'. ?)je flwitljfielti Itefali. 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 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.