The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-11-22
BILL ARP'S LETTER.
Bill Arp Tells Of His Recent Visit to Pei
zer, 8. O.
ANant0 Constitution.
zer, =. Q.

10 taIh tO INC people, anu he Ventured
to fix the day and the compensation
for loss Of time and waste Of tongue.
had never heard Of Pelzer, nor could
find it on my antiquated map. But
lid find it on one Of later date, and
supposed itwas some little village that
had Il cotton mill and dam on the Sa-
lula and some tenement houses.
Nevertheless, | accepted the call, for
the offer was liberal. The next mail
brought a similar invitation from
Piedmont, another mill town, only six
miles from Pelzer.
So journeyed from Atlanta to
Grecnville, and there changed cars for
my destination, which is only twenty
miles away. 1t was night when 1
reached the place. My good friend,
Mr.. Padgett, who is the democratic
postmaster, took me to his house. /
had not seen the town. for it was quite
dark. "What is the prospect for an
auuicnce?' I inquired. Every good"
he said. II think you will have sew
er.l hundred people out to hear you"
Why, how large is your town? What
is your population "About 7,OO0,"
he said. I was amazed. A town
twice as large as Cartersville and l
never heard of it, and it is not on my
map. He explained by saying it was
only twelve years old, and had four
large cotton mills that empl ,yed over
1000 operatives, and consumed nearly
100000 bales Of cotton, and the com
pany owned some 5000 acres Of land,
and all the houses and stores and
churches and several miles of the riv-
er. did you advertise me pretty
well?' I inquired. "Oh yes," he
said eve church folks told it to ev-
erybody we met, both in the town and
in the country, and they all said they
we're coming" publish it in the
papcrs?" said I. "No, no. We have
no papers here, and no printing Office.
We didn't have a poster or a hand
bill, but we talked it a good deal"
Well, I listened and wondered, and
my confidence was shaken. After
bountiful supper and little mixing
up with the children, we went to the
large church where I was to hold
forth, and found it already pretty we'll
filed. In brief time I stood before
more than 500 people, and was in
spired to make my best effort, for I
had an orderly and attentive congre-
CATION, and we all fell in love with
one another. I have never had q
more gratifying lecture occasion.
Next morning was spent in viewing
the city and the mills and library.
The merchants carried immense stocks
in large stores, and there were many
nice residences for the managers and
the heads of the various departments,
but they were all built and are owned
and leased by the mill company. This
company owns and controls every foot
Of land and everything that is on it.
Captain Smythe, of Charleston, is the
king, tho czar, big hearted, and
brainy man, and everybody respects
and loves him. His the son of that
celebrated Presbyterian minister of
Charleston, who during his minister
al life was notable man in religious
Scircles. remember that he was one
1 Of my fathers friends. "Who is your
mayor?' said I. We have none; no
mayor nor aldermen, no municipal
corporation, no marshal or police.
5Captain Smythc runs the town.. Ev-
erybody who comes here for employ
ment is investigated carefully. His
antecedents must be good or he can t
stay. We have no lawyers nor edi-
tors; don't need any. We allow them
to come in and look around" Did
ayou know that was lawyear?' said
|. "Oh, yes; but we learned that
sou had quit the practice and reform
/ ed, and SO we invited you
II don't see any negroes about
here," said I. "No, we don't want
them. They are few, but they live
outside. Some Of them cook and wash
for us, but Captain Smythe don t want
US to mix with them or depend upon
them. He wants everybody to depend
upon themselves as much. as posi-
ble." "And so you have ruled out
lawyers, editors and negroes p
Yes" said he, land there are no sa-
looms or blind tigers or cigarettes
How about 'doctors?" I asked. "Oh,
Of course, we have doctors; yes, we
have two doctors and one dentist and
four preachers, all select, and one
photographers" The company has
7p0Od ,,uh1so Ehra,vv ov1 49,. !. ...- a.