Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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HOYT & CO., Proprietors. JAMES A. HOYT, Editor. RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION.?Two Dollars peran aora, and Ose Dollar for six months. Subscriptions ore not taken for a less period than six months. ... Liberal deductions made to clubs of ten or more sub? scribers. RATES OF ADVERTISING.?One Dollar per square ol e-ne inch for the first insertion, and Fifty Cents per square tor subsequent insertions less than three months. No ad? vertisement counted less than a square. Eibarat' contracts will be mode with those wishing to ?dvertise for three, six or twelve months. Advertising by contract must bt confined to the immediate business of the firm or individual contracting. ? Obituary Notices exceeding rive lines, Tributes of Re? spect, and all personal communications or matters of m djTidual interest, will be charged for at advertising rates. Announcements of marriages and deaths, and notices of a religious character, are respectfully solicited, and will bo ihierted gratis._?_ "EEIIBSBAY M0ENING-, MAY 6, 1875. fl?* The Greenville Enterprise and AToun ihineer is-now under the editorial management of our friend, Mr. R. C. Logan, whose culture and decided ability will exert an influence upon society and politics. We congratulate the mountain city upon such an acquisition to her strength in the newspaper line. a?* Miss Ann Paraelia Cunningham, of Laurens County, departed this life at her resi? dence on Saturday last. She was the daughter of Mr. Robert Cunningham, and was the origi? nator of the movement to purchase Mt. Vernon. Her contributions on the subject to the public press aroused much attention, and were mainly instrumental in the organization of the Ladies' Mount Vernon Association, which subsequent? ly made the purchase and consecrated the Borne of George Washington. Miss Cunning? ham was highly gifted as a writer, and her patriotic effusions were models of chastedic tfon and earnest zeal in the cause. Another Libel Suit. The Springfield (Mass*.) Republican has been sued for $200,000 damages, on account of an alleged libel against the character of one Wil? lis Phelps. The law of Massachusetts recently amended permits a case of any kind to be tried without a jury, and the plaintiff in this action laving expressed a wish to that effect, the de' fendant acquiesced in the suggestion, and the trial is now taking place before Judge Endi cott, of the Supreme Court. Able counsel are engaged on both sides, and the trial will prob' ably last between one and too weeks. Dangerous Counterfeits. The Augusta GBfalitutionalist mentions that intelligence was received from Washington that counterfeit five dollar bills of the Traders' National Bank of Chicago had been put in cir? culation, and that they were the most danger? ous ever placed upon the market. Some of these bogus bills have been detected in Augus? ta, and the editor says it is a remarkable fac fimile of the original, the quality of the paper alone serving as a"*clue to detection. The First National Bank of Paxton, Hi., is another issue which has been extensively counterfeited, and these bogus bills are now being circulated among the nnsophisticated residents of the South. Persons in the habit of handling large amounts of greenbacks, should receive this timely warning. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The commencement exercises of this institu? tion, located at Greenville, took place on Mon? day night last. The following graduates re? ceived diplomas. L. S. Foster, Mississippi ; G. W. Greene, North Carolina, and R. W. Sanders, South Carolina. The proposition to remove the Seminary is being actively can? vassed, and a public meeting was recently held at Louisville, Ky., to express concurrence in the selection of that place for its future loca? tion. Ministers of other denominations took part in tbe proceedings. The Baptists of Ken? tucky are asked to raise $300,000 for the en 'dowment of the Seminary, and the sum of $200,000 is to be raised outside of that State. The citizens of Louisville are to give $50,000, and that amount will be used for the formation of a library, which will be open to members of other denominations. A Virtual Acquittal. We print on another page a full account of the closing proceedings in the great libel case against the Charleston News and Courier. It will be seen that the result was a mistrial, with a large preponderance of the jury favoring the defendant, which is equivalent to an acquittal #of the charges, and will be so regarded throughout the country. We extend congrat Blations upon this result, although it would have been more gratifying to note an unquali? fied release from further annoyance and threat enings. This attempt on the part of Bowen to intimidate and overawe the News and Courier has proved an ignominious failure, and we trust that subsequent events will deprive him of] place and power, whereby he will be shorn of j &? capacity for mischief and meet with just condemnation for his past misdeeds. Should the community of Charleston be rid of his jresence, it will owe an additional weight of j gratitude to the fearless and independent news? paper which set on foot an exposure of his crimes, and made a steady, unyielding fight from the beginning to the ending. Stockholders' Meeting. The annoal meeting of the stockholders of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad was held in Colombia on Thursday last. A large majority of the stock was represented, either individually or by proxy. Gen. M. W. Gary, of Edgefield, presided over the meeting. The Board of Directors and the General Superin? tendent submitted reports to the company, showing the transactions of the past year, and the present condition of its affairs. The meet? ing adopted resolutions to express the confi? dence and satisfaction of the stockholders in fche management of the Road, under the super? intendence of Col. Thomas Dodamead, whose efficiency and success under embarrassing cir. eumstances were highly applauded. President W. J. Magrath was re-elected, and the follow? ing Board of Directors were chosen : Messrs. L. D. Childs, H. T. Farmer, F. F. Gary, Robert Adger, Theo. D. Wagner, R. L. McCaughrin, Ed. Hope,. J. C. Roath, Andrew Simonds and Alex. McBeth. Columbia was thoroughly alive during the meeting, as many persons from the up-country availed themselves of the opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of ciEy life for a brief season. "Shall our Press be Muzzled?" We have received tbe annexed circular from leading and influential firms and business men of Charleston, whose names are attached there? to, asking our co-operation in raising funds to lessen the heavy burden borne by the Charles? ton News and Courier in tbe recent prosecution for libel. These geutfemen truly aver that the onslaughts of that influential and powerful journal were made in the interests of good government and the property-holders of the State, and the proprietors should not bear the pains and penalties iucurred without material aid from the people. We will cheerfully re? ceive and forward any amount through the proper channel, and trust that tbe citizens of Anderson will show their appreciation of the manly, independent and self-sacrificing course of the News and Courier by a prompt, gener? ous response to this appeal: Shall Our Press be Muzzled ??A criminal prosecution for libel has been pressed against the Editors of the News and Cou? rier, the only important vehicle of public opinion in Charleston, and the leading public journal in South Carolina. The article upon which this prosecution is based were written during the State canvass last Fall, and the risk, annoyance, and money loss growing out of the bold and independent action of Messrs. Riordan & Dawson, have been incurred for the public good. These gentlemen could have had no private ends to secure in their course. Can the community with propriety leave them to strug? gle through their difficulties unaided? Desperate diseases require desperate reme? dies. When a band of politicians were making efforts to seize this city and county for their purposes, the editors of the News and Courier, the recognized sentinels on the watch tower, the guardians .of the interests of this entire community, handled them without gloves, and baffled their schemes. They have fought the fight, and in so doing have incurred the hostili? ty of those who are now seeking to impose pains and penalties upon them. Under these circumstances we conceive it to be our duty, as well as privilege, to mitigate as far as we can, the heavy burden they now have to bear. The undersigned therefore propose to unite in form? ing at once, a committee of one hundred prop? erty-holders, and that each citizen of the hun? dred so addressed give for himself, or collect from his friends and neighbors, the sum of $50. The expenses of the numerous witnesses, many brought from long distances and sus? tained in attendance at Court at considerable cost, with counsel fees, Court charges, &c., &c, are estimated at five thousand dollars, all of which to be provided by the defendants. We have, therefore, taken the liberty of re? questing your co-operation in this matter, and ask your prompt action. Mr. William Thayer has kindly consented to act as Treasurer, and returns should be made to him at No. 10 Broad Street. HENRY GOURDIN, GEO. W. WILLIAMS & CO., JAMES ADGER & CO., EDWIN BATES & CO., BOLLMANN BROS., PELZER, RODGERS & CO., G. H. WALTER & CO., C. T. LOWNDES & CO., L. D. MO WRY &m, J. E. ADGER & CO., WM. A. COURTENAY. Charleston, S. C, April 26, 1875. To show the manly spirit of the News and Courier, and its determination to maintain its exalted position as the champion of right and the stern opposer of wrong, we extract the concluding sentences of a lengthy review of the libel case, after the prosecution ended in a mistrial. These words are consistent with its past course, and we believe that their intent and meaning will be amply fulfilled : We have nothing to unsay, nothing to take back. The threats which Bowen made, under the very eye of Judge Reed, have no terrors for us; for we have^been taught that we must do right, whatever come of it, and the journal? ist who would allow threats of prosecution or threats of personal violeuce to deter him from putting the public on their guard, in times like these, is unworthy to be the conductor of a public press, and, as such, the spokesman of the people. Whatever we may leave undone those who come after us may be better able to do, and we are confident that they will have, what we have had, the confidence and sympa? thy of the people of South Carolina?confi? dence in our honesty of purpose, and sympathy, warm and welcome, in times of trouble and danger. The kind words which come to us hourly have moved us very deeply. They are more than we expected ; more, it may be, than we have deserved. But we will strive to be worthy of them, worthier than ever before. We will be true to the best that we know, and whether fortune comes or misfortune, is no very mighty matter. The New Attorney General. The President having tendered the position of Attorney General to Judge Edwards Pierre pont, of New York, that gentleman has accep? ted the position, and will enter upon his duties on the 15th inst., when Laudaulet Williams will retire therefrom. He is a good lawyer, an excellent citizen, and in every way far superior to his predecessor. The country may be con? gratulated that a gentleman takes the place of an unscrupulous partisan, which is creditable to President Grant. Judge Pierrepont belongs to a respectable family, and was formerly a Democrat. He joined the Republicans in 1868, ami it was his admiration for Grant that carried him into the party. Although a strong friend of the administration, he has exhibited some independence of thought and actidh by de? nouncing the third term idea, and he was one of the speakers at the great meeting iu New York which censured the military interference with Louisiana last winter. It is stated, more? over, that the President and members of the Cabinet are now willing to endorse his views on the Louisiana matter, which shows that moderate and sensible counsels will likely per? vade the administration to a greater extent hereafter. He will certainiy make an improve? ment upon the former method of dealing with Southern affairs, and with this belief we hail his appointment with satisfaction, trusting that he will be guided by a stronger sense of justice and propriety. Arrest of Sheriff Bowen.?C. C. Bowen, the Sheriff of Charleston County, was arrested on Thursday last, upon the affidavit of Eli G. Grimes, for the murder of Wm. Parker White, formerly Colonel of the Twenty-FirstBattallion of Georgia Cavalry, in the Confederate States service. The warrant upon which the arrest was made was issued by Trial Justic J. Q. Mar? shall, of Columbia, and was forwarded to Charleston, where Bowen was arrested by the Coroner. The defendant's counsel, Mr. D. T. Corbin, sued out a writ of habeas corpus before Judge Reed, and asked that Bowen be dis? charged. After hearing the case, his Plonor atmitted Bowen to bail in the sum of $4,000 to stand his trial at the next term of the Circuit i Court at-Georgetown for the murder of Col. ! White. Gri mes had previously been arrested ; for the same offence, and is now in the jail of Richland County. Unless the venue can be changed, Bowen will undoubtedly succeed in I securing a mistrial or acquittal iu Georgetown ! County. i A Republican Congressman's Experience in the South. Hon. William D. Kelley, of Pennsylvania, has lately returned to Washington from an extended tour through tbe Southern States, I aud has expressed himself unreservedly upon j the situation. He was surprised to find the i prevalence of amity and good will to be uni? versal among all classes. It is astonishing the amount of conviction brought to leaders of the Republican party since the tidal wave of last fall. Everything looks different through their political spectacles, especially where the people are thinking aud acting differently than before. The Philadelphia Enquirer, an ultra-Radical newspaper not long ago, concurs with Judge Kelley in his present estimate of the Southern people, and thinks "it were time, indeed, for Mr. Williams to retire to his native wilds of Oregon, and for the super-serviceable organs of the carpet-bagger to learn new tunes to stir up vindictive feeling against the South. It would appear to be time to withdraw our army from those places where it is not wanted, and to send it to the Texas frontier, where it i3 wanted very much. As a new crop of Southern outrages will be required next fall, it will be just as well for the North to remember the tes? timony of Judge Kelley." This is very sensi? ble advice, and fitly supplements the experience of Mr. Kelley, which is herewith given : Washington, April 30. Judge Wm. D. Kelley, of Pennsylvania, has returned from a six weeks' tour in the South, to-day, and bears most emphatic testimony against the Southern policy of his own party in the last Congress. When asked, to-night, what he thought of the political condition of the South, he used these words : "The vote I most regret during my fourteen years' service in Congress, is that which I cast last winter in favor of the force bill." He further said that, so far as his observation went, during his ex? tended tour, there is no more necessity for the use of Federal military force than there is in Pennsylvania or Ohio. He talked with Con? federate soldiers, with Northern men, negroes, carpet-baggers and travellers, and he was sur? prised at the good feeling existing. He said he should hereafter take little stock in South? ern outrages, especially if they are reported as occurring in the sections he visited. He gave an example of the feeling in the South by re? lating what he himself saw in Augusta, being himself unknown. He happened to be in that city on the day chosen for decorating the graves of the Confederate dead, and he re? mained and observed closely the proceedings. A long procession marched through the city with engines, civic organizations, &c, it being treated as a general holiday. Judge Kelley observed the significant fact that, while men and womeu were gathered for the purpose of paying tribute to the memory of the dead Confederate soldiers, the principal music on the occasion was furnished by a band belong? ing to a regular U. S. infantry regiment, sta? tioned in the vicinity. There were no taunts, no insults, no complaints, no appearance of ill feeling anywhere visible. While absent Judge Kelly spent from two days to a week in each of the following cities, stopping frequently at places of less conse? quence, viz.: Richmond, Charleston, Colum? bia, Savannah, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Augusta and Aiken. The most of his time was spent I in Florida. He says so far as he saw, and he went with his eyes aud ears open, there was no feeling of fear or distrust on the part of the colored people, and he could not, for the life of him, see what use there was for force bills. He was very glad to have made the trip, for it has enabled him to understand the con? dition of the South better than he has ever un? derstood it before. He said it was not the Ku klux that was ruining the South, nor was their unhappy condition to be attributed to hatred by the people of the South for the people of the North, nor was any political question in? volved. He thinks the whole trouble in the South arises from financial and industrial causes, and he believes that the South will not improve and advance until the Forty-fourth Congress re? peals the financial legislation of the Forty-third, until the industries of the country are revivified and we are forced to live within our income. The South will grow worse instead of better, and as matters are going now, the Judge thinks not only that the South and Southwest will be involved in ruin, but the country itself will be hopelessly insolvent. The Treasury, he thinks, is already empty. Work is stopping in the navy yards, on the public works, buildings, &c, for the money has run out. The receipts are not equal to the expenditures, and a day of set? tlement is not far off. He was asked how long the Treasury would hold out, and he answered that, unless there is an improvement in the customs and Internal Revenue receipts, tbe Treasury will be empty by September next. Judge Kelly called on Secre? tary Bristow and had a long talk on financial matters, but did not succeed in obtaining any new information from the Secretary. The Judge asked him how soon he was to begin to buy currency again ? The Secretary did not seem to likeihat way of stating it, but be was told by the Judge that he thought he had used the right term. He did not think it was selling gold but buying currency which is necessary for daily use. He told the Secretary that the South, the West and the whole country could never recover while the effort was being made to bring about specie payments by contracting the currency. ? A Memphis dispatch says complaints are pouring in from all the surrounding counties, of the fearful destruction of horses and mules by buffaio gnats. Many small planters, espe? cially colored ones, are ruined by having their only horses or mules killed, and being unable to replace them, at a time when they are so badly needed. A planter living near Macon, in Fayette County, says that not less than two hundred horses and mules have died within a radius of ten miles. ? The public will be gratified to learn as we do from a statement in the St. Louis Republi? can, that under the tfeatment of Dr. Franklin, who has been applying the process of the trans? fusion of blood to the vein of his patient, there is a noticeable improvement in the condition of Gen. Blair, who has been so long prostrated under the effects of a paraletic attack, that his physician, after resorting to various remedies, now entertains a strong hope that the new treatment will result in a cure. ? Hon. Carl Schurz was recently serenaded at St. Louis. He declared, in response to this compliment, that he meant to make St. Louis his home and, after returniug from Europe, de? vote his attention to journalism. A great many persons have been mourning Mr. Sehurz's re? tirement from the Senate, but as he has deter? mined to take a higher and more influential position, no further regrets need be expressed. Carl Schurz as an editor will be a more power? ful man than Carl Schurz the Senator. ? A misunderstanding has arisen between Governor Porter, of Tennessee, and Governor Smith, of Georgia, which has resulted in a tem? porary cessation of that inter-State comity which in our federal system is so necessary to a due administration of justice. Some two months ago Smith refused to recognize Porter's requisition for a man named Knight, charged with some offence, on the ground that civil proceedings were pending against him iuGeor j gia, brought by some citizen of that State, and now the Governor of Tennessee, having a j chance to retaliate, has refused to give up a ? man by the name ofSaunders on the application of Smith, to answer a crime committed within I the jurisdiction of the iatter. A Compliment to Judge Reed. The complimentary action of the Charleston j bar on Friday last shows the respect enter tained for our former townsman, Hon. J. P. Bead, who has been consecutively engaged for three months in diligent, patient and laborious discharge of his duties on the bench. As the term was about to close, Mr. M. P. O'Connor arose and requested that the business be su3-i pended for a short time, when he proceeded to address the Court on behalf of the legal frater? nity, presenting a testimonial of their appreci? ation of Judge Reed's judicial bearing and conduct during such a protracted term. This testimonial was signed with almost perfect unanimity, including the names of seventy-five lawyers, and as Mr. O'Connor said it was a very proper and just encouragement to a high public functionary from the members of an honorable profession. The paper itself reads as follows: Charleston, April 30, 1875. Hon. J. P. Reed, Judge of the First Circuit: ? Dear Sir : The undersigned members of the Charleston Bar, beg leave, now that the first term of our Court since your elevation to the bench is about to close, to express to you their gratification at the co-operation which has existed between the bar and yourself, so essential to the proper and complete adminis? tration of justice. The term has been protracted and arduous, and it affords us pleasure to place upon record our estimate of the promptness, impartiality and ability with which you have discharged the judicial functions. With assurances of the highest respect, we are, respectfully, &c. In responding to this united action and com? plimentary testimonial, Judge Reed made the following remarks: Afr. 0' Connor and Gentlemen of the Bar : I have heard with much emotion your re? marks, and the papier which you have just read and handed to me. The award of well done, good and faithful servant, is ever keenly appreciated by one who, conscious of the responsibility of his trust, is animated by a love of and a desire to promote justice. This testimonial I value most highly, and forever cherish it. It emanates from the members of a dignified and influential body, and carries with it the best consolation to an honest mau, the sanction and approbation of its ministers in the temple, to the priest at the altar of temporal justice. If there should be any one who would now, or in the future, doubt the correctness of my rulings let him not impeach the sincerity of my motives and intentions, for I protest here, as I do before the bar of eternal justice, that in all that I have done my sole aim has been to advance the correctness and promote the weal'of the citizen. I have come here from the mountains of this State, comparatively a stranger among you, oc? cupying a novel and imposing position, and the solemn duties which have devolved upon my mission I have endeavored to discharge with efficient application, and to the best of my judgment and ability to uphold with an even and impartial hand the scales of human justice. He who sees the secrets of all hearts will judge me, as I hope to be judged in that great day, of having obeyed the dictates of my conscience, pure and freed from all trammels whatsoever. The kind opinion of me which you, gentlemen, have been pleased to express of me at the close of my first term I hope to preserve while I shall continue in my office, and my highest purpose shall be that, worthiest of the highest ambition of man, to do right, to seek justice, and thereby contribute to the prosperity and happiness of my fellow-men. Our Atlanta Correspondence. Atlanta, Ga., April 30, 1875. Thinking that probably a few words from this the "Gate City" would not be altogether without interest to your readers, is the only apology I can offer for writing this letter. The first impression made upon tbe mind of a stranger upon entering Atlanta is that of be *ng crowded. She has risen up so Chicago-like in the last few years, that a great many people thought that it was only necessary to get into Atlanta, fold their hands and rise with the fated current, but have found themselves mis? erable mistaken. Not only the professions and business houses are crowded, but clerks and common laborers have crammed in until labor has been reduced to half its real value. There are hundreds of young men in Atlanta to-day, graduates of commercial and literary colleges, with good business talent and some experience, who work from 6 o'clock in the morning until 9 o'clock at night for the small sum of thirty-five dollars per month, and pay twenty-two for board and washing. Property is no doubt worth more now than it will be again soon, and, in all probability, more than it will ever be worth again. It does not take a very experienced observer to see that Atlanta is overdoing herself. There is destined ere long to be a crash in the commerce of the "Hub." When it is least looked for some grand supporting column of the commer? cial fabric will give way and the whole will tumble together. For some time back the dust has made the streets almost impassable. If a city ever needed water-works this one does. The au thorites think they will have the water into the place in two months. The 26th of this month wa" the day set apart by the ladies of the "Memorial Society" and the Legislature of the State as "Memorial Day." Early in the morning crowds of wo? men, children and old soldiers began to pour in from the country. At two o'clock in the evening the banks and all business houses closed, and by .half-past two they began to as? semble at the Orphan House. The ladies of the Association came in and took their seats upon the stage. Soon after came the Knights of Pythias, followed immediately by the Cold Water Templars, a beautiful band composed almost entirely of children, and each carrying a bouquet. Shortly afterwards the military aud music appeared upon the field. The band played "Bonnie Blue Flag" first, which elicited much applause, but when they struck "Dixie'' ? brought down the house, and round after round of applause followed. Col. Jackson then arose and delivered an eloquent and touching address. The only fault to his ad? dress was that he, as all other speakers on such occasions usually do, eulogized to the stars the army of Virginia and ignored almost entirely the Western army. The Virginia army de? serves praise, and Lee and Jackson should be praised, but shall we say nothing of Sidney Johnson and the other great Generals who led the Tennessee Army? After the speech the military companies, of which there are five, formed in line and marched to the Cemetery, while the ladies took carriages. Oakland Cemetery, and especially the spot where are buried our fallen dead, is a beautiful place. The whole lot is full. Perhaps there are eight thousand participants in this grand Southern holiday. An aged, gray-haired father ascends the steps of the magnificent monument to the Confederate dead and leads in prayer. Ah! this is a touching scene ; but look, the decora? tion begins 1 Here you see a fond sister adorn? ing with the offerings of nature the grave of that stalwart brother whom she not long ago bid God-speed on his way. Yonder a fond mother sprinkles with her tears while she dec? orates the grave of her loved but lost son or husband. But why linger over the scene ? He has a dull imagination who canuot complete the picture himself. Well might one exclaim, "It is good to be here !" It is a pity "Decora? tion Day" does not come oftener. It serves to revive our patriotism. It is sad to contemplate the decline of true patriotism in the South since the war. The national ambition and patriotism of 1776, "where, oh 1 where are they ?" Present on the occasion were several yankees from the Barracks, who seemed to look upou the entire programme as foolish and dis? gusting. Fate forbid that we may ever forget our brave heroes, dead or living, and especially the former. We are daily lectured and ad? vised by politicians and journalists to throw aside our prejudices and love the yankees, but if real good feeling is ever restored between North and South, it will not be the work of a day. It will take time. They seem to think that we are like beasts to fight one day and for? get it the next. Secession was not the mad frenzy of a moment, but the long-contemplated action of statesmen with whom the North has never sted equals. The war was begun with the firm conviction that we were right and they wrong ; that they were imposing upon us, and that we were fighting for a goed cause. Do they expect us to uproot these convictions in a day, merely because we were overpowered? But to return to Atlanta. Out of pic nics and shooting affrays, military parades and spelling bees, cock fights and strawberry festivals, the citizens of Atlanta manage to have a right pleasant time. The proprietor of the Kimball House has leased New Holland Springs, about fifty-five miles above here, near Gainesville, and an excursion goes up there to-morrow. An excursion leaves here soon by Norfolk to Richmond?round trip, ?15.00 ; and also one for Florida. The Kim? ball House is to have one hundred and twenty five more rooms soon. A new cotton factory is to be built in the city before long. E. R. H. , T. D. KENNEDY, Local Editor. BRIEF MENTION. Cotton is in good demand at 145 cents for middling. The beginners at the Skating Rink perform mostly on their backs, it being the easiest way to navigate. Maj. W. W. Humphreys is the fortunate possessor of the most forward garden in town. He lias green peas in abundance. Tbe increasing dullness of the times has de? veloped a taste for doggerel verse, and the den? izens of Granite Row are perfecting themselves in the art. Granite Row is now finished and presents a handsome appearance. Would it not be well to touch up the old Court House just a little for the sake of looks ? Tho parties who went to Columbia on a pleas? ure trip, returned o.i Saturday evening last and expressed themselves highly delighted with all they saw and enjoyed. Mr. John H. Clarke means business this season. He has now on hand twenty new Singer Sewing Machines, which will be dis? posed of at the usual rates. Every family should have one. The colored people propose giving a fair at some suitable place in town on Thursday next, tho 13th inst., the proceeds to be devoted to repairs on the grounds and buildings of the Greeley Institute. We are informed that many of the farmers in tbe County, whose fences were blown down by Saturday's storm, wore compelled to devote last Sabbath to the work of repairing in order to keep tbe stock out of their wheat. A brilliant meteor, about the size of a small cannon ball, was observed arching through the heavens, in a southeasterly direction, on Thurs? day evening last. It is supposed to have fallen in tho rear of tbe University building. Messrs. Osborne & McCully have received their boiler, which had been sent to Columbia for repairs, and are now prepared for work of all kinds again. They began grinding corn on Tuesday and will continue as heretofore. Attention is directed to tbe advertisement of Messrs. Smith, Clark & Co., in another column. They have just received a fine lot of spring and summer broadcloths, cassimeres, etc., which they propose to sell cheap for cash. Give them a call. We bad tho pleasure last week of meeting again witli our young friend, Mr. A. O. Lang ston, formerly of the Conservator, but who has been residing in Texas for several months past. Ho was looking well, and intends remaining in his native State. Wo are requostod to state for the information of tho public that a flat-boat is now used on the Saluda River, near tho mill of Messrs. Cox, Pinson A Poore, to accommodate passengers and produce. This means of crossing will be used until a new bridgo can be built. Since tho coming of May, the queen month of tho year, wo may expect a series of pic nics and other pleasant gathorings, intended to mako us forget the unpleasantness of wintor. "Would that thou couldst lust for age, Jlorry, ever merry May." Attention is called to tho chango in the ad? vertisement of Mr. C. A. Reed. New goods of overy variety have just been received at tho Emporium, and milliner}' and mantua-making is conducted on tho most improved scale. Frosh groeerios havo also been receivod at his store. Call and examine. Wo also had tho pleasure of a call on Monday last from Mr. J. P. Phillips, one of the mer? chant prineos of Ninety Six. He was on a visit to relatives and friends at this placo. Mr. Phillips is a native of this County and a first class business man, having received his first lessons in mercantilo science from ono of the best firms of our town. The ordinance of baptism was administered at the usual placo in Rocky River on Sunday aaernoon last, in tho presenco of a largo con? gregation, by Rev. J. S. Murray, pastor of tho Baptist Church. Nineteen persons were bap? tized, which represents tho total number of accessions during the recent protracted meet? ing. The Lord's Supper was observed after tbe services on Sunday night, and a large num? ber of communicants participated. Previous to the administration of tho Lord's Supper, tho right band of church fellowship was extended to tho now converts. A deep solemnity per? vaded tho entire congregation, and the services were unusually impressive and interesting. TEMPERANCE CELEBRATION We are requested to state that a Temperance Celebration, to be given under the auspices of the Lodge of Good Templars at Storeviile, will come off at that place on Saturday, the 15th inst. All the Temperance organizations in the County are invited to attend in regalia, in or? der to take part in the ceremonies of tbe occa? sion. The public generally are also cordially invited. A basket pic nie will be given, and a pleasant and interesting time may be expected. BALED AY. Monday last (Saleday) passed off quietly. There were but few persons present fiom the country, owing to necessity of business on the farms. Some delinquent lauds were sold for taxes by the Treasurer, and the greater part of the day was taken up with an auction at the "Fed Sign," at which many articles were sold cheap. There were but few investments in "tangle leg." Late in the afternoon, the horse swappers, (who did a poor business during the day,) passed in grand gallopade before tho Court House, and soon afterwards silently stole away. Towards night the sidewalks were thronged with heavily-laden purchasers from the "Red Sign," en route for their respective homes with armfulls of ribbons, laces, needles, etc. V ? SKATING RINK. A Skating Rink has been established in the Masonic Hall at this place by Mr. O. I>. Charles, late of Greenville, and the youths of our town have gone into ecstacies over the matter, not? withstanding the many falls which have been received since they began learning the art. It is a good thing, however, and we wish it much success, as it is a very pleasant exercise?a lit? tle hard at first, but easy and agreeable after one becomes accustomed to it. The skates con? sist of wooden attachments to suit the sole of the shoe, with four rollers of wood or cast iron underneath, and are fastened around the foot by straps and buckles. The object of the exer? cise is to give ease and grace to the movements of the body, and to give an insight into the art of skating on ice. HONE A PATH D?TTINGS There was some damage done to crops and feneing by the heavy rain and wind of Satur? day last. Rev. J. R. Graves, D. D., of Tennessee, preached to a large congregation in the Baptist Church at this place on Monday last. The Greenville and Columbia Railroad Com? pany's fine (?) depot leans further to the east, from the effects of the wind of Saturday after? noon. Subscription books are now open and being: passed around for tbe purpose of securing funds for the erection of a large cotton manu? factory at Erwin's Mills. May the efforts of those who have the matter in hand prove suc? cessful. A DESTRUCTIVE STORM. The severest storm of wind and rain which has visited the up-country for years, passed through this place on Saturday last, destroying in its ruthless course a large amount of timber, fences, stables and other outbuildings.. It be? gan at about three o'clock iu the afternoon, and continued unabated for upwards of an hour, during which time store-signs were blown down, windows shattered, shade and fruit trees, and fences of every description lev? elled to the ground. The scene without was terrific In the adjacent country, the storm raged more fiercely than in town, and we are informed that for miles on every side through the forests, timber in great quantities was strown by the force of the tempest, and the plantation fences were completely levelled. In town the orchards and gardens suffered se? verely. A few stables and sheds, situated on tbe outskirts, were destroyed. The signs of Messrs. Smith, Clark <ft Co., and M. Lesser, were completely demolished, and some of the windows in the east end of Masonic Hall were broken, letting in the wind and rain, which partially injured the walls of the stage. We learn that Mr. Thomas Dickson, who lives about twelve miles north of this place, while on bis way home, was tiaught in the storm and thrown from his buggy by the violence of the wind, and slightly injured. Tbe telegraph wire was broken below the railroad tank by trees falling upon it. This was certainly a most de? structive tornado, and we hope that our section may soon recover from its effects. DEDICATION OF BIG CREEK CHURCH. According to previous announcement, the new church edifice just erected at Big Creek was formally dedicated and set apart for the worship of the Most High God. The services were conducted by Rev. J. R. Graves, D. D., of Memphis, Tenn., who was invited specially for that purpose. Dr. Graves preached to a large congregation at Big Creek on Saturday, and man}* persons were present from a dis? tance. On tho Sabbath, however, a much larger number made up the congregation, and from all parts of the surrounding country there was gathered an intelligent and appreciative assem? blage, who had come to hear a preacher of such renown, one whose reputation and ability are familiar to the humblest. The services began at half-past ten o'clock, at which time tho spacious building was lite? rally crammed with people, mostly ladies, and hundreds were u; on the outside of the church, unable to secure even standing room within. Appropriate hymns were read and sung, and Dr. Graves opened the services by reading a part of the 8th chapter of 1st Kings, which in? cludes the dedicatory prayer of King Solomon upon the completion of the temple at Jerusa? lem. During the opening exercises, prayer was offered by Rev. B. F. Mauldin. The ser? mon of Dr. Graves which followed occupied two hours and a quarter, and was founded upon Acts 1: 8?"And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of tho earth." These are the last recorded words of the Master before his ascension, and afforded a rich theme for the occasion. It would be use? less to attempt a synopsis of the discourse^ with the expectation of conveying an adequate idea of its fullness and completeness, and we would certainly fail to show its harmony and symmetry. Some of the views expressed were novel and striking, and tho ontire sermon was plain and effective, replete with originality and fervent devotion to principle, and greatly cal? culated to make a lasting impression upon his hearers, inducing thought and meditation upon the truths presented. Aftor the sermon was concluded, a collection was taken up to assist in the liquidation of the debt incurred, which had been assumed by several members. An intermission of thirty minutes then ensued, when the congregation again assembled, and the Lord's Supper was administered. We have before commended tho appearance of the building, which is a structure entirely creditable to the neighborhood. The brick? work was under the supervision of Messrs. David and Wm. Drennand, and is one of the best jobs wo have over seen in this country. The plastering is the handiwork of Col. May, and cannot be excelled for beauty and perfect finish. As described by Dr. Graves, the build? ing is neat, elegant and commodious, without meretricious ornament or useless expenditure of any kind, and will stand as a monument to the good tasto and liberality of its founders to call forth the admiration of succeeding gene? rations. Big Creek Church is under the pasto? ral charge of Rev. R. W. Burts, who is a aeal ous worker, and receives the co-opei.ition of a large and influential membership.