University of South Carolina Libraries
p f uliic Uambrrg Sjrratfi . 1' $2.00 Per Year in Advance. BAMBERG, S. C., THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1921. Established in 1891. , COTTON OUTLOOK I VERY POOR NOW r PRODUCTION OF 8,203,000 BALES | FORECAST. I , Rainfall Helps Pests. I Crop Declined 4.5 Daring Month, t Bringing Condition to 64.7 Per Cent of Normal. Washington, Aug. 1.?The boll weevil played havoc with the south's cotton crop during July, heavy rainfall aided in the destruction by promoting a rank growth of weeds and grass and as a result a prospective ^ production of 8,203,000 bales was forecast today by the department of agriculture, basing its estimate on conditions existing July 25. That is a loss of 230,000 bales compared with the production forecast a month ago. The crop declined 4.5 points during the month, much more than the J average decline, bringing conditions to 64.7 per cent, of a normal, the lowest July 25 condition on record with one exception, that of 1866, when it was 64.1 Unpromising is the present condition of the crop throughout most of the belt, and there is very serious AM f AT* OOTT luicat, me ucyai uiicui 10 ou.t , of continued and increased damage from the boll weevil, while grass and weeds are exhausting much of the ? crop that remains. A crop of 8,433,000 bales was forecast from the condition on June 30, wTiich was 69.2 per cent of a normal. The condition was 74.1 per cent, on July 25 last year, 67.1 in 1919 and the ten-year July 25 average is 75.4. Last year's crop was 13,365,754, that of 1919 was 11,420,763 bales; in 1918 it was 12,040,532, in 1917 it was 11,302,375 and in 1916 it was 11,449,930. ? **- - v.. /-.tt-n lue COUUiUUUS U > Otatcs ivuuna. Virginia 82, North Carolina 75, South Carolina 62, Georgia 59, Florida 60, Alabama 58, Mississippi 68, Louisiana 59, Missouri 80, Oklahoma 68, California 83, Arizona 89. All other states 88. Summarizing conditions, the deif partment issued a statement saying:. "Cotton suffered more than the usual decline during July, being damaged particularly by the boll weevil, especially in the new invaded territories in South Carolina, eastern I Georgia, southern and eastern OklaJ homa and southern Arkansas. DamL age from this insect throughout the belt has been heavy and the threat of continued and increased damage * ? PArtfinne if is very stjriuus. m iuau> ocvuuu>i x? promises to take all new gTowth. ' "This' condition results largely from the heavy July rainfall, which has also washed out much of the scanty supply of fertilizer and encouraged a heavy growth of grass and weeds, which is exhausting much of I what remains. . "Farmers are unable to give a final dressing of fertilizer in most instances as had been the custom. Through most of the belt the present condition of the plant is unpromising, since it faces on the one hand the danger of drought and on the other - increased damage from the boll weevil. "Conditions are favorable only in the fringes of the belt in western rtl.1.1 _ 1 t Vl S-l Texas, eastern uKiauuma, aiuug iuc Mississippi river from northern Mississippi through Tennessee and into Missouri, in Virginia and North Carolina, the northern portion of South Carolina and in the delta section of Mississippi, where the plants are well rooted and sturdy with a good -set of first crop bolls." SELECTION PLEASES. Orangeburg Commends Election of , W. A. Schiffley. Oransrebure. July 28.?The news of the election of W. Archie Schifflev by the state board of education as a successor to J. Claude Rast, resigned, as superintendent of education in Orangeburg county has been received with much satisfaction in Orangeburg. Mr. Schifflev has had considerable experience in school teaching in the city of Orangeburg I and is one of the promising young ' citizens. Recently he has been engaged as state organizer for the Jnior Order of American Mechanics and was meeting with signal success in this work. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and is well equipped to make a successful and competent superintendent of education. TRUCK GROWERS ORGANIZE. Cooperative Marketing Idea Gains in South Carolina. Blackville, July 31.?Representa, tives of thirteen sections of the counties of Allendale, Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell and Edgefield met at Blackville last week for the purpose of perfecting temporary organization of growers of asparagus, cantaloupes, cucumbers and watermelons on the 1 California plan. The meeting was called to order by H. G. Boylston, oounty agent of Barnwell. Dr. W. W. Long, director of extension work, was then introduced, i who presented the California plan of . marketing after which a nominating . committee was appointed. This com[ mittee made the following nominai tions for temporary officers which i was accepted by the body: : President, C. J. Fickling, Blackrille; first vice president, M. C. Kitchi ings, Williston; second vice president, P. D. Day, Trenton; secretarytreasurer, H. G. Boylston, Blackville. Executive Committee ? W. L. Riley, Denmark; J. B. Morris, Barnwell: E. G. Ready, Ridge Springs; R. i C. Matthews, Blackville; R. B. Cuni ningham, Allendale. Campaign Committee?H. C. Crum, Denmark; G. L. Weissinger, Blackville; B. R. Tillman, Ridge Springs; . W. L. Dunovant, Edgefield; W. L. ; Shuler, Williston. i Contract Committee?William Elliott, Columbia; J. M. Farrell, Blackville; W. T. Walker, Blackville. Finance Committee ? Herman Brown, Blackville; J. B. Guess, Jr., Denmark; J. V. Matthews, Blackville. Publicity Committee?B. P. Davies, ? -? T- T T->? 1 . -BUroWeii; W. Jl. jvues, jocii ii v? en, J. A. Latimer, Williston, M. B. McSweeney, Allendale, L. W. Cheatham, Edgefield; J. L. Mims, Edgefield. The following resolution was offerered: "Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that we indorse the California plan of marketing for the following crop?: Asparagus, cantaloupes, cucumbers and watermelons, as outlined by W. W. Long and William Elliott, and that a campaign be put on by the extension service of Ctemson college and the United States department of agriculture for the signing of contracts and further perfecting the organization." While the nomination committee was out Mr. Long introduced William Elliott, of Columbia, who ver^ forcefully addressed the audience on the value of co-operatve marketing. Mr. Elliott, who is a general council of the South Carolina Cotton Growers' Cooperative Marketing Association. nas made a c!">s? study of the California plan of marketing, will assist in drafting the truck growers' contract.' Mr. Long stated that the campaign for the signing of contracts would begin about the middle of September. This larae and well attended meet ing of truck growers is an indication of the interest this section has in working out a satisfactory system of marketing of their most important cash crops in this section. BRAXCHVTLLE TEACHERS. E. D. Whisonant Will Be Superintendent for the Season. Branchville, July 30.?Teachers for the coming session of the Branch ville school have been elected by the trustees as follows: High school: E. D. Whisonant, supperintendent, English and French; 1 John S. Seymour, principal, mathe' matics and science; Miss Vera White, Latin; Miss Evelyn Crouch, history. Grammar grades: Miss Corrie Watkins, Miss Nelle*Schort Moore, Miss Viola Ott, Miss Claudia Quarles, Mrs. G. M. Noble, Miss Annie Woodward. Miss Marion S. Williams, ot Blackshear, Ga., has been elected music teadher. Miss Williams studied at Converse college from which institu<firtn cV?q wont tr? the New Enaland tivu UUV Vf VUV VW W - - w i Conservatory of Music. She has had a wide experience in several of the larger school systems in Georgia and comes highly recommended. The trustees are considering the addition of a half-time teacher to relieve the overcrowded condition in some of the lower grades. This mat ter is expected to be decided after Mr. Whisonant returns from Rock Hill. The date for the opening of the school is to be announced some time in August; At least two weeks before school opens a list of books necessary for the different grades will be posted at the store of J. B. Hen derson so that everybody may get down to business the very first day of school, it is announced. "OLD" DAN MURPHY TAKES IN MOVIES SENT UP FROM ORANGEBURG COUNTY. Has Served 32 Years. Colonel Sanders Gives Ray of Hope to Prisoner Who Killed Treasurer Copes in the Fork Section. Behind the prison walls of the state penitentiary lives a man who up until yesterday had never ridden in an automobile, had never talked over the telephone, had never seen a moving picture show and in fact was ignorant of many of the great inventions of the present time. Bu? all things come to him who waits and this man had his day yesterday. The man is Dan Murphy. Dan has ' been confined behind the massive gates since a young man. He is past 60 now and has served something HVo 9 9 vonra nf hie lifo riedit behind those prison gates. Yesterday Dan was carried through ' a marvelous age so far as he was concerned. He was placed in the penitentiary automobile and driven around town and then carried to a moving picture theater, where he was overocme with the sights on the screen. Coly A. K. Sanders,'superintendent of the penitentiary, told Dan several days ago that he was going to bring him up town to see the "sights." ,The colonel is a man of his word and shortlybefore noon yesterday Dan and a guard, accompanied by Colonel Sanders, left the prison in the penitentiary machine. Sees Many Automobiles. The partv came up Elmwood avenue and upbn sighting a number of automobiles Dan turned to Colonel Sanders and exclaimed: "There must be millions of these things, colonel." The aged prisoner was all smiles. He gazed at the beautiful homes along the avenue and as the car turned into Main street saw the long row of buildings. The trip down Main street was a great treat. Arj riving at the theater, where the manI aepment had invited Dan and Col I ? ? ' onel Sanders to see the pictures for the day, the old man had his picture taken. He smiled as the camera snapped him, Colonel Sanders and the guard. Following the taking of the picture Dan and Colonel Sajlders, ac-| companed by several others, were ushered into the theater. "What do you think of that?" the prisoner was asked as the picture flashed upon the scheen. Dan was dumbfounded for a moment and then passed his judgment. "That certain-,1 ly is wonderful," he declared. Just j about this time the picture was com-' ing to an end, it being the usual! ending where the man takes the woman in his arms and indulges in a few kisses. "That fellow sure | knows how to kiss," was Dan's comI ment to this Dart. The picture itself was somewhat, along the lines that would fit the old man's case. It dealt with a murder and a conviction, about the same as the case of Dan. All through the picture the man from behind the walls would smile and then be solemn, only to smile again as someone would ask him a question. After the picture G. D. Gallagher, manager of the Imperial, carried the! party to the operating room and there Dan was shown how the pictures were flashed on the screen. "That's too much for me," the prisoner said as he saw the machine turning and saw the result on the screen. From the theater the party drove down Main street, around the state house and back to the prison where Dan was again placed behind the walls. Escaped One Time. "Old" Dan, as he is called by penitentiary authorities, has had somewhat of a varied career. He was charged with killing County Treasurer Copes, of Orangeburg county, and was convicted. He was sentenced to be hanaed. but Governor Ellerbe commuted his sentence to life im-j prisonment. He began his sentence, j protesting his innocence. He served several years and life began to look hopeless. Dan decided that any chance of escape was worth trying and he began sawing the bars of his cell on the third floor of the old prison house. Late one night Dan and a fellow prisoner completed their job and left without leaving their addresses, merely writing on the cell walls with charcoal that thev were i ASKS REFUTATION FROMPRESIDENT BYRNES WRITES S?COXD LETTER TO HARDIXG. Regrets From South. Statement as to Famine and Plague Brings Forth Much Resentment. Washington, July 30.?Representative James F. Byrnes, of South j Carolina demanded of the president | today a refutation of his statement I that famine and plague prevail in the South. The president in replying to a letter from Byrnes yesterday intimated that his indictment against the South was justified in view of the fact that pellagra is, in certain states, on the increase. He carefully refrained from reference to his statement that famine and starvation existed i M 4 Vs n /\ ti Ill IUC SUUIU. It is in respect to this statement that Mr. Byrnes calls him today. "I write you again because of your statement," said Mr. Byrnes, "that if investigation develops^ that reports have misrepresented conditions, an official refutation is desirable. I thought that you should know that the people of the south do not question the accuracy of the statement that pelllagra may have increased in one of several states of the south, but what they complain of is the statement that the entire j south is actually menaced with famine and plague. If you will direct the investigation of the accuracy of this statement, and if the facts do not justify it, and if you will make an official refutation of it. it u-ill be exceedingly gratifying to us." Mr. Byrnes informed the president that it was with regret that the south took the position that he had been unfair. In that connection, he said: "I assure you that it is "with the greatest hesitation that the people of the south have taken exception to your statement. They are conscious of the fact that your utterances were based upon information you believed to be reliable and impelled by the highest motives that can prompt the actions of man." Representative Byrnes furthermore requested the president if, as a result1 of his investigation, it be found that there is no starvation in the south, proceed against the officials on whose report he made his statement. Danger Ahead. A Manchester grocer is advertising for a man to look after customers, partly outdoors and partly indoors. We dread to think what will happen to him when the door slams.?Punch (London.) The Materialist. "What would you suggest for our literary club ta read?" asked Mrs. Flubdub. "A cook-book," responded her brutal husband.?Kansas City Journal. gone, bound for South America. Dan enlisted in the United States calvary, as did his companion, and served his enlistment. After being discharged he probably would never have been captured, but became involved in an alleged theft of a horse and buggy in Georgia. He was convicted and was serving a ehaingang sentence when recognized by an Orangeburg man, who reported his whereabouts to the penitentiary. Dan was brought back and has been in prison ever since. That was years ago. He still says he didn't kill Copes. Although apparently having no hopes of ever breathing God's free air again, the old man labors day by day and is saving money every ! month. He runs a little store at the prison and makes numerous nickels and dimes through his sales. He is depositing the money in a bank, what he does not send to his people down in Georgia. Dan has made a good prisoner, his escape not being held against him by the authorities as few men with life sentences would not take an opportunity to leave prison bars behind if they had the chance. Ke never worries and takes life much better than plenty of people who are on the "outsitfe." Dan has hopes that some day he may yet be a free man. Dan is of ordinary build, clean shaven and good appearance for a man of his age. He carries himself well and is liked -by all the prison officials.?The State, Sunday. SETTLE FINAL DETAIL*. Contract for Allendale Court House in Hands of Contractors. The building commission, the county board, the legislative delegation, the architect, and the representative of the successful bidders of the contractors for the construction of the county court house and jail met on Wednesday morning here and went over the details for the >two*buildings, making final seletions of details and turned over the contract to A. J. Krehs romnanv. of Atlanta, for con struction. All the county officials were pleased with the details as drawn up by the architects and all vied in the opinion that nothing should be cheapened about the building even though the cost should run over the money raised by the bond issue. It was thought at one time that this would be insufficient to construct the build-: ings as planned but by strict economy and the getting of cuts here and there it is believed now that all the details can be worked out as originally intended and the cost still remain within the bond issue limit. Mr. Nonamaker, representing the A. J. Krebs company, stated that that concern expected to begin work on the tWo structures at an early date. it was tne aesire or tne construction company to have plenty of time in the placing of contracts as they thought j by this means they could make some' savings by competitive bids. It was the concensus of opinion of Mr. Nonamaker and the building commission j that the two buildings would be ready for occupancy by the September term of court, 1922. The matter of clearing the building iot and preconstruction details would, begin at once, it is thought. W. Z. Bryan, a member of the building commission, threw a bomb into the meeting on Wednesday morning by insisting on the collec tion of the thirty-nine or forty thousand dollars that had been raised by public subscription in and around Allendale. Remarks from some members in reply to Mr. Bryan's remarks suggested that some difficulty would be experienced in collecting these | subscriptions inasmuch that it was believed that they had been supersedde by the bond issue and that the subscribers would fight the proposition in that they were paying personal subscriptions and also paying fovas in nnnnppHnn wirrh thp hnnd issue.?Allendale Citizen. ZIMMERMAN NOT GUILTY. Tried on Charge of Killing His Father?Jury Out Nine Minutes. Spartanburg, July 29.?Not guilty: was the verdict of the jury in the case of Morgan Zimmerman on trialin the court of general sessions here today. The jury deliberated nine mirmtoc rptnmpd with the ver diet.. The trial was hard fought from beginning to end. For two hours today court was at ease while the attorneys for the state looked up points of law, the point being raised that one of | the jurors had so expressed himself as to disqualify him for a juror. \ The defendant went on the stand j this afternoon ana toia or tne Kinnrg, breaking down and weeping while he was making his recital. He said that he had never made threats against his father and that there is not a boy in the country who loved his father better than he. That he shot because he felt his father would kill him and his mother. ?r *- * " 1 T~> rinnntr .uoo UMiint- naui ill Daiuncu v uumj Williston, July 29.?In a raid near Williston today Sheriff Keys Sanders and Special State Constable Paul Parker made what is said to be the biggest haul ever made in Barnwell county. Twelve hundred gallons of mash was seized and about three hundred yards from point where mash was found Dick Burgess, Esco C. Burgess, Luks P. Dubose, all white, and Ervin Bethel, colored, were found in a barn in the process of putting up a copper still. All four were arrested. A quantity of j copper sheeting, copper piping, blow I pots and other necessary parapnernalia was found and seized by the officers. Says Sex Get Worse. Chicago, July 21.?Ambrose J. Rose, 91 years old, granted a decree of divorce from his third wife, asserted today that "women were getting worse with every generation." "Wv first wife was pretty good." he said. "My second just medium. and the tjiird no good at an." ne asserts he is through with them all. HUSBAND KILLS WIFE AND THEN HIMSELF AS CHURCH BELLS RING KILLINGS TAKE PLACE.* - > Leaves Seven Children. Jo? Chesser, of Branson, Shoots His Wife and Commits Suicide. Domestic Troubles Cause. _____ The little town of Brunson, in this county, was the scene on Sunday of quite a tragedy. Joe Chesser, about thirty-seven years of age, a white man residing in Brunson, first shoot ing three pistol balls through the heart of his wife and then turning the weapon upon himself inflicting a mortal wound through the mouth instantly killing himself. The quietude of the Sabbath morning was very rudely disturbed when as the church bells were calling the people to the various Churches in Brunson the three distinct pistol shots rang out. Quite a flock of people rushed from the main street of the town to the little home occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Chesser from whence had come the v , sound of the shooting to find the wife, a young woman of about twenty-eix years of age, lying dead in a pool of blood on the piazza of their home. Three line shots, all of them entering at or near the heart of the wife, inflicted by her husband was the cause of her death. The husband had re-entered the home after inflicting the wounds, had leaned himself up - i it-- J 3 : i t- i V. ? agamsi me uuui a.uu wilu luc nutius to the seven little children gathered around him, "you children make out the best you can," placed the pistol, in his mouth, ranging upward, and fired the fatal shot. It seems as if the domestic rela- \ tions of Mr. and Mrs. Chessdr had been strained for about two or three , weeks past, but%it is known that a reconcilliation was effected about two weeks ago by interested friends. It is understood, also, that Mr. Ches ser had been married about five times. Mrs. Chesser before her marriage to Mr. Chesser was a Mrs. Mixson, having one child by a former ../ husband. It is reported that she and Mr. Chesser married several months ago. It was stated to the represn tative of The Guardian that the immec. ate cause of the shooting was an ' alleged writing of a note to some person by Mrs. Chesser other than a relative, but the truth of this statement is not vouched for. It seems as if Mr. .esser had forbidden his wife going to a certain house at which !i V,v Aft. PIlQCCOT that li was Liaimcu u> .>xi. vu^uwvi v? the wife would have written for her certain letters. This was bitterly denied by the wife, but on Sunday morning after talking over this situation, it seems, that Mr. Chesser went away from his home for just a short time whereupon it is stated that Mrs. * Chesser went to this forbidden house and was seen by Mr. Chesser who went' to his home ana upon me re turn of Mrs. Chesser he met her with the statement that he would end it all now. The shooting then occurred. It also seems, that Mr. Cook, a brother of Mrs. Chesser, had been . making some overtures in the way of courtship of the eldest , daughter of Mr. Chesser by his former marriage, who is about sixteen years of age, and that Mrs. Chesser was shielding " ' , i - - - ? ~/v m nnnor t'he eldest aaugnier m sumc mauuo* unknown to those who know and that this was one of the things that provoked Mr. Chesser.?Hamton Guardian. MANY BEES FOUND DEAD. Boll Weevil Poisoning Thought To Be Responsible. Orangeburg, July 2^9.?Farmers all over lower Carolina killed millions of bees this past spring while they were trying to kill the boll weevil, if reports coming to the office of Farm Demonstration Agent L. S. Wolfe, are true. Several farmers in Orangeburg county noticed large numbers of dead bees around their gums and upon investigation they found that the bees had been eating the poisoned syrup mixture pl* oil cotton plants in an effort to control the weevil. Where calcium arsenate had been dusted on as recommended by the United States government tbere seems to have been do damage to the bees, but the syrup-calciumarsenate mixture seems to have played havoc with the little honey gatherers. Subscribe for The Herald, $2 year.