The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-08-10
and Presbyterian.

and Presbyterian.
Sumter is rapidly becominga a manu-
featuring center. Two large furniture
and coffin factories employ hundreds
of men, one Of which started on cap
ital Of $50. 90 seven years ago. the plant
could not now be bought for $50, O00.-
90. The Sumter Telephone Company,
which manufactures telephones, switch
boards and other TELEPHONE and electric
appliances, is the only telephone fac
tory in the south. whose products ind
markets throughout the world.
Hundreds of,men and women are en-
ployed and the factory is one Of the
largest in the United States.
The Sumter Fire department. consist
of two two horse teams manned by the
finest set of young volunteer Ere fight
ers to be found in the country, and the
hook and ladder company manned by
faithful colored fremen. Insurance
rate are therefore not high. Sumter
city and county have an industrious,
well behaved and orderly colored pop
uIation, many Of whom own their own
homes. Race troubles are unknown.
5.s SOME BUSINESS FACTS.
Population Of city of Sumter in 1890,
II. S. Census, {, 500.
z Population Of city Of Sumter In 1900
u. S. Census, 5,675
Increase in ten years 1875.
Population Of city of Sumter IN 1903,
Official city cesnus 1881.
Suburan population, practically
part of city, 767. Total city and sur
hurban population, s, 04S.
Actual increase in population since
1900. 1866,
The increase in a little over two
years since 1900 was nearly as much as
in ten years previous: Z
Total area OF city in square miles
Number Of inhabited houses IN
city ,56a.
Length of water pipes II miles.
Capacity of water supply coo. 0o0
gals. daily.
Amount invested in manufacturing
and industrial enterprise s775, 600. 90.
Banking capital, three banks, $780,
600. 90.
Population employed in factories,
], 200 Number of miles Of streets AZ
- miles OF macadam, balance clay
and sand roads.
RAILROADS.
% Sumter is the largest railroad center
in the state. Three different systems
of railroads, viz. Atlantic Coast Line
Railroad Co, The Northwestern Rail-
road Co, and The Southern Railway,
with eight separate lines running into
Sumter from all points Of, the compass,
controlled by railway companies as
follows Manchester d Augusta Rail
road Co., The Central Railroad Co...
of South Carolina, The Sumter &
Wateree Co., The Wilmington, CO.
slumbia s Augusta Railroad Co., The
Wilson & Sunmerton Railroad Co.,
the old C. S. g. NJ now them. & A.
extension. There are 50 trains daily Z;
81 carrying passengers, 20 carrying d.
S. mails and passengers exclusively.
Total passenger business of all rail
roads of Sumter for the twelve months
of 1903, Sl50, OILS. 20. Total freight busi-
ness of all railroads OF Sumter for the
twelve months of 1903, S509, 600. 80.
Local ray rolls at Sumter of the rail-
roads annually S71. 90. Total value
of railroad property returned to the
county for taxes IN 1903 s9S5, $50. 90.
Actual value of railroad property, ali
kinds, in 1903, 81, 400, 600. 90. Number
of miles Of side tracks III city OF Sum-
ter, Ill. Total taxes paid Sumter
county 1903, by railroads, sl2, 14S. u.
Total value Of railroad property re-
turned for taxes in the city of Sumter
IN 1903, S6l, $4,000. Actual value OF
railroad property In the city of Sumter
Sl45, 600. 90. Total taxes paid city of
Sumter bv railroads in 1908. S909.97.
Total license taxes paid city OF Sum-
ter by railroads in 1903. $780, 90. Num-
Der Of railroad employees In city OF
Sumter, 147. Sumter county has more
sytems of railroads and more miles of
railroad tracks than any county in the
state. not excepting Richland county,
in which the capital Of the state is
situated. TIE city of Sumter has the
greatest number of railroad lines,
with the best morning ana afternoon
schedules for drawing trade of any
city in the state and among the best
in the south. Sumter is indebted to
the railroads, particularly the Atlantic
Coast Line, for much of her prosper.
ity and the Northwestern and the
Southern Railway contribute much to
the prosperity of the city also.
The city of Sumter does a very large
business in dry goods, particularly
fancy dress goods, and making fine
dresses, millinery goods, etc. There
are seven dress making esta blish.
ments, some Of them conducted by ex.
elusive dry goods stores. There are
four first class millinery stores. The
leading dry goods, millinery and shoe
stores send their representatives and
head dress makers, milliners anc
chiefs of departments north each spriua
and fall to purchase their stocks anc
study the Latest patterns, styles, etc.
Sumter draws large patronage in the
above lines from Flornce, Marion,
Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, Darlington,
| Marlboro, Williamsburg and George
| town counties. In gents and boys
clothing and furnishing goods Sumter
has a number of establishments hand.
ling these lines and exclusively several