The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1912-03-06
CIRCULATION $500.

On account of rush of work, Incl
dent to heavy advertising patronage
we have been unable to give our read
ora the usual sketches of my annual
trims over the county with the treasurer
and auditor, as has been our custom
for the past several years. However,
there has not been any great change
In the conditions of the county.
Everywhere, of course, the farmers
are farther behind with their work
than they have been for many years.
due to the very severe winter and con-
tinued heavy rains In fact, we have
never seen 80 little ground broken at
this season of the year. With all OF
the backsets, however, farmers are
hopeful of better day, and are wait
ing and watching for bright, sunshiny
weather.
The small grain has been injured IN
places, especially oats; and the land
has been too wet for spring sowing,
which places the prospect for an oat
crop Door. But the farmers are go
ing to meet the situation by planting
a larger acreage in corn and less acre
age in cotton.
In some sections of the county many
fields that have not had boil OF cot
ton picked during the entire season
are noticeable. This is indeed some
thing unusual; for Lexington farmers
usually are able to gather all that the
land produces. Some farmers are
still holding to their last years cotton
crop, while Others have turned loose,
their holdings since the price reached
Sen cents.
The merchants have likewise felt the
effects of the the severe winter and
the gloomy prospects on the farm.
They have not had the usual heavy
mid-winter business; and are not,
therefore, inclined to view the future
with the usual optimistic smile. The
towns are growing, however, and on
every side improv vements are notice
able. Swansea continues to be the
metropolis of the lower section of the
county. Here the merchants are en-
5oying fair trade, and all of them
have large and well selected stocks.
The BA1. Of Swansea continues to fill
. long-felt want in the community,
and is growing.
Pelion, too. is coming. New dwell
ings are going up, and the town bids
fair to grow larger. The Bank of
PeHon, which is the youngest banking
institution in the county, has had q
fine business. 1t will shortly move
into It's new home-a handsome two
story brick structure. Mr.. L. w. Wise
is presidents, and Mr.. j. D. Haltiwan-
ger. cashier.
Batesburg and Leesville still enjoy
the distinction of being the largest
towns in the county. This merchants
are enjoying good trade, and the
banks are prospering. The two towns
are rapidly growing nearer eachother,
and at no distant day we believe they
viii be as one.
Gilbert is holding her own. DR..
Oxner is building neat residence for
himself and there are signs of other
Improvements in the town.
Our good friend, S. Augustus Ma
thjas, is the popular and efficient post
MASTER, ard there is no bigger-hearted
nor better boy in the county. Gus is
also engaged in the mercantile bust"
ness with his father.
Chapin is the :" coming town Of the
Pork, This town is perhaps growing
faster than any other. town in the
at present. The merchants
enjoy o good trade the year around.
The Chaplin Bank, under the head Of
J. S. Wessinger, president, and J. F.
Honeycnst, cashier. is doing a fire
Business. Chaplin is great produce
centre. We haYe never seen so many
sgys in all our life as are daily rnhrls-
eted here. Every merchant in the
town had q large supply when we
were there.
Peak and the other towns are hold
ins their own and are making steady
progress.
Breokland, our last point In the
county. israpidly growing into city.
Fhe merchants are doing good busi-
mess, ana the Brookland Bank is hay
ans al1e most prosperous season in its
hsstory. The people here are satisfied
uce the freeing of the bridge. and
e talk Of going to Richland county
thing of the past.
We take this occasion to thank the