The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-10-28
From the Rural Carolinidn.
David Dickson and Improved Farming

not IN the whole SOuLn, Is vi ItlSuSu ue'
scent. and was born in Hancock County
Ca, July 9th, 1869. His father, Mr.. Thos
ickson, was native of Virginia, served
in the Revolutionary army, and soon at,
ter the close of the War of Independence
removed to Georgia, where he died in
1927, at the age OF little over seventy
years. His wife, the mother OF the sub
ject of this sketch, was born in North
Carolina in 1877, and survived her hus-
band many years, dying in 1864, at the
age of about eighty-seven years. Mr..
Dickson, therefore, comes of long-lived
stock. and inherited from his parents
what has been of more value to him, and
contributed more to his success than the
largest fortune could have done-an ex-
celient constitution and strong, we'll
balanced brain-a sound mind in o healthy
body. Beyond this he received little, his
share of the paternal property amounting
to only $1,000. His educational advan-
tages were quite limited, but his clear,
comprehensive, intellect, his close obser-
walton, and the best use of his opportuni-
ties for reading and study, have enabled
him to acquire q stock of practical knowl-
edge, such as few with better early ad-
vantages boast,
Mr.. Dickson commenced his business
life as small country trader. In 1883
he entered into partnership with Colonel
Thos. NJ. Turner, and opened store in
Sparta, Ga, where they were successful
doing "a heavy country business, which
they continued to push with great energy
for FIVE years.
In 1916, having finally closed his mer-
camille business and made all the neces-
sary preparations, Mr.. Dickson returned
to the place where he was born--hls
fathers old homestead-and commenced
farming with a capital of $4,000, ac-
ouired in trade When the war broke
out his property was valued at $500, ,0OO,
all made by planting. His plantations
in Hancock aud Washington Counties
(adioining) comprises about $4,000 acres,
and he owns another of $4,000 acres in
Texas. These figures speak for them
selve, and indicate a degree OF energy,
skill, and forethought which few possess,
and without which such grand results
could not have been reached in any
branch of business.
In person, Mr.. Dickson is above the
medium height, well formed, stout and
robust. His complexion is fair, fresh and
ruddy, and the expression of his counte-
nance grave, serious, thoughtful and be-
pevolent, with a vein Of quiet humor,
however, underlying the whole, remind
ing cne of the best type of the Quaker,
though he is not member of that re-
spectacle and peaceful sect. He is plain
in his dress, unpretendng in his manners,
speaks his mind freely and without fear
or favor. and has very decided opinions
on most questions OF general interest.
He looks younger than the figures we
have given show him to be, and has oil
the activity and energy OF a man forty
wears of age. Long may he live to teach
the South, both by precept and example;
his system of Improved Farming.
MIR. pIcKsoN's PLANTATION.
During the first week in August last,
with the interests of the Raray Carolinian
and its fifty thousand prospective readers
in view, we made brief visit to Mr..
Dickson's plantation, situated on the Lit
tie Oyeechee River, in Hancock County.
From the beautiful little town of Spar
ia, drive sS nine or ten miles, through
o pleasant rolling country, the wooded
portions of which presented rich growth
of pine, oak and hickory. brought US to
MIR. Dickson's homestead Tho soil OF
the country through which we passed,
like the forest growth, is Of u mixed char
acter, red clay and gray sand alternating.
We passed several neat, we'll cultivated
plantations, which seemed to indicate
that Mr.. Dickson's precept and example
had not been without their influence.
Cotton was here, as we had observed it
elsewhere during our journey, the princi-
pal crop Those who think our ancient
king has been deposed are greatly in et-
ror. He yet lives and reigns in spite of
war, emancipation and reconstruction"
AS we approach Mr.. Dicksons planta-
tion the soil loses its mixed character,
the land becoming what is called gray,
and the forest growth being mainly long
leaved pine.
On entering the plantation we observ-
ed that the gates and fences were all in a
serviceable condition, and that there was
that undefinable air of thrift about the
place too generally lacking among US.
Between the main road and the house we
passed large corn-feld-the largest and
the best we had seen during our journey.
1t was good corn, but the condition of the
fsld slightly disappointed us. 1t was
not free from grass, and had not been
worked in the most skillful mannor. We
afterwards learned that it was rented to
freedmen whom Mr.. Dickson had not
been able to induce to do the work just
right; so when he referred to the field as
tho best we had seen, he said that it
ought to have been great deal botter,
and that he would not own it rs speci-
mon of his tarminm al all