Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-08-09
Correspondence Of the ;Norkvlaie Enquirer ~ e.
LETTER FROM CHESTER.

Correspondence Of the ;xorkvitle Enquirer ~ e.
LETTER FROM CHESTER.
5st.in V.CHEsrRR,; August 6 1877.
The annual meeting Of the stockholders Of
the Chester and Cheraw Marrow Gauge Rail
road, was held in the Court House at this
place on last Wednesday. j. B. Erwin, OF
Lancaster, was chosen chairman, and b. j.
Witherspoon, Esq, Of Lancaster, and Joseph
Wylie, Esq, of Chester, secretaries. Upon
motion of W. H. Hardin, Esq, a committee,
consisting of Messrs. John l.. Agurs, J. "A.
Haseltine and j. S. Wilson, were appointed
to verify proxies. They entered at once upon
their work, and on its completion, reported
1899 shares of stock represented-9O3 by
proxy and 1876 in person-which was an
nounced by the chairman to be majority of
the stock. Nv. H. Hardin, Esas reported
verbally respecting the satisfactory condition
of the Company. j. j. Mcclure, Esq, in be-
half of the Directors, gave statement OF
what had been done during the past year. In
accordance with resolution adopted at the
last annual meeting, $150,000 of bonds had
been issued by the Company; iron sufficient
to lay the track for six miles had been bought
and paid for; an engine bought and partly
paid for the grading of new track Of about
two miles at this end of the line, so as to
prevent the use of the track of the Chester
and Leuor Railroad, which necessitated the
expenditure of about 81 800, but which will
be saved to the Company in the reduced
quantity of iron required to lay the track.
Mr.. Mcclure gave a cheering account OF the
condition, presen~ and prospective, of the
Chester and Cheraw Railroad Company, and
closed by urging its friends to do all in their
power to complete the road. Messrs. W. L.
D. Cousar, John L. Agurs and John Beatty
we're appointed committee to nominate ID.
rectors for the ensuing year. After brief
consultation, they reported the names of the
following gentlemen, who were accepted by
the meeting: From Chester-Messrs. Joseph
Wylie, o. Barber, J. J. Mcclure and w. h.
Hardin from Lancaster-Messrs. j. B. Er.
win, William Stevens and Daniel Brown;
from Chester6eld-P. F. Spoford, w. A.
Evans and w. j. Hanna. The meeting then
adjourned, after deciding upon holding the
next annual meeting at Lancaster, on the lst
Tuesday of August. .....
At the close Of the stockholders meeting,
the Directors met and reelected W. H. Har-
din, ESQ.,, President of the Company, during
the ensuing year. Joseph Wylie, not having
the time to spare from his other business, de-
cined to serve again as Treasurer and Secre.
tary, and Mr.. David Hemphill was elected in
his stead. The Directors then discussed the
WAYS and means of raising money for the
purpose of buying iron and other equipments
for the road. l know of no definite plan that
was determined upon by them, but it is
enough to say that the money will be raised
and the road completed in due time. -.
On Friday morning, Abe Chalk, colored, a
desperate character from the upper side of
the county, was lodged in Jail. He was the
perpetrator of several criminal offences, chief
of which was the entering of the house of Mrs
Coleman Crawford on the night of the 18th
ultimo, and endeavoring to perpetrate an
atrocious outrage upon the person OF her
daughter. The villain, after entering the
house, remarked to Mrs. Crawford that he in.
tended to kill her son, but as he was not there,
he would kill her. This remark was heard
by her daughter in another room, who ran to
her mothers assistance. He then laid held of
the young lady, but her screams, together
with those of her mother, were heard by young
Crawford, who was not far from the house at
the time; but before he could reach it, the
villain had esca ped without accomplishing
his diabolical purpose. Two or three nights
after this Abe entered the house of an old
lady, Miss Fannie Shaw, living in the same
neig ghborbood. Her cries were heard by col
vreli ,uuu; wi,u ran 20 her reftefc: vfffHtu
again escaped. When the good and faithful
negro heard the screams of the old lady, he
began shouting to the extent of
his voice, "rm coming, I'm coming" and
when reaching the house, told the old lady to
be quiet, that he would protect her at the risk
IF own life Abe Carter is in Jail, and it
is blessed thing that he has been placed
there. He will hardly have the opportunity
of committing another dastardly deed, until
he has served about fifteen years in the State
Penitentiary.
Friday was pleasant day to those who at
tended the picnic at Guthriesville A large
ard merry party were present from Chester.
They were greatly pleased in meeting friends
from Yorkvlle and other points along the
line. The addresses Of the reverend gentle
men, MT. OtnaTG, MT. 1TeHHottu auu wi. W.
son, were good and appropriate to the occa
sion. The music by some lady performers Of
acknowledged skill was excellent aud greatly
enjoyed by appreciative listeners. The din
ner, spread upon groaning tables, was splen.
did, and delightfully."- refreshed its many par
ticipants The extension of the trip to York.
vile, and the walk around its pretty streets,
was pleasant. In short, the picnic, its com
mencement, continuance and conclusion, was
such as gave happiness, and inspired memo
res that will live during life. l regret that
this brief report is not based upon observation
and experience, for it was not my privilege to
be present.
Interest upon the fence question increases
with the approach ofthe day of election. Next
week the momentous issue will be decided.
At the present writing it is impossible to fore
cast the result of the election. Strange as it
may seem, some large farmers in our county
are opposed to any change in the present fence
law, and are using their influence according
ly. The colored vote will, in all probability,
for the most part, be thrown against the fenc-
ing of stock, for they desire their COWS to
range and roam ad Hbitum, regardless of the
damage committed upon the crops and lands
of other persons.
On Saturday afternoon, the Hook and Lad:
der Company, composed entirely of colored
men, paraded. They marched to the strains
of music and presented good appearance.
At the Methodist church, last evening,
tho