The ledger. [volume] (Gaffney City, S.C.) 1896-1907, August 25, 1898, Image 1
WE GUARANTEE
The Reliability of Every Adv/:r-
/tiser Who Uses the Col-
J umns of This Paper.
The Ledger.
F. O. Stacy.
nrreaident.
j. o. Wahim-aw.
Vic© Frcuiilcii
THE NATIOHAl BANK OF GAFFNEY.
Capital $50,000.00.
Wii.i, buy county clalijia. receive deposit*
imkI in ike lilaTiil i<mns on approved paper.
I). ('. I!oss. C'uaiiier.
A Newspaper in all that the Word Implies and Devoted to the Best Interests of the People of Cherokee County.
ESTABLISHED FEB. 1G, 1894.
GAFFNEY CITY, S. C.. THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1898.
$1.00 A YEAR.
STOCKRAISING IN THESOUTH
NO SECTION BETTER ADAPTED
TO THIS INDUSTRY.
No Business, Intelligently Followed, is
Productive of More Genuine
Returns—Some facts
and Figures
LHy M. V.Rlchards.l
All that great region of country
lying south of the Potomac and east
of the Mississippi rivers is most ad
mirably adapted to stock-raising.
This section comprises the great
States of Virginia. North and South
Carolfna, Georgia, Alabama, Miss
issippi, Florida, Tennessee and Ken
tucky. This is a domain imperial in
extent, inexhaustible in material
riches, and as fertile in soil as it is
genial in climate. Under proper con
ditions this section ought to be what
nature intended it should be. the
richest and most prosperous section
of the United States, and if the move
ment now in progress is carefully
followed to its logical conclusion,
the statement made above will cease
to be a “glittering generality” and
become a tangible and practical
reality. Generally speaking the
Southern fanner has heretofore de
voted himself largely to the raising
of cotton and tobacco, and while
these staple products generally find
a ready market; they do not, un
fortunately for the farmer and
planter, command such prices as are
remunerative to the producer. Both
of these crops are more or less ex
haustive of the soil, and this is more
particularly true when there is no
rotation of crops. This has been
proven over and over again by the
wheat farmers of the West who have
found wheat growing a profitless in
dustry and have been compelled to
change their system of fanning, and
it will be found true in every section.
The South has tens of millions of
acres of land especially adapted to
stock-raising. The land is well sup
plied with water—an indispensable
adjunct to stock-raising; the soil is
productive and all kinds of nutritious
grasses grow luxuriantly, while the
short, or in many sections the ab
sence of anything like, winter, makes
an ideal climate and conditions for
the well being of all kinds of stock,
every month in the year. Besides,
stock-raising does not impoverish the
land, but on the contrary enriches
the soil, and puts it in such a condi
tion that better crops can be grown,
whenever it may seem desiiable to
crop the soil formerly used as a
stock range.
It does not require very much cap
ital to engage in stock-raising in a
small way. If every farmer would
begin by adding a cow, a sheep and a
hog each year to his stock, he would
find in a very few years a marvelous
growth of his available assets, which
had been acquired with a little labor
and at a small outlay to himself.
To put this proposition in figures it
looks as follows;
Estimated number of farms in the
following States would be :
Virginia 131>,000
North Carolina 180,000
South Carolina 118,000
Georgia r .. 174,000
Tennessee 180,000
Alabama 1(H),000
Mississippi 147,000
Florida 35.000
Kentucky 180,000
Total 1,313,000
This would mean an increase in
live stock of nearly 4,000,000animals
in a single year, which at a low esti
mate would be worth over $20,000.-
000. The increase of these animals,
at a normal rate, would be very rapid
and would soon reach tens an even
hundreds of millions of dollars pur
year, and would greatly add to the
prosperity of millions of homes.
Again, one may just as well raise
good stock as poor. It costs no more
time or money, and it pays to have
the best, and so all successful stock-
raisers will be satisfied with nothing
else.
Diversified farming calls for a
higher order of intelligence, and so it
follows that it is not only more
profitable as a business venture but
a very active agent of a higher order
of civilization. This means better
living Jwith all that the word im
plies, and this is desired by progres
sive people everywhere.
This subject is alreaay command
ing a great deal of attention in the
South, and good results are being
shown in many localities. But there
is room and opportunity for a great
deal more to be done in this direction,
and now is the time to do it. All
who engage In etock-raising will find
it a paying investment.
Some months sgo we directed a
communication to the young men of
the South, calling their attention to
the possibilities which surround
ttAem. We hope they will become
i uteres ted in this subject. Do you
wpnt furl bur Information on tbls
subject of stock-raising? If so,
watch the columns of your papers,
read the agricultural and stock-rais
ing journals, obtain the publications
issued by your State boards of agri
culture, and we are sure you will
find reward for the time taken in in
vestigating the question. Should you
not be couvinced that there is money
in stock-raising in the South and
want furthur light on the subject,
write M. V. Richards, Washington,
I). C. We are interested in seeing
this great field of successful enter
prise developed, and will be glad
to render information, or place our
correspondents in the way of secu
ring the experience of authorities
on the subject.
Cris Cannon Hanged.
Gris Cannon the murderer of Capt.
J. H. Blassingame was hanged last
Friday and he made the following
confession on the gallows, which we
copy from the Spartanburg Herald :
“On Sunday, August IGth, 1S96, I
went to the home of Maj. Jos. M.
Elford all alone. I entered the house
by a window on the back side of the
house. I went into the dining
room, and while there I saw Capt.
John H. Blassingame. He asked me
to surrender; but I dropped down on
my knees and he fired. I then
started toward a bedroom in which
was a wardrobe; Capt. Blassingame
followed and fired again. I got be
hind a bed and saw .a pistol lying
nearby on the bed. Capt. Blassin-
garae still fired while I was behind
the bed. I gradually dodged around
until I reached the corner of the bed ;
then seeing that I was to kill of get
killed, I used the pistol I had found,
firing a number of times, shooting as
long as I could. I then crawled
upon my hands and feet and started
to go out. In passing I noticed Capt.
Blassingame Ijing on the floor. He
took hold of me as 1 passed by and
mumbled something in a way that T
couldn’t understand. I jerked loose
from him and went into the bath
room, and went out the window.
I didn’t know at the time that*I was
shot. I jumped over the fence and
went along the lane under some trees
and from there to the branch where
I lay down. Then I knew that I had
been shot and my wound was bleed
ing freely. I went from the kranch
on home and a little while afterwards
Dr. Wilson came in and the rest of
the tale you all know from the court.
I had no companions and did the
work all by myself. This is the
whole truth.”
Chris told this story in a straight
forward, earnest, intelligent manner;
and every one present who heard him
has expressed the opinion that in
their belief he spoke the truth. He
has gone to his death, suffering, and
justly so, too, the extreme penalty of
the law.
Written from Wilhe.
(Correspondence of The Ledger.)
Wili.e, Aug. 22.-—W. W. Whel-
chel spent several days visiting
friends and relatives in Cherokee
county last week. Mr. Welchel
came home boasting of what polite
and friendly geutlomen he had met
while in Cherokee—candidates of
course. By the way, we would almost
willing to bet our interest in Forto
Rico, that, according to the popula
tion, Cherokee will surpass any
county in the State for the produc
tion of candidates.
Mrs. L. B. Brown visited her
mother at Tryon, N. C., last Satur
day and Sunday.
Miss Marshy Suddeth, of Pelzer,
is spending some time with her
mother, Mrs. Pete Suddeth of this
section.
Misses Aleck Benson and Chany
Littlejohn, of Greers, were in this
section yesterday.
' CUMTUX.
CRUSHED BY THE VESTIBULE
A Close Relationship.
The relationship which the baking
powders bear towards cur health is
coming to be appreciated.
There is no doubt that the indiges
tion and dispepsiu of which many
Americans complain are caused by
tbe indiscriminate use of alum baking
powders. These baking powders,
from their lower price, from the per
sistency with which they are adver
tised as pure cream of tartar powders,
or from the tempting schemes with
which they are offered, are being pur
chased by many housekeepers. That
alum baking powders are unwhole
some is a fact as well established as
that arsenic is a poison. There must
accordingly be the greatest care ex
ercised by the housewife to keep them
from her food. A chemical analysis
only will expose their true character.
Even the price at which they are sold
is not always a mark to identify
them.
There Is certain safety in the use of
the well-known brand, Royal Baking
Powder. The Royal is not only cer
tified by the Government Chemists
free from alum and from all adulter
ation, but every housewife feels a
confidence when using it which die
cannot have with any other powder.
It is made from chemically pure
cream of tartar, and is actually an
anti-dyspeptic, promoting digestion
and adding to the wholesomenesa of
the food.
TWO-YEAR-OLD GIRL KILLED
SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mason, Near
Duncans—The Little One Lived
But a Few Minutes Af
ter Being Hurt.
[Spartanburg Herald.]
On Sunday afternoon about 5:30
o’clock a harrowing and heart rend
ing tragedy happened between Greer’s
and Duncans on the Southern road
almost at the trestle over South Ty-
ger river. The little two-year-old
daughter of Mr. and' Mrs. R. B. Ma
son was then and there struck by the
northbound vestibule train No. 38
and died from the effects of the blow
a few minutes afterwards.
The detailed facts of the sad event
are as pathetic as tragic. The little
lisping child was playing in the yard
of her parents’ home Sunday after
noon. Mr. Mason lives near the rail
road. He and a friend, Mr. Adair,
started for a walk to some section
houses, about three-quarters of a mile
away. Before leaving his home he
instructed one of his older children
to watch the baby girl, and then went
on his way. The child managed to
slip away out of the yard unobserved
and attempted to follow after her
father. Walking along she finally
reached the railroad track just at the
fatal moment when the train was
coming. The child, unconscious of
impending peril, stood on the track
with her back to the approaching
train-. The northbound vestibule
passes along this spot at a very high
rate of speed, and is one of the fast
est trains in the South.
No one espied the fragile, tottering
little body directly in front of the
great locomotive, nor the little golden
curls waving in the sun light in in
nocent dalliance of the soft summer
breeze, and in one moment the en
gine had struck the child, crushing
her back.
In an instant the engineer knew
that something was wrong and the
train stopped quickly. It was then
discovered that the little girl had
been fatally injured. Capt. Francis,
Engineer Petturs and a number of the
passengers hastened to the spot and
the little body was tenderly laid on
a suitable couch and placed on the
ground nearby.
The head and face of the little child
were not hurt in the slightest, and a
gentleman present states that it was
a most agonizing spectacle, that he
will never forget, to see the child
crushed, by excruciating pain roll, and
dilate her eyes and otherwise demon
strate her sufferings, until death
kindly dispelled the tragic situation
into a fearful calm.
The sudden stop of the train at
this pcint was unusual, and Mr. Ma
son hastened to the spot. Mrs. Ma
son, little knowing of the bitter cup
of sorrow so near at hand also walked
up to the railroad track. Her first
words on seeing one the passengers
were: “What is the matter? Ido
hope that no one is hurt!” On be
ing told that a child had been killed
by the train she hastened to where
the sorrowing group composed of
Conductor Francis, Engineer John
Pettus and others stood around the
corpse. When she saw the babe of
her bosom, who only a few moments
before was full of life and childish
prattle now crushed, silent and cold
forever, her grief was frantic and her
misery was indescribable.
The child was borne by kindly
hands to its parents’ home, where it
remained until yesterday afternoon.
Then it was interred. The inquest
was held yesterday.
The regret of Capt. Fancis and
Engineer Pettus can better be imag
ined than expressed. These two gen
tlemen are deeply moved over the
matter, as it was one of those unfortu
nate and fatal circumstances over
which they had no control. As Mr.
Pettns said: “Had it been my wife
and child on the track. I could not
have saved them or stopped the train
sooner.” Their sympathy goes out to
the bereaved parents in their sad affle-
tion in unbounded measure.
Mr. R. B. Mason is an industrious
farmer, who has been living near
Duncan’s for some time past and en
joys tbe confidence and esteem of all
who knew him. His wife is a gentle,
amiable lady. Since the tragic death
of her little girl, the unfortunate
mother is almost inconsolable.
LIFE AT PANAMA PARK, FLA.
The County Campaign.
The county campaign speaking to
day will be at Maud. On Saturday
the candidates will give their per
formance in the Court House in this
city. Thia will practically end the
campaign speaking. A meeting hae
been announced for Monday at Kings
Creek, but it is not one of tbe regular
appointment!. Turn out Saturday
and bear tbe boys orate.
INTERESTING LETTER FROM
A SOLDIER.
A Story of How a Soldier Fooled the
Sentinels and Went Into Jack
sonville Without a
Passport.
Panama Park, Fla.,Aug. 17.—Ever
since I left home for the war, as the
saying goes, I have intended to write
something on camp life for the bene
fit of those who were not fortunate, or
unfortunate, enough to enlist in the
service of their country, but I have
been so busy that I could not do so
’till now. I am now Commissary of
subsistence, or Q. M. Sergeant of the
colonel’s mess, which relieves me of
all military duty, but which gives mo
a great deal of work, for I have to
buy all of the provisions for the mess,
see that it is properly cooked and
served. It is four miles to town,
Jacksonville, but as Uncle Sam lias a
large supply of the horses that “biay”
—the mule—I do not have such
a hard time getting there. There are
fourteen officers in the mess. Hav
ing complete charge of everything 1
bought a stove and utensils for same,
a set of china dishes and everything
that one needs to make home com
fortable. We have the nicest mess
in camp and the only dinner bell in
the army, I think. All the others
use a dish pan and a stick, making
one think he is aboard a ship. Well,
enough about “mess.” I forgot to
tell what kind of camp we have.
We have one of the finest camps
anywhere. It is situated one-half
mile from the St. John river, four
miles below Jacksonville. The ground
is low, level and sandy, covered with
long leaf pine, same as eastern North
Carolina, in fact one would think he
was in Moore county, N. C. Wo
have a line place to bathe, just above
the Cumber Lumber Co.’s mill,, one
of the largest mills in the South.
Every day a train of logs that have
been hauled about sixty miles, never
less than twenty cars to the train,
passes our camp. At the mill there
is a large pier running about three or
four hundred yards into the bay from
which they unload into the lock.
When we first arrived here all
were saying who was going to
Jacksonville first. Well I knew there*
was a provost guard between our
camp and town but I did not say
anything until we had our tents up,
about 4:30 p. m., then some boys said,
“Sergant, lets go see Jacssonville.” I
said, “There is a guard between here
and town that we can’t pass, unless
we have a pass, and we can’t get one
now.” So I left them, got one fellow,
a friend of mine, and said, “Lets go, I
can get through the lines.” When we
started it was raining and we had our
rubber ponchos on, which covered to
our knees. Well the stripes on my
pants were like a lieutenant’s and as
the guard could not see my shoulders
they could not tell whether I had
straps or not. I knew this. I had
been there before. For a mile all
went well then ahead loomed a senti
nel, but, to my surprise, instead of
halting us he gave a salute that would
have made a general proud. I sol-
emly returned the salute and went
on. Another mile and we passed
another sentinel. I said to ray
chum, “I am surprised at these
fellows.” He said, “They think
you are an officer,” and from
then on he called me lieutenant.
Just as we would get near a sentinel
he would say something, calling me
Lieutenant 8o-and-So. The next one
we passed and saluted, but as we got
about ten steps I heard him say to
a comrade, “Is that an officer?” We
could not hear what he said, for we
were taking the regulations, 120 to
the minute, and some to spare. We
were in sight of the city and were con
gratulating ourselves on being smart
when I glanced ahead and saw four
sentinels and a commissioned officer,
the officer of the day as I soon found
out. I had fifty yards to consider
what to do and it was too late to turn
back, so I said, "Henry, don’t you
open your mouth. Let me fix him if
we are stopped. ” Sure enough
“Halt,” came the command. “Good
day,” said I, saluting sort of half
officer and half soldier salute, but it
didn’t go. “Pass, please?” said the
sentinel. “I have none. Have just
got Into camp and hadn’t time to get
one. Got to go to the city.” “Cor
poral of the guard,” shouted the sen
tinel. Up came the corporal and took
us to tbe officer of the day who ques
tioned me. “What regiment?” “1st
S. C.” “Oh! just in?” “Yes.”
“How come you have no pass?” “I
did not know there ras a guard here.
The colonel is in the city. I will get
a past there. Won’t you please give
me a provost pass to get thery?”
Over to the teat he went and gave us
a nice “unlimited.” We went on to
the city and went into a restaurant
to get something to eat and there we
saw the colonel sitting at a table.
He said, “Hello Gaines, you here?”
“Ye^, and Colonel will you please
approve this pass so I can pass
through our line tonight?” He
laughed and looked at me and signed
it. I saluted and we left. We were
in no hurry to get back to camp as I
had a pass signed by the provost and
the colonel. We got back to camp
about twelve o'clock p. m. I told
Henry to wait ’till 1 could find a sen
tinel and walk him back to the other
end of his beat and then for him to
cross inside and get the sentinel at
the other end for me to cross. All
worked like a charm and in ten min
utes we were in bed. Next morning
the captain said. “Gaines, you were
absent last night from retreat and
tattoo, where were you?” I said.
“In the city.” He said, “Did you
have a pass?” I pulled out my
double endorsed pass and he read it
and laughed and looked up and said,
“Nerve!” and turned away. I said,
“It takes that in army life.”
Soon al! the boys heard that we had
been to the city and thought all they
had to do was to walk in. Well that
was all, just walk into the provost
guard’s arms. All the next day the
guards were bringing in the boys but
didn’t punish them as we had just
gotten there. But they all wondered
how we got through. But this is
enough personal experience.
The first general court martial that
has been field since we enlisted is
being held at our mess tent ' jr court
room. Today they are tryi ig a sol
dier for sleep on post, "’here are
forty-two prisoners in th- guard
house. There are eighteen from one
company who took French leave and
went to the city for a ay. One
broke guard and has not b' n caught
yet, and it isn’t likely he , ill ever be
caught. He was in for stealing a bi
cycle. The sentinels at the guard
house carry loaded guns now. It is
rather real soldiering now ; easy if
you know how, and it docs look like
our boys could learn in time.
We have good officers and plenty
of drilling. We think we will go to
Ilavanna in a few days to do garrison
duty. Some of the boys don’t want
to go, saying that if they can’t light
they don’t want to go. Gen. Lee
will arrive tonight and then perhaps
we will learn more about going.
We are in the 7th army corps and
the insigna is u silver star with seven
points, which we all wear on our hats
or shirt collars.
Col. Bryan’s camp Is just across
the railroad track from us. He is a
fine looking soldier.
This is one of the finest places in
the State. All day there is a fine
breeze and at night it is delightful.
Jacksonville is a fine city to vist.
It is situated on the bank of the St.
John river and the people are fine
people.
I must close as taps have been
blown and lights must be out.
H. M. G.
THE COLONEL’S CHRONICLES
Webster Pencihngs.
(Correspondence of The Ledger.)
WkbstjlR, Aug., 22.—The county
campaign performance was exhibited
as scheduled on the 16th. About
three hundred people turned out to
listen to the candidates’ promises of
superior services which each would
render if elected. Good order pre
vailed throughout the day. The
farmers came together to exchange
ideas pertaining to the house and
farm in connection with being edu
cated on political issues. Each can
didate had his say, uninterrupted by
the hearers except by inattention
at intervals. August 30th is the day
set apart to decide the contest and
relieve anxiety. Of the candidates it
may be said that they all appeared to
be competent to creditably discharge
the duties of the office to which they
aspired, but the voters will soon know
their choice as to whom may serve as
county officers during the next few
years. The occasion was enjoyed by
each one present.
Our postoffice was not closed as re
ported, but is to be removed. Mr.
Henry Tate will assume the duties of
tbe office in the near future.
Pacolet has already destroyed some
corn along its course. Regardless of
tbe promising prospect tbe remaining
portion is not safe until it has been
stowed away under shelter.
Cotton is opening, fodder is being
stripped from the stalk, cane is ripen
ing and tbe indications are that the
leisure days have terminated until
the harvest season has past.
The reins of law must be more
tightly drawn if peace, pleasure,
prosperity and happiness, the real
blessings of life, predominate in this
enlightened and progressive age.
Lkdger Reader.
. Bucklen’s Arnica Salve.
The Best Rxlve in the world for
Cuts, Bruises, Sores, Ulcer, Salt
Rheum, Fever Su^s, Tetter, Chapped
Hands, Chilblains, Corns, and all
Skin Eruption, and postively cures
Piles or no pay required. It is gura-
anteed to give perfect satisfaction or
money refunded. Price 25 cents per
box. For sale by The DuPre Drug
Co.
HE WRITES OF EVENTS IN THE
COUNTY.
Personal Paragraphs of Men and Wo
men and Mere Mention of Some
Events that May In
terest You.
Etta Jane, Aug., 22—The past
week has been an active one with the
candidates of Cherokee county. I
wish I only had time and space to
give a full account of what I have
seen and heard during the last week.
This I will expect to do at a more
convenient season, or when I write
up my narration of the county cam
paign.
Mr. R. M.^ToIly has in his possession
a block of wood which he says came
from the Holy Land. It is a species
of mulberry.
I attended preaching at the Second
Baptist Churcfi at Gaffney Sunday,
also the Sabbath School and Youn"
People’s Meeting. They have a fine
school and a good choir, the names
of whom are given below: Pinkney
Dorrity. organsit; Misses Sallie Green,
Bessie Patrick, Julia Melton, Mira
Samples, Aimer Samples, Susie Pad
gett, Delia Hopper, Carrie BobJe,
Lola Ross, Daisy Bridges, Bell Brid-
ges; Mr. Tilden Padget, Lawson
Wylie, Nanson Kendrick, J. A.
Jones, John Laughlin, Henry
Nelson. There are others whose
names I failed to get and I
hope they will excuse the omission.
Uncle Joe Pridmore says that
freshets always come in even numbers
each year.
The meeting at White Plains last
Thursday was largely attended by the
citizens of that community, notwith
standing the rainy weather. It was
a very orderly meeting. The Shiloh
church building was tendered the peo
ple and the speaking went on all right.
The Messrs. Reynolds had a first class
barbecue served for the occasion.
It was our first visit to White
Plains and we were' favorably im
pressed w''th the people of the com
munity and hope to do them justice
in our account hereafter to be writ
ten. • 1 '
Crops in White Plains are good and
have generally been well worked. I
spent a night each with Mr. W. A.
Donald and Robt. H. Taylor, two of
her good citizens.
I was at Macedonia last Friday and
heard Rev. Mr. Sublet preach. The
meeting was well attended although
the roads were very muddy and the
rains kept falling almost incessantly.
I went to Blacksburg Saturday.
At the Blacksburg meeting Rev. B.
P. Robertson ably represented the
cause of prohibition. He had a re
spectful hearing and it was a com
mon thing to see some old dram
drinker nod assent when a good point
was scored. There was a general
turnout of the people of tbe York
side to which was added a large dele
gation from this side of the river.
The Antioch band was present. The
committee had erected a large and
comfortable stand in the beautiful
park for the use of the speakers. It
was our good pleasure to meet many
of our old army comrades and school
mates of old York county.
Sabbath night I had the pleasure
of attending the First Baptist church
and heard Rev. B. P. Robertson
preach.
At the Blacksburg meeting I met
our old friend “Bachelor,” as well
as the Antioch, Grover and Mount
Holly correspondents of The Ledger.
They are all first class gentlemen and
I was glad to meet them.
We met Mrs. Sheriff Long and
daughters, also J. H. Sloan, Esq.,
and wife, of Pacolet, at Blacksburg
last Saturday.
Along our line of travel we hear
many kind words spoken of The Led- / '
ger. We find it in most of the homes
we have been in.
I am sorry to find our (rends George
Byars and R. F. Gibeon, both of
Gaffney, too unwell to be out.
Mr. William Burgess, of Sharon,
came over last Saturday to see his
sick daughter, Mrs. Delora Burgess,
at Grassy Pond. Mr. Jonas Burgess,
I regret to say, has sickness in his
family. He lives at Grassy Pond.
It was publicly announced at
Blacksburg last Saturday that In def
erence to the wish of the minister
now conducting a protracted meeting
at Draytonvllle that the political
meeting at that place for Monday bad
been called off.
Flaw Picker made his first ascent
to the top of Draytonvllle mountain
Sunday and took a good view of the
surrounding country. He also at
tended the meeting at the Drnyton-
ville church, last night. I hope he
will attend oftener in the future.
It was my good pleasure to meet
and make up an acquaintance with
Monroe Mlse this morning. He is
Flaw Picker’s right band man and
one of Ravenna’s good farmers.
j. l. a.
\
J*