The Darlington news. (Darlington, S.C.) 1875-1909, September 02, 1886, Image 1
the DARLINGTON NEWS,
p j BLI3H1L EVERY THURSDAY MORNING
3D. ID. eVa-KTS,
PROPRIETOR.
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Every subseqent insertion .60
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m ovt reasonab’.e terms.
Marriage Notices and Obituaries, not
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PENCIL PICTHEES OF ITARLINGTON
and its surroundings.
THE DARLINGTON
The “News” finds Something: to Sav of
the Town and its People.
A Review of Darlington’s Business
Interests.
Wherever one may be in this
State or in the lower portions of
North Carolina, he will hear Dar
lington spoken of in terms of quite
enthusiastic praise The town has
gained a repotation for public spir
it, h r enterprise, for prosperity that
is as refreshing as it Is rare, in
most portions of the Carolinas, and,
ask any one the question: “What
sort of town is Darlington T the
reply will be prompt and decisive,
whether the party questioned ac
tually knows or not anything about
the place; this reply will, in every
instance, in effect be: “Darlington
is one of the most enterprising
towns in the State—it commands a
big business—its men are energetic,
and they believe in the town.’’
Now there is a vast deal oi ti nth
in what is tbns said, and at the
same time it is very flattering to
the pardonable vanity of the com
munity, for we take it, that commu
nities like individuals are possess
ed of their toll share of vanity. The
best evidences that such judgment
upon the town is correct are found
in the pablic enterprises that have
recently been carried* through to
completion—such enterprises as the
Cotton Factory and the Enterprise
Hotel; farther, and corroborative ev
idence is found in the fact that the
writer, in bis search after iten^g
for publication in this
review, has had occasion to meet
and hold extended conversations
with every prominent business man
of Darlington, and he has not fonud
a croaker among them. All appear
to he optimists—if asked as to the
condition of trade, each speaking
of and for his own business pro
nounces it satisfactory: asked as to
collections on last years sales and
the reply becomes almost monoto
nous, invariably being ‘‘good” or
“very good.”
Of course there are reasons for
this gratifying state of aftairs Dar
lington is the capital and principal
business point of one of the most
productive counties ot the State—a
county that has gained the proud
record of producing more cotton ac
cording to area than any other but
one in the United States. Here the
trade of the county centers, and to
Darlington is also attracted in nob
business annually from adjoining
counties. It is natural, therefore,
that it shald be a busk, thriving
place, es|iecially when we consider
the fact that the people, as a rule,
work together harmoniously in pro
moting the general good.
Darlington is also a social centre;
before the war it was the home ot
wealth and culture, and though
most of that wealth was dissipated
by and through the war, yet its
people have retained the social
graces that have ever characterized
them ; other Tort irnes have been ao
cumulated, too; those who have
shown themselves to be possessed
of fair anility and who have dis
played aptitude and energy in the
pursuit ot whatever calling have
prosjiered.
Darlington is a pleasant town of
about 1,100 inhabitants, of whom
perhaps 40 or 50 per cent, are col
ored. To the credit of the colored
people we may add that they are
for the most part orderly and indus
trious and some have accumulated
considerable means. They have
also built two very creditable
churches.
Ttfli -location of Darlington is
such that there is but little diversi
ty to its topography, the town be
ing situated opon and surrounded
by a level plain stretching away for
miles in either direction. The
streets intersect each other at right
angles and are of fair width, though
in many instances made to appear
more narrow than they really are
by reason of the grand oaks that
abound. Many of the residences
and private grounds are very at
tractive, and a walk or drive about
town discloses many a charming
spot, leading one to involutarily
fracture the Xth Oommandment.
There are many charming drives to
be found, bat the one which espe
cially captivates the people is that
leading to the Mineral Spring, one-
aud a half miles to the north of Dar
lington. Here is a magnificent
spring of delicious water impregna
ted with iron and possessing decid
ed medicinal qualities, gashing from
the ground in considerable volume.
A few pnblio spirited citizens con
tributed the means required to en
close the Spring and build a pavil-
lion, bat aside from that nothing
has been done to improve the nat
ural beauties of the place—it could
be rendered almost incomparable.
One mile or more si nth of town is
still another spring of recognized
excellence, but it doesn’t present
any special attractions to the sight-
aeer or pleasure hunter.
The mercantile, banking and pro
fessional interests of the town are
clustered about the public square
or upon two streets leading from it.
VOL. xn. NO 35.
Barring the Bank, the store ot Ed
wards & Norment, the Enterprise
Hotel aud two other building which
are of brick, the business buildings
are of frame, and tor the most part
are large structures and very credi
table in appearance. Elsewhere in
commenting upon the mercantile
interests of town we shall speak of
each more or less in detail.
The visitor to Darlington will
find two excellent hotels, the “Dar
lington” aud the “Enterprise,” and
concerning them we will give some
what detailed information farther
on in this review. If iuteiested in
church matters be will find three
denominations represented by the
neat houses of worship. These de
nominations are: Methodist, Rev.
P. B. Jackson, pastor; Baptist, Rev.
G. B. Moore, pastor; Presbyterian,
Rev. J. G. Law, pastor.
There is a pancity of mannfactar
fog establishments, and it is to be
hoped that the same spirit w hich
prompted the erection of the Dar
lington Factory and the Enterprise
Hotel buildings will lead-to the or
ganization of other manufactories.
In addition to the cotton mills, else
where written of, we have two wag
on factories aud a saw aud planing
mill.
It cannot reasonably be expected
that in a hastily prepared reporto-
rial review of a town, large or small,
that no' interest shall be overlook
ed. The reporter charged with the
duty of preparing the review ojt-
times can learn nothing definite rel
ative to an interest or an individ
ual—he doesn’t wish to grope in
the dark—he doesn’t wish to make
statements that may prove at va
riance with facts. Then again,
much as lie would like to write iu
detail of that noble army of mar
tyrs kuowu as “office holders,” he
must perforce content himselt with
merely meutiouiug names. So, too,
as regards professional men. The
News reporter, acting upon this
proposition, makes this further and
brief mention:
In connection with county officers
we may say that since 1876 we have
had “a wnite man’s government”—
Radical misrule has given place to
a government of the people, by the
p ople aud for the people, and the
ic election from time to time, ot
most of our county officials, indi
cates the confidence reposed iu
them by the community. These
officers are : J. N. Garner, Clerk of
Court; W. P. Cole, Sheriff; H. E.
P. Sanders and C. P. Dargan, Trial
Justices; D. H. Trailer, County
Treasurer; E. C. B'aker, Probate
Judge; J.C. Brunson, Coroner; F.
E. Norment, Auditor; W. U. Evans,
School Commissioner. The Coun
ty Commissioners are, C It. King,
11 l.ide Law and E. M. Ervin.
As regards the Town government
it is gratify to note the fact that the
Legislature of two years a^o so
amended the charter of Darlington
that its municipal management is
now invested with real dignity—it
can issue bonds for needed im
provements -it can perform many
a function that was otherwise de
nied it—in brief, from the status of
a village it has been lifted to that
ot a city, aud that is illustrated by
the fact that instead of ‘‘Imeud-
aut” and “wardens”Our town “lath
ers’’ are entitled to the designation
of'“Mayor” and “alderman.” The
Board as now constituted, compri
sea. J. J. Ward, Mayor; P. C. Beck,
C. S. McCullough, C. W. Hewitt, J.
Rosenberg, aldermen.
There is a plentiful sprinkling of
professional men in Darlington. Of
lawyers there are fourteen. One of
these, Hon. Geo. W. Dargan, is the
sitting member from the 6th Con-
gressijual District, and recently re
ceived nomation for a third term
The oldest legal practitioner of this
bar is Col. B. W. Edwards; R. K.
Charles doubtless ranks next to
him in years of practice here ; the
other members of the craft are, R.
W. Boyd, Cbas. W. Boyd, J. E.
Nettles. E. O Woods, T. II. Spain,
J. J. Ward, C. S. Nettles, E. Keith
Dargan, R. K. Dargad, C. P. Dar
gan and W. F. Dargan. Few of
these gentlemen (if any) have pass
ed 45 years ot age; the Darlington
bar is recognized as being one of
the ablest iu the State, aud we are
proud ot the fact.
There are bat fonr physicians in
active practice in Darlington, aud
they are unanimous in prouonuciug
it “a distressingly healthful town.”
They are jotted down by ns in ac
cordauce of years of practice here :
W. A Player, B.C. Norment, John
Lnuney, J. C. Willcox. S. F. Par
rott, John A. Boyd and James. M
Earle are all M. Ds.—but so far as
we know they are not what may be
designated as active, practicing
physicians. Mr. Earle is a recent
graduate, and has not yetaunounc
ed his proposed habitat.
Of dentists we have two skillful
ones—A. C. Spain and J. S. Garner.
Mrs. Blanche 0. Law is the Post
mistress, and her deputy, Mr. J. K
Mclver, is recognized by every one
as a courteous gentleman.
There are two telegraph offices,
operated by the W. U. Telegraph
Co., one being at the depot aud the
other at the Enterprise Hotel, while
the interests of the C. & D. Railroad
are carefully looked after by Mr.
Geo. Onslow, station agent. The
“FOR US PRINCIPLE IS PRINCIPLE—RIGHT IS RIGHT—YESTERDAY, TO-DAY. TO-MORROW, FOREVER.
DARLINGTON, S. 0.. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1886.
WHOLE NO 608.
job imm
Our job 'topnrimrat iiMipplicd with titty
ficili'jr nece»Siii) lo cuuble ufc iu toB
both a* toprice and quality of work, with errs
thoae of lb« oUiea, and we guartatre aatia>
faetion in every particulai oreliargr nothing
for our work. We are always prepared it
fill order* at abort notice for Ulanka, Bil
Heads, Letter Head*. Card*. Hand BUIa
Poster*. Circulars, Pamphlet*. Ac.
All job work niuet be paid for
Cash on Delivery-
Southern Express Company’s office,
J. K. Mclver, agent, is in the heart
of the town and express packages
are receives! from and delivered to
stores and residences, promptly.
Miss A. C. Player is conducting
the DarLngton Fem tie Academy in
a manner that wins approbation
from those who have familiarized
themselves with the school and its
methods. The two public schools
are fairly well sustained, and tbe
Male Academy, with its flattering
record iu past years, will doubtless
become au important factor in the
educational system of tbe State ere
the ides of September, when Mr.
Patterson Wardlaw, a teacher of
fine record will saeceed Mr. Green
who has entered the legal fratern
ity iu Sumter.
Our lady readers will notice that
we have alluded to the millinery
department of Edwards & Norment.
That Aim have two competitors;
Miss Emma Dallas an 1 Misses A
A. J. Fountain. Each of these es
tablishments is meritorious, aud—
well, Heaven help the man who ac
companies his wifeon a “shopping’’
excursion to either of them.
There are many attractive resi
dences in Darlington—some ot them
being decidedly uptewortby. Tbe
more conspicuous are those of Mrs
John Woods, S. A Woods, I. Lew-
entbal, Dr. Norment, U. E. P. San
ders, Maj. Earle, Mrs. Gibson, J. G.
McCall, Mrs. Spain, Col. Edwards,
R. W. Boyd, Dr. Player, I. A New-
man. Hon. G. W. Dargan,' J. A.
White, J. K. Mclver, the Baptist
Parsonage aud H. Steruberger—
the last four named are iu the new
part of town.
It now becomes the agreeable
dutyof the News reporter to pre
pare as newsy and chatty a review
as he can, relating to the mercantile
interests ot Darlington, to tell what
be knows of those ot our merchants
who hare for a longer or shorter
period been identified with the
mercantile industries of Dailington
County. At the head of the list
we place the name of
S. A. WOODS,
now by long odds tbe oldest mer-
chant of the Pee Dee country Mr.
Woods is a gentleman of about 70
years of age. More than half a cen
tury (51 years) ago be engaged in
merchandizing here as one of the
firm of S. A. Woods & Co., (Dr. T.
J. K. Dargan being the “Co.”) on
the spot now accupied by Marco &
jewenthal. They o|>eiied a com
plete establishment lor those days,
and carried about $8,000 of stock,
ami they became the recipients of a
substantial trade. Before tbe war
Mr. Woods twice retired from
business for a short time, and da
ring the war the establishment was
closed. While hostilities were in
oro^ress, Mr. Woods was identified
with the Soldier’s Board ot Relief,
his old store being the headquarters
tor the storage of supplies provided
by that Board for distressed sol
diers of the Conedfeiacy and their
fainili* s.
Resuming business iu 1865, Mr.
W’oods has been in trade ever since,
laving bad, a< part tiers at different
times, J. F. DuBose, J. G McCall
aud tbe late Mr. John Woods.
Since his sou’s death Mr. Woods
has been alone, though two.other
sous, S. A. Woods, Jr., and C R
Woods, have proved aud still
prove valued and valuable asses
tants. They have grown up with
the business. Another clerk is C.
W. Milling, who has been with the
bouse for ten years, and'dariiig the
busy season still other salesmen are
employed.
Soon after resuming trade alter
tbe war, Mr. Woods lost his place
of business by lire, and be did not
build bis present store until 1883.
Commodious premises they are
120X30 feet, the 2nd floor being
70 feet deep. All of this space is
lor tbe legitimate business purposes
of tbe bouse, aud it is a business ot
tar more than ordinary proportions,
embracing everything that comes
within the term “general merchan
disc.” The supplies come from
jobbers in tbe large cities of tbe
conutry, and from manufacturers;
er native of the County or not, has
more closely identified himself with
its well befog or been more active
in promoting its material ^rosperitv
than the gentleman whose name
heads these paragraphs. And
right heie we may say that Mr.
Early is one of the most unaasu in-
fog ot men ; he is a practical, euer
getic business man—can say yes or
no to a business proposition with
out hesitation, and, once having
‘made up his mind,” as the saying
the trade that consumes these sup
plies comes from all over this sec
tiou within a radius of 25 miles
npou the average, aud, better than
all, it is very largely a cash trade.
Very little lieu business is done
Mr. Woods has, iu times past, given
that system a thorough trial, and
he cuts it down tine uow-a days
He also is engaged in farming,
owning 220 acres of land within
the corporate kmits of Darlington.
He annually bays from 700 to 800
bales of cotton, and sells 100 or
more tons of fertilizers each year,
and in all that goes to make tiie
bouse a representative one nothing
is lacking.
We need not undertake to tell
in what esteem Mr Woods or bis
business is held bv tbe people of
Darlington and accent counties.
More than half a century of busi
ness life in this community has nqt
left him unknown. He has, as a
merchant, catered to three genera*
tious, and tbe bouse of which he is
the head still retaiues it4 old time
prestige.
J. FRANK EARLY.
No resident of Darlington, wheth-
is. he isn’t apt to change. Mr.
Early is a native Charlestonian,
whence he came here iu 1865. In
1857 he entered mercantile life as
a clerk in a shipping and coramis
sion l.onse, in 1861 he enlisted iu
tbe Confederate, or, rather, State
troops, bolding the warrant of
Corporal in the Lafayette Light
Aaillery, the first company in tiie
Confederate cause, aud from 1861
until the surrender he was connec
ted with the service in one capacity
or .another. As we have said, he,
came here in 1865 and in partner
ship with his cousin, B. A. Early,
engaged in trade both here aud at
Charleston, the firm being cotton
factors in tbat city. In 1870 Mr.
Early became sole proprietor of the
business here, and at the same time
be retired from the Charleston
house.
Asa merchant Mr. Early may be
termed a general dealer, and his
annual sales are conceded to be
larger than those of any other
merchant here. As a cotton buyer
be purchases about 3000 bales per
year, aud of fertilizers be sells not
far from 200 tons annaally. What
nis total transactions amount to
we dout know, and it we did we
should not feel at liberty to publish
tbe statement. This much we may
say. however, and that is tbat tbe
ratio of growth of bis trade has
rom year to year proved very«atis-
actory—thus for this year bis busi
ness has shown improvement of ten
to twenty per cent, over last year,
and ’85 showed improvement over
’84.
Of bis total sales perhaps one
third is upon ilie lien plan, one-
third open account and one-third
c tsli, and when we asked Mr. Early
how lie had found collections on last
year’s sales, lie said they bad prov
ed very good—his per cent of loss
had been small. His trade reaches
throughout all the adjacent conn
try for a distance of 25 miles, and
iu some instances comes from much
greater distances.
On the north side of the pablic
square Mr. Early has a distinct
and separate enterprise—a ma
chinery and implement bouse, un
der the personal management of
bis brother, W. J. Early. Here
are headquarters for everything in
the way of machinery, farm imple
ments, sewing machines, &c., for
all this region. The White, House
hold. Weed and American sewing
machines are sold, aud iu large
quantities per year. In heavy
machinery Mr. Early sells both
portable and stationary engines
and boilers and be is also tbe agent
here for tbe Pratt aud tbe Winship
cotton gin. Other implements and
machines bandied are the Dixie and
other plows, the Deeriugcultivator.
Standard Mower, National Horse
Hay Rake, Old Hickory Wagons,
etc., aud this is tbe only house in
this portion of tbe State that car
ries lull lines of engineers supplies,
such as oils, packing, belling, ic.
Repairs upon sewing machines as
well as upon heavy machinery,
constitutes still another special de
partmeut, aud one that is well
patronized. In brief, Mr. Early's
business is of that comprehensive
character which enables him to
provide a planter with tbe means
to make, save aud market a crop.
During tbe busy season the ordinary
force ot salesmen employed iiuin
bers eight; of the regulr force, W
B. Bronson has been with the bouse
six years, J. W. Evans, bookkeeper,
two years, W. J. Early six years,
W. F. Early four yeais, A Gainey
seven years and J. K. Ooggshal
one yt ar, Vaughn also is added this
season to his force Over the entire
business th6 proprietor extends bis
personal supervision, and we neer
not try to tell our readers with
what results.
$mplc and complete. To illustrate;
iu'ladies wear he shows goods worth
all tbe way from $1 to $6, and in
mens wear from $1 to $8, and such
famous makes aaZeigler’s, Uauan’s,
B. O. Young aud others are repre
sented.
Not only does Mr. McCall give
his personal attention to the busi
ness but he usually require# the
assistance of three salesmen He
has been a libernl buyer of cotton,
too, Htuiually handling from 300 to
500 bales of the great staple.
Mr. McCall is one of the very
few merchants of town who really
approximate ulosely loa cash trade.
His lien business has been growing
smaller and lieau 11 fully less each
year for some time past, and now
that he is making a *|fccific busi
ness of relatively few lines the cred
its will be smaller than ever. Mr.
McCall expresses himself right well
satisfied with the outlook—he is
oertanily doing all he can to ad
vance tbe trade interests of Dar
lington, aud so we make this men
tion.
JOHN A. BOYD, M. D.
The gentleman whose name we
have just written is a son of the
late Rev. R J. Boyd, a Methodist
minister. The Dr. whs born iu
Orangeburg Comity—as his father
was iu the itineracy be may be. said
o have been brought up in divers
and sundry places, reminding one
of Northrop’s “Cape Cod and all
along shore.”
For sixteen years the Doctor lias
been a resident of Darlington Conn
ty. He read medicine with Dr. W.
A. Player, and as an M. D. he
graduated from the University
Medical College ot New York in
the class of 1875—’76.
Since 1865 Dr Boyd has been
identified more or less intimately
with the drug trade. He has been
adruggest upon his own account
for the past sixteen years, origin
ally establishing trade here iu tbe
year 1870, upon his own account;
subsequently * he bought out Hart
& Parker and consolidated their
business with bis own, and for some
time after bis was the only drug
store here. Now it is the oldest,
and tbe years that have passer)
since the business was established
by him have only -erred to deepen
and strengthen the hold it has
gained upon the people of ail this
vicinity.
To tbe business on band Dr.
Boyd gives his own personal super
vision, employing two clerks, John j
O. Mnldrow, who lias been with tbe
trade some years, and VV. H Gilli- !
land who has taken a three years
course in cbeinistrv at tbe Univer
sity of the State. The bouse lias
quite a considerable jobbing trade,
but it comes without solicitation,
soits real business consists in sup-
p’yitig retail buyers with whatever
b longs to tbe druggists trade, and
that one term embraces many an
item, not the least being paints,
oils, glass, etc. Fur about 15 years
the Doctor has occupied the same
premises as now—in close proximi
ty to the News Office, and we
realize how pleasant it is for breth
ren to dwell together in unity. His
perscriptiou business is large, and
tbe bouse is wanting in none of
these essentials that go toward the
compi sition ot a first class estab
lishment of its kind.
Dr Boyd does no active practice
—i.e. ho does not ride,—bnt lie
does a considerable office practice
in his capacity as a pliannacest.
He has been and is a straight out
business man, and as such we give
him place as the oldest druggist of
Darlington, though he is \et in the
30s
edwabd.s &. Norment.
favor with a rapidity that betokens
well for its fntuie.
Not only do the firm give person
al attention to the business in all
its ramifications, but they have se
cured an efficient corps of clerks,
Mr. S. S. Burch being book kee|>er,
and J. 8. Burch and R. L Dargan
being salesmen. During the busy
season still others are employed.
If we remember rightly, Mr. Ed
wards had not been iu mercantile
life until this firm was formed. Mr.
Norment bad for some time l>eeti
with J. Frank Eiriy. Mr. Nor-
meut does the buying an I twice
each year he visits tbe great North
ern markets, and that he shows ad
mirable taste in tbe selection of
goods, is evidenced by the display
made iu the house.
Of the annual business of Ed
wards & Norment not more than
one quarter is upon tbe lieu plan,
in that respect differing from many
oilier houses here. Their report of
cotton purchases and fertilizer sales
are, respectively, 1,300 bales, and
between 500 and 600 tons, and Mr.
Edwards told us tbat the losses
upon last year’s lieu and open ac
count sales had been very small.
The firm al.«o state that iu their
business there has been a marked
improvement during the past two
or three years in the demand for
the better grades of goods of what
ever class they handle.
Judged in the light of the past
we can say of Edwards & Norment,
They have done well; they have
gained the confidence of the public,
aud they hold themselves in readi
ness to supply the public needs.
G. J. M’OOWN A BBO.
The general merchandise firm of
G. J. McCowu & Bro. next comes
up for mention in this review we
here make of Darlington. The firm
are neither last nor least u|K)ii our
list, and tbe pages of our note book
show some items concerning the
house that are not without interest.
Tbe co part tiers are G. J. Me
Gown and J. M. McCowu, brothers
and natives of tbe county. Tbe
present co partnership was formed
January ef last year, thou succeed
ingto McCowu A Bass, who had
originated the business at a point
iu the oonntry ten miles west ot
here, some seven or eight years ago,
and when removal was made to
Darlington the present firm was
formed.
The Messrs. McCowu are not only
extensive general merchandise deal
ers but they are among the heav
iest cotton buyers here, their pur
chases averaging from 1,500 to
2,000 hales per year, while their fer
tilizer sales approximate 200 tons
Their general trade comes from all
over this county—bow ' much it ag
gregates we can’t say, bat from tbe
best information iu our possession
we think we are safe iu saying that
their total business for the current
year will be between 200 aud 300
per cent greater than it was last
year—certainly a showing tbat is
iu the highest degree creditable.
Of this business fully two-tbirds is
u|>ou the lieu plan, and yet the firm
are conservative while they jtru lib
oral, aud they certainly anticipate
that their per cent, of losses will be
small. Both of the co partners are
quite extensively engaged iu farm
iug, also, but it is as merchants tbat
we pro|K>se to speak of them. Mr.
G. J McCowu, who is a graduate
of the University of Virginia, is a
civil engineer by profession, aud
for some two or three years follow
ed that profession iu Texas. The
co partners are plain *|»okeu, plain
dealing gentlemen—they are work
era, and as was said of old, “their
works do follow them ”
j. G. MOCALL.
At the north west corner of the
pablic square, iu a very conspicuous
position, stands a two story frame
building, occupied by Mr. J. G. Me
Call. Tbe.gentleman in question is a
native of Darlington County anc
far twenty-one years he has been
actively connected with tbe trade
interests of this town. In October,
1865, lie formed partnership with
J. M. McCall, in general merchan
dizing; since then he has been
similarly associated with R. W.
Boyd and 8. A Woods, bnt for tbe
past ten years lie has, as the say
ing goes, “paddled his own eanoe.”
Until recently Mr. McCall has
been a “genera! merchant” Now
be is changing, base; be is dis
posing of bis general stock as rapi
dly as possible with tbe view of
confirming himself to tbe shoe,
clothing and gentlemens furnish
ing goods trade. Tbe shoe trade
has long been a specialty with him
and the stock be carries are both
There is material enough M|M)ii
our upte book concerning the above
named firm to make two or three
columns of space iu the News—of
course we must condense consider
ably, and yet we wish to convey an
intelligent idea as to who and what
the copartners are. C. B Edward*,
J. K. Norment and Maj. J. L. Coker
as special, constitute the firm, and
Edwards A Norment aud J. L. Co
ker & Co, of Hartsville, this conn
ty, constitute tbe firm operating tbe
Darlington Wholesale-Grocery, tbe
only concern of its kind here To
Uaj. Coker we have referred iu our
detailed article upon tbe National
Bank, of which he is President; of
Messrs Edwards A Norment we
may say tbat they are young men,
and when this partnership was
formed, six years ago, it was as a
new enterprise, the house then be
ing located between the Bank and
tbe Postoffice. When Mr. 8. Mar
co built the brick block close to the
Bank, Edwards & Noiineut took
possession ot it last April and aside
from the Bank and the Enterprise
Hotel, it is one of the tew brick
structures for business purposes in
town. This building is 125x37 leet
and affords tbe handsomest, sales
room iu town, used for general mer
chandiae purposes. A portion is
partitioned off as a millinery de
partment and of oourse becomes tbe
centre of attraction tor feminine
eyes, and under the personal mao
agemeut of Miss Louisa P. Win
ston it has, though only establish
THE ENTERPRISE GROCERY.
Late iu October, or about tbe 1st
of November of the year 1884, a
new basiness interest sprang into
being in Darlington—a grocery and
provision house t hat performed well
in the then present and promise^
better tor tbe future. This new io-
terest was tbe Enterprise Grocery,
and in the months tha: have elapsed
since its doors were thrown open to
tbe public it has earned that old*
time enoouium of praise which
reads “well done, good and faithful
servant”
In tbe organization of the Enter
prise Grocery Company there were,
or are. eight stockholders, of whom
there were three farihera, one phy
siciau, one druggist, one lawyer,
one merchant and one livery stab e
keeper. These gentlemen pined
the mauagemeut*of tbe business in
the hands of Mr. A 8. White, a n.»
live of Sumtof county, but who has
lived here since 1^67, aud who, like
most of our business men, bad been
a Confederate soldier, entering the
23rd Regiment when but a mere
boy, in 1861. After tbe war he be-
.gan clerking for J. G. McCall, and
be has been connected with tbe
trade of Darlington ever since. We
don’t wish to unduly oomplimeut
either tbe Roterpriaa Grocery Com
paoy or Mr. White, but tbe very
C ertioeut foot remains tbat under
is management tbe boat ness oi the
house has bean rendered success
ful; satisfactory dividends have
been paid, ami at 110 tHne in its oa-
Heretofore the Euter|irise Gro
cery baa confined itself to a grocery
and proviaion business, occupying
a building adjoining the Enterprise
Hotel. Its stockholders are now
preparing to build a structure for
their own occupancy—it will com
prise a store 150x25 feet, ami when
it is completed, about tbe 1st of tbe
coming October, a new department
—hardware—will be added, and it
is intended to make tbat depart
ment just as complete as the gro
cery department has been and now
is. There win also, be a yard and
suitable buildings for the occupan
cy of fsi mcrs—in brief, no effort
will be spared to render tbs estab
lishment more complete than ever,
and more than ever will it deiferve
its title of “Enterprise.”
The “Enterprise Grocery” does
not do a wild-cat business. It huya
closer and sells close; whenever and
wherever it extends credit it iss te
to say that the buyer is good, and
all cre<fi(« are covered by imu-clad
obligaffons—the size of tbe matter
is just this; the stockholders have
put up their money for profit in
stead of loss, and as losses are care-
fully guarded agaiust goods cau be
sold at low margins.
The Enterprise Grocery is a lib
eral buy er, purchasing many Knes
of goods in car lots, and it conse
quently controls quite a jobbing
trade. It bays in tbe great mark
ets of the country—receives goods
from the North, South, Bast aud
West, and it is but a aim pie *ato
meut of fact when we say that ita
trade has been beyond all expecta-
tioi s formed. Iu its new quarters
and with improved facilities, it is
not difficult to believe tbat Its ea-
leer will prove eveu more proaper-
ous.
L. STERNBEKUBR.
The general merchandise bouse
located at tbe corner of Pearl Street
aud tbe public square and of which
Mr, H. Steruberger is mauager, lias
recently been much improved in its
external appearance; a new and
tasty front lias been put in and
forty feet has lieeu added to tbe
depth of the salesroom, thus ren
dering it one of tbe most commo
dious business premises in Darling
ton. These changes have been
effected in response to the urgent
need felt lor more room and be
cause the trade of tba boose ia
rapidly expanding. The business
was originally establislfed at Flor
ence in 1869 by D. Steruberger A
Bro’. One aud a half years l iter
tbe house was oiieued here under
tht firm style of Welsh A Co., and
between two aud three year* later
Mr H. Steruberger became sole
proprietor until three years ago
when L. Steruberger sucueed-d
him. He, however, has the man
agement of tbe entire business.
Mr. Steruberger buys tietween 250
and 350 bales of cotton and sells
from 50 to 60 tons of fertilisers per
year. Of the trade of tbe bouse tbe
lieu business probably is one third,
open accounts one-third aud cash
one third. Collection* on last year’s
sales were very good, and Mr.
Steruberger s|ioke very bo|ie(ul y of
the prospects lor the current year.
He tells us tbatiu his trade there
is an impro' iug deinund for the
better grade* of good*, es|iecially iu
clothiug and shoe*, aud the house
is making decided s|iecialtiae of
those lines, but ot course not to tbe
neglect of dry good*, groceries and
nilrchaudixe generally. For tbe
past seven or eight years tbe boose
has slso W-u identified with the
Inmlier trade, operating a steam
saw and planing mills 2i miles
south west of Darlington and which
has cutting capacity of 6.000 to
10.000 feet of lumber per day. lo
tbe store Mr. Steruberger usually
ha* four amustauts. The house ia
popular with tbe |ieople, aud it is
accomplishing a good work.
KALXUS A ROSENBERG
«■* rfy.
h? firm’s
Our leporter was uuable to ob
tain any direct inform all oa from tbe
above named firm, owing to the
fact tbat tbe co-partners were out
of town. This much
baaed upon general
Three-fodrtbs or more'of the _
general sales are upeu Uene, end
their annual handling of eotton ia
not for from 550 bales.
Adjoining the general merehwn-
dise store is the liquor departmout,
(in a separate huildini:) whieh hi
presided over by Mr. Joseph F^aak,
late of Florence, sod .who bee, ou
tvied to the needs of the ttfeKy
trawling ami resident pa bite theefi
many yeais He is a clever repf*
seutative of e firm that stands Well
iu the pub'ie opinion.
(concluded next week.)
liahed last year as a special depart-1 rear have ita prospects been so flat-
meut, found its way iutp popular teripg as now.
There ia a regular Kilkeuay cat
fight iu tiie seventh district for con
gressional honors The (UuduUtee
are Smalls, tbe present iaonmhwt)
lawyer Bowen and Tbompoeu. The
first named Is a “yaller,” 1
“lair as a lily," and tbe thi d
castrated Mac knees.” Bach
friends in orators, aud auditors,
mixing« iff' 1
It 9
meet
euoes.—<