Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-11-25
A sINLEss TOWN
It's Blackwell, in Enslands Coal Min.
ina District.

It's Blackwell, in Ensland's Coal Min
ing District.
All America knows Of the existence
of a "Spotless Town." but who from
Maine to Texas or from Washington
to Florida ever heard of "Siniess
vilage?" There is one In England, and
1t is a mining town, too-the little
town of Blackwell, in the colliery dis
trict, where one would naturally sus-
pect riotousness and vice, says Lon,
don correspondence in New York Tri-,
bune. Instead Of vice owning Black
well. virtue triumphs, almost to q de-
gree, the visitors say, Of monotony.
II just won't allow any sin or wick.
edness; that's ALL" says the King Of
Blackwell, who Is in private life ]. T.
Todd, manager of the Blackwell Col
liery company.
The sojourner and sociological in
vestigator tramps a mile and a half
from the railway station to Black
well, only to find town built in small.
compact rows, fashioned with preci-
sion that absolutely reflects Its right
eousness. At one corner there Is a
public house, as a saloon IL called In
England, but this is the neatest and
trimmest Of resorts and turns its face
in shamefaced fashion away from the
main thoroughfare. Inside few quiet
spirits sit and discuss Home Rule and
football, the two predominant subjects
in England, without the slightest ran
cor and ALMOST subdued tones.
Under q September moon, and with
the faint incense Of field and hedge
row stirring through the streets,
Blackwell looks to be the best place
In the whole world. II the adjective Is
applied In the right way. The way
farer walks along, and only his foot
steps break the stiffness. No lights
show In the fronts Of the tiny houses,
and this is soon explained when it is
found that the occupants sit in their
kitchens, so that the streets will not be
garish at night.
A cat sinks out from doorway try
ing to be wicked, as is the natural
wont of cat, but before 1t reaches the
next shadow shocked and reproach-
full voice calls, Now, Tabby, come
right in," and the cat sinks hopeless
ly back.
"And everybody is good In Black
well?" the Tribune correspondent ask
ed Mr.. Todd,
They are" suceintly responded his
majesty, who, pressed TO account for
It, explained. I'VE don't allow them
to be anything else" and Mrs, TODD
put in, in kindliest fashion, i think
It is because we take such an interest
in them"
Perhaps It is," rather reluctantly
admitted Mr.. Todd.
The benevolent despot went on to
say that the collieries owned every
thing in Blackwell, employed every
man and boy, about 5000 workers. to
whom $4,000 is paid weekly, and con-
trolled everything in the village, "ex-
cept the public house. which we don't
notice."
I'VE have the best cricket grounds
in England and on 1t we've played AZ
matches this year, losing only six. We
have tennis, bowls and football, be-
sides, and musical evenings. too" said
Mr. Todd,
And during the tennis season we
have teas on the ground" interpstat-
ed Mrs. Todd, the wives acting as
hostesses."
I'VE have a first-class band and a
boys brigade" proudly said the king.
'I tell you, sir. they're a fine class
of people here; the incest and most
respectable colliers in the country" ne
went on. "You see, I don't allow any
one here to be prosecuted. We nave
one policeman, and object to his pros
ecuting anybody whatsoever. If any
body is bad the policeman reports
him, and I deal with him, and If he Is
very bad send him away.
Mr.. Todd did not admit that the po-
.lceman's lot was merry and gay, and
on the way back to the station the
Tribune correspondent met two men
coming homeward with a walk more
like a sailors than a collier's. But even
Il they were bit worse for wear, they
had a cherry greeting.
On the bridge stood a lonely figure,
as austere and majestic as the ghost
in Hamlet" A street lamp glinted on
his helmet.
Are you the One Policeman and are
you truly happy?" began the Tribune
correspondent, but just then the train
to Nottingham busily hustled into the