Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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COMMITS SUICIDE V "~ MB. M. L. DOUGLASS, OF SPRING FIELD, SHOOTS HIMSELF,. Health Gone and in Debt Young Fa-iaer Exaggerates His Troubles Until They Drive Him to Despair. Springfield, June 10.?Special: Near the hour of ten o'clock this morning, Mr. Mott L. Douglass, a ?white farmer living about three miles east of this town, deliberately shot the front and top of his face and head off. Mr. Douglass was about 3 5 years old. He had a wife and three children, the eldest being about 9 years old. , Mr. Douglas was the eldest son of Mr. Joseph J. Douglass and had lived here most of his life. Up to two or three years ago he seemed to prosper, but the last two disastrous years appeared to wipe out the sur plus that he had so carefully horded for his advancing years. Nothing was known here of any trouble until ' a phone message announced the aw ful tragedy. It has been learned from his fam ily that for several weeks Mr. Doug lass has been very deBpondent and, for the past few days, quite unwell. He bought a bottle of laudanum here a day or two ago and said that he wanted it for a sick mule. It now appears that he drank a part of it yesterday and it failing to kill him, he awoke with a full determination to complete his deed. Selecting a time when his wife was attending to .his stock, he took his gun and, going into the yard, lay ?down upon the ground, placing the muzzle under his chin, when he-pres sed the trigger with his toe, shoot ing away his entire face and the top of his head. That the act was de liberately planned is shown by a short note addressed to Magistrate Corbett of this place, asking him to collect an account due him by a cit'zen of this community. He also left the following note: "To Whom it May Concern: "If I should be suddenly taken off, I ask that Marian Ehney take Muriel, A. W. Corbett take Evner May, and that A. E. Gleaton take Harold. I hope my wife will fare better with out me than she can with me. My liealth is gone and I am not able to ?work any more, and 1 do not wish to be a burden to any one. I can not collect the claims I have on another and I can not pay my debts: Everything I have is under papers, except my hogs, cows and household goods. I have some tools that could be used to pay some of my small -debts. "M. L. DOUGLASS. "June 9, 1909." Mr. Douglass -was considered a per fectly reliable man, and his untime ly death is a great shock to his Ssunlly and friends... He allowed his troubles to magnify as he was backed by a strong financial concern of his town who state that he was in no immediate flnancii' difficulties and could get anything he wanted. His ?wife is in a dangerously delicate po sition. . She was Miss Ella Caugh man, daughter Mr. J. G. Caughman of this county. J. H. F. I Rally Meeting. The Times and Democrat: Please state in the columns of your paper that the Orangeburg County Farmers' Union has arranged to hold their Rally Meeting in the county, beginning on June 19th at Ebenezer church, near Cordova; the second at Four Holes church on Saturday, July 3rd, and the third at Culler's Mill, on Thursday, August 12th. All Farmers Union men and their fami lies are urged to attend these meet ings and bring baskets and a cor dial invitation is extended to all other farmers and sympathizers to come and do likewise. Prominent speakers will be pro vided for each meeting and we hope that all will enjoy a pleasant and profitable time. Very respectfully, J. H. CLAFFY, J. R. McCANTS, T. M. DANTZLER, H. A. GIBSON, Committee on Rally Meeting. Will Help the Bond. A committee of ladies has been a; - pointed to solicit subscriptions for the Orangeburg Military band. They will call on the citizens next Tues day, and all are requested to help tue good cause. Mrs. T. A. Jeffords aud Mrs. L. Bennett will call on those on th? east side of Russell street, and Mrs. Otto Spahr and Miss Claudine Wannamaker will look after the west side. Mrs. John Cart and Mrs. Jack Day will call at the offices and at the court house. These ladies wish it understood that they are not beg ging but are soliciting subscriptions and all who wish to contribute are requested to be ready to do so when these ladies call on Tuesday. The Assassin Known. A dispatch from Barnwell says the slayer or slayers of Cleve Fan ning, the Williston farmer, who was ambushed and instantly killed on Friday night, are still at large. The verdict of the coroner's jury was that "he came to his death at the hands of unknown parties,' but it is the consensus of opinion that there is sufficient evidence to cause the arrest of a certain white man whom many believe to be the assassin. Tenant House Burned. A tenant house otr the place of Mr. E. R. Pauuling was burned dov n about half-past three o'clock on Thursday morning. The burned building contained four rooms and was occupied by a colored family. Tlie loss was $400, HIGHWAY ASSOCIATION Organized for Building of Automo bile Road. The Columbia correspondent of The News and Courier says there were present in Columbia Thursday more than one hundred representa tives for the Good Roads Convention held there. Those who showed in terest in this work were some of the progressive men of the various com munities represented. The object of the meeting was to take practical steps towards securing an Inter-State highway that is now bejng planned. The following officers were elected: President, Leonard Tufts, of Pine hurst; vice presidents, George Ed ward Butler, Madison; South Caro lina, Edwin W. Robertson, Columbia; North Carolina, D. Y. Cooper, Hen derson; Virginia, John Branch, Rich mond; Maryland, S. C. Rowland, Bal timore; secretary, Frank Weldon, Atlanta, Ga.; treasurer,, Edwin R. Robertson, Columbia, S. C. Three directors from each State are yet to be selected. There were reports and rcommendations submit ted by the supervisors and practical road men present, but no definite ac tion was taken as to what route would be selected. That was left to the executive committee, which will make its choice after looking over the field. Orangeburg county was represent ed at the convention by Hon. Samuel Dibble, Messrs. I. W. Bowman, W. B. Thompson, W. C. Wolfe, J. D. Griffith, T. J. Hayden and Supervi sor F. J. D. Felder. Calhoun coun ty also had a delegation' present. A Pleasant Party. The Sunshin'?' Club delightfully entertained some of their triends on last Tuesday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Shuler Houck, near Cameron. The evening was greatly enjoyed by all. Parier games were played and the prizes were captured by two young ladies. The punch bowl was gracefully presided over by two charming young'ladles, Misses May Tilley and Ellen Haigler. About ten o'clock the doors of the beautiful decorated dining hall were thrown open to the jolly crowd and refresh ments were served. Afterwards mu sic was rendered by an accomplished musician, Miss Gates. When the evening hours were at a close the happy crowd regretted to go to their homes, but not without many good wishes for the future success of the Sunshine Club. Those who were for tunate enough to attend were, Misses Ruth Haigler, Leila Gates, Annie Lou Stoudenmire, Mary Hoff man, Lizzie Ulmer, Ollie Livingston, May Tilley, Ellen Haigler and Vir ginia Haigler; Messrs. Willie and Shuford Hoffman, Brunson Gates, Boyce Ulmer, Virgil Evans, Hubert Haigler, Felder Evans, Cleveland Ulmer, Marion D&ntzler, Thaddeus Houck and John Hoffman. "M. D." A Very Pleasant Occasion. On Thursday evening Miss Merle Smoak entertained a number of young folks in honr of her guest, Miss Grace Miller, of Mount. Pleas ant, N. C. About forty were pres ent to enjoy the hospitality of the hostess. After several games were played, which were heartily enjoy ed by all present, delightful refresh ments were served. The guests de parted' about eleven o'clock, after enjoying a very pleasant occasion. Those who enjoyed the evening were: Misses Grace Miller, Mary Chisolm, Lois Dukes, Ella Dukes, Lucile Da vis, Bertha Barton, . May Bowman, j Lucile Howell, Pet Brunson, Al [ ma Salley, Lucile Boswell, Edith I Hoffman,, Nathale Salley, Hattie Brunson, Nell Shuler, Eva Brailford, ! Mamie Harley, Gerogia PerreyClear, Maud Ayers, Georgia Sims, Lieia ] Bryant, Emily Glaze, Annie In abinet, Grace Wilkes, Minnie Light foot, Lyna Adden, Annie Stokes, j Merle Smoak, Ora Smoak. Messrs. Arthur Ayers, Earle Dukes, Arthur Davis, Ernest Glover, Newton Brun son, Cole Gibson, Archie Schlffley, Willie Zeigler, Hugo Sim , West Summers, Julius Ahrens, John Vaughn, Clyle Fairy, Edison Fairey, Warren Scoville, Hurbert Josey, Ber nardo Seigneous, Frank Bates, Ross Ayers, Herman Adden, Cecil How ell, Roy Dukes. Rode Into Live Wire. A broken telephone wire which had fallen over an electric light wire, came near causing a serious acoldent near the Atlantic Coast Line freight depot in Bumter Sat urday morning. Mr. C. W. Smith, while riding horseback, came in con tact with the wire, which struck the horse on the leg throwing him to the ground and hurling Mr., Smith over the horse's head. The horse fell clear of the wire, but in rising touch t ed the wire again and was again thrown. This time, however, he fell away from the wire and was not se riously hurt. Fortunately Mr. Smith did not come in contact with the wire, and suffered only a bad shak ing up by his fall. Never have any thing to do with a lose electric tele phone or telegraph wire. They are liable to be loaded. Mr. Wightman Killed. A telegram was received here on Thursday announcing the death of Engineer William E. Wightman, of the A. C. L., at Mulberry, a small station on the Coast Line in the neighborhood of Tampa, Fla. He was killed in a railroad wreck. No particulars were given. Mr. Wightman was a brother of Mrs. T. O. S. Dibble of this city; was 42 years old and has a great many friends in this county, es pecially in the neighborhood of El lorce, where he resided for a num ber of years, being employed on tho Creston-Preynal Branch of the A. C. L. as engineer. CLOSING EXERCISES Of the Pine Hill Graded School a Grand Success. The closing exercises of the Pine Hill Graded School took place May 25, 26 and 27, under the skillful management of Prof. George A. Townes and his assistant, Miss Esther E. Walker. Tuesday Evening, May 23. Play, "The Lost Child," by Annie Lou Binnicker, Mattie May Davis, Blanche Bolen, Kate Jennings, Ma mie Williams, Serennes Boylston, Verban Cook, Lennie Binnicker, Wyatt Bolen, Horner Smoak, Ber trad Gue, McQueen Smith. Recitation, "My Ma, She Knows,' by Leo Gantt. "Fair Drill,' ten little girls. Recitation, "The Independence Bell," by Annie Lou Binnicker. Song, "Birdies Ball," by school. Play, "Those Dreadful Twins," by Misses Esther Walker, Anna Davis, Flossie Davis,, Lucia May Gue; Messrs. Raymond Davis, Julian Bon nette, Fred Boylston, Royzelle Kirk land, Teb Nettles, Otto Boitin. Wednesday Evening, May 26. Song, "Liberty Jubilee," by twelve girls. Pia)-, "Too Mucfli of n Good Thing," Misses Florrie Davis, Celes tial Davis, Pearl Boylston, Louisa Inabinet, Bettie Nettles, Marie Kirk land; Messrs. Fred Boylston, Eugeue Bonnette, Simpson Houck. Recitation, "A Warning,"' Lizzie Binnicker. Recitation, "Legend of Bregenz," Flossie Davis. Drill and song, "Flag of the Free." ten girls. Play, ""Those Dreadful Twins," was enjoyed by all so much that it was decided to have it again Wednes day evening. Presentation of medals and di plomas. There being one graduate, Mr. Royzelle Kirkland, his certificate was presented by the principal, Prof. G. A. Townes. The medal awarded by Miss Walk er of the primary department, was won by Annie Lou Binnicker. The medals offered by the princi pal, Prof. Townes, for best averages in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades, were won by Misses Lessie Bonnette and Lizzie Binnick er. The medal or the most punctual student was won by Miss Flossie Davis. The medal offered for best aver ages in the Latin class was won by Flossie Davis and Celestial Davis. Thursday the picnic was best of all. 'Speeches were made by County Superintendent of Education L. W. Livingston, E. H. Houser and Prof. Myers. When all proceeded to din ner, which was enjoyed by all pres ent, Mr. O. R. Riley spoke- on Pro hibition. Thia has closed a most successful years work and we are glad to know that the good principal has been elected for another term, but don't know about the assistant yet, but hope it will be the same again. "ONE PRESENT." ' Adopted by County Union. Resolutions adopted by Middle pen Local No. 4S3 and submited to the Orangeburg County Union: Whereas, in our opinion, the sell ing of cotton for future delivery will have a tendency to reduce the price in the fall, and Whereas it Is against the move ment now on foot in the national union to gradually market the cot ton crop, he it Resolved, First, that we will ab stain from selling cotton for future delivery at any price. Second, that we submit this resolu tion to the county and State Unions. The above resolution was adopted by the county union with the amend ment that we ask the non-union farmers to also abstain from selling cotton for future delivery and there by assist us, and that we ask the county papres to publish these resolu tions. Beware of Ointments for Catarrh That Contains Mercury. as mercury will surely destroy the sense of smell and completely de range the whole system when enter ing it through the mucous surface. Such articles should never be used except on prescriptions from reputa ble physicians, as the damage they will do Is ten fold to the good you can possibly derive from them. Hall's Catarrh Cure, manufactured by F. J. Cheney & Co., Toledo, O., con tains no mercury, and is taken Inter nally, acting directly upon tne blood and mucous surface of the system. In buying Hall's Catarrh Cure be sure you get the genuine. It is taken Internally and made in Toledo, Ohio, by F. J. Cheney & Co. Tes timonials free. Sold by Druggists. Price 75c per bottle. Take Hall's Family Pills for con stipation. Killed by Fertilizer. It would be well for owners of cows and horses to make a note of the following, which we clip from the Greenville News: "Capt. Robert Simpson, a prominent farmer of the Piedmont section had the misfor- j tune to lose two fine cows the other j day. It seems that the cows wen-1 placed somewhere near a sack of I nitrate of soda, which, the Captain had used for fertilizer purposes. The cows began licking the sack and In a short time died from the poi soning ?'ffects of the acids. Mayor's Court. There were no cases to be tried by the Mayor on Thursday morning. Tho case of Doc Bethea, charged with beating hiB wife, was called up yes terday morning. Doc plead "not guilty" but the Mayor gave him $5 or 12 days. SOME PLAIN TALK MR. A. K. SMOAK REPLIES TO MR. J. S. WANNAMAKER I And Incidentally Tells How Coun try People "Were Fooled Into Vot ing for Calhoun County. Editor Calhoun Advance: Thoroughly alarmed and demoral ized by the stunning blow adminis tered his beloved bond issue in your paper of the 27th ult, Mr. "J. Shottowe Wannamaker," the cham pion bond promoter, has afflicted the public with three columns of literary hash?a heterogeneous mass of po etic and sc/riptural quotations!, so illogically arranged, and foreign to the subject that it can scarcely be termed good nonsense. The bitter bristles with pointed personalities, and its eel tike contor tions ??re intended to attract atten tion from my article, as there was no emorts or replying to my argument which were clear cut and well de fined. Why he should indulge in such merciless and unreasonable criticism, I am unable to understand. I spoke kindly of him, and the nature of his reply Is neither creditable to his head or his heart. He says his arti cle was not intended to be personal, but "humorous." This Teminds me of an amateur artist who drew a pic ture and wrote under it, "This is a horse." I will not be betrayed into a simi lar reply, and propose to hold my friend strictly to the issues discussed in my former article, which he has so carefully avoided. It might in deed "amuse" the public by the ap plication of caustic, but I am not fighting for victory and "amuse ment," but in the interest of truth, and every reader realizes that ridi cule Is not argument, nor personali ties logic. I shall state facts plain ly, but only in the interest of truth. Neither did I enter this contro versy with the intention of being switched off into a discussion of the relative merits of the English poets. The voters and taxpayers of Calhoun county are now concerned about the proposed bond deal, not about poetry, and when that question is settled, if Mr. Wannamaker desires to have a pleasant comparison of the respective merits of our favorite authors, and by mental attrition remove the cob webs from his poetic brain, I will not object to the diversion, but for the present, will hold him strictly to the subject under cimfideration. The taxpayers of Calhoun county have read of old, that "There is a time and place for everything under heav en," etcept a time to attempt willful ly to deceive the people. They also know that a metrical composition will not furnish apparel for the body, but that money taken from their pockets by exhorbitant taxation for the erection of an extravagant court house will, and that the full flour barrel, and not Shakespeare and Tennyson can be reiled on to sup ply the family demands. The people of our county are not devoid of a devotional spirit, and in its proper time would be delighted to aid in carrying out the beautiful sentiment so glibly quoted from Ten nyson?"Ring in the Christ" (the right), "that is to be," but just at present they are more properly con cerned about "ringing out the false" ?your- thirty thousand dollar bond issue, which is the most effective way of "Ringing in the true, the Christ that is to be."' Mr. Wannamaker hastens to the defense of Judge Watts, raises a tem pest in a teapot, and even lugs in Judges Aldrich and Dantzler, whose names were not mentioned. He says these noble and highly honored men have been assailed by "Citizen." I deny the charge, refer to my article and be convinced. I did say that Judge Watts was probably inveigled into so doing. And now for the proof, Dr. W. T. C. Bat&s confesses to having requested the Judge to mention the matter, and it is prob able that his kindly feeling for Dr. j Bates, and at least one other gentle man who approacl ed him, got the better of his judgment, and prompt ed the break. The Judge was ex cusable, as he was Ignorant of local conditions, pledges and differences, and those who interviewed, did not see fit to enlighten him on these points. i Mr. Wannamaker's intemperate seal without knowledge. ha3 placed him in an awkward position. I wrote Judge Watts immediately after the paper appeared, and encolsed my article. Ho did not think as Mr. Wannamaker, that it was an unpar donable sin for me to criticise the bond promoters, and a Judge, but to the contrary admits its correctness. Says he, "It was several days after opening court before I learned there was any division among the people over it. I then learned the town promised $20,000, but no cash was put up, and it struck me that bondd could not be voted by town for that purpose, and the citizens would have to cough up that amount, if the town carried out its promise, but it is no affair of mine, and 1 am of the opin ion the people should settled their affairs to suit themselves. Whatever a Judge says to the Grand Jury, is his views, and they generally do th?-ir own way." How long has it been since it be came a crime for tho humblest citi zen to criticise a public officer, even ? though that official should be "J. j Skottowe Wannamaker, Chairman Board of Commissioners," as he pom pously designates himself? The Judge remarks sustain my views, and Mr. Wannamaker is in the same predicament that Gen. Proctor found himself when Tecumseh, the Indian : chief, said, "Pale face shoot off mouth, heep big talk, no sense." Before receiving the Judge's letter I thought it marvelously strange that this highly cultured man was not able to defend himself against "Citi zen," and had to employ Mr. J. S. TWO Wannamaker, the bond deal pro moter, to champion his cause, but it is all clear now, some will "rush j in, where angels fear to tread." . Had he obeyed the injunction, "Med die not with strife that belongeth not to thee," he would have saved himself from the ridicule incident to trying to defend a party from a ? charge to which he had plead guilty. ! I regret that Mr. Wannamaker should have launched his shallow bark on the stormy sea of controversy, ; before attempting to ascertain the ! facts in the case. I have no desire J for controversy, did not seek it, and would gladly have saved him from I the painful consciousness that ,he ' erred in "going forth hastily to J strive, not knowing what to do in the end thereof, when his neighbor I hath put him to shame." The fact that my friend anticipat , es trouble, and attempts to defend I Judge Dantzler and Aldrich from a I purely imaginary attack weakens his case. It naturally creates suspicion. I Mr. Wannamaker may not, but every j other citizen knows, that a Judge is ! not likely to lecture voluntarily on ' theso questions, and if he does, it is because he has reason to believe J I there is no community division. The Judges make it a rule never to allude ' to a matter of local division where 1 no question of law is involved, and always carefully avoid the appear ance of throwing the weight of their flcial position on the one side or the other, of any local issue. "Great men are not always wise, neither do the aged understand wis j dorn," neither is .the "Chairman ' Board of Commissioners infallible, j j If they were, several of my good i friends, including Mr. J. S. Wanna-; J maker, would not now be on the mourners bench, and earnestly say j ing one to another, "Oh, that I had ' wings like a dove, for then would j ! I fly away and he at rest," from the - ! exposure of juggling with a Judge, and attempting to defend a weak ' case, for "verily" when he is caught . "the way of the transgressor is hard." I did not mention or criticise the I commissioner, but in his mad zeal to defend his colleagues from an Im aginary assault, he assumes that the private citizens of Calhoun county has not more right to review and I pass upon the official acts of Dicta tor Wannamaker and his board of commissioners, "who loom above. you," than they have to council the Almighty on the process of creation. I have not found fault with the com missioners, and toould gladly aid them in any way to further any legit imate plan for advancing the inter est of the county, and doubtless if they see fit to net on some, if not all of my suggestions, they would, in the long run, find a safer haven. But the humblest citizen has the right to criticise a public servant, and should not be deterred therefrom by the despotic attitude of any mem ber of the hoard. By discussion, criticism, agitation, men are led to think. By thought, sentiment is created, and when senti ment is created, action follows, and men fear public sentiment more than they do the law and prisons. Per haps that accounts for the howl rais ed by my innocent appeal to the peo ple. Publicity is the greatest power on earth to check wrong doing. Un less the public is aroused there will be no difference in the conduct of affairs, but let the people become awakened to wrong conditions, and they can no longer exist. I cannot see why Mr. Wannamaker should read me into the class who had com mitted the "sin against the Holy Ghost," because I staf,,d truth fear lessly rnd courteously in my former letter. I repeat, that nothing is to be lost by taking the people in your confidence, and letting them know the truth, the whole truth, and noth ing but the truth?and one way to do this, is to talk and reiy more upon them, and less upon circuit Judges. The people were given the most solemn pledges, that the town would furnish $20.000, which amount they were told would be amply sufficient to erect a suitable, well-equipped, and up-to-date court house and jail in every particular, and that all they would be called upon to contribute, was to vote for the county, and en joy Its blessings. They were furth er told that Orangeburg was pressing a project to build an expensive court house, and that if we did not get out with a rush, tho burden of taxation as a result, would be unbearable to our taxpayers. The people believed they were receiving the truth, voted tor and wen the county, and now they look with amazement on Mr. Wannamakers spectacular advocacy of their voting for a cool thirty thousand additional mortgage upon themselves, and upon their children ?more than the amount that this section would probably have been cal led upon to contributo to a new court house in Old Orangeburg, had we remained in that county. The sooner the people are told the worst, and allowed to realize it. the better for all concerned. In 1907 in lieu of giving certified checks for the $20, 000 to build the court house and jail, tho following note form was arranged: $100.00 On demand. I promise to pay to T. A. A maker. Treasurer Calhoun County Organization, One Hundred (-) Dollars. value received, payable at St. Mat thews, S. C, for the purpose of building a court house and jail for the county of Calhoun, provid ed tho Town of St. Matthews fails to build a court house and Jail. Should the Town of St. Matthews build a court house and jail, this obligation Is to become null and void. (Signed) Mr. Wannamaker holds notes of this kind, aggregating $20,000? what they are really worth is a dif ferent question. From most avail- j able information I learn that about two thousand dollars in these notes are worthless, and about three thou | sand more were not signed by sup posed givers, but endorsed by other 1 reliable parties, and the remaining i $ If),000 is only valuable to the ex ' tent of moral obligation, and I have I been informed by good lawyers that ' legally, not a dorlar could be col lected. The moral responsibility in volved in this amount is at present i good, but Mr. Wannamaker says it will be three or four years before anything can be done. Human af fairs, particularly the financial, are so changeable that it is probable that a number of men, now able, if not exactly willing to pay these notes, could not do so at the expira i tion of four years. This must be j apparent to all, and Judge Watts, I while i^ot interfering in local is , sues, is right in observing that the best thing the town can do, if it keeps faith, is to "cough up the cash." I Should the town fall down on the ! $20,000 or any part of it, as a re ; suit of finally coming down to the individual note giver, the thirty thousand dollars that he proposes j to raise from the county would build a creditable court house and jail, and the people would have ample opportunity to mourn over violated campaign pledges, with no hope of redress. I do not mean to charge Mr. Wannamaker /with designing such a result, I am only point ing out a possibility. Mr. Wannamaker says that all the I proposals for this large bond issue came from the country people. If this be true, why is it that Mr. Wan namaker, a city banker, is only to ; be found long and loud in advocacy of the scheme? I yield to no man in a desire to see the town prosper and succeec, in every line of progress, but I do stand for absolute fairness to all in the manipulation of this bond issue. I am anxious to have a creditable court house and jail, but my sense of fairness revolts at a proposition to the country people for a thirty thousand dollar bond issue, the bur den of which they are to bear, be inji placed upon them by the vote of St. Matthews. Of course a box would have to be provided for the country voters, but it could be understood that the town electors would refrain from voting on the proposition, and it takes the wildest campaign flight of imagination to conger up a bond sale for that reason. I am not ob jecting to a bond issue by our coun try friends, and would be delighted to have it, but the effort to force the issue upon the rural sections by the vote of St. Matthews is tyranny, pure and simple, a direct blow at liberty and a step toward Czardom. At a very critical period In Jewish history, the people heart-sore and weary with burdensome taxation, re sorted to Rehoboam and said: "Thy father made our yoke greivous; now therefore make thou the grievous service of the father and his heavy yoke which he put upon us light." And he said, "Depart for three days, Tfcen come again." And the old men counciled him, saying: "Speak gcod words to them and they will serve thee forever." But he forsooth the counsel of the old men and con sulted with the young men that were grown up with him. Zo the people came to Rehoboam the third day, and he answered them roughly, and forsook the council of the old men and said: "My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.' And Israel saw that the king harkened not unto them, and the people said: "To your tents, O, Israel." Then Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute, and all Israel stoned him with stones that he died. Therefore Rehoboam made haste to get him up to his chariot to tieo to Jerusalem. Mr. Waunamakt: might ponder this sad chapter of human history with great profit. The citizens of the portions of Orangeburg and Lex ington counties were told that they were serving hard taskmasters, and were given the most solemn promise that St. Matthews would bear all the expense of the court house and jail, and only faith in these assur ances gave us the county. We trust ed the people then, and they stood by us, now let the town stand by its campaign promises, plank down tbe $20,000 and not wait "three or four years" to do it. If the people see fit to supplement that amount with twenty or even thirty thousand dol lars, I do not object, but we cannot afford to break faith with our friends and thus "chastise them with scor pions." Neither can we ask them by an act of pure and simple gener osity, to contribute any supplemen tary amount, and *.hen, by our vote, force it upon them. If .Mr. Wanna maker is determined to do so. thus ruthlessly violating the sancitity of campaign pledges, the people would be justified in holding an election and voting themselves back into Lex ington and Orangeburg counties. Rehoboam answered the people in three days, during an important cri sis; now the demands of our citizens for the $20.000 Is met with the cool assertion that it can be dono, and in the meantime he proposes to force a thirty thousand dollar bond in debtedness uj)on the county, by the vote of St. Matthews. He had better act. upon the suggestion of Judge Watts ?"Cough up the twenty thou sand in cash," lest when he, like Re hoboam of old, sends out this tax gathering scheme three or four years hence, the people stone it with their ballots till it die, and "J. Skottowe Wannamaker, Chairman Board of Commissioners," like Rehoboam of olo, be compelled to "get him up to LOCAL MWSI1LMS. PICKED UP ALL ABOUT BY OUR REPORTERS. What Is Happening in tho Country as Well as in the Cities and Towns. A delightful shower of rain fell yesterday. It was quite refreshing. Miss Little Thomas, of Charles ton, is on a visir to Miss Willie Copes in l;,2-; c.'iy. The Orangeburg Military Band gave one of its delightful open air concerts yesterday afternoon. In our last is?uc the day of tbe wedding of Mr. Cornelius McMichael and Miss Mary Etnel Smith should have been the 16th instead of the 17th. We are indebted to Mr. Cecil Capers Phillips for an invitation to the commencement of the Porter Military Academy at Charleston, which took place on Thursday. The Band of Hope will meet this morning at ten o'clock. All the members are earnestly requested to be there as- songs will be practiced for the temperance meeting on Tues day evening. Muzle the dogs, not only during the summer, but until the epidem ic of hydrophobia is stamped out is the advice of the United States au thorities, which have fully investi gated the matter. The ladles sold ice cream yester day evening for the benefit of tbe Orangeburg Military Band. Ice cream will be sold by them for the same purpose every Friday after noon during the summer. We witnessed the death once of a big, strong, stalwart man from tbe bite of a stray cur. Since then, we have had a horror of hydrophobia, and would not care if every measley cur in the country had their tails cut off right behind their ears. TEMPERANCE LECTURE. Mr. Q'Rfley Will Speak at Court. House Tuesday Nnight. A prohibition meting will be held at the Court house Tuesday evening June 16, at 8:30, when Mr. M. O'Ai June 15, at 8:30, when Mr. M. OTli ley will deliver one of his prohibition talks. The local Band of Hope, a juvenile temperance organization, is being rehearsed for an opening chorus. Miss Christa Belle Livingston, ol North, will sing "Ninety and Nine." his chariot," or automobile, and Oee to St. Matthews, where-he-may-close his last years In peace?a sadder but wiser man for having learned the les son that the people, and not "J. Skottowe Wannamaker," are in tbe saddle, and rule Calhoun county. I mistake the spirit of our rural voters if they quietly sit and accept, tbe dictum of a banker, while writing from his comfortable and elaborately furnished office, coolly advising them to vote a thirty thousand dollar bonded indebtedness, and all this while the average voter is pulling the bell cord over a mule, with the thermometer ranging in the nineties, and worrying his sun-baked brain as to how he will meet his maturing bank notes in the Fall, and his ever increasing taxes iu December. 1 have now reached the most pain ful part of a controversy which was not of my seeking, a portion which I would gladly throw the veil of char ity and a non-exposure, were it possi ble to do so In justice to myself. It is all the more regrettable because our relations have and are now of a cordial nature, and will remain so, but Mr. Wannamaker's intemperance of speech having forced the issue, he cannot reasonably object to receiving at least as hard blows as he adminis tered. However, they will be a? 'amusing and humorous" as he as sures roe his were intended to be. I did not, as Jabove stated, have any idea of provoking a controversy, but having been assailed, simply act on the defensive. Having fully dip cussed all the points of interest in volved, and being of the opinion that further controversy is unnecessary, I will have nothing more to say through the columns of the press, at least for the present. Mr. Wannamaker declares that my article "was written by a man who has not backbone enough to sign his name," and several times in different parts of his article he posi tively declares, "I do not know who Citizen is." I would respectfully call Mr. Wannamaker's attention to the old Arab proverb, that In order to be a pood prevaricator, it is indis pensibly necessary to have a good memory, for if he has not, every time it fails, he trips, is exposed and has an ignominous fall. I would courteously suggest to the Commissioners that if they are con cerned about the interest of peace and harmony, about which we have heard so much in Mr. Wannamaker's article, it would not be amiss to ap point a publishing committee to edit his articles before they reach th? public eye, as they have been ex tremely unfortunate in having his voluntary fulminations in their be half. No other member would have been guilty of such duplicity in pre senting their case, and bearing their banners, for I have the evidence to prove that he did know I was the autber, and only consideration for parties involved prevents me from publishing names. Pity and sorrow for him restrain me from further characterization of his pretended ig norance of authorship. A. K. SMOAK. June 7th. 1909.