The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-02-25

may be extreme, yet many came
from just such places of abode, while
still others, a little more fortunate,
were forced to the mill in order to
save the old home from being sold
under mortgage long past due. There
is a transforming and awakening to
new life when they move to a first
class mill, and are brought under the
influences and permeated with the
spirit of "welfare work." which
means that so far as possible they
shall be brought under protection,
shielded from misfortune, sickness,
calamity and evil, and shall enjoy
health, happiness, prosperity and
the blessings Of society and civil
government. They find themselves
under influences which brighten and
intensity their Lives, and develop
ment of the whole man and woman
is the consummate result.
Not only do the poor come from
the lowlands and from the noun
tains seeking a. better occupation and
fuller life, but it also happens that
a class of people above the average
well-to-do class turns to the mill
seeking a livelihood because they find
there constant work with satisfying
remuneration. The constant contact
of these two classes one with the
other blends the whole into a COM
munity that must be respected for its
integrity and admired for its hon
esty. The cotton mill turns out not
only yarn and cloth but it turns out
also American manhood and woman
hood Of very high type.
Many advantages and improve
ments have been added to the mill
villages within the past few years.
Many varieties Of shade trees are
planted along well laid off streets.
Instead Of rows Of boxed houses that
marked the cotton mill architecture
in the years following the war, a
modern mill village has along these
shaded streets splendid dwellings Of
different designs, finished we'll inside
and out, painted nicely and Of diff
,ferent colors. The village is thus
made to resemble little town, where
individual taste seems to have pre-
vailed; These houses are exceedingly
comfortable, and are far better than
the average country home. Surface
water is no longer used fer drinking
purposes, but artesian wells are sunk
and water is supplied either within
the home or within close proximity
to it.
Elegant school buildings have been
erected, equipped with up-to-date
furniture and school fixtures, and
supplied with first class teachers
all by the mill management. Chill
dren between the ages Of six and
twelve are required to attend these
schools. Many older children also
attend these schools Night schools
furnish young men and girls oppor-
tunities to improve in reading, spell
ing, arithmetic and textile studies.
Every modern mill village also
has a boarding house which will do
credit. to buildings going sometimes
under the name of hotels. These
boarding houses are designed for
single ladies or gentlemen, who
were formerly forced to seek quar-
tiers that were not at all convenient
or comfortable. These boarding
houses have anywhere from Is to %
rooms, equipped with every modern
convenience, including bath rooms,
parlors, reading room and electric
lights, and in many instances steam
heat.
The little union church, with its
| uncomfortable little narrow seats
| with straight backs, has been super
ceded by the elegant denominational
| church, furnished with beautiful
pews, electric Lights, and in many
instances heated with either steam or
hot air. Many Of these churches sup
port their own minister-taking his
entire. time. The minister is fur
nished a well constructed and beau
tiful parsonage and lives with and
among the people Of his church. He
is as a rule a man Of great infuence.
Many Of these mill villages have
we'll equipped hospitals. In some In
stances they have taken up this I'M
portant work at great sacrifice. One
Of the best hospitals in the city OF
Spartanburg is the Good Samaritan