The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1896-11-04
THE TOWN OF PEAK.

and progressive little place IN the
county than is the thriving little
town of Peak as she appears today.
Beautifully situated in Lexington
county on the Columbia and Green
vile Railroad, about 25 miles from
the county seat and about the same
distance from Columbia, the capital
city of the State, and snugly lays on
the west banks of the picturesque
and historical Broad river upon high
bluff commanding grand and beau
tiful view of the magnificent territory
of three rich, prosperous and pro
gressive counties, making its climate
unsurpassed for healthfulness and its
air unequalled for purity and salu-
brity.
Comparatively speaking only a few
years ago the site upon which tho
town of Peak now stands with its
handsome residences, neat churches,
convenient school house, commodious
storehouses, it's busy scene OF com
mercial actiyity-all evidences OF a
high state of civilization-was bar
rem hillside of uninviting appearance.
just opposite the town are to be
seen the red hills of Fairfield county,
standing like grim sentinels watch
ing with s1eepless eye the encroach-
ment of the civilization of man upon
the domain of virgin nature. A lit
tie to the west are the rich meadows
and fertile valleys Of Newberry
country teeming with the abundance
of q plentiful harvest as a reward for
the industry of the thrifty tillers OF
the soil. Not such a great distance
from the town the broad acres OF
Union county touch those OF her
sister counties, thus giving to the
town of Peak rich and prosperous
back country from which to draw the
necessary support for the town.
It's merchants are men OF high
business qualifications, overhowing
with energy and pluck. Its citizens
are the interiors Of no other commu-
nifty in point of birth, intelligence
and morality, Being of Dutch an
cestry, race of people who have in
delibly stamped their national charac-
teristic for good upon the pages OF
American history from its earliest
settlement, they are not whit be-
hind, in patriotism and in the pur-
suit of moral and intellectual attain
ments and in their social and busi-
ness affairs. than those hardy, sturdy
and honest Dutch pioneers who
trapped along the banks OF the beau
tiful Broad river and hunted game
IN the then trackless waste of wilder
ness.
Peak, like many other new towns,
has had it's season of adversely as
well as ofsprosperity. At its settle
ment boom was inaugurated which,
after the first flush of enthusiasm
died out, the energies of the town
seemed to languish and her business
interest came to a standstill and al
most became stagnated. Nothing
daunted by the waves Of adversely and
having confidence in the great posi-
bilities for the future success OF the
town, few progressive citizens put
their shoulders to the wheel and by
matchless enterprise and untiring In
dustry infused new life and vigor into
the sleeping energies Of the place
until today she is on steady and a
sure road to permanent success.
We were in the place last week and
it was with feelings Of mingled
amazement and pleasure that we be-
held the great improvements which
have been made in the place since
last we were there.
Among the largest and most pros
porous merchants in the whole OF
that section of country may be men
toned Mr.. W. H. Suber, who occu-
pies the Brooks Swygert old stand.
where he has a large and well Sc
lected stock of general merchandise
Low prices; honest weights and fair
dealings has made his name house
hold word in the homes of the peo,
pie of that section of the county.
In order to meet the requirements
of his increasing business, he has
found it necessary to move into
larger and more commodious quart
ers, and is fitting up store by add,
ing an addition to its length
which, when completed, will give
him ample room for time at
least. He also deals largely in cot
ton. Mr.. Herbert HUE, jovial,
rollicking and warm hearted young
man is the popular clerk.
Mr.. Brooks Swygert, who lately