The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-10-15
The NEWS At BENSON.
THINGS SEEN AND HEARD IN A
THRIVING COMMUNITY.
Fine Tobacco lands-Good Cotton
Crops-Schools, Churches and
Personal Notes.
[Written for last week

afternoon, OctOOeT D, UeLHeeu Dell
son and Black River teams, result
ing in a score of % to 3 in favor of
Black River. The home boys claim
that while they had challenged
Black River, they received no notice
of the challenge being accepted; con.
sequeutly they were taken by sur
prise and only a few of their regular
team took part in the game. How
ever that may be the visitors achieved
an overwhelming victory and were
very much elated thereby.
Notwithstanding the depressed
state of the tobacco market at least
one farmer in this vicinity has made
fair profit this year on small ac-
reage. Mr. j G Mccullough sold
$500 lbs d few days ago at 9 cts. net,
and on his whole crop of Al
acres he has realized a profit of about
$50 an acre. Mr. Mccullough is a
wide-awake, progressive and intelli-
gent young farmer. He believes in
tht intensive plan of farming and
practices his theory. In ad dition to
his tobacco crop ne has about l3
acres of cotton, off which he expects
to make about ten bales. These
money crops with plenty Of provisions
give him a fairly adequate return
commensurate with his investment of
capital and labor.
MIR John Y McGill is another
enterprising young farmer who plants
tobacco. This year he put in about
10 acres, and, understand, while
the average price per pound for
which be sold his product was not so
high as Mr. McCullough's, yet he
paid all expenses and made some
money. These lands around Benson
are admirably adapted to tobacco
raising and experts who have iuspec-
ted them say that they are unexcell.
ed by any to be found in the broad
zone of tobacco lands in the South.
There are also fine cotton lands in
this section and albeit, as is the case
everywhere else, the crop is cut short
this year, yet dare say the cotton
fields from Benson to Indiantown
and out to the Black River road will
compare very favorably with those of
any section of equal area IN Williams
burg county. Hands are scarce here
and as consequence the work of
harvesting has been retarded. Most
of the negroes are "lieners" and are
pushed by the merchants who hold
papers over their crops.
The name "Benson" as applied
to this post-office and vicinity is
worthy Of some explanation. 1t was
the middle name of Maj Joseph Ben
son Chandler who in his day was man
of prominence and influence in this
community where he spent most of
the years Of long, and honorable
life, 50 that when the post office was
established, some fifteen years ago, it
was named in honor of him.
There are two general merchandise
stores here; one is operated BY Messrs
James 7 Rollins and Vibert Graham
for F Rhem 4 Sons and the other is
owned and conducted by Messrs H
L Grayson & Bro. In the case of
the latter the old saying that "history
repeats itself" is exemplified. Near
ly a score of years ago there was
mercantile firm which did a flourish
ing business under the name "H & E
Grayson." Their "stand" was few
miles down the road from Benson
post-offce. They went out of busi-
ness and one of the brothers moved
to Florida. After being away a
number of years he comes back to the
old home, finds his brother and erst-
while partner again in the mercantile
business and purchases an interest in
the store. May the new firm enjoy
a liberal patronage and prosper.
Cedar Swamp Joint School, at the
Methodist church, and Cedar Grove
School, about two miles east Of Ben
son, are both without teachers. Both
of these schools will be opened as
soon as teachers can be secured. The
demand for teachers seems to be
greater than the supply in this coun-
ty, and may say, in passing, that
considering the meager salaries paid.
the fact is not surprising. This is
meant without prejudice to either of
the above named schools, for ] am
speaking generally; with ole or two
exceptions the observation will apply
to the whole county.
There have been protracted meet
ings recently at both the Metho-
dist and Baptist churches, conducted
D