Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-06-03
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM CHESTER.

LETTER FROM CHESIEh'
CHESTER, May 31st, 1875.
The spelling match, Of which mention was
made 10 a recent correspondence, came off ON
last Monday evening, and was in every par
ticular very enjoyable entertainment. The
hopes and expectations of those who were in
strnmental in getting up the match were fully
realized in the success that attended their ef'
forts. The main hall of the Court House was
we'll filled with the elite of our town, who,
while adding to the treasury of our Episcopal
Church, gave every indication of passing
most delightful evening. The teacher, Mr..
T. c.. CASTOR, and the umpres, G. j. Patter-
son, Esq, Mr.. James Hardin, and Mr.. Means
Davis, the accomplished editor of the Winns-
boro Ne,us, performed their parts admirably.
Mr.. CASTOR introduced the amusing exercises
of the spelling bee by few happy and ap-
propriate remarks, which were we'll received.
Some delay in forming the class was OCCASION
ed by giving away Of the courage of mum.
Der, who had promised to spell, but through
the adroit management of Mr.. Castor, assisted
by the efforts of Mr.. J: j. Hsmphill, q can.
siderable class was formed, and the bee began
to spell, if not to sing The first words asked
by the teacher were simple, but these were
soon followed by those Of a more difficult ma
ture. The list of words prepared by him for
the occasion, was exhausted before there were
any unsuccessful attempts at spelling. The
spelling book was resorted to, and from its
pages words were taken that failed of finding
successful spellefs. As the members retired
to their seats after missing couple Of words,
the class became small and beautifully less
by degrees. To test the spelling powers of
the few that remained, the most difficult
words that could be found in Webster's una
bridged we're selected and asked. Among
these was the word "syzygy," which nobody
could SPELL Other difficult words we're asked,
which resulted in reduction of the class to
three members, consisting of Miss Emma
Passailaigue, Mr.. John Buchanan, the good
and genial editor of the Reporter, and your
correspondent. The word "bleyme," then
took. its course around the class of three, and
failed of being correctly spelt until it came to
Miss Passailaigue, who, in doing so, carried
off the honors of the evening. To her was
awarded by Mr.. J. J. Hemphill, in happy
way, the prize of the spelling match, Longfel-
lows Hanging of the Crane The orthograph-
ical contest developed the fact that Ches-
ter has considerable number of ladies and
gentlemen in her midst who, whatever other
accomplishments they may lack, have thor
ough knowledge of the art of spelling.
Judge T. j. Mackey returned few days
ago from Lancaster, where he had been en-.
gagged in holding court. Though indisposed
good portion of the time he cleared the ses-
sions docket, and disposed of a considerable
number of important civil causes. The
Judge was instrumental in securing the "on-
vction of two white men, who were charged
with buying stolen cotton from negroes. In
his charge to the jury, he held that the de-
PENDANTS knew that the cotton was stolen,
from the fact of their buying it at night, and
under suspicious circumstances A verdict
of "guilty" was rendered against the defend
ants, one of whom was sentenced to an i'm
prisonment of two years in the penitentiary,
or the payment of a fine of thousand dol
lars; the other was sentenced to an imprison-
ment Of one year in the penitentiary, or the
payment of fine of FIVE hundred dollars.
They preferred the payment of the fines,
which will assist materially in the liquidation
of honest claims against the county of Lam
caster. If Judge Mackey continues the cru
sade he has vigorously begun against the
white rascals who buy stolen cotton from ne
groes, he will succeed beyond doubt in put
ting stop to the nefarious practice within
the bounds of his circuit
Rev. Mr. Witherspoon, of New Orleans,
was in our town few days since for the pur-
pose of obtaining subscribers to the book, en-
titled the "Memoirs of Rev. j. H. Thornwell,
D. d." of which Rev. DR.. Palmer, of New
Orleans, is the author. Mr.. Witherspoon
was quite pleased with the success he met
with here. He obtained two hundred SUBJ
scribers in Charlotte and Chester. Indepen-
dent of the intrinsic excellence of this inesti.
mable work, it deserves legion of subscri-
bers, from the fact that the proceeds Of the
sale of it are to be given to the widow Of the
late DR.. j. H. Thornwell, whose powers Of
mind have been likened to those of the i'm
mortal Calhoun.
Wednesday of last week was day of great
enjoyment to the members of the Baptist
Sunday School of this place. Joy reigned
supreme at an early hour of that morning,
when, in company with invited friends, they
drove through our town on their way to the
Sulphur Spring, where they passed the day
in the most delightful manner. An abun-
dance of shade, which is an indispensable
requisite to the enjoyment Of such diversions,
crowned the spot chosen for the picnic. Heart
troubles, domestic troubles, and all kinds Of
troubles, were given to the winds and forgot
ten in hearty indulgence in the various
outdoor amusements that prevailed through
out the day. The pickuickers on their return
home passed through Main street about dark,
with horses and wagons gaily decorated, and
making the air ring with their shouts of joy
and merriment. The next picnic will be that
of the Methodist Sunday School, on Friday,
at Lowrysville. The scene of the festivity
will be reached by rail, arrangements for
transportation having already been perfected
with the railroad authorities. Hopes are in
dulged by our friends of the Methodist per.