The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-05
MIR. REARDON DEFENDS HIM.
SELF
"A Reply To- Mr.. Jennings and AN EN-
position OF Other Matters of "a More
or less Personal Nature.
Editor Daily Item.

In reply to Mr.. Il. ID. Jennings who
says that / am trying to array city
against country" desire TO say first,
that there are few. IL any farmers in
Sumter county who know me, and
the years OF work l have put in ad-
vertising the city and county of Sum
ter. telling Of the advantages that
Sumter county has over many other
sections of this country, who are IA
miliar with the work did to assist
Congressman Lever and the late Sen.
ator Lattimer. to induce Secretary OF
Agriculture James Wilson. and a
number OF his bureau chiefs In secur-
ing for the farmers OF Sumter and
Lee counties the soil surveys. and
the presence OF many experts Of the
!. department OF agriculture In this
county to consult with and advise the
Sumter county farmers SIS to the
most scientific and practical methods
Of farming. few. repeat Of these
farmers. hundreds OF whom are my
closest friends will believe. without
a hearing from me. that 1 am antag-
onistic to the country. A mans rec
ord stands for something. I have
made a record as public spirited
citizen. as a lover Of my native coun-
~. and as booster and 1 can give
indtsputable evidence OF these claims
by tangible testimonials Of esteem In
recognition OF services performed for
my native city and county. my enc
mics. to the contrary. That have
made mistakes. and have my degrees
OF human weakness. freely al
NIT but ingratitude and promoting
dissension and discord among my fell
low citizens are crimes never before
laid at my door until Mr.. Jennings.
who has evidently misunderstood tie
Intention Of my article in Saturdays
Daily Item. prefers this grave list cf
charges against a man who. IL do
say II myself. can measure up with
any man In this county In point OF
unselhsh love of home. and devotion
to his city's and county's interest.
Thousands OF farmers OF Sumter
county. and their wives and children.
viii belr witness that upon numerous
occasions during the past seventeen
years have gone out to their coun..
try districts when no one else could
be secured. and leaving M family
for weeks teorardizing nv official
position as health officer, aud belln
adversely criticised by citizens foi
leaving tho city have ,SrourN
winter days and summer heat. in ram
or SHINE. A IisAed iny heailu anu
life. and endangered the life of every
member of my family by exposing
myself to hundreds Of cases of small
pox. and disinfecting many houses in
fected with the germs of. tuberculo-
sis. typhoid fever. diptheria. scarlet
fever. and small pox. vacclnated
many thousands Of country people OF
both races. and In other ways prov
cd my respect. admiration. and love
Of my fellow citizens OF the country
districts OF the grand old Game
Cock County when not even physl-
clans could be conveniently secured
TO go to the assistance OF panic
stricken men. women. and children
In times OF emergency. was. Of
course. paid In most instances. but
poorly. by tho county.
can point with pardonable pride
TO many acts OF mine I'm numerous
matters. In my official capacity as
secretary OF the Sumter Chamber OF
Commerce. and as newspaper cor
respondent. and health officer dur
Ing twenty years past that prove that
the farmers OF Sumter county never
had better friend than L: The Gen.
eral Sumter Memorial Academy OF
stateburg. and other country schools
will testify that old "E. /. t." has
stood by them when they needed
friends. advertisers and supporters
ard was not n candidate or merchant.
may be further. pardoned Tor re-
peatins that n mans record stands
for something. and In repeating this
I merely wish TO emphasize the facN
that 10 not think require any de-
fense among the farmers Of Sumter
county as to my attitude towards
tho" and their families. Dozens Of
times 'vhen out In the country I have
driven miles To alleviate pain and
suffering when physicians could not
be had conveniently. And II was
labor of love" as not Only did not
charge. but had no right to charge
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