The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-02-04
DON'T co WESTl
Good Advice From One Who Has Tried
IT.


January Is, 1885.
Editors Messenger: With your per-
mission I will write you few dots from
this my new home in Alabama. left
old Palmetto in November, 1881, for
more beautiful fields and richer pastures,
and since which time have been a con-
stant reader Of your invaluable paper,
and every once in while see good
substantial citizens doing as did, lcav-
ing their native home and kind friends,
thinking to better their condition in a
strange land and amongst strangers, and
my object in writing this is to give them
a fools advice which is simply this-old
South Carolina. taking everything into
consideration, is as good as any State the
sun throws its light upon, and in many
respects superior to many. Now, while
VIZ here in Alabama can make double
the amount Of corn per acre Cotton
being on an average about the samc) it
must be understood that the lands are
much rougher and requires double the
amount of labor to produce such crops.
Another draw back is the scarcity Of farm
labor, wages being higher, caused from
30 many public works and there seems
to be disposition amongst the colorcd
race to work for them in preference to
the farm, and yet they do not make n
cent more than those on the farm: so I
repeat again, to let we'll enough alone,
and stay in your native State. came here
to be satisfied regardless of circumstan-
ces, and can tell the truth when say.that
my circumstances to-day arc far ahead
Of many who came here about the same
time. 1t is due alone to my energy and
enterprise. l could name several to-day
who have been in this State for three
years and working at good wages who
would gladly return if they only had the
means, and whenever you hear of high
wages and rakins up the precious
shining dollars. You may rest assured
that there is good deal Of expense at
tachcd to the rsking up. | am glad to
acknowledge Alabama as one Of the
richest Southern States. so far as miner
ais arc concerned, aud some as fine farm
ing lands rs you will find anywhere, but
then there is a large area that is mou ntan-
cors and Of but little valuo except for the
timbers. Those fine farming lands are
too high for poor man to think of buy
ing and the mountain lands too rough to
cultivate. So far as society is concerned
it is good enough. The school system
is think somewhat behind that of
South Carolina. The Courts, think,
arc presided over with justice, but (they
do not show altogether that degree Of
culture and refinement that chara ctcr
ixcs the Bar of Abbcville.
If it is your wish. may write you
again on the subject Of minerals and
how they are worked, &c.
! wish to say few words to my old
army comrades, and then will dcsist,
for fear this may find resting place in
the waste-bssket Oh account OF ITS
length.
ATTENTION co. (F) noLcoxB LEGION.
Does the name sound familiar, bows,
or has the twenty years Of hardship and
toll erased it from your memory? With
me, it is as fresh As if tho roll had been
called this morning; and I believe that.
were ! called upon, that could call the
roll in alphabetical order and not miss
a name Of the gallant company. One
thing we can always be proud of, j. O.,
we had tho best captain. or AS good
one, as ever drew the shining sabre. /
refer to Capt. Zeigler, your present
Clerk Of Court; and right here, allow
me to add that he is as good a man for
the Office no now holds as could be
found in your County; and request of
each of you, never 90 back on the brave
and impartial little Major. remember
one instance in the history Of tho war
Sh~'hhS'eS 'O'6Ct, ohu th0I " 6S al dppu
cation to him by relative for prom otion
to Office. His reply was, "You have only
been here short while; there are older
men in the service, and good men too
you will have to await your turn" Such
men are seldom found wearing the arm
and collar bracelets.
just how many Of the old company
are still alive, l cannot tell, hut would
be glad indeed if I could. / have the
names Of the most Of those that were
killed, and will mail it freely to any ap-
plicsnt, giving as nearly as can the
dates, &C., and as l may never SEQ you
all again. or have tho pleasure Of giving
you that hearty shake of tho hand, SO
of'army comrades. I have
one request to mako of each of you who