Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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IWATY CORRESPONDENCE. yj?mV LETTERS FROM OUR SPE ^| CIAL CORRESPONDENTS. Mi of Interest iYom all Parts of Saunter and Adjoining Counties. )TICi: TO CORRESPONDENTS. Mail four letters to that thsy will ach Utis oflics not later than Tuea y morning. When the letters are oalved Wednesday It la almost an {possibility to have them appear In a paper Issued that day. DARK CORNER. Dura Corner, Dec. 14.?Not much ?ta)C In this corner at this time. Only cLiurtr's aaw mill Is still turning t lumber and shipping It at a rapid tax Some few are citting and shlp g cord wood. Others are building r houses and others are repairing (r, Joe If. Ardla la moving to Mr. a H. Ost sen's Brooklyn plsce. Mr. 11. Johnston expects to move to wood soon on Dr. Sallsy'a place, era are others speal.lng of moving ?loll I will 1st you know later, as little visiting is being done. T. H. Ost sen snd dsughtsr Miss e. spent last Saturday In your Cd Bartlette. Mr. and Mrs. Ben gs and Miss Nan Geddings of od visited Mr. an 1 Mrs. W. J. esterday. r Bddls and Miss Llssls Kolb. ay viel ted at W. J. Ardla yes dr. BdltofT Christ mas la neer tad I wonder how many will as they ahould. I am fear II be apent entirely different at It should be. But I hope t be celebrated with boons as lease the case. *tte more on thla subject at Iras. ornsr. Dec. 81 - Everything this corner nice Ostsen had Christmas^ isee at her school (Reld's) f night and thore was a ?ams night, so I hsvs been pt H K. Nlsbits ssar Rem? se a shooting match at shop near Ramsey a lest also ens at Ptnewood e ffjns turkeys was lost or f heard that a Uns be shot off st Bare*ley;a day. r. Ardla and Doug Weeks. oe M. Ardla" yesterday. sTra Wash Scott of Cane ?Red yesterdsy et the lst . Mr. Pink Weeks Bditor. 1 p rem teed to dag more about Christ doee Chrtatmas stand ataad for mirth frolle gettlug uader the Influ drink, and dolrg things ?tot would hardly be what is too bad for a crasy from ths use of ? do? I think Christmas s a different thing than ?beerved and should be akfulaess snd In mek ?v. not In making oth .? Is often the case at Ide, when so many ?ee their dear boys at two or three o'elock Oh. how my old those poor old moth y to your many resd ? oonslder what thsy how will the snd of tmembertng thst all rsll snd nothing else pe your rssdsrs will letter for I expect vet Chriemaa I will So let ua try and . Merry Chrtatmas ot mors thsn one. rs a Merry Chrlat aw Tsar and many s Is ths desire of Old Sid re s horns folka are studenva who are different achoola loltdaya a hearty n will go to Co bualnesa. Is very atck. away and Mrs. >r and Mrs. H. st sn Informsl ?aday snd en ry much, f Dsuglss, Os.. with his pa it Prldsy night e auspices of >ov party will for the bene mglng to Mr. rday night will havs a snd irsday night. ?a. Henry S. Tousln, Mrs r hoapltsble residence, "The Ruins." Mr. Hall Ramsey spent Saturday and Sunday at the home of his pa? rents, Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Ramesy. Mr. J. Singleton Moore is spending a few days at "The Ruins." Misses Bessie Harnwell, and Almee Moore are expected at their respective homes Friday, Dec. 18th, to spend the Christmas holidays. The former Is attending St. Mary's college and the latter the Summervllle high school. Mr. Murray Moore, and the Misses Moore, of Statesville, N. C, are ex? pected to arrive here Dec. 18th. Mr. and Mrs. Screven Mootffe, have issued very pretty invitations to their "Silver Wedding," which will be cele? brated on the evening of Dec. 18th. Mr. Henry Moore and Miss Frances Moore will return from Charleston, In time for this happy occasion. The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Moore congratulate them on the 25th anniversary of their marriage, hoping the years may glide smoothly on, un? til they reach their golden wedding. TEND Ali. Tindal, Dec. 22.?The Providence Sunday school will have a Christmas tree at the church on Monday night. December 28. The children are ail looking forward to a fine time on this occasion. Mr. Wesley Hodge and Miss Sallle Kelly were married at the home of the bride on Sunday afternoon, Rev. J. R. Funderburk performing the ceremony. Mr. F. W. Winklee. who has been very sick for severs weeks passed, Is Improving. Messrs. B. R. Hodge and W. L. Osteen spent Saturday In Sumter. Mr. Elijah Hodge and family of the Privateer section spent Sunday In the neighborhood. Mr. B. J. Pack returned yesterday from Bennettsvllle where he has been spending a few days. Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Wltherspoon spent Monday In Sumter. WI8ACRY. Wlsacky, Dec. 21.?We are having *som* very changeable weather Just now, but as a whole It has been line weather for gathering crops. All the fall oats are up and looking The usual moving Is going on now with the colored people, many of them in this section will not be able to rent land and farm another year on account of the low price of eat ton. j Mr. J. H. Ledlngham and Mise An? ale Williams have returned from a pleasant visit to relatives at St. Stephens. Mr. J. s. Williams and little son Nathan from Tlfhmonsvllle have been in our midst recently. Messrs. Myron Smith and J. C. Xedlngham. accompanied by Misse? Katie and Florrle Mae Smith will spend the holidays with relatives and friends In Kershaw. The Ivanhos School will close to? morrow for the holidays and the teacher. Miss Tlsdale will leave Wed? nesday for her home in Manning. Miss Maudle Williams. of Win? throp College will be at home the 23rd for the holidays. Butchering hogs will be the prd*T of the day now for some tin e. |fan; of the farmers have rated a lot ot fine hogs. NEW HECiCIiATlOX IX CHAIU.FS TON. Charleston, Dec. 21.?All liquors Im? ported for "personal use" will now be seised by order of Mayor Rhett, an:' It will be up to the consignees to prove the ownership of the stuff be fore the county dispensary board, in Hsu of the policy which has been in effect of parties securing Immunity of selsure by making an affidavit at the mayor's office that the liquor Is their own and for personal use. The action of Mayor Rhett In dis? continuing the affidavit plan Is a rad? ical departure from the methods of operating the dispensary system and the step was determined upon today on account of the known abuse of the affidavit plan by parties who connive at the violation of the law and are willing to render their assistance and allow the u?e of thslr names to blind tigers and whiskey drummers. The county boarl has long contend? ed that ths affidavit privilege has op? erated agalnnt the business of the dis? pensaries. The operation and enforce? ment of the law will now be wholly In the hands of the county board ami the results of drawing the lines mor? closely on the importation of liquor will be viewed with interest. Huna??) Accident In Orange hurt; Orangeburg, Dec. is.?A runaway In which a prominent Orangeburg cltl sen narrowly escaped Injury, occurred here this morning. Mr H. II Jonntagl wan driving a hlgh-tempei ed horse along Russell street, having a com? panion In the buggy, when BOOM of ths harness broke. thonoighly fright? ening the anlinul, uhi.h Commenced to run. The occupants wi re thrown from the vehicle, a wheel passing over Mr. Jennings'* body about the middle. A few slight bruises are the only ex? ternal Indications of ar" Injury, and It Is hoped that there is no Internal disarrangement.?News and Courier. SCHOOLS FOR FARMERS. RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY STATE SUPERINTENDENT MARTIN. Establishment of Three Such Schools Not to Conflict With Clemson Strongly Urged. Columbia. Dec. 18.?Agricultural high schools Is a subject that many of the public men of the State are de? voting their attention to just now. At a recent conference attended by Gov. Ansel, Superintendent Martin, Com? missioner Watson, Congressman Lev? er, Dr. Seaman A. Knapp and several others, the whole matter was thor? oughly discussed. 1^ is not the inten? tion of those back of the idea to con? flict In any way with the work of Clemson college and in fact it is be? lieved that it would aid that institu? tion. It Is planned to secure an appro? priation for three or not more than four schools in different parts of the State and much of the fund for main? tenance after the first cost would be earned from the farms operated. The recommendations and comments made by Superintendent Martin on the mat? ter are given as follows: "Agricultural high schools have been established in recent years In several States. The first States to es? tablish these schools undertook to put one school in each congressional dis? trict. It was found impoaiible to se? cure enough trained teachers for so many schools at once. It was also found that congressstonal districts are too Irregular in shape to make com? pact and congenial areas of support. The States which are now moving in this direction are going to begin with a small number of schools. The great Importance of schools of this kind Is emphasised by the presentation of a i bill In congress looking to national aid for auch schools. This bill has large and enthusiastic aupport. E ich State, however, will give conaideration to provisions of this kind regt rdless of the aucceas or failure of the Davis bill. "Two questlona naturally arise in the consideration of these questions in South Carolina. First, w'.iat rela? tions would auch schools besr to our great Industrial colleges? Second, i why la thia work not done by our high schools aa now oonducte<! ? About 400 boys are denied admission to Clemson college each year and more than that many girls are denied ad mlaslon to Wnthrop. Of co'irae, a large majority of these are not pre? pared to enter college. A course of study in an agricultural high school would not conflict at all with the course In any of the colleges. In fact, such courses should reach further down in the elementary grades than our present high school course ?. They would only reach up to the freshman class at beat In industrial colleges. They would be designed larguly for pupils who are unable to go o col? lege. "Industrial or technical training re? quires special equipment. For this reason it is impossible for the. ordi? nary high school to give training in soil analysis, seed selections, cotton grading, corn judging, cooking, sew? ing and other similar subjects. It is very Important for the future of our schools, and for the future of the State, that children having ambition and talent In these directions should receivr special training. Perhaps this number would not be so large for a few years, but there will be as many 38 could be successfully trained. I "It would be unfortunate for the impression to prevail that efforts are being trade to establish more State colleges. We have made the mistake Already of building too many institu? tions of college grade. We can afford to establish more high schools, but we can not afford to multiply our col? leges. As many as three agricultural high schools could be established at comparatively small expense to the State. There are a great many pro? gressive communities in this State which would contribute from $50.000 to $100,000 each in order to secure the location for auch a achool, pro? vided that the legislature will give a reasonable amount for annual sup? port: $10.000 a year would be ample for such a school. The first appropria? tion could be used for equipment and the succeeedlng ones for salaries. Whoever succeeeds In conducting one of these schools, so that It will be practically self-sustaining, will be a benefactor to the State and to the cause of education. With 200 acres ? f land, fair buildings, and good equipment, it ought to be possible to <o conduct the school that a student lOUld work his way through. More time should be devoted to field and shop work than Is required lOF study nnd recitation. I believe that the leg? islature can accomplish a vast amount Of good, with a comparatively small amount of money, by the establish? ment of schools of this kind." Contract for Wnffnrd Library. Spartanburg. Dee, 21.?Tho con tract has been let to B, L. Hertgog for the erection of tho Wofford college library building, the structure to cost $25.000. Work Is to be begun Jan? uary 1. mm AFTER SO. LIFE. ITS LICENSE TO OPERATE IN THIS STATE IN JEOPARDY. State Insurance Commissioner, Al? leging that, on the Showing Made Concerning the Seniinole Deal, the Company is "Not a Safe and Relia? ble Concern," Directs It to Show Cause on January 18 Why Its Li? cense to do Business In This State Should not be Revoked. Columbia. Dec. 16.?Insurance Commissioner McMaster has ordered the Southern Life Insurance Company to show cause on the 18th of January next why its license to do business in South Carolina should not be revoked. The order is based on the statements contained in the recent report of the Southern Life in regard to the sale of stock to the Seminole Securities Company, through C. J. Hebert, it be? ing stated by the Commissioner that on the ex parte showing made it ap? pears that under its present manage? ment the Southern Life is "not a safe and reliable concern." Under the law the commissioner has the power to revoke the license of such a concern after thirty days no? tice. The further investigation by the commissioner will be awaited with in? terest and will add considerably to the interest in the Southern Life with the Seminole Company. COTTON PACTS. To the Editor of The Item: Please give me space In your valu? able paper to reply to the attached clipping from the Columbia State of 12-17-08, as follows: "Mayeeville, Dec. Ii,?N. D. Worn ble, Coast Line agent here, holds the record for two years for the entire system for loading baled cotton In cars. Fifty-one bales were frequently loaded in 16-foot Atlantic Coast Dis? patch cars, and 77 In a larger car. All agents were notified of this. The rec? ord can hardly be beaten on any other road. "Six thousand bales were shipped from this point last year; 8,000 this year." I In justice to Sumter and the cotton question. Of course, I oongrtulate the agent at Mayeeville, S. C, on never having had to load those six foot bales I from Wedgefleld, a speolallty of one ' of our best cittcen's gins, but I am told he has a new patent on his press! for the special purpose of pleasing Sprunt'e buyers. However, to the point of this remonstrance with my Mayes vllls friend, must say In Justice to Sumter Atlantic Coast Line cotton sit? uation that the writer has a telegram from one of the officials in which he says he talces off his hat to Sumter for getting more bales of cotton in one car, namely 86 bales, than any other point on the system, and frequently 69 bales cotton in cars have been sent out. Also. I feel sure, as you have the interest of your town and county friends and railroad at heart, you will be pleased to know that the Atlantic Coast Line has shipped to date 31,520 bales of cotton and has not one claim filed to date for a missing bale. This with the 6,500 bales of cotton In the warehouse, speaks well for Sumter's cotton crop and prices and facilities to handle same. Innocent Man Pardoned. Governor Ansel yesterday granted a pardon In a peculiar case, one in which even the prosecuting attorney expressed the opinion that the pris? oner should never have been prosecu? ted, much less convicted. According to the petition in behalf of Elliott Jones, colored, he was con? victed in April, 1906, in Bamberg, on charge of stealing a hog, and was given a sentence of thirteen months, which he is now serving, the case be? ing taken up on appeal at first, but later dropped by his lawyer. Jones was not notified that the appeal had been abandoned, it is stated, and was very much surprised when he was made to begin his sentence. ap? pears that Jones had renewed a bill of sale to D. J. Deik, including a hog, which Deik had allowed Jones to re? tain in his possession. A difference :rose. settlement was had, and Jones oaid up the account in full, supposing that the hog was included. He then removed, and either sold or killed the hog. Later prosecution followed on a warrant charging Jones with the theft of the hog, and he was convicted. In recommending that a pardon be granted, <?n the showing made, Soli? citor Davll BSyi that he has made a personal Investigation and finds the facts stated in the petition to bo true. "It is not very creditable to those peo? ple at Hamberg, who prosecuted this negro," says the solicitor, "to impose upon the prosecuting Officer the un? pleasant duty of convicting an inno? cent man." He recommends pardon which has been granted. The Governor has refused to par? don Robert Baker and Ed Green, con? victed In Florence this year of riot and assault and battery and given one year. Columbia Correspondence to News & Courier. II BEELFOOT MURDER. , COL. TAYLOR TELLS OF KILLING OP CAPT. QU EN TIN RANKIN. Dinci'IIh's Death of His Companion and His Own Miraculous Escape?Tlie State's Case Nearly Completed. Union City, Tenn., Dec. 13.?When ourt adjourned this afternoon until on day, the State had nearly com eted its case against the eight al? leged night riders now on trial for the urder of Capt. Quentin Rankin. On Monday it will put Frank Fehringer n the stand. He says he was present hen the murder was committed, and nows the name of every man who was present. .After that the State will merely fill in with corroborative evi? dence. The defense will depend solely upon alibis and for that purpose has sum? moned nearly 100 citizens of the Reel foot lake district to testify as to the whereabouts of the indicted men on the night of October 19. The State through the evidence pre? sented thus far has identified only three of the eight as present the night f the murder?Garrett Johnson, Tid Burton and Roy Ransom. It depends upon Fehringer to identify the others. Fehringer probably will be on the stand all day Monday, and he Is ex? pected to reveal the oath, signs, pass? words and the ritual of the riders. Un? usual precautions will be taken In the court house while he is testifying to make sure that there is no demonstra? tion against him. Following his caution to the press yesterday not to print the testimony n the night rider cases, Judge James today cautioned the ministers of tho local churches not to refer to the ca3e in their sermons Sunday since the urors might be present. He took no further action regarding the press, al? though he conferred personally with the correspondents of several State papers, Impressing upon them the ne? cessity of following out the court's or? ders. The first witness today was Col. R. Z. Taylor who was the companion of Capt. Quentin Rankin on the night of the murder of Rankin. Taylor Is 63 yeara old, a veteran of the Confederate army and a wealthy man. He la tall, erect and soldierly, wears a gray beard neatly trimmed and does not show his age. Col, Taylor was awakened at the hotel the night of the murder by Ward'a call and the same Instant a rear window of his room waa raiaed. Two guns were thrust in, followed by two black masked heads. The night riders separated Taylor from Rankin. and Taylor did not see Rankin from the time they left their room until he saw him murdered. They told Tay? lor they propoaed to kill him. When the night riders reached a forked ash tree In the bank of the slough, they halted Taylor and marched Rankin to the foot of the tree. The rope was adjusted and thrown over the fork, then some night rider said:' "Give him time to pray." "I have attended to that." was Ran kln's quiet reply. Some of the masked band seized the rope and drew Rankin up. The tree was inclined a trifle and they raised the body until the toes scarcely touched the ground. From the lips of the swaying man came the appeal, "You are choking me. gentlemen, I pray you to let me down." Then one of the riders fired a shot Into the body of Rankin, even as he pleaded for his life. Instantly a fusillade came, most of the riders, however, shooting into the air. Taylor turned to his captors and said: "I am tired, gentlemen, let me sit down.'" He crouched on his knees ready to spring. He waited until he knew their guns were empty, then, when the fir? ing stopped he Jumped. Into the wa? ters of the slough. Instantly the fir? ing was renewed. Taylor dived, but heard the bullets striking the water. The bullets struck the log like hall, but gradually they ceased. For two hours he lay In the water, grasping the long, and when all sounds had ceased, swam to the opposite side and took to the woods. He hid In the cane brake until Wednesday, when thirst drove him out and into the arms of friends. Just before the night riders killed Rankin, Taylor said: "Gentlemen, I am an old man. I can not expect to live many years more. By killing me you will not be cheating me of much. But Capt. Ran? kin is a young man. with many years before him, Do not kill him." The leader curtly replied: "Shut up." Col. Taylor was asked only one question on cross-examination: Did he recognize any of the riders positive? ly the night of the crime? He did not. R. B. Clement, a prominent farmer and magistrate on Wadmalaw Island, In Charleston County, has been in? dicted In the United States court on the charge of peonage. Mrs. J. H. Thomwell, widow <>f th< late Dr. J. H. Thomwell. died at her home at Fort Mill Thursday. The State Sunday school convention Will be held In Orangeburg on Feb? ruary 16. 17, and 18. SEMIHOLE'S TROUBLES DEEPEN. JUDGE mm ISSUES RESTRAIN? ING ORDER AGAINST COMPANY. Pfpogg of Action Is to Restrain Citi? zens' Rank and Seneca Rank from Paying Certificates of Deposit Given In exchange for Yotes of the Plain? tiff, These Notes Falling Due Today. Columbia, Dec. 20.?The cry is still they come. Judge Prince has granted a tem? porary restraining order with a rule to show cause against the Semlnol* Securities Company and its officers, and the Southern Life Insurance Com? pany, the Citizens Bank and the Sen? eca Bank on complaint of Campbell Courtney and others, of Oconee Coun? ty, who are represented by Mr. R. T. Jaynes, of Walhalla. The plaintiffs are stockholders In the Seminole Com? pany, and the purpose of the action Is to restrain the two banks from paying the certificate? of deposit given in ex? change for the notes of the plaintiff*, which notes fall due on the 20th of December. Sunday being a legal holi? day, these notes, like most, if not all the other notes given in payment for this stock, fall due tomorrow. The papers in this Seneca case will be served tomorrow on the Seminole of? ficials in Columbia, and the order Is returnable before Judge Prince at Anderson, on January 11. - MUCH CRIME IN SPARTANBURG. One Killing, One Murderous Assault ? Man Stabbed and Two Robbertee Since Friday Night. Spartanburg, Dec. 14.?There has been much crime In Spartanburg and adjoining counties since last Friday night. In this county there has been one homicide, one murderous assault, and one stabbing, both of which may prove fatal, and two robberies, while in Laurens county, Just across the Spartanburg line, there has been one homicide. George Mints, a young white man, ' who knocked Mrs. Sallle Green in the head with an axe at her home in the upper section of this county, robbed her of $77 and then made his escape, was arrested In Piedmont yesterday by Constable Hayes, of this city, and lodged in Jail this morning, Mints made a partial confession, admitting that the money he had on his person came from Green's home, though he said he had confederates. Mrs. Green is In a serious condition and is not expected to live. Saturday night, while on their way to a colored frolic, Charlie Dorroh shot and killed Jesse Leake, near Swltzor, seven miles from this place. Both had been drinking and fell out over some trivial matter, when Dorroh raised his gun and shot Leake through the breast. At Cowpens yesterday morning, one white man was stabbed several times in the breast by another white man, who made his escape. Both were em? ployed on the Carolina, Clinchfleld and Ohio road. They disagreed about aims grade work. A negro named Kllgore was shot and killed by Griff Sparks on Walter Gray's r.'acd, not far from Woodruff, in Laurens county. The particulars are not known. Mrs. Thomas, an aged white lady of this c?t>. was held up by a negro MM on Spring (treat Saturday night and robbed of her money. Mrs. Thomas liad b- en shopping '.i the city and Waa on her way home. Bradstreet's Trade Review. New York, Dec. 18.?Bradstreet's tomorrow will say: "Holiday trade shows further ex? pansion and most cities report buying of this character equal to or slightly in excess of last year. In some sec? tions, particularly the South, holiday trade is not so good as In 1907. The larger centres are doing well and armies of shoppers are in evidence, but many small cities report a rela? tively light business and demand shifting to cheaper lines. "In regular retail lines unseason? able warm weather has been a draw? back, particularly Southwest and South, as for some time past. Whole? sale trade Is quieter and except for som?; hurry orders to sort up de? pleted stocks Jobbers also report less doing. Inventories and stock takings naturally predispose to less activity from now till after January 1. Re? ports from leading industries are of gradual gains and slow progress back to the normal. "There are some orders for steel rails from all roads. "There Is more demand for lum? ber, some of this on account of rail? road buying-, with firmer prices for yellow pine. In the past week there have been evidences of some lines of cotton goods, such as bleached fab? rics and gray goods, being offered at concessions as a possible result of the easing in raw material. but well know makers of cotton dress goods are firmly held and closely sold up. "Business failures in the United States for the week were 310 against 298 last week and 300 in the like week of last year."