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Straps and .gads. ? There was a big fire in New York last Saturday afternoon that required the presence of more than half the fire department. It originated on the premises of the Morris European and American Express company.- in the Wall "street neighborhood and made things look serious for r.n hour or more. It was finally gotten under control with a loss of about 5100,000. ? Charlotte Chronicle, Saturday: Mr. James W. Abbott, of Washington, a special agent of the agricultural department of the national government, spent yesterday in the city and county inspecting the macadamized roads tho \r?r>kl(>nbure road-building system. Mr. Abbott was taken over the roads and to the convict camp by Mr. J. H. Weddington, chairman of the board of county commissioners, who explained to him the operation of the convict system and the construction of macadamized roads. Mr. Abbott is a good-roads enthusiast and is working in the interest of that branch of the agricultural department. He was well pleased with what he saw here and said that the Mecklenburg roads had come to have a national reputation and are discussed everywhere there is any agitation for road improvements, Mr. Abbott said that by statistics this county has more miles of macadamized roads than any county in the United States of the same area and population, ? The house committee on appropriations on Friday completed the sundry civil appropriation bill and reported it to the house. The bill carries a total of $55,633,031, which is $28,890,208 less than the appropriation for the current year. An appropriation is carried of $4,556,233 toward the construction of public buildings already authorized and $7,872,200 to carry on existing contracts in river and harbor improvements. The bill appropriates the unexpended balance of the $500,00C appropriated at the last congress for the prosecution of the trusts. Something over $25,000 has been expended of this appropriation. The amounts for river and harbor improvements include: Charleston, S. C., harbor, $74, 000; Cumberland Sound, Ga., and Florida, $55,000; Winyah Bay, South Carolina, $70,000; Savannah, Ga., harbor, $105,000; Galveston, Tex., harbor, $100,000; St. John's river, Fla., $395,000; Black Warrior and Tombigbee rivers, Ala., $225,000; Pascagoula river. Miss., $25,000; Galveston ship channel and BufTalo bayou, Tex., $200,000; improving Mississippi river from head oi passes to mouth of Ohio river, including expenses of the Mississippi rivei commission, $2,000,000. The public building appropriations include; Athens, Ga., $40,000; Greenville, Tenn., $47,500; Harrison, Ark., $35,000; Jacksonville, Fla., $50,000; Memphis, Tenn. $50,000; Nashville. Tenn., $80,00C Natchitoches, La., $30,000. Other appropriations in the bill are: Chickamauga and Chattanooga Park, $40,000; Shiloh Military Park. $20,000; Vicksburg Military Park, $100,000. ? The house committee on judiciarj has brought in a report recommending the impeachment of Federal Judge Charles Swafne, of the northern district of Florida. Swayne was appointed to his position by President Harrison and has been exercising the duties of the office, ever since. Complaints began to develop against hiir almost from the date of his taking hie seat, and it was only a short time age that congress could be induced to enter upon an investigation of his case The investigation has developed abundant foundation for all the charges that have been made against Swayne and the report of the committee is a most scathing one. Among othei things it developed that Swayne was under the power and control of a mar named B. C. Tunison. Tunison was endorsed on a large note of Swayne's at a bank and had renewed the endorsement year after year. Swayn< had appointed Tunison to be Unitec States commissioner even after Tunison's testimony had been successful^ Impeached on a witness stand ir Swayne's own court. Swayne purchased a tract of land while the titl< to it was in dispute in his own couri and had the papers transferred to his wife. Two lawyers who sought tc pusu nit; iuauci aim luimci ed for contempt, fined and imprisoned An unscrupulous lawyer was assistec by this judge to force into bankruptcj a man who had property worth $40,00( and debts amounting to only $10,000 The thing was evidently done in ordei that the judge and lawyer might gel the rich pickings. A young man whc was unjustly ruled for contempt bj Swayne committed cuicide to avoid th< disgrace of imprisonment. A numbei of other equally disgraceful facts wen developed, and the probability is thai Swayne will not only be deposed frorr his office, but he will be sent up foi a long term of imprisonment. ? A special of Sunday to the Littl< Rock, Ark., Gazette, from DeWitt says: "Two more negroes have been killec in the clash between whites and blacks at St. Charles, fifteen miles from hers in Arkansas county. This brings th< total of dead negroes up to thirteen all of them being killed within th< last week. The last two negroes killed were the Griffin brothers, Henrj and Walker, who were the cause ol the trouble. The negroes were reported to have escaped, but it is knowr that they are dead and it is believec that they were killed yesterday. Owing to the remoteness of St. Charles and to the fact that news of the result of the riot is not given out freely it is difficult to obtain details, bui there is no doubt of the authenticltj of the death of the Griffins. In th? St. Charles neighborhood the negroes IopctaIu Atitniimhor thp u*hito<s nnr1 trouble has been brewing for a long time and it is said the negroes for the last two years have been getting insolent and belligerent. It is now believed that the leaders of the unrulj element have been killed and that further trouble will be averted. Yesterday was election day and usually or such a day St. Charles is crowded with negroes, but during the entire daj only two negroes were seen in the town, and these two appeared in the morning and stayed in the village but a short time. Near St. Charles the negroes are quiet and are attend ing strictly to their work. The trouble originated last Monday when the two Griffins met two white men, brothers, named Searcy. The Searcys, who are fishermen, and the Griffins, had an altercation a few days before and when . they met the trouble was renewed. One of the negroes armed himself with the leg of a chair and with his broth-. . er assaulted the white men, beating thein so severely that one is now on the verge of death and the other is in a critical condition. In an effort to , arrest the Griffins eleven negroes have been killed. The death of the two Griffins makes the death list number thirteen dead. : $hc ^lorkuiUr (Enquirer. I : ~~ YORKVILLE, S. C.t TUESDAY, MARCH 29,1904. 1 Two northern states have more ru1 ral free delivery carriers than the en tire south. The south can discount these states in population, and every other essential consideration except political influence. I t 1 Mr. Baker of New York sought to introduce a resolution in congress last Friday to reimburse the great railroads the expense to which they have been subjected in supplying the president with special trains and costly wines, etc.. but he was knocked out on a ! point of order. If the Democratic party is too cowardly to nominate a candidate for ' president who stands for something t clear ana definite, it will not deserve to win and will not win.?Spartanburg. Journal. That is correct, and therefore we should either nominate Grover Cleveland or some other man who stands for genuine Democracy. Every young man who expects to be a factor among his fellow citizens I should seek to become the owner of , more or less real estate. A man can? not even have a proper appreciation of himself until after he has become . a real estate owner. When a young . man becomes the owner of real es. tate he should then seek to improve it; but the first thing is to become . a real estate owner. i Sexatci Latimer learns with time observati -n. He is the man who so . bitterly attacked Grover Cleveland in the State Democratic convention of . 1896. He is not yet willing to give Mr. Cleveland his complete endorsement; r but acknowledges that this rock-ribbed : old Democrat is infinitely preferable t to Roosevelt. We differ from Mr. Latimer only in that we think Mr. Cleveland preferable to anybody who could be named. A MAN of middle age, the owner of 1 a good large farm and quite pros perous, yesterday asked the editor of ? The Enquirer whether he could afford to pay $20 an acre for farm lands ad joining. In reply the editor asked: " "Would you take $20 an acre for 5 your own farm?" "No," was the an. -Rut von remember when your farm sold for less than $8 an acre, do you not?" "Yes, I bought it originally for $6." "Then," replied the editor, "if it was not high at $G. at that time, is there any more reason to think that the lands adjoining are high at $20 an acre now?" Senator Glkins has introduced a bill in the senate that is giving dealers in ammunition not a little concern, especially in the smaller markets where ammunition is not handled in quantities that justify its purchase by the car load. We have not seen the text of the bill; but understand it includes ordinary shotgun, rifle and revolver ammunition under provisions that seem especially appropriate to regulate the shipment of high explosives lik' dynamite. If the bill becomes a law the shipment of shotgun cartridges will become a matter of such difficulty as to materially increase the price, and it is for that reason that they are especially concerned. It is claimed that the framer of the bill does not desire to work any hardship on anybody: but unless considerable effort is made to secure necessary amendments, the bill may become a law in its present shape and give lots of trouble before the mis , take can be correcieu. 1 Tub outlook is that congress is go5 ing to increase the pay of rural free ; delivery carriers from $600 to $720 a i year: but as to whether or not the , carriers are to be allowed to handle > any business other than their mail is in doubt. The house of representatives r wrangled over the matter a good deal f during last week. There was not much . opposition to the proposed increase of ( pay: but the division arose principally I on account of the matter of allowing the carriers to do a private express ! business or solicit newspaper sub scriptions. In one of the speeches a , case was cited where a western R. F. t D. carrier had an express business that r required the services of three wagons ? and on one occasion he actually fori got his mail. The house on Friday I agreed to the increase of salary from ; $000 a year to $720; but provided that ? there should be no package carrying . of any description whatever, not in. eluded In the regular mail business. The senate still has a sayso and what will be the final disposition of the . question remains to be seen. i W.K see it stated in the Columbia State that the state treasurer has > found it necessary to borrow $200,000 with which to pay the appropriation > for state pensions. The statement is i like this. "Last year the amount bor- J rowed for the pension fund was $75,000, but this year there have been so many more applications that it has become necessary to borrow a larger sum." We fail to take this in exactly. Our recollection is that the pension appropriation last year was $200,000, and that it was divided among the applicants pro rata in accordance with a schedule fixed in the act. The appropriation is the same this year and there has been no change in the schedule of division. That the number of applicants for pensions has increased there is no doubt; but this can affect only the amount received by each individual, not the aggregate amount to be divided among all. It will not take any more money to pay that 5200,000 appropriation this year than was required last year, and it is evident that out contemporary has failed to properly locate the trouble. . "Nominate Hearst, defy the trusts and 51,500,000 will be furnished by Mr. Hearst and his friends for the Democratic national committee." This is the standing offer that Hearst cam"Aor.nororc' o ro r\ n n i r? rr VlPfnrP (JtWgll lim..ttbc.a " V. 0 the eyes of the national committeemen in this and other states, and using with powerful effect among political leaders of the east. The Hearst boomers are working hard in the Bay State. Hearst boomers have started to work this week in the southern states, and the results of their efforts will be known within the next ten days. William J. Bryan is coming out boldly for the Hearst boom at an early date, both editorially in his weekly Commoner and in his speeches. His announcement is likely to give the Hearst boom an impetus that will make trouble for the conservatives at the time the convention meets. The argument that is telling most among the labor element is that Hearst is the only candidate who is fighting the trusts fearlessly, and who will use all the powers to disrupt them if he is elected. The foregoing is being published as a dispatch from Washington. How much knowledge or truth there may be in it. we do not know. It may be pure invention throughout, or it may emanate from a well informed unfriendly source. We have no reason to doubt that Mr. Hearst is able to put up $1,000,000 for the nomination, and we have still less reason to believe that he is not willing to do so. But we have no reason to believe that he could be elected with that sum. A million dollars or less would have elected Mr. Bryan in 1896, when the Democrats held such an advantageous position otherwise; but no amount of money would have been sufficient to elect him in 1900, after the country had come to its senses. The situation is the same now. Mr. Bryan could not be elected. under any circumstances, and neither do we believe it is possible for the Democrats to elect any man who shall have the unqualified approval of Mr. Bryan. BLOCKING OF PORT ARTHUR. Japanese Made Another Unsuccessful Attempt Sunday Morning. Under cover of darkness this morning, says at St. Petersburg cable of Sunday, Admiral Togo made another desperate attempt to bottle up the ' 11 4 1Tl""* A ofViur l\ilf ho rUISMitn UtTCl 111 run. ai UIUI, VV.V ..v failed again, and when after daylight Vice Admiral Makaroff steamed out to give battle the Japanese commander refused the challenge and sailed away. The Japanese practically repeated the tactics of Feb. 24 by sending in four fireships, preceded by a torpedo boat flotilla, with the exception that the fireships this time were armed with Hotehkiss guns for the purpose of keeping off the Russian torpedo boat destroyers. The enemy's attempt was discovered by means of the shore searchlights and a heavy fire was opened from the batteries and from two gunboats which were guarding the entrance of the harbor. The Russian torpedo boat destroyer Silni was outside on scouting duty and to the dash and nerve of her commander, Lieut. Kriniziki, is chiefly due the complete defeat of the plans of the Japanese. He at once made straight for the on-coming ships under a hail of fire from the Hotehkiss guns and torpedoed the leading ship, which sheered off, followed by the others, three of them being piled up on the Golden Hill and one under the lighthouse. The Silni then engaged the entire six torpedo boats of the enemy, coming out from a terrific fight with seven killed and her commander, and twelve of her complement wounded, but on the Japanese side only one boat's crew was sa\-ed. In addition, according to unofficial reports, it is believed that the Japanese lost two torpedo boats. The Japanese cruisers which supported the attack exchanged shots with the batteries and then drew off. after which Vice Admiral Makaroff took a steam lauch and examined the fireships. An hour later the Japanese torpedo flotilla followed by Vice Admiral Togo's fleet came up from a southerly direction. Just at daybreak Vice Admiral Makaroff with his fleet sailed out to engage the enemy, but after the ships and batteries nau nreu a few long-distance shots Vice Admiral Togo decided to decline the issue and disappeared to the southward. The news of the repluse of Vice Admiral Togo's second attempt to block Port Arthur created much rejoicing in the Russian capital and among all classes the gallantry of the Silni and her commander are the subject of high praise, but above all the moral effect of Admiral's Makaroff's willingness to engage the enemy, showing that he considered himself strong enough to fight, produced a splendid impression. In high official circles this new effort to bottle up the Russian fleet is looked upon as meaning only one thing, namely, that the Japanese, as stated by the Associated Press on March 24. are preparing for a heavy landing of troops in the gulf of Liao Tung either at New Chwang or on the west coast of the Manchurian neutral zone, to effect which in safety the immobility of Vice Admiral Makaroff's fleet is absolutely essential while the transports are being convoyed around the southern end of the peninsula. If the attempt had succeeded it would have required several days at least to blow up the steamers and clear away the wreckage. during which time the Japanese would be assured of non-interference in the carrying out of their purpose. The failure of the Japanese this morning may seriously hamper their plans as the ice in the Liao river is going out and when the river is free from ice its mouth can be easily mined. The conviction continues to grow here that the Japanese have concluded that it would be inadvisable to make a direct frontal attack on Manchuria from Korea against the whole Russian army, and that it will be necessary to land a flanking column in the gulf of Liao Tung to divide the attention of the Russians and if possible to seize the railroad, and cut off Port Arthur. The ground above New Chwang is perfectly familiar to the Japanese, who occupied it for .a year during the Chino-Japanese war. Some experts even go so far as to express the belief that Vice Admiral Togo was covering the movement of transports into the gulf of Liao Tung this morning and that therefore he was compelled to exercise great caution and to decline the Russian offer of an engagement. Another view of the Japanese admiral's purpose, which was J less entertained, is that he believes that bombandments from Pigeon bay would be disastrous to the Russian fleet if it were compelled to remain in j the harbor, he having ascertained from observation that the Russian ships always pass out during the high angle bombardments and that a big shell dropped on a battleship could easily j pierce the deck, and, exploding, might completely destroy it. REPORT OF THE GINNER3. 1 Statistics of Cotton Production for J 1903 as Compared With 1902. The final report of the census bureau on cotton ginned, showing the total j cotton production" for 1903, gives the following: ^ Number of commercial bales, including linters, 10,399,558, against 11,275,105 for 1902. The following table distributes the j crop, exclusive of linters, in the United States: 10,208,073 commercial bales, 9.359.472 square bales, 770,208 round bales; 75,393 sea islafid bales. i The total crop reduced to a common basis as to size of bales is an equivalent of 9,851,128 500-pound bales, as against 10,630,945 500-pound bales in , 1902. The number of bales, counting round as half bales, including linters, was 10,014,454, against 10,784,473; the equivalent bales of a 500-pound standard, including linters, was 10,045,610, , against 10,287,168 in i?uz. meaqua.c bales, upland crop, reported from ginneries, which aggregated 9,359,472, shows a decrease of 633,193 from 1902; the round bales, upland crop, reported from ginneries were 770,208, a decrease of 211,056; the bales of sea Island cot- ( ton reported from ginneries were 75,393, a decrease of 29,560, and the bales of linters reported from cotton seed oil mills were 194,485, a decrease of 1,738. These statistics were collected through a canvass of the individual ginneries , of the cotton states by 631 special agents, who found that 30,218 ginneries had been operated for the crop of 1903, compared with 30,948 for 1902. j In the final canvass for this crop, where ginners had not finished ginning. they were requested to prepare careful estimates of the quantity of cotton which remained to be ginned at their establishments; these estimates amounting to 75,401 commercial bales, have been included in the totals of the above table. The distribution of the crop, exclusive of linters, by states and territories, giving the total commercial bales, follows: Alabama 1,023.959, Arkansas 741,236, ' Florida 5S.572, Georgia 1,329,278, In- < dian Territory 312.700, Kansas 75, , Kentucky 644, Louisiana 858,568, Mississippi 1,439,294, Missouri 39,283, 1 North Carolina 655,330, Oklahoma 204,957, South Carolina 814.351, Tennes- ] see 250,437, Texas 2,562,632, Virginia . 13,681. The complete annual report on cot- ( ton ginning will be published about i May 1. SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS. < Looks For a Bumper Peach Crop. Columbia Record: According to I Mr. T. S. Williams, the president of i the South Carolina Fruit Growers' association, this will be one of the greatest years for peaches ever known in < this state. Mr. Williams, in speaking i of the outlook, said that with no further cold and no high wind storms the crop would exceed all expectations, i A great many fanners in the Monetta and Ridge Soring sections will this year get their first crop from trees planted, and the estimated crop from I Ridge Spring is from sixty to eighty < carloads and from Monetta about for- 1 ty. It will be necessary for the farmers to thin out the trees, however, as they will be broken with the weight. < At present the trees are simply laden ( with masses of bloom and the young leaves have already begun to appear. The presence of these leaves serve to keep the cold and biting dew rrom me young fruit and the continued cold of the winter has kept the trees In good condition for the spring chilliness. More About Cherokee Tin. Charlotte Chronicle, Saturday: A well-known South Carolinian who was in the city yesterday said that the people of Gaffney, S. C., are very enthusiastic over the successful operation of a tin mine there, which is the only mine of its kind of any commercial value in the United States. The gentleman was just from Gaffney and had been the guest of Captain S. S. Ross, the discoverer and owner of the mine. Captain Ross is a large land owner in his county and it was while looking over some timber lands that he discovered the mine. A tree had been blown down. In its roots Captain Ross saw some of the ore. He.did not know what kind of ore it was, but sent it to the professor of geology at Clemson college, who said it was the best grade of tin. Dr. Day of the United States Geological Survey, was communicated with and he went to Gaffney and made an examination. He confirmed the report of the Clemson professor and said that the mine was worth several fortunes. He has since been on the grounds again and is en-. .1- In II., Via. inusiasuc over-me mine, eajjctiauj cause it is the only one in the Union which will pay. Tin is found in the Black Hills of South Dakota and thousands of dollars were spent in developing the mines, but it was found that it could not be gotten in paying quan- t tities. Near King's Mountain, this state, several thousand dollars were j spent vainly in prospecting, but there ? is so much mica in the ore that it has to be smelted several times and will , not pay for itself. I MERE-MENTION. More than 200 houses were unroofed j in Louisville, Ky., last Saturday by a cyclone The Democratic conven- < tions of Kansas and South Dakota j have instructed for W. R. Hearst Mrs. Jefferson Davis has been quite { sick for several days past in a hotel j at Atlantic City, N. J The rivers , of Indiana and Michigan are high out of their banks and the property loss ] on account of the floods during the ] past few days have mounted up into j millions of dollars Although the i result of the Arkansas primaries is q still in doubt there is reason to believe that Governor Jefferson Davis f has been endorsed for a third term, t He is also an avowed candidate for j United States senate. t The New Church at Union. t The Union Baptist congregation has t been looking forward to holding the s first service in their newly erected > church building next Sunday; but e Rev. W. E. Hurt, the pastor, advises The Enquirer that because the paint e is not yet sufficiently dry, the opening s service will be delayed until the third J Sunday in April. a LOCAL AFFAIR8. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Iwanson-Carter Carnival Co.?Will be In Yorkvllle next week and will give a large number of clean attractions on Main street. Are you coming? If so, hurry, jongman & Martinez?Call your attention to the merits of their paints. This paint is for sale by W. B. Stroup & Bro., Clover. !V. B. Moore, Captain?Orders Jasper Light Infantry out for Inspection at 3 o'clock p. m., March 31st. r. F. Wallace, Manager?Warns all persons against entering upon or trespassing upon lands of Nelson C. Davies, deceased, tfiss Rosa Lindsay?Will be out of her studio today and tomorrow, r. Edgar Poag, Broker?Offers reward of J1.000 to .the party who will enable him within next thirty days to make a $100,000 deal. Calls your attenion to his next auction sale. T. Q. Wray?Is showing a very beautiful line of Easter neckwear for ladies and gentlemen. See his show window. They're all there. W. M. Kennedy, Agent?Says that absolute satisfaction goes with every suit of clothes made by Lamm & Co., "the best on earth" tailors. Bam M. Grist, Special Agent?Publishes some flattering press notices in regard to the standing of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Co. of Newark, N. J. See fourth page. Btrauss-Smith Co.?Says its Mf. Strauss is back from market and gives you an idea of what you may expect at this store. They also tell you of the good qualities of Reed's shoes and slippers for ladies and of Reynolds' shoes for men. 31enn & Allison?Have received four carloads of buggies within the last thirty days. They have full stock of surreys and wagons. Also have a few mules and horses that they, want to dispose of at once. R. D. Alexander?Has second-hand bicycles at $5 and up. Also has new wheels and all kinds of bicycle sundries. Does repair work, too. Foushee Cash Store?Has "men's millinery" In good variety, and also invites attention to work and dress shirts for men and boys. Fork Drug Store?Has received?Its third shipment of seeds and now has ?a11aw t\o nt-ora Arlnn 9Pt<i. nrime red clover and cane seed. WITHIN THE TOWN. ? Friday Is All Fool's Day. ? The Swanson & Carter Amusement company Is billing the town for a week's stay, beginning next Monday. Their announcement appears in another column. ? Right Rev. Ellison Capers will pay his annual visitation to the Church of the Good Shepherd tomorrow and will officiate at the services to be conducted at 11 a. m., and 8. p. m. ? There was a fairly good sized audience at the lecture that was delivered in the Graded school auditorium by Rev. Dr. J. C. Galloway last Friday night, and the lecture was very much enjoyed by all present. ? Col. John P. Thomas has requested that six copies of his sketch of General Micah Jenkins be turned over to the Yorkville Graded school library. The remaining copies of the sketch not otherwise disposed of, have been returned to Colonel Thomas. GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY. The jury commissioners drew twelve grand jurors this morning to serve during the current year and thirty-six *** A - ? flrat petit jurors 10 serve uunus > ??= n?o?. week of the circuit court, which convenes on Monday, April 18, his Honor Judge G. W. Gage, presiding. The drawing was as follows: GRAND JURORS. W. C. McClure York. R. L. Scoggins Broad River. W. B. Ardrey Fort Mill. J. E. Plexico Broad River. H. E. Jackson...King's Mountain. W. J. Moorhead Broad River. V. B. McFadden Catawba. A. F. Plexico Broad River. R. K. Lowry York. J. E. Castles Broad River. A. J. Parrott King's Mountain. V. C. Stroup King's Mountain. PKTIT JURORS?FIRST W-BEK. J. S. Glasscock Catawba. S. S. Neely Bethesda. R. F. Parrott... .King's Mountain. H. P. Jackson... .King's Mountain. J. B. Lynn York. A. G. Latham Broad River. S. D. Youngblood.King's Mountain. M. L. Ford King's Mountain. W. M. Huey Bethesda. R. T. Beamguard..King's Mountain J. L. Currence Bethel. S. W. Patrick Bethel. Sep Massey Catawba. R. G. Dagnall Broad River. R. L. Hood Broad River. J. D. Nelson Bullock's Creek. W. B. Starnes Fort Mill. J. W. Patrick Bethel. W. G. Riggins Bullock's Creek. J. F. Cunningham Fort Mill. W. S. Brown Catawba. Robt. E. Stephenson. .Broad River. A. A. Barron Ebenezer. J. C. Lilly King's Mountain. H. A. Caldwell Catawba. C. T. Douglass. .King's Mountain. John C. Robinson York. J. N. McAteer Fort Mill. J. D. Land York. G. H. O'Leary York. W. B. Smith King's Mountain. W. O. Bailes Fort Mill. J. M. Hope Broad River. J. W. Simrill Ebenezer. T. G. York Bethel. R. L. Sherrer Broad River. ABOUT PEOPLE. Mr. John W. Miller has grip at his father's home near Yorkville. Congressman Finley expects to be lome for a few days after next Thursiay. Mr. Chas. H. Dickson, formerly of iforkville, has moved from Columbia :o Atlanta, Ga. Mr. Harry C. Smith of Charlotte, jpent Sunday in Yorkville with rela;ives and friends. Mrs. H. C. Strauss returned home Saturday after a visit to relatives and 'riends in Spartanburg and Laurens. Mrs. Sam W. Guy of Lowryville, ipent several days last week with her jarents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. P. Hope, eturning home on yesterday. Mrs. Alonzo Rose returned last Friday from a visit to her daughter, VIrs. T. A. Covington, at Rockingham, <J ^ an/tnmnonipH >. jura. V/U?uigivu ier mother and will spend several lays In Yorkville. Dr. W. G. White, who has been 111 or about two weeks, is still confined o his bed; but is improving. Dr. HcDowell Is in attendance. He said hat while the case gave considerable I rouble at first, he Is now satisfied that he trouble is located, and he hopes hat Dr. White will be on his feet igaln; but it will be a week or more 'et at least, before he will be strong nough to resume his work. It develops that in his competitive xamination for the position of asistant paymaster in the navy, Mr. B. d. Dobson stood first among fourteen ispirants, thus winning an honor that reflects credit not only upon himself, but upon his town and state as well. Mr. Dobson Is the second son of Mr. T. M. Dobson of Yorkvllle,' and his record so far, has been one of exceptional merit. He won an appointment for a Citadel cadetship by competitive examination some years ago, and stood high in his classes as long as he was connected with that institution. His connection with the Citadel was severed because of the unfortunate rebellion of cadets that occurred before his graduation. After that he won a place on the elligible list of the railway mail service, and subsequently Senator McLaurin gave him a chance of a position in the census department. After several promotions he was discharged on the completion of the work of the division to which he belonged, ana then he secured a clerical position In connection with the navy yard at Charleston. By hard study he won a clerkship in the office of the civil service commission, and in the same manner he has won his present place, which is good for a lifetime with opportunity for still further promotion. NOTE AND COMMENT. At reported in the house last Friday, the sundry civil appropriation bill contains $10,000 for a public building Oa?1? TT 111 ill ivucxv inn. The weatherwise say the danger of a killing frost cannot be left out of consideration until after the first full moon in April. From that event the peach crop is reasonably safe. There are no shoals in Catawba river between Wright's Ferry and the dam, now. Formerly there were some pretty swift shoals on both sides of Carothers Island, which used to be a famous fishing ground. But now there is not a rock to be seen. A boat can drift lazily from Wright's ferry to the dam, without danger of hitting a single rock. The seining resort at Carothers Island is no more, and the island itself has been reduced somewhat in size. What is known as the Whitesides granite Quarry, about six miles north of Yorkville will no doubt some day come in for its fair share of attention. Experts who have examined this property say that the granite to be found there is of as fine quality as is to be found anywhere within five hundred miles, and is really superior to anything that has ever been turned out of the well-known quarries at Rockton, in Fairfield county. Not only is this true, but the lode lies in good position for convenient and economical quarrying. The stone "splits out like chestnut rails," and is capable of taking a very satisfactory polish. It has been used throughout this section for years, and It would no doubt be quite an easy matter to develop a large market for It if the work should be undertaken by men with the necessary experience and capital. The late F. Happerfield, who seemed to know about all there was to be known about building and monumental stone, used to say that the Whitesides quarry was the finest of which he had any knowledge, ne iriea 10 secme mc development of the property on a large scale and spent money with that end In view; but finally gave up the task under the full conviction that where he had failed somebody else would some day make a big fortune. The destiny of this quarry depends upon Its being brought to the attention of people who will be able to appreciate Its possibilities and who may have the means to properly develop the same. "I would very much like to see some reform In this matter of letting bridge contracts," said a well-known substantial citizen to the reporter yesterday. 'T do not want to be understood as criticizing the present county authorities," he continued, "but there is certainly need for reform and the facts are well enough known to assure me that I will be satisfactorily backed up In what I have to say. The practice is to advertise for bids with the understanding that the successful bidder must enter into bond in double the amount of his contract for faithful performance, etc. So far so good; but there are a number of professional contractors who have learned by experience that such agreements count for but little to illustrate. I will cite certain facts that came under my observation. The commissioners advertised for bids for the building of a bridge over a certain stream in accordance with specifications that had been previously drawn up. The work was easily worth $50 or $60 for a fairly good job and no man who Intended to give a good job would have thought of filing a bid at a less figure. The contract was let, however, for less than thirty dollars and within three months after the bridge was completed it had to be condemned. There are numerous cases that are nearly if not quite as bad as this, and I think it about time to call a halt. I would like to see the adophnainoQQ nririninles. IIU1I VI OWttlglHVUk vus<*tivw I , I would like the board to let It be distinctly understood that all work given out on a competitive basis must come fully up to specifications before the contractor will be allowed to touch one cent of money. This would be fair to all contractors and It would result in giving the county much better values for its money than it has been receiving up to this time." LOCAL LACONICS. Death of Mrs. R. Lee Kerr. Mrs. R. Lee Kerr of Rock Hill, died quite suddenly last Friday morning. She was married to Mr. Kerr on .Tune 7, 1892. She leaves a husband and four children, the eldest aged 10 and the youngest aged about ten days. Lando Mill Burned. The Manetta Cotton mill at Lando, Chester county, was badly injured by fire yesterday afternoon, the old portion of the mill being almost completely destroyed. The loss is thought to be not less than $25,000 and possibly as much as $50,000. Magistrate For King's Mountain. Mr. S. M. Faris has been appointed magistrate for King's Mountain township, vice John A. McMackin, resigned. Mr. Farls is the choice of the leading people of Clover and the country surrounding and is well fitted in point of character and ability for the position. Fire at McConnellsville. The store of Messrs. S. D. Patrick & Co., at McConnellsville, was destroyed by Are last Sunday morning, together with all its contents. A lamp exploded in the building Saturday night and set the store room on fire. The fire was extinguished only after a hard fight; but the efforts of the fighters were not discontinued until there was reason to believe that there was not a live spark left At daylight Sunday morning, early risers discovered the building to be In flames; the roof was falling in and the fire had practically completed its work. Messrs. Patrick & Co. had about 53,000 worth of goods, all of which were destroyed. The insurance amounted to 51,000. The McAfee Hill. Mr. D. C. Clark, rural free delivery carrier on Yorkvllle route No. 1, says the chaingang has made a mucn Detter road than he thought was possible around the McAfee hill by Mr. W. T. McKnight's; but is of tne opinion also that practically the same results could have been gotten by ths Improvement of the hill Itself, and with but little, if any additional labor or expense. Without the discretion to do otherwise, Mr. Clark Is still traveling the same old road; but It Is doubtful as to whether he will continue long. The abandoned portion of the road will now rapidly grow impassable, and the postoflice department will no doubt Instruct the use of the new road. That will mean that a number of people who have boxes on the old road will be required to go from a half to three quarters of a mile further for their mall. Not Entitled to Libraries. Columbia correspondence of the News and Courier: There will be a number of schools In the state, about 100, it Is estimated, that are not entitled to the appropriation for rural school libraries. These schools were organized under some special act, as were the graded schools In this city, and the library law provided that only those schools organized under the general school law were entitled to receive the appropriation. Superintendent Martin has received applications from a number of schools of this kind, and a list of all of the schools organized under the constitution of 1867 and 1895 Is now being made out Some of the schools were organized under a special act, it being necessary to secure this before the constitution of 1895 was enacted, solely to be able to issue bonds, and Mr. Martin thinks that it would be an unnecessary hardship upon these schools to deprive them of a chance at the library. Others are not under the control of the state board at all, and, of cours' ney will not come in for the distribution. For Better Roade. A petition is in circulation In Catawba township asking for the levy of a special tax levy of two mills on all the taxable property of that township for road purposes. Its text is as follows: "To the honorable Board of County Commissioners of the County of York: The undersigned petitioners, constituting more than onefourth of the resident electors, and more than one-fourth of the resident free holders, over the age of twentyone years, of Catawba township, do respectfully ask that a tax of two-mills upon all the real and personal property returned for taxation within the said township of Catawba, be levied and collected as an annual road tax, to be use<^ on the roads of said township, under the terms and provisions of an act of the general assembly of the state of South Carolina, entitled "An Act to Provide for Special Township Road Tax," approved the 19th day of February, A. D. 1904." The Herald states that this petition is being circulated by a committee consisting of Dr. T. A. Crawford, Messrs. J. J. Hull, J. T. Spencer, J. A. Barber, W. S. Lesslie and J. A. Williford. On tho Road to Charlotte. Charlotte Chronicle, Saturday: Mr. W. H. Wylie, who has charge of the work of bringing the electric power from the plant of the Catawba Power company, near Fort Mill to Charlotte, was in town yesterday, and stated to a reporter that workmen had commenced, last Monday, to prepare for putting up the poles on which the wires will be placed. The poles will be 125 feet apart and will carry six wires; one wire as a protection against lightning; two telephone wires and three wires for conducting power. Beginning at Griffith's store near the plant, the line will run, as a crow would fly, to Charlotte. Mr. Wylle has secured the right of way privileges up to within four rfliles of Charlotte. By Canfamhor Q* thck find nrflhA bly before September, the company will be transmitting to this city certainly 3,000 horse power and probably 5,000 or 6,000 which will furnish lighting for the city and will be sold to private consumers. The plant has a maximum capacity of 10,000 horse power, and Rock Hill and Fort Mill will buy all the power that is not used in Charlotte. More Ducks Than Usual. From such reports as the reporter has been able to gather, it would appear that wild ducks are appearing in this locality in much larger numbers than usual. Mr. W. A. Youngblood first called the attention of the reporter to the matter. He remarked a few days ago that the ducks were getting quite plentiful on Catawba river. Mr. G. L. Suggs of Enquirer, told yesterday, of a party of young men who went down the river from Wright's ferry almost to the dam In a boat, and when they got back they reported that they had seen "almost a thousand" ducks." He was Inclined, however, to think that the estimate was not made with especial care. "But there are a good many ducks on the river," said Mr. Suggs. "There have been a few to be seen at almost any time during the winter, and now they are noticeably more plentiful; but they are very wild and it is difficult to get close enough to kill them. The best time Is early in the morning or late in the evening; but it is not an easy matter even then." Mr. W. M. Faulkner who lives in the King's Creek neighborhood, says he saw quite i flock of ducks in the mill pond near his house a few days ago; but they soon went off to the Broad river.