Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

If. O. Stauv, President. J. O. WAH»n>w. Vico Presldon THE NAT10ML BAHK Of GAFFItET. Capital $50,00000. Ledger. Wili, buy county claims, receive deposit md make libenti loans on npproved paper D. O. U0H8, Cashier. SEMI-WEEKLY-PUBLISHED TUESDAY AND FRIDAY. WE GUARANTEE The Reliability of Every Adver tiser Who Uses the Col umns of This Paper. A Newspaper in al! that the Word Implies and Devoted to the Best Interests of the People of Cherokee County. ESTABLISHED FEli. 1G, L8D4. GAFFNEY CITY, S. TUESDAY, APRIL 3. 1900. $ 1.00 A YEAR. ON THE lilSTGiilG BATHE GROUND. The Washington Light Infan try at Cowpens. % A'MONUMENT TO HEROES. A ■iiiil theHcvncsof Deeds of \ alor Welle the rhUntlve Notes of the Whip-poor-"'til Jtroke Upon the Stillness the lioys Relate Interesting Stories of the I.ong Ago. Blacksr>uro, S. €., April 2.—In consequence of the continued agita tion of the establishment r .* a Na tional Park at the Cowpens Battle Ground, the determined and gratify ing ellorts of the Cowpens Battle Ground Memorial Association, and the rapidly increasing interest that is being manifested in the matter by k 'tlit* people of the county, state and elsewhere, 1 do not think that a de scription of the section of country, the monument as it now stands and the circumstances surrounding its erection would be amiss. The place lies about 12 miles west of Galtncy. The roads that lead to it are splendid. The country is un dulating and pleasing to the eye, with now and then, here and there a splendid patch of timber then the rich and fertile fields and comforta ble and picturesque home of u pros perous farmer. The laud at and near the spot is flat but splendidly timbered and with roads running in and out. At the edge of a piece of woods, where the road from (spartan- burg and that from Gaffney meet, stands the monument. A more beau tiful spot for a National Park could not be conceived. .And it looks as if G id in guiding the destinies of armies had determined that this di- ci a ive buttle.*should be fought and won in a section of the country where the national government would gladly avail itself of the opportunity of marking a spot so blessed by na ture and made sacred by the blood of brave patriotic men. * It seems tiiat upon the death of Col. William Washington in 1810. hi<wife presented to the Washington Light Infantry, an organization com posed of Charleston ‘bright crimson ifciic gentlemen, a which had floated so triumphantly on the field of Cowpen’' and “before whose avenging glow Tarletons Legion had quailed and shrunk.'’ It was thus that the Washington Light Infantry, by becoming the sponsors for the honorable preservation of his historic relic, became linked with the battle of Cowpens. For over a half century they had cherished with honorabie piide the associations of this impor tant Revolutionary event, and the anniversaries of the battle have an nually been celebrated by the corps and also from time to time by the patriotic citizens of Spartanburg. “On the seventy-fifth anniversary of Cowpens, 17th January. 185G, Capt. Lewis M. Hatch, then in com mand of the corps, at the annual pa rade in commemoration of the victory, proposed a visit to the battle-field in the following spring. In the then condition of railroad transportation such a visit involved marching over one hundred miles of rough mountain roads, a regular soldier journey. It was a novel suggestion to u body of young men not accustomed to so long u walk. The Captain, it was known, hud in early life tuk< n a pleasure trip from Charleston to New York afoot, carrying his baggage in a krapsack, and arriving at his destination on time and in the best physical condi tion. To go afoot, however, from the head of railroad travel at Laurens to the extnma northern border of the state, and thence over to Greenville. S. C„ was so novel a project that there were douhts as to the ability - of the members to creditably accom plish the task. Nevertheless, after discus-ing the jiunt from all points of view, there wire enrolled by April forty-three volunteers.” In the course of some investiga tions, the writer found an account of the trip of the troops, as well as of the erection and unveiling of the Monument, written by Dr. J. Dick son Bruns, who was a private in the ranks during the j iurney, and think ing it may bo of some interest, J quote it very nearly in full: “The showy dress uniform was laid aside; buttons and broadcloth and lace stripes and feathers were dolled for the less gay but for more ser viceable bunting-shirt and rougli leg gings in General Morgans style, and for the still brain-racking army hat was substituted the more com fortable, if not equally military, ‘slouch,' After great bustle and preparation order was finally secured and everybody duly armed and equip ped, according to orders assembled at the Military Hall on the evening of April Kith, 1850, and at 10 o’clock p. in., the night train for Columbia, with the W. L. I. aboard, rolled slow ly out of the station. “Bussing over the incidents of the trip to Columbia; how wit and song and joke and merriment banished all thought of fatigue or sleep, and bow the small hours of the night were asphyxiated with clouds of fragrant smoke, and how the \ery stars win ked back at the boys in friendly re- c 'gnition of their glee, the train reached Columbia »t 8 o’clock the next morning A!t<r a hearty, though hasty reception and breakfast at that point, the company were soon speeding over the railroad to Laurens Leaving the beauties of nature to on* Ly their own loveliness, the tired and sleepy men had hardly settled down to some thing like dreamy com fort when the train reached Lau rens. The command to fall in promptly’ left little time for the refreshing exercise of yawning, and so stowing away blank ets, etc., and buckling on knapsacks, the company found themselves on coming into line in the presence of the -Talmetto Troop,” the dragoons of the district, assembled to give the pilgrims a hearty welcome. After the national requisition of speech- making had been duly complied with, the company were escorted through the village with colors flying and drums beating Mutual expressions of good will were exchanged, a hun dred hearty Godspeeds and earn est wishes for the success of the enterprise were received, and, turning their faces away from their hospitable hosts they prepared resolutely for the work now fairly begun. Over a hundred miles of untried mountain roai lay before them. Of their capacities to accomplish the undertaken journey, of its vicissitudes and hardships-how they would be endured or overcome, through a for tunate inexperience, they were hap pily ignorant. The wagons already packed, were waiting, and at the lively call of the bugle the column of march was formed and with arms slung at will the company took the road. A startling thing for those simple-minded country people, must have been this sight of armed soldiers with their attendant baggage train and guard, in piping times of peace, tbusjpursuing theirjway on—to them —an unknown errand with all the so ber sLeadiness of military order. Lit tle time was there, however, tojgratify the curiosity of the rustic inhabi tants, and the company kept steadily on, when a few miles from the vil lage, the advance guard sent back notice of a discovered spring and the declining shadows warned them of approaching night. In due time the tents were pitched and supper pro cured, after which',all hand’s save the sentries, turned in for a good night’s rest. “Bright and cloudless rose the morning of the 18th, and at earliest dawn the impatient reveille started into bustling life the drowsy camp, and active hands soon completed the preparations for a long days march. The securing of a good breakfast was satisfactorily performed, a daguerreo type of the camp was taken, and the rising sun saw the tents struck and packed, the teams in harness, and the eager column already en route. “All unconcious of the disasters which lay b.efore them, and spurred to increased exertion by the thought of the twenty-four miles to be ac complished that day, with haver sacks, luckily, well provided, the main body, leaving the lumbering baggage train to follow more leisurely, pushed eagerly on. But the latter had scarcely dragged its slow length five miles when a refractory wagon laid obstinately down and positively refused to be urged another step. The rapid advance of the men had placed them beyond all prospect of recall, and the baggage guard were too few to attempt, with any prospect of speedy success, the repair of the shattered vehicle. Nothing remained but to procure a substitute. This was done after an apparently inter minable delay, and the effects being transferred, a fresh start was made with the satisfaction that they had at last conquered fate. Short-sighted mortals! A few miles further on, the same scene, with added troubles, was repeated, and thusgrumblingand stumbling on, breaking, now an axle, and then a pole, and occasionally slipping a tiro by way of variety, the baggage train found itself at sunset with a third of tlie days inarch still unfinished, though at last provided with substantial conveyances and u strong and yet unjaded team. “In the meantime the majority of those in advance, heedless and ignorant of the less fortunate con dition of ttieir comrades in the rear, crossing the Lnoree, pressed cur- | lessly on, levying as they went will ing contributions of buttermilk and chickens and eggs. Thus plodding on, sometimes with sore heels and blistered soles, often with aching limbs, but always in cheerful mood, they found their wav to the assigned halting place, where, building their fires, they waited wearily for the long expected wagon train. It was late in the night, and many of the watchers had already thrown themselves down to slumber, when the distant notes of the bugle told of their coming, and at last the tired horses dragged their load into camp amid welcoming shouts and a hundred hurried ex clamations of surprise and inquiry. After a cold supper the men turned into their tents and passed an uneasy night on native rocks and amid a drizzling rain. “Warned by the dismal experience of the day before, a different dispo sition of the men was made, and an order of march adopted which, in the end, proved both convenient and useful. An adequate guard was detailed for wagon service, whoso sole duty it was to remain with and take care of the transportation, ana strict commands were issued to the column ahead on no account to pro ceed more than a mile in advance. At the call of the bugle the latter were to halt until the wagons came up, or return for the purpose of rendering such assistance as accident might require. At intervals of an hour a rest of a few minutes was allowed, mid at the word ‘halt’ It was peculiar national instinct and re lieving, momentarily at least, the engorged and travel worn sole. “At the command ‘make ready!’ knapsack and rifle were instantly and cheerfully resumed, the word ‘march!’ put everything in motion without delay, and thus, da capo, the day’s journey was completed. “The numerous predictions which were uttered along the route of the inability of the company to fulfill its engagements within the time speci fied, made every man determined to disappoint them, and, forgetting in their anxiety all fatigue and mishaps, pressed forward with such vigor that at 10 o’clock a. in., two hours in ad vance of their appointment, they hailed, with such greetings as only the tired can give or appreciate, the spires of Spartanburg. A short dis tance from the town, the W. L. I. were met by a committee of gentle men, who, on behalf of their towns men, tendered the company its hospitalities. Escorted by this com mittee through the town, they were again welcomed officially, in an ad dress delivered by one of the promi nent citizens of the place, and more pleasantly and eloquently by the bright smiles from the fair faces which thronged the balconies. After a hearty greeting given and received, the company was finally conducted to their camping ground—a gentle slope selected on the eastern suburbs of the town, where the Stars and Stripes were soon floating in the hospitable breeze, and the quiet plain converted with military dispatch into a stirring scene of animated and bustling life. “It would be vain to attempt any detailed account of the sojourn here. Suffice it to say that everything which could promote either their comfort or enjoyment was generously contri buted. A handsome entertainment given by the ladies in their honor on of in honor of the occasion, and the tusks of the afternoon being com pleted, mirth and glee and uproarious merriment startled with their revelry the stillness of those ancient woods, while music and the glare of blazing bondfires and the fiery flight of bril liant rockets, lent an additional en chantment to the scene. But as the hours sped these, all in turn, yielded to the usurpatition of amore despotic power, and from the brooding wings of night, stillness and darkness drop ped stealthily down. “A small circle sat alone by the embers of a slowly dying fire, and memory, busy with the past, called up the dim-remembered shapes and shifting scenes of the time 'long ago.’ Overhead the drowsy folds of the national flag stirred lazily to the gentle night winds, in which the little banner, as if conscious of its native air, Happed incessantly. The plain,.ve notes of the whip-poor- will broke at intervals upon the dreary stillness, and in the deep nos—the guardian plain-lifted their '’ose melancholy ht the tnurmer to the brave gloom giant watchers of th tall forms, in soughing, fancy ca of an eternal requiem departed who had fallen on this field. Behind the shadowy copse, like a pale prophetess, the moon sailed solemnly up. ind against its quiet light spet'.ral cypresses stretched their giant arms implor ingly. A different scene these trees had looked down up n seventy-five years before! Now, a!l was security and rest; then, naught but eager bustle and active preparation, and dispiriting doubts, and half acknowl edged fears, and sad forebodings for self and country. Where these quiet sleepers lay, wakeful e ves watched vigilantly for the dawn of an event ful morrow, upon whi;h many of them, alas! were to bo forever closed in death. Overall now brooded the amusing to see each man, just where he happened to be standing, instantly strip off his knapsack and throw him self on the ground, elevating his feet ulmostj instantaneously against the nearest tree, the position subserving the double purpose of gratifying a .1 IV, . , * *- >1 (M . -#*.; * / " - A Mu. ' . x. G> TIIK COWl’KXS BATTLKGKOrUl) MONUMKXT. the evening of their arrival, and the religious exercises of the following day (Sunday 20th), part of which were conducted by their highly esteemed and venerated chaplain, Dr. Gilman, sped the time profitably and pleasantly, and on the next day, (Monday, the 21st day of April 1850) with the dawn, they bade farewell to their kindly friends and welcoiners and with many a lingering regret at the necessity which compelled their departing, and with three loyal cheers for the girls they left behind them they turned their faces towards the long desired terminus of their now almost completed pilgrimage. “Along the banks of many a grace ful rivulet whose babling waters occasionally swept their path, catch ing now and then a glimpse of the grand old ‘Blue Ridge,’ with its massive chain piled away like u bank of sombre clouds in the far north west, the company kept on their way and about noon reached the Bacolet river, whose swift stream was crossed without accident, and after an easy and pleasant march they reached the “Cowpens” about 8 o’clock in the afternoon Thus far the weary steps of the pilgrims had kept time only to the occasional tap of the drum, or been enlivened at intervals by the solitary bugle note; but now’, as if the genius loci had fired all with a novel inspira tion, the swelling strains of martial music burst suddenly on the ear, and with brighter eye ami firmer tread they mounted the orow of the de clivity at quickstep, and planting the crimson flag of Cowpens, Guilford, Hobkirlcs Hill and Eulaw Springs on the same spot where three-quarters of a century before it had first been Hung ’o the breeze, they made the silent forest ring with three times three hearty cheers. “There was little time fur giving vent to enthusiasm, however, for much was to be accomplished ere the morrow, and each man readily ac cepted and resolutely began his share of the work. The tents were soon pitched. A more sumptuous dinner than usual was heartily partaken motionless quiet of the grave; then, the sound of earnest voices from closely gathered groups, of sharpened sword and burnished arms and neigh ing steeds harnessed for battle, broke angrily on the air. From knot to knot of those sturdy men, whose bronzed features glowed redly in the firelight, flitted tall forms, at the en- cour aging tones of whose voices as they dropped lieio and there a word of advice, or cheer or command, the clenched hand more ciosely Knitted brow told of their angry purpose and their high confidence in the leader ship of those who addressed them. This smooth-shaven turf, on which the pilgrims now reclined, had been torn by the hurtling ball, the plough ing artillery wheel and the rush of Hie impetuous squadrons. Hero the fierce hand to hand struggle with its burning hate and smothered curses and deep-drawn breath and tightly braced sinews and desperate bold, never to be relaxed except in death, hail been enacted and hero the deadly bullet had stopped the pulse and the keen sabre drank the life blood of many a high heart. Hard was it to realize that from the grim and reek ing demon of this bloody field bad sprung the angel offspring of liberty and happiness and peace. In the small circle whoso inusings we have just chronicled, it was proposed that the 100th anniversary should be made a great occasion ; that a more imposing memorial should be set up. “Before the sun the W. L. I. were up und stirring on the morning of the 22nd, and breakfast licing dispatched, the work for which they had come was eagerly commenced. The sharp rap of chisel and mullet, the clink of trowels, the loud shouts and boister ous calls of the workers, the glancing of bright uniforms amid the deep green of the surrounding woods, the snowy canvas flapping in the breeze, the crackling fires, the waving flags aiid glittering arms, made up a scone us picturesque as novel, and one not easily forgotten. The news of the intended celebration hud spread for miles around and scores of spectators from every quarter were momentarily pouring in. Old men, whose fathers had been actors in the strife, who had often listened with boyish enthu siasm to the story of the stir ring fight from the knees of many a participant, came to renew the old associations of the youth. Stalwart forms were there, whose firm tread and steady hand and quick eye beto kened a manly independence and a ready and skillful use of the rille they they often bore. Grandames and matrons, and blooming mountain girls with native roses in their ckeeks, mingled their flaming dresses with the homelier garb of the men; and children of every age and sex, and condition and style of garment, with wondering eyes and gaping mouths, looked admiringly on. “The evening before, with a good chart of the field and plan of the battle, and the assistance of those fa miliar with the place and action, a careful survey of the whole ground had been made, and the very spot, as near as possible, where Tarleton’s Legion had first been checked by Washington’s charge, had been lo cated. Clearing this, the corner stone and foundation had been laid, and the erection of the base now went rapidly on. This was composed of a rough granite block, selected from the field itself, and in it was inserted a white marble slab, bearing these words: THIS MONUMENT WAS EHECTKD I1Y TDK WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY, CAPT. L, M. HATCH, APRIL, 1850. “On this rose an octagonal pillar, about four feet in height, made of concrete, the shells of which were gathered near Fort Moultrie, and a thick marble slab, of the same shape surmounted the whole, whose several sides bore the following inscription: WASHINGTON. The Washington Light Infantry of Charleston, To whose custody the widow of William Washington entrusted his banner, visited this battlefield, April, 1850, and again waved over it the fiag borne by him on that oc casion. Morgan Howard. Fort Moultrie, King’s ^Mountain, Cowpens, Eutaw Springs, Our Heritage. Pickens. To the victors of Cowpens; we enjoy the result of their struggle. Let us emulate the virtues which secured it. “From the centre towered up a fluted of the pedestal iron shaft, cap ped by a ball, on which rested a gilded eagle with extended wings. In the interior of the monument were deposited a bottle of Eutaw Springs water, a brick from the house in which the British took refuge on that hotly contested day, the roll of the officers and members of the company present, and a pamphlet descriptive of the battle, from Dr. Joseph John sons’ narrative. About noon the task of erection was completed and the shaft lifted into its place. There was a slight pause and hush as it was being ad justed, the plumber leaped from the pedestal and the air shook with a thundering salute from the guns of the Cowpens Artillery, and repeated cheers from the thousands of moun tain lungs sent the wild chorus flying over wood and hill and plain. “A picnic provided by tbe fair la dies of Spartanburg was duly honored, and this finished, a rough standIwas erected and the simple memoria to virtue and valor was solemnly dedi cated by the venerable chaplain. Addresses were made by Ex-Capt. W. I). I’orter, Lieut. Thos. Y. Simons, J. D. Bruns, M. D., and others, and, at their close, the banner song of the W. L. I. was sung, the effect of which was greatly heightened by the myriad voices joining in the chorus. “The enterprise, a small one it is true, but dear to those who under took it, was successful; the names of Morgan, Howard, Washington, Pick ens, McCall, would henceforth be identified in more than mere memory with the place of their renown. Af ter performing several evolutions and deploying as skirmishers over the ground where the British line was first checked by the picked mark- men of Cunningham and McDowell, the camp was abandoned and the company bivouacked that night on the banks of tho Pacolet, not far from the ford where Tarleton crossed on the night preuous to the battle. The following day, over a miry road, through a rain which tried their mettle and india-rubber clothes to tho utmost, tho company marched twenty-seven miles, and well fagged out, rested that evening within thirteen miles of Greenville. At this place a ball, and at Columbia a din ner, were cheerfully and successfully encountered, and on the afternoon of the 20th they were welcomed back to Charleston by their remaining com rades and other military companies. “Thus in times ofpeace, and by un practiced pedestrians, a journey of five hundred miles, one hundred of which were marched on foot over rough mountain roads, was under taken and successfully accomplished, und thus was erected by untaught hands the first memorial in honor of a battle fought on Southern soil. The monument as it stands today, is, as one has very appropriately said, a monument to “vandalism.” There is not a vestige of the fence left. The brass ball and queded eagle with outstretched wings have disappeared and the base so chipped that not an Inscription can be read. Indeed, so badly damaged is the pe destal that water is getting inside and will very soon, if it has not al- eady, ruin whatever of value there was placed there. But while it is to day a monument to vandalism, that is but the result of acts committed by others than those living at und m ar the place. A writer has said that in consequence of vandalism the Wash- ’ngton Light Infantry was prompted, or rather forced, to erect a monu ment at Spartanburg, thus leaving one perhaps to infer that this vandal ism was committed by the people of the surrounding country. Such however, is not the case. Tiiat van dalism has been committed there cun be no question, but it was done by those wiio went there to look at the place. The people of and nea*r the battle ground are industrious, law-abiding and patriotic. Through their gener ous aid und assistance the Memorial Association has secured a considera ble tract of land surrounding the monument, and while the Association is formulating plans to establish a park before making an appeal to the FederalGovernment.it is also mak ing arrangements to restore the mon ument to itsprestine glory. E. A. T. DEATH OF AN OLD KU-KLUX. Oiic of the Faithful Defenderx of Southern lIomeM and Virtue Gone. Yorkville Yeoman. Mr. Gill Hambright, a well-to do farmer who lived about tw’o miles ; from the King’s Mountain battle ! ground on King’s Creek, aged about 70 years, died suddenly at his home while going about Ids usual business Monday morning from heart trouble, falling dead from his feet. Mr. Ham- bright was raised in that section and had many friends and was a good citi zen and a member of the Baptist church, his membership being at Antioch, near where he lived. Mr. Hambright was one among the number who were persecuted by Lewis Merrill and served a term in the Al bany penitentiary and survived ail this, and returning home, he con tinued to be one of tbe leading rm n of his community. He marrried the daughter of Aaron Whisonant, also of that section, who, with five children, are called upon to mourn the loss of a kind and affection ate husband and father. UraHKy Fund (joHHip. (Correspondence of The I.edger.) Grassy Pond, March 28—We are blessed with good weather now. It seems that spring had begun at last. The farmers are getting themselves in shape for business; such as cutting briars, corn stalks, etc. Mr. B. J. Jones, of Obed, S. C., is visiting his Natives and friends at this place. “Broadus” is a fine fel low and we are always glad to have him with us. Miss Belle Humphries is visiting her grand-mother. If the doctors don’t all get rich it will be because they don’t get their pay, for they have certainly had something to do for tho last several months. The Grassy Pond High School closed Tuesday, March 27th. The school had been in session nearly nine months. Prof. A. J. Hensley delivered a good speech to his pupils and then treated them all to twenty pounds of candy. After that the cross spelling took place between Mr. R. L. Huskey and Miss Della Humphries, which resulted in a “tie.” After this our teacher dismissed the school with a short prayer. We are glad to say tiiat Prof Hens ley has done more good at Grassy Pond than any oilier teacher that has ever been here, and we hope he will stay close around so as to be ready to take chcrge again at the opening of next session. I believe that one correspondent from a place is enough, so I suspect that “Rooster” had better stop writ ing und give “Pretty Girl” full sway. Now, Mattie, be sure to keep it up. What would you divide 12 by to make half of it 7? Rooster. A Narrow Kura pc. Thankful words written by Mrs. Ada E. Hart, of Groton, 8. I).: “Was taken with a bad cold which settled on my lungs; cough set in and finally terminated in consumption. Four doctors gave mo up, saying I could live but a short time. I gave myself up to my Huvior, determined if I could not stay with my friends on earth, I would me«t my absent ones above. My husband was advised to get Dr. King’s New Discovery for Consumption, Coughs and Colds. I gave it a trial, took in all eight bot tles. It has cured me. und, thank God, I am saved and now a well and healthy woman.” Trial bottle free at Cherokee Drug Co. Regular size 50c and $1.00. Guaranteed or price refunded. A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during tho timi, and a courageous person afterwards. —Richter. THE FARMERS RE- CEIVED CONCESSiC:;:. » In the Matter of Fertilizer Charges. LOWER CHEROKEE NOTES. Spaln'M OrcutcHt Need. Mr. R. P. Olivia, of Barcelona, Spain, spends his winters at Aiken, 8. C. Weak nerves had caused severe pains in the back of his head. On using Electric Bitters, America’s greatest Blood and Nerve Remedy, all pains soon left him. He says this grand medicine is what his country needs. All America knows that it cures liver and kidney trouble, purifies the blood, tones up the stomach, strengthens the nerves, puts vim, vigor and new life into every muscle, nerve and organ of tho body. If weak, tired or ailing you need it. Every bottle guaranteed, only 50 cents. 8old by Cherokee Drug Co. The I'amlllsir “Uee Haw” of the 1‘Iowiiimii Heard in the l.and.-The Ledger Fn- doraed—MIhh I.ouImc MeFadden, of Chen ier, State Hpoiiftor. (Correspondence of The Ledger.* Etta Jane, March 30—Dr. J. F. McCluney is in a low state of health. He doesn’t go out now except on the most urgent calls, and but few of them. The familiar “gee-haw” of the plowman is being heard since the ground is getting dry enough to plow. A good deal of land will necessarily lie out this year unless fanners can get hands to work it. Mrs. 8allic Foster is getting some better but Mrs. Bishop is no better than she was at our last report. The Fowler brothers went to Gaff ney last Wednesday with cotton seed. We understand there* will be a great call for planting seed. Farmers who sold out last .‘all and winter will have to replace them at a much greater price than they got. We hear of several cases of the so- called smallpox or French measles in this neighborhood. Willie Dunbar, SalJie Brice, Jayne Iloit, Doyle MeFadden. Mattie Deal, John L. Da\ia, Lucius Culp und Lizzie McDonald have sent us correct an swers to our teacher’s land question published some time ago. One man got 80acres at $’.25 per acre, amount ing to $100; the other got 120 acres at S3£ cents per acre, amounting to $100.' The Ledger says: “We are unable to learn if farmers generally got any concessions in guano deals. We learn some did. All seem to be buy- in? freely.” We can’t speak for others, but our community did—ex actly as they asked for it. If the farmers would only stick together and work together ns other profes sions do they would revolutionize tilings and inaugurate a reign of better times. The trouble is they won’t stick. The guano companies only wanted the farmers to tell them plainly that they could not nor would not buy their guano at the prices they asked, in order to bring down the price. The argument that the manufacturers can’t make and sell it at last year’s prices is beautifully offset by the farmers saying they can’t make cotton and sell it at tho prices they are forced to take. Had every farmer stood out for it not a pound of guano would have been sold in Cherokee county for over ten per cent, on last year’s prices. Our lo cal dealers are not to blame—neither are they responsible for the advance in price. They (the most of them at least) would gladly have furnished their customers at former prices if the farmers by a bold undivided front had made it possible for them to do so. We heartily thank the oditor ir.- chief for what he said in Tuesday’s paper under the caption, “A (Success ful Life.” If we were called upon to write an epitaph for the tombstone of such an one wc could do no better than reproduce the following lines: “A p«x>r<>Wl miser, herein' lie*, Nohody lauiflis. iiotxxly erics; Where lie’s *roiit and how he fares Everybody knows and nolxxly cares." All such men lack of being hogs is the caudle appendage. We understand Major G.n’l. C. Irvine Walker, commanding South Carolina Division U. C. Veterans, has appointed Miss Louise MeFadden, of Chester, State sponsor to represent the veterans of the State at Green wood and also at Louisville, Ky. This is an honor worthily bestowed. Miss MeFadden will have the appoint ment of a maid of honor from another county, and who knows but that it will be a Cherokeean. We are unable to compromise the different statements about the spell ing match between Asbury and Kel- ton. Moze says they (Asbury) went to Kelton and were beaten out of a years growth down there, their best speller was set down on the simple word “gas.” But XXX says they didn’t reach Kelton, und he ought to know. The forces must have met on the way and had a pitch battle. If the result was us Moze has it cer tainly XXX would so have reported it. However, if we are called upon to redeem our promise to meet tbe Kelton school we want a delegation of the bist spellers in both Asbury and Mount Moriah to join in the fun. vVe know full well that in the Kelton school they will find foremen worthy of their steel. We thank brother L. B. D. for what he says in regard to a bridge or free ferry fur the convenience of our Blacksburg and Cherokee township neighbors. We know so nothing of the inconveniences of impassable streams between us and our county seat; wo tried it for about twenty-live years or longer. Mr. John Gaffney who owns and controls the Gaffney ferry has one of tbe best outfits on the river for cross ing and would no doubt contract with tiie county to do its ferrying at rea sonable rates. We will never think we have treated Cherokee township right until some arrangement of the kind is made. J. L. s.