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??ESPOfflCE. XEWSY LETTERS FROM OUR SPE? CIAL CORRESPONDENTS. Items soi Interesst From tiU Parts of Sumter and Adjoining Counties. STATESBURG NEWS NOTES. Statesburg; Jan. 18.-Miss Annie C Sees, of Winthrop college is spending fen days at his home. Mr. H. L. Pinckney has several Charleston: friends visiting him at his summer home, "Oakland.". ^iiss Sallie Saunders, of Hagood, is iTisiting her brother. Mr. George M. Saunders. Miss Janette McLure cleaves on ISTednesday afternoon to visit friends in Georgetown. 3?r. Oliver Thompson, bf Hagood, visited relatives at Claremont on Wed asesday. *?r, Mrs. W. W. Rees, ihorae in Sumter on Sunday evening, after spending a week with' her moth-, ?r, Mr&s-.W, W. Rees. Mr. George M. Murray spent Sun "0ay at home. Mrs. A. Pl Manning ai>?*. Mr. J. Sin gelton Moore, of Sumter, spent Sun . day at "The Ruiss." Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Stuckey, who 2ave been for the past year living it ?OYidenee, have returned to our ?etghborhood and will in future make Stateburg their home. Mr. C. Gazes, of Sumter, was the ???est of Mr. W. J. Norris, cn Sunday. . Miss Anna P. Burgess was the guest ?cf Miss Janie Nelson on Saturday and -Sunday. Rev. W. H. Barnwell visited friends j ' ?t Hagood on Monday. Mr. A. S. Flud spent S mday at toma Mr. Eif F. Holmes spent 2fonday in The Ladies'' Sewing club" v. 311 hold a meeting on Saturday at Mrs. S. E. Setecn's. ? tBE MURDERESS SURRENDERS. ?B?e WilKams. Who lulled Her Man, ^ Delivers Herself to Sheriff. Jane Wilhams, alias Tunie Williams, ? laegro woman, who so brutally mur ': tiered Joh? .PJt?hardson, aise- colored, at Statesburg;- some time ago, came ea Monday morning iwth har father a?? gave herself up to Sheri ? Epper? son. Jane assaulted her victim with a tratcber Isnife, cut his throat and stab? ed him. through the right chest, the wound penetrating the lung *<md caus? ing almost instant death. Since Rich -?rdson's death Jane has been at large, ' !fcttt realizing that her capture was al -most certain and that it woTald be ae : ?semp??shed In a few days, she decided to give herself into the hands of the ;law. Her case is among the many that "?re docketed for trial at the next terra of the court of general sessions. A telephone message received about noon stated that the Robinson woman, yeho is charged with being an acces? sary to the murder of Richardson, laving held his hands while Tunie Williams stabbed him to death, sur residered to Magistrate Rese on Mon r BISHOPYILLE NEWS ITEMS. Binny Marriages Celebrated Last - j^p. Week. Congressman Lever has given the St. Charles people a new rural route. If there is anythng to be gotten Lever -win" get it. #. . * Married, January 8th, 190i>, Mr. C. ML Corbitt to Miss Ada Mathis, both ef Smithville, S. C., Magistrate J. T. ?unnerlyn officiating. No cards. . * . Mr. A. Baron Alexander and Miss Leila Johnson, of Antioch, were mar? ried on Jan. ll, 1905, at the Bshop TttTe Baptist parsonage by Rev. T. G. Phillips. ' * * * Another Quiet home wedding will -taite place tonight. Mr. Roland Hear on will lead to the altar Miss Conne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. H. Surprises seem to be the order of Xhe day and instead of the pompous ^marriages at the church, the extremes 3ur?| met and the secret quiet home weddings have been the popular mode Jatefcr. Last Sunday evening, Jan. S, 1905, T&iiv. D. A Phillips was invited to the "Stshopville hotel and there found as? sembled the immediate families of the contracting parties and in a short and ^impressive ceremony pronounced Mr. Saiph W. McLendon and Miss Mamie Carnes man and wife. Miss Mamie .Ss the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. "3EL E. Carnes and a young lady of es? timable traits. wk Mr. McLendon is a young lawyer of Sine promise and has already won for at?msel? distinction at the bar. The happy couple left for Columbia next morning to take in the centennial &t the South Carolina college, Mr. idon being a graduate of the law it of that college. May long erity sunshine and hap their portion.-Bishopville MANNING NEWS NOTES. A Veteran Merchant Retires From Business. Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Burgess, of Mayesville, spent several days in Man? ning visiting the family of Mr. L. L. Wells. * * * The county commissioners, with their attorney J. H. Lesesne, Esq., will meet at Pinewood 23d inst., to hold court in condemnation proceedings, to condemn a piece of land on the right of way of the railroad, for public road purposes. It is thought that the railroad will offer no resistance to the suit. ? * * Married last Wednesday night, at the home of the bride's parents, near Foresten, ?Mr. Junius A. Wise and Miss Sarah Edith Kelley, daughter of Mr. W. X. Kelly, Probate Judge James M. Windham performed the marriage service. There was a large gathering of relatives and friends, and all en? joyed a splendid wedding feast * * . As will be seen from the formal an? nouncement in another column, Mr. S. Rigby has retired from business, and that his eldest son will succ??d "him.' The retirement of Samuel A. Rigby from commercial activity, takes from our business interests a man who is the maker of his own fortune, a man who allied himself with this people in the days when it took a high cour? age to cast his lot with them, young, active and full of the ardor of patriot? ism, he entered the service -of the Con? federacy, and stood by it through its reverses. After the war he remained with the people of Clarendon, engaged in the business of wagon and buggy building, and "Rigby's" wagons and buggies became known far and wide for their durability and. appearance, later he engaged in the mercantile busi? ness, where he builded a business founded upon a bed rock of Integrity which has characterized his entire career. This business. grew from a small beginning until lt reached such proportions that Rigby's name is a household word in this and adjoining j counties; -"' Mr. Rigby has received a sufficient competency to warrant him in being relieved of the cares of business, and he feels that he has earned a needed rest. He thesefore has turned the busi? ness over to his eldest son, Mr. J. H. Rigby, whom he raised up in the busi? ness, and who has had inculcated in? to him those principles which has made the business an untarnished success, and which he feels safe in e^rusting in such worthy hands.-Manning Times. SUDDEN DEATH IN BEAUFORT . ' V ? >-* ? . ^ . ' -, . -, Well Known Baptist Divide Dies of Heart DiseasJP^ Beaufort Jan. 15.-This community ! was shocked this afternoon' by the ! sudden death of Rev. Harvey Hatcher, j D. D., of Atlanta, which took place in the lobby of the Sea Island Hotel about 4 o'clock. He had just entered the hotel from the street and stood near the office railing when he sud d?nly fell forward and remained un? conscious for about seven minutes un? til he breathed his last Messrs. J. Q. Gilkey and James F. Odell were the only persons present They immedi? ately ran to his assistance and sent for Dr. Guinn. The doctor quickly ar? rived but nothing could be done to revive the dying man. Drs. H. M. Stuart and M. Gregorie Elliott were also present Heart disease' was the cause. Mr. Charles E. Danner, Rev. M. I*. Lawson and other friends were in? formed of the death and the hotel was visited by many friends at once. A telegram was sent to Rev. C. C. Brown, of Sumter, who requested that the re? mains be sent to Atlanta. Mr. Charles E. Danner will accom? pany the body to that city. Dr. Hatcher was aged 72 years. He arrived here last Monday and partici? pated in a three days* deer hunt on Hilton Head Island, which he enjoyed very much and returned Friday with Mr. Danner and party. He appeared to Be in good health. He preached a sermon at the Baptist church Sun? day morning and intended to preach Sunday night. He was an active preacher ^or^ptT years and had charge of the Atlanta branch of the AmericanfBapt^Pjobli cation Society. He was a native of Suf? folk county. Va., and a brother of the distinguished Rev. Wm. E. Hatch? er of Richmond, Va. i Mini- ?? -numil ? ? THF SOLICITOR'S REPORT. Enlargement of Clerks and Sheriffs Offices Recommended. The following report of Solicitor Wilson, in reference to the condition of the clerk's and sheriff's office, will be of interest to many as it recom? mends an enlargement of both offices, which are more frequented than any other county offices. Clerk L. I. Parrot is to be congrat? ulated upon the solictor's complimen? tary remarks, and we sincerely trust that in the report of 1905 that he and the sheriff will share and share alike. To His Honor, Chas. G. Dantzler, Pre? siding Judge: In pursuance of section 654 volume 1, Code of Laws of South Carolina, I have examined into the condition of the offices of the clerk of court and sheriff of this county and make the following report, to-wit: I find the clerk's office well kept and in excellent condition. The sheriff's office is in fair? ly good condition. More room is needed for both of these offices. Respectfully submitted, John S. Wilson, Solictor Third Judicial District. November term, 1904. Approved: Let the report be filed fall term, 1904. Chas. G. Dantzl?r, Presiding Judge. Above report'filed January 17, 1905. AT WORK ?? DIRECTORY, Mr. Bradley Will Put Canvassers to Work Wednesday Morning. Mr. T. M. Bradley, who some time since saw the necessity for a complete directory for oiir city, and who is re? sponsible for the interest now being displayed by our business and profes? sional men in the undertaking, is re ceiving their patronage. They seem anxious to assist air. Bradley in his k undertaking;"as they consider him en--' titled to their support. In speaking to a reporter. Mr. Brad? ley said: "I have no complaint to* make in regard to jthe encouragement I am receiving in the way of advertis? ing and subscriptions for my directory, and am now certain that I shall pub? lish it. When I first seriously consid? ered the publication of this work I at once realized the responsibility which I had undertaken, and not having had any experience, I made no effort to be? gin the work until I was certain that I could secure an experienced compiler and directory man. I have been fortu? nate enough to secure one, at a con? siderable expense, and am now in a po? sition to give as com pel te a directory in every detail as Mr. Anybody. I am not an indulger in "hot air," but I wish to say to. .the. citizens of Sumter that they will have a directory as good as any. city. It will contain a list of the tax payers of Sumter county and ah alphabetical list of names, streets, hospitals, banks, board of health, building and loan associations, complete business directory, cemeter? ies, chamber of commerce, churches, city government, clubs and societies, cotton exchanges, " county officers, courts and officials, express companies, .fire department, halls and public build? ings, libraries, military companies, newspapers, police department, poll? ing precincts, po?toffices, railroads, railroad fares-from Sumter to other cities, street directory, telegraph and telephones, trades unions, United States local officers, and wards of the city, in fact, a complete duplex direc? tory. - . - . "Who will do your canvassing for names and other data for your work?" ' asked the reporter. "I think in justice to the ( business men of the city who are giving rae their patronage that T should select the men for this work from among our citizens. In that way the patrons of my book get their money back. It is kept in the city and spent with them. And again is it not reasonable to suppose that a ??tizen of our town could collect the data better than a stranger, from the fact that he is more familiar with the names, streets, etc?" "Well, yes, that looks reasonable," said the reporter. "Not only does it look reasonble, but it is a fact," said Mr Bradley.. "Where will your book be printed?" he was asked. "I am trying to make arrangements to have it printed in Sumter, and as the Osteen Publishing Company are prepared to do that class of work I have asked them for an estimate." "But suppose their estimate is high? er than out of town estimates?" the reported asked "I am not afraid of that," said Mr. Bradley. "But if it is not unreasonable and only a little higher, I will do that which I think is my duty-keep the money at home and let them do the work, as I could hardly ask, and I am sure that I could not get, the en? dorsement of , our mayor and council and the Chamber of Commerce, should I import all ray labor and then send .the,printing of my.publication out of 4he city 'io bV published, lt "would be very unjust to my subscribers and also to o?r citizens who. are capable and anxious to canvass for names." "So the directory is a certainty?" he was asked. "Yes, my book is a certainty. I will begin the canvass for names Wednes? day morning, and trust that all ques? tions will be answered readily so as not to delay the Work." The reporter was struck very forci? bly by what Mr. Bradley said, agreeing with him fully; and upon leaving him wished him the support he heartily de? serves. John Belk, an alleged bigamist, was arrested in Fort Mill Monday but made an attempt to escape from the officer who shot at him nine times, one ball entering his side. The Western Union office in Colum? bia, after more than a year's trial, have discharged negro messenger boys and employed white messengers again. SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS NOTES. Items of Interest Condensed and Par? agraphed for Quick Reading. Kershaw camp, Woodmen of the World, of which W. C. Traywick, who was shot and killed at Cheraw a few days ago, was a member, appointed a committee consisting of Cihef of Po? lice G. C. Bateman, Messrs. W. R. Gregory and D. A. Baker, to visit Cheraw and make a-n investigation as to his death. As a result of their in? vestigation a warrant has been issued v for the arrest of a Mr. McIntosh, who is alleged to have fired the fatal shot, charging him with criminal careless? ness. The warrant has been placed in the hands of Sheriff ' Douglass of Chesterfield county to be served upon McIntosh, who will be committed to jail until bond can be secured. The South Carolina post of the T. P. A., located in Spartanburg, has taken action in regard to the charges for trunk handling in Greenville' by the Greenville Transfer company. President J. E. Gentry, of the post, ap? pealed to the proprietor of the Green? ville Transfer company to reduce his charges for hauling trunks, which was 40 cents per trunk. The-transfer man ?ield dut if of "th?' sum^tated^a?*'thV T. P. A. h .s established a transfer sys? tem in Greenville to haul trunks. Mr. Sames McLaughlin, 'of New York, has bought Eddings* Island, near Beaufort, and is having a hunting lodge erected thereon. He is also the owner of Fripp and Old Islands. Deer and other game abounded on each of tl. islands. Frank Giles, the 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. E. S. F. Giles, of Green ran away from home Wednesday af? ternoon and no trace of him has been found. The boy attended school Wed? nesday, received notice that he would be reported to his parents for some little offense. It is supposed that this was the cause of bis leaving. His par? ents are greatly exercised over his dis? appearance. Chief ^of Police Mac? Millan, has mailed ?ofc descriptions of the boy. He is an intelligent boy, 14 years old, height five , ?et six, weight 120 pounds, black hair, lisps ^in talk? ing. Wore brown mixed suit, knee pants, he may seek mployment in rail? road shops. . The board of county commissioners of Clarendon county has accepted a bid from the Manning Times to pub? lish all the official county advertise? ments for the next two years for one dollar a year.. The annual report of the state pen? itentiary is one of the most Interesting of the documents transmitted to the general assembly. It shows the State penal institution to be in most excel? lent condition and that $10,000 has been turned into the state treasury from the . profits. There are 265. bales., of cotton held unsold, valued at $7, 479.75, and other cash in sight and available amounting to $5,364.16, a total of $12,864.16 relied upon with which to begin the year. There are 255 bales of cotton held unsold, valued at $6,479.75, and other cash in sight and vailable amounting to $5.364.16, a total of $12,864.16 relied upon with whih to begin the year. There are now in the penitentiary 670 prisoners. Li~ili ?iurkct^teport. New York, Jan. 17-It was the same old story in cotton this morning. A rise and then not enough to prevent a sharp break when holders realized that the bear element started to de? press the market. May looked good at 7.10 and 7.13 and then looked very, sick and tired at 7 cents and 6.99. There was no more cotton for sale in the south today than last week. This is not only the report of those who have cotton to buy, but is the story told by the movement itself. The movement this week will probably be one of the smallest in the year. Yet what is the effect on the market? Nothing of importance, shorts contin? ue bearish, ignoring the movement, ignoring the reports of spot dealers that buying spots in the south and futures in New York means a loss ig? noring the low price and every other factor. They continue to argue that since the cotton is there prices must go lower. Perhaps, but this is not al? together sure. We may have to have higher prices to get this cotton out. J.t one only knew the answer to the question as 'tcTwnich will give way, the speculator now short or the planter J now holding for higher prices, there would be good money ahead. So far there are no signs of the south giving way. Nor does the speculator grow the least bit nervous. Something must happen pretty soon. Keep watch on the market. If May gets over 7 1-4 or below 6 3-4 there will be a rise or a break. Until things change we will have a narrow market. Ware & Leland. mm Health Officer Reardon was out to? day for the first time in five days, hav? ing been confined to his room by a car- ! buncle on his leg. He vaccinated SO school children today and has a num? ber of others yet to vaccinate. Beck Bros. have been issued a com? mission for charter by the secretary of state. The company will have a cap? ital stock of $13.000. M. H. Beck. C. C. Beck and R. C. Harvin are the corporators. Knights of Pythias Select Delegates. At a regular meeting of Game Cock Lodge, K. of P, Monday night,the fol? lowing delegates were elected to re? present the local lodge at the District Convention, which will be held in this city on Thursday, the 19th : W. B. Boyle, A. W Bradford, Walter Cheyne, J. G. DeLorme, S. B. Ed? munds, H. C. Haynsworth, H. Harby, Jr., E. C. Hainsworth, S. A. Harvin, J. F. Jenkins. W. S. Jones, R. M. Jenkin?, J. M. Knight, Geo. D. Levy, C. P. Lesesne, W. E. Kolo, Altamont Moses, W L McCutchen, L. C. Moise, J. L. McCallum, R. I. Manning, P. B. Mouzon, E. W. Moise, Jr., L. L Parrott, Peter Pitts, Geo. L. Bicker, H. V. Reid, H. M. Stuckey, H. L. Scarborough, H. H. Smith, H. Frank Wilson, J. S. Wilson, and J. E. Whilden. The credentials of the delegates will be presented by J. G. DeLorme, C. C. THE CUBAN COTTON TREE. The writer submitted a sample of cotton fibre gathered from the Cuban cotton trees, a sample of which was brought by Mr. A.? J. Stubbs from Cuba, to several of our cotton men today. They seem to think the staple is a little longer than our average short staple upland cotton; but that it failed to possess, however, the body of our cotton, and that it was inferior in point of color, aa it lacked the whiteness, which is char? acteristic of our grade, and .. shoved a somewhat yellowish cast. The sample was rather unique in ita appearance, tbe. seed,, instead of being scattered th roo ghent the" fiber, as is the case with our cotton, are formed in a double row and are closely clustered, and around this central formation the lint grows in a compact mass, pre? senting the appearance of a cocoon. In all tropical countries, the ab? sence of frost, brings about the ten? dency to luxuriant growth, and this fact accounts for the enormous pro? portions of the plant. They vary in height from 12 to 15 feet, and the limbs are of sufficinet size to support the weight of a man. The cost of de? stroying the plant, and the difficulty which attends the gathering of the lint, renders the cotton industry in j Cuba a failure. The yearly, visitation of frost in our Southland was stated by John C. Cal? houn on th? floor of the United States Senate to be an assn rance that the Southern States would always enjoy a monopoly in cotton cultivation. A number of gentlemen have pro? cured samples of the seed brought by Mr. Stubbs from Cubs, and they will conduct experiments with them tb is year. _ _ Brace Banking. Queer doings for any national bank, and particularly for the largest one in the country, are being uncovered in the bankruptcy case of the broker? age firm of Munroe & Munroe at New Fork. The firm was engaged in try? ing to float the stock of the Montreal and Boston consolidated copper com? pany, and back of it was an under? writing syndicate of which Second Vice President A. G. Loomis of tbe National City Bank of New York was a leading member. The method adopted for enticing the public to buy the stock was the familiar one of "wash sales"-which means that the persons engaged in the game would buy and sell ? tbe stock at rising prices among themselves or their repr?senta? tives. The market where this partic? ular ?ame of deception and fraud was played was the Broad street "curb" market iu New York. Some one has very aptly likened the "wash sales" performance to the "brace game" of ordinary gamblers and criminals, which consists of two or three or more men seemingly absorbed in gambling among themselves while a confederate draws in victims, who, after watch? ing the apparent winnings and los? ings of the gamblers, are led to take a hand and are then fleeced. But the big City Bank, known also as tbe Standard Oil Bank, is being connect? ed with the Montreal and Boston con? solidated "brace game7' not alone through the active participation of Vice President Loomie, bnt by the fact that the funds of the bank to the extent of $60,000 daily for eight days were lent to tbe Munroes on no other security than the firm's unindorsed notes.. There seems to have been a clear violation of tbe national bank act in making these loans, which are made to appear all the worse from tbe fact that the firm apparently had no capital of its own to speak of. The disclosure has caused quite a sensation in the financial district, and every body is interested in seeing wbat the higher City Bank officials will do about it.-Springfield Republican. DEATH OF LOTJBET S MOTHER Paris, Jan. 16.-Mme. Loubet, mother of the President, died at Marsanne, at 3 o'clock this afternoon, from congestion of tbe lungs, aged 92 years. The President's son, Paul, and other members of the family were at ber bedside when she expired. Mme. Loubert contributed ranch to the President's prestige, as she was a type of the simple country class. NEW YORK COTTON. Open. High. Low. Close. Jan.. .6 93 6*5., . 681 6Bl Feb. : ' ' * ; - #85 March 7 00 7 04 6 89 6 90 April 6 95 May 7 10" 7 13 6 98 6^? June 7 Ot July 7 20 7 23 7 08 7 10 Ang. 7 26 7 26 7 20 7 15 Sept 7 16 Oct. 7 29 7 31 7 20 7 18 New York spots nncbaged ; middling 7.15. Sales 290. CHICAGO MARKETS. Opening. Closing. WHEAT May, 1151- 115 3 July, 98 2- 98 2 CORN Mav, 44 5- 44 6 July, 45 1- 45 1 OATS Mav, 30 7- 31 1 Jufy, 31 - 311 PORK May, 12.75 12.70 Jan., 12.45 12.45 LARD May, 6.85 6.87 Jan., 6.95 6.97 RIBS May, 6.70 6.72 Jan., a 42 6.45 A NEW STORY OF PORT ARTBIIR. TOLD BY CORRESPONDENTS WHO HAVE ENTERED THE CITY. No Necessity of the Surrender-Sol? diers Knew Nothing of it Until it Was Accomplished. Headquarters of the Third Japanese army at Port Arthur January 14, via Tien Tsin, Janary 16.-The victorious Japanese army yesterday entered Port Arthur. Gen. Nogi, with his staff, entered first through the Old Town, and took bis stand in the public sqnare of the New Town. The army was represented by one regiment from each brigade. The procession, which was five miles long, was three hours passing the saluting base, after which the troops passed out of the city through the New Town. The correspondents then visited the captured city for the first time. The Old Town buildings were badly smashed by shells, but in the New Tcwn the damage was slight. All the shipping in the harbor was badly damaged by shell fire, the war ships being practically useless owing to the injuries they had sustained by shells. Proposals for the surrender of Port Arthur were first made December 29, ata council of war. Gen. Stoessel was in favor of surrender, but some of his general officers were bitterly op? posed to it. The ' regimental officers and the troops were not consulted. The first news they had of the surren? der-was on January I; after Gen. Stoessel had communicated with the Japanese. The scenes following the surrender ' were disgraceful Drunken soldiers filled the streets and refused to obey their officers. Many of them destroy? ed the guns upon the posit:DUB they had defended and came into the city without permission. The infantry loudly protested that the fortress bad been given away. They threw their rifles and ammunition into the har? bor, and proceeded to break into ware- . houses and loot and drink vodka until in a helpless condition. It was evi? dent that the surrender was not nec? essary, as there were 31,000 effective men in the fortress. The supply of amnnition was short, bnt it was not exhausted. Food was scarce, but pri? vate stores were not requisitioned by the military. There is no difficulty in getting good meats in the city, even now, from the stores in private possession. A portion of the fortress was capable of defence for months longer. It was the opinion of the non-combatants at Port Arthur that the surrender was unnecessary, as the troops were willing and able to fight to the bitter end. Gen. Stoessel was much blamed for what was character? ized as a disgraceful conclusion of a splendid defence. THE STATE'S LIQUOR BUSINESS. Board of Control Reports it to Be in a Very Flourishing Condition. Columbia, Jan. 12.-The State board of control has submitted its annual report to Governor Hey ward. It is brief, but a mest interesting presentation of figures is made. The report is as follows : Columbia, January 12, 1905. . .To.His Excellency, D. C., Hey ward, Governor of South Carolina.-Sir : We have the honor to submit herewith a statement of the business done by the State and county dispensaries dur? ing the fisal year ending November 30, 1904, to be transmitted by your Ex? cellency to the General Assembly of South Carolina. By referring to the several state? ments attached hereto yon will find that the total cost of liquors, wines, beer, etc., purchased during the year amounts to $2,316,242.67, and that the total ?ales (exclusive of "fresh beer") am ou n ts to $3,374,786 43. The net earnings for account of the school fund for the fiscal year, which have been placed to its credit, amount to $171,377.73. The net profits that have accrued to, and equally divided between the counties and towns amount to $603, 998.22, making the total earnings for the year for the school fund, counties and towns, $775,375.95, which is an increase over earnings of last year $136,803.00. \ We have paid to the State Treasurer since December 1, 1903, (the begin? ning of our fiscal year, ) on account of the school fund, the sum of $304, 338.94, which reduces the sheol fund to $400,000 au required by law. During the year we have disposed of a large amonnt of "hard stock,7 (which has been accumulating ior several years, ) at a fair profit, and hope that within a short time we will have nothing on hand except 44live," or marketable stock. We are very much gratified to re? port that the business of the dispen? sary has been conducted with harmony and success in all its departments, which will be shown by the attached statements, and the reports of the Legislative examining committee and expert accountants, appointed to ex? amine the boofeg and records for thc past fiscal year? You will also note that the volume of business has- increased bnt thia we attribute to a more rigid enforcement j oft he law rather than to an increased consumption of liquors, etc. In conclusion we court your most e&i&ttl inquiry into the details of the dispensary management and are ready to furnish any data you may desire. All of which is respectfully submit? ted H. H. Evans, chairman; L. W. Boykin John Bell Towil, State board of directors. Father'Luke Evans, a New York priest who has just returned from Europe, tells a story be heard in Ven? ice regarding the departure of the present Pope from that city for Rome. The story comes from Mousignore Ca valla, who succeeded the Pope as pa? triarch of Venice. When Cardinal Sarto started for Rome to be elected Pope, as it turned ont, be found him? self to be almost without money. Seeing in the street a business mau whom be knew, he hastened ont and asked for a loan. ,4I mu9t have money to pay my fare to Rome," he said. 4*I will pay you when I come back." The merchant handed him several times the required amount, but the Pope had to .^end the money instead ot brineing it, for bi holi ? ness will never again* leave Kome.