davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-09-23
MUCH DAMAGE BY WEEVIL
Calhoun Cotton Farmers Suffering
From Loss

St. Matthews, Sept. 9.-lf the boil
weevil should keep up his march Of in
vasion until the end Of the season as
he is now doing in this part of the
country, lncalculable harm is going
to come to the farmers. With only a
few reported here and there last sea-
son, there was little apprehension
that it would anything more than
make his debut this year. The extra
ordinary prospect for good crop in
the early and middle summer and the
excessive fruitage seemed to contra
dict his presence and little fear was
manifest. But while confidence reign
ed, the weevil worked and now it is
ont only present but is here in force
and causing disaster. In many sec
tons of tn county, planters now say
that they will do we'll to harvest a
crop. Others report the damage still
greater. Scarcely a field Is exempt
from its presence and it now appears
that 1921 will be a real boil weevil
year for Calhoun. 1t is no longer
argued that this area is too high and
that the weevil does not thrive except
In low places.
The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-09-23

shaded dirt walks pressed hard by
generations. None of our buildings
are more than two stories high. When
We wish to brag about our town we
tell how much the new schoolhouse
cost. The school and the churches
are the main centers of our commun-
| ity life.
We have four mail trains each
day. When the mail bags are brought
over from the station we gather in the
lobby of the post office and talk until
the general delivery window is open
ed. The postmaster distributes the
daily papers first, in order that those
of US VIII ohave lock boxes may get
in touch with the outside world with
out delay. If there Is screaming
usual import someone in the lobby
will begin to read aloud and the
others will listen. Then we discuss
the news while waiting for our let
ters. The letters are distributed az
ter the newspapers, and the circulars
last. When one is in hurry to get
back to his shop or office, and sus'
poets that the postmaster has begun
to distribute circulars, he calls back
through the PARTITION to ask whether
the letters are up, and, being assured
that they are, closes his lock box
and goes about his business, followed
by those who have no interest in mail
matter bearing one-cent stamps.
On Sundays the first train comes
before we are out Of bed and the
second while we are at church; but
the afternoon trains find US idle and
We walk down to the station to
watch them come in.
OF course the trains are frequently
late, and while waiting for them we
talk. We are all dressed up for Sun
day, and it is a sort Of social function
There are never any ladies present.
except those who expect guests OF
those who are going away, and these
sit modestly inside the station.
Also on Sunday afternoons-f the
weather is neither too cold nor toe
] hot-young couples walk about town
and families walk to the cemetery
or visit a neighbor. Many Of US have
cars, DuI lucIc 10 iitSAC PAS
Sunday driving. for the people in oul
nearest city like to get out into the
country on Sundays and their hurry
| ing cars keep a dust cloud along the
Highway until late in the evening.
None Of our homes aer expensive
and few of us have more than one
spare bedroom. The spare bedroom
contains our most expensive furni'
ture, and its pillows and towels are
hand embroidered. Nearly all OF US
own our homes and and spend ouI
summers coaxing lawn. In the
back yards We have real gardens
both winter and summer, and the
gardens cut our grocery bills in half
we fence the gardens and let oul
chickens run where they will. During
the winter it. is necessary to buy
some feed for the chickens, but II
summer they live well on table scraps
and bugs and grass. Wehn our wives
can5t thinf of anything new to fl
for dinner they kill a frying chicken
and for breakfast we have the eggs
gathered the evening before.
We have no servants in our homes
! A few families have fat old negro
The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-09-23
TELLS STRANGE SNAKE STORY
Negro Calls on Governor Cooper and
Claims Man Employed Witchcraft
Against Him, Causing Him to
Shoot Negro Woman.

Ever had any experience with the
Lord?' was the odd question that was
thrown at Govern Cooper Saturday
! can't get help" and the nervous
his Offices at the State House.
His interrogator was Frank Meal
lister, a coal black negro, as strange
a figure as has been seen In exective
Offices in many a day. With haggard
face, clothing in disarray, black skin
shining and eyes unnaturally bright,
he stood near the entrance to the
outer Offices, looking out Of place in
the we'll appointed chamber.
When the Governor entered, the
negro wanted to know If he was the
Governor and on being answered in
the affirmative fired his next ques-
ton with regard to the Lord.
".Well, I've been out in the woods
praying, for I'm in tangle and the
Lord told me to come to the Governor
for help.
I'm all in a tangle. I'll be losing
two horses, many hogs and Is pigs If
/, can't get help" and the nervous
hands hardly ceased to twirl the hat
he held between them.
I'm all conjured," he continued.
"a negro man conjured me, and
here's how it was:
81 shot a woman Saturday a week
ago. I couldn't help it would not
have, shot her for all the money this
room would hold-but couldn't help
it. That man done 'witched me. He
was trying to come between us.
Saw Black Snake
Here's how it was" and the negro,
thin from half rations and the long
tramp from Williamsburg county,
The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-09-23
. SMALL TOWN HAPPINESS

The following very enjoyable arti'
Gle is from the pen of Robert Quillen
editor of the Tribune at Fountain Inn
' S. c., who makes weekly contribu,
tions to the Saturday Evening Post
under the head of Small Town
Stuff"
When one travels about he learns
number of very interesting things
He learns, first of all, that folks are
folks. From Maine to Texas and
from Florida to Washington, bi
towns and mall, folks are actuateo
| by Tie same hopes and ambitions and
faiths and fears. They are striving to
get money, to earn fame, to win
sweethearts and 10 make homes.
Their standards vary but little, and
the quality men call culture, which
is but acquaintance with books and
good manners, is no less universal
than the use of talcum powder
The city man, who has learned to
dodge surface cars and taxicabs, feels
that he is wiser than his country
brother. The countryman, who has
learned t. dodge the business end OF
r.ulc, feels that he Is less wicked
than the city man.
Tie provincialism that is common
to both city and country keeps each
of them In ignorance Of the others
virtues, and out of this ignorance
grows the assumption Of superiority
and the myth that city dwellers and
country dwellers are distinct breeds.
The city man and the countryman
arc, in fact, brothers trained in diff
ferent schools. The difference between
tllell is superficial; their common
parentage is in their bone and blood.
The ignorance of the one concern
ing many things is balanced by the
ignorance Of the other concerning as
many more. One gets from life many
things the other misses, but misses
otner things Of equal worth. II one
appears to have a higher seat rest
assured he pays price for 1t.
The city man is prey to the atmos-
phere in which he lives. 1t is an at
mosphere Of haste. Because others
hurry, he hurries. He canters rather
than walks. He speaks rapidly and
sharply. He is a machine, geared to
match the speed of other machines
about him.
The atmosphere that persuades him
to travel in high has similar effect
upon his spending. He spends in
high. Being city man, he must live
up to the city. He dresses well be-
cause his associates dress well. He
lives up to a standard, not down to
his purse. And becaue he dresses
we'll and live well and spends freely
to hold up his end, the high cost OF
living has him by the scruff Of the
neck and is making his life burden.
The countryman -
But let us begin at the beginning
One cannot wholly understand piece
of oak flooring until he has seen an
oak tree.
Our town is, in many particulars
as like other American small towns
as one pea is like another. We have
water and sewer systems and electric
lights, but our streets are unpaved
and our sidewalks are but dirt
The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-09-23

|mammies who come In the morning
to do the cook and go back to their
cabins after finishing the supper
dishes, but most of the women are
more particular about their kitchens
than about their living rooms and
will not tolerate an alien hand
among their spotless utensils. Our
wives are good cooks, Justly proud of
their skill, and our daughters learn
the art before they are through high
school. The Domestic Science Club,
which meets on Thursdays, does not
discuss calorles and carbohydrates and
things like that. 1t discusses regular
eats and methods of preparing them.
Doubtless we eat too much, but
when there is fried chicken with
gravy and rice and creamed potatoes,
hot biscuit, picked beets, fruit salad
and great chocolate cake, what can
one do?
A few years ago one could have
in a colored woman to scrub and
polish the floors and dust the furni-
ture at cost of twenty-five cents the
room; but now these women ask a
dollar, and our thrifty wives will not
pay it. They do their own scrubbing
and develop dlmples in their elbows.
The family washing is done by col
ored women. They call for it early
on Monday mornings-"soon in the
mawnin'," is their way of saying it
and carry it home on their heads.
The family furnishes the soap, and
the colored women do the washing,
starching and ironing for one dollar
and a half.
Our womenfolks keep up with the
styles, but they make their own
dresses. They have one or two nice
dresses to wear to church and to par
ties-the same frock serving equally
we'll for either occasion-but at home
they wear gingham. They do not al
ways look well in their more expen-
sive dresses, but it is impossible to be
other than charming in crisp ging-
ham fresh from the laundry.
When the women 60 shopping they
wear their gingham dresses and go
bareheaded. We are all home folks
and 1t isn't necessary to put on airs
before home folks. They wear cot
ton stockings, except on state occa-
sions. When they wear their silk
ones they take them of when they
get home and wash them out in cold
waer. 1t is surpriing how long one
pair Of good silk stockings will last
IL properly cared for.
The men are not so particular
The young fellows who haven't yet
begun to earn their own way wear
silk socks and silk shirts, but the
older men wear socks that cost thirty.
five cents a pair, and keep on wearing
them until the darned spots have
become too numerous for comfort
Many. Of them buy the goods and have
their wives make their shirts.
Most of us buy one good suit oi
clothes each year. There are nt
dress suits in town, but we have black
suits that we save year after year fol
funerals and weddings and church
wear. About the only thing that car
put a good black suit in the discard
is an expanding waistline. In sum
nler we leave our coats at home. A
few Of the old chaps who still cling
The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-09-23

to the ancient idea that pants can't
be trusted without suspenders wear
black alpaca coats, but the younger
men 60 about their business in their
shirt sleeves.
We attend the movies in our shirt
sleeves. The movie show is our chief
relaxation. On night when the movie
house is dark we stroll down to one
Of the drug stores and have an ice.
cream. Then We go home and read
the magazines until bedtime.
Bedtime is ten o'clock. Very few
residence lights are burning after that
hour. A light burning at midnight
means party or sickness.
You know us now. We are just
plain small-town folks, deeply inter-
ested in State, national and even in
ternational affairs, because we have
no thrilling interests at home-hard-
working people, earning our bread
and saving a little of what we earn
reading much, because we have few
lighter pleasures little lntolerant
in some matters, but very matter-of-
fact in our views of government and
good citizenship.
And the point of our plan and the
point of this article is that the high
cost of living doesn't distress US. 1t
doesn't distress us because we don't
live high. Our tastes are simple; we
do not think it necessary to show of
before our neighbors; we wait on our
selves and dress in a manner suited
to our earnings; and we make ends
meet with surprisingly small in
comes. -
None Of the store clerks earn more
than seventy-fve dollars q month;
yet they pay rent, clothe and feed
their families, give something to the
church, and save a little. There are
dozens of other men in various occu-
pations whose earnings do not exceed
one hundred dollars q month. 1t may
be that they do not live up to the
American standard Of living so fire.
Quently referred to by economists with
axes to grind, but they do live up to
the American standard Of happiness
and good citizenship.
Very likely there Is not one among
US who would refuse gift Of mil
lion dollars. Very likely all Of US
feel q little envious of the wealthy
in cities who live in great houses,
surrounded by servants, and possess
luxuries we cannot afford. We are
not philosophers. Poverty prescribes
our mode Of living, and necessity
teaches US thrift.
Yet we are happy. The wealthiest
canont buy better books than we
can afford, nor can they win more
lovable friends. We have our work
to give us contentment and self-re-
spect, our school and town affairs to
train us in teamwork, our churches
and small charities to teach US the
art of unselfshness.
Once in a while business or pleas
ure takes US away from home for a
few days. Some of us go to the
great cities to buy goods. And when
we come back again and the smiles
of old friends greet us we would not
trade the decent poverty of home,
with it's simplicity and genuineness
and hearty companionship, for all the
wealth and glitter Of metropolis.
The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-09-23

seemed not to be able to talk fast
enough TO get his story out.
"I worked crop, and this woman
helps me hoe and / plowed for her
Saturday we were coming from Troy
Fuimore,s place where we had been
grading tobacco. We were going to
her house, walking along a path with
me in front.
, I'VE passed a big dead pine tree
There was no bark on tit was slick
and shiny. My shoulder brushed
against it-just like that" and he
struck his shoulder light tap.
"I heard something rustic behind
me and / turned quick-and a long
black snake was between me and the
woman-done come down out of that
dead pine.
Il SAID, Jane, what that passed
between us?" and she said, 1T looked
like a black snake
Governor, the grass around that
place no high than one inch.
locked everywhere for that snake-he
had disapeared-just gone," and the
excited voice sank to half whisper
and it needed little imagination to
picture the scene in the woods, with
the tall dead pine standing sentinel.
Eyes, sir, that snake just gone.
couldn't help it, Governor. / shot the
woman-she was not far from me and
shot her with shot gun. And the
shot just tipped the top of her head
they just wanted it to be enough
to get me in trouble-and I am to
lose two horses and hogs and pigs
for my wife and little children can't
look after the CROP and the negro, a
truly pitiable figure, stood before the
Governor of the State with his eyes
fixed on the floor. The people that
heard the story were white. Memories
of strange stories Of voodooism, .of
voodoo "priests" and voodoo Queens"
with the snake as the object Of wor-
ship, must have arisen in each mind
despite the fact that the rumble OF
electric street cars and the footing
of automobiles, all indications of mod
ern progress, were loud in the ears.
Goes to Jail
Governor Cooper turned the negro
over to Constable S. w. Lowe, who
came in the office, and he was later
placed in the Richland county Jail.
The Governor has received a letter
from T. P. Fillmore, magistrate of
Cades, Williamsburg county, in which
he asked that a reward be offered for
the capture Of Frank McAllister ne
gro who on September 4, shot Jane
McClain, a negro woman, with shot
gun, according to the magistrate. The
letter further said that efforts made
to capture the negro had proven fu-
tile.
The magistrate also says in his let
ter to the Governor that this is the
same negro who was convicted some
years ago of murder and who after
serving ten years in the penitentiary
was paroled by c. L. Blease. The
magistrate says "he is a bad charac-
sary, however, as the negro Of his
own accord made his way to the Gov
ernor's office.-The State.
The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-09-23

to The Herald, $3.50 a year
The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-09-23

We carry, Cadet, Arrowhead,
Buster Brown and Society Hosiery,
which means the best.
Ladies Silk Hose, at $3.50 and
down to $1.00.
Ladies' Lisle Hose at S1.25, and
down to soc.
Ladies' Cotton Hose at Csc per pr.
Children's Ribbed Hose at 75c and
down to 25c.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-02
DIPLOMA TESTS FOR
The EIGHTH GRADE
They VIII Be Held Thurs
day and Friday of This
Week.


There will be two diploma examin-
atoms held for pupils who have com
pleted the grade school course IN
Marion county this year according TO
a letter sent out-ty Homer C.. Tooth
man, county superintendent of schools
70 the pupils OF the eighth grade urg-
ing upon them Che Importance of ar
ranging to take the test.
The first examination will be held
this week on February 5. and at
the followins places:
Manningtees Grangeville, Rymer,
Flat Run, Metz, Glover Gap, String
town Barraekyiile; cayenne. Fair
view. Grant Town, Baxter. Rivesyille,
Caroline Pennington, worthlngton.
ThoburnS Monongsh, Watson, Hutch
inson, BoothgYille, Valley Bend, King
mont, Hammond, Mlllersville, Hick-
man Run, Hill, Moran, Winfield,
Mount Harmony. Places where there
win be as many as i've applicants,
which are not named here may have
an examination on request made by
Tho teacher of the school. Two or
'thrce schools may go together.
i'yhereyer IL is most convenient, that
is the place where examinations will
be held
The following quotation from, the
letter OF Supt Toothman will cx-
plain fully how the tests arc TO be
mades
Il want to urge you to take this ex=
amination To have and to hold. n
diploma from the public schools marks
YOU as one of the progressive citizens
OF your community. 1t denotes push
u signifies worth. II denotes progress.
BE one OF these and go to this ex-
animation and do your bit to pass.
To receive an average of so per
cent. with no grade below SIS per cent.
makes passing grade. Remember
that two or three Cos will make your
average drop low IL you do not have
some two or three near 100 10 help 10
balance There are ten subjects and
Ter subjects at 100 per cent. makes
1000 points on the whole number.
You should take over at tho next
examination any subject on which you
have made less than 90 per cent.
About twenty OF the best teachers
in the county will do the grading of
these papers on the Saturday follow
ing the examination.
BE sure to fill out your enrolment
card and give your name and address
or we shall not know where to address
the card 10 you that will have your
grades recorded on It.
Go TO the place most convenient to
lyou to take the examination. Suit
yourself about where you go.
Examination will be given on all
the common branches: Geography.
Grammsr Penmanship, Reading. His
tory. Arithmetic, Civil Government
Spelling, Agriculture, Physiology.
Be honest at this examination. Don't
cnt or try 1t, or let any one else dc
Stand on your own feet.
Write on both sides of the paper.
That Is for economy. In case there i.
not enough paper furnished, use
sheets from large pen tablet. Brinr
pen anu ink TO the examination witt
You .
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-02

Koen have returned from visit in
Wheeling.
G. B Turner has returned from a
business visit IN Pittsburgh
Frank Lille has returned from a
visit with relatives in Bellaire Ohio.
Frank II. Wagner was here from
Cameron for the week end with his
family on Burt Hill.
Lawrence Hoffman. who was q bus.
mess visitor in Pittsburgh has re-
turned home.
Mrs. A. L. Priehard has returned
from a few days visit In Wheeling.
S. F. Yost OF High street will leave
this week for McKeeSport, Pa, where
he will be engaged In drilling oil
wells for W. D. Bsohenbach OF this
city. who has large number Of con-
tracts there.
Miss Frances Furbsc was here from
Rivesvllle yesterday, where she Il
teaching. fcr visit at her home in
Center street.
Mr.. Metcalt OF the Evening Leader
has painfully cit finger which came
in contact with saw at the printing
plant few days ago.
j. Lre Arnett was home from Bon
wood for weak end visit with his
family here.
Mr.. and Mrs. j. F. Rex of Hundred
were week end guests of the formers
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-02

mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Rex ofHist
street.
Mr.. and Mrs. N. r. Efaw and title
son have returned from q visit Fsst
the formers mother At Cross Rods
Miss Virginia I,ooper has retuhet
TO her home in Wheeling amer tai,
with Mrs. Charles F. Perad in Wi:-al
street.
John Delaney OF Saint Leo va &
business visitor in the city on sat
urday.
Albert Fowler, a ministerial su.
dent OF Marietta. Ohio. is q guestIoi
Rev. B. E. Hanes in Housh addttin
Mrs. W. R. Phillips and little dausl
ter. Bernadette, spent the week eit
with friends in Grafton.
Mrs. R. NJ. Rynd has returned trot
Barnesyille. Ohio, where she WI
called by the death OF her nepaeI
John Kuhn has returned from ~
Texas oil fields where he hid spc'
the past few weeks.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-02
.MANNIlNGTON
pies Fron, sGrns.

James. the four year old son OF Lee
EDDY OF sharp's hollow, near here
died on Friday evening from burns
received the preceding Thursday morn.
ing. Tbe child with four others OF
the family, Of whom the eldest was
but twelve years old were at the home
while the father was at work, when
in some way It's clothing caught fire
with the result above stated. The
funeral was held at the home on Sum
day morning and burial was made ia
the Jacob Martin cemetery on Bing-
anon.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-02
Personals.

after which a lunch was served
Personals.
Charles H. Alien OF Wheeling is
here for VISIT with his sister. Mrs.
B. Z. Hanes. 8
Mr.. ESd Mrs. Raymer Price oil
BRAKES Run were here the past week
for a visit with their daughters who
44re attending school here.
L. A. Lincoln of Burton was bust
ness visitor in Warrington on FRI
Mrs. Thomas MsNichois and chill.
dren spent the week end with rela-
ttves in Cameron.
F. j. Shartle OF Pleasant street was
home from Grafton for a week end
visit.
Mrs. C. S. Thomas. of Fairmont is
here the guest of her mother. Mrs.
Mary ]. Hough.
E. D. Federer Of Morgantown spent
yesterday with friends in this city.
Mr.. and Mrs Charles H. Phillips
-and little daughter, Dorothy, spent
Sunday with Mrs. Phillips parents in
Pennington.
j. Russell Stone OF Wheeling is here
for a visit with his mother. Mrs. j..
NJ. Stone Of Howard street.
The Misses Lucy Prichard and Flora
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-02
Miss strawick Talks.

Miss Gertrude Strawick. returned
missionary from China. who Is the
guest Of Mrs. John S. Pitncr of Beatty
avenue gave talk to children and
young people, in the First Presbyte.
rian church at seven thirty O'Clock
last evening. After the talk some in
teresting Chinese. murals were dis,
played. A silver Offering was taken,
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-02
tabernacle Meeting

A meeting Of the tabernacle was
held at the NJ. E. Church yesterday
afternoon and was addressed by Mr.
Storrs Of Berrien Springs, Mich. who
Is 70 assist In the coming meetings.
Important business matters pertaining
to the work in hand were disposed Of