The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-07-11
I TRIP TO FLORENCE.


he R. L. C. A. of South Carolina. We
found Bro. A. W Hill on the train and
at Prosperity We picked up Bro. Joe
Hartman. Our train went through to
Sumter. At Sumter We changed cars
20 Florence.
At Sumter forty-three years ago
neNt September, had enjoyed splen-
tfId supper given by the good people Of
SSamter to the 3rd S. c. '. guess our
train from Wilmington TO Sumter on
that occasion was about the slowest on
record. We left Wilmington, n. c., at
! o'clock p. m. one evening, travelled
that evening and night and the next
evening at sunset We arrived at Sum-
ter. Here the people gave us splen-
did supper. After supper we left Sum-
ter and arrived at Kingville at sun
rise the next morning, and getting a
faster train there we made better
time and arrived at Chicamauga in
time to help Gen. Bragg put check
to the advance Of Gen. Rosecraiss.
We left Sumter on time and passed
through a beautiful country. We found
that there had been good rains and
the crops were much better than in
Newberry county, in fact, 7 saw some
of the best corn I had ever seen. The
cotton was good and saw few fields
of splendid tobacco.
We arrived at Florence at 7.45 p. m.
only four hours and 25 minutes on the
road.
Instead of a small town of 48 years
ago, we found a railroad centre. A
town of 1000 people. A town of hust-
ling people, splendid churches, hotels,
business houses, a magnificent post
Office and United States court house.
The hand of welcome was extended
to Us by the city authorities, the local
carriers and was accepted on behalf
of the carriers by Bro. Robinson. U.
S. Senator E. D. Smith gave US talk
that put broad smiles on the carriers
laces. In Senator Smith the carriers
have true friend.
Gov Cole L. Blease addressed the
carriers in the afternoon. have heard
Gov. Blease speak a great many times,
but think his speech to the carriers
was one of the best.I ever heard him
make. It was well received by the
carriers.
We had quite a number of carriers
who came to the convention on motor
cycles. These carriers had parade.
We met at a. NJ on the morning of
the 4th, and transacted some routine
business. At 10 a. M. We were at the
depot and took train for Howe. Here
we found a magnificent picnic ground,
fine grove, pavilion and mineral
spring. The exercises of the day were
devoted to the subject of good roads. !
Addresses were made by 1t. Gov.
Smith, Mr.. J. W. Ragsdale, F. H. Hyatt
and the supervisor of Florence coun-
ty.
Then we were introduced to a pine
bark fish stew. We returned to Flor
ence about 8 o'clock and by midnight
had closed up the business of the con-
vention. The parting hymn was sung
and the convention closed. !
Mr.. st. Amand showed the writer
great deal Of kindness, which was GER
tainly appreciated. I also met Mr..
James Evans, son of DR.. James Evans,
who was surgeon of the 3rd S. c. v,
the last years of the war. He is very
much like his father. I was indeed
glad to meet him. His father dressed |
my wounds on the battlefield of the
evidences.
! The Atlantic Coast Line railway is
building a $4,000 Y. N. C. A. build
ing at Florence, and the citizens have
raised $4,000 TO furnish the building.
The railroad will pay the secretary
800 per month.
j regretted very much that I did not
get to see the Federal cemetery.
Florence has no cotton mill, but
seems to be a railroad town. The
shops are located there and a great
many people are employed in the |
shops.
Wednesday morning We boarded the
train for home. Just before we reach
ed Columbia We sang, "God Be With
Us Until We Meet Again." At Colum-
bia We scattered to our respective