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price one dollar per year. "TRUE TO OURSELVES, OUR COUNTRY AND OUR GOD." single copies three cents.
VOL. 21. SMITHFIELI), N. C., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1902. NO. 28.
\
A WORD AND A BLOW.
Editor Merritt Resents Black
burn's Language.
In the Encounter Cowles Assaults
and Pritchard Keeps Otf the
Peacemakers at Battery Park.
The Asheville Citizen, of which
Mr. Fred L. Merritt is the editor,
gives the following account of
the attack on him by Congress
man Blackburn:
A personal encounter that crea
ted much excitement took place
early last night in the lobby of
the Battery Park hotel.
It occurred between F. Spencer
Blackburn, Republican Congress
man from the Ninth district, and
Fred L. Merritt, editor of The
Asheville Citizen, a Democratic
paper.
As Mr. Merritt came out of the
dining room Mr. Blackburn met
him near the door and holding in
his hand yesterday's Citizen ask
ed Mr. Merritt if he wrote a cer
tain paragraph on the editorial
page.
"1 did. was the prompt reply.
"Then I want to tell you you
are a d lying son"
The sentence was never finished
for the newspaper man promptly
struck the Congressman in the
mouth. Of course a fight fol
lowed.
During its short progress it
developed that Mr. Blackburn
was surrounded by a number of
his friends. They seemed to be
there, too, to prevent any inter
ference, knowing the superior
strength and greater weight of
their champion over the newspa
per man. This was shown by the
fact that when a guest of the
hotel from Alabama rushed in to
part them be was knocked down
by Mr. Cowles, a Republican of
fice-holder from Statesville, who
kicked im several times after he
had fallen.
Despite\his, however, no seri
ous damage was done on either
side, though a bleeding nose
caused many at first to think Mr j
Merritt badly hurt. A number
of blows were exchanged on both
sidt s.
Following is the item of which
Mr. Blackburn pre ten- edto com
plain:
wpi... i? ? v
I lit? aUAUUlU VA/U'ici nayn
that a Northern paper prints a
sensational story to the effect
that the fiance of Congressman
E. Spencer Blackb.rn declares
that their wedding is conditional
upon his re election to Congress.
If that is true, then there'll he no
wedding?unless the "Drummer
Boy" chooses another bride."
As there is in this absolutely
nothing that could be offensive
to Mr. Blackburn's falling politi
cal fortunes?there is little room
to doubt that the item was simp
ly taken as an excuse for an at
tack.
Repub icanshavenever had anv
love for the editor of The Citizen,
and though this is the first time
he has been ooenb7 attacked since
his coming to Asheville, it is by
no means the first time he has
been threaten d.
In the additional columus of
the paper there are two com
ments on the attack, as f Hows:
"When you just naturally want
to pick a quarrel with a man any
how, it's easy to find an excuse."
"It does indeed seem that the
Republicans in this section have
grown desperate when they send
a 1 HO pound thug and a dozen
backers to thrash a 140 pound
newspaper ma" who has dared
to show them up in their true
light."?News and <Ibserver 11th.
T ~
A Parson's Noble Act.
"I want all the world to know"
writes Rev. C. J. Budlong, of
Ashaway, R. I., "what a thor
oughly good and reliable medi
cine I found in Electric Bitters.
They cured me of jaundice and
liver troubles that had caused
me great suffering for many
years. For a genuine, all-around
curetliev excel anything I ever
saw." Electric Bitters are the
surprise of all for their wonderful
work in Liver, Kidney and Stom
ach troubles. Don't fail to try
them. Only !>0cts. Satisfaction
is guaranteed by Hood Bros.
REPUBLICANS DEMORALIZED IN
IOWA.
Speaker D.B. Henderson Withdraws1
From the Race tor Congress.
Thomas J. Pence in Raleigh Post.
Washington, Sept. 10.? Tb?
sensation of the present political
campaign is the withdrawal of
Speaker D. B. Henderson from
the race for Congress, which was
announced today in Iowa. In
the light of the fact that Mr.
Henderson is the recognized lead
er of his party in congress, it
would seem that the Republicans
are very badly demoralized and
that there is good reason to be
lieve that the next house will be
organized by Democrats. Repub
licans in Washington were loath
to believe the news when received
in Washington tonight, for
Speaker Henderson, when in the
east a few weeks ago, confidently
boasted of his re-election.
While the fact that the Iowa
Republicans are fighting for tariff
revision prompted Speaker Hen
derson's withdrawal, the belief is
entertained among many Demo- j
crats that he was afraid of that
old Democratic war horse, Hor
Q/m U/XIAO mil VinrJ K/mn
ujwt uuiLC, nuu uau ucru ocin iru
to make the race against him.
Being out of harmony with his
constituents on the tariff issue,
Mr. Henderson would have been
badly handicapped in his cam
paign. Assured of a reflection
as speaker with the Republicans
in the ascendency, Mr. Henderson
had every reason to make the
race for congress. His with
drawal in the heat of the fight
will giv 3 assurance to Democrats
all over the country.
The action of Speaker Hender
son in withdrawingfrom the race
evidences that the Republicans
are hopelessly divided on the
tariff question. Speaker Hender- j1
son stands with Aldrich and the1
high protectioiflsts of the east
rat her than the tariff revisionists
of his own state and the west, i
With this condition existing the!
people of the country have noth
ing to hope from the Republicans:
in the way of tariff revision. The:
Republican party has not been
so badly divided in years.
WEATHER AND CROPS.
Opening: of Cotton Checked by the
Cool Spell.
\vasUington, Sept. 1(5.? The
government weekly crop report
issued by the weather bureau to
day, says:
The week ending September 15,
was unseasonably cool through
out all districts east of the Rocky j
mountains more particularly in
the lake region, central valleys j
and gulf states, with a general
absence of rain, or only light pre
cipitation, over the greater part
of the area west of the Missis
sippi river, although heavy rains
occurred in portions of Arkansas
and Louisiana. Needed rains fell
in the Ohio valley", lake region
and middle and south Atlantic
states, effectually relieving the
drought conditions in those dis
tricts. More or less damaging
frosts occurredon the 12th, 13th
and 14th throughout the north
west, central valleys aud lake re
gion and as far south as Arkan
sas and the northern portions of
Mississippi, Alabama and Ueor-!
gia. 1
The cool weather has checked
the opening of cotton in the cen
tral and western portions of the
cotton region Picking has. how
ever, advanced rapidly generally
throughout the belt aud as a
rule, under favorable conditions,
although pickers have been in
adequate m some states. Over
the southern portion of the cot
ton belt the bulk of the crop has
been gathered and in some sec
tions many Selds are already
abandoned. Rains have caused
damage to open cotton in por
tions of Arkansas. Louisiana,
Georgia, Florida and South Caro
lina.
About one-third of the tobacco
crop remains in the fields in Ken
tucky but in other important
tobacco states cutting and hous
ing have been largely finished.
Occasionally a girl marries her
ideal, but he soon outgrows it.
HARVEST CONDITIONS FAVORA
BLE.
Weather and Crop Report for the
State Covering: the Past Week.
The weekly Crop Bulletin for
the week ending Monday, Sep
tember 15, follows:
The amount of precipitation
received during the week wascon
siderable, occurred cui-ftv on the
8th and 9th, and wa- fairly well
distributed. In only a few local
ities was the rainfall heavy
enough to cause slight damage
to crops, and generally it had a
beneficial effect on flelfl ueas, late
potatoes and turnips, besides
placing the soil in excellent con
dition for plowing. The weather
was cool during the entire week,
and the mean average over <> de
grees below the normal for the
season. Light frosts occurred in
the mountain region on the loth
and 11th, and probably also on
the 14th and 15th without caus
ing any damage. Conditions
were favorable for gathering
crops and for farm work; fall
plowing has begun to make more
rapid progress; some winter oats
have been sown; makiug peavine
hay is under way.
* t i ? . i ? *
much oi rue eariy corn crop nas ;
been gathered; late ccm was a,
little benefited by rain; it is now j
generally near maturity; corn on
bottom lands and on rich soil is:
very good. Pulling fodder con- i
tinues in the West. Old cotton
was not helped by rain, but j
though the rainfall was quite
heavy in some counties very few
reports of damage by staining
were received; la e planted cot
ton was benefited as some cor
respondents report blossoms
seen near the top, indicating
with deferred frost, theformation
of some top crop. Cotton is
opening rapidly, and picking is
advancing as fast as possible; it
appears that bulk of the crop will
be out by the middle of October
While below the average, the
yield will be a good one, exceed
ing last year's crop. Tobacco j
still uncut in north portion is be
coming rather course. Iticej
Beenis to be a very good crop.
Gathering minor crops is pro
gressing favorably. Crimson
clover is up with good stands;
late Irish potatoes look well.
Fall apples are short and infe
rior.
KENLY NOrES.
Prof. W. A. Harper filled Rev. ;
G. B. .Starling's place at the!
Methodist church Sunday night, j
He gave us a very interesting
lecture on "The Progress of
Life."
.Messrs. W. M. Guill and L. R.
Allen, of, Sinithfield, spent Sun
day in town.
Sir. Frank Starling, of Pike-!
ville, is visiting his brother, Rev.
G. B. Starling.
Mr. Holland, one of the section j
hands, fell from the car and was |
seriously hurt?getting his back I
broken.
Miss Maud Edgerton, who has
been spending some time in
Greensboro, returned Monday.
Miss Emma Mathews and Mr.
Jarvis Edgerton are spending to
day (Wednesday) in Goldsboro.
Sirs. Dora Gilbreath and little
son Hal, are visiting at Mr. J.
W. Darden.'s
Dr. Kilgo is expected to give a
lecture to the student-body at the
Academy Friday night.
New students coutinue to come
in and our school has a bright
future.
The "Phi" boys have begun
work on their public debate for
Thanksgiving.
The cotton buyers are busy
sampling cotton, and the farm
ers are highly pleased.
"Gcle."
Not boomed For Lite.
"I was treated for three years
by good doctors," writes \V. A.
Greer, McConnellsville, ()., "for
Piles, and Fistula, but, when all
failed, Bucklen's Arnica Salve
cured me in two weeks." Cures
Burns, Bruises. Cuts,Corns,Sores,
Eruptions, Salt Rheum, Piles or
no pay. 2.">c at Hood Bros, drug
store.
ARCHER LODGE DOTS.
Mr. Robert A. Wall, of Clayton,
spent Sun lav in our community.
Misses Nancy Hamilton, of
Smithfield, and Cornelia Hatcher,
of Selma, were the quests of Miss
Km ma Castleberry last week.
Miss Ella Whitley, of Clayton,
wao has been spending a few
days with her pareuts, returned
to sch< ol at Clayton Academy,
Sunday afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Raimie Penny, of
Clayton, were the guests of Mrs.
Penny's parents, Mr. and Mrs.
A. F. Whitley, last Sunday.
The Sunday School at White
Oak Sunday morning v as quite
a success. It will meet next Sun
day afternoon at 2:80 o'clock.
There will be services next Sat
urday and Sunday at Salem
Primitive Baptist church by the
pastor, Elder J. A. T. Jones.
We are sorry to learn that Mr.
Ross Carroll is very sick with
erysipelas.
The gins are humming, the
whistles hooting, the cows low
ing, the chickens crowing, the
hogs grunting, thedonkeysbray
ing, the farmers going to and fro
and in general, things are taking
quite a lively aspect around o d
Archer.
Mr. J. W. Barnes and tenants
havel2acres of tobacco that will
net tnem $1,200.
There will be a baseball game
at Archer Lodge first Saturday
in October between the White
Archer club and Lee's Chapel.
The people are generally
through curing tobacco aud the
cotton is nearly ell open aud in
the fields, scarcity of hands be
ing the cause. The farmers seem
to appreciate tuose fancy prices
tobacco is bringing.
Our public school system has
been improving rapidly for the
past four years and we are look
ing with eager expectation to
what our next Legislature is go
ing to do in regard to it. We are
anticipating a still better one.
.xkay.
CLAYTON NOTES.
Mr. Jno. M. Turley can't trade
horses well at night.
Mr. .lohn Robertson, of Ral
eigh, spent a few days with
parents recently.
Mr. Ashley Horne has lost two
barns of fine tobacco by fire.
Miss Pearl Robertson has re
turned from a visit to Greens
boro.
Rev. Mr. Bennett preached at
the Baptist church Sunday aud
Sunday night
* I ? T lli'iii . c.
ivnss lAina n imams spent sun-1
day with Mrs. Griffin
The Southern Bell Telephone
Co. is establishing a new and i
complete line through here.
Mr. J. C. Ellington, of Raleigh,
spent a few days here this week.
Rev. G. T. Adams, of Raleigh, j
lectured at the M. E Church
Tuesday evening preparatory to
establishing Junior league here.
Mrs. Pay lor, of Raleigh, is visit
ing Mrs. John Young.
Prof. R. F. Williams is trying
to establish a series of lectures
here.
Miss Eva Hood, of Smithfield,
is visiting relatives and friends
in this vicinity.
Mr. (). L. Johnson, one of our
progressive blacksmiths, has in
vented a machine for striking,
with which one man can do the
work of two easilv.
Miss Maymie Ellis, of Smith
field, is visiting relatives here.
Mrs. SallieSurles and Mrs. I).
W. Adams, of Four Oaks, have
been visiting Mr. and Mis. J. D.
Adams.
The attendance at the Clayton
school is steadily increasing.
They began with about 65 stu
dents apd now have abou^lOO.
Mr. M. F. Hood was very sick
the latter part of last week but
is now ut?le to be about his du
ties. "Ykmr."
The Boone Democrat says tliat
Encle Burt Hilliard, aged 70,
and Mrs. Nora Dotson, aged 20,
were married in Watangacounty
a few days ago. The bride, the
Democrat further says, is the
widow of Reuben Dotson, who
was 80 years old at the time of
his death, his wife being but 16
, when she murried him.
STATE NEWS.
A. II. Slo -omb, of Fayette ville,
has lieen nominated for Congress
by the Republicans of the Sixth
district.
Gov. Aycock has entered the
j campaign. He made his first
j speech at Youngsville, Franklin
county, Saturday.
An unknown negro was killed
by a train at High Point Satur
day night. He was sitting on
the track when the train struck
him.
bishop A. Coke Smith, o the
Southern Methodist church, will
make his home in Charlotte. He
will move there about October
11st.
AtGreensboio Saturday night
Green McAdoo, whilein adrunken
frenzy, shot and killed his wife,
Mary, without provocation. He
escaped.
In Wayne county last week
; Frank Yick, colored, 11) years
old, criminally assaulted a ne
gro woman 03 years old, first
(beating her into insensibility.
The brute is in jail.
tt ? ?* t
oouenor nammer ana air. J.
R. McCrary, his Republican op
ponent for the sohcitorship, have
agreed on a joint canvass of the
district, which will probably be
gin in the near future.
Thefoui year oM daughter of
Win. Heflne, who lives three
miles east of Pittsboro, was burn
1 ed to death Wednesday night,
caused by starting a tire with oil
when it exploded and enveloped
her in flames. Death followea in
a few hours.
Duncan Porter, while hunting
'possums near Little River Acad
emy in Cumberland county, was
killed one night last week a tree
falling on him. He was holding
the dog while others of the party
were cutting down a tree in which
was the 'possum.
Mr. J. C. Black, a prominent
lawyer and citizen, died at his
home at Carthage Monday even
ing. He had twice represented j
his district in the Siate Senate
and at the time of his death was j
Mayor of his town and president!
of the Bank of Carthage.
Mr. W. A. Blankenship, confi-!
dential secretary to Mr. 0. M. i
Sadler, of the Southern Express j
Company in Charlotte, died last1
week from the effects of an over
dose of chloral, after two days'
suffering. The overdose, it is be
lieved, was taken by accident and
not with suicidal intent.
Excepting those who have al
ready been granted permission
to enter, no more students can
be received at the A. and M. Col
lege in Raleigh, That institution
is full and running over and
many have been turned away.
In t hree years the attendance has
increased from 150 to nearly 500.
Last week while out turkey
hunting near Wadesboro, Thom
as Curlee climbed a tree and be
gan yelping for the birds. His
brother Charlie, attracted by the
sound and seeing from a distance
some object in the tree fired, and
was horror stricken when he saw
his brother fall dying from the
tree.
Mr. Jesse R. Forkner, post
master at Pilot Mountain, died
Sundav night after a lingering
illness of several vears. Some 21
years ago, while^lr. Forkner was
working with a threshing ma
chine, he sucked a rye beard down
his windpipe. Two or three years
later it came out through the
breast, producing a running sore
and this, after 21 long years of
suffering, has at last caused his
death.
At Favetteville Sunday after
noon, while Jim Strandier, col
ored. was sitting asleep on his
piazza, he fell out of doors and
broke Ids neck. Strandier was a
remarkable negro, known in his
prime as "RlackSampson," from
iiis enormous physical strength.
In early manhood he was a
preacher and had a voice like a
fog horn. Of late years he had
followed the trade of well digger,
and for a long time has been a
i cripple from rheumatism.
Puclic Speaking.
There will be speaking at tlm
following places, Satruday, Sep
tember 27, at 1$ p. m.:
At the shelter, Cleveland tow a
ship, by E. S. A bell, W.S.Stevene
and Dock Stephenson.
At voting place, l'leaaant Grove
township, by J. T. Ellington and
W. A. Edgerton.
At Elevation, in Elevation
township, by J. A. Wellons and
J. W. Stephenson.
Saturday, October 4th, at .'1
| o'clock p. m. as follows:
Peacocks X Roads, Meadow
I township, by J. T. Ellington, W.
i S. Stevens.
Pine Level, by E. S. Abell and
James A. Wellons.
Archer, bv C. W. Richardson
and W. A. Edgerton.
Let every body turn out to
, hear the issues discussed.
W. W. Colr,
Chm. Dem. Ex. Com.
T. J. Lassitkr,
Secretary.
General News Items.
The eruption of Mount Pelee,
Martinique, is gradually subsid
ing
A $30,000,000 sewing machine
trust is reported to be in forma
tion.
Nine soldiers died of cholera in
the Philippines between Auguest
28 and September 14.
Six more cases of cholera Have
developed on the United States
transport Sherman at Nagasaki,
Japan.
It is reported that from 300 to
1,000 native Christians have
been killed by boxers inSzechuen
Province, China.
Thirty painters employed on
White House improvements have
struck because four members of a
rival union were employed-.
After a conference of coal man
agers held in New York Tuesday
it was again stated that no con
cessions would oe made to the
strikers. \
The Republican executive com
mittee of Alabama refused ad
mittance of negro delegates to
the State convention, which met
Tuesday at Birmingham.
Nicholas Fish, a millionaire
banker, died in New York Tues
day from injuries alleged to have
been inflicted by Thomas. J.
Sharkey, a private detective, in a
brawl.
I'lie American Molasses Com
pany lias been incorporated at
Trenton, N. J., with a capital of
#?'5,000,000. The company is to
deal in sugar, syrups, glucose,
molasses and similar products.
Justice Horace Gray, who re
tired from the United States Su
preme Court bench recently, died
at his residence in Xahaut, Mass.,
Monday of paralysis. He had
been in poor health for some
time.
Naval Constructor Richmond
Pearson Hobson, who appeared
before a retiring board a few
months ago and failed to qualify
for a retirement, will shortly be
assigned to duty by the Navy
Department.
A disnatch from Paris, Texas,
says that seven persons are re
ported dead in klamtia, Indian
Territory, from inhaling Paris
green which had been applied to
worm infested cotton plants.
Owing to dry weather t is suje
poseute poison in the form of
dust was absorbed by the vic
tims?four men and three wo
men?who were at work in the
field.
Mrs. Win. Stewart, wife of the
senior United States Senator of
Nevada, was hilled Friday at
Alameda, Ala. Mrs. Stewart was
riding in an automobile with
Henrv Koote and a young man
named Taylor. Through an ac
cident the machine ran into a
telegraph pole. Mrs. Stewart
wus thrown against the jsile
with great force and was so se
riously injured that death soon
followed.
The next time you are discour
aged just try encouraging some
one else and see if it will not ct "er
\you.?J. R. Miller.