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The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27

fire in an unknown way broke OUT
were many pieces Of baggage, great
er portion Of which was completely
destroyed, and that which was remov-
ed from the room was badly damag-
ed. This feature Of the fire will prob
ably result in the greatest loss and in-
convenience. A number Of travelling
men had made this point for Sunday
and their sample cases were left in the
baggage room. Many Of these were
destroyed, while the contents Of those
that were removed are SO badly dam
aged that they are unfit for use. Some
Of the salesmen will be delayed for 80
days or more at a loss to the busi-
ness Of the firms represented and
heavy expenses otherwise. The
knights OF the grip, under almost all
conditions are genial, happy people,
but many of them are to be seen at
the hotels this morning wearing per-
picked and downcast countenances-
Some eight or ten pouches of Uni
ted States NAL lying il transfer here
were completely destoyed. Just what
class of mail or how much is not yet
known as there is no record kept at
this point and no means of checking
up the lost mail.
All of the tickets and cash in the
ticket office were saved, in fact, this
part of the building was not dam
aged to a great extent.
Mr.. Jas. A. Parish, the night ticket
agent of the Atlantic Coas; Line, occu-
pied a bed room on the second floor
Of the building. The room was fur
nished with hand carved mahogany,
pieces over two hundred years old
the property of Capt Geo. w. Loring.
This furniture was destroyed and is
an irreparable loss to Capt. Loring, as
it was a family heirloom.
The report that Fireman Eugene
Stansil1 was seriously hurt is errone-
Gus. Save the discomfort Of wet
clothing, the extreme cold weather,
and running of many Sunday suits, the
firemen came out Of the incident un-
scathed.
The railway people have already
placed squad of hands clearing the
premises and carpenters are at work
reconstructing the depot, using the
same foundation and walls. It is un-
derstood that in rebuilding many
additional conveniences will be add
ed. However, in the main, the new
building will be a fac si1nile Of the
old
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
WILL GRAHAM'S FUNERAL.
The First Baptist Chmch Was Filled
to Overfowing by Throng of sor-
rowing Friends.

The attendance at the funeral of
Mr.. W. S. Graham, which was held in
the First Baptist Church Sunday at 1
o'clock was striking testimonial to
the POPULARITY of the deceased, for
despite the downpour Of rain and the
freezing temperature the church was
crowded to the doors and many could
not gain admission.
The services, which were conducted
by Rev. G. C. Brown, were simple
but impressive.
The pallbearers were the following
m n. bers of Delgar Reel Squad No. 8:
E. A. Bultman, Douglas China. E. S.
Miller, Elisha Carson and G. E..
Haynsworth. The casket was con-
veyed from the church to the ceme-
terry in the Delgar hose wagon, which
was draped With black, the casket
resting on Gla k-draped platform
ard surrounded nth Coral offerings,
which were very aunlerous and beau
tiful The hose wagon was driven by
E. A. Bultnlan, loreman Of Delgar
Squad, and the other pallbearers
stood on the sideboards. Following
the funeral car came Monaghan Hose
Co. No ., then Game Cock Lodge No.
II, K of P, and a long line Of car
riages. filled with friends.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
Recorders Court.
At the Recorders M ace saturda

At the Recorders nas zee saturda
only one actor appeare before til
foot-lghts, bat he was star.
AS smart jugsler Charles Joho
son appeared before his honor, and
with the t~enaor Of voice Of one suffer
ing from stage fright said he was
guilty of the charge.
At the Atlantic Coast Line depot
rlat morning Charles had given an
exhibition of his. wonderful skill in.
the art, tossing rocks with a velocity
that would make the average base
ball pitcher take to the tall timber.
and at the same time he handled
jack knife with the ease OF a. skilled
legerdemanist. Severol Of his audi
ence, who had felt the force of toss
ing strength, came before the court
and offered additional testimony to-
the youthful juggler's skill. Charles
had no license for giving perform
ance with rocks on the streets Of the
city, but the judge gave him the priv
ilege Of practicing the art with a.
shovel upon the highways of the
county under the tutorship Of Super
visor Scale OR pay fine Of SIC.
The following cases were disposed
of in the Recorders court yesterday:
David Newman was up for driving.
wagon on the sidewalks and un-
loading it's contents into a yard,
blocking the pavement. David paid q
ene of 81 for breaking the ordinance
prohibiting the driving Of wagons
on the sidewalks.
Matthew Mickens was charged with
carving concealed weapons. Mat
thew was caught with a razor and a
pistol on his person. The weapons
were forfeited to the city and the
sense of of court was that Mickens
pay fine of SIS or go to the gang
for 80 days.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27

and was occupied by Messrs. Beck
Bros, wholesale dry goods and no
tions, and Mr.. H. L. Tisdale, grocer
and bicycle dealer, in addition to the
cafe and sleeping apartments. The
building and all contents were COM
pletely destroyed.
The losses and insurances are as
follows:
Beck Bros, building and stock val
ued at $4,000 with $4,000 insur-
ance.
H. L. Tisdale's stock valued at ST.
900 with s425 insurance.
Manheim's Cafe and sleeping apart
ments, furniture and fixtures, valued
at $4,000, with insurance of s2,100.
The total amount of the loss is
s36,50O, with s15,525 insurance.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
Missionary Conference.

The missionary conference Of Sum-
ter District, NJ. E. Church, South,
convened Thursday at II o'clock with
Presiding Elder H. W. Bays in the
chair. The usual routine business
was transacted and addresses on mis-
ions and missionary work were de-
ivered by several members.
Those present were Rev. =. w.
Bays, Rev. H. B. Browne, presiding
elder of Columbia District, Revs. j.
w. Daniel, S. D. Bailey, E. P. Hutson,
H. S. Booth, E. S. Jones, D. A. Phil
lips, C. B. Smith, c. C. Herbert, S. O.
Cantey, D. A. Lewis, David Hucks, 7.
W. Munnerlyn, o. A. Jefcoat, j. H.
Nolan, C. S. Fielder, L. L. Inabnit, l..
L. Bedenbaugh.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27

Mr.. II. l. Tsdale, formerly occu-
pying a store room in the Beck
Block, has rented the store room at
% West Liberty Street. and is re-
painting and generally improving the
building previous to moving into it.
He will conduct bicycle sales and re-
pairing business.
It seems not to be generally known
among sportsmen- and others that, by
an act of the legislature of last year,
the entry upon the land Of another
without permission obtained, for the
purpose of shooting, hunting or fish
ing, is made misIemeanor, punish
able by fine or Imprisonment. No no
tice by posting, advertisement or 9th
erwise. is required, the mere, entry
constituting the midemeanor. Ignor-
ance Of the law or lack Of information
about the locality is no excuse or pal
liation Of the offence.
John Afford, negro who attempt
ed to mortgage land not belonging to
him to Mr.. J. F. Bland, Jr., Of Mayes-
viue,x to secure the payment of a
debt, and who was sent to the chain
gang as result completed his SEN
tence Friday and was turned over by
Sheriff Epperson to Mr.. W. B. Rey-
nolds, magistrates constable of La
mar. Alfred is wanted by the Dar-
lington county authorities on charge
Of obtaining money under false pre-
tense. 1t appears that he obtained
$43.75 of Mr.. Elias Wright, os Lamar,
and gave as security chatrel mortgage
Of two oxen which were the property
of someone else. Mr.. Reynolds with
his prisoner left for Lamar on the
$50 train Friday evening.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27

The Choral Society on account of
the bad weather has postponed the
meeting for tonight to one night next
week. Date will be mentioned later.
The Commissioners Of Public
Works will take up the sewerage
proposition at an early day, and it is
hoped that tie work Of construction
will begin in the near future.
One lesson that the fire THURSDAY
night taught with impressive force is
the need of building permit ordi-
nance and system Of thorough, sys-
tenaatic and rigid inspection Of all
buildings by competent inspector.
Attention is invited to the new ad-
vertisement of O'Donnell & Co. The
buyers for the firm are now on the
rorthern markets and the spring and
summer goods will soon begin to come
IN.
The County Pension Board held a
regular melting at the auditors Office
at the Court House on Monday. Be-
sides a, considerable amount Of rou-
inc work, twenty-five applications
were passed upon and placed in line
for pensions.
On account of the excessive wet
weather Supervisor Scale has moved
che Changing from the country to
the suburbs of the city, ard is now
Improving the road from Liberty Street
to the country and will later improve
Oakland Avenue.
The commissioners Of election,
Messrs. ]. E. DuPre, F. D. Knight and
R. E. McElveen, met Tueef y to taou-
late the returns and .iare the re-
suit Of the special election held on
February 18th for Probate Judge.
Thos. z. Richardson received 391
votes and B. P. Cuttino received 1Sz
votes. Mr.. Richardson was accord
ingly declared duly elected.
The closing of the dispensary has
had the effect on the mail order
w1iskey business that was anticipat-
ed. Folks who drink LIQUOR, as a
beverage or use it strictly as a medi-
cine, will have it no matter how far
they have to send, and the whiskey
houses in other states are reaping a
big harvest. The advertisement of j.
D. Mills today shows how the mail
order whiskey houses and distilleries
are reaching out for business.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
THE HOTEL SUMTER.
A Change in Management on March
1St.

1SS.
The Sumter Hotel, which has been
under the mana cement Of Capt. Geo.
w. Loring for the past year, will
change hands on March 1st. Mr.. An
drew L. Jackson, who has been con-
nected with the Jackson for the past
four or five months, Will be the new
manager.
Mr.. Jackson, who is native Of
Statesville, \. c., is a hotel graduate
from long experience and is conver-
SAINT with the business in detail. He
has been connected with some Of the
best known hostelries Of the country,
including the Kenilworth Inn, of
Asheville, and the Hotel Colonnade,
of Spray, n. C.
The furnishings and appointments
Of the Sumter are to be overhauled
and rearranged. And with the intro
duction of modern methods in the
conduct of the house proposed by the
new management, the Sumter will be
second to no commercial hotel in the
state.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
FIRE ESCAPES NEEDED.

The fire Thursday night has given
rise to considerable discussion as to
the need of fire escapes on pubic
buildings. 1t is fact that few, if
any, buildings in the city are equip
ped with fire escapes, especially is
this true of the hotels, where 50 many
lives, strangers to the premises, are
exposed to the frequently occurring
fires. with practically no means Of
escape. Some have suggested that
there should be passed city ordi-
nance requiring the property owners
to construct fire escapes to all build
ings in the city where lives are thus
exposed.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
THE ATLANTIC COAST LINE STA
TION \ COMPLETE WRECK.
The Fire Started in the Baggage
Room, and a Large Number of
Trunks and Drunmers' Sample
Cases Were Destroyed-United
States Mail Burned.

At 2.30 O'Clock Sunday afternoon
fire was discovered in the baggage
room of the Atlantic Coast Line de-
pot and the alarm was rung in just
as the two companies of the fire de-
partment were returning from the
cemetery, whittier they had gone to
pay a. last tribute Of respect to their
late chief, Will S. Graham, whose sad
demise was the result of his fearless
work in fighting the flames which de-
stroyed the Beck Block on last Fri
day morning.
The department promptly responded
to the call and despite the raw, rainy
weather, battled with the flames prac-
tically the entire afternoon. The
shell of the building as it now stands
is palpable evidence Of the efficient
work Of the volunteer department.
While the interior walls of the sub
stantially constructed brick building
are blackened and are of some value
in the reconstruction of the depot,
the fire was extinguished before these
were completely destroyed.
The building was comparatively
new one. having been constructed
about six years ago at cost of about
$4,000. 1t was fully covered by in
surance, according to the best infor-
nation obtainable.
In the baggage room, where the
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
Card of Thanks.

I hereby acknowledge with pride
and gratitude the obligations 1 am
under to the good people of Sumter
county for the honors they conferred
upon me at the recent election; and
desire to say that it will be my con-
slant effort to discharge the duties Of
the Probate Office without fear or IA
vor, and to the best of my ability.
Thos. E. Richardson.
Sumter, S. c., Feb. 26, 1907.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
DEATH.

The many friends Of Mr.. and Mrs.
George E. Wilson, of Charlotte, n. c.,
will be saddened to learn that their
eldest son, Hamilton Witherspoon,
died of acute rheumatism at Hot
Springs, Ark, on Sunday morning, on
his 31st birthday. He was Teller in
the Merchants and Farmers National
Bank Of Charlotte. Deservedly pop
ular, he will be greatly missed in the
business and social circles Of his city.
He was grandson of the late Hamil-
ton G. Witherspoon, Of this county.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
PERSONAL.

MIR. Nein O'DonneH has returned
from Florida.
Mr. W. Lilies, of Rosemary, spent
Sunday in Sumter.
Mr.. Robert Cooper, Jr., is spending
a few days in the city.
Mr. j. e. DuPre, of Pisgah, was
in the city yesterday.
Mrs. j. ". Brnnson has gone &c
Florida on a short visit.
Mr.. ". D. Rhodes. of Mayesville.
spent Friday in the city.
Hon. B. Frank Kelly, of Bishop
vile, spent Friday in town.
Miss Rosa Cooper, of Wisacky, is
visiting Mrs. Geo. ". Dick.
Mr. W. J. Ards, of Manches-
ter. was in the city Thursday.
MI. Lucian I. Strauss, of Mayes-
vile. spent Sunday in the city.
Mrs. r. A. Brand. of Wilmington,
is visiting Mrs. S. A. Brand.
Misses Mamie and Lou Hodge, Of
Concord, were in the city Thursday.
Dr.. and Mrs. Herbert Haynsworth
have returned to the city from their
bridal trip.
Mrs. ". L. Brewer, of Henderson
vile, N. c., is spending a few days
in the city.
Mr. Koepke, OF Lorraine, O., is in
the city SO erect steam shovel Tor tne
sunter Brick Works.
Miss Marguerite Cromer went to
Newberry Friday morning to spend a
few days With friends
Mr.. J. V. Murray. of Rock Hill,
stopped over in the city THURSDAY
night en- route to Florence.
Miss Ellen Harrell, who has been
gisi sing relatives in Darlington, re-
turned to the city Saturday night.
sfr. j. II. Chandler, of The D. j:
Chandler Clothing Co., has returned
frcla business trip to New York :,
Mrs. r. h. Jennings and son, Re-
ART are In the city on visit to Mr.
and Mrs. Perry Moses on Washing
son street.
$ Miss pena Sorentrue returned Thurs
cay night to Orangeburg, after spend
ing swo weeks in the city with Mrs.
G. 3. Yeadon.
Messrs. Neill o'Donnell, S. R.
Chandler and W. A. McIlwaine- left
Sunday night for New York to buy
spring goods for OsDonnen & Go.
Miss Ethel Leon, of Columbia, who
has been in the city for the past two
1eeks on visit to Misses Alice and
Minnie Moses. has returned home.
DIR. D. E. Connor, Of Bov nan, has
moved 30 Sumter to take up be prac-
tioe OF has profession here. 1t pres
eus he is located as the Hotal Sum-
ter.
Mr. andrew l.. Jackson, the new
proprietor of the Sumter Hotel. has
gone to his home in Statesville for a
short stay, previous to assuming mar
aeement Of the house on March 1st.
Mrs. Ella Tuomey, who has been on
an extended trip, visiting Mexico and
other countries, has returned home.
MI. J. D. Welch, of Charleston,
spent the day iu the city on bnsiuess'
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
LOTS OF BOOZE.
The Closing of the Dispensary stimu-
1ates jug Trade.

Every day since the dispensary was
closed Monday the receipts of liquor
by express mas increased and the jug
trade bids fair to be a big source OF
revenue for the Express Company.
This morning the total receipts ag-
gregated more than 10G gallons and
the Office was besieged with callers
who were looking for packages of
booze that "never came"
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
AFTER THE FIRE.
The Ruins of the Beck Block Being
Removed = Condition of the
Wounded.

From the Daily Item, Feb. %.
Nothing in the past decade has so
sadly affected Sumter as the fatal
fire which razed to heaps Of ruin the
large artificial stone block of Messrs.
Beck Bros. on South Harvin Street.
It is true that the block avs an i'm
posing structure, adding considerably
to the appearance Of that portion Of
the city in which it was located and
it is also true that the losses to the
property owners and others conduct
ing business in the building were heavy
and comes as hard blow to those
thus affected, but these are overshad-
owed by the deep sorrow brought to
many homes in the city as result Of
the attending tragic incident. Barely
had the smoke Of the destructive fire
cleared away when the sad news of
the awful catastrophe spread over
Sumter, casting a deep gloom over
the entire city, which has continued
to grow deeper as the actual extent
of the casualties became more thor
oughly known.
The sad and seemingly untimely
end of the chief of the fire depart
ment, Mr.. Will S. Graham, who was
disinterred from the debris of the
fallen wall, crushed and mangled, and
taken to the Mood-Osteen Infrmary,
where he fingered until this morning,
has overshadowed the city with grief.
Mr.. Robert NJ. Warren, whose leg
was so badly crushed by the falling
debris that amputation was necessary,
is still lying at the Sumter Hospital.
His sad plight throughout life needs
no comment.
Mr. Thos. P. Lyman, who suffers
from sprained ankle, and Mr.. :, Leo
Miller, few bruises and cuts, were
not seriously injured and will soon
recover from their wounds.
The work OF clearing away the
debris of the burned building has be-
gun. Some OF the goods Of Beck
Bros. Co., are being taken from the
ruins in a badly damaged condition,
but can be used. From this source a
small portion of their loss will be re-
covered Their safe was in perfect
condition when opened. The safe Of
Mr.. II. L. Tisdale was also intact, but
unfortunately he had forgotten to put
his books in it the night before. All
of the accounts Of both his grocery
and bicycle business were destroyed,
which means an additional loss to
Mr. Tisdale.
The actual loss, as given by those
concerned, is the same as reported in
the Item of Friday, but Messrs. Beck
Bros Co. have discovered that they
have $4,000 more insurance on their
stock than was known yesterday be-
fore their safe was opened. Their
loss stands now at $4,000, with s15,-
600 insurance.
1t is understood that the building
will be replaced as early as practica-
bic.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
WILL S. GRAHAM DEAD.
After Lingering More Than Twenty
Four Hours He Succumbs to IN
juries Received at the Beck Block
Fire.

Mr.. Will S. Graham, acting chief OF
the fire department, who was so fear
fully injured at the Beck Block fire
Friday morning, breathed his last a.
SIS o'clock Saturday morning wfehout
having regained consciousness. 1t
was a strange coincidence, and was
commented upon by the little group
gathered around his bedside that the
end came just as the first stroke OF
the fire alarm bell, calling out the
department, sounded. He was then
in the throes Of death, but as the bell
sounded he reused himself in bed,
gasped and was at rest
Mr.. Graham has been one OF the
most active and enthusiastic hremen
from the day of the organization OF
the present volunteer department
twelve or thirteen years ago. He was
then scarcely more than a lad, but ne
was elected Captain of Delgar Reel
Squad, No 8, soon after its organiza-
ton, when it's equipment consisted of
a hand hose reel and few hundred
feet Of hose only. Under his admin
istration and largely as a result of his
enthusiasm and energy, Delgar NO. 3
has become one Of the best equipped
and best known volunteer Of firemen's
organizations in the South. Delgar's
hose wagon racing squad won prize
after prize in fremen's tournaments
in this State and North Carolin, and
in one race broke the worlds record.
In all these races VIII Graham was
the leader. But this was apart from
the stern reality and duty Of a fire
mans life, mere recreation so to
speak, but as he played with enthu-
siasm and whole-souied energy, so
when duty called at the sounding OF
the fire alarm, he threw himself into
the battle with the flames with his
whole might He was always one OF
the first to respond and the last to
leave. That he was the man for the
place is proven by his long service as
Captain of Delgar, No. 8, and as Act
ing Chief of the Fire Department. He
met death while in the discharge of
duty, a public duty for which he vol
unteered his service without price or
hope of reward, except the reward
that comes from the consciousness Of
a duty done and the we'll
done of his friends and neigh
bors. In the years he has been a fire
men he has hazarded his life hun
dreds Of times, time and again taking
greater risks than on the morning
that he was struck down, but he
knew the dangers he faced and never
once hesitated or held back on that
account. He is dead, but what better
way to die than in the discharge Of
duty, in the voluntary service of the
public ? His death has cast a gloom
over the city, and his friends will long
mourn his untimely taking-ff.
Will Graham was a son Of the late
Col. Jas. D. Graham, and was in the
'thirty-fourth year Of his age. He is
survived by his mother, four sisters
and two younger brothers.
The funeral services will be con-
Quoted at the First Baptist Church at
1 o'clock tomorrow.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
MARRIED..

Mr.. Charley Minis and Miss Kate
Owens were married at 4.30 o'clock
Sunday afternoon at Bartlette Street
Baptist Church by Rev. F. NJ. satter-
white.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27

Advice to mothers. Don't let your
children waste away. They can be
strong, healthy and vigorous with
HOLSTERS Rocky Mountain Tea. It's
a swift winged messenger Of health
35 cents, Tea or Tablets. Chica's Drug
Store.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27

medium size black shep-
herd Dog. answers to name Mig"
Reward if returned to A. C.
Thompson, Sumter, S. c., R. F. D.
4. 2-27-2t
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27

That's all. 'Nuf said, when you
say that HOLSTERS Rocky Mountain
Tea is the greatest family remedy on
earth. It does you good going and
coming. s5 cents, Tea or Tablets
China's Drug Store.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
DISASTROUS AND FATAL FIRE.

The Burning of the Beck Block on
South Harvin Street Attended by
Serious Casualties-Afr. Will S.
Graham Fatally Injured and Rob-
ert NJ. Warren Loses One Leg
Other Minor Accidents-Heavy FL
nancial Loss.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27

They scowled and look sour from
80 till night,
ar would agree;
\ re healthy, happy and
take Rocky Mountain
at night.-China's Drug
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27

white.