The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-07-19
ON THE SAVANNAH SIDE.
In Crops Improving Our Lands -
Good Highways-GOOd Words for
Captain Lyon - AbbeviIle's Rich
Gold Mines.

Captain Lyon AbbeviIIe's Rich
Gold Mines.
Editor Press and Banner:
| While the thermometer was registering lOI
| In your city, and the hot weather, the general
| topic of conversation, 1t WAS the pleasure ol
your scribe IN company with others 10 sPeno
few days last week enjoying the cool shade
and gentle breeze upon the nils , tne
trip may be OF some Interest TO your many
readers. One need not travel far through the
county before being impressed with the dlsas'
trous results OF the impending drouth.
While larger areas than usual have been
plan ted In corn, yet the prospects or lalr
yield are certainly discouraging. The same
may be said in reference TO peas. Nearly ev.
cry farmer, after harvesting his grain, soWed
the stubble In peas, and had the seasons been
propitious. there would have been no longer
mers generally are devoting more attention
to the diversifcation Of crops, and becoming
less dependent upon King Cotton.
TERRAcINa.
Sufficient attention, however, has not been
devoted to terracing the lands. The impor'
tauce OF this cannot be overestimated, espec-
tally during seasons of drouth. It not only
preserves the lands from washing during ex'
soil during the absence OF 1t. The writer
knows from personal experience and observa'
tion the beneficial results Of terracing, and he
cannot too strongly commend 1t TO all farm,
ers who desire to preserve their lands and
avoid the disastrous results attendent upon
drouths.
HIGHWAYS.
II gives us much pleasure to note the excel.
lent condition Of the public roads OF the coun'
| ty. We have travelled through various por
tions of the state, and In no section DO we
find better highways. This is as 1t should be-
| for good roads are essential TO the highest de-
velopment of civilization, and certainly con-
tribute largely TO the upbuilding OF all rural
districts.
Supervisor Lyon says within thirty days be
will have all the roads in the county In ex
cellent condition. Great credit Is due him fol
the thorough and systematic manner IN
which he has discharged the important duties
of his office.
COUNTY coNvIcTs.
Desiring to learn more as 10 the efficiency
and management Of the county chain ganR
system, we visited the convict camp now 10
Gated near Bordeaux. Being assured by Man
ayers Joseph johnson and Foster McLsin
that If we acted with becoming proprlety
and obeyed orders, they, would not shackle
the night with the convicts.
| Now, Mr.. Editor, would say that 1t has sell
dom been my privilege TO enjoy the hospitall
lined family. Upon the top of wooded bill
around whose base flowed q creek, stood two
tents-one for convicts, the other FOR tnt
guards and their guests. There we're four
one one month to three Years. They did ali the
work about the camp, such as cooking, wash
ing, feeding stock. &c. During the day they
worked the public highways leading three OF
tour miles In each direction from the camp
At sunset they returned to the camp where
substantial supper was given them, consist
Ing Of bacon, bread, syrup, coffee. and often
vegetables. At O'Clock next morning the
camp is again alive, and by sun rise the roll
is called and the days work is begun. =,
We know of no man better suited for the
management Of convicts than Mr.. johnson
aided with the efficient services OF Mr.. Mo
Lain. Positive firm, humane. seldom resort
Ing to any punishment, and more seldom al
lowing con- vict TO escape, although there are
several TRUSTEES, W ho are sent on errands un:
| shackled, yet who have term OF months ano
years TO serve. We we're thoroughly con Vinced
that the Legislature should abolish It's pres
ent system OF employing conviets upon tne
State farms, raising cotton, ETC., and allo"
ploy them upon It's highways and in dredg
| ing It's streams OF RATS, etc., thereby reclaim
ing thousands of acre OF bottom lands now
rendered useless by reason OF overflow. The
| life time convicts could be given employ
ment within the walls OF the penitentiary as
at present. No one can question the expedi'
ency Of such policy from moral and imam
cial standpoint
ABBEvrLLE THE KLoNDIKE OF SOUTH CARO-
LIMA.
Few may be aware, Mr.. Editor, OF the rich
deposits that lie buried In the bosom Of our
county. and the time may soon come when
need not seek foTt9Ps IN the mines
Klondike Of South Carolina. Fortunes have
been realized in the gold mines around Nc
Cormick, and recently rich deposits have
been discovered on the lands OF the Bradley
estate and others. A company has been or.
ganized as "W. T. Bradley & Co.." and ma
chinery has been placed for active operation.
At some future time we hope to give fuller
account of the mining interest OF our county,
and OF her wonderful resources that have
made her the banner county OF the State.
We would like To mention the many eleg-
ant rural homes upon the banks OF The Savan-
nah, such rs that Of our friend, Mr.. Albert
Gilbert, where true southern hospitalities are
dispensed with prodigal hand, bnt time Will
not Suffice More Anon.