The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-04-07
OUR sUMMERTON LETTER.
Talk of New County With Summer
ton as COunty-Seat Interest as to
New Railroad and Water COnnec-
tiOn-COttOn Being Sold and Busi-
ness Looking UpOChickcn Indus
try PrOspering.

tee river with an almost impossible
barrier of swamps, which form Clar-
endon's western and southern bound
aries, 1t Is more than likely that a
new county comprising portions of
Berkeley and Orangeburg and the
western part Of this county would
have long since been formed, with
Summerton as it's county seat. The
lack of close communication, how
ever. has heretofore made this plan
impracticable; but in view of the
present construction OF bridge
across the river affording easy ac-
cess between Clarendon and Berkeley
we are justified in hoping still for its
naturalization. In fact, to the more
optimistic OF our dreamers the reali-
ration Of this long cherished hope
seems highly probable. The railroads
power to- build and advance the busi-
ness interests of community has
been well demonstrated, and Sum-
merton expects before many months
TO be able TO bear out this truth even
more forcibly than she has already
done.
Much curiosity and interest is being
aroused as to the ultimate course oi
the proposed extension of the Clinch-
field and Ohio railroad. Summerton-
ians are quite hopeful that Charles
ton will be its terminus, and that
their town. being on the direct line
should II cross the river at the newly
erected bridge. will become one of it's
most important stations. The citi-
xens OF "our sister town OF Manning
are equally certain that their village
will claim that distinction. But Man
ming will not be In 1t. When the first
locomotive OF the new road steams
up. the grinding Of the wheels and
the whistle of the engine will be
heard in summerton. while Manning
will have to tphtent herself with it's
distant echo! gesse
Frequent reports from dynamite
explosions down on the river have
been heard recently;< and we learn
that the government boat Is at work
blowing out snags--with a view per-
haps to re-establish the station at
Wright's Bluff. which for many years
was the shipping point for most OF
the cotton raised In this section OF
the county. NSince It's destruction.
however. our farmers and merchants
have had no access to water transpor-
tation. 1t has long been popular
idea that could communication bs
had with such station on the river.
our people would obtain the muci
needed competitive freight rates.
The advance agent Of prosperity"
seems truly to be canvassing our
town; signs Of Improvement are ev.
erywhere visible. The town council
continues Its activity. and the good
work goes steadily forward. New
streets are being opened. old streets
made wider and others clayed and re-
paired.
At the auction sale on the eth con-
siderable real estate was handled.
Although no actual sales were made
at the time II was only a short time
after that several trades at private
terms were affected. Out of the live
lots offered. three were sold at prices
very satisfactory to all concerned.
One. a most desirable residential lot,
was purchased by DIR. w. w. Ander-
son. The doctor Is one OF those who
has unbounded faith in the bright
future OF our town.
Some large lots of cotton were mar
keted last week. and the platform
again presents quite a business-lke
appearance. while our standard brick
warehouse Is being fast denuded OF
Its once large supply of cotton. Ow-
ing to the size of some of the lots re-
Gently offered. We learn that buyers
from neighboring towns were on
hand To take shots at them.
The Summerton Hardware Com
pany has been making quite a mum
ber of improvements of late. The
demand for a rrore extensive stock
and the intention on the part of the
Hardware Company to meet It, have
prompted the enlarging OF their ware"
house capacity. In addition to this
they have just completed what Is to
be known as their Repair Room"
IL Is so constructed as to furnish spe
cial compartments for the supplies
necessary In the repair Of the various
implements which they have on sale.