The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-07-10
The Southern Life Insurance
Company.


respondent of the Charleston Ne'cs and
Courier. The subject Of this heading
is no new name to the people of Ker-
shaw county. Not many years ago we
can well remember what rapid strides
this great company made in our county
lin the way of insurance. 1t entered
every nook and corner in our bounds,
missing neither straight road nor cross
road, palace or hovel. 1t was repre-
seuted as the great benefactor of the
poor, the shield of the widow and the
protector of the orphan. 1t was under
the administration Of tried and true
men, and all was as soft and pleasant
to the eve as the rays of the gentle
moon in autumn. It's capital was al
most without limit, and its monies
were surely, securcy and undoubtedly
invested. In fact, if we be allowed to
make comparison, Solomon, in all his
glory, was not arrayed half like it.
This being the case, it took like wild
fire among our people, and thousands,
tens of thousands, yes, even millions,
went into its voracious treasury.
Monthly, quarterly, semi~annual and
annual reports we're constantly made,
and such reports, if our memory serves
US right, only showed an increased
strength in its finances. 1t certainly
showed no diminution,
This condition of affairs lasted long
time, and the business of the company
had grown to such an extent that its
blighting touch was in almost every
household. Men of small means, who,
by the sweat of their brow, had laid
away little money, quickly placed
their all in it, as safeguard for their
wives and little ones, in case they should
be called away. When the policy was
received, he locked it up, and he slept
sweetly, feeling that if death should
invade his domain and take him off,
there was a comfort and support in the
Southern Life Insurance Company for
his wife and children. But, alas
what vain hope. Like o clap of thun-
der in clear sky, it was soon an
nounced. without any foreshadowine,
that this colossal structure was tum-
bling, and that its foundation had never
been anything else than sand. It sur
prised, it mortified and wounded the
people who had reposed confidence in
it, and loud and deep were the impre-
cations that went up against it. Soon,
however, like most storms, the fury
spst&tself, and after the appointment
of a.receiver, the paopla pettIed down
and quietly awaited .hsasssult: 94k
.hls some small pittanco would u II
turned to the policy holders who had
been so terribly impos%aeon, to use a
light word. Time has passed on. Dull,
heavy, long years have rolled b.. Pow
erty has invaded the sanctity of many
widows home, and not yet one single
word from this fallen giant. What
does it mean? Why IS it so? Why
ali this silence? Why this kid glove
handling of this defunct concern? We
mean no reflections upon its former dis
tinguishcd head or other of its officers,
but facts are stubborn things. and as
We are in darkness, and as Our people
have suffered so much, we call for light,
more light, upon this yet hidden and
obscure matter. Let Us have a clean
breast CT it. As public servants, We
would be recreant to our trust if We
did otherwise, and as we tender our
thanks to "H. W. A." Of Edgefeld,
for opening the ball, We call upon our
contemporaries to keep it rolling. 1t is
by these means, and these alone, that
we can hope to bring Just such institu-
tions to proper appreciation of their
duties and obligations and it is but a
matter Of justice, 10 all we'll managed
eompanies Of the kind. Life insurance
in itself is good, but a counterfeit is
not worth penny.