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 

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

Buggy Ride

One of the most enjoyable rides we ever took was the one while sitting in the foot of a buggy, the seat of which was occupied by two of the fairest and most charming of Kingstree's young daughters last Monday afternoon. True, our position was not a very elevated one, and we were much cramped from lack of space, but this did not make the ride any the less delightful. Our course was over the road which leads to Greeleyville across Black river, and we are anxious for another like it.

The County Record, May 6, 1897

More Roses

We were the recipient of a most beautiful "Paul Neyron" rose from Mrs. Louis Jacobs last week. The rose was one of the largest we have ever seen, measuring five inches across and sixteen-and-one-half inches in circumference. It was cut from a bush which Mrs. Jacobs received direct from California and which has produced quite a number of fine flowers already this season.

The County Record, May 6, 1897

Business Hours

We notice that in nearly all the towns of the State the merchants are now closing their stores at 6 o'clock p.m. so as to allow the clerks some time during the summer months for recreation. What is the matter with the merchants of Kingstree?

The County Record, May 6, 1897

Items of Local Interest

The mornings have been quite cool for some days.


The office of Mr. S. McBride Scott has been painted and otherwise improved.


The heavy rains last week were gladly welcomed by the farmers who had oats heading and young corn.


Rev. W.D. Moorer and Mr. Edwin Harper expect to leave today for Wilmington to attend the Southern Baptist Convention.


The Supervisor has a notice in this issue of The County Record relating to plowing into the roads, which should attract the attention of those who practice this misdemeanor.

The County Record, May 6, 1897

Where Are the Blood-hounds?

Editor, County Record:
Where are the blood-hounds? Representative Kennedy at the last session of the General Assembly had an act passed empowering the authorities to purchase a pair of blood-hounds trained to track fugitive law breakers. Where are they?
Houses being burnt, robbery running riot, murder being committed – with the aid of a pair of trained blood-hounds, all this would be stopped. What are the authorities who are empowered to obtain these dogs going to do about it?

S.J.M.

The County Record, April 29, 1897

Beautiful Roses

Upon returning from a short railroad trip the other morning, tired and dusty, we were very agreeably surprised and much delighted to find a beautiful bouquet of fine roses on our desk. The flowers were of the "Marechal Neil" and "Grace Darling" varieties, and attached to the bouquet was a card bearing the name of Mrs. Louis Stackley. It filled our heart with joy to know that we were so much thought of by a member of the fair sex to prompt her in sending in so excellent a donation which filled our office with its fragrance, and made us for a time forget the trials and tribulations attached to the life of a country editor.
Mrs. Stackley has quite a number of varieties of flowers, and there is not a more thorough florist in this section than she. The roses sent in are of the very finest varieties known, and our appreciation of them is unbounded.

The County Record, April 29, 1897

Encyclopedia Sales

The Rev. A.S. Willeford of Charleston was in Kingstree last week in the interest of the Columbian Encyclopedia. The Columbian is one of the very best encyclopedias, and Mr. Willeford found no trouble in placing a number in Kingstree. He expects to return to Williamsburg in a few months and make a thorough canvas of the entire county.

The County Record, April 29, 1897

An Easter Hop

The Easter hop given by the Wee Nee club at the Lyons Hotel on Tuesday night was a very enjoyable function. The large double parlors afforded ample room, and the light fantastic was gaily tripped until the "wee sma' hours."
The crowd was not as large as usual, but seemed to make up in enthusiasm what was wanting in numbers. The music on piano and violin as furnished by Messrs. Bullard and Wolfe was most inspiring, and the floor was all that could be desired.
Among the visitors present were Miss Mabel Rollins of Lake City, Miss Bessie Howard of Salters, and Mr. P.A. Willcox of Florence.
The Wee Nee club is not yet two years old but is a potent factor in the social life of Kingstree. Its dances are always enjoyable occasions and are looked forward to with much interest.

D.

The County Record, April 22, 1897

Excitement

The burning of the soot in the chimney of Mr. S.P. Brockinton's residence a few evenings ago created considerable excitement, as it was thought the house was afire.

The County Record, April 22, 1897

Rumors

All sorts of rumors are afloat as to the present whereabouts of the right men. It is said they were seen in Forreston Monday. Some people discredit Nelson's statement about having seen Phelps at Lanes Friday.
The remains of the murdered men were buried at the expense of the county very near where they were killed Monday morning.

The County Record, April 22, 1897

Popular Opinion Divided

The negroes claim they were in Charleston Friday. Sam Nelson, a colored man living near Salters, was here on Tuesday and had in his possession a hat which was found near the scene of the murders, which he swears he saw on Phelps' head at Lanes last Friday. Nelson says he can have his statement corroborated by citizens of Lanes, and this will contradict the prisoner's statement as to his whereabouts on Friday.
Opinions as to the guilt of the boys are divided. If these are not the right parties, the real murderers have a five-days journey between themselves and the crime.
(To be continued)

The County Record, April 22, 1897

Charleston's Involvement

Sheriff Daniel received a telegram from Mr. J. Elmore Martin, chief of Charleston's police force, telling him that the negroes were wanted in Charleston. Mr. McManus was sent up Tuesday afternoon and interviewed the three boys When seen by The County Record man, Mr. McManus said that Simmons was wanted for robbing a house on Savage Street in Charleston two months ago. Richardson and Simmons have not long been released from prison in Richmond, Va. All three boys are well-known to the Charleston police. When questioned as to what Phelps and Richardson did in Charleston that he should want them, the detective smiled and replied dryly that the did not want them; they were only "needed" there at times. While the detective talked freely on some points, he was non-committal on others. On evidence discovered yesterday, the authorities have decided to hod the prisoners, and the Charleston detective returned alone. (To be continued)

The County Record, April 22, 1897

Mistaken Identity?

Our reporter interviewed several prominent men in Lake City and was told by all of them that the prisoners were not the three men seen there Sunday. Upon being interrogated, the negroes gave their names, ages and addresses as follows: Oscar Simmons, age 17, 10 Short Street; Nat Phelps, age 17, 26 Burns Lane; and Joseph Richardson, age 19, 16 Market Street, all of Charleston. They all told pretty much the same tale, which was prepared for publication but was left out after an interview with Mr. M.J. McManus of the Charleston detective force. (To be continued)

The County Record, April 22, 1897

Suspects

About two o'clock Monday afternoon operator Grimsley of Lake City wired H.A. Graham that three negroes had just been arrested there on suspicion. As soon as the fact was made known to Sheriff Daniel, he wired Mayor Severence to hold the prisoners until he could send for them. Mr. Daniel, accompanied by Mr. H.G. Askins, a special deputy, and a reporter for The County Record went to Lake City Monday evening, and the negroes were brought to Kingstree Monday night. A large crowd met the sheriff at the depot upon his return with the prisoners. Threats of lynching if the negroes proved to be the right parties were heard here Monday, but the crowd at the depot was very orderly and quiet. (To be continued)

The County Record, April 22, 1897

Spectators and Suspicion

As soon as the news of this horrible murder reached Kingstree, scores of our citizens went to the scene and viewed the bodies. Almost every man in the enormous crowd around the murdered men was heavily armed. Suspicion was attached to three strange negroes who had committed other criminal acts around Salters, and a description of them was telegraphed in every direction. Armed men watched the streets of Salters, Kingstree and Lake City all of Sunday, but the murderers then had had a 24-hour start on their flight. Three negroes fitting the description of the supposed murderers passed through Lake City early Sunday morning, but no one there knew anything at that time of the murders.
(To be continued)

The County Record, April 22, 1897

New Town, New Job

F. Barron Grier, Esq., who recently moved from Kingstree to Greenwood, has been elected city attorney for that town. Mr. Grier has a host of friends in Kingstree, all of whom will be pleased to know that he is doing well in his new field.

The County Record, April 29, 1897

Telephone Line Completed

Messrs. G.S. Barr and H.A. Graham have completed their telephone lines from the Coleman Hotel to the depot, and the 'phones are now in operation. Messages transmitted for the nominal sum of five cents each, with unlimited time in speaking.

The County Record, April 29, 1897

Pleasure Trip

Messers. Thomas M. Gilland of Kingstree, Thomas Wilson of Salem and P.A. Willcox of Florence joined Mr W.N. Royal of the Atlantic Coast Line on a pleasure trip north yesterday The party is traveling in a special car and will be gone about ten days.

The County Record, April 29, 1897