The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-06-27
Sumter Observations.

Mr.. w. w Ball, editor of the Columbia
Journal, who was here last Saturday 10 re-
port the campaign meeting, had the follow
ing in the editorial columns Of Monday
Journal:
Observation uumbe, one is necessarily and
tasteful and beautiful residences with green
lawns and flowers and fountains and elms
At the Worlds Fair there were some lovely
plots of lawn which were strictly for adver'
Using purposes but they wanted the fresh
ness and natural loveliness which half Il
dozen in Sumter have.
The second observation is the new opera
house. 1t is surprise to Que expecting 2
neat little affair comparing fav"rably with
other structures of the kind in South Caro-
lima towns. 1t out-classes any Il them
1t is An architectural gem and would present
creditsble appearance on the main street oi
Richmond, Atlanta or New Orleans. Any
stranger whose eyes rest once on the Sumter
opera house, even in its incomplete state,
netted over with scafolding, will conclude
that there is a pluck and public spirit and
large busines foresight in that city which
will lift her into commercial prominence
among all the business communities Of the
South.
The opera house speaks for Sumter's
rapidly coming greatness in language which
laughs at denial.
As sat on the door sill of the telegraph
office Saturday night and smoked away the
recollections of hard days work chronic
ling the tiresome and boring political meet
ing it was refreshing to watch the busting
crowds on Main street who hurried from
store to store and shop to shop giving it the
ai- of little Broadway where the spirl, ol
enterprise and determination to win were no,
less strong than they are in the greatest bust.
ness mart in all this union Of States. The
picture Of Sumter on Saturday night is a
lesson to Columbia. Columbia has the ad-
vantage of Sumter. We have the mighty
canal We have had many years the start.
We have public institutions which give us
opportunities over any towa In Carolina.
But are our business men, yoong and old,
bound together as are those of Sumter
Sumter is bicycle town. A "Satety''
town. She is geared high. She is racer.
And every merchant. lawyer. railroad man,
aud laborer is link in the chain which moves
her, There are no flaws in the metal and the
links are indissolubly bound together.
Public spirit, large and progressive, swell Inc
pneumatic tires which can never be punctured.
Public spirit and goaheaditiveness are the
sprocket wheels and public spirit is on the
pedals And gumption holds the handles.
The bell is. ringing too and laggards and
loiterers ameng Southern towns had better
get out of the way.
had the pleasure of being entertained at
the Jervey House and it WAS pleasure. 1t
nestles among glorious magnolias and is
homelike. II is bomelike inside. 1t is a
hotel where every body from landlord down to
bootblack takes a personal interest in The
guests and never lets them move finger for
themselves. Aud the table is all that the
most fastidious could desire. | arrived at
6 80 a. m an hour before breakfast and the
landlord met me with steaming cup ol
ssMochs.'' How could human creature
help praising hotel like that? W. W.B.