chairman during several campaigns. MR. JAMES ALDRICH, of Aiken county, was born at Barnwell court e house. Ho is about 40 years of age. Ho attended the village schools, and was graduated 7 with distinction at the Washington and Lee L University, Lexington, Va., during the presil dency of Gen. K. E. Lee. Mr. Aid rich, after j reading law in the office of his father, the lato t James T. Aldrich, was admitted to the Bar. j Upon the formation of Aiken county in 1872 ho moved to the town of Aiken, and has since been continuously engaged in the practice of * his profession at that place. As a lawyer, Mr. l Aldrich ranks among the first in his circuit, , and has met with groat success. During Re3 publican rule he took an active part in organt izing the Democratic party, and, being a most j iluent and effective speaker, his services were in the greatest demand. In 187(1 and 1877 he was engaged in defending hundreds of 3 Democrats in tho United States courts, in . I prosecutions which grow out of the so-called - Ellenton riots, and in the State courts defendt ing the prosecution of men prosecuted by , Attorney General Stone in what was popularly termed the "Hamburg riot." Tho courts had 1 not nnnutriiod the United States election laws. 3 hence there wore many novel questions of the t greatest importance to be decided. Every step 3 in the Ellenton cases was hotly contested on - both sides. The ruling of tho court in those j cases have never been reversed. Mr. Al< drich's speech, in opening for the defence, was regarded as one of the finest efforts evor made ' in the United States courts in this State. The 3 government failed to secure a single conviction. C In 1878 Mr. Aldrich was, with singular unanir mity, nominated by the Democracy of Aiken 1 to represent Aiken county in the House. In 1880 he was re-elected, in 1882 he declined to ' enter the canvass, but in 1884 he was nomi" natedand elected for the third time. He has & been, from the first, a member of the judiciary 5 committee, a compliment to his legal attain3 ments, and one justly deserved. He is also tho 3 chairman of the committee on mines and min3 ing in the present House. He has, on many , occasions, taken a leading part in the debates, and while pronounced in his views, yet by his courteous and considerate address he has won r the favor of every House of which he has been t a member. f ) At the Top in Journalistic Work.? - The Yorkville Enquirer is the most enterprising weekly in the State. For . special editions and special work it is not i surpassed. Its page devoted to Fort Mill , is at the top in jouralistic work. A neater . and prettier paper does not leave the State s ?[Augusta, Ga., Chronicle. > NNWSMMxV \\\\\\\\\\\\\\V wttwwww ??, w>? LOCAL AFFAIRS. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. iVm. Anderson, Yorkville, S. C,?Mule Stolon, r. G. Culp, Chairnian--York County Bonds. iV. H. McCorkle, Judge of Probate?Citation? W. Brown Wylie, C. C. C. Pis., Applicant?James Nelson, deceased. tV. B. Williams, Auditor?Re-Assessment of Real Estate. 5. M. McNeel?Merry Xmas. Withers Adickes?You can get Big Bargains. Vf. A H. C. Strauss?Christmas comes but once a Year. T. II. Riddle?Joyous Christinas. VIrs. T. M. Dobson, Proprietress?1889 Almost Gone. DEATH OF MR. AIKEN. Mr. Frank M. Aiken, well known for several years as a postal clerk on the Chester and Lenoir railroad, died in Lancaster 3n Thursday last, aged about 50 years. TO BE HANGED. The case of J. W. Davis, convicted of murder in the State of Texa3, will be remembered by our readers. He was con ""*'>'1 Vnimmlior lact nf tha miirHor it Forth Worth, on the Gth of July, of his employer, B. C. Evans, a wealthy merchant. The court of appeals has affirmed the verdict, and without executive interference the death penalty will ensue. Before going; to Texas, Davis was employed as a clerk in Hock Hill. LIFE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS. We have just received from the publishers a very full and comprehensive book under title, Life and Death of Jefferson Davis, giving a full history of his eventful life and death, together with funeral services, also comments of the press from all parts of the country. It will be sent postpaid to any address on receipt of ?5 cents, by J. S. Ogilvie, the publisher, 57 Rose, St., New York, who also desires agents to sell it. I * THE CIRCUIT COURT. The assignment nf iudces to hold the respective courts of common pleas and general sessions for the year 1890 has been ordered by the justices of the supreme court. The sessions of the Sixth circuit will be held by the following judges: Spring term, by Judge Norton, of the Eighth circuit; summer term, by Judge Wallace, of the Seventh circuit; fall term by Judge Witherspoon, of the Sixth circuit. Judge Witherspoon will preside also over the Fourth and Fifth circuits. THE COLORED"*"BAPTISTSrfColored communicants of the Baptist faith have recently organized a church at this place with Rev. N. Williams a3 pastor. The first convert was baptized on 3unday last, and the congregation now oumDers twenty memoers. iveuny a huificient amount of money has been raised For purchasing a lot on which to erect a :hurch building, and the intention is to ;omplete the house as soon as practicable. We have been requested to return the thanks of the congregation to white citizens of Yorkville for the liberal pecuniary aid which they have given them. STATE SUPREME COURT. In the supreme court the following cases Trom York county were heard last week: Louisa 0. Massey vs. Joseph F. Wallace, ex3cntor. Mr. G. W. S. Hart was heard for the ippellant; Mr. C. E. Spencer for respondent; Mr, McCaw in reply. The First National llauk, of Rock Island vs. J. G. Anderson & Co. To be submitted in thirty days. Elias A. B. McCarter et al. vs. Lawson K. Armstrong. Mr. James F. Hart was heard for ippellant. Mr. C. E. Spencer for respondent. Mr. Hart in reply. The State vs. John May, Jr. Submitted. Mr. James F. Hart for defendant. On Friday the court adjourned until January 7, 1890. SUCCESSFUL FARMIN<L/ Mr. R. L. Campbell, son of Mj?>F. E. Campbell, who lives in Bethel township 8$ miles north-east of Yorkville, raised this year on one acre 1,904 pounds of seed cotton. He applied to his land stable manure, ind one sack of commercial fertilizer, the latter costing him $2.50. The seed used is known as the "Truit" variety. On the some place lives Alexander Currence, a colored man, whose industrious example is worthy the emulation of others of his race. He recently slaughtered a two-year-old hog of his own rais ing which netted 375 pounds. He Jives jorafortably with plenty around him, pays his rent promptly, and every year has as a surplus over his expenses the proceeds of :wo or three bales of cotton. THE WILLING WORKERS. This benevolent organization, composed )f lady members of the Presbyterian jhurch, unostentatiously performs many :haritable deeds, and is instrumental in inducing to the happiness of the deservng unfortunate within the bounds of its pperations. On Thursday last, with the aid of the King's Daughters, a box was sent by the society to the Thornwell orphanage ; and )n yesterday the Willing Workers, through a committee of their society, spread before the inmates of the county poor house a sumptuous Christmas dinner, ivhich was much enjoyed by the unfortuaate inmates of that institution. CHURCH NOTICES. Young Men's Union Prayer meeting will ie held in the Presbyterian church next ruesday evening at 7 o'clock. Enioprmnl?Rpt. "K". S. Nelson. Dastor. Services to-day at 11 o'clock. Morning service on next Sunday at 11 o'clock. Sunday-school at 3.30 p. m. Associate Reformed Presbyterian?Rev. f. C. Galloway, pastor. Services at Tirzah lextSunday at 11.30 a. m. and in Yorkville it 7 p. m. Sunday-school at 3 p. m. Baptist?Rev. R. G. Patrick, pa9tor. Prayer-meeting to-morrow evening at 7 p'clock. Services next Sunday evening at J o'clock. Sunday-school at 9.30 a. m. Methodist Episcopal?Rev. G. H. Wadled, pastor. Prayer-meeting this evening it 7 o'clock. Services next Sunday at 11 i. m. and 7 p. ra. Sunday-school at 3 p. mPresbyterian?Rev. T. R. English, pas. :or. Prayer-meeting to-morrow evening it 7 o'clock. Services next Sunday at 11 i. m. and 7 p. m. The pastor will address ;he Sunday-school at 3 p. m., next Sunday. clover's factory. A represenative of The Enquirer was it Clover one day last week and notes ;hat the cotton mill is nearing completion. The brick work was finished last Friday ; the roofing is on the main buildng and the workmen are now laying the loor. The building is a model structure, ., pne story high, built after the mostap- : proved plans, and, for the quality of the ivork, has been put up at a remarkably jmall cost. The dimensions are as folows: Picker room, 62 x 25 feet; engine oom,50x 25 feet; boiler room, 30 x 24 reet; main building, 70 x 200 feet, giving iu aggregate of 17,520 square feet of floor room, liie different compartments are jeparated from each other by thick brick cvalls, running to the roof and affording ibsoluto security from the spreading of a possible fire from one to another. The iiiilfiinff has been so constructed as to al ow all the shafting to work underneath the loor, for which purpose the foundation is -aised about five feet, and the floor, which s 4j iuches thick, is sustained by twofoot pillars eight feet apart. The rooms ivill be heated by steam and provided with a complete system of "sprinklers," )r protection against fire. Although provision has been made for mlarging the capacity of the mill to G,000 jpindles as soon as circumstances will ustify it, it is the purpose of the management to commence operations with 3,500. A. complete outfit of brand new Franklin machinery has already been purchased ind will arrive as soon as the building is n condition to receive it. The motive Dower is to be furnished by a 100 horse sower Corliss engine, and President Smith jxpects to be making warps at Clover by ;he first of next May. The cottages for housing the operatives ire also in course of construction. Two ire nearly completed, and six others are :o be erected at once. It is calculated ,hat sixteen of these cottages will be rejuired in all, but it is not proposed to ;rect but eight at present. The factory building is situated about a marter of a mile north of the centre of own, and about forty yards to "the left of :he railroad, which commenced its arrangements for putting in a siding on ast Thursday. Out of $50,000 capital stock required, >41,500 have already been taken. The resident received a check from the Xorth i few days ago for $1,000 worth of stock, md can easily secure the remaining $7,500 rom the same source, but prefers to raise svery dollar of the necessary amount hat he possibly can at home. Speaking of the cost of the mill, Capain Smith says that he does not believe hat there is such another structure in the Jnited States that has been put up for io little money, and he bases his observation on very significant circumstances. "Why just look at it. The very brick with which the building is constructed are made from clay dug out of its own foundations, and burned with wood cut off the factory land. All the lumber is put in as stock at the lowest prices, and nearly every dollar of our capital is raised at home?profits on cotton that we have been producing for somebody else to manufacture, and enough of which is raised within a radius of six miles to keep the mill running." The board of directors consists of W. B. Smith, president, secretary and treasurer ; L. K. Armstrong, J. It. Barron, Z. Carroll, J. F. Jackson, W. B. Stroup, T. P. Whitesides, James Wilson, D. M. Wallace. LOCAL LACONICS. Tho "F.nisfnnnl phnrph has heen heauti fully decorated for Christmas service today. From the warm temperature of the past three weeks, the air this morning is crisp and bracing with a cloudless sky. The York Baptist Sunday-school convention will meet at Union church on next Friday at 11 oclock a. m. Chief of Police Wilson turned into the town treasury $75.30 for the month ending December 21, collected on account of fines. Work on the spoke and handle factory building is progressing satisfactorily, ana it is now the expectation to have tne machinery in motion within a month. The attention of owners of real estate is directed to the notice of Auditor Williams, relative to making a re-assessment of real estate in making returns of taxable property for the fiscal year 1889-90. Capt. F. N. Ingold, of North Carolina, has our thanks for a bucket of fine Virginia oysters, his annual contribution to the Christmas comforts of The Enquirer staff. Christmas trade has been brisk, and notwithstanding the alleged hard times, the people have liberally indulged their inclinations for making purchases of holiday goods. Randolph, the little son of Mr. W. D. Mcore, whose serious iDjury we noticed last week, is doing very well and his physicians entertain the opinion that the fractured bone will unite and that necessity for amputation of the leg may be prevented. We learn that owing to the continued warm weather this month, much meat has been lost. When the cold snap occurred, about the first of the month, many persons killed their hogs, but before the meat had time to cure, the weather turned unusually warm for the season, and much meat was lost. Allen Robbins, colored, who was arrested in this county a few weeks ago on a bench warrant, he having been convicted in the United States court at Columbia of retailing, was taken before Judge Simonton last week and sentenced'to one month's imprisonment in the Chester county jail ana a fine of $100. THE ENTERTAINMENT.1 ' ? On Monday night last a most agreeaoie entertainment was given by young ladies and gentlemen in the opera house, the proceeds of which are for the Episcopal church. The entertainment opened with an overture consisting of selections from the operas of Martha *and Maritana, by Messrs. Withers and Herndon and Miss Ingold, and was followed by beautiful tableaux, the costumes for which were appropriate and the settings strikingly correct. The music, instrumental and vocal, between the tableaux representations, was fine and worthy of special mention. The tableaux were presented as follows: "Under the Mistletoe."?Mr. Charlie Spencer and Miss Mary Hart. "Romeo and Juliet"?Miss Dell Williams and Mr. Frank Hart. "A Lesson in Love"?Misses Sudie Metts, Georgie Witherspoon, Daisy Hart, Hallie Withers, and Mr. W. B. Moore and Mr. P. G. McCorkle. "Ginevra," from the Mistletoe Bough, with song, by Mrs. P. R. Bratton?Miss Mattie Spencer. "Who is it?"?Misses Florie Allison, Ella Davidson, Hattie Lowry. "Parthenia"?Miss Claude Moore and Mr. B. C. Barnes. "Dream of Fair Women"?Iphegenia, Miss Minnie Wilson; Helen of Troy, Miss Maud Metts; Cleopatra, Miss Sara Ingold; Jeptha's Daughter, Miss Sallie Davidson; Rosamond, Miss Fannie Robertson. An intesting feature of this representation was the reading of Tennyson's poem of that title, by Col. A. Coward, the characters appearing appropriately as the reading progressed. Statuary?Liberty Enlightening the WorldLiberty, Miss Dell Williams; Daughter of Darius, Miss Daisy Williams; Hebe, Miss Mary L. Coward. "Rock of Ages"?Miss Heloise Coward. Mrs. Paul R. Bratton sang effectively two solos; and Dr. R. Andral Bratton rendered "Forever and Forever" and "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep" with much expression and pathos. Mr. R. J. Herndon favored the audience with a cornet solo; and as piano solos Miss Zoraida Ingold performed Gimbel's variations on "Old Black Joe," and Mi9s Sudie Metts performed Dorn's arrangement of "II Trovetore." SONAL MENTION. "j^Stanyarne Wilson, Esq., of Spartanburg, is in town. A.r WT "VVKito ?a in PhAQtpr anpnd O " '? ?" ? ? " V-? ? ~r -tng the holidays. ^Miss Annie Law has returned home from school to spend the holidays. Miss Mary Crawford is visiting friends and relatives near McConnellsville. ^Miss Jessie Sanders, of Chester, is visiting the family of Mr. John F. Oates. Miss Alice Gaston, of Gastonia, N. C., is visiting the family of Mr. W. C.Owen. We received a pleasant call yesterday from Dr. W. Anderson, of Blacksburg. Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Darwin have gone to Shelby, N. C., to spend the holidays. Miss Jordor McFadden, of Chester, is in Yorkville, visiting the family of Mr. T. C. Dunlap. Mrs. M. S. Jeffrys, of Greensboro, N. C., is visiting friends and relatives in Yorkville. TjfMr. T. S. Bratton and Miss Hattie Bratton a^/B at home from school spending the holidays. Miss Addie Atkinson, of Chester, is in Yorkville, visiting her brother, Dr. D. C. Atkinson. Mr. Willie Harrison, an attache of the Fort Mill Clarion, is in Yorkville visiting friends and relatives. ^5 Messrs. Paul and John McNeel have returned home from the South Carolina college to spend the holidays. Miss Minnie Criegler, of Spartanburg, is in Yorkville, visiting the family of Col. W. B. Wilson. ^ Misses Ella and Reola Allison, of Hickory Grove, are in Yorkville visiting the family of Dr. J. B. Allison. v^Miss Ellen Roach, of Rock Hill, is in Yorkville spending the holidays, the guest of Mrs. Wm. M. Allison. Miss Nina V. Grist, of Louisville, Ky., is spending the holidays in Yorkville, the guest of Mrs. L. George Grist. Miss Katie Kewisana miss juuena uwen have returned home from Gastonia to spend the holidays with their parents. Miss Florie Allison, one of the teachers of Clover high school, is at home spending the holidays with her parents and friends. Mr. Daniel C. Thomas, an employee of the Chester and Lenoir railroad, is in Yorkville visiting friends and relatives. vDr. Miles Walker and family, of Union county, are in Yorkville spending the holidays with relatives and friends. Miss Maggie Meacham, of Chester, is in Yorkville spending the Christmas holidays with Mr. M. C. Willis's family. a Mrs. Spratt Wright, of Newport, is in Yorkville, visiting the family of Hon. I. D. Witherspoon. Miss Sara Ingold left on yesterday for Statesville, N. C., where she will spend the Christmas holidays with Mrs. Glover and other friends. Rev. Keating 8. Nelson, who will temporarily assume the duties of pastor of the T7<_:? I -1 U -1 : x^piscupai uuuiL'ii at tmo piaiu, amvuu yesterday afternoon. ^W. B. McCaw, Esq., member of the house of representatives, returned to his home last Monday afternoon, suffering severely from the effects of a deep cold. Mr. John C. Dickson, who has been confined to his bed for several months, is convalescent, and was able to be on the street yesterday morning. Mrs. Virginia Montgomery, of Greensboro, N. C., has recently arrived in Yorkville, and will make her home with her son, Mr. J. C. Montgomery. Mr. J. F. Hoffman and family, formerly of Hickory Grove, have moved to Yorkville and are occupying the premises of Rev. F. C. Hickson. Mrs. W. E. Faulconer, and three children, of Charlottesville, Va., are in Yorkville, spending the holidays with their friends and relatives. Mr. B. F. Bear, foreman of the Carolina Buggy company's painting department, left last Saturday to spend the holidays, with friends aud relatives in North Carolina. Messrs. Frank E. Smith, Robert Moore, Charley McClain, and J. C. Fudge, who have been absent from Yorkville for some time engaged in railroading, are at home for the festive season. Miss Annie K. Rawlinson, one of the ; teachers in the Rock Hill graded school, is in Yorkville spending the holidays with her parents and friends. Prof, and Mrs. W. J. Thackston, accompanied by Miss Alice Bailey, left here " last Saturday, for Greenville, where they ; will spend the Christmas holidays with : their parents and friends. Mr. John Sizelam and wife, of New York, are in Yorkville. Mr. Sizelam has accepted the position of superintendent of the Carolina Buggy company's 1 manufacturing department and wiil enter upon his duties at once. p-r ^ LETTER FROM ROCK HILL. Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer. Rock Hill, December 23.?The Christmas : season is upon us, and all indications point to i pleasant weather. The streets to-day are full ; of people wending their way from store to i store, looking at the holiday goods and pur- i chasing presents for the loved ones. The little ] girls admiring the beautiful dolls, while the i irrepressible boy cannot refrain from popping j his fire cracker; the younger children with i their little tin horns, and theOuffie looking for a gun, shot and powder, all present a scene of : pleasure. i The day will be spent by our citizens as a holiday, as business will be generally suspend- i ed. The young men and boys will havo a rvvoalr a/i nil vo ^ Q oa ty a t' Q The Episcopal cburcb, wbich bas been beautifully decorated, will be open for morning i service. The members of the Baptist church will have, at night, in the church, a Christmas tree for the Sunday-school. As is usual, the express agent is busy delivering the "little brown jug," and presents going and coming from absent loved ones. On Friday night our citizens were treated to an excellant entertainment by the Rock Hill Combination company, all home talent, at Roddey's hall. The programme consisted of three plays: "Nothing like Paste," "Virginia Mummy," and "A Ghost in a Pawn Shop." The young men composing the company are Messrs. Vance, Sharpe, J. H. Milling, T. 0. Flowers, S. T. Frew, J. N. McElwee, Elwood Holler, J. E. Parker and Sid Friedheim, all , of whom acted their respective parts well and ( pleased the large audience. The proceeds, \ which were very satisfactory, were for the Rock Hill Cornet band. The company has accepted an invitation to reproduce the enter- ( tainment at Lancaster on Christmas night, and have decided to do so. They will be accom paniea Dy a numDer 01 our citizens. On Saturday there were large receipts of cotton, most of which was covered with cotton bagging. Mr. W. A. Barron thinks he has found another substitute for jute bagging, in "dry hides." He informed your correspondent that he could only get about 5 cents per pound for hides, and by packing bis cotton with them, he could get 8 to 9 cents, and the , cotton would be in less danger from fire. His ' intention is to make a trial. Notwithstanding the talked of hard times, there has been less stock sold under foreclosure of chattel mortgages at this place this year than ever before. Rev. A. M. Chreitzberg, P. E., of this district, has gone to Birmingham, Ala., on a visit. Forty years ago he baptized an infant, who is now a resident of Birmingham, and at his request the reverend gentleman has gone to see him received into the church. Rev. W. M. Anderson and family are expected to arrive this week after an absence of a mnnt.h nn a vinit to friends and relatives in Tennessee. He will receive a pounding on his return. On Thursday night last Rev. Rufus A. Child, the new pastor of Rock Hill circuit, received from his congregation and friends a regular pounding. He was down town early Friday morning looking for boxes in which to store the numerous pounds. There are a great many drove hogs in town, but they fail to find ready sale, although the price is exceedingly low, it being 4} cents. Mr. D. Gordon has removed the front of his store room on the corner of Main and Hampton streets and is replacing the game with a f;lass front. This is one of the oldest buildings n our town, and when the improvements are completed, it will have the appearance of a modern house. It has been leased by Dr. Simpson, of Lancaster. The Rock Hill Lodge Knights of Honor gave an oyster supper at Sadler's restaurant on Thursday night last. The occasion was greatly enjoyed. Dr. W. B. Fewell, the oldest member, was the orator of the evening. The committee of arrangements, consisting of Messrs. J. J. Hull, S. L. Reid and D. C. Williams, certainly got up a good evening of enjoyment for the lodge. Mr. W. J. Waters expects to move to Rock Hill this week and will occupy the Sims place. Mr. J. G. Steele also expects to come into town this week, and will locate near the graded school. The public library, under the management of Mrs. Barron, has recently been carpeted, and she has decorated the interior with evergreens and flowers in honor of the Christmas festivities. Creighton, Sherfesee A Co., have added a larjje supply of wood working machinery to their machine shops. And now that the year has nearly closed, allow me to express to editor and staff of The Yorkville Enquirer, "our county paper," many thanks, as a citizen of the grand old county of York, for the handsome manner in which the paper has during the past year endeavored to promote the interest and welfare of her people, by building up her towns, as well as the country around them, and showing to the outside world that there is no place like York county for farmers, bankers, manufacturers, merchants or those seeking any other occupation. I wish each and every reader of The Enquirer a happy Christmas day. HAL. NOTES FROM SHARON. Correspondence of the Yorkvllle Enquirer. Sharon, December 24.?The holidays are on, and if we have as much fun as we are having fine weather, we will have enough to do us until next Christmas. It Beems as though it will be dull here, however. There will be a Christmas tree at Bullock's Creek church, and with that exception I know of no entertainment out of the regular order. Our town is too much engrossed in town affairs to heed much the festivities of the week. The most common thing on our streets are petitions. We have an abundance of them, and the general assembly might do well to hold a special session, after adjournment proper, to wait on the people of Sharon. The women have taken it into their hands to try to put down the liquor traffic entirely in this place, and every one whom they have seen signed their petition. I understand that the ladies' petition had hardly left town before a number of those who signed their names to the petition to prohibit the sale of liquor entirely had out a petition asking for license. I have wondered since if their names are worth anything in the estimate of the assembly, when they are signed to antagonistic petitions. It seems that the whisky question is the absorbing question at Sharon. The little daughter of Rev. W. W. Ratchford, who was so severely hurt not long ago is almost well again. Dr. Saye has reason to congratulate himself on his success in surgery. He informs me that this was his fifth case of the kind this year, and he was very successful in all. Mr. W. R. Rainey, who has been at school at Huntersville, N. C., for the past two years, came home last Friday to spend the holidays with his family. Cadets Sam Inman and Clough Good, from the Gaffney City school, are at home for the intermediate vacation. Miss Rebecca Shaw, of Sumter, who is a 'pupil of the Clifford seminary at Union, is spending her vacation with her uncle, Dr. J. H. Saye. She is the guest of Dr. Ross's family, where Dr. Saye boards. Rev. L. A. Johnson, our county school commissioner, was out one day last week on an official visit. We expect the result of his visit will be that we will have a new school district. The limits will be the corporate limits of our town. Then we will have a right to vote a tax or not as we may wish. The petition, as drawn up by Mr. Johnson and signed by all the citizens," has beeu sent to the superintendent of education. Messrs. S. S. Plaxico, J. A. Graves and J. N. Ross were suggested as trustees. Now, as I close, I wish The Yorkville Enquirer and all its readers a happy holiday and a merry week of Christmas. When next the Enquirer appears it will begin a new volume. May it be as worthy as has the paper ever been in the past. r. LETTER FROM BLACKSBURG. Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer. Blacksburg, December 24.?By the time this letter reaches the many readers of The Enquirer, the glorious festival of Christmaa will have come again with all its joys of good will and good cheer. It is particularly a time of happineas to the young, and very properly it should be, as it celebrates the birth of a Babe whose coming into the world was announced by a host of angels, with songs of joy and gladness. And who of us, that do not love to look back with tender and sacred feelings to the time when we hailed with so much delight the adyent of Christmaa, with its attending holidays, the fine dinner, the merry gatherings, and more than all, the stocking full of presents from Santa Claus. Let it still be a season of joy and gladness, and let us rest a while from the cares and toils of every day life and try to make ourselves happy by adding to the happiness of others. This is the best and only way in which we should keep Christ,mas tide. Mrs. Celia Moss, wife of Berry Moss, Esq., died at her home, near here, on the 20th instant, 4n the 78th year of her age. She was a very industrious and kind-hearted woman, and, though not rich herself in this world's goods,^ yet in a quiet way, she was the dispenser 01 many deeds of charity and kindness to the poor. Mr. Geo. W. Deal, of Hollidaysburg, Penn., and brother of the late Jacob A. Deal, arrived here Wednesday morning last and expects to spend the winter with his daughter, Mrs. Dr. Wm. Anderson. He was induced to come 1 South again by the benefit to his health hode- ' rived from a visit he made here two years ago. Miss Eva Twitty, who has been teaching j music here for the past two months, will leave , this afternoon for her home in Rutherforton, to spend the holidays. A union Christmas tree will be placed in the 1 Baptist church to-day and presents distributed ] at 3 o'clock. * 1 The lovely weather continues. The temper- | ature is nearly up to summer heat during the j middle of the, day and the nights and mornings i are just cool enough for fire. Quite a large crowd gathered at the academy J last night to witness the very amusing farce of < 'A Cure for the Fidgets." The characters < / were represented as follows: Finniken Fussetton. Mr. W. B. DeLoach; Hercules Sparks, I)r. J. T. Darwin ; Watkins Walkerjobn, Mr. J. H. CJoss; Jacky Johnson, Mr. E. B. Johnson; Biddie(aservant), Miss EvaTwitty ; Mrs. SerephinaSparks, Miss Mary Gregory; Miss Cecilia vValkerjohn, Mrs. W. K. Lipscomb. The stage was tastefully fitted up, the costumes neat and appropriate and the play entire, for amateurs, was very good indeed. A nice little sum of money was realized, which will be a nucleus for an amount sufficient to purchase an organ for the Presbyterian church. A young white man named Sifford,fireman on freight train No. 19. Section 1st of the Air-Line railroad, was killed about half way between this place and Broad river on last Friday night, about 10 o'clock. An inquest was held over his remains, on Saturday by Trial Justice W. D. Camp, acting as coroner. The evidence elicited was that, at Spartanburg, Sifford, not feeling well, secureu some one else to take his place on the engine, and retired to the cab to lie down. Just after the train crossed Broad river, he Btarted forward to resume his duties on the engine, and was never seen again alive. Tt is thought by the conductor, and train hands, that he fell between the cab and first box car, as they soon felt the motion of the car as running over something. The train was stopped as soon as possible and the second section llagged down ; but not before both trains had run over him, completely severing his body from the lower limbs, and mangling it in a most horrible manner. The verdict of the jury was that "he came to his death by mischance or accident, while in the discharge of his duty." Sifford was from Mecklenburg county, N. C., unmarried and a young man of most exemplary character. The railroad authorities had his remains place in a nice coffin with a neat suit of clothes and sent to his relatives for burial. Dr. John G. Black received a few days ago two thoroughbred Jersey calves from the celebrated Walker's herd,* near Concord, New Hampshire. The two cost a little more than two hundred dollars, and are said by a competent judge to be of the finest strain now in the South. Messrs. W. R. Lipscomb, W. A. Jackins and J. B. Ross are at home for the holidays. They have all been engaged in railroad work in Vircinia. where their contracts are finished, and they are now engaged on the Three C's road above Rutherfordton. The employes of the Three C's Railroad company will receive their monthly pay today, ana of course many hearts, big and lit-' tie, will be made happy. w. a. LETTER FROM HICKORY GROVE. Correspondence of the Yorkvllle Enquirer. Hickory Grove, December 24.?Our town continues to grow. The Associate Reformed church building is nearing completion and will soon be ready for dedication.- It is a handsome structure, and when completed will be a credit to this whole section, ana especially to the liberality and zeal of the progressive denomination under whose auspices the work is being pushed. The building will be 46 feet wide by 66 feet long and surmounted by a 3pire 95 feet high. It is to be furnished with all practicable modern comforts and conveniences. Mr. C. M. Martin, of North Carolina, has completed his store building, and is now moving in his stock of goods. He has already moved his family to our town. Mr. C. W. Whisonant, of Union county, has finished his store building and will be ready for the trade soon. Mr. J. S. Littlejohn, of Gaffney's, has bought some lots here and let a contract for a store building 22 by 60 feet, which is to be completed by the first of February. Mr. w. S. Wilkerson is getting lumber to build a five room cottage on one of his lots in town. Dr. T. S. R. Ward has moved into his new two-storyjresidence^ Martin Kembert Ward made agrana exnimi riding his velocipede on our streets, which was quite an attraction to the young people. Some of the boys received falls while trying to ride on it. Mr. John W. Smith has moved into his new eight room dwelling. Our town may congratulate itself upon adding to its citizenship such worthy acquisitions. Mr. Emil Worth has resigned his position as railroad depot agent in our town and the businessmen regret to give him up. Mr. R. B. Terry takes his place as agent. . We must claim that we have a good locality for business, or at least one would judge so from the stir and bustle we have from morning till night. Our merchants are kept busy all day and I am informed that collections so far are quite satisfactory. Our cotton market continues to boom. Up to date 1,800 bales have been sold. The ladies of this place and vicinity are going to give a hot supper at the academy on next Friday, the proceeds of which are to be used for the completion of the school building. The entertainment will begin at 3 p. m. Fine weather continues. Farmers are done picking cotton and a light crop has been gathered. A very small area has been sown in wheat, and the stock has been turned at large to roam all winter over what has been sown. Can farmers expect to reap a harvest under such management? Better sow a little more forage and sell a little less cotton seed from the farm and keep up stock and make more manure, thereby saving fertilizer bills and having more grain, and reducing the expenses of living. w. LETTER FRoVuNION COUNTY. Correspondence of the Yorkvllle Enquirer. Etta Jane, December 23.?Our professional hunters have made several ineffectual efforts "to .raise" a fox and have their accustomed sport this season. Upon Broad and Pacolet rivers and along Thickety andGilkey's creeks, these Dests have been olaying havoc with the poultry, lately. Old hunters say the weather is too dry to "trail" them successfully. Miss Mildred L. Strain is visiting Miss Minnie Bell at other relatives, at Blackstocks. The warm spell of weather has been a grievous one with many of our people who have killed their hogs. In almost every case there is more or less "tainted" meat. Most of our neighbors who have been absent with their teams, hauling on the railroad, have returned home to spend the Christmas holidays. One or two weddings are looked for this week, and I hope to give some interesting items of this kind in my next. The little folks are looking for "Old Santa Claus" to put in his appearance to-morrow night. I hope the dear little readers of The Enquirer will each receive a substantial present from the ol 1 fellow, and that the recurrence of many such happy seasons may be in store for them, and that many appreciative hearts will be in readiness to give them an appropriate welcome ! Wishing The Enquirer a long life of usefulness and prosperity, its readers a merry Christmas ana a happy new year, and a favorable outlook for the coming year, I am, very respectfully, sigma. SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS. ? On Thursday the supreme court admitted nine applicants for admission to the bar. ? Thomas B. Johnson has been appointed collector of customs at the port of ootAn VUAt iUOWIi ?Sumter claims a colored girl twelve years old, who possesses electrical powers to a strong degree. ? By the burning of the stables of F. R. Blake, of Colleton county, last Friday night, twenty-five horses and mules were lost. ? Anderson Journal: Some forty negroes have recently been committed to jail at Walhalla on a charge of stealing seed cotton near Fair Play, and a citizen of that community, whose name we withhold, is charged with buying the stolen cotton knowing it to be stolen. ? Marion Index: John W. Harper, white, has been arrested under a bench warrant from the last court and lodged in the county jail, charged with being a common nuisance, and for loud use of profane language so near to a dying woman as to hasten her death. ? On Sunday night, just after retiring, Miss Minnie Baker, daughter of Pink Baker, of Greenville, felt a stingtng pain on her upper lip, and, putting her hand to the place, it came in contact with a huge spider. The pain from the bite becamesevere, and the best medical skill was necessary to counteract the effects of the poisonous bite. ? Columbia Register: Hon. J. S. Cothran has decided to accept the position of eeneral counsel for South Carolina of the Richmond and Danville railroad. Hon. John C. Haskell has been notified by the home office to turn over to him the office and papers pertaining to the position on the 1st of January next. ? A wholesale jail-breaking scheme was nipped in the bud last Friday in Greenville, by a negro prisoner giving the would-be jail-breakers away. They had used a piece of wire and a twenty-penny nail to loosen stones in the wall, and had nearly accomplished their object when the sheriff was notified of their work. ? Aiken Journal: The incoming train on the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta railroad ran over the Japanese juggler connected with Andress's circus at Graniteville,Sunday night, mangling him in such a terrible manner that his death ensued at 2 o'clock Monday morning. A coroner's jury returned a verdict charging the accident to the carelessness of the engineer. T. C. McCraney, the engineer in charge of the train at the time, on learning of the verdict, Saturday, went at once from his home in Columbia to Aiken to surrender himself. ? The Columbia Record thus refers to a once popular ex-sheriff of Richland county : The many friends of Mr. Jesse Dent will learn with regret that he is critically ill and in a destitute condition at his home on Lincoln street. He is old and worn out, and his illness is likely to prove fatal at any time, especially as he is not able to purchase necessary comforts, suffering much for lack of wood and fire. Mr. Dent, throughout his long term of office as sheriff, so bemeaned himself as to win the respect of nearly every citizen of Richland ;ounty, and made many friends among them. His integrity throughout was unquestioned.