Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-08-02
Of the YorkviIle Enquirer.
LETTER FROM BLACKS STATION. s. &.
Blacks STATION, july %.

=. BLACKS tSTATtON, July Zo.f
The beautiful situation of our little village
is interesting, located at the foot of Whita-
ker's Mountain, on high point Of land
Within it's limits are several limestone aud
chalybeate springs. with their health-giving
properties. From the peculiar location, we
have constant and refreshing breeze. with
scenery interesting and beautiful, From the
top Of Whitaker's Mountain to the north west,
can be seen, yelled in the blue. distance. the
towering peaks of the Blue Ridge, printing
to the skies. Along the entire horizon flank
ing us on either side, are Broad river. sBuffa-
10 and Kings creek. with their numerouswa-
ter-powers and rich valleys Of land. peculiar
ly adapted to grass and grain growing. 6asaq
The wheat crop of this year, on an average
yield in this section, is from eight ten BUSH
els per acre, with our rough and unimproyed
culture, and without the application offertil.
izers. All of our rIhome and commercial fer
tilizers, and the best attention of our farmers
were devoted to cotton, althoughthe; sowing
of small grain has increased in, acreage Mr.
William White, on Kings creek. sowed nine
bushels of wheat on about nine acres, and
harvested and thrashed out 2l4 bushels of
wheat from the nine bushels sowed, and with
out any manures; the crop being the product
of the natural coil. luJ sIGa. j. 1stn10l
Treasurer Robertson was at our place onthe
10Th. j.. He took in 81, ,066 iof the tax due on
D.. On the 2Oth, Rev. Robert Latham; County
School Commissioner met the school trustees
of this township, according, to previous.ap
pointment. j He explained to them that the
Legislature had, appropriated one hundred
thousand dollars fori school purposes, exclu-
sive of the poll tax, which be did not know
whether it would. be appropriated Ito back
dues. or for the present schools.ttoT he number
of children within the proper age was ascer,
tanned to be-. whites, 430; blacksy 100; when
Mr.. Latham apportioned n$288 to the benefit
of this township. He urged economy. fitness
of teachers, and that they be employed for
the least that they could be contracted. for.
His examination of the teachers was very
close and rigid. None. received, certificates
but those that meritedi them. TIE. people Of
York county may congratulate themselves on
having q School Commissioners 90 capable
and we'll qualified for the tsust imposed Ion
him. .si.:s,...,... rs ,5 h,,,,;tsasy nd ,dI
:: There is party Of hunters, WIN their pack
of dogs, from down the country, .encamped
on Whitakers Mountain, .Thaygo, out 90 q
chase every. morning and have caught several
foxes. 90; l,n ..r,na.nt! ~. .rnll.,r5l : .,as
o. Saturday, the 21st, the Assessor listed
the property for this township. The people,
white and black, were eager to make their re,
turns, as they we're prompt TO pay their taxes.
feeling that the, administration Of their State
government, under Governor Hampton, will
be fair and just, and that the interest Of al
classes will be protected, 5i ,,,.g - do,.cn4
~, The Byrata Mining Company shipped 275
tons of byrata yia Wilmington 70 Boston.
The byrata is billed from here under the new
name Of; lead bloom. A vessel sailed "a few
days ago frSm Wilmington for Boston laden
with the stone from this place. These crude
ores are to be manufactured North. Il Not ON.
ly; would the freight be saved by manufactur-
ing it here, but a more inferior, ore conld be
manufactured pEo6tably. 10 DR.. Barton, .:of
Virginia, on q test Of byrata, found that it is
an excellent fertilizer. equal to land plaster.
To show you. how ignorant our people arepof
our minerals and their uses, q citizen of, this
section ground some of the byrata and tried
to mould il into ware, Geology ought. 70 be
taught, in simple form, in opr common
schools. u, Every mountain cliff, guleh " wa
ter! r!formation, with knowledge of the theo,
ry, would give an interesting aand practical
lesson, and would develop. one of. ouro great.
est resources, and one, in. the future thai we
will depend upon for our wealth !;,u.g auy
have just looked. and the Thermometer is
94o. Imagine your humble correspondent
sitting at the table With piece Of ice on bis
bald pate, gasping for life Eco