The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-05-10
SWINGING ROUND II! CIRCLE.
People and Places Within 20
Miles of Bamberg.
FARMERS AND THEIR FARMS.
What a Staff Correspondent of The
Herald Saw and Heard Along the
County's Highways and Byways.
AT TIE NEW BRIDGE" May 8.

have dated my lettcras above because
this is the end of pilgrimage Of inspcc-
ton have recently made of the three
lower passageways across the Edlsto
river, within the limits of Bamberg coun-
tv, beginning with the Fittz bridge,
which is the extension of the old Augusta
and Charleston telegraph road, over
which our forefathers travelled years be-
fore that veteran among railroads, the
South Carolina and Georgia, was project
ed. The recent heavy rains had swollen
the Edisto and all Of its tributary streams,
and the smallest branch was out of its
banks. A!l the river lowlandS were
under water, and the wash Of the turbu-
lent waves dii much damage to the cross
ways and approach bridges. Supervisor
Kearse was notified of the various disas-
ters and he invited the writer to accom-
pany him on his tour of inspection. We
made the trip from the Supervisors home
in one day, spent the night with that able
magistrate and trst-class farmer, Judge
N. P. Smoak, and the next morning
worked our way up the Edisto to this
point.
I had been discussing those three i'm
portant questions: better schools, good
roads, and a general attention to matters
religious by the generation that will soon
succeed us as the men and women of
South Carolina. We are-generally
speaking-a religious and God-fearlng
people in Bamberg county, and nearly
everybody attends church, and although
the little ones attend Sunday-school reg
ularly, those of larger growth are some
times prone to forget their religious du-
ties, and leave it to the old people to keep
up the church membership. l attended
service one Sunday recently at Clients
Branch Baptist church and was consider
ably surprised at the size of the congre-
CATION. The historic old church, built in
1885, was crowded to the doors, and the
congregation did not too soon begin work
upon the splendid new structure which is
nearly completed, and will be dedicated
to the service of the everything God be-
fore cotton picking is finished. 1t is a
very handsome and comfortably ar
ranged structure, 5Ox40 feet, and will
give the congregation all the room it
needs. The committee having in charge
the building of this sacred edifice tells
me that only a hundred and fifty dollars
more is necessary to be raised to complete
the church-they raised nearly q hundred
dollars Sunday-and l hope the liberal
Christians in that section will soon pro-
vide the committee with the necessary
funds. The congregation wants to pur-
chase little more land-the church is
built is the centre of a grove of magnifi-
cent hardwood trees-so that they can
square up their property and preserve
for the church's setting, this splendid
timber growth.
The congregation at old Graham's
Methodist church, at Denmark, which IS
also in a grove of lusty oak trees, OF gen
erous size, is also awakening to a sense
of the beauty of their surroundings. They
tell me that in the near future the church
plot will be surrounded by neat palins,
the ground will be leveled and sodder,
and tastefully arranged flower beds laia
out, with intermingling walks. 1t will
be beautiful place when all this is done.
Springtown Baptist church, which is
the oldest Baptist church in Bamberg
comfy, and historic in many ways WILL
I understand, soon be beautified with
fresh paint inside and out, which will
much improve its appearance.
The Baptists at Colston Branch have
also put up new church and its compile
ton is delayed only through lack OF
funds. A benevolent man who wishes
to do good to his fellow-man and "lend
his money to the Lord" can do no better
than contribute to any church, where
there is desire to build better struct-
ure, beautify the old one, or improve and
embellish the grounds surrounding one.
Thev'H have a fine school at Colston
Branch one of these days, for it is now
definitely settled that the Seaboard Air
Line will build its road through from
Augusta to Charleston. Its tracks will
run through the Colston Branch school
district distance of five miles, and the
tax for school purposes imposed upon the
railroad for that distance will give the
school trustees $3.50 more each year to
devote to education.
What applies to Colston Branch IN this
direction applies equally to your flourish
ing sister town Ehrhardt, at which place,
understand, special school district IS
to be laid off. The three mill tax on the
Seaboard Air Line, road the same import
on the Green Pond and Western railroad,
will give the contemplated new district
matter of 81 900 additional, which amount
added to the tax upon other property
will swell the total to 81 200, which will
enable Principal Jones "a most excellent
instructor by the way) to run his school
ten months in the year.
But then, Mr. Editor, it was my origi-
nal intention to say a great deal about
the two bridges across the Edisto nearest
to Bamberg-the Cannon and New
bridges-and to as usual ride my hobby
horse"-GooD RoADs-but I've reached
my limit of space, and will scamp" in the
beautiful grove on the Bamberg side of
the New bridge until next week, when l
shall have something interesting to say
on very important subject.
GEORGE WOLsEY SIMONDs.
Eaan NIoar Rroin