The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-02-14

completely around, throwing him Out
and running over him, and on, Till
the buggy was smashed to pieces on
a telephone pole. The motorists
kindly stopped a moment and allowed
the old man to climb up behind when
they dashed on behind the fleeing
horse, passing another buggy in
charge Of two small boys whose horse
fortunately did not frighten. AS these
bows expressed it, "They looked like
they were trying to catch the horse
On they sped through the village
causing a general stampede among
the horses there, merely stacking up
enough to allow the old man to jump
off, and not once did they have the
courtesy, or even curiosity to inquire
whose team they had ruined. Was 1t
any wonder the community was in
dignant and the parties tried for reck
less driving? Did the paltry fine OF
$1,000 imposed compensate for de-
molished buggy and ruined horse
with the hardships enrailed in the
family by his ruin? The horse had
been driven by ladies and children for
years in absolute safety, now he is
afraid of loose engine in motion, and
looks askance at bicycle. With them
it is a, question whether it is better to
face the ills, they know, or fly to
others that they know not of, by sell
ing him. SO much for one eventful
trip.
Certainly we realize that motorists
have a right to the public highways,
but we also feel that people less fortu-
nate, or who prefer some other mode
of CONVEYANCE, should know when they
start out that there is a probability at
least Of reaching their destination
with whole vehicle, and whole
skin, and if these people do not exer-
else common humanity and caution to
insure it, then laws should force them
It should not be necessary to require
by law man in an auto to render as
sistance to a person in danger or dis
tress. which ne has caused; the merest
instinct Of courtesy and kindness
should prompt him to offer that as
sistance: yet it is to this part of Mr..
Green's bill that most strenuous OBJ
iections were made. Those who act
as they should in this matter, need
fear nothing from the law, and the
others deserve punishment commen-
surate with the offense. It is nonsense
TO talk of running 100000 worth of
property by it.
I think in a few years, if the auto
mobilists Will show the same consld-
Grafton for frightened animals that BIZ
cyclists have always done-and some
do-horses will become accustomed to
them, and there Will be no friction
AS it is, + know Of many persons who
dare not take their horses to Sumter
at all, and others who go just as sell
dom as possible to avoid the risk
Even with the greatest caution auto
mobiles are constant sources Of dan
ger. but they have come to stay and
will be in universal use before many
years. Meanwhile. in many neighbor-
| hoods where the ladies have always
driven about themselves, they and
their children are almost deprived Of
social intercourse. preferingSto remain
at horne, rather than run the risk OF
meeting an automobile driven by one
regardless of others safety, and this
I repeat is often the case.
You would be overwhelmed if you
| requested others to verify these re-
marks by relating other incidents. but
YOU had better use an ounce Of pre-
ven1ion and make no such request I'M
less you double your Office force.