The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-04-01
CONTENTION OVER GARAGE
BUILDING ON ACADEMY ST.
Messrs. Lee and Silverman Take Mat
ter Before Open Meeting of
Council and Citizens.

Considerable interest was aroused
amoung the citizens of Kingstree
Tuesday over the contention which
arose between Leroy Lee, Esq., a
prominent member of the local bar,
and Mr.. David Silverman, a we'll
known, successful merchant of the
town.
The contention was over the erec-
tion by Mr.. Silverman of a garage
building extending from Academy St.
on the site adjoining Mr.. Lees law
office, which is located on the east
side of the court house yard, the rear
wall of the garage being on a line
with the front of Mr.. Lees office.
The garage was to be corrugated iron
or sheet metal, and Mr.. Lees conten-
ton was that such a structure was
unlawful within the fire district of
the town and prohibited by an ordi-
nance of the town.
There are many similar structures
in Kingstree, and within the fire linn
its, and Mr.. Silverman was granted
a permit by the proper authority to
proceed with his building. On Tues
day Mayor Shuler and Mr.. Lee for
bid Mr.. Silverman putting up the
building, and he stopped his workmen.
Mr.. Silverman and his friends de-
manded that the matter be brought
before the town council, and there be-
ing unusual interest manifested, it
was decided that the contention of
the gentlemen interested be heard by
that honorable body in open session.
Tuesday night there were present at
the meeting number of the towns
leading citizens. The Mayor and ev-
cry member of the council were pres
ent. Mr.. Silverman was present with
his attorneys, Messrs. A. G. Kinds
and E. L. Hirsch. Mr.. Lee presented
his own case and made strong argu-
ment against the erection of the
building, stating that it would de-
stroy the usefulness of his property,as
to the purposes for which it was there
and was used. He contended that the
ordinance now in force prohibited the
erection of such a building as Mr.. Sill
vermansh under construction.
Mr.. Kinds, speaking in behalf of
Mr.. Silverman, pointed out the large
number of similar buildings that had
been permitted by the town authori-
ties to 60 up within the fire district,
and as matter of justice and fair
ness to Mr.. Silverman, could see no
reason why he should not be granted
the same privilege.
Mr.. Hirsch addressed the meeting
also in Mr.. Silverman's behalf and
asked that all citizens be fed from the
same spoon in the matter of applying
the building ordinance of the town.
When the contentious of both sides
at interest had been heard, Council
man Fairey asked that vote be
taken by ballot in order that the coun-
Gil might get the sentiment of those
present on the subject. This was
done and the ballot was complete
victory for Mr.. Silverman, only one
or two votes being cast against the
erection of his garage.
In behalf of the councilmen, Mr..
Fairey also stated that a new light
was thrown upon the ordinance in
question, they were better able now
to understand and interpret its mean
ing, and asked that, in view Of the
presence at the meeting of so many
of the towns citizens, vote be taken
as to whether the town go on con,
STRUNG the terms of the ordinance
in future as it had in the past, or
whether it should be construed in the
manner now made more clear to the
understanding. The vote was taken
and was unanimous in authorizing
the council to modify or restrict the
further building of metal structures
within the fire district of the town.
The present ordinance will probably
be revised and our main streets will
at least have no further increase in
tin kitchens, mullet shops and sheet
iron groceries.