Echoes from Cedar Swamp

This section of Williamsburg County away back in time that antedates the war between the States and possibly the revolutionary period was settled. The names of some of the old settlers are: the McCreas, McCulloughs, McCottrys, Scotts, Flaglers, Chandlers and Graysons. There was a time (we get our information from deeds and boundaries of old land papers), that Montgomerys, McElveens and Boyds owned property in this section.

These lands are drained by Cedar swamp, and the neighboring country was known then and is today called Cedar swamp section. Some fifteen or twenty years ago a post office was established here. The names "Cedar Swamp" and "Benson" were sent in, but as a shorter name is preferable to the post office department, "Cedar Swamp" was rejected and "Benson" accepted as the name of the new office.

In the course of time Benson post office was discontinued, and the patrons are favored now by a rural route instead.

Ye scribe has been reporting news from Benson post office and, as we have no more post office but have still the old original Cedar Swamp, with Cedar Swamp graded school, Cedar Swamp church, Cedar Swamp Camp "WOW" and Cedar Swamp voting precinct, we are asking our obliging editor to find us a caption other than "Benson News."

The County Record, March 2, 1916

Snake

Messrs. C.L. and Tallie Altman of Suttons recently killed a "coach whip" snake measuring 7 feet and 8 inches. If anyone can beat this in the way of "serpenticide" we would be pleased to hear from him.

The County Record, April 16, 1908

The New County Jail

The new jail is now ready for the architect's inspection before its final acceptance by the board of county commissioners. While the new structure is not very large, it is one of the handsomest jail buildings in the State, and those in a position to know say that it is amply commodious for all demands likely to be made upon its capacity.
Through the courtesy of Supervisor Graham a representative of THE RECORD was shown through the building, "from turret to foundation stone." The foundations are brick, stone and cement, and the fixtures seem to be up-to-date in every respect. Inside the walls is the gallows, which implement, while not exactly a "thing of beauty" works so smoothly as to almost make death by strangulation seem a sort of euthanasia,
The plans were drawn by C.C. Wilson of Columbia, and the work of construction carried out by the Pauly Jail Co. of St. Louis through their southern branch at Atlanta, Ga., managed by Will L. Landrum & Sons, who assigned to the work their Mr. S.V. Sedgwick.

The County Record, Nov. 24, 1904

Still They Come

Almost every day we hear of a new business being started in town or a new enterprise springing up so that it is difficult to keep up with the march of progress. Last week, within a few days of each other, a new mercantile business opened up and a bottling works plant installed before the people of the town–or most of them at least– knew what was happening.


The mercantile business is in the McCabe building, the style of the firm being Edgeworth Bros. & Co., with Mr. C.A. Edgeworth as the manager. The same firm operates a similar business in Camden, from which town Mr. Edgeworth comes. We are glad to welcome him and his family to town.


The bottling works plant is located in the building next to Mr. J.N. Hammet's dwelling–where The Record made its home until the business outgrew the building. Mr. Charlton Kelley of Timmonsville, who is a brother of Dr. Kelley of our town, is the proprietor of the bottling business, which will bottle the usual variety of "soft" drinks for distribution to dealers.


We bespeak for these new enterprises a long period of profitable existence here.

The County Record, March 10, 1910 

Personal Paragraphs

Mr. P.A. Allsbrook has moved into the cottage just beyond Mr. M.F. Heller's livery stables.


Mr. J.P. Nelson had his right had very painfully hurt during the baseball game last Thursday.


Mr. J.P. Shaw called in to see us last Saturday and told us that the lower bridge had been entirely rebuilt and is now in condition for passage. This will be good news to the hundreds who have to go several miles out of their way in order to cross the river.

The County Record, June 17, 1897

Dull Times

Capt. G.P. Nelson says it is about as dull in Kingstree as he ever saw it. Capt. Nelson is the oldest young man in town.

The County Record, Apr. 11, 1901

Prizes for Watermelons

Who raises the largest watermelons? In order to decide this question to the satisfaction of all, we have decided to offer a premium to the person who raises the largest melon this season. Our proposition is this: To the person who brings us the largest melon this summer we will give one year's subscription to the County Record. Just think of it! Besides gaining the reputation of the being the raiser of the largest watermelons, you get a copy of the County Record every week for a whole year.
In addition to the foregoing , we also offer a year's subscription free to the person who first brings us in a ripe melon this season. If you are already a subscriber to the County Record, you subscription will be "shoved up" one year from the date of its expiration. Don't allow this opportunity to escape, but get a whole year's subscription for one melon. Of course, we are not partial to melons, but our editor and entire staff are very fond of every kind of fruit. Don't let the melon offer keep you from bringing in fruit.

The County Record

June 17, 1897

Fine Tobacco

Editor, County Record:
Mr. T.M. Cooper of the firm of Cooper Bros. of Fowlers, has the best field of tobacco in the county, probably. It is the finest I have seen anywhere, and I have seen lots of it. Mr. Cooper is an all-around farmer as well as a merchant, and all of his crops are looking well, his tobacco being particularly fine.

WANDERER

The County Record, June 17, 1897

Chain Gang

The county commissioners advertise that they will elect a superintendent for the chain gang at their regular meeting in July.

The County Record, June 17, 1897

Ice Cream Festival

An ice cream festival was given at the school house Monday night by the ladies of the Presbyterian Church.

The County Record, June 17, 1897

Yet More Minor Local Matters

The gay and festive mosquito is again with us for summer board and lodging. There are a good many of them this season, and all appear to have been very poorly fed.


The next examination of applicants for county teachers' certificates will be held in the courthouse Friday of next week between the hours of 10 o'clock a.m and 4 p.m.


On Tuesday, June 8, the board of county chairmen of Hope and King townships with the county supervisor will let the contract for rebuilding the bridge over Black river at the foot of the hill near Kingstree on the Greeleyville road.


Straw rides galore.

The County Record, June 17, 1897

Even More Minor Local Matters

The Greenville News of last Friday said that "Black river bream are the pride of Kingstree."


The chain gang has been brought to Kingstree and will work the roads around here for some time to come.


Midnight "chicken fries" seem to be the favorite sport of certain young men of the community, but who furnishes the fowls?


The base ball game between the two local nines last Thursday resulted in a victory for the "regulars." The score is withheld by special request.

The County Record, June 17, 1897

More Minor Local Matters

The grass will have its innings now and will keep the farmers busy for a time. 


Our base ball team should get up some games with the clubs from other towns.


The crops all over the county are reported as in good condition and looking well.


How long will it be before Kingstree will have an "original package" grog-shop?

The County Record, June 17, 1897

Minor Local Matters

Hot! Hotter!! Hottest!!!


The school term closed today.


The crops are growing rapidly.


Fruit is scarce and very poor in quality.


The trains have been full of the girls returning from college this week.

The County Record, June 17, 1897

Width of Public Roads

Editor, County Record
Will you please tell me and for the benefit of your subscribers what is the width of the public roads as required by law?
Several of our county commissioners do not even know the law upon this subject, and I want them to see this article.

J.

Dock, May 29

The statutes of South Carolina require the county roads to be twenty feet in width.

The County Record

June 10, 1897

Against Mr. McConnell

Justice E. B. Gary, of the Supreme Court, heard at his chambers in Columbia last Saturday the motion of Thos. M. Gilland, Esq., in behalf of Mr. Ervin M. Smith in the case against Mr. J.Z. McConnell, Jr., praying that the latter be required to turn over the books, furniture, papers, etc., belonging to the office of probate judge for Williamsburg county to Mr. Smith. Judge Gary granted an order requiring Mr. McConnell to turn over the office to the complainant, and as Mr. McConnell's counsel, Col. B. Pressley Barron was ill and unable to attend the hearing, Mr. McConnell has been advised to refuse to turn over upon Mr. Smith's demand, and a motion will be made to have the case reopened. If this motion is refused, an appeal will be made to the full bench of the Supreme Court. In the meantime, Mr. McConnell will still hold over.

The County Record, June 10, 1897

Fire Near Rome

J.B. Barrineau suffered the misfortune of losing his dwelling and its entire contents Saturday night. The family had all retired, and when the fire was discovered, it had gained such tremendous headway that it was impossible to save anything from the burning building. Even the clothes of every member of the family was (sic) consumed, the inmates of the house themselves barely escaping with their lives.
There was no insurance on any of the property, and the loss falls heavily on Mr. Barrineau. His little baby was very ill at the time of the fire, and it is now thought that the exposure to the night air to which it was subjected will cause its death. Mr. Barrineau has the sympathy of his friends throughout the county.

The County Record, June 10, 1897

Base Ball Today

There will be a game of base ball here this afternoon at the grounds just beyond the residence of Mr. Louis Jacobs, between the "sluggers" and the "regulars." The game will be called promptly at four o'clock. The public generally and the ladies particularly are invited to attend. The following is the complexion of the two nines: The sluggers–-G.T. Bullard, W.V. Brockinton, C.J. Lesesne, H.A. Graham, W.G. Elwell, J.Z. McConnell, Montie Jacobs, William Scott and R.K. Walace; the regulars--Nappie Jacobs, Hay McClary, Tony Brown, Joe Arms, Willie Dunlop, Hoxie Askins, Julian Jacobs, E.C. Dennis and A.E. Salters.

The County Record, June 10, 1897

Tall Tale

You have been publishing some pretty tough stories about setting hens and eggs, Mr. Editor, and now we wish you to publish the following very laughable incident, which actually happened, and if your readers are disposed to doubt it, we respectfully refer them to that well-known farmer, Mr. J.C. Josey. 
Before the war, all pants cloth was made on a loom at home from yarn that had been spun and dyed in indigo, oak buds, walnut hulls, etc. Just after the war, Mr. _________ of Tiller's Ferry, Kershaw county, had a new Sunday suit made of this cloth. It had been dyed of walnut hulls, etc., and these stains were not washed out of the yarn.
One hot summer Sunday Mr. __________ walked about a mile to church. When he arrived there, he was very warm, and perspiration had dampened his suit, causing the dye to "run," at the same time creating an unhealthy odor. 
Mr. __________ who was somewhat superstitious became alarmed. He went to the pastor and said he wished to be immersed that afternoon as he would soon leave this world. "I am mortifying now," he urged earnestly. "I am decaying. I stinks. I stinks."
After the sermon, the minister with solemn face and sad tone, announced that Bro. ________ would be immersed in a mill pond near there at 4 o'clock that afternoon, that he expected to die soon as he was mortifying then, decomposition having already set in. 
Mr. Editor, this is a bad one, but Mr. Josey is a man of unquestioned veracity and says he saw the young man immersed.

BLUE STEEL

The County Record, June 10, 1897

Children's Day at Jackson's Chapel

Next Saturday is "Children's Day" at Jackson's Chapel. The people of this community anticipate a big time. Mr. Darwin McConnell and Misses Lilah Cook and Virginia Coker have spared no time in "practicing" the children for the exercises on that day. Mr. Editor, we would be delighted to have you with us. We will give you a good time. We cannot promise you any "unbroken packages" or anything like that, but we will certainly feed you. We would warn you, however, that the red bug and tick crop is flourishing and would advise you to provide yourself with a pair of tweezers and a bottle of "Keel-over."

The County Record, June 10, 1897