Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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TENNESSEE CYCLONE Fearful Storm Sweeps Across & State. THE LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. Fifty People Known to Have Been Killed and a Hundred Injured? ^ Twenty-Five Dead in Columbia. Nashville, Tenn., Special.?Tennessee was swept Tuesday night by the most destructive storm ever known in the State. More than 0 persons were killed and a hundred more injured, while the damage to houses, timber and other property will reach large figures. The storm entered the State from northern Mississippi and swept across in a northeasterly direction. Great damage is reported from the counties bordering on Mississippi and further on, Columbia, in Maury county, ts the heaviest sufferer. Lagrange, Nolensvllle and Gallatin also felt the wind's force, the storm finalfy losing its force against the Cumberland Mountains range. Columbia's casualties number 25 dead and 50 injured, the list of dead so far as known, being as follows: Misses Florence and Evelyn Farrell; Capt. and Mrs. A. F. Aydelot; Guy Aydelot, Paul Aydelot, James Cherry, Miss Liizzie Forsythe, Mrs. Tom Carroll, Miss M. J. Miles (all white); Winfred, wife and child, Tom Hackney, Joe Scott, Glass Brown, Peter Adams, Bryeraon, cook at the Carrolls, colored. The path of the storm is about fifty yards wide and was through the northwestern suburbs of the town* In its path everything is completely wrecked. Not even the iron and stone fences of the arsenal grounds are standing. The houses of Captain Aydelot, the Farrell's and other large resiJ J WUK tkn C?.l3 were ut'uivuaucu. ?T UU bii^ CAoeptlon of these four houses, the .storm"s path was through a section of the town populated chiefly by negroes and the poorer classes and the houses were mere hovels. It is estimated that 150 of them were totally destroyed and a larger number damaged. The suffering of the people rendered homeless, and bereft of all their goods is pitiable. The number of houses destroyed in the .Nolensville neighborhood is 16. There were two fatalities, as follows: Miss Infancy Hai&pton, aged 25; Mrs. Nancy Bramlett, aged 65. All of the 16 houses were totally destroyed. Mr. Hampton bid |400 :n money and this was blown away and ^ only a part recovered. The baby of Jim Chrismai, colored, reported lost, was found 300 yards #rn +>io hftiiBB n,f 1ft nV.lfv-k ivine1 ?ear a branch, uninjured. One of the family dogj was lying by his side. At Lavergne, 16 mileis south of here on the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis road, -ne velocity of the wind was marvellous and from beat reports lasted only about JO seconds. In this ahort time about 26 dwellings were lorn Into kindling wood, 't he loss of life is small compared with the miraculous escapes made. The wind made a swath about 200 yards wide tnraugh the middle of the town. The Laver.gne High School and -the depot, the two largest buildings, were laid ilat on the ground. The iow of these two fcuildings is placed at $7,000. The rail- i road lost four section nouses, ea;n vaiused at $9000. .Two victim of the tornado are: George Robenhaon tnd his six-months-old child. Mr. Robeit sontj hoiu>e, which was a very strong log structure, was in the middle of the path of the storm and was laid flat on the ground. At the tkne Mr. Roberteon and his child had retired and his wife was sitting near the bed sewing, And before the latter could even warn iter husband death had claimed them. Aire. Robertson's escape was marvelous. When found the unfortuate roan was pinned across the back by a .large timuer, and a great scar was on the back of his neck. No mark could be discerned on the body of the child. Both are thought to have met instant death. In almost every home theee was cev eral injured. In Williamson county .great damage was done bat tbe town -of Franklin escaped with comparatively small loes. Houses and timber in Sumter county also suffered consid<ei*&bly but first reports sent out frm -Gallatin were exaggerated. Great suffering is beJug experienced by those deprived t homes at Ldvergne and Nolensville. The rise in the Cumberland river at Uashville Is the most rapid known in 25 yearn, the water having climbed 20 leet on the guage in 24 hours. WuchvillA Tpnn finerial?T"M 9 nit eh ae up to 9 p. m., indicate that Tuesday night's storui, which swept over north, em Mississippi and central fid western Tennessee, was one o the greatest severity. Advices by the Associated Press and from special correspondents shew that ihe loss o life in the territory visited by the tornado already amounts to 04 und the number injured to over DO. Telegraphic communication to the regions visited by the cyclone is interrupted, and it is feared that when full details are known th? Usl of dead will he lengthened. NEED OF STATE GEOLOGIST. flany Inquiries Received About the State's Hineral Resources. Clemson College, Special.? Prof. Lewis, of the department of Geology and Mineralogy, frequently receive letters of inquiry from all parts of th-j <ountry in regard to the geology and general resources cf South Caroline Many of these are from wealthy mine operators and owners of smelting plants both in the East and in t'ie West, who are looking lor investments in South Carolina with a view La open up mine*. The Sta;e is practical!/ unexplored. so far as most of its mineral resources are concerned, and naturally the large smelting and mining concerns look to it as a possible field for the expansion of their industries. The following letter from M. Guggenheim's Sons, New York, owners of the ^ 1 C?w%Alf{?flr Pa \fnntr.. Crreai i\u.imuctj oiuciwug v/v?., ray, Mexico, the Philadelphia Smelting and Refining Co., Pueblo. Colorado, and the Guggenheim Smelting Co.. wich works at Perth Amboy, N. J., and Aguas Calieutes, Mexico, may be taken as a type of the numerous requests for maps and publications: Dear Sir: Will you kindly t'orwaTd to us such publications as have been issued under State supervision for free distribution, bearing upon the geology of your State? If there are any such publications for which payment is required we would J.hank you very much to send us a list of sime with prices and directions as to whom remittances should be directed. Thanking you in anticipation of your kind attention, we remain. Yours very truly, M. Guggenheimer's Sons. Many ask for information upon particular subjects of which the following are recent examples: Water powers, talc zinc, trap rock granite, miner.il? suitable for gems or ornamental purposes. ochre, iron ores, kaolin and pottery clay, coal, corundum, etc. Unfortunately no satisfactory answer can be given to such inquiries. For more than half a century South Carolira hrs had no geological survey and ther? are no publications and no information available upon any of the State's natural resources. Surely if the Stats is ever to have a geological anc natural history survey, new is the time to inaugurate it. The State has never before been so prosperous or so well able to bear the expense of the work, and there has never been a time when reliable information of the kind would be of such value a3 now. Commerce and manufacturing have made such enormous progress that the people have apparently forgotten one of their most important assets, ona mis fhat mizht reidily be made to contribute largely to the general pros' perity. Must Pay the Fine. The governor has refused to reduce the fines of W. H. Hubbard and Thos. H. Lewis, of Mailboro, who were convicted of violating the dispensary law. i Hubbard was fined $400 and Lewis $300 They recently presented a petition 10 the governor numerously signed. ts\ing that the fine be reduced, as it was thought to be excessive. A counter petition was presented agiinst the reduction, and the governor refused to act in the case. Blew Out The Gas. Spartanburg. Special. ? Saturday eight R. F. Lockman, about 23 years old, boarded the midnight train for Greenville. Arriving there he went to the Mansion Horse and secured a room Sunday morning he did not appear for breakfast. Groans were heard coming from his room and when the door w.i9 forced he was found to be nearly deal. Medical aid was called in. but Monday morning at 2 o'clock it was only a question of a few hours until deat.n came to his relief. It is supposed that be blew out the ga?, as the jet was wide open. Court House Afire. Greenwood, Special.?The court of common pleas which is in Eession here was interrupted ior several uuun v an alarm of fire. The fire as discovered in the easement directly under tlio grand Jury room. It had burned through the floor hen discovered. The fire department responded promptly, and* soon had the blaze extinguished. The damage Is not more than $100. The origin of the fire is & mystery. Palmetto Pencilings. The governor has appointed John P. Gage magistrate at Union to succeed J. F. McClure, resigned. H. S. Porter suoceeds M. L. Otts, deceased, at Keltcn, Union county. Grovernor Mta?ccucjr unj iuuo?. ?pardon Jim Golding, convicted of manslaughter in Laurens county, and sen' tenced for two years and six months. A pardon was refused James Seegars sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary for manslaughter, and sent up from I.an caster. Since the frost, wheat sowing around Prosperity hrs been qui'e general. The farmers seem disposed to sow even more than last year. This shows what a fair yield and a first class roller mill in a commuity teaches the farmer in the face of 9 aud 10 cent, cotton. The Royal Bag and Yarn 'Manufacturing company of Charleston has been chtartered. The capital stock Is $2:5000. The president i3 George A. Wagoner; vice president, James M. Sig inons: secretary and treasurer, George Lung. Thec-e gentleman, with S. Thomas and James F. Redding, are the directors. POPULATION OF THE STATE. It is i.340,316Souls,Against 1,151,149 In 1890. The population of South Carolina as officially announced is 1..340.316, against 1,151,149 in 1890. This Is an increase since 1890 of 1S9.167 or 15.4 per cent. The population in 1880 was 99.?.577, showing an increase of lo5.572, or 15.6 I>er cent, from 1SS9 to 1890. The population by counties follows: Abbeville oa.400 Aiken 39,032 Anderson 5 >.728 Damberg 17,296 Barnwell 35.504 Beaufort 35.495 Berkeley 30.454 Charleston 88,005 Cherokee 21.359 Chester 23.616 Chesterfield 20,401 Clarendon 23.1S4 Colleton 33.452 Darlington 32.383 Dorchester 16,294 Edgefield 25.47S Fairfield 29.425 Florence 28.474 Georgetown 22.846 Greenville 53.490 Greenwood 28.343 Hampton.. ..* 23.738 Horry ^ 23.364 Kershaw 24.696 Lancaster 24.311 Laurens 37,332 Lexington 27,264 Marion 35.131 Marlboro 27.629 Newberry 30,182 Oeonee 23.634 Orangeburg 59.663 Pickens.. ..' 19.375 Richland 45.589 Saluda 18.966 Spartanburg 6 .650 Sumter 51.237 1 25.501 \J 11 I LI Williamsburg 31,035 fork 41.634 Liquor hauls For a Week. The report of the State constable, for the last week ending November 17 shows a falling off in seizures ot contraband in the town and cities: J. R. Fant reports that three of his men seized four wooden stills and 5.000 gallons of still "beer," which Is the stuff from which the whiskey is distilled. There were nine convictions during the week. The total amount cf liquor seized in the State during the week was 159 1-2 gallons; beer, Gi6 bottles, and 80 gallons in kegs; beside one mule and wagon and a shotgun. No seizures by these worthies. The following made no seizures: B. L. Toland, R. L. Scoggins., J. E. Strom, J. H. Grady, E. f. McCravy, j. E. Ligbtfoot, J. F. McManus, W. D. Pegues. W. W. Sellers, F. B. Berry, June Crocker, J. A. May, E. C. Beach, C. H. Corn and W. B. Rowell. J. F. Bateman. Columbia, and six men seized 42 gallons liquor and 78 bottles of beer, 'ihe seizures made in ~*,.umb!a were: F. B. Gibson, 4 3-4 gallons whiskey; W w Gibbs. 5 gallons corn; J. R. Crocker, 1 quart whiskey and 40 bottles beer; J. M. Moore, 1 pint whiskey and 12 bottles beer; P. P. Hays, 1 quart whiskey; Clarence Hill, 2 quarts whiskey, 6 bottles beer; .1. H. Mancke, 6 bottles beer; Lige Buron, 2 quarts whiskey; J. S. Hogan, 1 pint whiskey; Hunt Brothers, 14 bottles boor; William E. Byrd, 1 quart waiskey, 12 bottles beer; J. C. Poat, 1 pint whiskey and nine bottles beer. Toe seizures made at Dovesville, in Darlington county, were: J. Q. Bryant, Tom Ovails and B. Bowles, each 2 gallons, and A. W. Dixon. 3 gallons whiskey. At We-tville, Kershaw county. Bateman himself seized 3 gallons corn whiskey from Joe Kirkland. At Society Hill, in Darlington county, the *~i~ ?ai?iiroo nf whiskev were lUUUWiUg CUX.UIVW - " ? ? made: George Green, 5 gallons; Pat Brown, 2 gallons; July Williams, 3 gallons, John Brown, 4 gallons; J. N. Ewtcn, 1 gallon; Neal Williams, 2 gallons; Jess Johnson. 1 gallon. Totals, (whiskey,) Columbia, 11 3-4 gallons; Society Hill, 18 gallons; Westville, 3 gallons; Dovesville, 9 gallons. Bateman reports that Lightfoot, McManua and Pegue3 did nothing; D. P. Douglass captured 26 of the 42 gallons q1 liquor. S. G. LaFar, Greenville, and nine constables seized 70 1-4 gallons of liquor, 1 still and obtained 6 convictions. From Tom Anderson, Pineville, 35 gallons were seized and 28 from Steven Jackson, Cashvllle. Th? others were in small lots as follows: L. L. Moore, J. C. Philips, C. H. Horton and W. H. Glover, Greenville, 2 3-4 gallons; Jack Porter, Fountain Inn, 1-2 gallon; Ella lays, 1 gallon; John Moseley, 1-2 "allon; Geo Boone, 1-2 gallon; Henry Glover, 1-2 gallon, all o* Greenville; also John idcCracken and Scott Johnson, Newberry, 1 quart, 2 pints, 3 half pints, Aii of this * woo />r\T?r? r|fVh m Up-COUUlI y UWSC HBO vvtu. seizure also included 1 mule, wagon and harness and one shotgun. A Favorable Response. Gov. Voorheea of New Jersey has replied to Gov. McSweeney's letter to governors lb reference to the Charleston exposition. After acknowledging letter Gov. Voorhees says that he will take pleasure in calling the matter to the attention of the legislature of his State and he expresses the hope that a State exhibit will be made. Smallpox at Blacksburg. Governor McSweeney has been ofTI! cialiycially informed of a ca8e of smallpox in Bk.cksburg. A negro is the victim and the matter has been referred to Dr. James Evans, secretary of the State board of health. 6 Good Showing Made by Them During the \ ear. Spartanburg, Special.?The annual meetings of the stockholders of tho Spartan Mills and the Whitney Mill were held Monday. A semi-annual dividend of 5 per cent, for the Spartan Mill was declared, and a semi-annual dividend of 3 per cent, for the Whitney .Miii. ai mis meeting were a nurnuer of Northern capitalists largely interested in ikmthern cotton mills, among them being Mr. Seth M. Ml 11 iken ol Now York. Mr. Stephen Greene of Boston, Mass., and Mr. Sampson, of Eoston. Tie affairs of the above-mentioned mills were found to be in excellent condition.accordlng to th.i reports. The annual meeting of tne Loekhart Mill was held at Loekhart Tuesday. There is to be a $200,000 cotton mill built at Inman. The progressive people of this town, which is situated on the Charleston and Western Carolina railroad, have subscribed liberally to the enterprise, and it is no longer a project or agitation, bat an assured fact. Mr. Jas. A. Chapman, a welikcown member of the Spartanburg bar, will be president and treasurer of the factory. A meeting of the stockholders will be held on Wednesday, at which meeting the board of directors and officers will be chosen. This now factory is only following in the line of Spartanburg county as the leading mill county in the South. Mr. Chapman, who is at the head of the enterprise, is a gentleman well fitted for the position, being a thorough business man. He practiced law very succes fully in Middleeboro, Ky., for a fewyears in 'the past, but two years ago returned to this city, his former home. No doubt under his supervision the new plant will flourish and prosper. The Wheat Growers. Laurens, Special.?At a called meeting Saturday of the Wheat Growers' Association, which was organized Nov. 5, it was decided to make the organization permanent, and the annual meetings are to occur the first Monday in September. In the absence of the president. Dr. A. C. Fuller, CapL J. B. Hunter, vice president, presided. The attendance was very good, and many new names were enrolled. The main object of the meeting was to consider the advisability of offering some prizes wV. ;..Vn V>o U O n 11 ilu iiao iu dwuic ecvuuua 51UU a great impetus to wheat growing, notably in Greenville, from whose association a report was read in reference to the prize feature, giviDg methods, conditions and results. After considerable discussion it was decided that owing to the lateness of the season subscriptions and contributions of money for a prize fund will not be asked but each member of the association agrees to give two bushels of wheat to a common collection, which will be awarded by a special committee, as follows: 1. Best 5-aere yield at least cost. One-acre yield, same conditions. Instructive talks were made by a number of those present, altogether making the meeting very profitable to all -who are so much interested in the revival of this important industry. Wheat growing is new in full blast, and with favorable weather an Increased acreage will be town, tte lands better prepared and improved varieties of seed have beeD secured for this crop. Negro Murderer Pardoned. 'Major Anderson, colored, who was convicted in Charleston at the summer term of court and sentenced to life imprisonment, has been pardoned by the governor. The case presents some pa:hetic circumstances, although Anderson was a foul murderer. When he wa.s brought to trial he was nearly dftad with consumption and he had to be lifted to the prisoner's dock by the court officials. It was so evident tL<*i the negro was in the last s ages of ocrsumptlon that Solicitor Jervey expressed a willingness to continue the case. The defense, however, insisted on a trial ana me negro was iuuuu suulj, with a recommendation to mercy. County Physician B. M. Lebby rays Anderson is in the last stage3 of tuberculosis and that he can not live many day3. Sheriff Martin endorses the recommendation of the county physician. The jurors who tried the case, Solicitor Jervey, end Judge Buchanan united In asking that a pardon be granted. The State Pension Board to Hold a Meeting in Columbia. The State pension t?rd will hold a meeting in a few days. Amongst other! things a new application blank will be provided for. Under the new law all old pensioners will have to file applications In order to receive pensions dur? ing the coining year. Qood News From China. Mr. Bryan E. Miot has received a letter from Dr. Reynolds, of Greenville, which conveys the gratifying informnticn that Mrs. Gilbert S. Reid and child are safe at Shanghai. Mr. and Mrs. Reid were in Pekin during the terrible seige the foreigners had to undergo and for a long time nothing definite was heard from them. Mrs. Reid is well known in Columbia, where sh? has many friends who will be delighted to know that she passed through 'ihe terrible ordeal uninjured. Mr. Reid ' was wounded in the leg, but is getting along very well and hrs returned to i Pekin, where it is expected that Mrs. . Reid will join him as soon as affairs of the Chinese empire are definitely settled. PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY. May Be Boomed by a Chemist's Re* cent Discovery. Beaufort, Special.?The recent announcement of the discovery, by a New York chemist, that a ton of phcsphate rock can be made to produce $80 worth of phosphorus, is causing considerable speculation here, where the phosphate industry has for many years been the chief source of support to many citizens. The deposits of the products in the beds of the numerous streams In this section is well nigh inexhaustible, notwithstanding the fact that in the past twenty years prodiguous quantities have been mined by the several companies engaged In the business, each vieing with each other in procuring dredges capable of digging the greatest number of tons in a given period of time. At present there is slight avtlvity among these phosphate companies, several of which have suspended operations indefinitely owing, it i3 said, to the fact that there Is a famine in foreign bottoms in which the greater portion of the phosphate rock has been exported in past years. The Coosaw company, which is the largest and oldest corporation in the business here, has several thousands tons of rock in its immense dry sheds ready for the market, and was compelled to lay up several of its dredges, owing to a lack of space for the accommodation or more rock. It is the opinion of men who are familiar with the enterprise in all its details, that If the new discovery withstands a practical test, the industry will again become immensely profitable and bring a good measure of prosperity to thl3 section. C. & W. C. Stockholders. I 'Charleston, Special?The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Charleston and Western Carolina roid a division of the Atlantic Ccast Line, was held last week at the general offices of the Atlantic Coast Line in this city. The meeting wa9 attended by President John B. Cleveland, of Spartanburg; Harry Walters, vice president, Baltimore; D. A. P. Joradn. Greenwood; R. A. Brock, Anderson; Avery Patton, Greenville, and others. The meeting was called to order at noon and the usual routine of business was transacted. The reports of the president and treasurer were received and accepted, and showed the road to be in good condition and was thoroughly catisfactory to the stockhoiers. After the regular order of business was transacted the following officers were elected: President,. J. B. Cleveland; vice president, Harry Walters; directors, D. A. Jordan, Greenwood; J. 0. C. Fleming, Laurens; J. B. Dowdy, Augusta; Avery Potter, Greenville; J. B. Cleveland, Spartanburg; H. Walters, and B. F. Newcomer, Baltimore. President Cleveland, in speaking about tlio roaa, saiu mat me repun. ui uic jon o business was most satisfactory to tho stockholders, as the report of the officers showed that the road was is good condition and making money. A Homicide. Florence, Special.?At St Paul's 4 Church (colored), near Clau?sen's in this county, Lucius James was shot and instantly killed by Joshua Gregg, both colored. Sheriff McLendou was notified and sent Deputy Dennl3 down to the s:ene of the crime. At night the deputy returned to the city bringing Gregg with him. Gregg had been captured and lo:ked in the cellar of Mr. William F. Clavsfm, who was glad to deliver the prison? to Mr. Dennis. The prisoner, however, says that James, himself, and another negro were standing in front of St. Paul's Church talking, there being being no services going on at the time. The conversation lasted for some moments and finally wound up with an argument by pistols. Gregg had his out showing it and when in the act of putting it in his pocket when suddenly the pistol fired and the ball entered James' left breast, passing through the heart Just before the shooting, however, It is said that Gregg told James-he was going to shoot him. A poocket knife was found near the dead man's feet after th# shooting. rne i rust vuus iowa. Dubuque, Iowa, Special.?An order came to all tobacco dealers here last week to at once ship out of the State their entire stock of cigarettes and cigarette papers. The order came from the American Tobacco Company and is supposed to be due to the cigarette case decision of the Supreme ftourt of the United States recently. Schooner With a War Record. Bangor, Me.. Special.?The ancient schooner Polly, bound from Bangor to Boston with 75,000 feet of lumber, baa been wrecked at North Brookville. Tho Polly was the oldest vessel flying the stars and stripes. She was built at Amesbury in 1805 and hailed from Rockland. During the war of 1S12 she was a privateer. It Is said that tho vessel fought many battles during these days and captured no lcs3 than eleven British vessels as prizes. She was captured once herself when her corrmanr'nr was lying ill in his bunk, but it v. as not very long before tha Yankees got her back again, and sho has been flying the stara ajld Stripe# ever since.