The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-30

Letter From Hagood.
HAeoop. S. c.. Nav 2sth. 1894.

HAeooD, S. c., May 18th: 1894.
This is the dry district OF the county.
There is q streak of several miles here that
not more than one inch of rain has fallen on
since the snow in February. AS far as we
have heard, every other section 10 the
county has been blessed with copious sea-
sons. It is getting to be a serious matter
with us. Wells are going dry, q good deal
Of replanted cotton is atill in the ground,
and several acres remain implanted on &C
count Of the land being so hard that it could
not be p1owed. Cotton that is up and has
been worked looks we'll, though it was
slightly nipped and retarded by the recent
cold weather, but not as badly as where they
have bad rain. Corn is very small for this
season of the year, but looks healthy and
vigorous. 1t seems impossible to get stands
in bottoms or low places. The bulk of the
oat crop has been harvested, and the yield Is
much better than vas anticipated. The
spring planting will be almost a complete
failure.
We heartily approve yoIr article upon the
subject Of encroachment, by private parties,
upon the public highways, and hope that
something viii be done to abate the nuisance.
There is no reason or excuse for it, and it is a
source Of great annoyance as we'll as incon-
yenience TO the travelling public to thus have
the highways ploughed up and planted. a
few years ago this section was noted for its
wide roads and beautiful drives. Where the
road was once from thirty (3o)t to forty (4o)
feet vide there is now only enough left for
one wagon track. 1t would be impossible
for two vehicles TO pass each other without
driving over q growing crop. TIE County
COMMISSIONED have tried to do their duty by
giving public warning, bat it has not done
shy good. We now think that the only
thing that is left to be dooe is for the County
Commissioners to bring up test cases from
each township. Don't make q scape goat Of
the negroes in this matter, but take some of
:he leading citizens, present them to the
Grand Jury and have them vigorously prose-
cnted.. If this was done it would not be
very long before we would have q great
improvement in the present state of affairs.
Push the matter, Mr.. Editor, for the people
are with you and demand that au.improve-
ment be made. Court convenes next week,
and if the County Commissioners will not
act, we hope that the Grand Jury will take
hold.
We read with interest, Mr. Dabb's letter,
published some time ago in the Waterman and
Sonahron, on the subject of convict labor, and
the improvement of our public highways.
We are sure that if Ar. Dabbs was acquainted
with that kind Of labor be would soon real
ise that his scheme was impracticable. In
the FIRST place there are only thirty-6ve (35)
counties in the State, and about one thousand
convicts in the peni,entiary. Divide them
equally among the several counties and it
would not give to each more than twenty
nine hands: Allowing for long term (life)
prisoners which he said should be confined
within the prison walls, and the sick and
in6rm, it would not give ar average of more
than twenty hands to the county. Divide
them among the different townships, build
stoekades, employ guards, &c, and we will
see at once that the scheme will not work.
The best and most healthful employment that
can be given them is farming, and there is
NO other work that they can be put at that
will come in less competition with free labor.
The young men of the neighborhood are
speaking of organizing . base ball team for
the season. II so they will be open for a
challeoge from any club in the county. Mr..
Crawford Sanders, our champion pitcher did
good work for Sumter in her games with
Darlington. He will pitch against Florence
this week.
Mrs. T. 0. Sanders, Jr., will 60 o a pro-
trseted visit to Der old bone in Barnwell
County this week.
Nrs. b. r. Mcleod of Providence, has been
on q visit to her daughter, Mrs. A. K. SAM
ders.
xis Minnie Young, of Rembers, is on a
visit to friends in the n%eighborhood.
Capt. Isbam Moore was brough. home from
the asylum this morning. His stay there was
not ~ beneficial as was expected, and bis
numerous friends will regret to learn that his
condition is regarded as very precsrious-
G. C..
Letter From Fulton.
FtIros, s. c., May 20, 1894.
The recent cold damaged cotton very much,
hn& sphaecuent shovers. and Close work han