The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
MOSELEY's FORD.
4 Statement OF Facts Concerning tho
Management OF the Above Ford.
MAC.

Editor Press ana Banner:
hear IL good deal of unfavorable comment
on the conduct OF my friend j. Johnston
Moseley in the matter OF the ford across Rocky
River near where stood the double bridges.
That th" public may fully understand the
facts In the case, and thereby he enabled to
form n just and correct opinion IN the pre-
mises, | shall briefly state them. During the
heavy frcshets some months ago the bridge at
this place was carried away. There being n
point on Mr.. Franks land not far from
where the bridge stood, which. with a little
work. could be made a rassable ford. 1t oc.
Cured to Mr.. Moscley, who lives near by. that
he could make "a good thing" out or II by
digging down the banks and making ford
and charging persons from five to Twenty-Five
cents, according to the nature Of their con.
he has done and nothing more, and for which
he Is gravcly ccnsurcd by some persons. In
Justice, however, to those who are more out.
spoken in their censure of Mr.. Moscly, /
Would state that they dsclalm any dispost-
ton TO deny to Mr. Moseley The right to charge
the public for crossing at this ford, provided
the same wns upon his own land, but such
not being the case, and inasmuch as the real
there that he has no right to charge for that
privilege. They even 20 further and say that
though the ford does not belong TO him, and
therefore he has no right to charge for the
privilege OF crossing 1t, they would not be dis
posed TO interposc any serious objections to
charging the ordinary travelling public, but
to charge the persons comprising q funeral
procession, and that too Of one of his near
neighbors, as he did the other day, they say
is perfectly outrageous. Well, must confess
that such 1t would appear Mt first thought or
under ordinary circumstances, but II shonld
be borne In mind that whilst II Is fact that
the person, the parties comprising the funer-
nj procession of whom were made to pay for
the privilege OF crossing at this ford on their
way with the corpse to the graveyard, was
ncighbor of Mr.. Moselcy, still 1t Is also fact
that the deceased died at Abbevile Court
House, and consequently the most of those
comprising that procession were not neigh,
bors of Mr.. Moseley. but parties M from s,1,i SAID
was tnuging away. putting and sweating In
his efforts to make that ford, were sitting
down In the shade taking their ease. l un-
derstand that some OF these Gentlemen ae SIs HH-
MIoscly charged them fifteen cents for crossing
at his ford-a ford that required him ut leusl
two hours of hard work to make, and yet
Of charging fellow five dollars for hitching
his horse for five minutes to little sickly
elm tree In the public square.
Mr.. Moscley no doubt thinks, and perhaps
Justly, that 1t twould be about as reasonable To
expect the saloon keepers ut Abbeville Court
House to close up on a Saleday, as to expect
him to give free passage to a funeral process,
sion across his ford. 1t must be remembered
that perhaps the County Commissioners may
rebuild this bridge some time, and also that
funerals don't occur every day, and john
ston's motto doubtless Is mako hay while
the sun Shines"
Now MS to the land where the ford Is not be.
longing to Mr.. Moscley, and therefore he has
no right to charge for crossing II, would
simply say that while the land on both sides
of the ford, ns q matter of fact, does not be-
long to him, but to Mr.. jim Franks, 1t Is new
crthclcss n fact that In order to reach that
ford 1t Is necessary to pass overat least wen
ty-tive or thirty yards OF Mr.. Moscley's land; !;
and IL Is for this privilege that he demands
pay. Those persons whom have heard cen
surfing Mr. MoSelcy, contrast his conduct with
that Of Mr.. jim Franks. who Is the real own.
er Of the ford and over whose land the road
leading to the ford passes for scveral hundred
yards, and who, notwithstanding, has made
no objection. All | have to say to this Is, IL
Mr.. Franks is disposed to accommodate iu-
neral professions and the public generally by
letting the same pass over his land, while the
bridge Is down, free gratis and for nothing. II
simply argues that lie Is Il clever gem ntlcman,
hut il docs not follow that because he does so,
Mr.. Mosclcy should suffer the public to make
II road uvcr his land for twenty We or thirty
yards for nothing. Besides. Mr.. Editor. Mr..
Jim Franks. like yourself, is q rich young
man with no children, and not even wifo to
support, and therefore Is expected to contrib
ute something. PRO BONO PUDL1CO.