Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-06-01
An interesting Letter.

ABBEv1LLE COUNTY, 29th May, II.
Mr.: EDITOR: In passing through your
County few days ago an opportunity
was afforded me of seeing the crops along
the road from Edgefeld to Ninety.Six. :
There is amuch larger nount of small
grain planted than for many years here
tofore, and the yield will be increased in
proportion. Oats are looking very fine,
and the earliest varieties are now being
harvested. Corn is looking remarkably
well, and has evidently been well worked.
The stand" of Cotton too is good. 1t is
true there is not as much destroyed in
"chopping out" as heretofore, but the
.'stand" is amply sufficient. We have
discovered that our planters are chronic
grumblers when the crop is in its present
stage, and we predict (the grumbling OF
many to the contrary Notwithstanding,
that unless some unforeseen misfortune
befalls the crop, the present will be one
of the most prosperous years since the
war. III
Our planters are making timely ar
rangements for moving their smoke
houses and barns from the great North
West to quiet shade within their own
enclosure.
The public roads of your County, it
would seem to a traveller, have not been
worked fcr the last ten. years. But we
are aware of the disadvantages under
which the County Commissioners labor.
We know that if they are strict, and re-
ouire the fiell-hands to discharge their
duty as gooG citizens, it is possible they
may not be promoted to a higher Office at
the next election. In fact, Mr.. Editor,
there is but little chance under the pres
ent system of road " ,rking, forthe Com
missioners to make money out of it; and
for this very reason there is but little
chance for us to get our roads properly
worked.
It.seems to us that some system might
be introduced which would be an i'm.
provement on the present. Might not
capitation or other tax be levied for the
purpose of building bridges, working
the roads, &c? The money arising there
from might be judiciously expended by
Road Commissioners under the manage
ment of the County Commissioners. The
road Commissioners might make their
estimates and report to the County Com
missioners. The different public roads
might be let to suitable persons who
would be required to give bond, &C., fol
the proper fulfllment of their contract;
Public buildings and bridges are built in
this manner, and why might not we ap-
ply the same system to working the
roads. ~
The killing of Watt Faulkner is the
general topic of conversation in the upper
portion Of your County. Most persons
are particular to say butlittle, as they are
convinced that somebody is in earnest.
"Was Faulkner killed by the Ku
Klux ?" i.
This question is asked by every one,
and is unsatisfactory answered. The
truth is, it is almost impossible to sup
pose that the Ku Klux killed him, from
the fact that no reason is assigned for such
action. To whom did he give any infor-
nation? What secret did he communi-
cate? Why should they kill compan-
ion who had remained under fire until
seriously wounded? -.
These and similar'questions are asked
on all sides, and of course, so far, remain
unanswered. :eta
While in your County we were fortu-
nate in being allowed to partsl-e Of the
hospitality of Mr.. Marshall Jordan. His
plantation is near Old Cambridge, and its
nourishing fields are indications Of the
activity and energy which control it
Mr.. Jordan is a young bachelor, and
when we see him, the thought forces it
self upon US that some young girl is
losing good husband, while he himselt
persists in marring the perfectness Of his
life by thus lingering in the dry and aric
fields of single blessedness. But We
trench, perhaps, upon matters outside o.
our province.
w.