Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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?gt'..'S?latt^aaa ano ^r?%cs WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1904. The Sumter 'Watchman was founded iu $850 and the True Southron in 1866. The Watchman and SotUItron now has the com? bined circulation and influence-of both of trhe o?d papers, and is manifestly the best ??r?rtzsing; m?dium in Sumter. Those/ who were residents of Sumter ?host eighteen or twenty years ago ?hould search the recesses of memory ?tnd bring out their recollections of *;ha. city's experience with the Turkey tZfcsek canal proposition. This new . proposition . ts as much bigger than tha old one as an elephant is than a Shetland posy. And it will be an elephant on the hands of the city,? if tho work is undertaken without a ?ard and fast agreement that will re ?quire the land owners, who will be so Rroa?y benefitted by haying their ?aads rendered arable, to pay a just -share of. the expense-actual cost ?ot .the. estimated cost Those who bave memories recall quite clearly what a difference there was between tfee estimated cost of the old canal and tko sum the city paid out before tho 30b was finally gotten rid of. Tho indications are that the city .council will authorize the immediate enlargement pf the Turkey Greek Cassi and that the present plan is for the city to bear the entire expense of tho work-estimated to cost some .whore between $4,000 and $8,000. I Something more than a year ago a proposition was laid before council that tho canal. be enlarged and that the ?canty and the\property owners, "whose lands would be very greatly en? tranced in value by the drainage afford? ed hy the canal, would share the ex - pense of the work. Inasmuch as a ? Sarge part of the work to be done will /he without the city limits, that the ?ands whose value will be enhanced ^y the canal lie without 'the city, that but for the very -large volume of drainage from county "ditches discharged into the canal, ^rfcieh was originally dug almost ^entirely at the expense of the city tho canal would be amply large to - carry off the drainage of the city, it seems but just and fair to the tax? payers of the city that the county and individual landowners, whose lands "v?U foe enhanced in value, should pay ?fair proportion of the cost. The .city will receive little or nothing in increased taxes from the hundreds of -sores of swamp land whose value will fee doubled and quadrupled by ?tra?nage, for most of it is not within " ibo city limits and therefore the ar ?guneat that the city will be indirect? ly beuefitted and profil; thereby dees ?not hold. Furthermore the burden of ?"maintaining the canal will fall upon itbe, city alone and each year a con ?s?derab?e sum must be paid out to ikeep the canal open and serviceable, and ; the land owners will benefit ?hereby. Consequently they should tbe required to pay a just share of the ?initial cost of the work, even though ?it is not practicable to require them dto pay a proportion, of the cost of maintenance. Mr,- Joseph |H. Montgomery, of Birmingham, Ala., was recently elect ?ed one of the delegates at large from -Alabama to the National Republican <)onvention. Mr. Montgomery is a native of Sumter county, but for anauy years one of the prominent mern *eis of tte Birmingham bar, in which ?city he established himself in the boom period of the SO's. A few years ago .Mr. Montgomery abandoned the polit? ical faith in which he was reared and became a member of the Republican -party and has already, by mere force of ability and skill as a politician, xisen to leadership. T^e Alabama papers speak of him as already one of .the powers in Alabama Republican circles and a man to be reckoned with ?a future. As a Democrat, Mr. Montgomery was always interested in .politics and had attained some promi? nence in the councils cf his party, hawing at one time been a member of Che Alabama legislature, but his Dem ?scnrt?c career did not foreshadow ?is meteoric rise to power and influence ?a the Republican party within so ?bert a period after his conversion to ?he g. o. p. faith. Weekly Crop Bulletin. Columbia, May 17.-The week end? ing 8 a. m., May 16th, had a mean temperature of about.68 degress. The ?casal for the same period is 12. The bights were cooler than usual, with an extreme minimum of 44 at Green? ville on the 12th. The day tempera Torres averaged about normal, with an extreme maximum of 91 at Flor? ence on the ! 10th. There was more than the normal amount of bright sunshine. At times the relative hu? midity washery low, and the light wzads desiccating. The close of the week was cool and cloudless. The rainfall deficiency continues in ?all parts of the State, with drought ^prevailing except in the extreme north -western and limited localities in the " centrai and northeastern counties ?bera heavy showers occurred. The j^gfo's rainfall ranged from none tc 0.64 inch; the normal is 0.90 in Since the beginning of the crop sea the accumulated deficiency ran from four to se ven ."inches. The c rou bas become serious in the coist gions. In the upper Savannah val and in the Sand Hill region wells failing and water courses are dry. Stands of corn range from g;ooc very poor, the latter caused mai by the ravages of worms and birds, though in places poor germination fi lack of moisture, is the cause. Glrov is generally slow, although, with ceptions, it has now a good color, i under thorough cultivation, a gene improvement has taken place. Fie are remarkably free from weecs s grass. Cotton stands range from go Dd very poor; the former on sar lands, the latter on clay and red ! an Some late plantings are not yet \ especially in the dryest sections. 1 planting continues, particularly early cotton, which makes the s tax bf that portion of the crop b roi and irregular. An improvement condition is noted where the ra inf was heaviest, and deterioration'wh< it was light, or where none fell. 1 nights have been too cool for raj growth, and plants are dying in t southern counties. Sea-i si and cott is suffering for rain. . Tobacco is being worked, but growth is slow. Bice is doing well in the Geor? town districts, but in the southe] districts, freshet water is needed J flooding, as the rivers have beooj brackish. Planting continues. Wheat has improved and is prc m ing in the western part&, but is ve poor in the central counties." O? vary in condition directly as t rainfall. In the droughty regions X. straw js short, too short to cz Spring oats are poor. Harvest h begun in the southern parts. Peaches have undergone no chang apple and pear trees are blight in Stands of melons are poor, except Barnwell county. Truck yields ha been reduced one-half, by drough in the coast regions; in the inte ri the conditions are. more favorable. WASHINGTON NEWS "?ND lOSSII _ Big Officials Leaving the Capiti on One Excuse or Another--Seii ator Stewart's Family Jar. Washington, May 14.-Congress hi long since gone, and the administrs tion is going. Secretary Hay hi gone to St. Louis to make a speech 1 the newspaper men there assemble Secretary bhaw and Attorney-Gei eral Knox will soon hie them West o spellbinders errands and talk wheres they find waiting audiences. Gen ernor Taft, as they still call the S<$< retary of War, has fled from pn?i monia to the Adirondacks woods (May it not be a little severe on recent graduate of the tropics? Wb didn't he go to Virginia or North Cw olina for a month?) Two or thie other members of the Cabinet wi] take wing in a week or two, and Pen sion Commissioner /?are says he ha had about- all he wants of that kiln of business. As to the President, h delays his departure for Oyster Ba; but will shortly visit Groton, Mase, where his boys are at school am where, if he is wise, he will giT himself the honor of meeting the Gro ton patriot and. publicist, Governo Boutwell, President of the Anti-Im perialist League, and taking sorr.; lessons in humane statesmanship Such a conference could not fail t< be profitable, with a man almost twici as old and more than twice as-how ever, let that pass. For a week now the local paper; have been filled with advertisement: of "The Stewart Sale, A Magnificent I Collection of Valuable Househol: I Appointments Formerly in Use al I Stewart Castle." The fashionable ball j of Washington, already on the qui ! vive, was stirred to its depths this morning by the publication of state 1 ments denoting a family quarrel on j t* e border of a scandal. The Senato: ! from Nevada still lingers here tc superintend the sale; and yesterday one of bis divorced daughteis, Mrs. Bessie Hooker, charged her fathei with hartlessness and cruelty in sell ? ing her mother's private property and family souvenirs, and with having sent her mother's portrait to the auc? tion-block, where she had, with diffi? culty, rescued it. The Senator alleges that the statement is false ; that, ou his wife's death, he gave the keys of the house to Mrs. Hooker and her sister and told them to help them i selves : that, long after they had done so, he sent to the auction certain re? maining property which belonged to him, and Mrs. Hooker demanded that it be delivered to her; that he has taken care of her for fifteen years i and educated her sons; and {hat his ; daughter's allegation is a "return of evil for good." The Senator was mar? ried a second time about a year ago, i against the remonstrance of his daugh? ters. He is seventy-seven years old. Your correspondent called this ; morning at the fine residence of Mrs. . Bessie Hooker in the centre cf the > Northwestern elite. In answer to i my card she made her appearance, and i. a very attractive appearance it was. ??Mrs. Hooker is a vivacious blonde, 'divinely tall and most divinely fair,' and rather showily dressed for the early morning hon rs. "The morning papers" I eaid, "publish what is vir tuall.r a card from the Senator, and -" "Yes," she exclaimed, "yes; unfortunately; I cannot help it." I remaxked that I thought she might perhaps wish to make some explana? tion or rejoinder. "No"; she said, "I cannot. You se? that I cannot contradict my father. He can say what he pleases, and I am not in a position to defend myself. You see how i tis. No; but I thank you." Of course I desisted from attempting to oblain an interview, and withdrew. I then called at the auction house, and found floor after floor crowded full of the most expensive furniture and equipments, including choice bric-a-brac from many climes. As I was inspecting an ormolu clock my attention was attracted by the long drawn sigh of a' woman robed in black sitting in one of the gilded teak-wood chairs. When I looked towards her she said "Ah, sir, this reminds me!" I said "You have seen this furniture before?" She replied in a melancholy tone "For years I lived among it." She said no more. I wanted to ask the dishevelled and weather-beaten woman what she knew about it, but the bashfulness of a regular corres? pondent caused me to forbear. The collection offered for sale to the highest bidder contains many rare and valuable works of art, representing the best ciaftmanship of the East Indies and China. These things ought to find a place in some national museum, either in Washington or New York. The richly carved ebony and teakwood furniture, including sofas, chairs, ta? bles, pedestals, etc., is as massive and beautiful as anything of the kind ever seen in America, and is upholstered with fine Persian embroidery. Seve? ral gorgeous sets of furniture are cf French make, rococo in style, covered with gold and Aubusson tapestries in pale grays and lovely designs of fiow I ers. Perhaps the most interesting part of the collection consists of elab? orate Chinese embroideries cn pale blue and gold colored satin. This, includes very large hangings, curtains, portieres), etc., enough to line a great ball room. They are covered with dragons with huge staring eyes and switching tails; birds of all species, including storks and peacooks; con? ventional designs peculiar to the Chi? nese, and done in both flat and raised work; water monsters and dashing sea waves. There are also Turkish carpets, paintings, and rich bric-a brac. The presumption is that the Asiatic furniture came to the Senator through the Chinese Ambassador who once occupied Castle Stewart. The household of Senator Stewart bas long been distinguished for its turbulence. Is there any cause for wonder? The late Mrs. Stewart was a daughter of that, Henry S. Foote who beat Jefferson Davis in the can? vass for Governor of Mississippi and who was for many years Senator from that State. During the war he was a pseudo-Union man, and in favor of accepting the terms offered by Lincoln in '63 and 64. He had a most violent temper and was terrible* in his fits of anger. Ile fought at least six duels and he and Thomas H. Benton had a knock-down on the floor of the Sen? ate. Twc of his duels were with the magnetic orator, S. S. Prentiss, and the sitory is told that in one of them Prentiss looked up a tree, where some boys had climbed to see the fight and sang out "Take care, boys, bet? ter come down. Foote is shooting wild this morning.' " Foote was quick on the trigger, ready to fight anybody with or without cause, and is report?e! to have sent at least a dozen challenges that were not accept? ed. So th3 troubles in the "Stewart Castle" were perhaps hereditary. Presentment of 6rand Jury. To Nthe Honorable R. 0. Purdy, Presiding Judge. Tho Grand Jury have visited the several public offices and buildings of the county, not with the view of mak? ing, at this term of court, an extend? ed and formal examination of the past and current affairs of the county as conducted therein. Commitees of the Grand Jury have been appointed to make, between teims, a more extended inspection of public office9 and buildings. The Grand Jury have in an informal way called on some of the public offi? cers for information cn various points, as a beginning of a thorough exami? nation the cDurt advises to be made. The Grane Jury have had no report of wanted repairs to public buildings. Some work at the jail was recom? mended to be done by the last Grand Jury, and there seems to be a need for an additional dry well there for the disposal of the water from the kitchen. We recommend that this well be provided. The annual report of the Supervisor, required to be made to the Court at the first term by statute, shows only disbursements for a part of the year 1902, and for the year 1903. There is no exhibit of receipts, nor any statement of the financial condi? tion of the county, but the auxiliary books in the office, opened to the in? spection of the Grand Jury, and ex? plained by the Superrvisor makes an exhibit of good business methods in the conduct of eurrent affairs and the accumulating and handling of funds provided for by Statute, towards liquidating, the bonded debt of the county. In other than office work, we com? mend the enegetic efforts of the Su? pervisor in keeping up the discipline of the force under his control, safe? guarding them in a humane manner to enable continued work, and improvement and completion of the good roads visible throughout the county. In the other offices casually visited we found that the usual routine was being performed in a good clerical manner. We commend the Clerk of Court for the disinteresteo and prompt manner in which he distributes the State pension funds committed to his hards for disposal to numerous claim? ants. In the Auditor's office work was up to date. The several township boards of assessors, and the county board of equalization have revised the tax returns cf the county for 1904. Ef? forts for equal and uniform taxation have engaged the attention of county boards for some years. * The State boards and Legislature have left the problem unsolved, and many evils that corrupt the tax sys? tem still exist The Grand Jury views the subject with diffidence, as recommendations they may make will refer not only to the county of Sumter, but to the whole State. If, however, the court should ad? judge it comes in the purview of the Grand Jury, the Grand Jury will, at the next term of court venture to make some suggestions to our Legis? lative delegation for the correction of the evils that the Grand Jury hope to see remedied. In the meantime, the Grand Jury as a preliminary suggestion, advises that the blank form on which property is listed should be gotten up so that the items subject to taxation could be classified. It may be observed in the form now in use the only item of prop? erty which is assessed at an ? arbitrary value, which amounts to special clas? sification, is dogs. It appears to the Grand Jury that a form on which property is listed should be so arranged and printed that items could be classified. At any rate, if generally done in time, it would not ^only facilitate the work of the boards of assessors, but would likely bring about an equal and uniform value ! of personal property that is so much desired throughout the State. Magistrate W. J. Rees has furnished the Grand Jury with information, in a written communication, of the man? ner in which prisoners committed by himself and other magistrates to jail are turned ont on insufficient bonds, and on bonds that have not been "es? treated" on a failure of the party or parties to appear for trial. We recom? mend that this matter be referred to the proper officer. j It gives the Grand Jury great pleas? ure to meet at this, his first term of court in SumteiBcounty, their fellow citizen and townsman, Hon. R. O. Purdy, and express their appreciation of the thorough manner in which he has charged them, thereby making clearer and lighter duties to be dis? charged by them. R. J. Brownfield, Foreman. THE COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS. Court Convened Monday Morning and Be? gan Work-Light Criminal Docket. Court convened at 10 o'clock Monday morning with Judge R. 0. Purdy on the bench and Solicitor Wilson and the other officials of the court present and ready for duty. The Grand Jury was organized for business by the selection of Capt. R. J. Brownfield as foreman. Solicitor Wilson was ready with three bills, which were handed to the Grand Jury for consideration. Judge Purdy charged the Grand Jury briefly in reference to the action to be taken upon bills of indictment given them by the Solicitor, and in general terms directed, their attention to the large and important duties that the Grand Jury of a county is called upon to perform. He especially emphasized the importance and necessity of the Grand Jury giving close and careful oversight to the 1 county offices and the manner in which the county officials discharge their duties. He advised a rigid scrutiny of the reports of the County Supervisor-whose office is by far the most important of the county oftices-and of the Magistrates. He condemned the popular idea that the Grand Jury should hasten through its work and adjourn at the earliest possi? ble moment, and recommended that while all proper efforts should be made to give prompt consideration to all bills, sufficient time should be taken to make an intelligent investigation of the county offices, the jail and poor house, in order that the real condition may be ascertained. . The panel of petit jurors being in? complete an extra venire was drawn from the five mile box as follows : " Julian D. Bradford. E. S. Miller. J. Ii Haynsworth. S. V. Delgar. F. C. Manning. J. S. Kennedy. B. Walsh, B. W. Bradford. Jos. C. Durant. J. F. Whit?-. A. W. Suder. .1. E. Flowers. John W. Singleton. T. E. Flowers. J W. McKeiver. The following cases were taken up : The Stat?' vs. Warren Nelson, house? breaking and larceny. Plead guilty. The State vs. Georgie Williams, vio? lation of the dispensary law. The State va. Paul Taylor ajad Lin? coln Taylor, larceny of live ?tock. True bill ; continued. The docket which waa a remarkably light one to atart with ia being clear? ed rapidly and there remain but a few cases undisposed of. Thus far but one I case has gone to trial, the defendants in all others entering pleas of guilty , when arraigned. The following is the record of pro? ceedings Monday afternoon and yester? day morning : The-State vs. Georgie Williams: violation of dispensary law. Net gnilty. The State vs. James Edwards and Harvey Burgess; housebreaking and larceny. Plead gnilty. The State vs. William Anderson; assault with intent to kill, and car? rying coucelaed weapons. Plead guilty. The State vs. David Mnldrow; housebreaking and larceny. Nol pros. The State vs. William Chapman; assault and batters with intent to kill. Plead guilty. The State va. Edward Geddis ; arson. True bilL Case set for trial Friday morning. The State vs. Lewis Preston, Wil? liam Preston and William Chapman, assault and battery with intent to kill. Nol pros. The State vs. Albert Dargan, breach of trust. Nol pros. The State vs. Geo. W. Murray, for gery. True bill. Set for trial on Thursday. Petit jury was excused until 9.30 a. m., Thursday. Wedgefield News Notes. We were visited by a good rain last night, which our planters hope will bring up cotton which hasn't come up for lack of rain. The oat crops prospect is encourag ing, the cold weather oz the past win? ter seemed to have killed ont the in? sects that almost ruined the crop last spring. Mrs. Nettie Mciver and daughter, Miss Elizabeth, of Winston, Salem, N. C., is visiting her brother, Mr. Frank E. Thomas. Messrs. J. S. Dwight, E. W. Net ties, M. M. Kellett, J. H. Burgess, Soult Mellett, Mrs. J. S. Dwight, Misses Lucy Mellett and Misses Tillie and Sadie Find of Stateburg, left for Charleston this afternoon to take in the reunion. * Tie your oats with W. B. Boyle's Binder Twine. 5-ll-3t CANDIDATES' CARDS The announcement cards of candidates will be published in these columns until the Dem? ocratic primary for five dollars, payable in? variably in advance. FOB SEE2OTF. I hereby announce myself a candidate for Sheriff of Sumter County, subject to the de? cision of the Democratic primary election. W. S. DIXKINS. There is no article of which a lady is so parti HER F0( She invariably wants hard to obtain, Comfort ? The line manufactur?e E. P. Rei Of which we are the sol measuring up to this re know of. For fifteen j these goods, and, with year has shown an incr< Some of our lady Mei ed to try other brands, 1 Their Fi Admitting that they pr other. We guarantee absolu pair of these goods we s Prices, $2, $2, Tie jour oats witk W. B. Boyle's Binder Twine. 5-11 St My Twine is here. See nie before yon hny. W. B. Boyle. 5.-Il-St WANTED-To sell severa* pairs Berkshire pigs about May 1st; Bilt more blood, pure, and some nearly pure. Also good mitch cows, young calves. E. W. Dabbs, Goodwill, S. C. April 20-tf FURNISHED HOUSE in Asheville, N. C., property of Mr. Robert Broun, near Victoria Inn, will be rented for summer months. Apply to Robt. Broun, Wedgefield. S. C. March 9-2m** ? WANTED-Faithful person to travel for well established house in a iew counties, calling on retail merchants and agents. Local territory. Salary $20.00 per week with expenses addi? tional, all payable in cash each week. Money for expenses adv?nced. Position permanent. Business successful and rushing. Standard House, 330 Dear? born street, Chicago. Nov. ll GLENN SPRINGS WATER For the Liver* Teachers' Examination THE TEACHERS of Sumter County are hereby notified of examination, to be held at the office of County Super? intendent of Education, on Friday, May 20th, beginning at half-past ten o'clcok. S. D. CAIN, County Supt. of Education. Ma." 16. NER VALGINE, THE GREAT HEADACHE AND NEU? RALGIA CURE. A sure and prompt cure, every package guaranteed. For sale by Sumter Drug Co., Olin B. Davis and all Druggists. May 4-3m._ ?NEARLV EVERY FARMSR] NEEDS A PORTABLE ENGINE THE AJAX is the one to use. "The Machinery People" .will be piad ro send catalogue- and name price on application. W. H. GIBBES Ca CO.. COLUMBIA. S. C Engines, Boilers. Saw Mills,. Cotton Gin? ning Machinery, Etc. The Gibbes Portable Shingle Machine wearing apparel about cular as )TWEAR. $ a combination that is md Style. Iby ?d & Co., { e agents, comes nearer | quirement than any we rears we have handled slight exceptions, each Base in their sales, ids have been persuad- r ont invariably return to rst Love efer the "Reed" to any te satisfaction in every jell. .50, $3, $3-50. fc COMPANY.