davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1905-07-26

Capt. Levi Gunter and George S.
Drafts were the County Commis-
siopers, the present handsome build
irg was erected on the foundations
of the first one, at a cost of about
$l3 500 The plan was drawn by
the late G. T. Berg of Columbia and
Mr.. Troy of the same city was the
contractor. This building stands as a
monument to the public spiritedness
and the wisdom of the Commission
ere in whose administration it was
built. It is conveniently arranged;
q substantial brick building with the
latest improved fire and damp proof
vaults for the safe keeping of the
public records. The present county
tffcials are:
SsmuelB George, Clerk of Court.
2. 81. Corley. Sheriff.
J. E. R.wl Kyzer, Superintendent
Of Education
George S Drafts. Judge of Probate
G. A. Derrick, Auditor.
Fsapk ". Shealy, Treasurer.
Louis J. Lapgford, Supervisor.
Isaiah Halimsn and James w.
Shelly, County Commissioners.
A 0. Wilson, Coroner.
All of these are gentlemen of strict
integrity, and ability and sound iudg-
ment has marked their admipistra-
ton.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1905-07-26

Lexington county, like macy of her
sister counties of the State, has had
It's ups ard downs in reference to its
public buildings, but We are glad to
say that each succeeding one has
been 3 great improvement over it's
predecessor until today We have as
pretty and as convenient court
house and Jail perhaps as there is
in the State.
The original court house was built
on the site of the present one, out Of
Lexington county granite which came
from the place now owned by Mr..
Alb Corley, on the Dreher's Ferry
road, and later was remoddled by
Henry aoyt, OF Columbis, by the
addition of q poareh 10 front, which
was supported by futed columns
whose foundations were on the
ground. Winding stairs led from
the ground to the posrch above which
was the entrance TO the court room.
This building was burned, as was
also the Jail, at the time that Sher-
mans army laid in waste homes and
public buildings of the people Of the
South, in February 1865
The next court house was built of
lumber on the lower corner OF the
public square. David R.wl, Austin
Hendrix and Samuel M. Roof were
the contractors. =
In 1eS3-84, when j. Belton Sbealy,
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1905-07-26
The Temperance Meeting.

About forty persons representing
the different sections of the county
were present in the court house
yesterday to consider the question Of
Dispensary or DO Dispensary, among
whom were many life long prohi-
b!tionists whose honesty in their
belief is above suspicion and some Ct
whom are known to favor prohibition,
bat between dispenssry and high
license, they favored The former.
The meeting was called by Capt.
A. P. West of Leesville, and vas
organized by electing Capt. West
chairman and Dr.. T. A. Q 1attlebaum,
of Batesburg, secretary.
Rev. Joab Edwards moved that
the question of Dispensary or no
Dispensary be submitted to the
voters of Lexington county. Carried.
A motion to appoint committee
of six to obtain signatures to petition,
asking for an election, and to file the
same with the County Supervisor as
soon as the requisite number Of sig
natures were obtained. The follow
ing committee was appointed, Col.
G.. T. Graham, John W. Hendrix,
Rev. Josb Edwards, Rev J. E Strick-
land, G.. H. Corbitt, and G P. Robin
son.
Rsv. Mr.. Roundtree wanted in-
formation as to the purpose of the
meeting, saying that with him it was
not question of Dispensary or no
Dispensary, but whiskey or no
whiskey. To this DR.. Q1sttlebaum
replied and said it would be prohi-
bition for four years.
4 committee to make an appeal to
the people and educate them on the
aims and purposes of the meeting
was appointed as follows: DR.. T. A.
Quattlebaum, Rev. Josb Edwards,
and Rev. o. N. Rountree. The fol-
lowing is their appeal to the qualified
voters:
To the Voters of Lexington county:
Government began in the home
and was intended to protect home,
and to bring to it msterisl, moral and
spiritual blessings.
Any measure which does not pro-
mote these ends should be rejected.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1905-07-26

The manufacture and sale of intoxi-
eating liquors as beverage are in
all instances detrimental to the home,
to the community, to the State aud
to the nation, and in most cases de-
structive. Many good and cons ci-
entious men once thought that the
Dispensary method of banding
LIQUORS was less destructive than
other methods, but after fair trial
of thirteen years in the hands Of its
friends, the hopes of many Of thsse
men have not been realized, and TO-
day it's chief promoter is on record
az saying that, "as it now stards it
is rotten" With this view We ale
agreed. Its ro!tenpess is inherent
as seen not only in this State, tut
also in otber places where it has beer
tried under municipal authority.
There is no politics in this move
ment. The political downfall OF no
man or party is sought, ard the
political elevation of no man o. panty
is intended Our sole purpose is to
rid the State of q business, which is
dangerous to the peace, safety end
morals of the people, to quote from
the Diapensary Law.
Therefore We appeal to the qoali'
fed voters Of Lexington county, as
patriotic men, confronted by foe
more terrible than pestilence or war,
a destroyer of homes, a maker of
widows and orphens, a debsucher OF
the morals of men and women, to
arise in their might and overflow
this monster-the Dispensary.
Theo. A. Quattlebaum.
0. n Rountree.
Joab Edwards.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1905-07-26
Smith Branch Bubbles.


To the Editor of the Dispatch:
The weather is very bet nowadays.
The crops are all doing very we'll.
But few of our farmers are through
laying by.
One of the best meetings in the
history of New Hope church has
just come to close. We, from
Smith Branch, had been invited to
come down and help to do the sing
ing. So, on Sunday morning some
of our people got there and on Sun
day night the balance arrived. Just
after being in there q few moments
Miss Cora Rish, one of Smith
Branch's most charming girls, was
seated at the organ. She is a good
singer and never fails to win esteem
and friendship everywhere she goes.
Thursday night was the closing
night. After singing that good old
song "God be with you till We meet
again" We left for home. Thus end.
ed another happy occasion. Rev.
Leroy Lucas is the pastor OF this
church. BE was assisted by Rev.
Herlong, who preached the farewell
sermon. His text being, Il go to
prepare you place"
The Sunday school at Smith
Branch is fourishing.
Mr.. Rosco Ashford and mother
have been visiting friends and rela.
tives in these parts.
Oh, dead! dead! is the new county,
Mr.. W. A. Rish has been getting
signers for a free delivery in this
section. Birdie.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1905-07-26
Missionary Meeting.

There will be missionary meet.
ing at Hebron church on August
10th. This meeting will bs held in
the interest Of Lexington circuit.
The members of the three other
churches are earnestly urged to be
present. Services will begin at
about 10 a. m. The meeting will be
addressed by Re7s. J. S. Beasley,
Walter I. Herbert, J. M. Pike and
W. W. Williams.
0. n Rountree, Pastor.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1905-07-26
Free TO Farmers,

We will advise you free of charge
which is the very best Mower made
if you will apply to US either in
person or by letter.
Lexington Department Store.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1905-07-26
0rangeburg College Institute,
ORANGEBURG S. C.
ORANGEBURG, S. G.

well equipped has fine faculty and ones
moderate are supplied WIN pure
electricity Table @ oeno
S asking Address
W. PETERSON, President, Orangeburg, 5, C
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1905-07-26
LEXINGTON COUNTY SUMNER SCHOOL.

County will open LII the F
August 2nd and continue four week"
elm G. Allen, R. T. Major and MISS
School
urge advantage
TRUSTEES WILL PLEASE Offer INDUCEMENTS
ultimately the children to
the benefits derived therefrom
equipped for the public school
accomplished by application
tosum each
BOARD CAN Be SECURED IN PRIVATE FAMILIES
hotels at
with
School
]. E. RAWL YZER,
County Superintendent of Education.
The Washington times., 1905-10-22
Meets Incoming Trains.

During the past twelve years he
has never failed to meet a passenger
train coming into the city. On its
arrival, amidst the rustic and hustle
of men, women, and baggage moving
about in a confused state, the wiry
little man Is seen pushing through
the crowds to an advantageous To-
cation, where he can view all of the
passengers alighting.. He is an ex-
cellent judge of human nature and
seldom fails 70 discover a prospec-
tive match. and Immediately makes
himself and business known to them.
He, however, now and then makes
a mistake and is advised by those
approached that they are not seek
ing his services. Peculiar incidents
often occur in his approaching sup
posed persons of matrimonial design.
Many are greatly embarrassed when
their intentions are SO miscon-
The Washington times., 1905-10-22
Believes in MdtYimong.

Parson Burroughs has no scruples
against age or divorce. He never
rejects couple on account of tender
years, but leaves the groom to de-
termine this question to his own lik-
ing. He has also officiated in the
marriage of the same person
third and fourth time, and has on
record several instances wherein
couples have been separated in the
divorce courts and remarked
He is, a firm believer in conjugal
felicity and has done more to foster
matrimony as an institution than
any other man in the South. He ad-
vocates matrimony for the young
men as means of saving money
and incidentally for himself as
means Of making 1t.
Regarding it as trade, he really
works conscientiously at it. He
might leave it to chance and his own
established reputation. But he does
not. He is always on the alert for
a chance to do business.
The Washington times., 1905-10-22
NEl1ANWf10IASEH EHleADN VARYING AHM1YPRTYTABLE A

years ago-have come to him from
over the border.
Thus Bristol has become sort of
Gretna Green for couples from the
neighboring States, and many
courtships rich in romance reach
their elimination here. Peculiar
and often hazardous methods by
which ardent lovers hope to escape
the wrath of irate parents frequently
come to light at this matrimonial
mecca. "Parson Burroughs, as he
is Familiarity known throughout
large portion of the country, uses
absolutely no discrimination as to
whom he will and whom he will not
marry He performs the ceremony
for all who seek his services. That's
his business, and he attends to 1t
strictly II the parents have any OBJ
jections-why, that's their business.
Many pretty romance has come
his way from the crude, ignorant,
and superstitious country folk of the
mountain regions of the neighboring
States Many a tale can the parson
tell of gallant young mountaineers
The Washington times., 1905-10-22
Formed a Quartet.

A little later the pastor OF the
church which Grace Putnam, Of
Lyons, attends was at convention
in Weedsport, where he was intro
duced to another Miss Grace Put
nam. When he returned he told the
Grace Putnam of his own congrega-
ton that he had met a girl OF the
same name in Weedsport- The two
girls soon after began TO correspond.
A friend of Grace Putnam in Ashta-
bula, living in Lyons, one day heard
the story of how three Grace Put
mans had been found and, recalling
that she knew a girl of the sans
name in Ashtabula, went to the one
in Lyons, with the result that four
of the same name became acquainted
and soon thereafter arranged re-
union. The account of last years
reunion was next published in sew
eral papers and several Grace Put
mans residing in different towns saw
the article and wrote to one of the
others. and, as heretofore stated,
twelve in all have been found.
At this years reunion the girls
visited many points of interest in
New England First as matter
of course, they made a pilgrimage TO
the old home of Israel Putnam. Then
they went TO the Old South Church
in Boston. the Washington Glen out
at Cambridge, and the homes OF
Whittier and Lowell. Next year at
their reunion at Ashtabula they are
not likely to find any such places Of
historic interest to visit There has
not been much history made at Ash
tabula. Nor are there many literary
shrines in the neighborhood. But
they are promising themselves a
rayol good time. A round dozen of
Grace Putnams-and possibly more
will turn up in the meantime-could
have good time even if they didn't
have Lake Erie with its excursion
possibilities as the playground for
their holiday
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

the majority of those who do know there
is family there IL is imagined that they
live like ordinary poems. The idea doubt
less prevails that the family lives like
the poorest portero, but should any one
pay visit 10 this home above the city
they would find home far superior to
the average home in Mexico City.
The Brena home is one OF the most
comfortable of homes. Its sanitary con-
dlton is naturally far superior 10 that
or nine-tenths of the homes on a level
with the thousands OF buildings that
compose the city. and the air that
reaches the cathedral home seems filter
ed OF the Dauseous odors that are not
uncommon TO those who live below. The
fresh air OF the country seems blowing
about one. and II REQUIRES no effort OF
the imagination to believe il really Is
the same untainted atmosphere Of tbs
hills that circles the city
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

With an evasive answer and
quizzical look he responded: Make
your arrangements quickly and the
girl will be on hand" Only few
moments were necessary TO comply
with the legal requisites and the par
son announced his readiness. The
prospective groom turned to his
wagon and, raking away the shucks,
lifted therefrom pretty, blushing
maiden of seventeen. whose rosy
cheeks and typical rural style, to-
gether with the anticipation of a
good fee, completely captivated the
venerable man of many marriages.
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

sons, who now spend their time in look
ing after the work of ringing the bells
az intervals, the time of which is no
uoubt known 10 the priests themselves
no better than TO them
They are bell ringers by birth and by
education. Those who sing the masses
before the affairs know the time for the
ringing and the length of the perform
ance no better nor as well as the MEM
hers of the Brena family There are
three sons. Francisco Augustin and An
tonic, and one daughter. Maria Guada-
iupe. The mother and daughter care for
The home and the sons handle the ropes
their father. their grandfather and their
great grandfather once handled
Probably not one man out of ten knows
that family is living in one of the
cathedral towers and probably not one
man out of a hundred knows anything
OF tho condition of that home. BY far
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

40 FAR above the pavement that
those who walk in and out among
the hundreds OF passing vehicles
appear like creeping insects. and
so high that the ordinary noises OF the
city reach upward only as confused
murmur. lives the family that has the
distinction of being the most elevated 81
Mexico's capital
The home OF this family IS high up in
the eastern tower Of the CATHEDRAL. and
there, among the bells THAI for centur-
les have called the faithful to the ser
vices OF the church. this family has lived
for years. and there Is every Indication
that the tower viii be their home FOR
many years 10 come
Two years ago Manuel Brena, the head
OF this family. died. and now his widow,
Luisa de In Brena, assisted by her three
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

know each other was this: In the
fall of 1900 Grace Putnam, of Nashua,
was visiting at the home Of her
uncle at Lyons. Through a mistake
in the distribution OF the mail the
Grace Putnam who gets her mail at
Lyons received a letter intended for
the Grace Putnam who was visiting
at Lyons The explanations which
followed resulted in their getting
acquainted and becoming fast
friends.
The Washington times., 1905-10-22
Tennessee the MaYyginq State.

From which it is not to be inferred
that the Rev. Alfred Harrison Bur-
roughs is much married BLUE
beard" Not at ali; he is only a
much marrying parson-the marry
ing parson, par excellence, of his
part of the country, and as such
known over a large portion of the
South. In the last dozen years he
has doubtless officiated at more mar
riage ceremonies than any other man
in the country. II is now his busi-
ness in life. He has reduced 1t to a
system and devotes his entire time
TO it. His house is designed with a
special need to the convenience of
young persons bent in committing
matrimony-and,b by the way, 1t has
The Washington times., 1905-10-22
Rev. Alfred H. Bur-
roughs, Of Bristol,
Tenn, Gives His En-
tire Attention to
MdtriTnony, Even
Meeting All IRcoTn-
ing Trains for Pos
sible Clients.

4ATRIMONY for revenue
@xX only-in one sense Of
l6s&A " & the phrase-has been
&SSEi tried from time to
N4 time by gentlemen Of
the Hoch stripe, with
varying degrees of temporary sue
cess. 1t has almost always eventual
1y landed its deyotee in Jail. But
"matrinony for revenue only" as
interpreted by the Rev. Alfred Har-
rison Burroughs, of the little town
of Bristol, just over the Virginia.
Tennessee border, has proved so pay
ing a proposition that he has given
up a good hotel business, not to
mention a fairly well paid minis
terial charge. to devote all his time
to it. And for twelve years it has
supported him in quiet luxury, and
even enabled him to lay. aside con-
siderable for the proverbial rainy
day.
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

Instead of living like poems the Brena
family live among luxuries the poor of
the city never have the pleasure OF
knowing. The cement floors are covered
with carpets. and furniture and pictures
give to the several rooms that are To-
Gated there a homelike air that might
cause the family to be envied in spite
OF the immense number of steps il is
necessary to take in order to reach
them.
At one side of the parlor is a piano,
and Brena and ore of her brothers are
skilled In its use. The music of the
in the organ loft may frequently be
heard by those who SIT ON the benches
In front of the cathedral Many have
wondered where the sounds came from
and few have discovered that :hey come
from among the bells of the old cathe-
drsr
The Washington times., 1905-10-22
No Bride in Sight.

A few weeks ago about dusk a
stalwart mountaineer drove up to
the parsons door with large load
of corn shucks and called vociferous-
ly for that gentleman. When the
preacher appeared he questioned him
for a moment and made arrange
ments for marriage ceremony,
which, he said, must take place with
out delay or persons in hot pursuit
would foil their purpose.
But, sir, where Is the bride? She
must be- present at the ceremony"
quoth the parson.
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

sons and her daughter. looks efter the
ringing of the bells and cares for the
great clock that has marked time for so
many years for the residents of that
part Of the city
Brides have been led TO the little home
among the bells, births have there been
come 10 the occupants II was more than
one hundred years ago that a man was
placed in charge of the bells, and those
who now live there are the lineal de-
scendants OF this man. This man was
the grandfather OF Luisa de Ia Brena,
who now Is grandmother herself
When her husband died he was an old
man, and the woman is no longer young.
but IL is probable that the time-honored
POSITION OF bell ringer will not pass 10
new hands when she Is carried down
the winding flight of stairs Doubtless
the work viii fall to one OF all OF he,
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

stealing their lovely brides from
their homes and bringing them will
ing captives to his matrimonial ha-
ven. Many eloping couples have
ridden day and night over the bride
paths of the mountains and, quietly
entering Bristol after midnight,
walked up the willing, but sleepy,
parson to tie the knot for them in
the wee sma' hours.
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

strued. while others regard it as
huge joke.
Parson Burroughs recently had a
rather amusing experience. after he
had performed a ceremony. The
matter of remuneration was being
discussed The groom was a rather
intelligent, unsuspecting country
man and did not understand the ex-
act mode of settlement for the SER
vices Of the minister in such cases.
What is your charge, sir?" asked
he
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

recently been remodeled and hand
somely furnished from the proceeds
of this universal human weakness.
Tennessee is the marrying" State
Of this part Of the country-just, for
instance, as New Jersey is the Cor
poration',' State or the Atlantic
coast-because of its peculiarly ben
eficent laws in this particular. Ten
nessee believes in letting the young
folks be happy, and If matrimony is
the road to happiness they can travel
in it at the tender age of sixteen.
That is why Parson Burroughs has
established himself In Tennessee.
close to the Virginia border,
for the relief of the infants
to whom a stern Virginia
law denies matrimony without
parental consent until they are
twenty-ons. BY far the larger num-
Der Of his patrons-and he claims to
have married 1900 couples since he
first went into the business twelve
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

Revolutionary times. was tied by In
dians intent on burning him.
Still another coincidence was the
fact that two of the girls, Grace
Putnam, of Weedsport, N. ", and
Grace Putnam, of Lyons, N. Y, have
lived for years within a short dis
tance of each other and neither had
ever heard of the other. The way
in which any of these girls came to
The Washington times., 1905-10-22
DISCOVERED a New Putnam.

Last year the girls visited the
lighthouse at Sodus Point, n. Y,
which was not far from where the
reunion of 1904 was being held, and
there they found that the lightkeep-
er, who had tended the light for a
quarter Of century, was named
Putnam, too. During their stay at
Lyons also they attended a picnic
one day, where some interesting
relics were being displayed, and
among these, and perhaps the most
interesting of all, was a piece of
wood which had been cut from the
which Israel Putnam, the hero of
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

that the proprietor's name was Put
man, He was surprised, too, to
think that so many Of the same
name as his own should call on him
at once, and he gave them their din
ners free of charge.
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

present last year were again in at
tendance except Grace A. Putnam, of
Lyons. Five others who have not
yet been present at either reunion,
but who will probably be next year,
are Grace A. Putnam, Franklinville,
n. Y; Grace A. Putnam, Moline, ILL.,:
GRANGE NJ. Putnam. Stony Creek, N.
T.; Grace T. Putnam, Richfield
Springs, ~. Y, and Grace Putnam,
of Wilmont, Ohio.
The Washington times., 1905-10-22

Those who met last year at Lyons,
n. Y, were Grace Putnam, of Lyons;
Grace Putnam, of Ashtabula; Grace
Putnam, of Weedsport, n. Y, and
Grace Putnam, of Nashua, n. H.
These were nicknamed the Grace
full Quartet" This fall those who
met at Nashua, n. H., were Grace
Sophia Putnam, Towanda, Pa;
Grace Edibel Putnam, Sutton, Mass.
Grace Laura Putnam, Weedsport, n.
Y; Grace May Putnam, Ashtabula,
Ohio; Grace Emma Putnam, Con-
cord, n. H.; Grace Ella Putnam,
Nashua, N. H.
II will be noted that there were
therefore three new ones present at
this years meeting and that all