Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-07-26
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM CHESTER.
CHESTER, July 23, 1871

LETTER FROM CHESTER.
..l., =. CHESTER, July %, 1877
On last Tuesday night the store of Alex
ander & Robson was entered by burglars
and robbed of small quantity of goods: AN
entrance was effected at door in the rear
portion of the store. No clue to the thieves
has yet been obtained. They will, in all
probability, be discovered, and in due time
find their way to the penitentiary. 1t is
thought they took fright, and left the store in
haste, or they would have helped themselves
more literally.
A disturbance occurred at the Methodist
colored church near this place few days
ago. 1t was of such nature as to put stop
to the religious services. 1t was caused by
some one stealing pair Of shoes from ne
gro man while he was asleep. Those who
were principally concerned in occasioning
and engaging in the disturbance were brought
before the town authorities and fined. They
paid the fine and were discharged.
A meeting of citizens of Union and Ches-
ter took place on Wednesday at the residence
of Major John Wilkes, near Carmel Hill, to
consult in regard to the feasibility of uniting
their towns BY railroad. DR.. A. Il. Davega
was chosen Chairman of the meeting, and
Messrs. E.. R. Stokes and John Buchanan
secretaries The Chairman, in stating the
object of the meeting gave his ideas in refer
ence to the probable cost of constructing the
road. He estimated the cost of grading,
cross-ties, and iron, making the whole amount
to $4,000. Judge T. j. Mackey fo) lowed
in some excellent remarks upon the extensive
use and growing popularity of narrow gauge
railroads. He is one of the most enthusas-
tic supporters of this new railroad enterprise.
R. w. shand, Esq, of Union, followed in a
capital speech. He favored beginning work
at once upon the road, and not delaying oper-
ations until the whole amount, required for
its construction, had been subscribed. DR..
A. P. Wylie, E. T. Atkinson, Esq, and B.
D. Culp. Esq. of Union, spoke favorably of
the road, and the advantages of its construc-
tion to both towns and counties. At the
close of the speaking the corporators of the
road in attendance met and filled vacancies
on their board in the appointment Of Joseph
Wylie, ESQ.,, nice G. w. Melton, deceased ;
Colonel j. S. Wilson, vice D. I. Walker; j..
c. Farrar vics June Mobley and H. L. Goss,
Esq, nice J. L. Yongue. The corporators
then proceeded, in accordance with the act
chartering the road, to appoint commission
ers to open books of subscription. Messrs.
R. w. Shand, 7. B. Jeter, j. G. Farrar, B.
D. Culp, H. L. Goss, William Munroe, and
w. A. Nicholson were appointed for Union.
Messrs. J. w. Wilkes, J. S. Wilson, Wade
Osborne, Joseph Wylie, Richard Woods, and
DR.. w. M. McCollum were appointed for
Chester. A survey of the route was then
ordered, and half the amount required for
this purpose was pledged by the gentlemen
from Union. The meeting then adjourned,
after appointing mass meeting of the clti-
zens of Chester and Union at Lockhard's
Shoals on the 25th of August, when the in.
terests of the proposed railroad will be fur
ther considered, and grand barbecue enjoy
ed. Having finished their railroad business,
the gentlemen were elegantly dined by Maj
J. w. Wilkes and Mr.. T. T. Castles, and
then left for their respective homes, highly
pleased with their days work.
A number of Episcopal clergymen we're in
our town last week for the purpose of attend
ing Convocation, which was expected to begin
its sessions on Wednesday, but in consequence
of the non-arrival of several ministers whose
presence was desired, the meeting was post.
poned until August 9th when the Bishop will
be present Rev. Mr. Mccullough of Union,
favored the congregation of St. Marks with a
good sermon on Wednesday evening, and
Rev. Mr.. Fuller, of Spartanburg, on Thursday
evening.
A disturbance occurred on Thursday even
ing between our police authorities and some
negroes employed on the gravel train Of the
&C. & A. Railroad, which came near having
a tragical ending One Of the desperate
characters, who had been engaged in row
during the day, refused to be arrested by po-
liceman Walker, snapped pistol at him, and
endeavored to strike him with an iron bar,
which was only prevented by the Intervention
of policeman Gordon. Several young men
rallied to the assistance of the police authori-
ties, and would have assisted them in enfore-
ing their orders, had not the conductor of the
train given orders for the train to leave, car
rying away the rebellious negroes, and two
Young men. The latter we're carried to
Smiths Turnout, before permitted to get off,
in the meantime confined in box-car with
its unsavory and disagreeable inmates. On
Friday morning a party went to the depot to
assist the police authorities in arresting the
guilty negroes, who were expected to arrive
on the gravel train at 9 o'clock, bnt it did not
arrive until the afternoon, and then passed
through without stopping.
Our town has lost one of its most estimable
citizens in the death of Mr.. Sample Alexander,
Sr. He departed this life, after a brief ILL.,
ness, on Sunday morning, about o'clock.
The funeral services were held in the Pres.
byterian Church, we're conducted by Rev.
Mr.. Trenholm, assisted by Rev. Mr.. Sanders,
and Rev. Mr.. Carlisle, and attended by large
number of people, Mr.. Trenholm referred in
appropriate and beautiful terms to the trium-
phant death of the deceased, and exhorted the
unconverted of the congregation to be pre-
pared, as he was, for the hour of death. At
the. close of the solemn services the remains