Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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mtU COTTON BUYER FARMERS SOLD HIM COTTON AHEAD Df THE SPRING JSct Refused to Deliver in the F?U? Claiming Deals Were of Gambling Nature. The Columbia State says L. V. 3Whble, a cotton buyer who has been engaged in business in Columbia for tear years, is threatened with bank rwgtcy proceedings. The defendant h? a son of Samuel Dibble, a former congressman and highly regarded citizen of the State, and is himself a man of considerable force and talent. There is much Involved in the pro ceedings for bankruptcy which have been filed with a firm of lawyers in Columbia. It is said that the pe tition in bankruptcy has been filed with the federal court, Judge W. JL Brawley of Charleston. Mr. Dib ble's liabilities are alleged to be $75,000 and his available assets but $25,000. However, it Is declared, had Mr. Dibble been 'given the cotton which j tie bought on a ba3is of future de livery he would today be able to jay all indebtedness and in addition would have a comfortable fortune. Mr. Dibble's troubles, it seems, are due to refusal on the part of many farmers who had contracted last winter and spring to deliver cotton, to come up with the cotton after they saw the price had advanc ed so sharply, contending that they were not legally or morally bound by the agreement, inasmuch as, in their opinion, the transaction was a gamb ling one. Mr. Dibble was therefore ?nable to deliver to the firms he con tract with, and they, having in tarn sold, are now falling back on him for the cotton. His case is ?similar to that of the Sprunt firm ?f Wilmington, wh.^h it is under stood has lost about $250,000 in 4Mb way. It is said that one man living in Ute lower part of the State, who is worth $50,000, has repudiated con tracts he made with half a dozen ?cotton factors. Calculating on mak Sag a comfortable margin, he agreed to deliver cotton this fall at prices mtnging between 9 and 12 cents. When the fall came on and the price went up, he reneged. Mr. Dibble, It is understood, will turn over his contracts to his credi tors; and an interesting line of suits in expected to follow against South Qarcftna farmers and small mer chants who agreed to deliver to Mr. Bibble. L. V. Dibble is a son of Samuel Dibble, the oldest alumnus of Wof Jord college, and a former chairman *f the Democratic State committee. After graduating in law at the South Carolina university about 10 years ,ago Mr. Dibble engaged for a year ha the practice of law in.Orangeburg. Then he announced his intenton to engage in the cotton business and JSour years ago he went to Colum bia as the representative of Geo. H. McFadden & Co., a concern, of inter national reputation. For the last three years Mr. Dlb .hle has been engaged in the cotton 'business for himself and he had .prospered until this year. Antici pating that cotton would advance to ?15 cents in December, he bought ;heavily during the summer at lower prices. He contracted to deliver cotton on the strength of the repre sentations made him by those from ,whom he had purchased. But the farmers have been holding .hack the cotton they had and the manufacturers have been demanding ? from him, and Mr. Dibble may for the time be forced out of business. Mr. Dibble was the first to make the fight for a general cotton plat form in Columbia; he has always boosted the local market, and his friends hope that he will soon again he an active factor. As a matter of fact no papers have been served on him by the courts. Mr. Dibble has been furnishing The State daily with market quotations in Columbia and these will be continued until the end of the current year at ??least. ? THE ORANGEBURG BAND Will Give a Grand Concert at the Academy of Music. Much interest is being manifest ed In the coming concert of the Orangeburg Military ifand at the Academy of Music next Monday night, Dec. 27. The members have been practicing and getting them selves in* good shape for this oc casion, and it goes without saying that this will be a most delightful occasion and will be "pulled off" as only can be done by this superb band of musicians. Mr. O. K. Wilson has arranged a splendid program of classified and popular music, and it is hoped that the concert will be patronized liber ally. As this organization has been furnishing concerts on the square for the past two summers at prac tically their own expense, It will not be asking very much to have every seat in the Academy of Music occupied on the night of the con cert. The band needs and deserves the proceeds from this concert. The general admission is only 50 cents, and children 25. Teachers' Meeting. The Or.m?eburg County Teachers Association held its first regular monthly meeting at the courthouse on Saturday morning. Prof. Thaok ston. Prof. Marts and Prof. Marcha't made talks on different subjer. re lating to school government and schcol work. All the talks were in teresting and instructive. The meet ing was well attended by teaor-.e.vj. BRANCHV1LLE NEWS. Schools Close for the Holidays. Other Local News. Branchville, Dec. 17.?Special: The Branchville graded and high schools closed today for the holi days and will not open again.until the first Monday in January. The pupils seem to be glad that they are to have a short vacation and say that they expect a good time during the Christmas holidays. Miss Florrie Richburg, of Rich burg, is expected in town today, while here she will spend several days as the guest of her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Bruce. Dr. J. A. Parker returned today from Atlanta, where she spent sev eral days this week on professional business. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. . B. Fairey and family, who lived in the country a few miles from town, has moved to Graceville, Ga., where they will make their future home. C. M. Noble went to Saint Mat thews yesterday to attend to some important business. Dr. Elzey Meyers, who was as signed to pastoral work by the Conference near Rock Hill, passed through town today en route to his old home near Smoaks, where he will spend some time as the guest^ of his mother, Mrs. William Mey ers. Considerable interest is being taken in the big lot sale that is to be conducted here next Tuesday by Ligon Brothers. The lots are be ing put in good shape and will most likely bring a good price when they are put on the block. All real es tate that has been sold in Branch ville during this year has brought a good price. SHOULD USE STAMPS. Patrons on Rural Routes Urged to Help Carriers. From a recent count made by rural carriers in one of the coun ties in the State of New York of coins deposited by natrons in their boxes for the purchase of stamp ?supplies, it was found that /each carrier in the country was collect ing an average of 115 one-cent coins each week. This average applied to all the routes in operation through out the country would! give the enormous total of about 300,000, 000 one-cent coins. v As most of these coins are depos ited loose in boxes, it is desirable that you and the rural carriers, in a tactful and polite way, but forth your best efforts to induce patrons to provide themselves with stamp supplies in advance of their needs, and to equip their boxes with suita ble coin-holding receptacles. It should be explained to patrons that the picking of loose coins from boxes not only results in needless hard ship andi suffering to carriers in winter weather, delays the delivery and collection of the mails, but fre quently results In-actual money loss to the carriers, for if, in collecting coins from boxes, they drop them intv\the snow or on the ground with out recovery, they are required to replace the amount out of their own funds. A COTTON THRESHER. Machine Invented to Save Staple in Unopened Bolls. A good deal is being said in the papers about a cotton thresher gin, which was Invented by a citizen of Oklahoma and which has been in operation in that State this fall, with, it is claimed, much success. A great many bolls of the crop for several years only partially op ened and some inventive genius in Oklahoma determined to save what would otherwise be thrown away So he Invented this threshing gin. The bolls were fed into the gin, re sembling hickory nuts as they went in. The machine promptly tore ?Jhem 'to pieces and separted the lint that had not been exposed to the view of the pickers in the fields. In this way it is estimated that ful ly twenty thousand bales of cotton have this year been saved in Oklaho ma alone. This is a considerable Item in th" output of that State, and the lnven tion is attracting the attenticn of the cotton world. If it can be per fected in a way that will eliminate the cotton pickers In the fields the American crop of cotton can be largely Increased at no considerable expense. Excursion Rates via Southern. Account Christmas holidays the Southern Railway announces very low round trip excursion rates from all points. Tickets will be on sale December 17th, 18th, 21st, 22d. 23d, 24th, 25th, 31st, 1909. and January 1st, 1910, limited good to return leaving destination not later than midnight of January 6, 1910. Children half fare. For further information, rates, etc., apply to Southern Railway tick et agents, or address J. C. LUSK, D. P. A., Charleston, S. C. J. L. MEEK, A. G. P. A., Atlanta, Ga. Editors' Christinas Cheer. During the past week Mr. E. P. Halgler, of the Cameron section, sent us In a box of spare ribs, sau sages and puddinr. Mr. Dennis Gilmore, of Holly Hill, supplemented a barrel of fine potatoes, sent us a short time again, with a box of spare ribs, sausage, pudding and a hug? ham. Then on top of this, our kins man, Mr. James Sims, of Orange Springs, Fla., sent us a box of orang es from his grove at that place. The r.-??n ore fine, and no one in all this land can surpass the pudding an 1 sausages made by Messrs. Haig lor ani Gilmcre. Verily, we are living on the fat of the land. WILL ?Kut? tLtCHON REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ERS BEFORE GOV. ANSEL. The Question of the Addition of Portion of Berkeley to Orange burg Will Soon be Decided. Gov. Ansel will order an election to be held on February 3 to decide as to the annexation of a part of Berkeley county to Orange burg. The voting precincts in the territory are Holly Hill and Eutawville. A petition was recently filed with Gov ernor Ansel by the voters of the sec tion desiring annexation. Several weeks ago the members o? the Berkeley county registration board were ordered to appear before Governor Ansel to show cause why they should not be removed from of fice on the charge that they had not attended three consecutive meetings of the board. At the hearing, when satisfactory excuses had been given to Governor Ansel, the charges were dismissed. Sickness, either on the part of the members of the board or their families was the defence. It was charged that those desiriug to vote in t\js election had not been given a chance to register. Governor Ansel named the fol lowing commissioners: T. L. Con nor, R. H. Moss, J. St. Clair White and G. M. Norris to Investigate and report as to the petition filed rela tive to the annexation of a portion of Berkeley county to Orangeburg. The commissioners selected T. C. Hamby, of Columbia, and Frank W. Frederick, of Orangeburg, as survey ors to make joint survey. The com missioners investigated statements in the petition for the election and the following facts were presented: "1. We find that- the petition for said annexation .ontains more than one-third of the qualified* electors of Berkeley county, residing In such territory as appears from a certifi cate of supervisor of registration for Berkeley county attached to the original petition. "2. We find that more than two million dollars In taxable property will still remain In Berkeley county, If said territory Is cut off as ap pears from the certificate of the county auditor of Berkeley county at tached in said petition. "3. We find from the United States census that the poulation In Berkeley county, if the said territory is cut off, will not be less than fif teen thousand inhabitants. "4. We find that the area left in Berkeley county, if such territory is annexed, will not be less than five hundred square miles. "5. We find that the lines sur rounding the proposed territory will not run within ei'Zht miles of any county seat, and that no incorporat ed .town or city has been cut by said lines. "6. We find, that the territory proposed to be annexed contains one hundred and thirty and sixty one hundredths (130 60-100) square miles as appeals from the map of said proposed territory, siyveyed by Messrs. T. C. Hamby and Frank W Frederick, the duly appointed sur veyors for the joint survey, which map or plat was surveyed in Decem ber, 1909, and attached as a part of this report, together with the affidavits of said surveyors append ed to said map or plat." The remainder of the report is given up to the enumeration of the cost of the survey. DISASTER AVERTED AT COPE. Timely Rain Saves Town From Serious Conflagration. Cope. Dec. 19.?Special: Fire was discovered this morning at 7:15 o'clock on the cotton platform ad joining the depot.- It was first seen by Julius Johnson, a negro, and in a short while several persons gath ered up an 1 rolled the burning bales off the platform into the street, where they were put out. One had to be loosened up, as the fire had eaten its way pretty deeply into It. The two bales had been bought by Green Brabham Company and had been sold and were awaiting ship ment. It had been raining nearly a'i night, and for this reason alone Cope was once more saved from fire, for some fifty or more bales were dis tributed over the platform, and it has been so very dry up to this time that nothing could have saved th town had the fire gotten to them. COTTON* MARKET. New York Futures. Open Close. January.15.01 15.02-03 March .. .. ..15.37 15.38-3U May. 15.67 15.69-68 July. 15.66 15.66-00 August. 15.35 15.36-38 September. 14.06-09 October. 13.44 13.46-48 December. 14.75 14.94-96 Orangeburg Market. Local spots quoted at 14.75. Receipts at Orangobur<;. Saturday.120 bales Monday.13. bales Makes Them Feel Gooil. The Calhoun Advance says: "Wo would like to call the attention of the Orangeburg editors to the fact that a Calhoun county farmer won first prize in the five-acre corn con test?and that no big glowing ac counts of what the winner was do ing was published during the grow ing season, (ither. It takes corn to win i:i a contest of this kind, an? that's what Calhoun county produ-" e 1. We ft e! sorry for the folks over ? n-'o. Th< y just em't win wh?T. Calhoun is competing." We rojoi?o with the A.iv iice on the success or Capt. Moss. We wish we had many farmers like him in both Onange burg and Calhoun. BOWMAN NEWS. Oorrospondent Discusses Several Topics of Interest. Bowman, Dec. 20.?Special: The continuous "drizzle drozzle" rain which was in evidence here yester day kept almost everybody indoors all day. ? Services at the several churches was suspended on account of the cold and disagreeable rain: A slow rain commenced here on Saturday evening and has been fall ing continuously ever since, soak ing in the ground about as fast as it fell. The temperature remained at 40 degrees all day with little or no change during the past 24 hours. The rain is welcomed by all except the busy housekeepers, who antici pate a general house cleaning, and need good weather for the success ful accomplishment of this work. A tidy appearance of the dwelling, the yard and general surroundings are indicative of good thrifty house keepers and many vie with each bther in this work of preparation for Christmas. The merchants of Bowman have had a splendid fall trade and there is anticipation that the Christmas trade from now till Saturday will exceed any previous year in Bow man's history. The chaingang which has been at work in this section for some weeks, are now at work on the old Orange burg and Charleston road some miles below Bowman. The work was com menced at the Dorchester line, com in? towards this town, doing an ex cellent piece of work widening the road to 30 feet, allowing vehicles to pass each other at full speed without any danger of a collision. This is a much needed Improvement, as a majority of our public roads are too narrow. Hon. Samuel Dibble is making the same improvement on the work be ing done on same road leading to Orangeburg. Mr. Dibble's enthusi asm on the good road question con tinues at a "white heat," and his ambition looking forward to a first- i class auto road through this entire section will be realized quite soon. The mall handled on the four tt. F. D. routes from Bowman has in creased rapidly of late, the carriers now handling between fifteen and twenty thousand pieces per month, on an average of a little more than 4,000 pieces per carrier. Carrier No. 1 is still In tne lead so far, with No. 4 following close behind. No. 2 is behind but catching up some. No. 1 broke all previous records by bringing in 28 applications for mon ey orders the pa?t week. "Christmas booze" has been or dered to a larger extent from this section this year than usual. The B. & B. R. R. refuses to handle the stuff and consignees get it from Branchville and Orangeburg express offices. Prohibition so far as drink- : ing is concerned is a perfect farce, as predicted by the writer some time ago. It is now purchased in larger quantities and more freely drank than heretofore. Of course the poor fellow who Is not able to order the stuff has to do without It, making the consumation somewhat less than usual, but the habitual drinker will have it "in spite of creation." There will be a Christmas tree at the Baptist church on Christ mas eve, to which the public is cor dially p.vited to attend. Appropriate exercises are in preparation for the occasion. Santa Claus has promised to remember all of the good little boys and girls in and around town on thia occasion and a pleasurable time is anticipated by ali. Mr. JuIIub Grambllng was a visi tor here yesterday. Rumor has it that something more than common attracted him to have the elements snap a disagreeable day as yesterday to visit Bowman. We will see later on. Mrs. Godfrey gave a candy pull ing and Mrs. Carter a sociable last week, to which a number of young people o' Bowman were invited and some also from the surrounding country. Both occasions were en joyed by the invited guests. "Dundee." CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY RATES. The Atlantic Coast Line Railway Announcement. On sale December If, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 1909, and Janu ary 1st, 1910. With final limit to leave destina tion not later than midnight January 6. 1910. Tickets on sale to stations East of the Mississippi river and South ?)t the Ohio and Potomac rivers. For further information, address aearest ticket agent, or T. C. WHITE, G. P. A., W. J. CRAIG. P. T. M., Wilmington, N. C. St. Paul's New Pastor. Rev. H. W. Bays, D. D., in a let ter to James L. Sims, chairman of the Board of Stewards, says he will be in Orangeburg and hold his firs service on next Sunday morning. While here he will make arrange ments about the coining of Mrs. Hays, which will not be b-jfjro the middle of next week. It is likely that Dr. Hays will arrive In Orange burg Saturday evening on the train from Columbia and will be enter tained at the home of some of the stewards. Woodmen Elect Officers. The local camp of the Woodmen last night elected the following of ficers for the next year: Frank E. Smith, C. C. C. M. VanOradell, A. L. J. L. Weeks, Hanker. A. C. Dibble, Clerk. A. S. Kennedy. Escort. J. L. O Cain, Watchman. Julius Wannamaker. Sentry. This. J. Hay 1 er Manager. The camp is lu j uioat iloarish ing conditio . THE AUTO ROUTE BETWEEN CHARLESTON AND OR ANGEBURG DISCUSSED And Its Selection Deferred to th~ First of May When the Best Will Bo Chosen. The News and Courner says an enthusiastic meeting of the Path finders to Orangeburg of the Charles ton Automobile Club was held at the Commercial Club Thursday af ternoon. The meeting was called by the good roads committee of the Automobile Club, and Col. James Cosgrove, the chairman, stated that the object'of the meeting was .to discuss the selection of the official route from Charleston to Orange burg in accordance with the resolu tions adopted at the good roads mass meeting held at Orangeburg on De cember Sth. The following gentle men were present: James Cosgrove, Geo. W. Williams, Brig. Gen. G. G. Greenhough, Admiral J. D. Adams, Ashley C. Tobias, Wilson G. Har vey, Samuel G. Stoney, J. H. C. Wulbern, H. Stevens White, Paul E. Trouche and M. B. Paine, Jr. After a through discussion, the following stater^nt was authoriz ed: "The inspection of both of the routes from the City of Charleston to the city of Orangeburg by our com mittee discloses the fact that the greatest trouble to be utcicome Is that from high water. This appl.es with about equal force to both routes Our inspection was made at a time when no heavy rains had fallen for several months and, therefore, the roadways could not show the effect high water would have on them. In iddition to this a great many prom ises have been made by the road authorities and the people of the territory In which both highways run as to this improvement., but the plans have not had time to mater ilize and consequently a final de cision at this time might do a grave Injustice to one route or the other. Taking into consideration all the circumstances, the committee is of the opinion that no final decision be made now, so that the opportuni ty be given to the road authorities :o put their highways In the condi ;lon promised, or nearly so, by the first of May, 1910, and about that late the committee will make a through run to the city of Colum ola, going by one route and return ng by the other, the decision as to :he officials route be postponed until ;his inspection Is had. We believe :his action is equally just to all par ties and will give the opportunity md time required to put their roads n the best possible condition be fore the inspection In May, so It will depend solely upon what ef forts will be made by them to Im prove their roads and the condition 3f same in May, 1910, which of the competing routes will be chosen as :he official one. A resolution of thanks was adopt sd for hospitality and courtesies ex pended the pathfinders by the citi zens of Summervllle, Harleyville, Bowman, Orangeburg and Holly Hill, und the following letter was read from Supervisor W. H. Dennis, of Berkeley. The chairman was re quested to reply to Mr. Dennis on :he line Indicated in the statement printed above, with the admonition for Berkeley county to "get busy" ind show by next May what if can Jo in the making of good roads. Dennis' letter follows: Macbeth, S. O, Dec. 13, 1909. The Hon. James Cosgrove, Char leston, S. C.?Dear Sir: I wish to express to you and your committee my appreciation of the great kind ness shown me on our trip from Charleston to Orangeburg and re turn. This pleo?*nt trip will long be remember _d by me, especially mould you decide to adopt the old State road through Berkeley county [)y Holly Hill, as the route from Charleston to Orangeburg. While the other route has more induce ments in regard to several small towns, still feel that the present conditions of road beds on the State road and even road from Cooper's store to Summervllle will over-bal ance the small prosperous towns on the other route. And I wish to state further that the route I ad locate can go through Summerville, md will go through one of the most prosperous towns in our State, Holly Hill. I wish also to state that I have road machine and with some repairs can be put in condition to io good work. Should the commit tee decide on route I advocate, I will with pleasure begin work at jnce on said route; and I am quite sure that the energetic people along ihe line will give me great assis tance and with my chain gang and he assistance of these good people, it an early date I can have said route through Berkeley county in ?ood shape. If your committee will iust say the word, I mean usiness. Again thanking you and your com mittee for the many, many kind nesses, and asking that you please ?ive this matter careful considera tion, which I am more than confi lent you will do, after having seen the actions you and your commit tee took at Orangeburg on the night. >f December S. 1909, at ("nod Roads Convention, at which Berkeley coun ty was ignored by supervisor from I Dorchester and other representatives 5n that line, but with my pleadings hacked up by your committee for justice and fair play Berkeley is still In the ring?even if she does not jet a thing. Now, I leave this matter with your able committee, and whatever your lecision may be I accept with "pull for better roads.'' Yours very truly, (Signed) W. H. Dennis, Supervisor Berkeley County. PLANT BROOM COHN. Mills Shut Down and Prices of Brooms Go L'p. Many good housewives have been crying out at the increased cost of brooms. In this State the raise in prices has been felt and the reason for this increased price has been brought to the attention of the de partment of agriculture, commerce and Industries by the closing down of a factory for the manufacture of brooms in this State. The factory was located in Columbia and was a few days ago closed down because of the high price of the broom straw. In connection with this matter some folks over in Sumter county have written Commissioner Watson, asking some information as to the method of growing the broom straw. Out in Oklahoma the increase in price per ton has been 300 per cent the straw having sold for $60 per ton and i3 now selling for $240. This means that brooms are now sell ing in this State at an increase of over 100 per cent over laBt year. Mr. Watson has compiled Informa tion as to the method of growing the broom 9traw, the idea being to encourage the raising of thi? product in South Carolina. How to plant the see-!, what kinds of seed are used for this soil and C-her information will be furnished. The broom straw has already been successfully grown in this State near Yammassee and at the Jamestown exhibit some "beautiful brooms made of this straw were shown. In this climate the yield is a ton of the threshed brush to from 3 to 5 acres of land. About $4 per ton is the costs of threshing and baling, so that there is a good profit in the growing of the broom straw. Re ports show that there are about 8 factories in this State, although at least two have recently been closed down. A COLORED CONVENTION. An Intelligent Colored Man Gives His Views on His Race. St. Matthews, Dec. 10, 1909. Editor Times and Democrat. Dear Sir. I am here in attendance on the Colored Convention. So far it is a feast of fat things. It open ed on yesterday morning with Rev. E. V. Gassaway in the chair and Dr. J. S. Dart secretary. E. R. Roberts prea'hed the open ing sermon anJ the Hon. Scotto Wannamaker, mayor of the town, made the address of welcome; Mr. Editor, it was one indeed! His ref erence to the things that the negro race must do in order to be respect ed by the other races of the world. Mr. Editor, right here let me say, I believe that God intends that the white people of the South should take hold of our people and help them to rise; for they know more about us than the white people of the North, and would not have to be guided by sayings of Governors Tlllmans and Vardema-e; yes, our old masters and their children know us and could npt be misled by our ene mies. Again, let me say: President Taft does not know the negro as does the Southern white man, hence, he has to go by dictum de dicto. If mob law and lynching are ever done away with in this country, It will be when a Southern man of the type of Col. Alex. R. Lawton, of Savannah: Mr. Gllreath, of Birming ham; Ex-Governor Northern, of Georgia, or General Wade Hampton, of South Carolina, is elected presi dent of these United States. S. S. Lawton. 230 Thrilling Stories. In every family there is a con stant demand for stories?good, thrilling stories of adventure and heroism. That The Youth's Compan ion supplies this demand is attested in more than half a million homes. The serial stories for 1910 alone are well worth The Youth's Com panion subscription price. These include stories by Arthur Stanwood Pier, C. A. Stephens, Grace Kich mond, Charles Miuer Thomp son and Winifred Kirkland. Send for full Prospectus of the 1910 Volume and see what an amount of the hcsl reading has bi en cecured for The Youth's Companion family for 1910. If $1.75 for the 1910 Volume Is sent now, the new subscriber will he entlt! .i to all the regaining i> sues of lu0n. i \ rd'l'bn to the 52 j issues of 1910; also the "Venetian" Calendar, lithographed in thirteen colors and gold. Any one making a gift of The Youth's Companion re ceives an extra copy of the Calendar, In addition to the copy for the sub scriber. THE YOUTH'S COMPANION, Companion Building, Boston, Mass. New subscriptions Received at this Office. Congratulates the Ladies. The Calhoun Advance pays the la dies who got up the good roads sup per tho following deserved compli ment: "We are told that there were about 150 more delegates at the good roads convention in Orange burg who also attended the banquet than what was expected, but the la dies who had the entertainment in charge for the men, never lost their heads, and very few outside of the kitchen department knew what a time they were having. We congrat ulate them on their success of such a large undertaking. Best Cake Bakers. Cra!g & Kennedy's ca,<:e biking contest closed on Friday and the following lai'ies were declared the winners of the prizes, which were 100 pounds of Hour, 50 pounds and 25 roun *s: ? 1st prize, Mrs. E. E. Rhodes. 2nd prize, .Mrs. Jas. C.innon. 3rd prize, Mrs. Julius Wannamak er. LOCAL NEWS ITEMS PICKED UP ALL OVER TOWN BT OUR REPORTERS. What is Happening in the Country ma Well as In the Cities ?n4 Towns. Santa will remember every gool boy and girl when he eomes. Christmas is only a few days off. In a few days old Santa Clau* will be along. ! There was quite a fall of snow is the up-country on Saturday, but it did not reach us. Get your stockings ready, boys and girls, and hang them up where he can see them. Mrs. G. W. Smith, of the Elloree, section, left at tnis office a very large hen egg. It is over three inches long. It would do us all good to hare an old fashioned snow storm. Sm here Is hoping it will come betwees. Christmas -and New Year. Mr. Lee Smoak is at home on a furlough for Christmas. He leaves on Monday 'or New York wn=nj he joins the U. S. S. Vermont. Let us be thankful for the glroious. rain that has fallen in the last few days. It was badly needed. It will do the grain crops good. Secretary Rice, of the Audubon Society, was in the city on Saturday. He came for a conference with Capt. M. O. Dantzler, president of the So ciety. A bible or some other good book makes a most acceptable Christmas present for all ages and either sex. Call at Sims' Book Store and look them over. If some of the reports that are published about the comet that is coming are true this is the last Christmas that this old .world will celebrate. Presiding Elder Smith filled the pulpit of St. Paul's Methodist church on Sunday morning. The weather was very inclement, but a goodly number went out to hear him. Rev. H. W. Bays, D. D., the new pastor at St. Paul's, will preach his first sermon here on Sunday morn ing. It is hoped that he will ba greeted by a large con-gregatlon. The price of brooms is said to have advanced one hundred per cent la th?j last year. If this thing keeps on we will have to go back to the old straw brooms of our grand mothers. There will be an oyster supper and other refreshments for sale at Stilton School house on Thursday night. Proceeds to be used in beau tifying the building and grounds. The public Is invited. Christmas buyers should look carefully over our advertising col umns before buying their Christmas goods. Every advertiser in The Times and Democrat is responsible and can be relied on to do the square thing. The Times and Democrat will is sue no paper on Christmas Day. Oa Thursday a "double sheet will he sent out, and the next paper after that will be issued on Tuesday of next week. Advertisers will please take notice. The Newberry Observer says: "Hogs, especially if they are fat can't stand cold weather. A large number of them died in this section last week." Farmers and others who have hogs had better make a note of the above. The election to determine whether the upper part of Berkeley county will annex Itself to Orangeburg county will be held on February 3. Unles3 all signs fail, a large ma jority of the people in the territory will vote to annex. The Young Ladies' Honie Mis sionary Society will have a Christ mas Tree at the Armory Thursday afternoon, the 23rd, at four o'clock. Admission, ten cents. Home made candy wll' sold. Everybody will be given a ^resent. Our friends o"or Suznter re ceive so much booze through th* express office that a special booze office had to be fitted up to accom modate them by the express com pany. We ho>3 Orangeburg will never como to that. A good many people are receiv es beeze through the express of fice in this city, and if the receipts continue to grow Agent Dawson will have to call for another clerk. In fact, he needs another clerk any way, and should be given one. Hickory Hill school and Poplar school In Orangeburg county won two of the fifty dollar prizes offered for the greatest Improvements made by any school during the past year by the School Improvement Associa tion of South Carolina. We congrat ulate these two schools on their winning these two prizes. PAYS SOCIAL DEBTS. Gives a Party und Then Submits to Fatal Operation. Determined that none of her so cial obligations shuold remain unpaid at her death, Mrs. Alma Dodson. society leader and lawyer, of Spring field, Mo., invited all her frelnds t?> a farewell ^card party and recep tion immediately after being inform ed by her physician that she must submit to an oreratir.n that would probably prove fatal. The party was held the day be fore the operation. Smiling and cheerful, Mrs. Dodson was an ad mirable hostess. fi y.--vnr , Mrs. Dod&on calmly arranged her personal effects and picked out the clothing In which she wished to be attired after death She then went to the hospital and the operation caused her death. ?