The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-04-01

where. Al tlaL lime ne huu Suhi i'co -
Allen were planning TO 60 To Florida 10 puo.
lish a paper but whom the offer OF an interest
In the Independent Press was preSenteo' anu
the trade effected, all Thoughts oil floIlaa were
given up aud since then he has never enter
tained any idea of going away from Aooe-
Vile He will be here when the mmons
, comes for him to 60 to the Judgment Bar
THE CHANGES OF OWNERSHIP.
inst here 1t may be we'll to note the changes
or historical events In the career of the pa
pers, separately and Jointly. as far as we can
May 10. 1853, Ben Lane Posey started the In
dependent Press at Abbevile.
ON the 25th day OF May. 1854. Benjamin L.
Poseg eo1se sSa hs sns PaPeT os S C.
On April 9, 1855. Miles Puckett, who succeed
ed George FAINT. sold his half Interest TO VIM.
Henry Wilson for 81 ,000.'
On the 9Th OF September, 1856. w. H. Wilson
sold his half Interest to Coleman Z. Puckett
for 81 900.
On the 25th day of October, 1855. Coleman G.
Puckett. transferred the paper TO WA. Lee
half interest TO Hugh Wilson, for sl.5OO.
AS TO THE BANNER.
In March, 1874, Charles H. Allen commenc-
ed the publication of the Abbeville Banner.
In June. 1854, Thomas B. Crews succeeded
George P. Evans rs publisher" (without pro.
Praetsry OF he pa,ea nn
January, 1856. when be took an interest In the
! Laurensville Herald.
In January, 1855, James Hollingsworth sue
ceeded Thomas B. Crews In the publication
of the Banner, which was then owned by DR..
John A. Logan and w. G. Davis.
In April or May of 1855 James Hollings.
worth bought Or. John A. Logan's one-half
In March. 1855, Thomas B. Crews bought the
interest of James A. Hollingsworth In the
| Banner.
From March, 1856, until after the beginning
Of the war. though both proprietors were
among the first TO enlist in the service, the
publication OF the Banner was not discoutln-
ued until the printers volunteered Into the
army. Mr.. Crews entered the service and did
| valiant service for the cause In which all the
enthusiasm of bis heart was enlisted. HIS
partner, Capt. W. c. Davis, did the same, and
In October. 1855. Thomas B. Crews revived
the publication Of the Banner, with James 3.
Cothran as his partner be having bought the
half interest Of w. c. Davis. deceased.
THE CONSOLIDATED PAPER.
In April. 1865. Thomas B. Crews sold bis
half interest TO James s. Cothran, and he al
| terward sold It 10 the Farrow brothers, who
Mr.. Cothran, and Mr.. Cothran In turn sold the
Office TO W. A. Lee and Hugh Wilson, as stat
ed above. and the Abbeville Banner as sepa'
rate and distinct paper ceased to exist.
Cothran sold the Abbeville Banner to w. A.
Lee and Hugh Wilson for s2,ONJ
On the nth day OF August, 1876. ". A; Lee
sold his half interest In the consolidated pa
per TO Hugh Wilson for $3.50.
On November 80. ls77. Hugh Wilson SOLO
On January 8. 1850. W. c. Benet sold his half
On January 9. 1888. H: T. Wardlaw sold bis
half interest 10 Hugh Wilson for 81 500, since
which time the pa per has been under tue s',le
management Of the present editor.
STARTING THE INDEPENDENT PRESS.
When Ben Lane Posey started the publica:
lion of the independent Press, he inaugurated
system of fault finding with every body and
everything. exposing all the errors, sins or
crimes with which people who held up their
heads had ever been suspected. He, 10 man.
ner, blazed the way for Tillman In that line:
Besides this he assumed the role OF bully ana
proclaimed time and again his readiness 70
fight any body that might choose TO resent ms s
insults. He, OF course. vented all manner OF
spleen against his local competitor, the Aooe-
Vile Banner, and no effort was spared 10 In
Jure it's reputation and business: eISS. Inc paper
wanted to see what the brilliant editor mao 10
say. He was a scholar and used perfect Eng
| fish. Because of the low price OF The paper,
scription list In very short time had run up
to fifteen hundred copies. But the people
tired OF Mr.. Posey's methods and began 70
stop their subscriptions, and In order 10 save
| t0o paper IrOm WE6Chdkc, uc eolu ta0 ShiSS ~
| the end OF the first year.
Mr.. WILSON BUYS AN INTEREST.
Mr.. Wilson was young when he entered
upon the publication OF the Independent
Press. being only little more than any twentS f,,is
money. But, TAX Ing the money which he
needed TO pay other existing debts, ne was
enabled 10 pay $500 on the purchase money
| of The paper at the time the trade was made.
His employers, Messrs. Davis Crews, were
pleased at the prospect Of their employee get
| ling q good place, and readily released hlm
from the engsgement Tor the yu year; Ihey ,n,y
the journalistic world. and said that Lhey
were glad to have him as competitor. They
hoped that their relations would always %
pleasant which hopes were ia.'y he icabIs as
and pleasant relationship between Inc Two
Offices.
THE WAY THE TRADE WAS MADE.
The price asked for the half interest was
S2 QUO 10 two annual instalments of 81 900 each
or, 81, 500 II cash was paid. Not having the
cash, and not knowing much OF nnanciai
transactions. the cash proposition WAS not
considered, and he at once sought TO make
arrangements to give the required personal
security 10 the notes. Gratfhed At the pros
ect OF entering business on his own account,
Mr.. Wilson set out With q bouyAnt heart, con,
fident of bis own ability, by energy and hard
work. 10 conquer success In his chosen pro-
fessIon. His first step looking 10 the consum.
nation OF the purchase OF the ofnce, after the
| friends who would sign the notes with him.
Much 10 his surprise the first man To whom
he applied for help. very respectfully, but
TO end bs 19e q MS
for 8 moment, mortified him and crushed the
pride and hopes of Mr.. Wilson, bnr1n II little
while he rallied from the rebuff; and by re-
newed determination was stimulated to
greater effort to attain success. No other man
at Abbeville was asked TO take the risk,
but he returned to Due West, where he
b ad served his apprenticeship, TO seek the de-
sired help, and his efforts therein are herein
told.
SEEKING sURETIEs ON HIS NOTE.
DR.. Bonner, the distinguished editor AMI
on M the subject. The Doctor had a Kindly
heart, and when his sym pathies were aroused
he would, despite his extreme caution. do
much in behalf Of whomsoever bis feelings
were enlisted.
Unfortur ately, he had but recently been
forced to pay security debt, and consequently
WAS little scarey in taking more risks, but
he was Of practical turc Of mind and inves-
tigated the proposed trade. He wanted 10
know the value OF the property, and kindly
agreed TO sign the notes. II others would also
| sign. "
Wilson continued his efforts TO get the re-
quired security. Rev. E. E. Pressly. ID. D..
was then asked II be would sign IL. Without
hesitation or reluctance he said be would be
glad to lend his assistance In promoting a
worthy ambition. adding that he had observed
the industry and steady habits of his young
friend.
Mr. John Mathis. farmer living near
Col. Hawthorn, was next asked TO sign the
note, aud he cheerfully consented to do so.
When Col. ID. D. Hawthorn was approach
ell on the subject he expressed his friendship
and good feeling for Mr.. Wilson, and inquired
particularly as TO the facts In the trade, IN