The Barnwell people. (Barnwell, S.C.) 1884-1925, May 08, 1913, Image 8
notusmc SKETCH
OF S. C. * GA. RAILROAD
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The following article, written years
ago by W. 0. Chafee, appeared last
week in the Aiken Journal and Review.
The age of the manuscript and the an
tiquity of the period with which it deals
renders it unusually interesting. ■ The
style is very pleasing. It was written
for a certain magazine, following the
publication therein of in article entitled
“Ninety Miles an Hour.” Aside from
that, it is of interest to Barnwell readers
because of the fact that this railroad
was prevented from coming through
this town because of the opposition of
the old landowners, who feared that
the “iron horse" would kill their little
slaves and turkeys!
The article follows:
The writer of an excellent article in
your April number, “At Ninety Miles
an Hour” was doubtless too much occu
pied with the sensation incident upon
so great a speed to give even a thought
to the time when eight miles an hour
was considered a good rate of speed for
a railway train; yet there was such a
time in the history of railroading in the
United States.
The railroad running from Augusta,
Ga., to Charleston, S. C., chartered
about 1830, as the S. C. Rv. and Canal
Co., has witnessed every stage of de
velopment known in railway construc
tion. This road was several years in
building, being opened for traffic its
full length, from Charleston, S. C. to
Hamburg, in the same state, on the Sa
vannah river, opposite Augusta, Ga.,
duriag the year 1834. Its route is along
the old Indian trail leading from Au
gusta to Charleston. At first there was
no cuts or hills on the line, the grade
being maintained by a trestle work
which extended its entire length. The
first two locomotives, weighing two or
three tons each, were built in England
and brought to Charleston in charge of
their first drivers, Messrs Theo Ra-
worth and Joseph Haddon, both of
whom, then very young men, grew old
and gray in the service of the road and
saw the tiny tea pot locomotives they
first directed gradually evolve into the
moguls of the present day Both of
these veterans of the throttle have with
in the past few years paid the debt of
nature, leaving many friends to revere
their memories.
There being many very long, straight
stretches of track on this road, the first
cars, as an experiment, were fitted with
sails designed to help the engineer if a
favorable breeze happened to be blow
ing from the rear; but this method of
supplementary locomotion was early
diaesutinued.
Ths first railroad accident in America
probably oocured in Charleston It
being a mooted question whether or
Mt a traia traveling at the rate of eight
mlloa an hour could turn a curve with
out leaving the track, a circular track
was constructed in a vacant lot in the
jflty around which a small car was drag
ged Wtth all the speed which could be
developed by a half dozen negroes who
were hitched to the front of the car
The omnipresent small boy was even
then in evidence as s little "nigger”
was aa^ed in state'upon the car As
Hi i*vk would bare it the car flew the
(Tick and alighted upon the luckless
little darkey Injuring him so that he suf
fered the amputation of his leg.
However, after further experiment
the elevation of the outer rail settled
the question of safely turning a curve.
There is, in the library of the State
University, at Columbia, S. C., a most
interesting old pamphlet containing an
account of the proceedings of a meet
ing held in Charleston in the latter!
part of the twenties to consider the ,
advisability of embarking in the novel j
scheme of constructing the railroad in
question. The most prominent men
of the State and from several other
States were present. The friends of
the enterprise were very sanguine and
the enemies equally determined in
their opposition. It was argued in
favor of the enterprise that it was
a new and very rapid method of trans
portation, by means of which could be j
attained a speed of eight miles per !
.hour continuously and it was hoped
that it could soon be increased to ten
miles per hour, while as a hope of the
future twelve to fifteen miles per
hour was suggested. At this juncture
a member of the meeting arose and
remarked that any set of fools who
thought that they would ever travel
on land for any length of time at twelve
miles per hour ought to be at once
committed to the State Lunatic Asylum.
It was further said that rushing at the \
speed mentioned would run over the
live stock and slaves of the land own
ers along the line even if they them
selves escaped with their lives. That
smoke of the locomotives would so
pollute the atmosphere that pestilence
woulii overtake the unfortunate peo
ple living near by. It was even as
serted by a well known engineer that
it would be impossible to construct
bridges across streams, capable of
supporting the enormous weight of
trains, which at that time would have
Xobably weighed lass than one Pull-
uan car of the preseat day.
But strange as it Mg seem one of \
the forcible srgumeats used
against the scheme was that it would
discourage the breeding of fast horses
as people would cesse to ride in their
vehicles drawn by swift horses and be
take themselves to the more luxurious
railway.
In spite however of all opposition
the road was finally bqilt and some of
its most bitter opponents lived long
enough to be enriched by the multitude
of the merchandise it brought to the
City by the Sea.
A very amusing insight into the crude
manner in which the road was conduct
ed even after it has Jbeen in operation
for considerably more than a decade,
is furnished by the reports of the South
Carolina Supreme Court.
An action was brought in the Circuit
court Against the railway company by a
master to recover the value of a slave
who had been run over on the track
and killed, as it was alleged, through
the negligence of the servants of the
company. (It seems strange that this
case should be the leading one in South
Carolina on the neligent killing of
stock.) The Court awarded to the own
er the value of the slave. The supreme
court in reviewing the case reversed
the judgement of the lower court
because, as they said, it appedear
from the evidence that the slave had
gone to sleep on the track in weeds
and grass that were so high that an en
gineer could not see him, no matter
how carefully he might have been
looking out in front of his locomotive.
It would be hard to imagine the hor
ror of a railroad traveler of the present
day if he could behold a track so over
grown that a man could play hide and
seek with the engineer.
A conductor now in the employ of
this road who has been in its service
since 1862 told the writer that shortly
after he began to run, the train on its
way to Charleston crawled up to a sta
tion where a prominent South Carolin
ian and his bride were setting out on a
CLEMSON COLLEGE
EXTENSION WORK
C. C. Newman T«IU How to CukiToto
Strawborrio* Successfully.
Clemson College, May 2.—Straw
berries thrive best on sandy or sandy
loam soil, but can be grown to perfect
ion on almost any type of well drained,
fertile soil. Before setting the plants,
the land should be thoroughly plowed
and harrowed until in perfect condi
tion. A fertilizer analyzing 6 per cent
phosphoric acid, 4 per cent nitrogen,
and 8 per cenj potash should be*applied
in the row at the rate of from 500 to
600 lbs. per acre. This should be mix
ed with the soil by running one furrow
with a plow. If the plants are to be
cultivated with the plow the rows
should be 3 feet apart and the plant set
18 inches apart in the row. The straw
berry is a surface feeder and therefore
should be cultivated shallow to prevent
injuring the roots of the plant.
For best results strawberries should
be cultivated in single crowns, that is
the runners should not be allowed to
form along the row. As soon as they,
appear they should be removed. This
may be done either with the hoe or the
hand. When the runners are allowed
to form the old plant is weakened to
some extent which will lessen the crop
of fruit the foliowing year. If the run
ners are allowed to form all along the
row, a larger number of berries will be
produced, but the quantity will not be
increased nor will the quality of the
berries be as good as when grown in a
gingle crown.
A strawberry bed should be renewed
after the third year. It is, therefore,
advisable to plant a strawberry bed
every year to take the place of the old
one that is discarded. In the early
Spring the old beds should he fertilized.
This is done by scattering the
wedding tour. There was however! fertilizer broadcast hetwetn ^ rows
great commotion and tribulation in t h t . | and then cult,vatin ^ shaIlow ln ordt>r
wedding party. For some unforseen | ,0 lrH ' or » K)ra,e ,ht ‘ fert,llzt ‘ r w,,h ,h, ‘
reason the negro driving the wagon'* 011 The plants should then he mulch
load of trunks had not arrived, and in
those days it was decidedly a serious
matter for travelers to be separated
from their baggage The obliging con
ductor whose years of service I ma\
say have but added to his affability
Capt Gilbert was appealed to to know
how long he could hold the train Con
I suiting his schedules, as there was then
no telegraph line, he replied that he
could not possibly hold the train longer
than one hour and a quarter The pas
sengen had to content themselves as
beat they could, the trainmen drowsed
away an hour and a quarter while Cnele
Sam s mail waited complaisant)) upon
the inscrutable movement! of a nigger
and a mule traveling m the night, who
finally failing to appear, all aboard was
sonnded and the train puffed reluctant
ly away in the direction of Charieoton.
The winter tourist now ruahes la an
elegant train over a portion of this old
road on hia way to aunny Florida littlr
thinking that he is upon what was once
the longest railway in the world aad
that his palatial surroundings are hot
the evolutions of ideals triad on the self
aame line three quarters u# a century
ago.
Mis* Mane Richardson has returned
to Barnwell after a pleasant visit to
Miss Simsie McMichael m Orangeburg
the fertilizer
soil Th
ed either with straw or pine needles
The mulch will serve two purposes,
it will greatly benefit the plants bv
keeping the soil moist and prevent m-
jur\ during drouth It will also keep
the berries ( lean and free from sand
and dirt
After the crop of fruit is harvested,
the plants should be cultivated clean
throughout, all runners being rem ned
except those that may be needed for
planting a new bed next fall
The following varieties are rocom
mended for general planting —Excel
sior. \jAy Thompson snd tiaveland
The Hiveiand is #pistillate variety and
therefore should be planted near the
Ijidy Thompson or Excelsior which are
both perfect fkrwsrmg varieties If
the Haveland b planted to itself, it
will not be productive as it does not
produce pollen. The Excelsior is an
exceedingly early berry of good
quality aad is reconaarnded for local
markets and home aae. The lAdy
Thompson b probably the beat general
purpose berry It cloady follows the
L Excelsior and bears abundantly, the
plants being extremely vvorwus The
Hasreland is a large, late berry but is
sated only for home use «r local mar
kets as the bemes are too soft to stand
shippuig.
There are a great many other vane-
Fuel Troubles
cire Over
when you use a
New Perfection
Oil Cook Stove.
Just lift the tank
from the cradle
and fill — your
New Perfection is
ready for the day.
You don’t have to waif for the fire to
kindle. No coal or ashes to carry; no soot,
smoke or dirt; no blackened ceilings.
New Pfcr/£ctfon
Oil Cook-stove
%
. '!$
W ■
Note the new 4-bumer New Perfection—the most
complete cooking device on the market, with indicator on
font, cabinet top, etc. Smaller stoves with 1, 2 or J
burners.
See your dealer, or write for full particulars to
STANDARD OIL COMPANY
Washington, D. C (New Jersey) Charlotte, N. C
Richmond, Va. BALTIMORE Charleston, N. G.
Norfolk, Va. Charleston, S. C.
r—* nf ~
THE OLAR PHARMACY
IS fifty five miautes from Bdtawell, and there
comes a satisfaction from making thb store
YOUR HEADQUARTERS as >%• get the BEST
We take pride ia the fact that anly the purest
drugs, of correct medicinal valinr are compound
ed in our prescription departnaeat. Personal
attention, comforts, and facilitlea, make this
DRUG STORE a “HOME” STORE. A modern
SODA- Fount dbpe«sing-the aaastappetiane
drinks awaits you. Your order by mail will
will be sent by Parcel Post PROMPTLY. There
is satisfaction in being pleased.
::: ".ua
□t ~
Pure and Fresh candy for
‘your sweetheart”
THE OLAR PHARMACY, OLAR, S. C
tifs of straw bern»*s that are very fine 1 •
and well adapted to our conditions, but 1 <
the ones mentioned abovt; ha\e given )
best results in our trial plots
Winthrop Coll«fe
SCHOLARSHIP and ENTRANCE
EXAMINATION
The examination for the award of va
cant scholarships m Winthrop College
and for the admission of new students
will t>e held at the County Court House
on Friday. July 4. at 9 a. m Applicants
must be not less than sixteen yean of
age When srhotarshipa are vacant
after July 4 they will be awarded to
those making the highest average a
this examination, provided they meet
the conditions governing the award.
Apphrants for Scnotarahtpa should write
to President Johnsoa before the exam
ination for Scholarship examination
Manks.
Scholarships are worth 1100 and free
tmflon The next session will open
September 17, 1913. For further infor-
mafhm and catalogue, address Pres D
B Johnson, Rock Hill, S. C
RUB-MY-TISMV
WtU core your RkenRuatiam
Neuralgia, Headaches, Cramps,
Co fir. Sprains, Bruises, Cuts aind
Bonn, Old Sores, Stags of Insects
Etc. Aatiaeptic AaoJyae, used in
ternally and externafty. Price 25c
If You
Looking
-11 —
1 1 1 M—H
' ‘ II—II
■ - ’ii—ir- —
ti
■ -i
I HAVE A OAR LOAD FOR SAI.E
The only Succe—ful Cultivator for Com and Cotton
One man and two mules can plow ten acres of Cotton
in one day. Make it give satisfaction before pay
ment. For prices etc. apply to
W. H. UGHTSEY, or J. L OSWALD,
Brunson, S. G Allendale, S. G
For durability com
bined with style in
Children's Slippers
we can supply you.
Buster Brown
and Godman
arc the leading
makes of Children's
footwear. A va
riety of styles to
select from.
Barefoot Sandals, 50c to $ 1.00
White Canvas Strap Slippers,
all sizes, : ; 75c to $1.25
Some “close-outs'’
in good, serviceable
Slippers at about
half price.
Lemon Bros.
SEMI US TOUR JOB YORK
Turn Over a
New Ledf
To those who have not been customers of
Hi!l Top Stables in the pa^t. we say, “Turn
over a new leaf and resolve that hereatter
you will buy your horses and mules at the
place where the square deal is the watch
word.”
^jl am selling more and better Horses,
Mules, Buggies, Carriages, Wagons, Whips,
etc than ever before, and still have on hand
quite a number of fresh stock — the cream
of the Western markets—that I want you
to see. With the New Year I am in a
bettor position than ever before to supply
your needs and my long experience makes
me the best ptvnared dealer in this section
to Supply your e.ery want in this line
Buggies, Wagons, Harness
My stock of High Grade Buggies, Wagons,
Harness, Whips, I .ap Robes, etc. was never
better, and haung used careful judgment in
buying, I am enabled to offer you exception
al values. Come and see me. I know I
cm please you in both price and quality.
Charlie Brown, Barnwell, S. C.
HUSBAND RESCUED
DESPAIRING WIFE
After Four Tears of Discouraging
Conditions, Mrs. Bollock Gave
Up in Despair. Hasbaad
Came to Rescne.
Catron, Ky.—In an interesting letter
from this place, Mrs. Bettie Bullock
writes as follows: “1 suffered for four
years, with womanly troubles, and during
this time, I could only sit up for a little
while, and could not walk anywhere at
all. At times, I would have severe pains
in my left side.
The doctor was csOed In, and his treat
ment relieved me tor a while, but I was
soon confined to my bed again. After
to do me any good.
I had gotten so weak I could not stand,
and I gave up in despair.
At last, my husband got me a bottle of
Cardui, the woman’s tonic, amt l com
menced taking it From the very first
dose, I could tell it was helping me. I
can now walk two miles without its
tiring me, and am doing all my work.** j
If you are all run down from womanly
troubles, don’t give up in despair. Try
Cardui, the woman’s tonic. It has helped
more than a million women, in its 50
yean of continuous success, and should
surely help you, too. Your druggist has
sold Cardui tor years. He knows what
it wU do. Ask him. He wffl recom
mend it. Begin taking Cardui today. (
Write te: i C*.. J --p*
Ajviyr,