Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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? I i I i JsU 44 H Ilk I / 'I Wim JL U IA. fe i'-v SASS, i^SSSH*, HUvU^. The Liveliest Place of it* Size r? the Palmetto State ; sad pftSDsriiil No Big Boom but a Steady and Healthy Growth Everywhere ! READ TH H FIGURES: k Population in 18S7, 2,705. A Population in 1SS9, 4,16:. Business of the year, $3,103,500. B Increase over last year, $184,200. Expended in Building in six years, over $230.000. Four Railroads. Two Savings azd National Banks, Electric Lights, Fac? tories, Schools and Churches. Bright Gem on Carolina's brow. Glowing ir sdi thy beatty now. Illumining the time-worn face. So often wet witt blood and tears ; Thou cost impart a youthful grace. Make her forget the weary years Of strife, corruption, anxious cares, Ana smile again "with "nope. Fair Daughter of illustrious name. Youthful, and yet of ancient fame. Modest with thy enchanting enanas. Cultured, refined, and pure, yet free ; Thou hast stretched forth thy lovely f.rin As if inviting all to be Sharers in thy prosperity Dwellers within thy hornes. O Sumter, loved art thou for ali That we with softened hearts recall ; Thy gallant men and women true : Those spots by mern"'ry hallowed. ^Vhere children played and friendship grew. Loved art thou for thy sacred dead. And for thy sons who fought and hied Defending Thee and Hight. Awake I ye men of Sumter. Rise ! Move with ber as she onward fiies! Her interests are ail your ova. Her '^ood repute as ye do make. Let not a foreign wealth, alone Develop, and ali the profit take, But put ali that ye nave at stake, To keep her for your own. THE CON FE OF KAT cl MONUMENT. AGLANCE at any map of S^cth j Carolina will show Samters j <s^k geographical position to bo j ?Q\ about eighty miles fron: the soa j fe? coast, and about one hundred I and twenty five mites from the mourn j tain region tu the northern part of the | State, lt is about the centrai point of the extensive region of level j country lying between the marshes i along the coast and. the high hills j where I he mountains begin, recog- . nized as the garden spot of the State. It is free alike from the malaria and ! epidemic? of the one in eumruer und j the rigid Colo of the other in j winter. The County of which Sumter j is the seat, has always been one "f ; the rn ?stconsiderable ::: the State as \ regards the wealth, culture and r.um- j ber of its inhabitants. On account of these advantages the railroad facili- j ties Have never bee:: neglected, f?:?! ! of the oldest road? in the State being | operated through this section with j Sumter as one of its principal feeder? 1 Hut it is only recently, within thc i last five years, that the importance of ! Sumter's situation, her commanding ! trade, and her natural position with ; reference to the surrounding magnifi cent country as a base supply, ami ; point of distribution, has awakened an isterest in her on the part, ot th. ??reat systems of railroads that, j traverse the State and ?:; tl now make Sumter a j oin* of fierce r: v>!; y and competition, resulting in !.<.! present ; independent facilities and giving ; impulse to !:er trade a?:-' commerce, fast pushing hci tc the very fros t . \ ! inland towns. Hy rai! Sumter is 91 miles from Charleston and ?? miles from C? lum ; bia. Effective inroad si rvi 1 H through the Atlantic Coast Une and its numerous connections, the Entaw ville Railway and South CVolina Railroad, place Sumte? in close rela? tion with every portion o? the Sta. The County of Sumter embra* es within its broad limits a s* :l unstrr passed in fertility by that of any ether County ir! South Carolina The rich !JCSS of its natural resources, the pros perity , thrift and culture of its people, and above ai' ;*s preeminence ovei the other ph-'ces a? a cotton county, have always 6f nit ribo ted to m?k? Sumte? one of the most c< roted < f the Si ito Sumter, while n ?? the vet the conamore al center of this tur?vrr^ *b!e ipi.ic md mut* COUNTY COURT HOUSE, MAI fosters her business. The City being I the market for the County, her streets i on Saturday ami sales days, dui mg the fail and winter present a scene j familiar enough to Southern "yes, but ; which un.uid st? ?ko a stranger as j picturesque an?! peculiarly Southern L-mg lines ol wagons, cat's and every imaginable vehicle known to agri- j cultural pursuits loaded l??^'n up with j cotton, crowd every thoroughfare, j libing ??iP sociai, commercial am.! re? ligious center of a conservative agri? cultural people, with names identified with the soil since its ii ?story began, Sumter enjoys a remarkable exe mp rion from vico. Refinement, culture and morality distinguish her poop!.. Wltii^ the older business men were neither indolent nor incompetent or indifferent, yet they have always, until very recently, been too cotiser- : votive, wei! enough satisfied to do as their fathers did before the war. This conservatism an.i caution on the part of uer business men retarded foi many years the growth of Sumter, by ren? dering nugatory her unsurpassed natural advantages. This has ail been swept away by the advent of a new generation fired by ali the boldness, energy, enter? prise, shrewdness, quickness nf per? ception aro! comprehensive business views, which chaiacteiizo the pres? ent age. giving Sumter the quicken? ing impulses of the new progress now ----~ ATLANTIC COAST LINt sotting in throughout the South, i This new blood Coursing through the arteries of nor trade, commerce and business, imparts m w iii"", awakens into activity, and increases the strength of a body already strong, and pushes Sumter to thc front where she marches witts quick step to the ! mus:c o! her spi!;-;i- s, the hum of her b s<y market and the snug, of uer won? derful progr?s. Toe story told <?!se wh.ere will bo a startling revelation to those who have not known Sumter foi the last five years Our people 1 ate stirred by the wonderful possibili? ties of our city opening oat it: pa no- ' ramie beauty {.> tis.-ir prescient visions Our ambit io: ;s HI ?used ana our pride is stimulated H?I?? WO have at last learned the hard lesson of union and the necessity * f co-operation. Sumter, always a neat and hand? some city, at this season of the year, before the frosts have destroyed the foliage of tho deciduous trees tiin? ?'nade the broad avenues, and when the crisp breezes of October have driven away !u*> heat o' summer, presents a most beautiful picture. Her streets, wide and as level as a floor, and laid out at right angles with the precision of a mathematical dia gran:, with two unbroken rows of large spreading water oaks on ever? street, her handsome private resi? dences tastily sef ;i> large flower gar? dens or embowered in protecting oaks, her substantial brick built busi? ness structures, make Sumter, all r ?: ip-7^. rS? - - W ? '. - ' S 3j???l Klings constttere. towri of thc Stall var iously est itu at t;'?OC, are peaceful ano :..<3' her government aiw** - ir- il puted possess or: <.> her !..;...! roost progress ve eft iz"n.-; !... so dry, healthy and bracing i roit any effort to ct!! atteriiloi important advantage ii is !>. t?- at*' act universal at tentio: .nest ;!..; population .0 from tn IO ?:? ano separas feater* rift;r?oss, social an-: > - :.:.;'?.. .0 . treated general notice !>v saving flint, rn? t bose of th e overo . ? e.v d ? >d North and West, who art.' seeking business 01 places for tie investment o! capita! for those o' less favored communities ?ri the South seeking a better field f.?r the invalid seeking health; foi those se?king a soft, ecuahle ci:mate as beautiful r. thai of Italy and ns A?-??>.:. .tjl tire year round as 1 lerida, rt ; S STREUT L0?K1N? XOK?H place offers Udler inducements than Sumter. Here will be found none of {.'ie pampered artificial it it's or ticti tii>i?s and evanescent booina or new Western and Southern towns, bat a city prosperous, dignified atid strengthened Uv age, resting on an assured and time proven support ol an agricultural people, oui of the reach ol lLe fickleness of capital lo d< stroj', be? yond the influence of litt: vicisitudes and mutations of nia nu tact tiring enter? prises, brought not only unhurt, but rather strengthened through a past storied with disasters to our whole Slate, to Ue crowned ac last by a wreath of immortelles, that fades no! away, but grows fresher an J tn? re beautiful as the days go on. GOVERNMENT AND FINANCES The first municipality of Sumte: was organised and incorporated in 1815. Ii was a mere village for many years without railroad connection tiii 1>:*>1 when the fir?t :;>ad, i ne Wil? mington and Manchester (new SS i! mington, Columbia & Augusta j was built through ii, when ai once ii en-j tered apuii ? new growth, the popu lation ? ? - : ; ^ I i ! v" increasing until the year ISSS, when by act i-f the: ?>?"?^is la.'UJ' lin* limits oft: c town were ex tended so ns to include many s?ii> in ban ninnes, largely increasing the area and the nu ?ber of inhabitants The same act incorporated Sumter as : PASSSXGSK DEPOT. a city, with greatly enlarged franchise j privileges The corporate limits now | describe th? circumference of a circle j with radii one mite in length from thc centre of the court house square. ? The population numbering more than ?4U'?0 is mixed, a large proportion are of Irish .decent, and many Hebrews ase in business here. The officers ol the City are the mayor and four alder- i men. Tlie pt dice force consists Of one i e:i?e?. four regularly salaried police j men and one -Superintendent of sheels. Tin* income of'the eily is ample foi n libera! policy in tue administration j of its government and is <i--: :vi >\ from ! licenses. taxes on real and personal . propeitv, the rent of two .-tores be ! longing to the City, severa' e Hi ces j and the Music market house! and tie- lisna! fines and penalties irn- i # * . 1 posed iu Mayor's Court, 'ii;.' meenie from liiese various sources amounis to more than $12.000 now, and is steadily increasing through the gen? eral increase of business in the. Ci,tv and the consequent enhancement of property, without any perceptible in? crease in lin* burden of direct taxation on property'. The recent assessed value of real estate for taxes of 1SS9 is ST-U.lMO j and'of personal property ??80.1*20/! making a total returned for taxation of SI ,225,1 frO, which !?> probably not more than one half the true market value of thc same property, making the actual value $2,-??i) ."'?'J'! A e<*uv par ison of thc assessed value for the 'ei* acres ol !ahd donated by the City to iK;' Eeiawvil'e ? ? ex : ? ;*? * :* 11 Company during1 tho j.?: t'S'.-ht year, and the. planting of shade trees "U ai! lite new streets. .Most of the items o? extra? ordinary expense above enumerated have become necessary only within the year ami have boen made by the present council". ticsiiir-H. tin-so lite city has ent< red j ?i;; :? eon it act with thc Sumter l?teolric Light CV/n pany for tv.*en ty fi've are lights oi 2000 candie power each ! ?r ??ve years ai S->/'-0.0 per year ?'hr laxes !evi> ?[ ?-.i? municipal pur ses heretofore nave been, by com? parison willi cluer towns, extremely ?ow. owing orobabiy tu the mvnral topography o? the site of the Ciiy, rendering drainage easy and inex? pensive, and exempting the toad beds and sidewalks from damages from rains and other causes. The present lew is large!v in excess of that usually v ?*** ? imposed, ticing six millson the dollar, two mills of which goes to the sup? port of the public graded schools, white and conned. A po; Lion of the money collected under this tax, too, is for the purposes "f paying badi into the treasury che amount expended in the purchase of ST. JOSEPH land for the Eutawville Railroad Company upon which that com? pany are obligated to build their extensive shops and terminai facili ties. By ordinance of the Council no wood' ;; structures are permitted to be erected anywhere within the business parts of the City. The business part centers at thc Court House Square. This, together with a careful provi? sion against fire, and a lib?rai main ta7 nan ce of an efficient fire depart? ment minimises insurance rates. A brief sketch nf tin* personnel of the present council and other matters of interest, aro in other parts of thia naper. RAILROADS. Tho facilities for passenger travel as furnished by the Atlantic Coast Linc wi {ii its numerous branches and connections are nf the best, and its appointments most complete, render? ing the city accessible from all direc? tions. With eight, daily passenger trains and severa! '. aecomodathmts " that obtain much local travel, there aro few, if any, who cannot lind some one that will run to suit his own con? venience. Two trains daily connect by Columbia with upper portions of the state and with tue R & D system Tin: S'.'MT.-:! for all western points. Two trains daily to and from Cha?lesion, ?con? nect with tin: Plant system for Fiorida and southerly p..-inls The Wadesboro train leaving Sumter in iin- aft er neon, furnishes aunt her nu ic ic route to points in the upper ami east? ern portions id iii" state Two trains .laity connectisig at Florence with tie* fast through main* place northern points wiihui easy reach. Leaving Sumter a* :>:*w M . one m rives in New \ oik st D:?U the following-even? ing--less (han I hours. Through sieeuers, dining and [jailor cars make these r?u:t?\s especially iine. and dur? ing thc winter months Vest.bule trains are additional luxuiics. Be? sides coutrbnting !:-ilie convenience <<i travel these connect hms render the mai! scrvme o! the city quick and el?icient, ^'!?;c!?, as any one knows, acts a'? a gi eat energizer to busings* and com mochil transact ion generally. .' go*id estimate of the im reas?- in [he u::n:ber of visitors, and travel g. ;; er.i!!y ,> to ].:? obtained |>v a consnh ? rali.! tire fact that the ticket ?jales >\ this pr.iut for iii*' current veai ending September 30 ?Vi. ?-i'.ow an ?net-ase of more than ! on .,,^r (....?: as compared willi {tn* sa i s * vv.. years ago. A new and ..i a :itneO?al F' " ?q Mm???* K pa^N.M.ge, \> p.n - sMown ?M. Iv f-otai . .) li- eld /av tiiiafc of the Penn. R. R. Depot ui Coney Island but increase in Have1 and arrivals (more particularly el' ; commercial men witt: their usual j large amonn: ofsamplc cases, etc.,) has very lately rendered an enlarge ' men! '?; the baggage room necessary, i'lii* has been accomplished without detracting from thc unique design cf the original structure, i i: re i gut transportation is furnished i:> four directions hy four through ! and six local trains daiiy. Service to' and from northern points is A No. 1, j and i.itcs low, having but lately bee?: i : reduced both {or long arid short hauls j more than 10 per cont The current ; ' first class rate to -Sew York is about j 98 cents per hundred, being propor j tinnately cheap on oilier classes and j . to other points. The storage capa- j i city of the wardrooms and platforms 1 amount in all to about 12,900 square ! feet. Plans for the erect.on of a new j ! freight depot 210x80 feet with en-1 . iarged ulatforms io correspond have i .?4 . j : already been submitted and approved, j ? This will bc built in thc open .?pace j : west of the passenger depot and i j north of the tracks, making it more i convenient and accessible from the 1 business portion of the City. The s ACA DEMY 1 present warerooms will probably be j j leased to private parties for storage j ! of fertilizers grain and general sup ' plies. A platform has lately been ! erected exclusively for the use of cot? ton shippers. Particular attention is paid to facilities in the handling anJ I shipment of this line of freight. Cot- i i ton received until 0 P. M , one day j is laid down in the markets of Wil? mington or Charleston the next morn ing for business hours. To Norfolk and ports faither north its transporta lion is proportionately quick. The freight receipts for September, i 18S9. snow an increase over Septem? ber, 1SS7. (if about 100 per cent., and , in this increase must be reckoned a ? : reduction of from 10 to 15 per cent i 1 in freight rates made during the pe- j ; riod embraced in above comparison, j While five years ago only one clerk j assisted the agent, five subordinates, j besides the General Agent, are now required to manage the continually increasing business, and even this force at certain tintes finds itself I much taxed by overwork. The extension of the system in the near future from Sumter as a center ceases to be a mere speculation. The \ merchants and business men generally I have already, in a tangible form, felt the beneficial Jesuits of the M. & A ; INSTITUTE. : Road. This branch, built within tho iast year extends from Sumter to Balitee river banks and brings to the city from that section much trade that formerly went via water route t<> Charleston. The extension has j ?Augusta as au objective terminus where it will connect with the (georgia Central for western points, and besides adding to the passenger connections in that direction, will lr],.] to greatly reduce freight, rates by combining the lue?! into cheaper (?trough lates. Tiie extension et a branch from Sum- j 1er to Camden is another project that ! must soon be realized. 1 his route bas ? already been sui\*eved and located, ! and oid-v the more urgent necessity ! . . . . p!1. ot shortening rho marri one at a poml in North Ca ulina Sias thus far prc ! vented work on the actual construe- ? lion. This road when completed iv ti I ! ima neel with the '.-C's (nov running fri m Camden tn lint hm hu dion, N . ? C . and under contract liMOie?' to (ne ; *>anks o' the 'Milo river.) ami v.';;| j u?.-n up to Sumter juill another j i it 11 mg ii r? '.ut" ! i. w ' stern and northern nts [? Io lou ..I tia the sij.j,. j }>:t! ; i:\ *,',(. e I ni ung?; i wi. HUI it runs. i o oso. v. ?lb the com- j oletion of ib" i'aTtawville we! now j nuder or?.cess < i' cont-h u.u;'??n, w i;1 ? make d?nnte! I te n on oj i Wueei ? ..viii: sp. s rad ?ai ing in seven dine- j tren* and >: 1 justly entitle bei lo a j cl lim ..! b-in- the A i 'apta of S-o;i: . karolina in p. o t e' railroad c.-anec- !. ! ; o ' i ?; a .?..-! !??'?> ?I : il'S. The iiup'Utance i>: ihe Kutawville ; i,' ]{ :,. Sumter n qU-ir? s thal ive ? should "ive .ur:?' (-?special mention ot ?! ju tb:S J !;:'':*. The wo i k on ?:;.-. road, nuder the direction ol Contractor Pringle, has been rained forward very rapidly, ;<:?.', comm mi iea lion with Chai lesion wu! be established in the course of tiie next two months al the t.coo*st The line ba? been graded, the trestle woik ovei al! ii." smaller swamps and ?treams is . ead v. and ali {hat in need ?cj iw.\v lo i-. Oipl'Ur ii?( toad ?M the .aviniiof tine ?ail*. Pta ns foi the ma VTtfrr-":-'r?ivT'? f'i.tTT' THF SUMTER submitted, ??id the work of construe furn wili begin in a few weeks. The shops and depots, which wi!i be very handsome structures, will be situated on the east side of the city, on land donated by the city for the purpose, on the condition that the shops of Uie roa-1 be established and maintained here. The purpose is to carry the road on io Cheraw, thus giving ns direct com? munication with one of the most flour? ishing paris of the State, fror:.? which we have heretofore Leen practically cut of:'. As a local matter this road means a great deal for Sumter, giving as it does a new route to Charleston, and the benefits of competing rates. But this is by no means all. To any one familiar with the situation of Sumter, who will refer ?o a map it is easily seen that this read means a through line from the N'oit h to Florida, being as it is, a link hi the Robinson system Connecting at Cheraw on the North, and being extended from Pbegnals by way of Walterboro, Yeraassee and on South. EDUCATION. "It is the educated mind that rules, whether in the colton factory, the Cotton field, the machine shop, the Counting house, the senate, or the pulpit, it is brail) power which makes a people.'7 THE BAPTIST CHURCH. Recognizing the truth embodied in the foregoing utterance, the people of Sumter have always paid laudable at? tention to schools. Before the civii war, the cause of popular education had not acquired that lirut hold upon the public mind which it now has. This was due to a variety of causes, : among them the fact that the country being prosperous, parents were able j to support private schools in abun-j dance, and ir*, many cases to procuie-j private tutors for their children Social conditions weie such as for-i bade the existence of a system like the present one. and hence the cause of ?ducation for the tuasses ieee i ved i little notice and evoked nc enthu? siasm. But these private schools were excellent in their way, and much good work was done in them. Cm boys were prepared for college, and our girls for the "seminaries." as such finishing schools were generali} termed in those days. ST. JOSEPH'S ACADEMY. During the Civil War. in IS?3, owing to the shelling of the city by the Federal forces, it was resolved to remove the large boarding academy . conducted in Charleston by the ; Sisters of Mcreey to a point some? where in the interior ?if the Slate ami Sumter was chosen as the place id refuge. Mr Edward Lafitte presented the ground and property. Here in. that y*ar thc institution since known as St Joseph's Academy, for young ladies, was founded by the Sisters, and has maintained its high standard and reputation for noue than twenty five years. Tims what was meant to be only a temporary arrangement be? came a permanent establishment Through its doors have entered and passed out many hundred guis, quite a number from beyond our State, . mon? from {lc Stale itself. ino:e again from lite toeiuty; and stu; moro from ? the town and city. huting the pas? scholastic year, sixty one pupils :c eoived i? s: : ucl ion in the r?gulai ..ot.- se, besides those who took 3 ?-pee;, j and post graduate course Th" Academy celebrated it* " silv-ei inhibe" 'it's \ . ai willi gi eat ?.'../' The bili hit ogs and grounds are cure of the a't.aetive places ot the ''h'y. ' Tue obi buildings have given way to new and imposing struct m es, which ow peacefully nest'.' ?ti the !:;;<!.%: o! a vetv for- >i ol ma- s'ic oaks." LvisltOp N 011 lirop :s the recognised visitoi at the Academy, arni is always ptesent at the anuna] j Distribution The eomse of study is comprehensive and thc standard 1 hiadi The sessions of the Academy begin on the first Monday in Septem bei and end Tue last week in dune t he building is laige, well venitiateO iud cco.vonteutly arranged, ami every : ;ec;fort of a buiiic is moviaed foi the 1 OTTOS* MILLS. boarding pupils. Special facilitie? are afforded in music, vocal and in? strumental, painting, wax and moss work, plain and ornamental needle? work. There are a library, a chemi? cal apparatus, and a due collection of shells and minerals, for the use of the pupils, and weekly lectures are delivered on chemistry, hygiene, and natu:a! philosophy. The expenses per session for boarding pupils vary from S7? to s 100, according to the grade of the pupil, and from ?12 50 to ?2o, for day pupils. The engrav? ing of the building herewith present? ed, though in a measure hidden by the majestic oaks surrounding it, gives a good representation of St. Joseph?s Academy. THE SUMTER INSTITUTE, Situated on the northeast corner of Washington and Calhoun .streets, was founded in I SOT and chartered in l^iS. Owing to the condition of things after the war, this school had many difficulties to contend against in the first year? of its history, but by the self-sacrificing labors; the iudomi table energy and the ability, literary and otherwise, of the principals. Mrs Laura A Browne and Miss Eliza E. Cooper, it has steadily grown till it has become an institution of which the City has just reason to be proud, as second to none in the South in the advantages it alfords for female edu? cation in all its grades from the lowest io the highest. Its buildings are commodious and complete for all de? railments; its grounds extensive, well shaded and ornamented; its curri? culum f?ll and thorough; its discip? line firm, but humane and parental; and its charges as moderate as its ap? pointments will allow The Institute has sent forth more than a hundred giaduates, who are scattere d from the Atlantic to the Pacific and who have evinced their affection for their alma mater and their continued interest in her welfare by the formation of an Alumnae Association and the estab ?shment of a scholarship with? in her walls. The last cata? logue shows the names of one hundred and fifty pupils ir? attend? ance during the past scholastic yeal, and the indications at present are that the Institute will in the future attain to even a higher degree of prosperity and usefulness than that which it has already reached. Last in order of time, but by no means least in point of numbers or importance, we mention the city GRADED SCHOOLS, which were opened S^nt. 2, I SSO. tue city j Kershaw. TUE METHODIST CIIIKCH The movement er agitation io favor of these schools was begun several j years ago, it being seen by many j tit nt a necessity existed for some stich system as now obtains. At its last j session the Legislature passed ar? act making the city of Sumter a separate school district, and giving authority i to levy a special tax of two mills in j addition to the regular constitutional tax, for tin: support of tin- city schools. At a public meeting held j by the taxpayers the following gen- J tlemcu were elected the Hoard efl School Commissioners for schools, viz: Rev. John chairman: J. A .Mood, M ?) , Mav??r] of the city; Kev. C. C Brown. K.*D. j Lee, Ksq . and Lion. Altamont Moses. ! These gentlemen elected Mr. C. M. j Hurst their secretary, and proceeded to discharge their di?icult and trying duties. They determined to make use of the Lincoln school house for the colored school, a building long j used by the colojed people for such j nm poses, and thev have secured the! 1 * .i best house in their power to obtain of tho ? hite department j ils. A (ter due advertise- j lose scrutiny ?.!' the ap pli- [ following teachers were i . Puttie, superintendent. Teachers, white.school: Mr J B. j Punie, principal; Mi V. K V- ingle, ? lor the nt thc sc!, men I anti I ? a : '. ? s. ?tit n ?ur fiss . !. ? KriSOT Vi. Cl:TKl H. Mary Li. G bardeau. Miss J. ce Hur::t, Mis L. K Stein Miss L* C. Davis, M?S? uer i trude Wadjil!. I Teachers, colored school: Mr. J. j 0 Whittaker, principal; MT. Jame* j W. Brown, Miss M. A. Savage, Miss ] J E Walker. j As adjuncts to the school for ! whites, the Board have provided for j music and art to be taught, Mrs. Ker j shaw being put in charge of the ? former, and Miss Waddill in charge j of the latter department. Although I but two mouths have elapsed since the j school system was inaugurated, it has already proved a gratifying success, there being SOO children in the while department, and 2:0 in the colore? school, which number, in the latter school, will be largely increased a? soon as cotton picking is over. A number o? children from the sur? rounding country are in attendance on the schools, and it is believed thal many more will seek tb* advantages enjoyed by the pupils, ?S SOO? the excellencies of the system arc appre? ciated and made known. The rate? of board fur such pupils range from I eigiit to ter. dollars a mouth in the i city The schools are continued for nine calendar months, and wilt ck>se I for tue year ou the second Friday in j June next. There are at present ! nine grades in the school, and it i? ! proposed to extend the course of etudy as circumstances permit, ?J THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. that a graduate will be prepared eiiher to go to college, or enter the active pursuits of lite, lt is also con? templated to build a suitable school? house for the whites as soon as the necessary at rangements can be ciade, when our city may well be proud ol the educational advantages she ie able lo oner to her childreu-the mea and women of the future. A private school is taught by Mr. T. P. McQueen, at his residence o? Liberty street Mr. McQueen ia a scholar of no mean attainments, and lias educated many Sumter boys, it? whole or in part. Ile teaches in the afternoon and at night classes of young men whose time, being other? wise occupied, are uot able to attend in the mornings. Mr. J Diggs Wilder also teaches a smali private school, but having jusl begun his present school, it has no history that we can give, and there? fore we can only refer to Mr. Wilder as an instructor with experience. Mr. J. J. Fleming teaches at his residence on Washington street a private school &>r boys. He has con? ducted his school lor several years* and has by his attention to pupils placed in his charge, and hy his thor? oughness of instruction, giveu gen? eral satisfaction to his patron*. Miss Jeanie M. M ?kell teaches an in faut school at her residence on Republican street, and has made a great success of it. The little tots all like her and she likes them, so that ; while they learn fast under her skill ? ful teaching, learning ts not made a ? drudgery to them. j Thus ate ail sorts and conditions of i children provided for from an educa tiona! point of view in Sumter. With ! no great Sourish of trumpet*, w::h no ! beautifully and even gorgeously illus j Hated catalogues, with no attractive i but delusive advertisements to de j ceive and disappoint parents and I guardians of youth. Sumter present* j her educational institutions in the full j confidence of being abreast of the i times, and on an equal plane with any of her sister cities. CHURCHES. i THE BAPTIST CHURCH The Baptist Church is the oldest of I our religious organizations. In 1??6, ? the present pastor prepared a history ?of the church from which we take a j few facts. On the 27th of March, 1813, a petition was sent np to the church at the High Hills of cantee by some of its members who resided in or near Sumter,begging to be allowed to organize themselves into a church at Sumter. Only three families of persons at that time lived in Sumter. The petition was signed bv John B. Miller. S.P Roberts. M Ward. E. Ward Mary K Miller, Mary Dargan. Eliza? beth Singleton and Rebecca Barden, lu consequence ot this petition, per? mission was granted by the parent church, and the Sumter Baptist Church was organized on March 7, ISIS. Dr. John M Roberts was the first pastor. From that da}' to this, it h.is been alive and active as a re? ligious organization, and lias grown in numbers from eight to 241. In all its early history, Colonel John B. Miller was the moving spiiit. The church is now making steady and rapid progress. About five years ago. a lot was presented lu the church by Colonel Kaile, and in less than thiee mouths, a handsome par? sonage was erected. Last year, the church was repainted and calcimined. lt is entirely free of ail debt, and the total contributions last year amounted to $1 72$ 94, which is about au average, though some years, the figures have run up to over $2.000 Rev C. C. Brown, the pastor, has been in charge of the church for fif? teen years, and under his ministry it has grown from 00 to a membership of 211. It has an active Sunday School of I HO scholars, in charge of Pr John S Hughson. The church propel ty is valued at $7,000. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This church, occupying a third place as to numbers anvmg the churches and second place as to date of organization, is one of our most representative bodies. It is made np o? a strong abd active membership,