Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-01-03

I have now stated"
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM CHESTER.
CHESTER, December 81, 1877.
The holidays passed of quietly here. A
considerable number of the sporting frater-
nity of Charlotte and this place, with the
view of making money as we'll as having fun,
spent two days in chicken fighting: But their
enioyment was suddenly stopped by the ac.
tion of the Town Council in passing an or.
dinance forbidding this "barbarous practice," !"
under penalty of heavy fine. The fighting,
while it lasted, resulted in victory tor the
Charlotte chickens. As a consequence, own
ers of, and betters on, Chester chickens lost
a considerable pile of money. Attimes there
we're several hundred dollars bet on single
fight. The boys, as they generally do during
the holidays, popped the usual amount OF
fire-crackers, and the men, as they generally
do. drank the usual quantity of eggnog and
other spirituous drinks. The result of this
drinking was an exuberant flow of spirits,
which manifested itself in various ways, prln-
cipally in making noise On Monday night
the ladies of the Episcopal Church gave an
entertainment in the way of Christmas tree'
the proceeds of which were devoted to the
benefit of their church. Owing to the IN
clemency of the weather, the attendance was
slim, and the amount of money taken in was
small. Christmas day was quite lively. Bar
rooms and confectionery stores did Hour
ishing business. In the afternoon the result
of the excessive drinking was patent to any
one =: but the unfortunate victims Of strong
drink found excuse for their indulgence IN
the fact of its being Christmas Their IN,
clinations we're strongly belligerent, but all
such manifestations were promptly suppressed
by the police. On Wednesday the Hook and
Ladder Company (colored) parsded. They
sat down to dinner of their own giving
which, of course was enjoyed by them. The
public was entertained during the parade
with an abundance of music.
Franklin Chapter, No. IA, OF this place.
recently elected and installed the following
companions: w. H. Witherow, H. P; j. b.
McFadden, King; R. G. NJ. Alexander
Scribe; G. W. Curtis, Captain of the Host
E. T. Atkinson, Royal Arch Captain; W.
A. R. Wilson, Principal Sojourner; John
McIver, Grand Master 1st Veil; Nathan
Simpson, Grand Master End Veil; R. D. Al
exander, Grand Master 3rd Veil >. II.
Kaufman, Secretary, and l. l.. Clubhouse
Treasurer.
The Masonic fraternity of Rich Hill have
elected and installed the following brethren
for the ensuing year: J. A. Thompson, W.
MI. S. brennan, S. w.; j. L. Gill, j.: w.;
Chapman Howe, S. D.; J. M. Saye, j. D..
j. c. Gill, Treasurer; R. T. Crockett, Secre'
tary. =.
The Masons of Chester elected and In
stalled their officers for the ensuing year on
Thursday evening. They are as follows: W.
A. R. Wilson, Worshipful Master; n. b.
Simpson, Senior Warden; j. H. Kaufman,
Junior Warden; J. L. Chambers, Treasurer
G. w. Curtis, Secretary; n. B. Alexander
Senior Deacon I. Med. Hood, Junior Dea-
con; j. H. Crawford, Tiler; John Mclver
and J. L. Simmons, Stewards. After the ln-
stallation, the brethren enjoyed splendid
supper. The vacant storeroom of the Wilkes
building answered admirably for the pur-
pose After the oysters and other good things
had been satisfactorily disposed of, several
boxes of cigars were opened. and the brethren
smoked, talked and joked for some time.
What is known as the Blue Lodge Of Mason.
ry, is in Aourishing state here. The mem
bership is large, and accessions to the trater'
nifty are continually being made. The Chap
ter is not quite so Aourishing. The number
of members is not large; the degrees are
more difficult of thorough comprehension,
and for this reason do not excite a sufficient
degree of interest among the members.
Notwithstanding the disagreeableness OF
the weather during the holidays, several prl.
vate entertainments were given. Old and
young mingled together in the enjoyment OF
the Christmas frolics. and endeavored to tor
get for brief time, if possible, the harassing
cares and troubles the dreadfully hard times
have occasioned. But the absence of the
merry conversation and ringing laugh indl'
Gated only a partial success Of this laudable
endeavor. A mans face would show the
gnawing of the cankerworm Of poverty ut the
vitaIs Of bis heart Let US hope by the time
another Christmas rolls round, money will be
more plentiful, and times better. Sadness
will then disappear from the countenance
brightness will come into the eye, and light
ness into the heart.
Mr.. Angus Nicholson, who was charged
with killing a colored man in this county
three years ago, and has been absent ever
since, returned last week and surrendered
himself into the hands of the law. He was
brought before Judge Mackey on writ o1
habeas corpus, gave bond for his appearance
at the next term of the Court, and was dis
charged. Through his counsel, Major S. P
Hamilton, he will endeavor to prove that be
committed the act in selfdefence.
Or Friday night, Bergen COnger. white,
from Rock Hill, was terribly beaten by John
Smith, colored, from Charlotte. After Con
ger had been cruelty treated, and supposed
to have been killed, the 6end placed his heao
upon the railroad track, as the outrage took
place in the vicinity of the depot, and lef
him. Fortunately he was discovered and re-
moved before the arrival of the train. Smith
has been arrested, identified by his unfortu
nate victim, and lodged in Jail. Conger lie'
in dangerous condition, and may die from
the effects of the horrible wounds he has re-
ceived. He was also robbed of his money.
Before the publication of this correspond
ence, new year will have dawned upon th'
land. Allow me to wish the readers of thu
ENQUIRER, one and all, "Merry New
W. ORR