Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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J it Jr. WE GUARANTEE The Reliability of Every Adver- ( tiser V/ho Uses the Col- umns of This Paper. The Ledger OOCO^- E. O. Hrjicr. J. O. Fr.-sldfiii THE EJ.TIOHAL BASK OF GAFFHEI. Capital $50,00000. WiLi. Isuv i-fiuiity eluima. receive flyp<M»lta and nutk<*liberal loana nn approved paper. I>. Hum. < anhier. A Newspaper in all that the Word Implies and Devoted to the Best Interests of the People of Cherokee County. ESTABLISHED FEB. 10, I8«>4. GAFFNEY CITY, S. C.. THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 18118. 81.00 A YEAR. IN GAFFNEY. ALDERMAN EAKLR DISCUSSES THE ISSUE. The Proposition of the Town Council * to the County Con.missioners Was Simply a Plain Business One. Gakfkkv, S. C., Aug., 8, 1898. Editor Lkdger:—In justice to the town council aud citizen signers of a $15,090 bond given to Cherokee county for the purpose of building a courthouse and jail I deem it neces sary to make a plain statement of the facts in regard to just how we stand in relation to the matter from the fact that we are being grossly misrep resented, and that some persons are using unfair and unjust argument on this subject purely and solely for po litical advancement. The bond was given in good faith and*oo one. not even the applicants seeking office, honestly and candidly, believes that any signer of the bond has any idea of evading its just pay ment. The matter of the offer by the town council cf our town hall aud grounds and jail grounds in lieu of the bond and its acceptance by the county commissioners was simply a straightforward business proposition and can have no political signiii- cance whatever. The property offered is now worth more than the amount of the bond and at the end of eleven years, when the bond would become due, we have little doubt but what the actual worth of the property will be almost double its present value. We took into consideration when the offer was made that a joint occu pancy of the building by the county officers and Town Council was very unsatisfactory, and also that at a very small cost if the property be longed to the county they could make a better-courthouse than $15,000 will build, taking into consideration the grounds, etc., and furthermore that we desired to eliminate any chance of using this question for political pur poses, as wo fully expected that some unscrupulus persons would make a hobby of the question and try to alienate and disrupt the §ood feelings and intercourse between the county and the town people for their per sonal political advancement. Whatever is best for the county is best for all its people, both in the country and in town. Are not ail our interests in the county identical? Do we not enjoy the same privileges and have the same burdens to bear? What can a matter of residence amount to? The tender is simply a gift by the town to the county, and if it is not received we still will own it and can at the end of eleven years realize double the amount guaranteed and pay the $15,000 aud still be as well off as now. From the trend of affairs we can very easily see that it is solely political guff that is being dished out throughout the county. The signers of the bond have been accused of secretly employing an at torney, the attorney for the county commissioners, to use his influence and advise the commissioners to ac cept the town's offer. This is simply a lie without extenuating circumstan ces. The whole matter, as stated In the beginning, was simply a plain, straightforward proposition made by the town council alone to the com missioners and so far as the council is concernad we don’t care a rap what any officious political dead duck thinks of our actions, but insist that those who propose to make this an issue in the coming election, if they have no merit of their own, should stick to the truth at least. I am no candidate for any office in the county or ever expect to be, nor will ever be if it takes such methods as some are using to be elected. I did all in my power simply as a duty to my county aud without pay, to establish Cherokee county and not for political advancement and my honest opinion is that any mao who would try to arouse sectional feeling between country and town people for the sole purpose of getting office ought to be sat down on, and I be lieve every intelligent, thinking voter in the county will join me in this opinion. If a man has ability, honor and an intrest in the wellfare of hla county this is a prerequisite to bis fitness for office, and he ought to stand a fair chance with hla peers for elactlon. but if he is devoid of these and reaorta to unqualified misrepresentations and seeks to array neighbor againat neigh- bor on account of resident location and hatched up atories about those who are honestly and conscientiously doing what they conceive to be right, nnd vilifying those who did all in their power to establish Cherokee $unty, just to get into office, I can only say in the language of the im mortal Fagan Martin, “watch them.” I further, understand the qustion of ‘‘Hdw do you stand on the court- house tkvl’ is to be a prominent question to be propounded to the various candidates during the can vass. It seems to me that the follow ing equally pertinent questions ought to be iu the catagory : ‘‘How old do you think Cain’s wife was when they emigrated from the land of Nod?” and “What is your honest opinion on the onion crop during the fall of Jerico?” and ‘‘Do you think there is enough salt left on the plains of Sodom and Uomorah to keep the fresh candidates from spoiling?” and ‘‘Can you sing in the ‘Sweet Bye and Bye’, and ‘Oh! how I long to be there?’ ” etc., etc. These, with many others of like character, are equally as impor tant to ask each candidate as “How do you stand on the courthouse ‘deal?’ ” The editor of Thk Ledger, an hon est, sensible, true citizen, has long ago shown up in its true light ail about the question. There is no secret connected with it nor ever lias been. It was a plain proposition made by tiie town council and ac cepted by the county commissioners after due deliberation, since which time the commissioners have made enquiry- through their attorneys and the courts cs to their right to accept the proposition. The facts have been agreed upon and laid before the proper tribunal, and, if it is de cided that they had the right to ac cept the property in lieu of the bond, why they must do so, and if the de cision is to the contrary the matter will stand just where it was at the beginning. The whole matter is now with the courts and we trust is totally out of politics, but still ii appears that the shadow of the question must be lugged into the canvass for political amunition to force some kind of eruption to elevate some aspirant to office, who cannot get higher without some internal explosion and who is willing to sacrifice the peace and unity of the community that he in the grand upheaval may accidentally tali on top. £hame on such methods and such politics. They are forcible reminders of the days of reconstruct ion when the bloody shirt was flaunted continually to arouse sectional feelihg when unscrupulous office seekers were preying upon the very vitals of a downtrodden and almost helpless people. But thank God a wave of common sense has rolled over the country and almost totally obliterated the last spark of such methods aud now we need just such a wave to settle upon this community that some of our aspirants for office may absorb some of its much needed effects. We hope and trust that no citizen, be he in town or country, will be fooled by any promise of any candi date as to what he will do in regard to the courthouse question if elected. Ihoy simply have nothing whatever to do with the case, and all this buncombe and rot that is being agi tated is solely for political effect and is not wojrtb the time it takes to to listen to it. Very respectfully, L. Baker. Since writing the above I have read the decision of Judge Townsand as to the right to transfer the property to the county and the right of the commissioners to accept the offer. The decision clearly sets forth the fact that the action of the commissioners in accepting the property and cancel ing the bond must be adhered to. This we hope finally removes the bone of contention and wo trust those who have tried to make political cap ital out of this subject will accept the verdict aud cease to wrangle and quarrel and that each candidate will came before the people on his ability to serve them, and bis worth as a citizen and new county worker. Let us have a clean, fair canvass and leave the result to the voters. L. H. : theo.r. k. AND IT’S EXTENSION INTO SPARTANBURG The Read is Abo.ut to Break Through Its Barriers and Secure Its Western Connection to Cincinnati. The First Open Bolls. Mr. G. B. Wright, of Mercer, brought to the Ledger office Monday the first open boll of cotton of the season It was plucked last Thurs day. Mr. Wright is not only a good farmer but is one of the best citizens In Cherokee county. We commend him as an example of industry and thrift worthy of emulation. Yesterdty Karl Sarratt. one of Cherokee’s youngeet planters, sent to this office the first open boll off bis farm. Ksrl is s hustler. Yellow Jaundice Cured. Suffering humanity ijiould be sup plied with every means possible for its relief. It is with pleasure we pcblish the following: “This is to certify that I was a terrible sufferer from Ysilosr Jaundice for over six months, and was treatsd by some of the best physicians in our city and all to 00 avail. Dr. Bell, our drug- gift. recommended Klectrio Bitters, shd after taking two bottles, I was entirely cured. I now take great pleasure in recommending them to any pnspon suffering fnm this terri ble malady. I am gratefully yours, M. A. Hogsrty, Lsxlngton, Ky.’, Bold by DuPrs, Drug Co. [Sptirtanburj? Herald ] Everything concerning the Ohio River and Charleston railroad has now a peculiar interest, and we clip the following from the Yorkviile Enquirer: “The fuIc of the Ohio River and Charleston railroad took place at Marion, N. C., last Monday, as per advertisement, and the property was bid in by Samuel Hunt, president, for $89,000. Exactly as to the nu-aning of the sale the Enquirer is unable to give information. The reporter has heard a story, however, to the effect that it was for the purpose of settling the difference between the bondholders who were in favor of completing the road to the Tennessee line aud those who were not disposed to risk any more money on the undertaking. President Hunt is understood to be the representative of the progressive element, and the sale, therefore, prob ably means that, the line will be ex tended us indicated. We are advised the 1 the management of the property will continue as heretofore at least for the present.” This sale is pregnant with meaning. It means that the Ohio River and Charleston road is about to breaE through its barriers and secure its western connection to Cincinnati. 80 far as infomation cun be relied upon we feel sure that this road lias strong financial hacking, and the people who arc interested in the property are abundantly able to extend their line to Cincinnati or the Lakes, if necssary. It is hinted by the newspapers that the Parsons, who own the 8. C. <fc G. railroad, are after the Ohio River and Charleston raidroad, but this seems to be merely guesswork. If the Parsons should get control of the O. R. & C., it would have a double meaning, since they are able to extend the line and at the same time give it its long-sought entrance into Charles ton over its own tracks. The railroad situation is getting to be very interesting, and let us hope it ail means well for Hpartaburg. A special telegram to the State from Charleston has the following: Charleston, Aug. 5. —President Samuel Hunt, of the Charleston and Ohio River railroad, says that the road will reach Charleston “over tracks bound to it by the closest ties, if not by absolute ownership, in the near future, and that the prospects for reaching the Ohio river are brigh ter than ever before.” Mr. Hunt, it will be remembered, bought in the toad at the recent sale at Marion, N. C., for a company of Philadelphia capitalists, and he ought to be in a position to know more about the future of the road than anyone else. It may be stated here that the last sale was not made from necessity, but to get in proper shape to admit the placing of certain securities and to put the road in a strong and more aggressive position for future opera tions. The statement of Mr. Hunt confirms that of the State concerning the future ownership of the road. 11 was stated that it was generally con ceded by railroad men that South Carolina and Georgia road would at an early day become the owner to the Ohio River and Charleston road. Mr. Hunt himself says that the road will reach this city “over tracks bound to it by the strongest ties, if not by absolute ownership.” Coming from the president of the road, the remark is significent. It simply means that the South Carolina and Georgia road will purchase the Ohio River and Charleston road, complete the road to the week by building two gape of 60 miles each west ot Marion. N. C. The Ohio River and Charleston road bae developed the sections of county through which it passes wonderfully. The towns all along tbs line show In dustries that have been erected since the present management of the road have been in control. It Is said with much confidence that the Ohio River and Charleston road has excellent credit. It pays its employes and bills as promptly as any of its competitors. The road is owned at present by people who are financially strong enough to take care of it, who have confidence enough In the property and the country it penetrates to be willing not only to use the earnings of the road In improving the lloe but to expend Urge earns in addition to tbeir original investment*. This confirms the suggestion that we have stated in another place that the Parsons are after the O. R. A C. road. This however, is quite proble matical. It would rather be expected that the 0. R. A C. would make some contract with the S. C A G. by which it could run into Charleston. The Parsons, who own the 8. C. A G. are recognized among the largest capi talist iu the country, though the people behind the O. K. A C. are quitte as able to buy out the 8. C. A G., as the 8. C. A G. are to buy them out. As to the people who own the O. R. A C. road, this is the best information we have been able to obtain. They are not railroad people. They bought very largely the bonds of the old company, that is ibe C. C. C. When that road was sold, they were com pelled to buy in the property to protect their interests. The people most largely interested are two or •three trust companies and financial institutions in the city of Philadel phia, and the largest owners of the property are corporations of large as sets and credit, and who have great trust and confidence in Mr. Hunt the president of the company. Tha question of the O. It. AC. rail way being extended from Gaffney court house to this city has evoked much discussion, pro and con. The action of the city council in voting the $25,000 7 per cent, bonds origi nally intended for the road to Hen rietta, for tho purpose of securing tb« <). R. A C. road, is another sig nificant fact that seems to meet the popular approval of representative business men of the city. Yesterday afternoon President J. B. Liles, of the Fingerville Manufac turing Company, was seen at his of fice by the reporter, to whom he talkei interestingly in favo: of the extension of the O. R. A C. road to this city. Among other things, he stated: “In my opinion, the 0. R. A C. is a most valuable connection for .Spar tanburg to secure. Viewed merely from tho standpoint of expenditure of capita) this is self-evident; for this road will be asked to expend ten or twenty times the amount the city donates for their corning here and I am heartily in favor of the city’s donation of the $25,000 7 per cent, bonds, which were intended for the Ruthcrfordton line direct; for the reason that the principal amount of freight from this Henrietta line would have been pine wood and the section of country through which this road would have extended is thinly settled and offers but small amount of freight. Continuing. Mr. Liles said, “I feel partial to the O. R. A C. road on account of the direct benefit this section has already derived from its coming to Gaffney. Prior to its reaching that point the rate North on the shipments of cotton mill products from this section was 60 cents per hundred poundfl. This was also the rate charged from Gaff ney. The O. R. A C. road immedi ately gave a rate from Gaffney for this class of freight at 48 cents per hundred pounds, whicH is a saving to manufacturers^^flarly 20 per cent. It seems that^^^^ut made an im pression on t^^oads that operate through* this city; the reason being presumably the fact that several of the mills here were arranging to transport their products to Gaffney for Northern shipment. They re duced their rate on this class of goods to 49 cents per hundred, but in a few days it advanced to 51 cents. When you consider the out put of all the mills of the county 9 cents per 100 pound* is a great sav ing. “I consider the most important business this new road will give Spartanburg will be the local travel from Glendale and the Cliftons. The first ten miles of its road extending fro«n this city will reach a local popu lation of 10,000, nearly as many people as are in Spartanburg. No one has ever doubted that a large number of the people would be glad to come here to abop and trade bad they cheap and convenient transpor tation at hand. Steam being the cheapest motive power known, there is no doubt but that road would run several local trains into this city daily, making frequent stops all along the way. My observation is that all the railroads will run as many trains as the traffic will justify. A friend of mine whose business office la in Atlanta, Ua., resides at Eaat Point, six and a half miles from the city, and be goes boms to dinner every day. He states that tbs difference In rent mors than pays tbs railroad far*. I am sure that thriving little villages would dot tbeir line to Glendale, at laast. “In rsgacd to the injunction which has been filed, I do not know whose names are on the petition, but ven ture tbs assertion that they are K reons in deep sympathy with the uthern Railway, which road has taken much pains and exhibited especial delight in attempting to binder the O. R. A C. from coming here,” FLAW PICKER AND MUNROE TALK ABOUT CANDIDATES AND GAME CHICKENS. Flaw W-.ll Vote fora Good Man With out Regard to Politics and Don’t Care Who Criti cises Him. Bucklan’s Arnica Balvt. The Beet Salve in the world for Guta, Brulsea, Sores, Ulcer, §4 t Rheum, Fever 8v*e, Tetter, Chapped Hande, Chilblains, Corns, and all Skin Eruption, and poatlvely cures Pilss or i>o pay required. It la gtura- anteed to give perfect satisfaction or money refunded. Fries 25 cents per box. For sale by The DuPre Drug Co. {'"’onespondence of The Ledger.) One day last week, when I met my onliest friend an’ fellow citizen, Munroe Mize, an’ handed out the every-day conflabulations of friend ship an’ greetins’, I axed him for the news of Blue Branch an’ surroundins. “Wei!,” he said, “about the on liest thing I know for certain!, an' that I do know, is that the chickens, even to the ole roosters, are u roost in' powerful high whilst, you under stand, country hams an’ eggs an' jam an’ sitch as us folks has laid away ftr Sundays an’ rainy days don’t stand no hand at all. The candydates have about cleaned us up lock, stock an' barrel an’ by gracious, when the big ineetin’s come on I don't know but—well, I reckon we’ll have somethin' to eat, sitch as it is. Hit would be a lots cheaper an' bet ter ef r.il of us voters in Cherokee county would set a day an’ all meet in town an’ settle it between our selves us who we wanted to have the offices, but, by gracious, the way it is now hit puts me in the mind of a lot of moles in a tater patch after diggin' time a tryin' to see which of them cun git the tater that was left, i ganneys, they come in all shapes, forms an' fashions—some in buggies, some in dog carts, some on horse back, some on wheeycles, some afoot, some on crutches, some on “peggies” an', f gannies, hit wouldn’t surprise mo ef I'd see one a cornin' down the road in a goat wagon; some from the country, some from town, some from —well, God only knows where they all do spring from, I don’t I know. They roll up, tumble up, jist any ole way so they git up, an’ that they most inginerally always do. Pharo may talk about locusts, Jonah may talk about the whales, Bhafter may talk about yaller fever an’ Spaniards about Americans, but the greatest aggravation an* peat to my know- unce is the candydate or office-seek ers of to-day.” “As to any other news down on Blue Branch, Flaw, I don’t know for certaint,” Mun. said, “but they say there's a house down on Whig Hill, about 200 yards from any woods, right out in the plain, big, open fields wherein hit takes apeils of rainin’ rocks an' it is said that iron skillets rise on one aide an’ falls on the other, an' one feller tole me that whilst he was a standin' outside, u gallon coffeepot come out at a crack that you couldn't hardly git yonr fist throu n h. Whither this is trne or not I don't know, but from the start I’ve thought it’s a lie.” When I was in town tother day f hearn a man ax another’n ef he was a Bryan man wherein his answer was, "I’m a Democrat. I vote fer the nominee whoever he may be, good or bad.” This man that spoke forth these words is supposed to have a good all 'round averaged up crap of brains but, by gracious, here is one instance wherein he has failed to cul tivate them an' consequentially, the politicks has growed up so allfired thick till they have about choked out his little crap, so to speak, an' I'm afraid that hit won’t go very far towards snpplyin’ this great country with the food it is so badly in need of—true patrio* c politics. Ef the Democratic convention would nomi nate a cut-throat, thief an’ robber for the Presidency of the United Btates an’ the Republican conven tion would nominate a minister of the gospel whose career had bin spot less an' upright all bis life, he would vote fer the Democrat instead of the Republican. Gentlemen, honestly to God, before I would be tied up in politicks that way I’d rather be tied up In a lunatic asylum. Don't Infer from what I write that I'm a Repub lican. I have never voted for either Democrat or Republican for Presi dent in my life an' can never da ao as long a* they advocate the greatest curse to the ha- man race-—the liquor traffic. I have beam folks talk an* bowl down a “turn-coat.' 1 an* I say, an’ can prove it by good common hose sense, that ef they tarn their coats fer a good motive (not fer offiec) they are the onliest patriots ta my knowance. What is there In the name “Demo crat?” What 1« there In the name "Republican?” What Is there In tha name “Populist,” or “Prohibi tionist ?P Ef I'd vote fer a Prohibi tionist an’ after he got In office wouldn't prohibit I’d torn my coat clean wrong side out'arde an’ tell him to go to the devil. Ef I bad a strain of gsns chickens an' the daddy of 'em would rates his becks an’ run tbs first.time I fought him, I’d go home an’ kill the last blasted one of his offsprings. Ef I’d vote fer a man, no difference what party or politicks he belt to. an’ he’d prove faLe once. I'd see him an’ all his offspring delivered up into the hands of persecution be fore I’d vote fer 'em. Yes sir, I'd turn my coat clean wrong side out’ards. Good men is the backbone of this grand ole republic an’ shall be as long as it stands, an’ I will vote fer a good man in preference to a bad one, regardless of bis politicks, so long as my name is Flaw an’ I don’t caro a blasted peg who says “turn-coat.” I voted fer a Prohibi tionist president in '92 because he advocated a nobler cause than any of the balance—the doin' away of the lieker traffic—the greatest curse to civilized humanity. Ef any other good man would spring forth an' advocate u better cause I’d turn my coat, yes I would. In '96 I didn’t vote at all because every nominee in the field was a hearty-supporter of the greatest curse to humanity—the liquor traffic. Flaw Picker. Ravenna Locals. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Ravenna, Aug. 9.—One of the most delightful occasions of the season was the picnic at (ioucher last Satur day, August the 6th. It was a pleas ant affair in every respect and will not soon be forgotten by all who were so fortunate as to be there. The peo ple commenced to gather very early and by 10:30 o’clock the large grove was about filled with carriages, bug gies and wagons. There were people tiiere from every section of Cherokee and Spartanburg counties. The Ledger was representei by Mr. Ed. H. DeCamp who will, perhaps, give a more detailed account of the occasion. The dinner deserves special men tion. It was really the most enjoya ble part of the day. A table over 70 feet long had been built in the thick shade of the largo trees in the grove and one could not have desired a more suitable spot. A large barrel of ice lemonade sat at each epd of the table and it was not slighted in the least. A committee of about thirty were kept rushed to supply the wants'of the large crowd, if any one was so unfortunate as to not get enough din ner we hope they will not blame the committee. The table was literally filled with good things. Every one brought a well filled basket. Fruit and watermelons were plentiful. A large number of candidates were present. By request some of them made short talks on religious topics. Perhaps the most striking feature to a large number, was the “bride and groom.” Kaily in the morning Mr. Wayne Williams, of Pacolet, and Miss lola Smith, one of our most charming young ladies, drove to Pac olet and were married. They were accompanied by three more couples and the merry party reached the grounds just before dinner was an nounced. The marriage was quite unexpected and everybody is won dering and waiting to see who will be next. Misses Genie Burgess and Ella Brown visited friends at Cowpens quite recently. Miss Olive Pettit is spending this week with relatives at Providence. Mrs. T. L. Shippey, of Greenville, and Mrs. Dexter Shippey, of Cow- pens, fished the family of Mr. M. W. Litt lejohn last week. Miss Mollie Littlejohn, of Janes ville, who has been visiting Mrs. W. L. Spake, bus returned home. Mr. G. B. Brown, from Cannons Camp Ground, has been visiting rela tives in this section. Mrs. Walter Littlejohn, of Pacolet, is staying a short while with relatives here. Mr. T. C. Green is sick again. ▲. r. c. Speaking Tomorrow. Tomorrow at 11 o'clock the candi dates for Congress in this district will address the citizens of this county at the court house. A cor dial invitation is extended to the public, and especially the ladies. Let the court house be crowded. Something good may be expected ae there are eorae brilliant speakers in the party. Gaffney extends a warm welcome to the gentlemen and we feel safe in assuring each of them that be will be among friends. Discovered by e Women. Another greet discovery has been made, and that too, by a lady In this country. “Disease fastened Its clutches upon her and for seven year* ■be withstood Its severest tests, but her vital organs were andermlned and death seemed Imminent. For three months shs eougbed Incessantly and could not slssp. She finally dis covered a way to recovery, by par- cheslnc of us a bottle of ,Ur. King's New Discovery for Gonbomptlon, and was so much relieved on taking first doss, that she slept all night; and with two bottles has been abso lutely cured. Her name Is Mrs. Lather Lutx. Thus writes W. C. Hamrick A Co., of Shelby, N. C. Trial bottles free at DoPre Drug Go. Regular else 6O0 aud $1.00. Every bottle guaranteed.