The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-07-31
CONTRIBUTED LOCALS.
What "M'' Sees and Hears on His
Rounds About the City.
20 MILES OVER THE COUNTY.

10 MILES OVER THE COUNTY.
During the past week this correspondent
accompanied by bis two sons Willie and
Walter. Travelled about seventy miles over
Rural Mail Routes Nos. and2
The first being now the "short' route on
the Western side Of the county through the
sharon and Lebanon sections both of which
are settled with thrifty and wel-to-,lo farmers
who seem happy and contented In their
by much that makes life happy and enjoy.
able. Many OF them living within them
selves, 30 far as the luxuries Of farm life are
concerned. having their own poultry, eggs,
butter, milk, fruits, etc
They are now Lying by" and smiling over
the prospects OF promising corn and cotton
crop, having their hopes raised by the latter
rains which have fallen recently In abund'
apce and In time 10 save.
The corn and cotton crops as seen from the
road have been we'll worked, being clear OF
grass and In Tip top hx," aud seem TO be in
growth being quite perceptlble within the
past week. Many farmers who were greatly
discouraged three weeks ago, are now re-
joicing in the hope OF good crops should oc-
done.
Through most OF this route the grain crops
we're entirely destroyed by hall and drought.
@s ane M
Richey. At the four mile rock on the Snake
road, Mr.. w. T. Magill has large saw mill
and ginneIy. There are also three pretty
churches nicely painted, having neatly kept
many honored dead.
Route No. ia about 25 miles In length
Going from Abbeville in North westerly
direction, we come to Hagans saw null about
six miles, We then turn sharply TO the right
and travel In Southeasterly course through
The McCord, Stevenson, Mc1lwain and Keller
neighborhood; thence across the Southern
railroad and on by the home of Capt. James
Pratt, John r. LomaX and the old home oi
the lale Wesley Croner; continuing we pass
over the big Gully" and up the hill to the
pretty home OF Mr.. w. o. Cromer, we then
cross over Long Cane bridge near the old
Morton Mill, and soon come to the pretty
country home OF Mr.. Red Tolbert, making
our stop at the home OF Mr.. Foster Cromer
where we distribute mall TO seven or eighl
families. We then turn our face homeward
retracing about two miles of road already
Travelled and 60 direct to Abbeville, passing
the homes OF Mrs Elemming MT; Castor the
F.. c. McCord, arriving at our destination
about five o'clock.
The crops along this route are in good con
ditiop, being well worked and clear Of grass
Since the recent rains which have well wat
cred this entire section, the crops look very
promising, and the faces OF the farmers are
now wreathed In smiles- We note with
pleasure along both routes the fine orchards
that form pleasing back ground to nearly
every home, and point to that prosperity and
thrift that is worthy of emulation throughout
1l6 leDRGQ auQ DTedQtu VI OuT sunny oOulQ
In some OF the pastures are seen fine graded
Jersey cattle showing that our farmers are
making rapid strides in the Improvement o
their stock, doing away with the good old
time scrub, and grading their herds up tC
finer strains which not only supply thel
homes with plenty Of milk and butter, bu
bring into the good house wlfe's treasury
many dollars, that under the old time way o
managing would be lost.
The grain crops along this route were very
good, both whest and oats, graneries ant
barns are now we'll nlled ana snow neauh1
signs Of living at home.
Along this route are about 45 mail POKE
all placed conveniently to the carrier, who II
nearly every instance can distribute and tax
up the mails without getting out OF DIS mai
carriage" In variety OF style, finish, an!
makeup, the boxes present quite "rurai
appearance; the "rabbit gum" design VIII
the door lett of predomipates their tops be
ing fiat. oval and wide open, and not q lew o
them filled with birds nest. some with eggs
some with young birds and others from
which the birdings had long since flown
other boxes were not so tempting TO the boys
being taken in charge by wasps who ast
had built large nests which we presume were
we'll filled with young 1--WE didn't linger to see
Just here the idea suggests itself that sucf
boxes are not at all fitted for mail service, q
the mails from any Of them can be taken ou
or stolen by any OF the many passers by anC
thereby cause trouble perhaps between tn
owner Of the box, the carrier, and the pos
office department.
AS this Is the time OF year for putting tn
roads in good shape for winter, we woult
throw out the suggestion for the benefit OF al
interested that upon the roads depend th
successful continuance OF these mail routes
as the government holds, that II the peopl