The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-10-20
Room for Settlers.
(UlitnJiu State.

They are now un'icyclopcd and in their
virgin state. Many Of these lands arc
capable Of high state Of cultivation
and il only require the people to set
tlc upon them t. increase tbs taxable
property and General prosperity Of the
state to a large extent. In recent
years practically nothing has been
done in the line Of ac1uain,ing people
in other parts Of the country with what
this State has to offer IN the way Of
good lands for settlers. There is alb
solutcly no information III readable
form that can be mailed TO those who
are constantly making inquiries. So
far Pickcns county is the only one in
the State that has issued ANYTHING Of
this nature.
Col. JamcsG. Gibbcs, the State land
agent, talked most Interestingly yes
tcrday about the matter of inducing
settlers to come to South Carolina,
particularly from the west and north
west. lie said it was one that should
receive immediate attention. Sister
States are losing no time in establish
ing colonies. He says that the State
has large tracts Of lands available for
rapid development that can be secured
as cheaply as any in the south.
Colonel Gibbes said yesterday that
he was thinking of arranging for big
sale OF such lands in December or
January, if private parties, owning
large tracts that they desire to sell
will cooperate with him. His idea is
to get up brief descriptions Of all
tracts, State and private, and have
them printed for distribution, have
the sale advertised freely in northern,
western and northwestern newspapers
and get the railroads to Offer home.
seekers excursion rates good for a
certain period at very low rates. This
has been the plan worked successfully
in several States and excellent results
have followed.
Colonel Gibbes requests all parties
in the State who have tracts they
would like to offer at such sale as
that outlined to correspond with him
at once
The following letter from the register
Of the United States land office at Los
Angeles, Cal, received yesterday,
Colonel tiibbes says is sample of the
letters he daily receives from every
part Of the country:
United States Land Office,
Los Angeles. Cal, Sept. 30, 1897.
TO the Honorable Secretary of State,
Columbia, s. G.
Dear Sir: After the expiration of
my term Of Office Febuary next) ex-
pect to visit your State with view to
selecting a location for a permanent
home.
l wish to locate in healthy part Of
the State, in live town County seat
preferrcd) where my family can have
the advantage of schools, churches,
etc., and I an opportunity Of securing
employment, clerking, bookkeeping or
other work, while I am bringing into
profitable cultivation farm which
would wish to purchase near said
town.
Said farm 70 consist Of about 50G
acres, about half cleared, ready for
general farming or fruit growing the
balance 20 be heavily timbered with
oak, hickory, gum, beech, walnut,
magnolia, etc., the whole to be well
watered with running streams OF
springs, but not subject to destructive
overflow.
Wishing 60 learn il such place can
be had in your State, and being anx.
ious to be posted as we'll as possible
before making the trip, wouid respect
fully ask that you please give me such
information as you can regarding the
general character Of the State, as to
its topography, climate, healthfulness,
rainfall, soil, timber, fruits, farm
products, dairy interests, stock raising
etc.; also kind of nut, fruit, berry and
most bearing srees, shrubs or vines
found growing wild, and kinds Of
game and fish to be found.
Is there much unoocupied land
timbered or otherwise, and what il
the pricc of lands, improved and un.
improved Z?
Any information you may give mt
by maps. pamphlets or otherwise viii
be greatly appreciated by
Very truly yours,
T. J. RoLToN
Tommy" said father to his