The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-01
Our Thirty-sscond Anniversary.

In 1851 the senior member OF the nrin Gil
listed In the Confederate service.
In 1862 the junior member Of the firm en-
listed in the 18th Regiment Of South Carolina
Volunteers, and the publication Of the paper
was suspended.
In 1868 arrangements were made with VIM.
H. Wilson to resume the publication OF the
paper. 1t was again suspended.in in 1861
In the summer Of 1865 the publication OF
the paper was resumed by the ow ners, Lee q
Wilson, as before the war.
In 1865 the publication Of the AbbeVille
Banner-which suspended publication IN lool
was resumed.
In 1859 the owners OF the Abbeville Press
bought the Abbeville Banner.an consolidated
the papers under the consolidated name of the
Press and Banner, and for two or three years no
other paper was printed at AbbeVille, until
the Abbeville Medium was started.
In 1875 Mr. Lee sold his interest in the pa
per to the present owner.
In 1877 half interest was sold to Mr..
Benet.
In 1880 Mr.. Benet's interest was transferred
to Col. H. T. Wardlaw.
In 1888 Colonel Wardlaw sold his Interest
and since that time the present editor has
had sole control Of the paper.
The change in our subscription has been
great indeed. Comparatively few Of the pres
ent subscribers to the Press and Banner were
subscribers in 1859. The men who composed
the list Of subscribers that year, like the ed
itors OF that day, have passed over the River,
or have had reason TO supplant the paper OF
earlier days, by taking other and different
papers.
or all the editors who were in control Of
newspapers in 1859, we remember Mr.. John
C. Bailey, of the Greenville Enterprise and
Mountaineer; Colonel T. B. Crews of the
Laurensville Herald; L. NJ. Grist, OF the
Yorkville Enquirer; Colonel Robert A.
Thompson OF the Keowee Courier; Colonel
James A. Hoyt, of the Baptist Courier; Rob-
ert NJ. Stokes Of the Union Times. OF these
only Colonel Thompson and MIR. Bailey are
in the same offices which they owned In
1859.
In 1850 many delinquents were erased from
the books, and the edition was reduced to
about 30 Quires.
Since the war the edition has ranged from
81 to IS quires.
In 1915 the use of ready prints, or the pat
ent side" plan, was adopted-it being perhaps
the second paper in the State TO adopt the
plan. To meet the. changed method, the use
OF large type was abandoned and smaller
type was brought into use. To reduce the pa
per bill the circu lation was greatly reduced
by cutting off dead heads" and non-payin ing
subscribers.
In 1885 the present seven-couinn quarto
form was adopted in place of the former nine
column folio.
In 1885 the edition of the paper was3l quires.
That year new paper entered the field. Vigor
Gus competition brought up the circulation
10 80 quires.
In 1889 the Alliance pronounced a
boycott against the paper. The circu-
lation at that time was 80 quires. AS re-
suit Of the boycott, the circulation was re-
duced to 40 quires.
In December and January last about two
hundred and fifty names were striken from
the roll because of non-payment of dues oi
because OF failure to renew.
To day, April l, 1871, we print, 50
auires, and will next week publish full and
.,ornplete list, giving the names Of each sub
scriber.
In the last year, for all reasons, not mo re
than two dozen subscribers have ordered
their papers stopped. I'm this statement no
reference is had to changes of address.)
To ref er in detail to the history of the peo-
pie OF Abbeville County since 1859 would fill
volume, and there would be much to soy, II
we entered into reflections and sentiment
concerning ourself, our friends, and the pub.
lie at large.
In no spirit of boastlng, but as matter OF
congratulation, we may refer with just pride
TO the unwaverng and unfllnching support
which has sustained us through evil report
and through good report for thirty-two years
OF our past life, and made our paper what 1t
Is.
The fact that we have lived at all; that we
can look back upon past life OF thirty-two
years OF newspaper life is q matter Of con-
graduation.
Most OF our early newspaper contempora-
rles have passed away or have renewed their
youth under new names or under new forms;
the times have changed and all else has
changed around us.
The perils OF war, the scourge ofreconstruc-
ton, slavery itself has passed away, and az
ter thirty-two years-the most event
full in the history OF our country
we enter now upon o new era Of material
prosperity.
With the hopes and anticipations OF the
in f,ll svmnQthv and trust to.
bear our full share in the work that lies be
fore US.
Our friends have sustained US in the past,
and Se are sure they will do SO in the fu'
tur3.
Our interests and their in terests are the
same, and whatever concerns the honor and
interest OF Abbeville concerns US all.
In this respect the Press OF 1859 and the
Press and Banner of 1891 are one and the
same; and we hope to contribute In the future
In the past, our best efforts to advance the
prosperity Of our common country-as we
have our share in the work, we hope TO share
In the results and trust that the pages of the
Press and Banner will ever reflect the spirit,
the enterprise, and the prosperity OF Abbeville
County.
We nave nothing but love for the people
who have stood by US in the past, and who
are true to us to day. Although we may have
done those things which we ought not 10
haye done, and although we may have left
uudone those things which we should have
-done, yet, We are conscious OF having the
friendship and good will of host Of
friends, to all of whom we give most grateful
and hearty thanks for any success that may