The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-11-17
FARMERS MEETING
HELD HERE TUESDAY
GREAT RALLY. OF TOBACCO
GROWERS FROM ALL SEC
TIONS OF COUNTY.

The largest gathering of farmers
to assemble in Kingstree in many
years to attend a strictly farmers
meeting was that here Tuesday to
hear Messrs. Bondurant of Virginia
and Young of Florence speak on the
subject of tobacco marketing. 1t was
planned to have about 1000 visitors
here, but the negro farmers did not
turn out as strong as was expected,
consequently the crowd was estimated
at 200 less than the number prepared
for. There was g great deal of inter
est in the meeting and the cooperative
marketing plan was unanimously in
dorsed by those who heard the plan
explained by the above named speak
ers. A large number of those pres
ent signed the agreement and pledg-
ed their entire crop next year, esti-
mating it on the basis of the 1920
crop. The speakers were free to say
that the meeting was the best they
had held. After two hours in the
courthouse where the Speaking was
held the crowd went to the fair
grounds where a barbecue dinner was
served, there being about 80 hogs
prepared for the feast.
The barbecue was prepared and
served by Messrs. D. ]. Epps and H.
A. Miller, and the manner in which
they served so many people in such
a short time was a notable feature
of the occasion.
The meeting at the courthouse was
presided over by County Agent Madi-
son, who first introduced Mr.. Young,
secretary of the South Carolina to-
bacco association with headquarters
al Florence. Mr. Young is one of the
most enthusiastic and earnest work
ers in the interest of his fellow farm
ers that it has ever been our pleas
ure to hear speak; and Mr.. Bondurant,
the main speaker at the meeting is a
very close second He is practical
farmer and tobacco, grower of the Old
Dominion, and one of the original
delegation that assembled in Rich
n,ond, Va. about eighteen months ago
to formulate better tobacco market
ing system. He is full of enthus-
iasism and is thoroughly convinced
that the plans of tie cooperative to-
bacco marketing association mean
better and more profitable years for
any and all who come into the as
sociation.
The Florence correspondent of the
Columbia State reports to that paper
as follows concerning the meeting:
Returning tonight from Kingstree,
T. B. Young, secretary of the South
Carolina Tobacco association, report
ed Williamsburg county tobacco grow
ers held there today the greatest and
most successful rally of the campaign
for the Tri-state Growers Co-opera-
tive Marketing association. Approx
imately three-quarters of a million
pounds of tobacco were contracted
to the association and as much more
will be procured directly from this
meeting. The net results are the
greatest days work since the cam
paign was opened in South Carolina.
"The crowd was so large two meet
ings had to be held in order to ad-
Gress the attendants. Seven hundred
people packed the court house to
standing room only in the forenoon.
As many more attended the afternoon
meeting. The attendance was report
ed easily 100 persons.
I'D. E. McCutchen, representative
from Williamsburg county to the gen
cral assembly, was elected chairman
of the county campaign committee.
E. C. Epps, prominent banker OF
hl02SIT6S, was hoiiS0 SSSASSe~AS .
Both of these signed contracts for
their tobacco. Other prominent men
who signed contracts were: W. M. Nc
Intosh, warehouseman and stemmery-
man, Representative, w. o. Camlin.
zone may Judge by the. fact that the
largest contract was for $4,000 pounds,
how widespread was the response Of
Williamsburg tobacco planters in
opening the campaign. The campaign
will be continued Immediately blythe
system of group meetings. These are
expected to clean up Ehe county. The
crowd was entertained with huge
barbecue which was served ct the
grounds of the Williamsburg fair as
sociation.
"After the repast resolution was
passed unanimously thanking the
business men and ladies of Kingstree
for their entertainment and hospi-
Jtality. Mr.. Young says the meeting
4Lo ,,,oct successful of the kind