davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20
Wanted For Curiosity and For
Identification

Ei','or Item: Neiic'ng your mean insinn'
ticn, on the ll1h ias'aa;, D E Keels, s.
Copei4.d, j. A. Rhame, T II Griffin, E. NJ
Bean, J A. Byrd AID W. D. Gamble, in
''mass meetng,' do declare that they care
nothing whatever for the opinion Of the
Items editor, but they do regard the opinion
of good people who read the Item. There
fore they see proper to say.
/. That they were parties to the request Tor
the body of Simon Cooeer."
D. That there were two olives only by
which they were ac:uated, that one motive
was simple Curiosity OF some who had never
seen the 'killer and ravishtr,' TO see the
body Of such demon. The other motive
was to ideotfy be body, as was distinctly
stated iu the telegram, and thereby qaiet es
far as possible, the fear felt by many; some OF
them being ladies in an almost dying ccndi-
ton. others defenseless women and children,
also some men-even brave men-,hat it
might be some other fugitive, and not the
s'deviI incarnate" who was killed, or, ac-
cording to the Item, murdered.
g. That it would have been to them mat
ter Of indifference had the Items editor seen
6t to burn Cooper's body, beginning before
he was shot or banged, according to bis pre-
vious idea of Cooper's deserts.
4. 1t is not true that no effort was made
to catch Cooper until the night before be
butchered the Wilsoo family and made
threats against others.
S. We believe, az subsequent events proved,
that if the citizens of Magnolia had tried to
arrest Cooper, as they bad 90 warrant or au-
thority TO do, when be killed Davis on Jan
lst, Cooper would have been to kill and
then the Items editor would have called the
killing 'tigerish lust for blood"
D. E. KEELS,
S. COPELAND,
j A. RHAME,
T N. GRIFFIN,
E. NJ. BEAN,
j. A BYRD,
W. D. GAMBLE.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20
Underwriters.

MAGNOLIA, s. c., Jan. l6, 1897.
Mr. Editor: Your criticisms, which refer
to and directly concern US, along with vast
majority of the citizens of our county, seerc
to US not only to be harsh, but actually
vicious, therefore, We approve what the fore.
goiug article by Col. j. A Rhame contains,
believing that it is within the limits of legiti-
mate criticism. Respectfully yours,
Jno. NJ. Miller,
J. S Potts,
F. S. Potts,
]. F. Mcintosh,
S. Copelaod,
T. N. Grif6o.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20
WEDGEFIELD NOTES.

The recent depression 10 cotton prices,
seems not to have discouraged our farmers,
judging by the quantity of fertilizers being
distributed at this point.
'Grippe" still holds firm grasp on our
community. Scarcely q family has escaped.
Dr.. Dwight, orr resident physician, is kept
busy these days.
Mrs J. q. Aycock is suffering with poeu-
mona and Mrs. Anna Cain is also very sick.
Rev. W J. Dowell aud family are CON
fortably quartered 10 the new parsonage,
which is now nearly completed. When a
suitable barn.. stable and fences are added,
the place will assume a very homelke ap-
pearance.
A recent entertainment given for the beoe-
6tof the parsonage, was we'll patrooized and
proved quite success.
The graded school is progressing finely
under the Efficient management Of Prof ].
A. Merritt and his accomplished assistant
Miss Elise Singleton.
Will Cooper, negro, was arrested here
Friday for crime committed In Manning, to
which place he was remauded by Judge
Kelley. We are glad that "our Cooper"
failed to develop the desperate characteristics
Of "Simon."
Mr.. F. F. Covington and family Of Marion,
are spending few weeks with Mrs. J. H.
Aycock.
Mrs. N. R. Brown and Miss E. P Duncan,
of Baruwell, ere visiting Mr.. John B. Ryan.
Mrs Chas. Griffin, of Piuewood, is spend
iug short time with her parents, Mr. and
Mrs. ". NJ. Moore
Mr. Frank Thomaa, Sc, of N. c., is on an
extended visit to his 500 Mr.. F. E Thomas
Messrs. II E and j D. Odon, of Rocky
Mount, N. c, have beea on recent visit to
Mr.. J. R. Odom. Stylus
Jan. l6, 1897.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20
PIrHY AND POINTED.
Mr.. Rhame's Reply to Criticism

Mr. Editor I see that Mr. Sanders Las
been spilliug ink instead Of gore about me.
and | must say few words. | hardly think
that he means ell that be says or implies 10 bis
letter, because take it for granted that he
has common sense, sud therefore be ust
know that nothiog which wrote should ne
twisted or distorted iu;o any defence Of
Cooper He deserved all the Punishment bis
physical frame conld endure. But | feel
sorry and ashamed for our people-for those
who were trying to rival Cooper in brutality.
If those who criticize me for opposing muir
der by ,ynchiug, cannot. distinguish between
opposition to awlessness aad sympathy with
criminal-well so much the worse 10 them.
/ am sorry for their stupidity or malice
whichever it nay be. / believe murder,
whether ,committed by 6end ,ncarpate,
such as Cooper was, or by mob. such as
killed Cooper, to be a grave crime. We have
high authority for such an opinion. God so
pronounced it from Sicai and the best and
wisest men of world, those who have been
engaged century after century 10 building up
the frame work of society and adjusting laws
for the government of mankind, bow In
humble submission to the Almighty's fat.
Mr.. Sanders aud his friends think differently.
OOtu Tue DlOle Auu tue CcASuI0t'oIS VI OH
civilized countries must give way when they
come in contact with opinions of mob; of
mob that is to act as judge, jury and exc
S1tioner OF course my critic thinks that
this excited. furious and passionate crowd is
eminently fitted for such important duties.
have not attempted TO answer Mr. San
ders' letter. It is remarkable document.
but am too busy to take the time, even if |
had the ability, to explain assumptions, GER
taiuly no: from what said, but from Mr.
Sanders fertile brain.
have no quarrel with those who do not
agree with my ideas, but deeply regret that
so macy whom have every reason to be-
lieye are good men, should in this closing
lustrum of the nineteeoth century 60 back to
the primeyal methods of barbarism in pup
ishing crime W. F. RHAHE
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20

The relic! movement: is now appa-
rently in ful! operation The public
conscience and sympathy in this
country have both been fully aroused.
The response to the appeal is libera!
and utterly inadequate. The proper
tion of givers to the sufferers is
scarcely more than one in thousand.
1t will require the generosity of the
whole world to oppose real check
to the ravages Of hunger in India.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20
Burned Alive.

DALLAS, Tex. Jan. 16.-Fire com
pletely destroyed the Buckper's Orphan
home near here early this morning.
Sixteen children we're cremated and
pine injured. three of them fatally
All Of the dead. except one Tere buried
this evening in the cemetery home.
Rev. Mr.. Buckner. manager Of the
home. oficiated. TIE home physician Os
are 10 attendance on the injured. All
toe farmers in the vicinity turned out
and assisted 10 making cohius, digging
graves and burying the victims. There
were 147 toys and more than 100 girls
in the home, but all are accounted
for.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20

The foregoing is givec place without COM
ment, further than that it is the desire of
The Daily Item to give all conceroed the op.
portunity to viudicate their course as we'll as
to duly ventilate their opinions That the
terms used in reference to this paper are barsh
aud out of place, they will doubtless concede
on due reflection The editor of the Item is
out of the city to-day, but he has already
fully evpiaiced his course in this lanentable
affair
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20
BENJAMAN HODGES.
Death of q Highly Esteemed North
erner, who Once Lived and Mar
RED in Sumter.

A telegram was received on Tuesday. Jan.
18th, announcing the death Of Mr. Benjamin
Hodges at bis home, in Tops6e!d, Mass. Mr..
Hodges come here from the North jnst after
the war and planted very successfully for
eighteen years. He was very much liked
and highly respected by everyone and gen.
eral regret was felt when be moved back to
Massachusetts few years ago. He married
Miss Reynolds, the eldest daughter of the
late DR.. Mark Reynolds of Stateourg, who
With two children, survives him. Mr.. and
Mrs Hodges came here just before Christmas
on visit TO Mrs reynolds, when be became
so unwell that they were obliged to go home.
His death was not unexpected, as his health
has been very poor for some years.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20
One Other Lynch!ng.

Mr.. Editor: desire to correct an error you
made in speaking of the Cooper L. nching." /"
You Say: "It is blow to the fair fame of
Snmter County, withic whose borders a
lyuching never before occurred"
1t is rot forgotten by the people of this
ectior that a lynching ''tor usual offence"
took place at Pisgah Church three miles from
here some ten years a0o.
Respectfully,
He. L. PEBBLES
Smitbville, S. c., Jan II. 1897.
when writing the sentence quoted by our
esteemed correspondent, Col PEBBLES, the
lynchiug referred to recurred to memory, out
upon inquiry we were assured that the affair
took place. in Ke:sbaw county, and that'in
addition the offender was shot dowa while
attempting to shoot his pursuers IF these
be the facts, it could not be classeed as q
lynching whether it occurred in Kershaw O:
Sumter county. The statement of Col
PEBBLES, however, satisfies Us that we were
misi aforncd d-ED
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20

fourteen years ago had a slight stroke Of
paralysis. Overwork brought on nervous
prostration. was exceedingly nervous and
the exertion OF public speaking caused
heart palpitation that threatened my life.
I used two bottles of Dr. rsMiles' New Heart
Cure for my heart trouble, and two Of DR..
Miles Restorative Nervine for my nervous
ness and feel better than ever expected to
feel again. can speak for hours without
firing or having my heart 1utter as it for
merly did, and have you to thank that I
aR alive today"
On sale by all druggists. DR.. Miles Book
on Heart and Nervous Disorders FREE by
mail DR.. Miles Medical Co.. Elkhart, Ind.
DE-. Niles Remedies Restore Health:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20
Lamar Locals.
LAMAR. S. c.. Jany H. l8e

LAMAR, .. q, JHuy u, T0sI.
Mrs. Maggie Odom, wife Of Mr. J. B.
Odom, died on the 18th Of pneumonia, aud
was buried on the l7th at Newman Swamp
Cemetery. Mrs. Odom leaves large family
and host OF friends to mourn her loss.
Presiding Elder E. T Hodges preached at
the Methodist church on the l7th. at eight
o'clock p. 70.
There Will be an election held al An early
day to decide the question of a dispepsary at
this place.
Hon. J. A. Perritt came home from Co.
lumbia on the 18th, but will return o time
for business on the 18th.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20

armed with pistol and razor concealed, and
refused TO be tied. So ii Is perfectly plain
to say one 10 cares to sec, that he msa IA TO
pick bis time aod place on the aay 10 Sum
Ter, slay some ooe, ano, in the confusion
escape
You owe the people of Sumter county
your hest endeavcrs from here on to make
amends for the mischief you have done.
RespectfullY
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20
Another New County.

The election for the new county of Bam-
berg, of which the growing and progressive
town of Bamberg will be the county seat,
was held yesterday and resulted in victory
for the new comfy. The vote stood s77 for
the rew county and 254 against.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20
Nervous prostratiOn
Cured by DR.. Miles Nervine.

Prolonged arrangement of the nervous
system not only affects the brain and men
tai powers, but develops disease in some Of
the vital organs. The most dangerous OF
these indirect results is when the heart is
affected. This was the case of the Rev. N.
F. Surface, Fawn River, Mich, who writes
under date of Feb Il, 1895:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20

Lamp shades when artisticaly made Of
crepe tissue are things of beauty. If you
wart to make shades to beautify your homes,
Il. G. Osteen l. Co. can supply the materials.
a large stock Of crepe tissue in tea foot rolls
ust received.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20

The Finest assortment of choice stationery
at H. G. os,een and Cos. book re.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-20

ust received.
The Newtown bee., 1897-11-19

treated the men they found there. And
I do know that most of the respectable
men and women with whom l am &C
quainted were in favor of the reform
ticket and worked hard for it, tho l
haven't heard of any of them going to
the saloons for votes. But If my vote
defeated your candidate ard one is to
blame for it, you are the one. II Miss
Burns and I had not voted, Mr. Scott
would have been elected. We would
never have thought of voting if you had
not been so anxious to use your in
fluence."
''If only 1 had known you women
were playing me such a trick"
"Trick!" said his wife Indignantly
''trick, indeed, There was no trick
about it. When 1 told you we would
vote, didn't say whom we would vote
for. You never asked u', neither then
nor afterward. If you had you would
have found out that we we're going TO
vote against your side; and you would
have found out too that if it had not
been so that l could vote against your
ticket with a good conscience would
not have voted at all. You just took it
for granted that We would vote as you
told us to. You ought to have known
that isssBurns and L were the very
last women in this world to let any man
tell us how to vote. And more than all,
you ought to be ashamed of the way you
tried to mislead and deceive US"
She shut the door in his face, then sat
down and cried.
Samuel began to build the fire, NUT
terirg as he did so: II ought to have
known those. women would make a mess
of things. Women will never make
good politicians. Their minds amt
fitted for it,
I'm not quite clear in my mind"
said Janet to Miss Burns that afternoon,
''that af er we had made up our minds
to vote the reform ticket, l was justified
in letting him go on thinking we were
going to vote with bis party. But when
man acts so high and mighty, and as
sumes that the women know nothing
except what he tells them, and that they
have no opinions of their Own, and not
enough sense to know whom to vote for,
what's body to dog"
The Newtown bee., 1897-11-19

place, it was not without miegivings that
he watched them pass within the railing
experienced decided sensation of relief
when they rejoined him, and in answer
to his queries each assured him that she
was certain she had not made a mistake.
On the way home he was light-hearted
as boy. Miss Burns, too, was in excel.
lent spirits. Janet was very sober.
Again the morning after election day.
You may be sure that Samuel 'Armitage
is awake early. This morning he brings
in his paper before lighting the fire.
Carefully adjusting his spectacles he
glanced over the columns of election
news. "Janet, oh, Janet!'' he cries,
pushing open the bedroom door; 'tour
ticket was defeated by just one vote"
"What ticket do you mean?"
"Our ticket. Mr. Scott, of course. Oh,
if L could only have controlled few
more votes - she smiled serenely. ''You
don't seem to mind it much" growled
her husband.
"Why should [ ? The election has gone
ust as wanted it to-
He looked at her In astonishment
You don't mean to say, Janet, that you
wanted to see the reform ticket elected p
Eyes, did, and voted for it,
"And Miss Burns?'
''Miss Burns voted as l did,"
"Well!" he exclaimed, wrathfully, 81
hope you are salts fed. You, Janet AR.
mitage, defeated Scott. You prevented
the reelection of the best mayor this city
ever had. You will be responsible for
the Encouragement of this city during
the next two years. We didn't care SO
much about the other officers if only we
could have elected the mayor. But the
Owens had only one majority for mayor
all the rest of his ticket were elected
with plenty of votes to spare. They're
all incompetent. Not one has had any
experience in public business" He
paused for breath and groaned dismally
Janet was exasperatingly calm. 81
don't think" said she, "that the mer
on the reform ticket are half as Ignorant
J as you have tried to make them out. ]
don't they are either ignorant or incom.
petent. AS for Mr. Owens, L think he
is Just the man for his position. And
I'm not going to worry over my re-
sponsibility. Several thousand people
voted as did, and will share the re-
sponsibility with me. You told Miss
Burns and me that the worst elements
in the city were supporting the reform
ticket. have no acquaintance among
people of that class, and don't know
how they voted; but learned on good
authority that Mr. Scott and the chair.
man of your committee went into the
most disreputable saloons in town and
The Newtown bee., 1897-11-19

The subject of woman's suffrage was
nearly year and half.
A woman does not live with man
for five-and thirty years-so long time
had Janet and Samuel Armitage jour
moved through life together-without
learning that when her husband is un-
commonly solicitious lest she overtax
her strength, he is about to ask favor
which he has reason to think she will
not be disposed to grant. On dismal
March morning Mrs Armitage came into
the kitchen to find the WATERFALL filed to
the brim, the ashes and splinters of xii d.
ling, which were usually left on the
floor when the nominal head Of the
house built fire, carefully brushed up,
and her husband grinding the coffee,
while his paper lay on the table still
rolled up as the carrier had thrown it
into the yard. Hating just within the
door, she stood with arms akimbo.
"Well, Samuelv'
He tried hard not to look sheepish.
Taking the coffee-nill from him, she
critically examined the contents of the
drawer. "You haven't ground that half
fine enough" she said; and turning the
ground coffee back into the hopper and
giving the screw vicious twist, pro-
ceeded to grind it again. Samuel me-
chanically picked up his paper and drop
ped into the chair by the stove. 1t was
in his mind to reply that the mill was
just as she had used it last. He discreet
ly suppressed the remark.'
''And, I declare. if you haven't gone
and peeled potatoes and put them on to
boil. should think you would know
by this time that always warm over po-
tatoes for breakfast. Samuel Armitage,
I'll thank you not to NEEDLE with my
work"
When the meal was ready they began
it in silence. Samuel found it difficult to
introduce the subject of his thoughts,
and Janet was not disposed to assist him.
At last, after laboriously clearing his
throat several times, he remarked:
"This city election is going to be awful
close, Janet"
"Well, it doesn't concern me in the
least. I'm woman; I'm not in poll
tics.''
"Nearly all the women in town are
going to VOTE"
"What of it?''
''I'ye been thinking-Yo see it's
this way. When SO many of Them vote
they might as well all vote. Our side
needs every vote it can get. I'd feel
badly, IL we were beaten by few votes,
to think that had not done all I could
for the ticket
II know you'll do your duty" said
she, cheerfully. 'sYou'lI vote accord
ing to your principles, and that's all you
can do
The old man looked at her patrcni-
zingly, .You don't understand these
things, janet. It isn't always ques-
ton OF mans own vote. Now il I'd
use my influence
"Your influence, Sammy! Your In
fuencei''
Unheedipg the sarcasm the old man
went on hurriedly: ST you would vote
could explain the situation to you and
tell you all about the candidates so that
you could vote intelligently. (Janet's
eyes flashed threateningly.) Then I'd
feel that had done AL In my power for
The Newtown bee., 1897-11-19

disgraced. If you ever do vote-I'll-
plP'-and his voice trembIed with
emotion. ''I'll leave you. I'll get a
divorce"
Turning toward him, she asked, SOL
emily: "Would you do that, Sammy ?''
Perhaps vision of life without Janet
arose before. NO." said hes" won't
do that; but if you vote, don't. That's
all there is about"
The subject of woman's suffrage was
not mentioned again in that house for
nearly year and half.
The Newtown bee., 1897-11-19
A CARD.

We. the undersigned, do hereby agree TO
refund the money on a 50-cent bottle of
Greepe's Warranted Syrup OF Tar, ii il fails TO
cure your cough or cold. We also guarantee
a ascent bottle 10 prove satisfactory or money
refunded Il. Fl. BEERS 4 Co, Newtown;
SAMUEL c. BULL, Sandy Hook.
The Newtown bee., 1897-11-19

JOHN II. ROBINSON IN THE INDEPENDENT.
The age-herald., 1897-08-21
The Iron Market.
Grain Letter.

Birmingham, Ala, Aug. 2o.-1The wild est kind of a marlket has prevailed In wheat today, and the largest advance recorded in any one day this season, De- cember showing a gain at one time of 6A cents per bushel from yesterdays close. Yesterday afternoon bears felt somewhat relieved. The easy closings suggested the possibility of a lower mar kee'today, and holders who were fortunate enough to sell out around S9 cents wen. home feeling very well satisfied. Con5i- tions, however, were entirely reversed this morning, as Liverpool showed re- markabfe strength and was quoted 2hd higher. This created very strong feel ing here on the curb, and 90 cents was readily paid, the consequence being that when the regular market opened there was a rush to buy, mainly by shorts and holders who had disposed Nf their line yesterday. This carried the price up to 91H, from which there was break down to 90 and a sort of hesitation. which, how ever, did not last Tong, as the news began to come in very strong, and before the ex- cttement ceased the 93k mark was reached The close showed a reaction of F cent for September and %c for Decem- Der. The September future on the curb after the market was 96 cents, cents over the closing price. while calls advanced from 991a to 102. The market at the close would indicate s1 wheait for Tomorrow.
 J. P. MUDD & co.
The age-herald., 1897-08-21
Liverpool Cotton Market.

Hive pool, Aug. 20.-Cotton, spot, mod crate denaiand; prices lower. American n1iddling, 0air, 41zd; good njidlBng, 4Ad; American middling, 3-32d; low mfddling 3 S1-39d; good ordinary, 3 27-32d; ordi- nary, 2132d. The sales of the day were 5000 bales, of which 800 were for specula- tion and export. and included 6,400 bales American. Recetrits, 200 bales; no Amer ican.
 Futures opened easy, at a poor demand, and closed quiet. American m.ddllng L.. M. C., August, 3 61@3 62d, buyers; AugaSe and September, 57d, sellers; September and October 3 50@3 5Dl, buyers; October and November. 45d, sellers; November and December, 3 42d, value; December and January, Aid, buyers; January and February, 41d, sellers; February and March, 8 41D3 42d, buyers; March and April, 49d. buyers; April and May, 8 4ad, buyers; May and June, 44d, buyers; Sep tember, 51d.
The age-herald., 1897-08-21
Dry Goods.

New. York, Aug. 20.--4The market for dry goods is we'll sustained today, the general reports from out of town showing heavy buying in retail stores while the local attention of buyers in jobbng cen lers was as he'avy as heretofore. At firs. hands, too, the orders received by mall as we'll as by store trading were heavy in all lines of cotton goods. The demand for woolen goods in some departments S shows a falling off in interest. but the results are still such as to justify the assertion that the season will prove to have been an exceptionally large one in the amount of business done. In c1taple colton the demand for brown goods is well sustained, with the exception Of ex- port grades, which are quiet. Prin s are quoted at 29sc, with sellers holding goods except under most favorable cir cumStances