The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-02-21
BOWMAN LETTER.
The First Quarterly Meeting Of
the 0rangeburg Circuit.
The Attention of the County Com
missioners Called to the Bad Con-
6ition of the Roads.

missioners Called to the Bad Con-
dition Of the Roads.
Bowman, Feb. 17.-Special: The
first Quarterly Conference of the Or
aneeburg Circuit was held last Satur-
day and Sunday at Ebenezer Church
about five miles below Bowman
Presiding Elder Chas. B. Smith was
at his post on time to begin services
1T the appointed hour Saturday
morning. After a very impressive
sermon by the Presiding Elder, the
business Of the Quarterly Conference
was taken up disposed Of decently
and in orderl In fact it may be truly
said in the dispatch Of the routine
business of the conference be ap-
peared like an "old hand at the
pump"
Capt. A. D. Fair was elected Sec
retary, which position he has filled
efficiently for twenty years. Capt.
Alb. is like the little school boy now,
he knows it all "by heart. The
churches were all represented with
the exception of White House. The
financial condition Of the Circuit is
in good shape, and a very creditable
showing was made. Rev. G. W. Dav-
is, the Pastor, is doing good york,
and it is hoped that his labors will
be abundantly blessed with large
harvest at the end of his work from
this charge.
A. D. Fair and w. H. Patrick were
elected delegates to the District Con
ference, which will convene at
Branchville later on. The next
quarterly Conference will be held at
Bowman. The time is not yet desig-
mated. Presiding Elder Smith preach
ed again on Sunday morning at
eleven o'clock to quite large aud
ience, notwithstanding the cold, blus-
tering weather that was experienced
on the occasion. Charlie Smith, us b
is most commonly called, is popular
preacher, and his sermons are always
filed with rich, soul stirring food,
and his sermon on Sunday was n
! exception to the rule. Mr.. Ben f.
Keller, Of Cameron brother-in-law
Of Rev. Mr.. Smith, accompanied the
Presiding Elder on his initial trip to
Bowman. Mr.. Keller is we'll and
favorably known in this section, hav-
ing participated in several campaign
meetings.
The rain and cloudy weather ex-
perienced at intervals for several
months past, coupled with the haul
ing of large quantities of fertilizer of
late, has played havoc with the roads
in general. The fact of the business
in some places in the main thorough
fare leading to Bowman is well-nigh
impossible now, and unless there is
a marked Improvement in weather
conditions soon or some work done
hauling, under any circumstances
whatever with loaded team will
simply be an impcssibility.
i
not think they are being treated at
all right in this matter, and are loud
in their denunciations of this treat
ment at the hands of those in author
ity In the report OF the grand jury
at the last session of Court at Or
angeburg that body recommended,
if your correspondent is correct, one
months work in each township, or
to equalize the matter, each township
was entitled to one months work by
the chain gang. This Is nothing
more than equitable and just.
The rural communities and small
towns have been given the go by
in numerous instances, and the ccm-
mon country people," SO to speak are
muttering and grumbling no little
about the manner they have been
treated in this respect. Many of the
rural Free Delivery Routes in the
county are on roads that are dis
grace to civilized country. Some
are never worked at all, while others
have an occasional hole filed up with
lose dirt in the Summer after the
crops are LAID by and nothing else
to 10.
There is law on the statute book
requiring the county commissioners
to have all dead or dangerous trees
in the reach of the public road cut.
No one doubts the wisdom of such
a law, and yet it is disregarded and
neglected and it's enforcement un
needed by those in authority. There
is another evil complained Of no lit
tie, and that is ploughing into the
public roads This may seem Quite
a little matter to some who perhaps
travel over roads once week, but
it is nothing less than nuisance to
say tn least of it, and no one who
has been guilty Of the act should ev-
er repeat 1t again.
The public roads are laid out for
travel md should not be trespaSsed
upon in this manner. There is law
prohibiting this, and it should be en-
forced. 1t is anything but pleasant
for one when driving in a hurry or
trying to make a schedule to be jolt
ed or twisted in every conceivable
way on account of this carelessneSs.
Your correspondent does not plead
guilty to the charge Of chronic
grumber, but in all earnestnesS re-
~ ~ n