The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-07-18
FARMING CAN BE MADE TO pAY.
susoess OF Mr.. Wilkersou,
of York,

4OhhNAbLhj NJ S'3
farming pay is question that has
been asked as often perhaps as "Is
marriage failure p and the answers
to each have been in accordance with
the experience of the individual who
undertook to enlighten the public.
The writer's observation has taught
him that the correct answer to the
query is very simple and conclusive,
and it is this, it depends on who the
farmer is. Some farmers depend on
surrounding conditions for their sue
cess, others on the buoyant condition
of the market when they are ready to
dispose of their crops, others on good
seasons and little work, and very
small class, while appreciating the
advantage Of good market and favor
able seasons, realize that neither the
one or other can make any material
difference unless backed by the mus
Gle, energy and intellect of a man,
and the latter class as q rule have
been eminently successful in this
section, and are continuing in the
beaten path, Notwithstanding the ex-
listing financial depression. While
there are scores Of farmers in York
County who have made success Of
farming, there is one in particular
who stands out from the rest as an
Anthony Drexel does from the ordina-
rily successful bankers. Reference is
made to Mr.. William S. Wilkerson,
who lives on his farm about three
miles west Of Hickory Grove, small
railroad town on the Three C's Rail
road, in the western section of the
County.
While there is nothing remarkable
about Mr.. Wilkersons success as q
farmer, still it is very interesting and
illustrates in forcible manner the
fact that talent properly directed on
the farm as we'll as at the Bar, in the
counting room, behind the counter, in
journalism, in the pulpit, school room
or in any avocation by which men
gain fame, and incidentally their daily
bread, is sure to bring about satisfac-
tory results.
Mr.. Wilkerson is 48 years of age.
He was born in the neighborhood in
which he now lives, and his parents,
although the peers of any people in
the County, were not wealthy or even
in ordinary financial circumstances,
and in his youth young Wilkerson did
not have the educational advantages
that are so little appreciated by the
average boy of to-day, and what educa.
ton he has was gained by his individual
efforts, without the aid of teacher,
after he had reached man 8 estate. In
1863, at the age of II, he entered the
service of the Confederate States as
member of the Palmetto Sharpshoot-
ers, and served with distinction until
the close of the war.
After the surrender of Gen. Lee he
returned to his old home, and he and
brother undertook the support of
widowed mother and possible one or
more sisters. They owned no land,
but did own horse-a very poor one
and so rented land on the share sys-
tem-one half for the other. They
worked faithfully and constantly, but
made little more than bare living:
After continuing this plan for several
years Mr.. Wilkerson concluded that
there was shorter and surer way to
success than over rented ground and
determined to find it.
At that time, as with everything
else, leather, shoes, harness, brides,
etc., we're bringing high prices and
the demand was good. He concluded
that ne would embark in the tanning
business and make his leather into
shoes, harness, etc., and thus realize
a double profit. He started business
on thirty-fve cents-his entire capital
-and gave that sum to negro to cut
some wood for him. He had no expe-
rience as tanner, but secured the
services of man who knew the bust
ness, and then canvassed the country,
engaging hides out of which to make
leather, agreeing with the farmers to
tan the hides for one-half the leather:
He soon had an abundance Of raw
material on hand and started out on
his leather-making enterprise. In
due time the first lot Of leather was
ready for use, and then was begun the
work of making boots, shoes, harness,
etc., Mr.. Wilkerson having secured
competent workmen in the various de-
partments. His leather and work was
Of such superior quality that it
found ready sale at the then prevail
ing high prices. Mr.. Wilkerson did
as much work, perhaps, as any two
men in his employ, as an incident that
occurred during his experience as
tanner-shoe- -harness-maker will clearly
show:
One one occasion he had had a large
quantity of oak bark peeled from some
trees. The bark was to be used in the
tan yard. After being stripped it was
turned with the inside toward the sun.
After it had remained in this position
sufficient length of time Mr.. Wilker-
son engaged two men, who with HIM
self were to take up the bark, carry it
to certain point and pack it up. The
work was to be commenced on the
morning following the day on which
the arrangement was made, and about
sunrise on the appointed day he was
at the place and at work. The hired
! men did not put in their appearance,
but he worked on. The weather indi-
cations pointed to rain and he realized
that if his bark was wet it would be
useless, and therefore he put all his
energy and strength to his task. All
day long he toiled, not stopping to eat
his dinner, which was in tin pail
hanging on the limb of tree near by.
At sundown he had completed the
task that had been intended for three
men. His work, however, was not
completed, because farmer who lived
twelve or fifteen miles away in Ches-
ter County was to be at his shop next
morning for some work that had been
promised. The customer must not be
disappointed, and so the man who had
already done the work of three men
in one day at once undertook the task
of doing the work for the farmer. He
toiled until q clock next morning
and finished the job. For seven years
Mr.. Wilkerson continued in this busi-