The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-07-04
W. b. RICE'S TURPENTINE FARM
4 Distillery that is Credit to the
Man and the County.
From the Wiregrass Blade Swalnshoro,

Georgia.
At RiXville, just three miles south OF
Adrian, is located the immense turpen-
tine business of Hon. w. b. Rice, one OF
Emanuers foremost citizens. MIR. Rice
came to Georgia several years ago, and
moved to RiXville when that country was
thinly settled. He embarked in the tur-
pentine business, there being an ahund-
ance of fine timber in that section. For
eleven years he has successfully managed
this business, and his interests now con-
stitute many other pretentlous enterprises.
He is an extensive farmer, and makes Il
speciality of raising hay, German mlllet
and peas, all of which go to make good
food for his different kinds of fine stock,
of which he is 4 great adniircr. He con-
ducts a commiSSary which IS under the
able and efficient mana agcmcnt OF his
Younger brother, Mr.. S. Percy Rice. who
some four years ago was wed 10 MISS
Claudia, the eldest daughter of Hon. John
L. McLemore, of this city. Mr.. :. +.
Rice was also born in South Carolina, and
has held his present position for the past
seven years. He superlntcnds generally
the workings of the entire turpcntlne
plant, and keeps the books Of the business.
He is young man of prominence and
popularity, and stands high in not only
his own community, hut the entire
county. He is being prominently spoken
of by the democrats Of the county rs 4
suitable candidate for tax collector next
year. Mr.. Rice's experience in the pres
ent position would especially TT him tor
the office of tax collector, and the Blade
would delight to see such deserving
Young man honored by the people OF his
county.
The head of the firm, Mr.. W. 3. Rice,
has turpentine interests in Florida also.
The extensive farm there is located at
Herndon, and is under the perfect man
aeement of Mr.. W. T. Phelps, The
capacity of the Florida still is about the
same as that at RiXville, which turned out
last year some 12 or Is hundred barrels
of spirits turpentine, for which ready
sale is always found. Most OF the product
of Mr.. Ricc's distillieries goes to Savan-
nah, which is the principal naval stores
market of the world.
To become acquainted with W. b. Rlce
is to become his friend. A fine fellow,
big hearted, whole souled, friendly and
agreeable, he numbers his friends by the
thousands.
To show the spirit of the man. Once
stranger to those parts arrived at Xix
vile late one afternoon. He Iwlshed to
90 to place some mile and a half from
there, and the walk was not pleasant
one to contemplate, as the shades of night
were falling. W. B. Rice was standing
by his buggy when he was approached by
the stranger, who inquired the direction
and distance to his objective point. With
out former acquaintance Mr.. Rice in
vited the stranger to seat in his buggy,
drove to his own home and sent the visl-
tor to his destination. The stranger was
the writer, and he has not forgotten the
incident, though it has been eight years
ago, and the acquaintance since has ripen-
ed into warm friendship, and there is no
man of the writer's acquaintance whose
good will is more valued. Mr.. Rice has
been always identified with the advance
ment and upbuilding of his county and
section. His wealth has been accumulat-
ed by honest, fair methods and shrewd
business management, no small part OF
his success being due to his clever super
intendent. Would that Emanuel had
many more such progressive and enter
prising citizens.