The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-09-25
CHARLESTON WAKING UP.
Bill Board Company Puts Cheerful
Advertising Signs Around Gene


Bill board advertising has taken
possession of the country, but the
probabilities are that no city in the
world has within its limits a cemetery,
In fact two cemeteries, fenced in with
artistic advertising displays of the
wants. amusements and pleasures of
man. The two old colored cemeteries
located on the corner Of Columbus
and Hanover are now attractively
adorned In raiments of the loudest
hue, and passengers on the Belt Line
car will now hardly recognize the m
In their new habilaments.
The cemetery enclosures at the
place mentioned are owned by two Diff
ferent colored religious denomina-
tions. the Methodists and the Luther
ans. the former being situated in the
corner and the latter Immediately to
the east. fronting on Columbus street,
Up to a short time ago the fences Of
these enclosures were in a very bad
state OF repair. and from all appear
ances nothing was being done towards
their betterment. Notice was taken
by the Charleston Bill Posting and
Sign Painting Company Of the desir-
ability OF having an advertising board
erected at this point, II being located
on the most popular route from the
new Union Station. which rumor
states Will be opened some time this
year perhaps. Proposals were first
made to the Methodists for the rent
ing OF their frontage on both Hanover
and Columbus streets by Mr.. Charles
r.. Matthews, the president Of the ad-
vertising concern, but the deacons in
charge were at first reluctant towards
making the agreement. but after an
enticin pecuniary persuasion was laid
before them they gladly took up the Of
fer. The Lutherans were absolutely
unwilling to allow their dead to be hid
from public view by view Of a favo-
rite soft drink or an artistic view OF a
coming dramatic attraction, and no
terms could be entered into with them
by the sign painters.
Work was Immediately. begun on
the right purchased from the follow
ers Of Wesley and Whitfield and
most substantial fence was built by
the advertising company. on which
were painted the signs that showed
the uneQuafled advantages OF a large
number Of local enterprises. The
Lutherans looked on with interest.
but soon the thought Of what the
other crowd were receiving from the
building Of the new fence made them
feel as II they had done wrong in re-
fusing Mr.. Matthews OFFER and con-
were held by the trustees of
that body. Very soon O delegation
representing the followers Of Martin
Luther appeared before Mr.. Mat
thews and asked that the same agree
ment be made with. them as was en-
tered into with their neighbors. After
much discussion an agreement was
completed. and the Bill Posting Com
pany has put up a most substantial
fence. The method now in use for
making advertising displays is to
paint the boards instead OF using pa
per posters as formerly. The new
boards are now painted with various
advertisements Of local enterprises.
Should the shades Of the departed
Lutherans and Methodists see fit to
take a short trip to the Union Sta
ton to ascertain whether there has
been q large amount Of money spent
by TIE generous railroad corporations
toward giving Charleston a fit place
of entry for railway travellers, or
whether this much talked of edifice Is,
like themselves. a mere nothing, they
will no doubt pause awhile and read
the signs that hide their present
homes from public gaze.
II they feel blue, ghosts are gene
rally white. trip to Wonderland, so
tho bill-boards informs them. will
drive quickly away such an unnatural
condition. certain prominent citi-
zen OF this city is reported by the
board to be dying. but the probabili-
Ties are that this mans condition is
well known TO the dwellers Of spirit
land and no anticipation Of his imme-
diate arrival in that country is laid by
them. II they cannot see clearly to
read the valuable information given
tic them by the signs certain section
or the boards Informs them that
cert''n optical company Is prepared
to fit every one with glasses and will
guarantee the same. IF in doubt"
reads another sign, drink a bottle of
the most delicious, refreshing and in