Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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HORSE SWOPPE: Its IProceedin NewB an< It has been the invariable rule in a| majority, if not in all the Southern States, for the blacks sod whites living iu the rural districts to visit the neighboring village, tuwn or city on Saturday. And this disposition is es pecially noticeable whee the 1st Mun day, or "salesday" oomes at the county seat. Some are prompted by idle curiosity, others by a desire to make purchases, ethers because of the sale of property at the Court house, while others go to trade stock, or "swap." And there is hardly a county seat in the oeotion of country referred to, that has not what is commonly known as a "Bone Yard,"-fdnerally a largo vacant lot where everyone with any thing of tho horse or mule flesh or bones, gathers to trade. There has, however, oomo a change. An innovation has taken place. Small towns are asking for the crowd to come and traders like a near place henea the "Horse-Swappers Conven tion." The idea is said to have orig inated in the mountainous section of one of the Southern States. It seemed to "catch," andsuoh things are now popular. They are called together in this way. Traders in a section of country get together and determine to hold a "convention." They of course contribute enough to defray the ex penses of printing, advertising, etc Beoause the crowd that usually at tends is a large one and spends money freely, merchants generally contri bute. In every instance the town re fuses to charge a license. A few days after Christmas the writer happened upon one of these conventions in A Southern State. It was at--well, for the sake of the story, say MacuBville. Now before the war Maousville had been quite a placo. Ever sinoe the territory had been ob tained from the Indians by treaty, it had been the county/ seat until a neighboring town had grown and set on foot an agitation looking to a change of the seat of justice. That agitation grew, resulting in a hot con test and the suooess-of the agitators. The county gea; changed, Macus ville's haloyon days were of the past. Thc town began to '"swiwp up" BB one of its citizens expressed it. The old white stuccoed Court House that stood at the Southern end of a beautiful rec tangular park, was purchased by a Farmer's Society. The court room where so much eloquence had been heard, became the meeting pl ase of the farmers, and in the autumn, a plaoe for their exhibition of agricul tural products. When the writer visited Muousville at the time referred to, it seemed that the whole section of the* country for miloo around, had been flooded with printed droolers of the most brilliant color, at the top of which was a eat of a man on the baok of a hone, supposed to be running at a gait. Tho rider had a long horn to his lips, and from it were supposed to sound the words: "Come! Cornel" printed in large let ters. Underneath appeared the fol lowing: ' HORSE SWAPPERS' CONVENTIOF. At MocuDvillo, December 29th, 30th, 31, 1903. COME AND BRING- YOUR RIPS YALLER DOGS AND FIGHTING ROOSTERS, OR ANYTHING YOU CARE TO 3WAP> EX CHANGE OR BARTER. -will be loaded for "Bear." .President. . .Secretary and Treasurer. Managers: (In pencil) Free Stable. *Thi? had referenda to the dispenser. The first day was cold and rainy. Quite a number of the "delegates" appeared They, however,: confined themselves to the "Free ' Stable." There they talked horse, mule, eto, to iheir heart's content. And some felt nailed apon, owing of course to the extreme rawness of the day, to patronise freely ono of Che great moral Itstlsss vf vu? Stace commonly known as a dispensary. Indeed, steh was the ecauiUon of eoxaa; ?that when they retired that nighs 'and rested Japon either shucks, fodder or hay in f he. loft of tho stable, they did?ei enow bat what they were resting apon eather beds, and ware covered wi th in ider down quilt. The next day opened .misty, hat by ?o'o?ook it wes e perfect winter day-- j lear and ?cold. Before 10, the dele ates began to arrive-many coming cs ar as 30 mi lea. Glancing np the red lt y streets on the western side of the quara could be seen baggies, carryalls, agons of every make and color, ahow ng every stage of wear and tear, ear by, were moles acid horses galore, hile hete and there were squads of ? en, Aw*y Wyesd,STS? iL*Visent RS' CONVENTION, gs Described. 1 Courier. the end of the street, stretched a beautiful country. A pasturo hero with a dwelling on the hillside backed by woods-then another dearing-tho land more and more adulterating, then tho foothills of the Appalachian range, above, the rugged but picturesque lines of its numerous blue peaks. On the left of the street at tho cor ner, and opposite the stately old whitewashed, stuccoed Court House, was a vacant let, then carno the large "free stable," mentioned in the flaring hand bills, after that were some email buildings once occupied as offices by gifted men of tho legal profession whoso names now adorn the pages of history, but whose offices are uow hab ited by negroes. And, almost in the centre of the negro cabins, a long building, the habitat in later years of many gay and jovial souls, being then a bar, while]now of tho State's "moral institutions"-a dispensary. By midday the whole section of country for miles around had come, and it was not long before the trading begun. The invitation had been ac cepted'literally. There were horses and mules of all colors, ages and phy sical conditions. Dogs were also plentiful, from the finest setter or pointer to the ''yaller,'-1 flop-eared, flea-bitten hound. But most signifi cant of all, was the absolute oblitera tion of the color-line. Men who had participated in "white oap" expedi tions were hobnobbing with negroes, not only bartering and trading, but on the hillside under the eaves of the "free stable," drinking out of the same bottle. Then out they would go, some arm in arm, then on their ani mals and up the street at break neck speed, laughing and talking. Near the corner outside of the va? oant lot, had been established what was called a show, a negro calling him self the "Sly Coon," putting his head through a piece of canvas stretched over an upright frame, offering those paying 5 cents the exquisite pleasure of throwing at his head three times with an ordinary base ball. Each hit got a oigar (imported, of course,) three hits 50 cents. And to this the crowd flocked. Numbers took off their coats and threw at the darky's head. As those more invigorated than others by some of the State's "chemically pure," would either throw wild or hit the ne gro's head, there would be peals of laughter and exultant yells. All swapping or trading was abandoned, and at last the president of the con vention interfered. The man run ning the show, however, said he had paid license to the town and was going to run on. That he did the balance of the day and had the orowd. The third day was clear and cold. The "Sly Coon" was again in evidence, bnt failed to eaton the crowd. It looked as if the "delegates" to the Convention meant business-were go ing to swap-and they soon got at it. The Urge lot adjoining the stable seemed to please their fanoy. It had a hollow in it, but of that they seemed to take but little notice. Two by two they were seen rushing down the sward, over the hill and then np the hilh A pair here, a pair there, could bo seen to "light" and, in the twink ling of an eye, saddleB and bridles changed and they were riding baok each triumphant-they had swapped! And thus it continued for hours. Bnt there was a white man, with a white horse, that had apparently come through the Revolutionary war. Its legs were bowed like that of a bull dog, with a faoe careworn, indeed pa thetic, to a degree, The white man had been bantered for a trade by an old half drunk negro, the possessor of a white mule, the age of which equal led, if not exceeded, that of the horse. I The two men rode and talked, mixed with others, got together, rode and talked again. At last they attracted the attention of many. This trade, i should there bo one, Was being watch ed with interest. ~ i A cold wimd was coming from the mountains; the sun < sinking in a halo of. crimson and gold-tho .third and Us* day of the "Convention" was drawing nigh. Over on the hillside were two human figure?, one white the other black, standing by their animale, both ^h i te-ono a horse, the other a mule. Saddle s and bridles were chan ged. The mon mounted and 'roda slowly down the hill. But the crowd had suddenly broken and were running towards the public square, jj While the swapping had been going on the young son of a fanner had passed out of the town with compan ions, drunk. The young man was not only brandishing a Smith & We s torn 38-oalibre pistol, but shooting at those passing by-especially negroen. A policeman soon overtook the party. They resisted and about eight shots wen fired, but no one was burt. The chief of police and the other assist ants soon reached the scene and the man was taken to the lookup. Ile said he would not be locked up. By the same policeman he was taken to the steps of the two-story callabooso. There ho jerked away, but was caught and carried to the cell. His father had just left thc "Convention" in a buggy with three companion-all mora or less invigorated by the State's "chemically pure." Learning of his son's arrest, he leaped from the buggy and ran to thc lockup. There hn. at tempted to break open the door and release his son, but-tho police inter fered. Then there came a struggle and the old man was locked up. By that time an immense crowd had gathered. There around the little whitewashed stone guard house at tho ond of tbe publio square, were gather ed the friends of son and father cursing and threatening to bleak open tho place, but with them were three policemen keeping them back, while behind stood a cirole of negroes-si lent but observant. Suddenly the crowd broke away. Tho smallest policeman was being pressed over thc rails of the fence by a stalwart fellow, with right hand on his throat. But ] tho young fellow swung loose and as his man came towards him again call ed to him to stop, but he did not. Three blows in quick succession, fell on tho big fellow's head. Ho stag gered a little, then rallied and stood still with blood rushing freely down bia face. For a fow minutes a hush hung upon the crowd. As thc man was to be locked up his friends put up bond and h j was taken -off. Gooier heads then prevailed and for an hour or two they hung around the lockup, discussing the matter, but there was no disturbance. At last the father and son were released on bond, taken charge of by friends and earried home. Thus ended the third and last day of the "Horse Swappers' Conven tion." That night peace again reigned su preme over thc town, with nothing to disturb the solitude but the occasional hoot of an owl perched on one of the numerous trees of the publio square. The old white stucooed Court House and lockup were bathed in the cool, and brilliant rays of a winter night's moon. E. A. Tresoot. To Gire Veterans Homes. Columbia, Ootober 18.-"A plan is on foot in Marion to provide for the aged Confederate soldiers of that eommnnity. It is to form an associa tion whioh shall, through charity-, provide a home, with a few acres of ground, for each old soldier who needs it free of rent, with firewood and other conveniences to be had. The associa tion will be formed into a stock com pany, whioh shall hold the titles to the property and take oare of the farms and of their occupants. when necessary. The little farms will be tilled by the veterans so long as they are able to till them. After their death they will pass again into the hands of the association, so that, the members may be remunerated to como extent for their work," says the Flor enoe Times. The widows of veterans will be in oluded in the. provisions also until their death. They will have all of the privileges aeoorded to the vete rana themselves. This will give a permanent home to the gvi??led boya in grey, who are now renters with poor prospects for the future. Many of them who will be provided for have children who can and wiii help them make their living on the farms given them. Among .those gentlemen who are formulating these plans are Ex-con gressman Norton, G. G. Ford, B. G. Smith, W. H. Daniel and others equally well known, veterans them selves in most oases. It is not unlikely that other promi nent men in the eounty of Marion will join with these gentlemen and make the home eolony a oounty affair. In this plan the private home idea ie preserved, the independence of the beneficiary of the charity, and it will be more pleasant because the little farms will bo gathered into one com munity, where the old boys oan meet and fight their old battles all over and enjoy the sooiety of old comrades. Newe and Courier. Carnage Waa Dreadful* Washington, Ootober 18.-A report issued by the Io ter-S tate commerce oommia?ion to-day shows that the to tal number of casualties to persona on railroads itt the United 8tatea during the fiscal year ending Jutta 30, 1904, waa 55.130, comprising 3,787 killed and 51,343 injured. This shows a large increase. The total number of collisions and derailments waa 11,291, involving $9,383,077 of damage to cars, engine? and roadway. This is an in crease of 648 collisions ead derail ments, The casualties ?ere an in crease of 233 killed acdof 5,366 in jured over the preceding year. . - - # m?> - Sucoeas often means taking things as they come, and them sell* ing them. - The socialists regard the seat of the government ss a good thing to ait ttl. After Beer Dispensaries. "Yes, I will put every beer dispen sary out of business in the State of South Carolina," said C. P. Sims of the Spartanburg bar, who was in Greenville yesterday attending the United States District court. When asked how he expected to do it and wh'Jthrr or not the reports from Spartanburg were correct, Mr. Sims replied that they were. "I have already started criminal prooeediugd against L. Reblin j; and Joe Hughson. They aro both charged with selling intoxicating drinks to minors, and also for maintaining a nuisance. Both of theso things arc contrary to the very statute itself, whioh expressly says that no alooholio beverage shall be drunk on tho premises of the dispen sary, and further, that nono shall bo sold to minors. This law is violated day after day by many beer dispen saries, many of them maintaining a room just iu tho rear of the bar, where tables and comfortable scats can bc found. - Some go so far as to provide glasses and salt. "The principal fight against tho beer dispensary, however, is to bc made on thc civil side of tho court on the ground that the dispenser re ceives a profit from thia business, which is contrary to the expressed provision of the dispensary law, that declares whatever profit tKcrc is after expenses aro deducted shall go to thc State. As tho business is now con ducted tLe dispenser gets nearly every thing and the State practically noth ing." Mr. Sims intimated that ho ivould begin proceedings at an early date against one or more beer dispensaries in Greenville.-Greenville News. .- I ?-'-? A Question of Temperature. A Sootch doctor who was attending a laird had instructed the butler of the house in taking and recording his master's temperature with a ther mometer. On repairing to the house one morning he was met by the butler, ';o whom he said, "Well,.lohn, I hope Che laird's temperature is cot any higher to day." Tho man looked puzzled for a moment, aud then re plied : "Wed, I was just wouderin' th?t my sel.1 Ye see, he died at twal o'clock."_ - Happiness is one thing a mau contiuues to search for after he has found it. HEADQUARTERS FOR AMERICAN FIELD AND HOG FENCE 58 INCH. wp ?wme jun isaSnac ?3? mn 55 INCH. st 47 uk a 4H Regular Style Stays ia In. or 6 In. apart .I"1- ? Kg . ?PS Special Hos, Horse and Cattle Styte Stays ia In. or 6 In. apart Made of large, strong, high-grade steel ?v ires, heavily galvanized. Amply provides for expansion and contraction. Is practically ever lasting. Never goes wrong, no matter how great a strain is put on it. Docs not mutilate, but does, efficiently, turn cattle, horses, hogs and pigs. EVERY ROD OF AMERICAN FENCE GUARANTEED by the manufacturers and by us. Call and see it. Can show you how it will save you money and fence your fields so they will stay fenced? TVTWO THINGS lt VJ 11 Li 1 1 CONSIDERED. 1 1V1V ?? DON'T BUY Bny cheap Goods because the price ia low. Nor pay high prices because the quality is good, but Good G-ods where you can get them at reasonable prices. We give ont? hundred cents in value for every dollar you pay us. OUR HARDWARE LINE Ie the most complete in the State, and the Goods are Eold strictly on their merita. REPUTATION For HIGH QUALITY AND LOW PRICE is well established. Watch Our Advertisements ! Our Show Windows*! Our Store ! Sullivan Hardware Co. Hew Booms South Main St, Formerly Alliance Store. FOR FALL PLANTING ! Barley? Bye, Winter Vetch. Crimson Clover, Bed Clover, White Clover, 1 Bur Clover. Evans' iPharmaov. ax D. 8. VANDIVER. J. J. MAJOR. E. P. VANDIVER. VANDIVER BROS. & MAJOR, -"- DEALERS IM BUGGIES, WAGONS AND HARNESS. Wo have a splendid line of BUGGIES and HARNESS cheap, and want to tell yon. re have some good WAGONS cheap. - ALSO, IA FEW FINE HAY RAKES, At 8pecial Price. . . COME TO SEE US. Youri truly, VANWVER BROS. & MAJOR. HEALTH ANO VITALITY ? ? mJMmm MM ra mm IVTJXX V:I?;T-?_IIVJJ arxT.jitA? Thc groat remedy ?or nervous prostration ami nil diseases of tho generative* ot Kims ot entier HOI, such as Nervous Prostration, Fal ling or Lost Manhood Impotency, Nightly Kmlssions, Youthful Errors, Mental Worry, excessive.os* of Tobacco or Opium. Which load to Consumption aud Insanity. With overy >5 order wo ijuuranteo to cu'u or refund the money. Sold at $1.00 per box 6 boxes fer $5.OU. im. MOr?'S CIIlilTIICAE, CO., Clcveluud, Olxlo FOI* HAIMK BY EV AMS I'll 4 KM A TY. I). S. VANDIVBR. E. P. VANDIVER?. VAN DIV ER BROS., General .Merchants. COME TO SEE US! Ou anything in our lino and we will make PRICKS SPECIALLY INTER ESTING. Wo have a limited amount ot' Sound, Cheap Flour for Hog Feed, At S3.50 per barrel. Yours for Trade, VAN1HVER BROS, IMPORTANT ! Flooring, Ceiling, Siding, Framing, Shingles, Lime, Cement, Lathes, Brick, Doors, INVESTIGATE when iza Sash, Blinds, J need f kind f_ Mantels, 1 Turned and Scroll Work, Devoe's Paint, Lead, Oil, Turpentine, Hard Oil, Glass, Putty, Etc. EVERYTHING SS THE BUILDER BUILDING MATERIAL, See mo. If I don't sell y or:? I'll make the other fellow SELL YOU RIGHI. "W. Xi- BRISSBY, ANDERSON, S. C. REAL ESTATE FOR SALE. We offer for sale the following desirable property, situ ated in this and surrounding Counties. Nearly all of these places have good improvements on them. For full partier^ ulara as to terms, location, &c, call at my office. 50 acres, two miles from oity, un improved. HOUBO and Lot, 6 acros, near oity limits, very desirable. 1 acre, with now dwelling, in city limits. li? aorcs, near oity limits, cleared, no improvements. 200 aoreB in Fork township, on Tug aloo River, two dwellings. 400 acres in Oaklawn township, in Greenville Co., half in cul ti vat/ion, ? tenant dwellings, 50 acres of this is in bottom land. 700 acres in Hopewell township, on Six and Twenty Creek, 300 aoreB in cultivation, 2 good residences, 6 ten ant dwellings, 40 acres in bottom land. Vii acree in Garvin township, on Threo-aud-Twenty Creek, good dwell ing, barn, ceo. 200 aores in Center township, Coo nee County, 100 cleared, balanoe well timbered, well watered, good mill site with ample water power. 133 acres, in Pendleton township, well improved. Berry place, V?rennos, 87* acres. . 437 aores, Pendleton township, terr ant houses and dwelling. 145 acres, Evergreen place, Savait? nah township. 150 acres in Savannah township^ weM timbered, no improvements. 000 aorcs in Hopewell township. 130 aores in Broadway township-, improved. 230 aorcs in Fork township, on Sei>~ eca River, good dwellings, &o. 800 aores in Anderson County, os> Savannah River. 96 aores in Lowndeovillo townships Abbeville County. 84 aores in Corner township,'. 75 aores in Ooonee County*. 75 aores in Piokens County.' 152 aoreB in Rook Mills township* > on Seneca River, 2 dwellings. 700 acres in Fork township. 56 aores in Macon Co., N. C.,-29* miles above vYalhalls, on roa&^ta* Highlands. 162 aores Broadway Township, on Rocky River. Good improvements^ two tenant settlements, pastures, &e. 40 acres bottom, 40 acron woodland,. 80 acres in cultivation. All the above are desirable Lands, and parties wanting good homes, >a& low prices, oan saleo I iron th? above and call for further particulars. NOT?.. is thc time to secure your homes for another year. JOS. J. FRETWELE, ANDJER30N, g. CP This Establishment has beten Solling: IN ANDERSON for more than forty years. Daring all that time competitors?, have come and gone, bot we have remained right here. We have always sold Cheaper than any others, and during those long years we have not had one dla- - satisfied customer. Mistakes will sometimes ooonr, and if at any tita* wa* j found that a customer was dissatisfied we did not rest nntil we had made hic* satisfied. This polioy, rigidly adhered to, has made us friends, trae and last ing, and we oan say with pride, bnt without boasting, that we have the conS* dence of the people of this section. We have a larger Slock of Goods tMe> season than we have ever had, and we pledge yon onr word that we have noverr sold Furniture at as dose a margin of profit as we are doing now. Thia is proven by the faot that we are selling Furniture not only all over Anderson County bnt in every Town in the Piedmont seotion. Come and see ns. Yona parents saved monoy by baying from ns, and yon and your ohildren can save? money by buying kore lao. We carry EVERYTHING in the Furniture lina? Ce F. TOLLY & SON, Dtpot Street The 01d.Reliable>FnrnitnrelDealera> MOVED I WE have moved our Shop and office below Peoples* Bank, in front' ol Mr. J. J. Fretwell'a ?tables. We respectfully ask all our friends that need? any Roding done, or any kind of Repair work, Engine Stacke, Evaporator?, or any kind of Tin or Gravel Roofing to call on us, as we are prepared to $m lt promptly and in best manner. Soliciting your patronage, wa are, Respectfully, BURRISS A DI WER?.