The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-10-18
SUMTER FORGING AHEAD FAST
HON. RICH, I. MANNING TELLS
WHAT SHE Is DOING.
Real Estate Values Jumping, New
Rasdncss Concerns Being Formed,
Banks Increasing Capital, Rail-
road Prospects Bright, and Schools
Filled To OverhOwing. Says Resi-
dent Of Gamecock City.

The Hon. Richard /. Manning, Of
Sumter. was among the visitors in
the city yesterday. When seen by a
reporter for The News and Courier
and asked what he intended to do in
reference to the next Gubernatorial
race. Mr.. Manning remarked: I'm
not talking politics now: I'm boosting
Sumter-that's my long suit" Those
Mr. Manning Sumter has booster
worthy Of the name.
Real estate in Sumter which five
years ago sold for $500 per front
foot" says Mr.. Manning. "is selling
for $500 today. The city has a num-
ber Of new concerns just organized
among them a $4,000 buggy and
wagon factory and fertilizer COM
pany. Of all local men. which will
probably be capitalized at 100000.
The city's banking business ia grow
ing by leaps and bounds. The CAPT.
tai Of two Of the banks will in a
short while be more than doubled;
the Sumter Savings Bank will in
crease its capital stock from $25, 900
to S150,000; the Bank OF Sumter will
increase from $4,000 to 100000.
Sumter 10 backed by a rich farm
ing section. Agricultural interests
have been greatly developed within
the last few years. Farm lands have
increased in values. due largely to
improved methods in farming and
increased production per acre. The
farmers have done much in the way
OF liberalization of crops. in which
the increased production of grain
has been marked feature. They
have also entered largely into stock
and cattle raising.
THE agricultural extension work
being done by Clemson College. the
State and Federal Government
among the farmers Ia educating them
to improve their methods Of culti-
walton. This Is a great work and as
the farmers become more and more
used to scientific methods. the larger
are the yields and the greater the
increase Of land values.
Sumter just now is deeply in
Interested in connection with the
Seaboard Air Line. Engineers are
surveying within a few miles of the
city. and 1t will not be long before
we will enjoy the facilities of another
great railroad system. There are
eight lines radiating from Sumter at
present. giving connection with two
splendid systems--the A. c. L. and
the Southern. Our fine back country
| makes 1t advantageous to any rail-
road to seek connection with our
city.
NOW word as to Sumter's hope.
The children are the hope OF any
city. They represent the future. A
look at our schools will justify the
statement that Sumter Is looking
well to her future. She is training
with ears and hands and minds Of
those who are to carry the success
or tomorrow-the children of today.
In the past fourteen years the white
enrolment Of the city schools has
Increased from eos to more than
800. Fifteen years ago we built a
school house for $4,000. The build
ing was soon outgrown, and another
school house went up at a cost Of
Sl7.5OO. This soon became too small
and building costing $4,000 was
erected. This last building Is filed
as we'll as the first two."-News and
Courier.