Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VOL. IV, NO. 11). [GAFFNEY CITY. S. C., THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 181)8. 61.00 A YEAR. WE NEED GRADED SCHOOLS. “AN ADVOCATE" GIVES GOOD REASONS THEREFOR. Objections to Graded Schoo’s by Capt. Griffith Are Met in Logical Terms and Their Value Discussed. Editor Ledgku:—In the last issue of The Lkdcseu there appeared a very strong article in opposition to the es tablishment of a system of graded schools in Gaffney. As one of the promoters of the plan, the writer feels impelled to exonerate himself from the odium of advocating a sys tem which is an “outrage;” which is “wrong in principle and pernicious in result.” This is strong language; stronger, perhaps, than its author iutended. We will overlook all such language, and certain flights of rhet oric found in reasons 1st. and 2nd. of the artiqk' in question. I f the graded school is a pernicious system it can be reasoned out of town without be ing called by any especially bad names. If the graded school system is a benefit, it is able to commend itself to the people of Gaffney with out the use of any especially good words. The first objection we have to meet comes in the form of the statement, that a graded school is not needed in Gaffney at this time. We have no desire to question the adequacy of of the schools now existing in Gaff ney in point of number and efficiency ; and if it were possible for all the children to avail themselves of the advantages offered by these schools, then we might heartily agree with Prof. Griffiin ; but we hardly think our schools meet the present de mands. The school books show a small percentage of the school popu lation on their rolls. Some good men are not able to send their child ren to school for want of means to pay tuition fees. In some parts of the town there are some who are de pendent either upon the insufficient funi^l derived from the constitutional tux, or from private donations. We admit that under ordinary cir cumstances a man, with a proper appreciation of his obligations to his children, and of the importance of giving them a chance for mental im provement, may be able to pay all charges for instruction in any of the existing schools—provided hois in the possession of good health, vigor of mind and body, and a sufficient income; but it frequently happens that one of these roquisits is wanting, and the children suffer. Then occa sionally we may find a man who has not a proper appreciation of his duty, and it is the part of humanity and Christianity for us to look after his children. But, if the schools in our town are putting the chance of an education within the reach of every child, then we admit that the graded school is not a necessity. The facts, however, will not bear out the assertion. Children are going without the opportunity of gaining an education.aud so we need the graded school. There may be, perhaps, some dan ger in holding out to the public an offer of free education, but us far as we know this danger is “problemat ical.” In some communities not only is tuition free, but books also. In some of the rural districts of Massachusetts even free transpor tation is furnished. No evil results have yet followed. It is a matter of fact, that in pro viding free tuition, there is a chance of reaching a number of children who otherwise would forever be denied the blessing of an education, and in so doing these children are placed in a position to develop those qualities of mind and heart so admirable in true men and women. In other words while the system might bring harm to one parent, at the same time it might confer an inestimable benefit upon a houseful of children. Here is an opportunity for graded schools that is denied to those where tuition is charged. An education is not a gratuitous gift. It is not an instan taneous act. It can Le acquired only by the exercise of the faculties of observation, attention, assimila tion, comparision, memory, judge ment, seif control, self reliance, these and other faculties and pro cesses of the mind. So whether the tuition is free or not, it matters lit tle to the child. It does not lessen one whit the labor that he must accomplish. Then after all free tuition is not absolutely free. All property real or personal is liable to taxation for school purposes, leaving out some forms which enjoy special exemption by law. Even the man who is too poor to return a little personal pro- erty bmst still pay his poll tux, which ^ues into the school fund. So the pu^r man adds his mite to the rich man’s much to effect that which he is not aide to accomplish alone. If there is not a father to tax, who is he that would hesitate to aid the orphan ? The second objection is that “the movement is inopportune.” If the graded school is really a ne cessity the movement does not de serve to be characterized as inoppor tune. In the category of human events private interests must some times stand aside for the public good, and our young people must not be made to suffer for any error, finan cial or otherwise, that the town may have committed. In the category of Divine virtues mercy come before justice. It is true that we need a system of water works and sewerage, and no oae desires to detract from the ad vantages of such a system, but at the same time we must bear in mind that about half of the wealth of the town is exempted from taxation for such purposes until about 1902. All the property within tiie limits of the proposed school district is liable to taxation for school purposes. This makes the graded school a possibil ity, while tne other must wait. In Lite mean time taxes are not altogether oppressive. A sister town is carrying a burden of 28i mills cheerfully. Necessities as well as conveniences costs us something, and because an extravagant administra tion has added to our burden is no reason why we should begin to re trench in a matter of so great im portance us the education of our children. Such arguments make it appear that the innocent children must boar toe brunt of all the evils that come from every source. In regard to higher assessments to meet the demands made upon the public treasury, it so happens that hereafter all assessments are made upon returns made to the county auditors, and not upon those made by irresponsible boards—w hoever they may be. Of course the board of uquilization lias some little power, but this power is exercised to a lim ited extent, and then only in a few instances. Besides there is hardly a man within calling distance who would plead guilty of returning his property at a much higher rate than common honesty demands. In reply to objection fourth, there is no reason w hy a levy of 3 mills will not be sufficient to equip and main tain a first class graded school. An examination of the report of the com mittee appointed to look into the mutter would, perhaps, throw some light on the question. It is hardly to be expected that the graded schools will begin with a perfect equipment in every respect. The necessary appliances will be added us the revenue permits. While there is every reason to suppose that three mills will furnish a sufficient revenue, there are also good reasons for sup posing that, after awhile, instead of sending around another petition for an extra levy, a reduction will be made in the actual levy. When the school property is all paid for, the money that goes toward paying in terest on the school bonds, and into the sinking fund, will be unnecessary, consequently the levy may be re duced. This has been the experience of many of our towns in which graded schools have been established. Of course provision for the negroes was made in the original estimate. There was no thought of leaving them out. We must not forget that in justice to them they are entitled to their poll tux, and their pro rata share of the constitutional 3 mill tux. and to the tax upon what property they return to the auditor. If an estimate is made upon this basis it will be found that in all probability they will pay every dollar that will be apportioned to their school. As to objection fifth, we can only say with Prof. Griffith that we do nut know how many good citizens may be induced to come to Gaffney on ac count of the school, nor can we say how much they will add to the ma terial wealth of the town. Expe rience has shown in other towns that good families have moved to them to avail themselves of graded schools. In all probability Gaffney will have a like experience. But these people should not be called hirelings, nor can they from an economic point of view be called non-producers, nor. in strict justice, ought it be said that they expect more from the towu than they contribute. There are some things whose value is not to be esti mated in dollars and cents. With them the matter stands thus: “You have what we want; in return we give what we have.” All that an average family could expect to get from a graded school from a mon etary standpoint would hardly exceed thirty dollars a year, while on the other hand the cost of renting, food, clothing, etc., would put into circu lation anywhere from two hundred to a thousand dollars, which will add to the material wealth and prosperity of the town. The graded school, like the rail way. the telegraph, the electric light, and the telephone, is one of the pro ducts of the twentieth century, and instead o f being u back number, it is an exponent of progress and enlight- ment. The graded school system does not tend toward paternalism any more than does governmental protection. Ignorance is an evil with which every community has to grapple. It might be left to the individual to educate his children. It might be left to the individual to protect his own life and property. Wis dom and experience have shown that a government insures the great est degree of safety. The munici pality is taxed to maintain police protection. Why not say, “Let him who is in need of the policeman pay him to come, and not tux those who may never need his assistance.” If ignorance is an evil, the community can do more than the individual to destroy it. Ignorance carries with it a multitude of criminals; blot it out. Give every child the right kind of ed ucation and you will need no police force, no jails, no penitentiaries. Retrenchments will naturally follow in a hundred different ways. Peace and prosperity will come to live among us. Joy and happiness will dwell in our homes. The earth will be lilled with plenty, and the desert shall blossom like the rose. Some of the good citizens are nat urally solicious about the effect the graded school will have upon that time-honored school—the Cooper- Limestone Institute. We see no reason why it should be crippled. Its mission is to furnish a high school education, and in so doing it will not cdniiict with the purpose of the graded school. As a matter of fact the graded school will probably act as a feeder to the higher institutions of learning. The man who can get free tuition for his children through the nine grades in a graded school will be better able to meet the de mands for higher education than ho who has to pay tuition all the way through. Let Limestone equip her self for high school work, and leave the elementary work to the* graded school. Finally, the success of the svstem has been assured in every place where it has been given a fair trial. An Advocate. Devine Dots. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Devine, Texas, Jun. 10.—I have just finished picking and hauling cotton. I made thirty-one bales, one halo more than I expected. After settling up in full I have just one dollar left for The Lkdgr and a clean sheet for ’98—well that is pretty good for McKinley prosperity. I see some of our brethren of Iowa writing of McKinley prosperity says corn is worth 18 cents per bused, oats 11 cents and pork 3 cents and winds up by saying wood sells at a good price, and says all they lack is a few sheep and thinks Dingley will send them down in the spring. I see in The Ledger week before last our friend from Etta Jane speak ing of the schools in South Carolina, says, that you will have fix weeks of free school. That is very little schooling. We have nearly six months of free school with three teachers. Some of our schools have nine and ten months school where they vote a tax on themselves for school exoenses. I sent The Ledger to friend Gosset and he says he read the Rock Hill letter two or three times and endorses every word of it. lie says he will subscribe for the Lcdgkk as soon as ho cun break the combines and trust. He still has his cotton in the sub treasury. He eays he saw where his cousin Clarence had married and is somewhat interested in it. Some of our fanners have started their plows, but the land is too dry to plow well. It will be corn plant ing time in thirty days, so you see we will have to hustle. I have been to Big Foot to-day to preaching and heard a splendid ser mon by our State Missionary, Bro. Millican. He is an up-to-date preach er. We are having bad luck with our cattle. We have lost about seven head out of 100 in the last five weeks. The cattle that are doing the worst are fat cattle. It may be because cattle is the only thing that is selling for more than they are worth. Yearlings sell readily as high us $13 per head. wm. m. d. AN OLD DOCTOR’S FAVORITE. Dr. L. M. Gillam. who practiced medicine over forty years, originated, used and claimed that Botanic Blood Balm, (B. B. B.) which has now been in use about fifty-five years, was the best Tonic and Blood Purifier ever given to the world. It never fails to cure the most malignant ulcers, sores, rheumatism, catarrh, and all skin and blood diseases. Beware of sub stitutes. Use this standard remedy, Price per large bottle $1.00. AFTER SEVERAL DOCTORS FAILED. 1 have been afflicted with Catarrh for many years, although all sorts of medicines and several doctors did the : r best to cure me. My blood was very impure, and nothing ever had any effect upon the disease until I used that great Blood Remedy known as Botanic Blood Balm, (B. B. B.), a few bottals of which effected an entire cure. I recommend it to all who have Catarrh. I refer to any merchant or banker of Athens, Ga.. and will reply to any inquiries. R. R. Savltkr. For sale by Druggists. BUSINESS SIDE OF JORDAN. FLAW HAS ANOTHER CONVER- SATION WITH BANJO LU. Banjo Lu Talks ol His Game Chickens and How a Mistake Brought the Party to a Close. Other Notes. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) U it Kit Coalin’ Ground,Jan.17,—I. your humble writer, urn thankful that I’m glad an’ glad I’m thankful, that I’m still on the bigness side of Jordan an’ able fer bisness, fer hit’s bisness before pleasure with me— well, now, I don’t know fer certaint how it would be ef I was right well acquainted over on the other side. At any rates. I’d rather not cross over until I haf to, fer they tell me that hit’s sorter risky bisness in crossing’, an’ that only the true an’ tried can cross right handy. ’Tother mornin’ my heart worked its way up dost about the bottom part of my neck when I seed my onliest bosom friend, Banjer Lu, a cornin’ through the front gate, fer I knowed he hud stemmed the Christ mas tide in some way or nother an’ come out on top, although I had lieurn several times of him a bein’ in a perilous condition. I met him on the halfway grounds, as I always do, an’ grabbed his hand to congratulate in our own style. “Lu, come in an’ sit down an’ tell mo what you know. I know you’ve got a whole passt-l of news for me, by your looks,” I said, as we set down. •‘Bless your lizzard-sided looks. Flaw, I ain’t got a blessed thing that will do to go into newspaper contiab- ulations. The onliest thing I know fer certaint is, that I don’t know nothin’, an’ I wouldn’t care a durn ef I didn’t know that, since the on liest gal I ever loved in this whole round created world has coilumixed on me. I expose I might muby could have gut you up somethin’, Flaw, that would have done to print, but I went over crost the river to where they make an’ manafac spirits of cats-a-fightin’ an’ there me an’ Mr. Corn got into a scrap, an’ there we fit an’ fought an’ fought an’ fit, an’, bless gracious, we scrapped all the way back, sometititos he was on top an’ sometimes I was on top, but Flaw. I come out on top in the lust round an’ Mr. Corn was no more. I am slightly disfigured as you see, an’ come out the best man of us two, but I am ashamed now that I ever messed with him. “An’ Flaw, there’s another thing whitch I want to cull your careful an’ undivided attention to. I’m dead struck on game chickens—so much so that I’d druther hear a game cock crow than to hear the dinner horn blow when I’m right rale hungry at dinner time, an’ Flaw, you know full well that I like to hide rashion? as good as anybody else under the shinin’ sun. “An’ another thing, Flaw, hit’s as mutch impossible fer a man to pay attention to, or have his affections sot on but one thing at a time as it is fer an elephant to ride a jiggers bacic, fer when I took a likin’ to game chickens then my onliest stand-by an’ daily companion—my banjer—become as somethin’ old an’ worn out an’ out of date to me, whitch yi.u understand, Flaw, that very banjer has took mo where many a minister an’ millionaire couldn’t go, 1 raley do bleeve, but in the muintime, Flaw, hit has took me to places where neither of them would becotched. At any rates, Flaw, I’ve got some of the onliest games you ever seed. I tell you a fac, Flaw, ef me an’ you had as mutch “grit” in our craws as dead game chickens has an’ use it in the right place an’ at the right time the world would be proud of us, wherein as it is, wo are hardly noticed. “Flaw, what I started to say in regards to a man’s affections a bein’ sot on more than one thing is this,” Banjer Lu went on to say. “’Tother day I bought a nickel’s worth of pul verized kean pepper to mix in some corn dough to feed my games to make them healthy and lay, an’ in- durin’ the fullness of time, that same evenin’ I engaged my services to pick the banjer fer a frolick that night. In orderment to keep from teariu’ the paper an’ a wastin' of my pepper I put it in an empty snuff box an’ put it in my pocket an’ went on to the shindig- After a couple of sets hud been bit off an’ another one was in motion, a young lady came to me whilst I was a pickin' of the ban jer an* axed me for a dip of snuff, whilst you understand I jist tole her to git it out of my coat pocket an' help her blessed self, whilst I picked on. She hadn’t more’n got one good swab in her mouth until she dashed the box to the floor. Flaw, I tell you, I knowed the devil was to pay right then an’ thur. Hit wasn’t more’n a half of a minit till hit looked to me like they had stopped dancin’ an’ the whole house had jined to gether, hand in hand, lu a cryin’ an' sneezin’ match, an’ Flaw, 1 don’t know fer my life who ever won the prize. You understand, Flaw, I was a siltin’ in one corner an didn’t git a fair showin’ with the balance, but I got a God’s plenty as it was. Hit actialy seemed to me like a religious cycloone had sprung forth right in that room of mirth an’ frolick an’, from all appearaments hit maby (nought end right thar fer all I knowed, an’ presently hit did end, fer I heard some words uttered forth by some man person that I never hearn inside of no church I ever was in in my life. Presently the room was vacated an’ an investigation committee was in search of the trouble, an’ Flaw, there was nothing I seed to do but to make a double breasted explanation of the whole fix—how I had got Jthe kean pep per for my game chickens an’ how the young lady had got it out of my coat pocket through mistake fer my box of snuff. I tell you Flaw, it would of bin one of Tom Allen’s times ef that had happened in most any other way.” Hit alius does your humble writer good to set down an’ hear Banjer Lu tal>. an’ tell forth his ups an’ downs in his own style fer hit knocks the blues sky high, ’ceptin’ he is in deep trouble, then he cun give me the blues quicker than ef the bisness end of a mule was turned on me. Flaw Picker. Accidents and Other Happenings. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Ezkls, Jan. 10.—Farmers are mak ing preparations to begin another crop. Some clearing, some cutting wood and others doing various work pertaining to the farm. Gapt. J. H. Ezell was at J. W. Martin's Sunday, visiting. Mr. Ezell is an aged man, about 80 years of age, but is active enough to wait on his customers at the store and at tend to the postoffice. A number of the voters met at this place on the 5th inst to hear the township question argued, but no one was present to give the desired information. The question was, I suppose, concerning moving the township line and making Cherokee No. 2 larger, and changing its name Morgan instead of Cherokee. >\Y\ H. Martin went to Cowpens on business to-day, but the writer don’t know what kind of business he went on, as he carried his banjo. YVe can guess it was calico business. Hurrah for Cherokee county! It has made the largest record of fine hogs of any county in the state. May all the farmers get to raising more hogs and corn and try hog and hominy awhile and let the bumblebee cotton alone. Rev. R. J. Tate preached at New- pleasant Saturday, 8th inst.. also met the church Sunday but did not take the pulpit as there was another brother by the name of Hinsley present, who filled Rev. Tate’s place with a most interesting sermon on the resurrection of the (%ad. Come again brother, we like to bear good preaching. R. D. Hicks and family of tnis place, has moved to Mr. ri. B. Wil kins’ place near Cowpens. Capt. J. H. Ezell, our genial post master has a sample of the Jackson limbless cotton at his office, which he desires to show to the planters of the fleecy staple. There were a number of persons, all of whom we are well acquainted with, gathered at Geo. D. Scruggs’ Saturday night. Among the num ber were: Misses Edna and Lizzy Scruggs, of this place, Emily Scruggs, of Cowpens, J. F. Martin and wife, of Maud. Messrs. C. S. YY’estbrooks, A. B. Martin and Charley Roberts, of Ezell, and Mrs. S. PL Roberts, of Plzeil. All seemed to enjoy them- yolves splendid with music, joking and laughter. Mrs. S. A. Turner has been visit ing her parents at this place for sev eral days, but returned home yester day. Mr. Turner lives near Martins ville in Spartanburg county. Blue Hark. Ezell Jan. 17.—Little Freddie Blackwell, son of Geo. Blackwell, got burned very badly Sunday morn ing, by pullin? a coffee pot off of the cook stove uich contained boiling water. YY r p n he was stripped the blister came off with his clothing. Another accident happened yester day. Mrs. Narcissus Scruggs, wife of R. A. Scruggs, was at the barn at tending to her milk cow and bad climbed up the side of the b irn to pull down some fodder for the cows, when she fell to the ground. She had to be carried to the house in a chair. Price & Scruggs, who have Car- roll & Co'.s stave machine, have been making staves very fast since Christmas. They have already put in about 35,000. Blue Hark. -«•»- Bucklen’s Anica Salve. The Best S^lve in the world for Cuts, Bruises, Sores, Ulcer, Salt Rheum, Fever Sc ss, Tetter, Chapped Hands, Chilblains, Corns, and all Skin PIruption, and postively cures Piles or no pay required. It is guru- anteed to give perfect satisfaction or money refunded. Price 25 cents per box. For sale by The DuPre Drug Co. IT WAS A DASTARDLY DEED. MIT SADLER, COL., SHOT AND KILLED “BILL” WELLS. “A Terrible Tragedy” in No. 4 town- ship—Sadler Taken to Shelby— The Verdict of the Coro ner’s Jury. fCleveland Star.l The records of Cleveland county have been stained with another awful crime—murder. The new year was only eight days old when the blood of a human being cried to Heaven for vengeance, and the soul of the murdered man passed out into the vast beyond, presumably without preparation or warning. Plarly Saturday morning when he started out for a hunt with some friends, little did William S. YY'ells dream that before the god of day had hid his face beyond the western hor izon that he himself would be sleep ing the ideep of death. But such was the case! The story which makes up this last sad chapter of crime is as follows: On last Saturday morning Messrs. C. C. Hughes, J. M. Dedmon, J, F. Jenkins and “Bill” Wells were out hunting in No. 4 township. About , 12 o’clock Wells left the crowd and started home for dinner. On his way he met two neuroes, Mit Sadler and John Ratchford, and the three passed Joe Camp’s house and went on in the direction of the still house. In a few minutes after the three passed, Mr. Camp heard a pistol fire and he ran to the door and saw the Sadler negro with a pistol in his hand aiming at something, (what it was he could not see) and the pistol was fired again. ‘ , Mr. Camp went to the place imme diately and found YY’ells shot and in a dying condition. Both of the ne groes ran off, but Mr. Camp succeed ed in stopping Sadler Jong enough for the latter to tell him that he (Sadler) shot YY’ells because he mushed his little finger. (Wells had a habit of catching one’s little finger and press ing it tightly.) The men who had been hunting with Wells heard the shooting and peeing Sadler running, they commanded him to halt, whereupon he began firjng at thfum and they re turned the fire very freely and shot * him in three places—twice with a rifle and once with a shotgun. He was arrested and Deputy Sheriff John J. Logan was sent for to bring him to jail. * The feeling was high against the negro and had he not been spirited away to the jail here, instead of car rying him to the Grover calaboose for a few hours, it is highly probable that his lifeless form wonid have been dangling in the air before day light Sunday morning. Dr. B. H. Palmer, County Coroner, went to No. 4 township Sunday and summoned his jury and held an in quest over the remains of the mur dered man. Dr. R. C. Ellis, county physician, was present to make the post mortem examination. Wells lived just across the line in South Carolina, but the killing oc curred in this State. The body had to be brought to this county to hold the inquest so it was carried to the house where Bert Ellis murdered Mrs. Logan about 14 years ago, and in consequence of his crime was le gally executed near J. S. Wray’s fish pond in Shelby. Messrs. C. F. Hambright, J. P. Moss, M. L. Bookout, W. P. Hart- ness, D. R. Bell, Jr., and T. L. Wat- terson composed the coroner’s jury and they rendered the following ver dict: “We the, following jury of inquest summoned to inquire into the death of W. S. YY’ells, find from the evi dence: That W. S. Wells died from a shot fired from a pistol in the hands of one Mit Sadler on Jan. 8. 1898, also find that the shot entered the deceased W. 8. Wells’ body be tween the 2nd and 3rd ribs, passed downward and backward and lodged in the back about the Uth or 7th rib, said ball passing through the left . lung, causing death by hemorrhage." John Ratchford, the negro who was with Sadler when the crime was com mitted, was captured and put in jail » Tuesday, His story confirms the belief that it was a cold blooded murder. Mit. Sadler is a desperate churac- 1 ter. He has been shot once or twica before and bis brother has killed two men. Sadler is hurt pretty bad. but we fear his injuries will not prove , fatal. If he does die it will save the county the cost. He certainly de serves death. William S. Wells was about 46 * years old and leaves a wife and six children—the oldest child only 12 years of age. Deceased was a son of . the late Sirnpson YY’ells and one of the finest mill wrlghts in all this sec tion. He made money, but he was a poor man. He was an inoffensiTH sort of fellow and was his own worst enemy. His appetite got the better of him and the best of his life via* sacrificed on the altar of driuk.