davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
ELLIOTT.

Elliott, January 23.-It seems that
cotton is at a standstili; guess the par
lies who are holding will be getting
impatient, but if they will all continue
80 hold something better will be Of
fared There has been but little work
on the farns--in fact there has been
50 much rain that nothing much could
be done farmers have taken advan-
sage Of this and have been doing lot
Of building tenant houses. There has
been some nice dwellings, put up, too.
The oat crop is looking nicely but
there are good many fields yet TO be
planted.
s mrs Louise Muldrow, of Clarks
I'm, S. G., has offered her place just
two miles above Elliott, for sale. We
hear that the price is $50 per acre.
This is nice plantation of 1s5 acres,
s5 under cultivation.
# Capt j. II. Cooper mas been criti-
cally III for the past week
Miss Lottie Deschamps, who has
also been very i'll, is improving fast.
we are glad to- see that the legisla-
1ure has been wise enough not to take
any steps to abolish the dispensary,
as believe it the only. way that whis-.
key can be managed.
We have new enterprise Rear Ell
Hott. Mr.. Flynn Shaw has put in a
nlH to manufacture shingles, some
thing much needed.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
STATEBURG.

Stateburg, Jan. 29.-Miss Theo In
gram is visiting relatives in Sumter
this week.
Mr.. Farley Mellette spent Sunday
at home.
Mrs. James Pinckney and Miss A.
~. Moore are visiting relatives in
Sumter.
DR.. C. M. Rees, of Charleston, spent
Sunday with his mother, Mrs. F. G.
Rees, at Midway.
Miss Tallulah Ramsey, Of Priva-
teer, spent Satorday and Sunday with
her sister, Mrs. Frean Mellette.
Mr.. Guy Nelson spent Sunday and
Monday Of last week with his sister,
Mrs. F. H. Mcleod, in Florence.
Mr.. Willie Lyman, of Privateer,
spent Sunday with his sister, Mrs. S.
A. Ramsey.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. F. Neel spent Sun
day with relatives at Providence.
Rev. w. H. Rarnwell visited friends
at Hagood today.
The farmers in this part OF the
county are preparing for another
years crop, and things once more be-
gin to look busy as one drives along.
The oat crop, for the most part, bids
quite promising.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
DARK CORNER.

Dark Corner, January 27.-Well. it
is not raining this morning, so 1 will
spend few moments in writing. We
have surely had rain mere this week,
so much that we cannot plow now for
several days, as the land IS boggy
in some places. We had two things
to happen here this week. On last
Sunday DR.. j. a. Mood, of your city.
and some ladies We're on their way
from, Sumter to Summerton in his
automobile. Just as he got to the
1Sycamores (Thos. II. Osteen's) his
machine refused to work and he had
to send back to your city for Messrs
Jenkins and Manning. But before
they got here the doctor had got his
machine off and made his trip on to
Summerton, returning that night to
your city, taking Miss Emma Osteen.
who is going to school in Sumter, with
him.
And on last Wednesday night as
special train No. 74S was going from
Florence to Orangeburg and intend
ing to side track at Pinewood, the
engineer, thinking he had reached
Pinewood, switched Off at Rroadway's
siding, about two miles this side Of
Pinewood, and it being but Snort
siding, the first thing he knew his en-
gine was stuck fast in the mud in the
ditch. Fortunately nobody was hurt.
The wrecking train came down from
Florence Thursday and pulled it back
on the track and carried it back to
the round house at Florence.
Mrs. Kolb is still improving.
Mr.. T. Douglass Weeks has been
quite sick this week, but is some bet.
ter at this writing.
1 hear of no other sickness, except
colds and measles. I hear they have
been thick in Pinewood lately. Every
thing else is calm and serene here
abouts.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
A WIrHERsPOoN HEIRLOOM.
An Olden Time Thread Case and the
Tale it Tells of the Days of Long
ago.

Bishopville, January 2O.-Through
the kindness Of an esteemed friend,
your correspondent had the pleasure
OF inspecting a simple little article Of
small intrinsic value in itself, bat
with the memories and associations
which it brings it is beyond all price.
1t is q lady's thread case" made OF
calico, equipped with pockets and
bound with the material of which it
is naade-an ordinary piece OF wo-
mans work
Nothing in itself, but this little case
has passed through the hands Of ladies
OF seven generations, whose forms
have long ago crumbled into dust, and
whose spirits have long tenanted the
great unknown land above.
This thread case according to mem,
oranda found in it's pockets, was the
property of Mrs Mary Witherspoon.
who died in 1905, at the age OF. 20.
AS she no doubt made it in the earlier
part Of her long life, it is safe to out
the date 'of its fabrication at about
1855 to 1850, before the Declaration
OF Independence, was drafted or even
thought Of.
The first Of these memoranda estab-
fishes the antiquity Of this thread case,
it is writeen upon paper yellow with
age, and is in the round, cramped
hand Of the time, but perfectly legi-
bic. It reads:
''This thread case was my dear
grandmother's, Mrs. Mary Wither-
spoon. She died February, 1905, aged
20 years. She was a sincere Christian.
My grandfather died one month after
wards, aged 73 years-he was also a
very pious man-they were first cous-
ins, both of the same name, Wither-.
spoon. They left three sons and two
daughters. Ny mother was the eld-
est daughter. She married my father,
Thomas NJ. Faddin, the 9Th Of Janu-
ary 1882. She was born March 8,
1852, and died November 20, 1920"
(signed.) E. NJ. Witherspoon.
The case then passed into the hands
Of ladies of the Muldrow-Dennis fani-
lies, and now is the property of Mrs.
Frank Herndon, who justly holds it as
one Of her choicest treasures.
What memories are brought up by
this little piece of woman's work: The
very names of the owners are suggest
i've; Mr.. Faddin Witherspoon, Null
drow Cor McMuldrough, as it stands
in the old colonial records,) Dennis, all
Of old Scotch blood, descendants Of
those noble men who worshipped their
God in the wales and glens Of old Scot
land while momentarily expecting the
attacks Of the fierce dragons Of
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
TINDAL.

Tindal, January 30.-The oats il
this section which were planted last
fall are looking we'll; very few spring
oats have been planted yet on ac-
count Of the Lad weather.
Mr.. Harry Hodge spent last Sat
urday in Sumter.
Miss Viola Mcleod, of Paxville, is
spending q few days at Mr.. W. H.
Bradham's.
Miss Olga Hodge spent last We'd
nesday in Sumter.
Mr.. S. F. Osteen, of Sumter, was
in the neighborhood on last Sunday
Mr.. T. E. Hodge spent Saturday III
Sumter.
A horse belonging to Rev. L. d.
Chavis,. a colored preacher in this
community, was stolen from his lot
on last Saturday night The horse
has been recovered, but the thief
made his escape.
Mr.. C. NJ Witherspoon spent Mon
day in Sumter.
Mr. J. R. Wells, OF Brogdon, spent
Monday with Mr.. S. J. Edens.
Mr.. w. L. Osteen was in Sumter on
last Saturday.
The health of the community is
very good. We have no sick to report
this week.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
HAGOOD.

Hagood, S. c., January 29.-I;
rains and rains and we'll may we
thank our stars that it does. They are
having time of it up yonder with the
sleef and snow. In the grip of a
blizzard all the late small grain would
Fare badly. We have had weather
plenty warm enough to plant corn ana
had it continued long with dry wealth
er some Of us would have been simple
enough to have planted. I have
known oats to be killed in February
so small grain is not safe yet.
There are three saw mills near here
but all Of them do not supply the de-
mand for lumber.
On January 24th Julian E. Sanders
went to Scs rtanburg to fetch his bride
and T. L. Eberhart, of Chester, came
and got Miss Halle Sanders, a most
charming woman. I understand that
her bridal presents were quite numer-
ous and expensive. Quite company
from your city and elsewhere were
present to witness the marriage. If
they continue to Jump the broom" as
they have in the last two years our
supply of marriageable young people
will soon be exhausted. 1t is a difficult
matter to get our young people in the
notion of marrying, but when they are
they soon find a partner. The reason
is that they are all a No. 1.
We have a few fine "bachs' left, ali
good looking save one, and he's not
TO blame for that, but he will make
an excellent husband for some good
woman. Those in need Of one apply
TO the undersigned, but one at time,
If you please, enclosing self-addressed
envelope for reply, or cali in person.
Talking about counting and such
there is vanity here as in all things.
One couple, an old bach and maid,
met in the auid lang syne before cot
ton gins came into use. at picking,
where the lint and seed were sepa-
rated by the hand process. That night
they thumped seed at each other, do
ing little less. Next morning our
bachelor, astride his horse. rode up to
the door of his lady love, who gives
him a smiling salutation. and without
dismounting says:
There's love about here"
She replied:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
MAX.

Max, January 29.-Mr. J. D. Will
der, of Sumter, passed through here
last week.
Mr.. J. D. Frierson and Mr.. J. Thos.
Kirby are with Mr.. Charles Frierson
m Cuba, who is entertaining them
royally. They are enjoying eating
different kinds of fruit and sight-sec-
ing.
Mrs. Roberts bid adieu to relatives
at Max Sunday and will return to her
home in Columbia today. We hope
to have her with us again before many
months.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
TAX Returns FOR 1906.
OFFICE OF
AUDITOR, SUMTER CO.,

Sumter, S. c., Dec. 10, 1905.
Notice is hereby given that will at
tend, in person or by deputy, at the
following places on the days indicated
respectively, for the purpose Of re-
ceiving returns of real estate, persona
property and poll taxes for the fsca
year, commencing January 1, 1906.
Tindals Store, Monday, Jan. Sth.
Privateer, (Jenkins' Store), Tues.
day, Jan. 9Th.
Manchester, Gevi's), Wednesday
Jan. 10th.
Wedgeheld, Thursday, Jan. 18th.
Stateburg, Friday, Jan. 18th.
Hagood, Monday, Jan. 18th.
Remberts Tuesday, Jan. 18th.
Dalzell, Wednesday, Jan. 18th.
Gordon's Mill, Thursday, Jan. 18th
Oswego, Friday, Jan. 18th.
Mayesville, Tuesday, Jan. 23d.
Shiloh, Wednesday, Jan. Gath.
Norwood K Roads, Thursday, Jan
25th.
The law requires that all persons
owning property or in any wise hav-
ing charge Of such property, either as
agent, husband, guardian, trustee, ex-
ecutor, administrator, etc., return the
same under oath to the auditor, wh-
requests all persons to be prompt ir
making their returns and save the sc
per cent penalty, which will be adde's
to the property valuation Of all person:
who fail to make returns within the
time prescribed by law.
Taxpayers return what they own
on the first day Of January, 1906.
Assessors and taxpayers will enter
the first given name Of the Taxpayer
for each township where the property
is located and also in each and every
Case the ~ uulCSl VI lllS SSllOO1 OIStll
must be given.
Every male citizen between the asa
of twenty-one and sixty years on the
first day of January, 1906, except
those Incapable Of earning a support
from being MANNED or from other
causes, are deemed taxable polls, and
except Confederate soldiers SO years
of age, on January 1st, 1905.
Under instructions from the Comp
troller General, a separate return
must be made Of each tract or parcel
of land.
All returns must be made on or be-
fore the Goth day of February, next.
I cannot take returns after that date
and ell returns made after the goth
day of February, are subject to pen
atty of so per cent.
J. DIGGS WILDER,
Auditor Sumter County.
December 20, 1905.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
coEFIS MANUFACTURERS MEET
7,ir. z. L. Witherspoon EeIected Tenn
pcrary President.

Raleigh, \. c., January 26.-The
coffin manufacturers of the South are
in session at High Point, y. c., where
they held their initial meeting this
evening. The purpose is to organize
a permanent national organization. E.
L. Witherspoon, of Sumter, s. c., was
chosen temporary president and A.
M. Ran1iin, of High Point, secretary
Plans for a thorough organization are
being perfected by committee and
will be reported tomorrow.
Eugene Debbs, Socialist leader, is
delivering addresses in this State this
week and next.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
Miss Edna Ramsey is spending tn

Miss Edna Ramsey is spending this
week with relatives at Wedgefeld
Mr.. Johnnie Geddings. Of Wedge
field and Miss Irene Jackson were
married Thursday evening at { o'clock
at the home of the brides mother
near Soeven. Rev. g. p. Lide offic-
lated.
Mr.. Dave Beasley, OF Darlington
spent several days the past week at
Mr.. y. E. Ingrams.
Miss Annie Wells, teacher of the
Homebrancll school, being quite sick
her sister. Miss Inez. is admirably
performing the duties Of teacher for
her this week
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
..Perhaps it's you, Mr.. r.

perhaps it's you, Mr.. R."
.eYou are mighty right, said he.
That was all there was Of it. Yes,
short, and I expect as sweet as most
courtships. Now, don't turn up your
nose at this, because it might hav.
been your old grandfather, whom for
the want of a name, designate Mr..
R. No doubt substantial citizen in
his day who attended to his business
and made an independent living. In
his time, your grandfather's, there
were no buggies, but a vehicle called
a gig and great numbering carriage.
of the wealthy, drawn by four. Then
it was quite common in some places
for ones lady love to ride behind him.
horseback. All, boys. I know you
think those were good Old times, but
a survival of the fttest brings us
were we are.
But was going to relate the en-
barrassing experience Of LADY in
Lancaster in the days of yore who, all
dressed up riding behind her beau,
was suddenly. dropped in the middle
of a big mud hole by the shying OF
the horse. That woman belonged ID
one of the first families of old Ian
caster.
Change of times brings change Of
customs, change Of courtships, etc.
How do you like this?
A bashful young man Of excellent
family, fine character, success every
way, had tried in vain to muster cour-
age to pop the question She knew
it all, OF course, and was as patient
as could be, because she loved him.
The situation was delicate and how
ever much she may have wished she
saw no way Of helping him. Each
was desperately in love with the other,
but there could be no marriage with
out an engagement, without a decla-
ration So to speak, they were both
in an agony. One day in buggy at
a picinc after considerable effort he
asked her to tell him whom Of all her
male friends she thought most of. She
consented on condition that he would
unbosom first and when each replied
YOU they gave expression to their
relief, their satisfaction and happiness
inra burst of laughter. They were
soon welded, one of the happiest cou-
pies in all that land.
More recently couple, they were
teachers in attendance upon an insti-
.ute, were smitten Of Cupid out
scarcely betrayed each to the othe.
what they felt. They were reading
the Merchant Of Venice" and were
discussing the merits of Portia, whom
both agreed was moled wife. Said
he, .s.Ah, she is my ideal; can you
make such a one?" She made no re-
ply just then. but v-iao.2, after recita-
ton, she was retiri..g from the room
she bent over his seat and whispered
in his ear and unmistakable Eyes"
In some way, somehow the match
is made, the knot is tied, and the sa-
cred institution ordained of God con-
tinues.
But what's the news?
W. E. Lenoir, of Kingville, is over
on business for few days.
Mr. Albert Young is quite sick at
his brothers near Rembert.
Mrs. W. j. Spencer continues to i'm
prove.
Mr.. Crawford E. Sanders and wife
spent the oath in your city.
Mr.. J. H. Lenoir, of Camden, is Wis
iting in our community.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
COUNTY CORRESPONDENCE.
,NEWsY LETTERS FROM OUR sPE-
Gal CORRESPONDENTS.
ueus of Interest From all Parts of
sumter and Adjoining Counties.
notice TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Mail your letters so that they will
reach this Office not later than Tues
day morning. When the letters are
received Wednesday it is almost an
mpossibility to have them appear in
the paper issued that day.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
Promises To Be Our Banner Year.

The first month Of the New Year has exceed
ed all previous records for that period. Every
department Of Our house has shown marked
Improvement. There were many days when we
found difficulty in handling intelligently the
business offered U.s. This is to be expected in an
establishment like ours, that counts among it's
patrons the inhabitants Of four counties. While
we do a very large advancing business at this
season Of the year, and are always glad to
accommodate our friends in this respect, the
increase in our cash trade is most gratifying.
Some Of our competitors will ATTEMPT to
advance the idea that house Of this clarac-
Ter is not a desirable place in which to
spend your money, but their arguments are
without foundation. As a matter Of fact
the volume Of credit business we do,
enables us to buy goods IN such quantities
as to be able to underseu these competi-
tors. The { IS Of doing business with us is
not figured II It's amount we sell for cash or on
credit but the volume and cur percentage of
cost in this respect we believe to be as low as it
is possible to get it,
yye try to confne ourselves to the better class
of credit trade, anG Our record Of collections
will show that we have not made uany mis-
takes SO that no man need fear in dealing with
u.s. that he is taxed with profits to paw his
neighbors debts. We realize that there Will be
more money in circulation this Spring than
usual, and we wish to impress on our friends
that we want our share of it, and every dollar
they spend with us for cash enables us to sell
them that much cheaper on credit.
n@WA 50 - ~
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
Mr.. W. B. Goodman has a very sick

Quite a number of people We're out
driving Sunday afternoon enjoying the
sunshine, thirty of whom called at the
home Of J. \. NJ. Carraway.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31
COL. PATRICK IS IMPROVING.
His Friends Now Hope That He Will
Recover.

Col. J. M. Patrick, who has been
critically i'll at his home in this city
for the past two weeks, has shown a.
marked Improvement within the past
few days, and his family and friends
now hope that he will recover. He
has been removed to a sanitarium III
GreenvilIe for treatment.
His brother, Rev. r. G. Patrick, and
his sister, Mrs. Pauline Gurganus, who
have been on a visit to him. returned
to their home at Marion, Ala, yes
terday.-Anderson Mail
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31

The county board Of dispensary con.
troll of Greenville county will sell at
auction the fixtures used in the dis
pensaries.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-11-19
HEALTH CONDITIONS GOOD
AT THE STATE PRISON.

TRENTON, Nov. 19:-That the
citizens of this state are becoming
more law abiding is evidenced by the
fact that there are 10 less inmates
in the state prison at the present time
than there were at this time las year.
The number received during he fall
has been considerably less than in
former years.
The total number of inmates in the
institution is 1928, and of this
amount 3S are ONE Since No
vember 12, there have been nine con-
victs discharged and ten received.
OF those released, John Stretcher,
of Hudson county, and Nicholas
Jackson, of Bergen county, were the
only long term men. They were SEN
fenced to 10 years each.
The health of the institution has
never been better than it has this
fall, there being only eight inmates in
the hospital.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-11-19
PRESIDENT OFF
.FORPORTO RICO
Roosevelt and His Party Leave
Canal zone--"AII Great Works
Are Criticized" He Says.

COLON, Nov. 19.-Prcsident Roose-
welt is now ON his way back to the
United States from Panama. He is
due to arrive at Ponce. Porto Rico, on
Wednesday. From there he will cross
the island to San Juan by automobile
for a one day visit to the capital He
will embark Mt San Juan for Hampton
Roads on Thursday and expects to
reach Washington on Tuesday, Nov.
~, in time to spend Thanksgiving day
ut the White House.
The president and his party sailed
Saturday night at 10 o'clock for Ponce,
Porto Rico, on board the United States
battleship Louisiana.
After riding on horseback through
the muddy streets of Colon on Satt1r-
day afternoon the president went to
the residence of Mr.. Biers, general
manager of the Panama railroad. for
dinner. Those present included Chair
man Shonts of the canal commission,
Chief Engineer Stevens and their
NIte' SVNlttdiS h"ttH anu Phi SN'i
General Rixey. Secret service men
guard the presidential party at every
stage of their trip.
At half past 8 O'Clock President
Roosevelt reached pier No. II, where
there was an enthusiastic gathering of
at least 500 persons, principally canal
employees at Cristobal and other points
along the line. Here the president as
cended the band stand and made a thir-
ty minute speech, In giving his i'm
pressions Of the work on the canal he
said he was pleased with what already
had been done and paid his respects TO
those who had adversely criticised the
work.
How about Poultncy BigelowF'
came from among the auditors.
With much dcliberation the presi-
dent remarked that in every large
work there was always some one to
find something that was not done as it
should have been. but the employees
on no account pay attention to
Sllch CRITICISMS, as the CRITICS WoUln
sink out OF sight, while the work the
men were doing and had done would
long after all criticism had
been forgotten.
President Roosevelt said also lie was
impressed with the magnitude and
greatness Of this work that he would
like to see one of his sons engaged
He congratulated all the
heads of departments upon the work
being done. and with especial warmth
he congratulated Captain George X,
Stanton on his success in maintaining
order in the canal zone and in perfect
the splendid police force under his
control.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-11-19
|ALMSH0uSE INMATE is
FOUND UNABLE TO WALK
Was Lying in a Gutter Completely
Exhausted Had Walked About
A Mile and Unable to Return.

John Murphy, an inmate of the
almshouse, who, as told in Saturdays
NEWS, was reported missing by the
matron, Mrs. Salmon, was found lying
in the gutter at Neville street and
Woodbridge road, late Saturday af-
ternoon by Mr.. Bilgrav, who lives
near there, He questioned the aged
man, who said he belonged at the
poor farm. Mr.. Bilgrav telephoned
the police and the ambulance, in
charge of Patrolman McDermott, was
quickly on the scene. Murphy, who
was fatigued over his mile walk, was
at once removed to the poor house.
He says he left the place at 6 O'Clock
Saturday morning for a walk, but
was unable to return.