Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-07-19

Curtis, who established there female school
of high grade, which, up to the commencement
of the war, attained popularity second to none
in the Southern country. Many of the mothers
and grandmothers Of to-day were educated in
the institution, and they yet refer with pride to
the excellence Of the school as an institution Of
learning.
Shortly after the close of the war, the property
passed into other hands, and for time it was not
used for educational purposes. The existence OF
the property was brought to the attention Of the
late Peter Cooper, Esq, of New York, who
eventually purchased it without ever having Wis
tied the premises. He entertained the idea of
establishing at this place, an institution similar
in design to the famous Cooper Institute Of New
York, exclusively for the benefit of the working
classes of the South.
During the Summer of lS7S in company with
several members of his family, Mr.. Cooper came
to the South for the purpose of inspecting the
property and inaugurating his grand and bene-
ficent scheme. For reasons unknown to us, he
abandoned the original idea, but with liberali-
ty which did credit to his head and heart, he
made gift Of the property to the Baptists OF
Spartanburg county. Without unnecessary de-
lay, the property was dedicated to school pur-
poses, and soon was organized the cooper
Limestone Female Institute" The School is now
under the immediate control of Professors III.
P. Griffith and r. o. Sans, as Principals, with
full corps of competent assistants. The Spring
session closed on the 2Sth ultimo with eighty
five pupils in attendance.
At Limestone Springs, are located the lime
kilns of Messrs. Simon Brothers. The senior
member Of the firm is the Intendant Of Gaffney
CITY, and by the bye, stands shoulder to shoul-
der with the most enterprising citizen OF that en-
terprising town. The lime made by this firm is
of a superior quality, and the productions about
one hundred barrels every twenty-four hours.
They have in operation several kilns one OF which
is known as the perpetual lime kiln. The lime
stone rock is constantly fed at the top OF this
kiln. So soon as it is sufficiently burned it is
taken out at the bottom and when cool, is barrel
ed ready for transportation. This kiln is kept
in operation day and night, from one years end
to another, except short intermission during
the Christmas holidays. 1t is calculated to make
a "drawing'' of the lime every six hours. About
sixty hands are constantly employed about the
kilns, this number being necessary in conse-
uuence of the fact that one set of hands is en-
ployed while another is sleeping and resting.
The management Of the kilns is under the imme-
d;ate supervision of Mr.. NJ. Simon, and the regu-
larity and system with which the work moves
forward, reflects credit on his administrative
ability, and is pleasing to persons who think that
"Good order is the foundation ofall good things
The time appointed for the re-assembling of
the Press Association being near ut hand we
returned to Gatfney City. The Association re-
sumed its session, at the appointed hour, and
after the disposal Of some routine business, and
the discussion of matters relating to the business
management of newspapers, adjourned until
O. clock on Thursday morning
Ats o'clock on Wednesday evening, the men,
bers of the Association, with the invited guests,
repaired to the hotel, where splendid banquet
had been provided by the citizens of Gaffney.
The tables were covered with substantials. and
delicacies, and "victuals varied well in taste"
Our genial friend, Mr.. w. Waddy Thomson,
the editor of the Gaffney Caroliniam was master
of ceremonies, and right we'll did he do his part.
A number of toasts were read and responded to
in short and pithy speeches, by Messrs. Crews,
Hoyt, Clark Drayton, Todd, McSweeny, Prince,
Beard and others. The entertainment closed
without an incident to mar the pleasures Of the
occasion.
On Thursday morning. the Association assem-
bled at the appointed hour. The session was de-
voted to the discussion of business matters, and
the adoption of resolutions thanking the people
of Gatfney for the courtesies extended to the
Association.
Gaffney City is situated in Spartanburg county,
on the line of the Charlotte and Atlanta Airline
Railroad, twenty-one miles east of the city OF
Spartanburg, about four miles west Of Broad
river, and within few miles of the point where
the counties of York, Union and Spartanburg
corner. The first house was erected in Gaffney
City in the fall of 1873 and during that season the
sales Of cotton aggregated about five hundred
bales The town was incorporated in lS75 and
now has a resident population of more than six
hundred. Within the incorporated limits are
thirtv-two stores, some of which will compare
favorably with those in towns Of greater preten-
sions, one hotel, a carriage and wagon manu-
factory, two cotton gins and a corn mill driven
by steam power private bank, and a fine male
school with an attendance of one hundred and
forty-two pupils during the session just closed
The receipts of cotton during the present season
foot up nine thousand three hundred and eighty
bales. 1t is estimated that the business of the
town, during the present year, including the
sales Of cotton and fertilizers, will amount to
nearly one million Of dollars. At the session Of
the legislature previous to the last a majority of
the citizens of the town petitioned the legisla-
ture to take away from the town council the au-
thority to grant licenses for the sale of intoXl-
eating liquors. The petition was granted, ana
Gatfney is now a "dry town." We were pleased
learn that several Of the leading citizens, who
were much opposed to this step, under the ap-
prehension that it would injure the business
interests of the town. are now fully satisfied that
they were mistaken and that prohibiting the sale
of Intoxicating liquors has had the effect of in
creasing the trade of the place. These same cit
liens would now strenuously oppose anyattempt
to repeal the law and restore the authority to
license the sale Of Intoxicating liquors.
While at Gatfney City, we were pleased to meet
our former fellow citizen, Rev. Louis A. Johnson
and family, and during one night of our stay we
were their guest. They reside at Limestone
Springs. Mr.. Johnson is in charge of the circuit
in which Gatfney City is situated, and breaches
at stated intervals to the congregations of five diff
ferent churches within the bounds of his charge
Notwithstanding this heavy draft on his time
and strength, he finds opportunities to assist in
building and repairing churches to visit the SICK
to bury the dead, to comfort the living, and "tie
the silken knot for all who desire his services.
One of the enterprises in which the people of
Gaffney City are largely interested, although sit
uaed in York county, is the cotton factory of the
Cherokee Manufacturing Company. The mills
located about six miles east Of Gaffney City, on
Broad river, near the site of the old Cherokee
Iron Works. The stockholders consist of j. A.
Deal, Joseph F. Wallace, estate of DIR. r. IT, Alli-
son, of York county S. c.. r. p. Roberts, of
Kings Mountain n. c.; J. \. Torrence j. a.
Carroll, S. S. Ross, estate of a. NJ. Latham, Of
Gatfney City. The Company was organized in
1881 with capital stock of S60 000 and the factory
was put in operation in March, 1882, with 4,2OO
spindles. Mr.. J. A. Deal is the President of the
company; r. P. Roberts, Secretary S. S. Ross,