Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-09-14
kNockER OR BooSTER2
Mr.. Vim. r. Carroll Is In Doubt As to
"Where He Is At"

"Where ne Is Az
Editor Yorkville Enquirer:
l have been thinking for some
time whether l was in the booster
class or the "knocker' class and since
reading a clipping taken from the
Anderson Daily Mail, and hearing the
speeches at the booster meeting held
mere on last Thursday evening, l have
come TO the conclusion that l am a
"knocker," and to prove it l will give
a little history.
| came to this town from Turkey
creek in the fall of 1888 and clerked
until January /, 1891, at which time
l went into business for myself and,
from hen until now l have invested
some of my hard earned money in ev-
cry enterprise that has been started
here except one-the Carolina Buggy
Co.-and am glad to say that by some
turn of fortune l have made money
on every investment made save Two.
One was the creamery, from which L
did not expect much, as l wanted the
enterprise here to benefit the coun-
try. The other one l will not mention
for fear il will bring up unpleasant
recollections. I put one-half Of my
first $4,000 in the first cotton mill
built here. .
Take subscription lists for road
building and compare amounts in
vested by me with some Of our hot air
boosters and you will find n knock
er.
Now, as to our love feast on Thurs
day night. 1 did not know whether
to go or not, as one of my friends
asked me on the street II l was going,
and 1 answered that 1 did not know.
He asked me If 1 was invited" and
l had not been; but knowing that l
was a member Of the Commercial
Club, or at least / had paid my dues,
and wanted to hear Mr.. kuester's
speech, 1 decided to go, and right
here 1 want to say that l enjoyed the
speeches Of Mr.. Kuester and Mr..
Garibaldi very much, for they are
men that do things-not hot air; but
back their action with their money,
and as both gentlemen said In their
speeches thai their time was not for
sale--they are not hired boosters.
Now our eloquent mayor and pres
ident of our Commercial club, gave
us some beautiful thoughts as to unity
Of country and town, and praised our
county and our town; also he knew
that we had as fine merchants as any
town and asked our country friends
to bring their trade to us and help
build us up, for what built up the
town would help the country; but he
did not explain why with all these
good merchants and large stocks OF
goods his own family goes to Ches-
ter to buy cry goods. oh, but this
is unity and town building!-boost-
ing!"
Now, as a "Knocker" I have three
propositions to make to the Booster
Club" that will help u town at this
time. =,
First, Let them get up $4,000 and
/ will subscribe $4,000 to build a
500, 900 cotton mill. This will help
our farmer friends by making a mar
ket for all kinds Of produce. l Will
say that they need not be afraid to
come down with the cash, for prop
erly managed, it will pay a good divi-
dend.
Second. II this does not strike
them, l will suggest that they organ
ize a bank with $50, 600 capital, TO
loan money to farmers at 6 per cent
per annum in aiding them to cultivate
their crops. 1 will take $1,000 Of this
stock.
Third. II this does not suit. I
would suggest that they organize a
cotton seed oil mill at this place, so
that we would have some competition
in the business and insure Jul farm
ers market value for their seed ana
so they can buy hulls and meal at
prices quoted all over the state.
Now, If any one of these PROPOSE
tions appeals to our town builders,
let them get busy and they will n
me on South Congress street, r. F. D.
No. 4, ready to put up my share OF
the money. 1 am satisfied that, prop
erly managed, either n of these
propositions will pay a dividend and
help build the town.
w. r. Carroll.