The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-02-28
DELIGHTFUL DARLINGTON.
Of the Toyvn-Its Growing
Fortunes-The County Ring Court
Day-A Busy Scene.
IFnoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT


DARLINGTON, February "a.
Any one deslrous of retiring from the hustle
and annoyances of modern life to court the
favor of the muses. and the graces, could find
no more fitting place of refuge than Darling
ton. Its handsome residences would serve
to awaken ideas of wealth and pride, its
flower gardens of refinement and culture, and
its innumerable shade trees, of cool retreats
and whispering zephyrs. And 1t Is not at all
improbable that he would here discover more
graees, with material forms, than were known
even In Grecian mythology. There appears
to have been no regular plan observed 10 lay,
ing out the original town, but the principal
streets are straight and roomy. Prior to the
war, much opulence existed here, and 1t
would be far from the truth to say that all has
now disappeared. The residences are mostly
of wood, but large and attractive to
the eye; they are generally removed
from the street, with large flower
gardens In front. The public square contains
the Jail, most of the business houses and the
Masonic hall. Your readers will, doubtless,
remember that two destructive fires occurred
In Darlington In the spring of 1866; these fires
DESTROYED every building that stood on the
square, including the courthouse, which occu-
pied the centre. The jail and the business
houses, with one or two exceptions, have been
REBUILT but the courthouse Is still q ruined
heap. The county commissioners (RadicaD
had awarded the contract for rebuilding 1t,
and the work had actually been commenced,
when the citizens fled an Injunction, and
stopped the contractor from proceeding fur
ther, upon the grounds that the commission
ers, governed by improper motives, had dis
regarded the lowest bid. The case will be
argued before Judge Townsend, 10 May next,
at Chesterfield Courthouse. 1t Is alleged to be
impossible to get an impartial jury 10 Darling.
Ion, the county commissioners being also jury
commissioners. A colored Methodist church,
several stores and other buildings are now
In course of construction In various por-
tions of the town. There, seems 10 oe
considerable business done here. note-
worthy branch Is the phosphate. The
agent of the Eliwan Company has already
sold over one hundred tons BY the way, the
war on drummers is pushed In Darlington
quite as vigorously as In Charleston: The Or
dinance on the subject requires license fee
OF five dollars to be paid by all .drummers and
travelling agents selling by sample or other
wise. A day or two since there were two
other from Charleston. These young gentle
men were walking the square, either IN bliss-
f1l ignorance OF the existence of such an ordi-
nance, or In Iaucied security arising from on
to believe In the vigilance OF
the Darlington police. But Clubs and Stars
happened to be awake That DAY, ana on the
watch too, so that when his victims came near
enough, he threw his dusky countenance Into
Its most pleasing attitude,: showed his white
teeth, and, drawing Baltlmore's card from 8
hidden recess, demanded In the most be-
witching tones If "Dat ere !ourn card ?"
"Don't know If it is.n "But does" added
Clubs and Stars, with q wink. Charleston
meanwhile had suddenly found something OF
interest at distance, aud Baltimore, hnding
himself coraered, handed over the 1Ve DOL
lars.
This is court week, an occasion which has
attracted hither several horse drovers, timer
anttobacco venders, and other like members
of the noble and mysterious art of peddlery.
These post themselves on the square during
The dayI and add considerable life to the pic
ture by their exertions 10 dispose of their
wares. Court Is held In an African Methodist
Church, for want of better building. Rather
queer sight 1t is to see judge In pulpit.
Il should, however, be remarked, In Justice 10
Judge Rutland, that ho seems on this ooonelot.
to be only in his native element.
A Joint stock company has recently oeen
formed for the purpose OF holding annual sgrl-
cultural fairs at this place. This company be-
gins with capital stock of four thousand dol
lars. Three thousand dollars have, 1t Is said,
been already subscribed. Edward Mcintosh,
ESQ, Is the president, and W.. E. James, ESQ.,,
the secretary and treasurer. The directors
are about to purchase grounds and erect suit
able buildings. The principal business men
here are L.. E. Williamson d Co., B. A. }. +.
Early. John Floyd, L. o. Dargan, S. A. WOODS
aud M. A. Huggins, in the assorted goods line.
There Is only one drug store In the town; IL ls
kept BY Mr.. John A. Boyd.