The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1888-04-07
UNITY, PEA0E IND PLENTY.

gross In Our Neighboring Towns.
Messrs. Editors: BY invitation OF
John A. Stewart, Esq, Master, a dole
Lodge, composed of ?. Ms. Neil, Davis
Seigler, Propst, Simpson and Milling,
visited, on Thursday last, the Masonic
Lodge at Blackstock. The party went
up on the morning freight train, and
although the distance is but short, and
the journey comparatively swift, yet
the time was sufficient to shew to an
observant eye many things evincing q
new born energy and spirit of progress
pervading our county. AS we passed
along through the country we saw
mon, mules and ploughs at work on
every side breaking up the soil in an
ticipation of tho time for planting
crops, already much delayed by the
uptavorable seasons.
On reaching the thriving village of
White Oak we noticed that the active
citizens of that place have not ne
elected the lessons taught by the ex-
ample of their ancestors. Wherever
the pioneers Of this country settled,
their first care was to erect house for
the worship of God, and their next, a
building for the education of their
youth. And 80, at White Oak, their
descendants have church and academy
standing side by side, and proclaiming
to iii WHO pass that religion and edu-
cation are as much the watchwords of
this generation as they were those of
their forefathcrs. Nor is interest in
that great education, tho newspaper,
wanting along the railroad ronte. We
saw q copy of The News AND HERALD
in tho hands Of the conductor of our
train, not merely being looked over,
but carefully and attentively read.
The next village reached is Wood
ward, between White Oak and Black
stock. We learn chat three thousand
bales Of cotton were shipped from its
depot last season. Nor are the visible
signs of material growth and progress
wanting, for, as wo passed through,
We saw store that has just been built.
IN due time we reached the pros
porous village of our, destination,
where wo were warmly and hospita-
bly, received by the members of Black
stock Lodge; and after spending a
short time in meeting and shaking
hands with our friends and brothers.
in visiting their several places of bust
ness in conversation and other social
pleasures, we repaired at the appoint
ed hour to that Mystic Asylum, where
none but the true and tried can gain
admittancc. Over what there took
place the veil of secrecy must be
drawn. Should any one desire to
know, let him call upon the writer,
and if found worthy he may obtain the
information. But it is permitted to
say that tho furniture and fittings Of
Blackstock Lodge are unusually
handsome and complete, and reflect
great credit upon the zeal and liberali-
ty of tho members Of that body who
recently lost their Lodge room by fire
and have been compelled to reft it
anew.
The Masonic ceremonialhavingb been
completed, tho visitors were escorted
to the Blackstock Hotel, where they
were further entertained at an elegant
dinner by their hosts of Blackstock
Lodge.
The south-bound passenger train
was considerably behind its time, and
thus we were afforded an opportunity
to walk around the pretty village.
Few, if any, places Of it's size in this
State show greater signs of energy and
enterprise than Blackstock. 1t boasts
Of a first class hotel, it has a goodly
number of well stocked stores, a wagon
factory III active operation, and nu-
merous handsome private residences.
Of the latter, we were told, three to
four are built evory year, and at this
time tho Presbyterian congregation
are just commencing to build on a
wooded knoll near their tasteful
church edifice parsonage for their
devoted pastor, Rev. w. G. Neville.
AT the wagon factory several vehicles
were being built and repaired, and
while we were in the yard wc were
shown in practical manner the diff
ference between the bittle hickory and
oak of the Western States, grown all
too quickly on rich, moist soil, and
the tough and almost everlasting
wood of the native hickory and live
oak which natnro has placed for our
use in easy reach and prodigal profu-
sion. We also saw, but did not have
time 10 visit, the Blackstock Academy,
whic h, under the charge of Prof. Dichs
and Mrs. Durham, Is now very
fionrishing institution of learning.
Over foul thousand bales of cotton
were shipped from Blaokstsck last
season, anu the faces and converse
tion of its citizens indicate its pros
perity and PROCESS.
We hail with great pleasure these
evidences of q good time coming, and
hope that no backward wave
may ever interfere with the onward
towards wealth and useful
ness of our neighboring town.
Scarcely had we concluded our stroll
when the south.bound train arrived,
on which we all embarked; and thus
day long to be rcmem.
bered for it's varied pleasures, both
Masonic and social. II. n. o.
7. S.--We all had q jolly, good time,
and 81 will not deny the fact"