The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-14
SIGHTS IN SUMTER.
A Thriving Town-Trade Topics-Cot-
ten Coming in-Large and Liberal
Busfness Houses-The Projected Rail-
road-Lccal Jottings.
iFaoM DUB OWN ooRaEspoxDENr !

SUMTER, September 10.-This, in all proba-
bility, now the third town of the State, is wide
awake and doing good business. The mer-
chants have provided large supplies for the
fall trade, and with the prospect of realizing
their fond anticipations. One Of the best signs
OF growth and improvement is the fact that
the different branches Of trade are gradually
becoming specialties. For instance, Sumter
has her grocery, hardware and hollowware
stores, tobacco agency, and is soon to have a
shoe store. When it is remembered that NOR
chants in all small towns keep an assorted
stock of everything known TO the trade, it will
be seen that the aforementioned fact is an
evidence of enterprise, as the merchant en-.
gaging in the specially has to contend against
those who keep mixed stocks. All OF the
larger merchants are cotton buyers, and they
run the staple up to fabulous prices by the
unwnolesome system Of bidding against each
other. It is close game, as their object in
purchasing the cotton is to sell their goods to
the planters from whom they buy, and they
must sell enough during the season to cover
what is lost on the cotton, and to pay per-
centage on their goods.
There are two very nea; brick stores going
up in the business portion of the town, which
will he occupied as soon as completed; one or
two dwelling houses are also in course Of con-
struction. Sumter is ahead OF Charleston in
one partcuiar-there are no houses with the
legend 'to let" posted upon them; there isRot
house or store to be had; all are occupied,
and good stands are held at $1,000 per an
mum.
Cotton is coming in freely, though the
season bids fair to be short, ms the rust is
causing all of the cotton to open at once.
Some idea of the size Of the large business
houses Of Sumter can be formed when it is
stated that in winter they employ from fifteen
to twenty-five clerks, and, what Is greatly to
the credit OF the merchants. pay them good
salaries. Last Christmas, Green, Watson &
Walsh, perhaps the largest house in town,
gave each Of their employees present OF
little "cash." Some of our Charleston mer-
chants might make a note Of this, and do like
wise.
All that is needed to increase the prosperity
is direct communication with Charles
ton, via Manning and Gourdin's. Here, again,
the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad in
terposes between allied towns, and steals away
the pledges Of their mutual interests.
8 The old Temperance Hall has been arranged
for theatre, and the amateur "Star" Corps
Dramatique give the:f first entertainment OF
the season on the 2ist instant-their objectbe-
ing to aid the fire company. The ladies Of the
Episcopal congregation propose holding fair
in November, to raise funds for the repair OF
their church. As the congregation is small,
hey will gladly welcome any offerings from
Charleston, and especially from those who were |
'efugees here during the war, and who wor-
'hipped at their church.
- -e~--utvr D0asv-Orrwo uewspap~-Tsvru
lbly managed and in thriving condition.
Though only hebdomadals, they are keeping
,ace with the prosperity around them, and
nay soon blazon into live dailies.
SEMLoH.