The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-03
could Nunc" Writes from N~inety.Six,

NISETf-SIX. December l., 1879.
MEssRs. EDIToRs: With your permission I
write you from Ninety-Slx this week. There
are but few towns indicated upon the ancient
maps OF the New World whose existence
commands N~anti-dating authentic local his
tory than this pleasant village. Old Cam
bridge, near the site OF the present town, is
known and rendered famous wherever the
annals OF the American Revolution have
been made by the DISTINGUISHED part IL p8re
in the vicissitudes of the great struggle: The
old star fort, a short distance from the village,
will stand for ages and imiperlshable souvnir
Of q grand era in our political life.
The first court OF justice established in the
upper Carollnas, was convened ut old Ninety.
Six in 1863, and In the subsequent annals or
It's Jurisprudence are Identified some OF the
most brilliant names known to history and
fame. When one secs the wonderful trans
formation, the prilneval forests of the famous
Cherokee reclaimed, everywhere awake TO
the magic voice Of agriculture and commerce,
there is a touch OF delicious romance In the
reflection thatbut few decades back, this great
tribe were the undlsputed sovereign OF these
luxuriant s%olitndes, their peculiar coSnoS-
ony affording to 1t all 1t then possessed OF civ
iiIzation. But you Will pardon my discur-
siveness, tits Of Ninety-SiX Of to-day desire
to write. AT no period since the late war
have the rewards or industry and energy been
year OF It's history. Surrounded BY one OF
the most fertile agricultural districts In the
State, we'll adapted TO an almost endless mul
tiplicity Of products. 1t were impossible Tor
lA EeCuDGTdIlOu W oS iot tshS ~
of time. The yield OF wheat and oats Is nj
most marvellous, showing that We have lands
in quality and adaptation that compete cred
itably with the great grain districts OF The
West. Messrs. Moore e. Quarlcs shipped ,Nt
bushels of oats this season, their quality IN
surfing them a ready market. ] only mention
this as index OF the transaction in this
product, as there are other merchants whe
perhaps make equally large shipments. The
cotton lands ars unsurpassed and O large
amountof the staple finds q ready market
here, not less than $500 bales having been
shipped from this point during the presen
season.
With these almost unreasonable sources o
solid wealth, that there Is an epoch OF pros.
perity in reservation for this town me dow low"
hopeful and philosophic Of minds. by any
means, q conjecture. The verdict Of the mer
chants Is better times, good collcctions, re
newed prosperity and general hopcfulncSs as
to the future. The fiourishing condition o
the churches and schools Enthusiastically indi'
Gates the high and moral tone OF society
There Is no municipal prohibition on the salt
OF LIQUORS, and with three bars, l did not wit
ness a single case of drunkenness upon I'M
streets or elsewhere. This leads sensibly. t
the conclusion that the restriction policy
which cuts of a considerable revenue anC
I drives or trade, unless II were possible 10 no
s~olutely prohibit its traffic, Is unwise AMI I'm
polite. The most OF the stores, mostly bricl
structures, impart q very gratifying ar o
permanency and wealth 10 the village. nan:
nnished. that of Ml5F. NJ. Pope, one Of tn,
leading merchants presenting an appearance
OF elegance rarely met within the rural towns
The people feel that they have In the persol
Hon. J. Fl. Rice, an Intelligent and worth.
representative, who has a full conception Q
she wants OF his constituency and q 9u1cl
will and determined head to support then
. / but state h is q patent fact, without com
ment or any knowledge offacts, that the pee
ole OF this part of the county are eXtremel
dissatisfied with the conduct Of the COUNT
Commissioners. 1t is alleged that their Wh0l
administration has been marked 2 ), y uIs
crfmination against the interests or TINS ser
ton Of the county, in refusing TO co-operai
for the erection of important bridges. o.
which their material prosperity. largely az
ponds The people are bolt and ont,spoks
In their complaints, n the mouVes D
which the board are conjectured 10 DC actut
ted are not OF such a character as can .
pleasantly Imputed to county officials. l col
ceiye It right and proper thet the cornmissi2t
ers should haze the sense of\this part Of tn
county upon their official acts, as they M
gentlemen OF irreproachabie probity and ma
Be able to Justify before the bar OF publ
opinion. I enquired OF a resident gentielna
about the health OF the village. With q ne
yous shrug. Of the shoulders and an air
pungent sarcasm, he replied Its useless !
saw anything. Sir, for every man.. woman :
child, that dies within twenty miles OF III
place, whether from measles or mad doS plt
T. charged to Ninety-SiX's mortuary roll, IN