The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-03-12
Bamberg-Some Impressions.
iBY DR.. n. E. MAHBARB.

The next morning got up early Sc
that might walk about the business por
tion of Bamberg. Here l was surprised
at the thrift shown by the merchants, fol
even at the early hour in which l wa:
strolling about, the stores were being
opened and preparations for the day:
work were being made. Every moment
there came to me the renewed impression
that was in no slow town, but that
was in real live little city, where men
strained every nerve to the utmost and
put forth their strongest power that they
might outrival their worthy competitors
Having become interested in the outside
appearance of the places of business,
concluded that / should like to take
look at the interior of of some of them
In each and every store, without single
exception, that entered was welcomed
by some clerk, who seemed to be pleased
in showing me through his line, whatever
that happened to be. With this was par
ticularly well pleased, for it showed me
that the young men who served as clerks
in Bamberg's places of business were moi
like those of some towns where those who
!, sell seem to regret the entrance of Gus
toner because some little energy is re-
quired to show their goods off. AS con
tinued down the street came to the posi-
office. Here I must say was somewhat
disappointed; while the place might grace
some towns of Bamberg's size, yet l felt
that it was not as nice as such a wealthy
and hustling town as Bamberg deserved
After walking around a few moments
more, went back towards the hotel fol
breakfast, and while on my way back tOos
a real good swallow of artesian water.
At nine o'clock went out on the street
to see if Bob was coming with my horse
but no Bob was in sight. About hall
hour later I saw small crowd of boys
white and black, following what seemed
to be some object of excitement. / soon
saw that Bob was the centre of attraction
for he was led by uniform of blue to the
mayors court las learned). suspected
the truth at once, Bob had gotten drunk
the night before and had been arrested.
Ny paying Bob's fine was all that saved
him from place being allotted him on
the chain gang. Soon after Bob was free
he had my horse ready and then We
started out on our tour of inspection oi
Bamberg. Bob said in talking to me OF
thepolice of Bamberg that he just couldn',
understand why "de perlices lub to 'cour
age drunkingness, for dey sho does dat
if feller gifts little too gay and don,
know whicherway he am going, police
jist grabs onto him an gibs him place tt
stay de whole night troo. Now dat she
be good, for / nose some niggers which
hain't got no place ter stay anyway, Sc
dey's iist get boozy so dey can git place
ter stay fer de nj ght." Bob may har
. been exaggerating some things in regart
to the police system of Banfberg, but
learned enough to satisfy me that it wa:
very good one.
We drove down the long avenue which
is parallel with the railroad and is called
/ believe, Railroad Avenue. The many
beautiful residences on this street i'm
pressively impressed me. Then the vi
mill was passed as we turned corner; VI
this street we drove until | saw very
. attractive brick structure come into view
it was the Fitting School Of which Boil
had spoken. Ri ght here l saw anothe
ope-efthose artesian wells, the water from
which I was beginning to like. Down
we went on what is called Carlisle stree
until an open place very beautifully titte(
up as a park was reached. We drov'
through the park and then on back to
wards the other side of town.
At my direction Bob drove out to tht
Bamberg Nurseries. With this enterprise
was highly pleased l remained here
quite while and on leaving purchased
q small cedar, which is now tlOurishins
splendidly and which seems to remind mt
daily of my first visit to Bamberg.
went back to the hotel thinking tina
I had witnessed all of the most interest
ing sights to be seen in Bamberg, but tina
night had new experience to learn.
was sitting in my room reading life O
w. Gilmore SimmS, lwho, by the way,
learned lived only a few miles from Bam
berg) when was startled by the cry O
fire. did not hesitate but rushed dowr
stairs until | reached the street. Every
thing was dark but for the reflection from
the burning building, Why was it Sc
dark, did not Bamberg have some kind OF
street lights? Then saw little kero
sene lamp struggling with the darkness
this was all that there was in the way Of
street lights! was sorely disappointed
for had thought that Bamberg had cleo
trio lights. | went to the fire anyway
and there witnessed Ramberg fire. The
bucket battalion fought hard and eventu
ally oyercame the flames. Here again
was disappointed, for saw that Bambere
had no waterworks. l was very muct
surprised at this, for l thought Of how
much water was allowed to waste'every
dav as it flowed from tine artesian wells
and how easy it would be to construct a
system of water works with so much
water at command.
As | was leaving Bamberg the next
morning l remarked to Bob what tint
roads there were in and around Bamberg
and Bob agreed with me as he did in any
thing which was in praise of the "Arte
sian City,
When had reached the same cross
roads that | had left several days ago, my
thoughts went back to Bamberg and there
occurred to me two thoughts; the frs
was that if Bamberg had electric light: