Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-11-26
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer
LETTER FROM ROCK HILL.

committee, consisting OF MeSSrS. ID. IL. Mas
sey, A. II. White and F. H. Brown, ap-
pointed by the Commissioner Of Agricul.
ture to select q farmer to experiment in the
culture of tobacco in York county, met at
this place on Saturday afternoon. The fol-
lowing persons made application Tor the
position: H. G.. Wilborn, S. A. FeWell, Mr..
Glasscock, DIR. J. E. Massey, DIR: e. II.
Avery and Robert Morrison. All being
good and successful farmers, the committee
was at a loss to decide which would be the
most appropriate, and at last adopted the
plan of placing the seven names in a hat
and drawing from them one, who should
be declared the selection of the committee.
This resulted in the selection of DIR. r. L.
Avery, of Ebenezer-a capital choice, as
he is one of the most progressive farmers in
York county. 1t is to be hoped that this
experimental crop will prove a success in
York county ; and your correspondent would
advise every farmerin York to plant small
quantity, and by this means each one can
ascertain whether or not his land is adapted
to the culture of tobacco.
The hot supper given by the ladies of
Rock Hill on Friday night, in aid of the
Library, was quite success financially, the
receipts being over $50.
w. B. Wilson, Jr., and
kJ6hn G. Witherspoon left to-day for Column
Dld W dlleIu lHc IuScLiuS VI tliC
which cOnvenes tomorrow.
Thursday being Thanksgiving day, busi-
ness of all kinds will be suspended in Rock
Hill, and every man and boy who can bor-
row gun will Gnstead of going to church)
90 hunting. Union services will be held
on that day at the Baptist church, Rev. J.
B. Traywick, of the NJ. E. Church, preach
ing the sermon.
The Annual Conference of the A. NJ. f.
Zion Church is still in session at this place,
Bishop j. j. Moore presiding. On yester-
day he preached to the colored people at
their church. The building is large one,
but the number who attended could not
obtain admission. The number of cOlOred
people in attendance was estimated at over
1900. On last night the Bishop held spe-
cal services for the whites in Roddey's
Hall. He took as his text part of Isaiah,
9th chapter, 9Th verse: "And His name
shall be called wonderful" The hall was
filled, and the colored minister delivered a
most excellent and learned discourse, which
was listened to with marked attention.
During the Bishops visit to this place he
had the pleasure of meeting his sister from
whom he had been separated for siXty-tWo
years. Bishop Moore was born a slave, in
Virginia, in 1915, his name being Benjamin
ClaWson, and was owned by DR.. Jacob H..
son, who now resides in Chester, S. G.. The
Bishop has been free ever since he was six
years of age. His father and mother lived
in Virginia. His mother was free woman,
but was kidnapped and sold to Mr.. Clawson
when she was sixteen years Of age. A few
Quakers who lived in the neighborhood
became interested in the Woman's story Of
having been kidnapped and advised her to
go with her children into Pennsylvania, by
which advice she attempted to act, but was
captured before reaching there. She again
made second attempt and succeeded in
escaping with her three children, one of
them being the future Bishop. She, wrap
ped him in blanket, which being lost on
the way, she then wrapped him in her skirt
and thus succeeded in carrying him into
Pennsylvania. The other children were
captured, and the sister whom the Bishop
met on Saturday, was one of them. Her
former owner, Mr.. Clawson, died and his
son, DR.. Jacob H. Clawson, moved to York
county from Virginia, bringing with him
the sister, Dicey ClaWson, who has been
living in Fort Mill township, and is now
7S years old.
In July last the Bishop preached near
Fort Mill, and in his sermon he had occasion
to refer to the fact of his mother having
taken him across the line and gave an ac-
count of her first wrapping him in blanket
and then in her skirt. A daughter of Dicey
was present and when she went home she
related the story to her mother, who re-
marked that her mother made her escape
from slavery and concealed her little brother
Benjamin in the same manner. Rev. Dub
lin |. Walker, who then had charge of the
church, called on Dicey ClaWsOn and during
their conversation he told her that Bishop
Moore was first called Benjamin ClaWson,
but afterwards changed his name to John
J. Moore. Dicey at once said that he must
be her brother, when Rev. Walker told her
the Bishop would visit Rock Hill in Novem-
ber and she could then see him and talk
with him. On Saturday she walked from
her home in Fort Mill to this place and
called at the house where the Bishop was
stopping and called for him. She was shown
into the room, and the Bishop tells me that
he at once recognized her by her resem-
blance of their mother. The meeting is
said by those who witnessed it to have been
a joyful one, and this scrap of history of
these two individuals so long separated-the
brother a free man and the sister slave,
neither knowing where the other was
discloses feature of life in slavery times
of which the growing generation can form
but slight conception.
Two car loads of hogs were received at
this place on Saturday. The price asked is
81 cents per pound, gross. The weather re-
naming so warm, and money being so
scarce, very few have been sold.
The press, type and other material of the
Rock Hill Herald was sold at auction at
this place on Saturday last. Mr.. j.. Joseph
Hull became the purchaser and will con-
tinue the publication as heretofore as editor
and proprietor.
>.Mr. A. d. Holler and Major A. H. White
make exhibits at the Floral Fair which
commences in Charleston to-day. Mr.. Hol-
Ter will exhibit drain tile, and Major White
samples of wheat, oats, barley and rye.
1 am informed that there was quite
serious cutting affair at the store Of Mr..
Henry Massey, on Thursday night last. A
difficulty occurred between the Norman
ed. Horace was severely cut with knife.
Whisky and an old grudge caused the diff
ticulty. No arrests have been made as yet.
HAL.
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM CHESTER.
CHESTER, November 23.-John Lee, COL
ored, charged with stealing bananas from
Mr.. A. G.. Fischel, was brought before Trial
Justice Leckie on last Tuesday and tried.
The trial resulted in the conviction of the
accused. He was sent to Jail for fifteen
days. He is a young boy, about IA years
of age. Instead of sending criminals of
this age to the penitentary or county jails
where they are hardened, would it not be
well for the State to establish reformatory
institutions with the view of restoring, if
possible, such characters to right and hon
est ways? Institutions Of this character
have been been attended with beneficial