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Scraps and jrarts ? A substantial Increase is shown in the gross income of the Southern Railway company during the year ending June 30 last, according to the 15th annual report of President W. W. Finley, Just issued. The report says, the return of business from the low level of panic conditions of 1907 was slow but substantial during the past year. The total gross income for the year was $17,737,699, an increase over 1908 of $3,980,733. While the operating expenses show a decrease of $753,610, compared with the year 1908, it is stated that this is due to the fact that the Tennessee Central railroad and the Southern Railway of Mississippi were operated separately this year. However, comparing like for like, this year shows an Increase In the operating revenues of $606,766. "What may be considered the Immediate financial problem of the company," says the report, "has been the absorption of the several Issues of short-term notes." By the redemption and sale of certain bonds, $31,000,000 of the temporary obligations of the company were permanently funded. Although the funded debt was increased, the fixed charges of the company were decreased $96,680 per annum. The progress in the south is indicated in the report, which "hows that during the year 453 new manufacturing plants were completed. More than 70 per cent of the year's tonnage originated in the south. The greater part of the cotton growing states are served directly by the Southern, and it is probably the heaviest carrier of cotton?the chief agricultural product in the south. During the year 636,207 tons, or more than 2,500,000 bales, were carried. This product constituted less than 3 per cent of the total year's tonnage. ? There is something of a sensation in political circles because of the rather abrupt action of the state department in calling for the resignation of Charles R. Crane, the recently aprMno Mr Pro hp puiincu iuiuioiu w vuum*. M*. w- ?? left Washington for China about three weeks ago, and was to have taken a steamer at San Franclaco on October 6. He stopped over In Chicago to become the guest of the American Asiatic association at a banquet, and delivered an address that the state department did not like. Later, a Chicago newspaper published an Interview with Mr. Crane, In which the minister was quoted as saying that the two treaties recently negotiated between China and Japan brought about a situation that made things look grave. Shortly after he reached San Francisco, Mr Crane received a telegram from Secretary Knox recalling him to Washington, and Immediately thereafter it was published that the reason was because Mr. Crane had been talking too much. On his return to Washington, Mr. Crane was asked for his resignation, and he promptly wired It to the president He has given out a statement to the paru?ra in whlnh he represents himself fv"w ? r-m as being badly treated. He claims that he had appointment after appointment with the state department with a view to talking over the situation with the secretary of state for the purpose of getting instructions, but not once did he see the secretary- The president, however, had given him to understand that it would be very well to let the people of the country know that things were not Just as they should be in the far east and in all he had said he merely tried to carry out the instructions of the president. From his standpoint, the state department has not dealt with him as openly and as frankly as it should have done. The state department is not talking much and the public is somewhat in the dark as to what it all means. ? Cleveland, O.. October 12: "It is the same old story," said Dr. Cook, when he was shown the statement issued by Commander Peary, together with the map accompanying it. "I have replied to the points raised a dozen times," he continued. "The map published by Commander Peary In itself indicates that the Esquimaux have respected their promise made to me that they would not give any Information to Peary or his men. The Esquimaux were instructed not to tell Mr. Peary, or any of his party, of nv.r trip over the polar sea. They were told to say that we had been far north. They have kept their word. Mr. Whitney has said that during the cross-examination conducted by Commander Peary and others of his expedition, the Esquimaux did not understand the questions put to them or the map which was laid before thorn. Their replies to the questions put have been twisted to suit a perverted interest. I will not enter Into any argi n.ent about the matter, but I will bring the Esquimaux to New York at my own ex pense, and they will prove, as did Mr. Whitney, ali that I have claimed." Dr. Cook would not consent to go over the details contained in Mr. Peary's statement any further than this. "The Esquimaux," he said, "are only too willing to say something that they ihink will please their questioners." The explorer was not at all perturbed by the accusations. A confident smile flickered over his bronzed face when they were shown to him. "I hilly expected to see something of th kind," he said. "The domument looks fo.-mldable over so many signatures, and will probably appear so to the public There is, however, nothing Ir it as it is based upon "the distorted art: evasive replies of persons who were told not to give any details." The doctor continued: "Ramussen, who will be here shortly, has seen the Esquimaux and knows the real story. They did not try to deceive him. He was with them ror fourteen aays. They know him and told him everything. He speaks the Esquimau language, for he is a semi-Esquimau himself, and the people have the most complete confidence in him." He concluded: "That is all I have to say now." ? Judge A. B. Anderson, of the United States district court for the district in which Indianapolis, Ind., is situated, has dismissed the proceedings against Delavan Smith and Chas. R. Williams, proprietors of the Indianapolis News. The case is that in which a suit was brought against the News, the New York World and other papers, by ex-President Roosevelt and others, for criminal libel, because of the charges made during the last campaign in connection with the alleged Panama canal deal. The article alleged that ex-President Roosevelt,! President Taft, Chas. P. Taft, William Nelson Cromwell and J. Pierpont Morgan were beneficiaries of a corrupt | profit of $28,000,000 in the sale of the j canal to the United States. The issue before the court was whether the case could be removed from Indianapolis, the home of the defendants to Washington, where the prosecution wanted It tried. Judge Anderson did not mince matters In rendering: his decision. He was not prepared to say that there was anything: corrupt In the deal; but there was a grreat deal in It to excite curiosity, If not suspicion. People found it difficult to understand how or why the change was made to Panama route after an expert commission had decided so positively in favor of the Nicaragua route. He reviewed the conduct of Cromwell before the senate Investigating committee and called attention to the manner in which he had declined to answer questions on the ground that his testimony would tend to incriminate himself. He thought that there was a whole lot to be explained about the matter, and so far as permitting the defendants to be dragged from their homes to far off Washington, h<: would not think of such a thing, because everything, the evidence shows, that the defendants did, was done in Indiana. He stated also that the defendants had done nothing except in Intoroat (\{ thft nilhHfi. $hr ^JorhciUc inquirer. Kntertd at the Poatofflce In Yorkville is Mall Matter of the Second Class. YORKVILLE. S. C.i FRIDAY. OCTOBER 15, 1909. Secretary of State McCowr, Issued a statement last week to the effect that seventeen million dollarr had been invested in various en?rrprises in South Carolina since the first of January of this year. This shows that South Carolina Is making some prog rtrsa. We are printing today Peary's accusations against Cook. As to what there Is in these accusations, we do not know. They may be warranted and they may not be. Our only purpose in printing' them, is in order that our readers may have Peary's case. It is our purpose very shortly to print the full story of Dr. Cook's trip to the pole, together with illustrations made from photographs taken by the doctor. Up to this time, we have not allowed ourselves to become excited over the quarrel between the two explorers and we would not recommend to our readers that they get wrought up about It. However, there is in the controversy a great deal that is of Interest and value. The Gastonla Gazette, one of the most htzhly prized of our North Caro Una exchanges, has taken occasion to say some very nice things about The Enquirer's report of the King's Mountain celebration. Among other things, it says we covered the occasion as completely and as thoroughly as any other newspaper, and that our cuts were the best it has seen. It does not fall to call attention to one serious omission, however, that has annoyed us no little?our failure to give a cut of Governor Kitchin, who, the Gazette very properly says, "was the best looking governor in the lot." But all of what the Gazette had to say was very gratifying, and we appreciate its comments very highly. The monument Is in South Carolina, but portions of the mountain and the battlefield thereon are in North Carolina. It was very appropriate that the exercises have been held upon the ground where the struggle raged so fiercely.?News and Courier. This is from L. M. Green's excellent report in the News and Courier, and we can understand it on no other theory than that in his hurry to get from the scene of the celebration to the nearest telegraph office with his report, Mr. Green rode to Grover with North Carolinians. What is known as "The Pinnacle," now commonly, but improperly called King's Mountain, is in North Carolina, about eight or nine miles from the battleground; but the battleground itself is entirely in South Carolina, and the nearest distance to the North Carolina line is fully a mile and a half. CARTOOJfiST Rogers of the New York tieraid nas arawn a very suggestive picture showing Roosevelt as a grinning baby sitting in an ark of bulrushes on the reed bordered banks of the Nile, with Aldrich and Cannon represented as crocodiles on either side, while the Tammany tiger glowers hungrily from the bank, and over it all is the question, "Can this be the Republican Moses?" There is something more than a Joke in the fancy of the artist. Roosevelt is not nearly done with the politics of this country, and just as he was responsible for raising the battle cry of tariff reform in the Republican party, he will yet do what he can to carry out his ideas on the subject. If he does not prove a little more than enough for Cannon and Aldrich, these very smooth and able gentlemen will continue to carry things their own way for some time to come. Concern as to the jury problem is not peculiar to South Carolina. Nearly all of the states are wrestling with the question. Governor Fort of New Jersey, a former member of the supreme court of his state, said in his first annual message to the legislature the other day: .Public sentiment has demanded jury reform for years, but for some reason it has not been enacted Into law. The selection of the grand Jury at the mere personal whim ef a sheriff is, in the hands of a sheriff who holds lightly his obligations of office, a most dangerous power. The liberty of the citizens is in the hands of one man, and the criminal machinery of the state, with all its power and ignominy, may be directed most unjustly against any person or be used to gratify personal or political ends. "This has been done in our state o rwl ironrl -fnt*lAu havo hoon <so1 ??*v? JU14VW t?M?W */VV?? WV.WWVWM at the behest of a power foreign to the sheriff's office. It should be made impossible hereafter. A sheriff may block the enforcement of a criminal law, by selecting a grand jury that will not indict." The necessity of reforming the jury system is being interestingly discussed by correspondents of the Columbia State. The subject is an old one, but of never ending importance. It is apnarent to all who take the trouble to think that there Is room for much improvement in the administration of the criminal laws, and according to the highest and best views on t ie subject this improvement can be reached only by securing more uncompromising honesty and justice. The average citizen does not understand or comprehend how anybody could want anything but that which is right; but the fact Is that there Is a very powerful < i element that wants the jury system so constructed that it can be controlled i and Influenced on occasion, and If any really valuable reform Is possible, we think It should be in the direction of establishing a system that must be up to the highest standards of righteousness and Justice that can be afford' ed. We do not think the present plan of selecting and drawing jurors is exi actly what it ought to be in actual practice. It would be better, we think, : if it were possible, to have petit Jurors selected by a disinterested body somei thing like a grand Jury, who would see : to it that none but the best, fairest, ; most upright and intelligent men of i the country would ever get a chance i to sit in a jury box. Even this plan would be subject to objections, perhaps; but it would help thing matei rlally, and increase the power and influence of the law as well as the public respec* for it. But before anything else* is done, the general assembly should repeal the statutory provision that exempt about thirty-nine classes of the forty or more classes that are now, exempt from Jury service. Figuring In round numbers, but near enough to show the trend, we get some results that are Impressive. Ten years ago the south was making 10,000,000 bales of cotton. This yielded in money $300,000,000. Now the south makes 12,000,000 bales, which, at current prices, will yield for the crop nearly $800,000,000. This section now has an aggregate of 10,000,000 spindles in all Its cotton mills. The cost of a cotton mill such as is usually built in the south Is $20 per spindle. Therefore the total cost of all the cotton mills in the south is about $200,000,000. Gross advance in the value of the cotton crop now over what It was ten years ago is something like $500,000,- [ 000. Out of the profits from one crop the farmers could buy all the cotton < mills and have $300,000,000 profit left : over. The $200,000,000 for the cotton , mills is Invested for a long time. The $500,000,000 increase which the farmer 1 receives is annual.?Charlotte Obser- : ver. | ***- - A ~ ? 1 nai puis IUB uiac vcijr umi;, uui . as we see it, the south is only Just 0001108: to her own. Poor and poverty stricken as we were after the war, the , best we could do was to borrow money ; from the north with which to raise cot- ( ton. The north having a mortgage on ( the crop, and the time fixed for fore- , closure, fixed the price at starvation | figures. It took a long, long time for ( the south to get ahead to the point , where it could raise a crop without j borrowing- its value in advance. But ( that time came at last some years j back, and since then the tendency of j prices has been upward. The south , having about paid the north's debt to ( i?><i>AnA ar\A nu/n flohf tft thp nnrth. . has gotten to where she can commence working for herself. We do not think that the price limit has been reached yet, but we do think that If the south will now raise all her own supplies, Instead of buying them from the north and west, she will hasten the time when she will become the richest territory in the world. The tobacco regions of Kentucky are still In a ferment over the outrages of the nightriders, who are trying to compel all producers of tobacco to pool their crops before offering them for sale. There have been a number of whippings and burnings lately, in the efforts of the nlghtrlder element to enforce their policy and Governor Willson has brought himself into natl> nal notoriety by advising the people who are not inclined to obey the nightriders by protecting themselves with shotguns. The whole situation is Indeed a trying one; but we do not think that the governor's advice Is very creditable to either his Judgment or fitness for his place. As we under stand the situation, we gTeatly sympa- < thlze with the nightriders in their 1 grievance; but not in their methods. 1 The grievance of these people arises t out of the fact that the American < Tobacco company, having stamped out < all legitimate competition, is using its 1 position and power to make the tobac- i co growers take whatever buyers < ' ? ? - - J * TUln 1 cnoose 10 give iur meir piuuuui. xmo, < of course, is contrary to the spirit ot < all the laws and is an outrage on com- ? mon justice; but the plan pursued by 1 the nightriders is not calculated to t furnish a reasonably satisfactory rem- i edy. Even if it should succeed in forcing up prices, it will leave a her- 1 itage of lawlessness that will give I more trouble and sorrow even than starvation prices for tobacco. And we are frank to say that the governor's ? advice is no wiser than the action of c the nightriders. In effect he tells law- j abiding citizens to go and attempt to > fight it out slngie-handed with a horde e of organized desperadoes. What i chance could law-abiding citizens have i in such a conflict? To us the situa- ? tion apppears to be exceedingly grave, a and the only remedy we can see is for c all law-abiding citizens to get behind 1 the law, if there is any in that coun- t try, make the nightriders behave t themselves and then also do what they 1 can to compel the American Tobacco r company to do the fair thing. While i it seems pretty evident that the trouble i is not to be corrected without more or r less violence, it is reasonably certain ( that lawlessness will not help any- 1 thing. g I Th? Men Who Count. s While it takes all kinds of people to i make a world and while almost every 1 community has a pretty complete as- { sortment. still it is a fact that one t particular kind of men invariably com- r mand the greatest respect and wield I the most permanent influence among I their fellows wherever they may be \ placed. i And the men who command the a greatest influence are those who pay r their honest debts, speak the truth, In- i variably align themselves on the side r of justice and always stand for the i right. There are few men, of course, a who measure entirely up to this de- a scrlption; but those who come nearest t to it always count for the most. t Let the reader sit down and take a a mental inventory of the men of his i town and community, and although he r will find many who are more or less "] conspicuous as compared with the oth- t era, some who are popular and some t who are not, some who have very good c qualities mixed with very bad ones, c some who seem naturally to take the > initiative in all matters requiring the t services of a leader, he will invariably j hnd that the men who come nearest to $ trying to do the square thing on all c occasions, are the ones who command a the confidence and esteem of their i neighbors and acquaintances to the g gieatest extent. ' i There are men for instance, who are i loud and mouthy, men who are tricky r and unscrupulous, men who are con- c stantly seeking notoriety and leader- i ship, and who often attain both, and t am> ng these are men to whom their 1 neighbors at first blush, would attach a real importance; but when the honest i estimate of their neighbors is sifted ti down to bedrock, it la found that there Is lack of confidence and respect, and on the development of emergencies that call for sure enough men, such people are rejected and cast aside. In times of smooth sailing prosperity, communities do not give much attention to the matter of estimating men at their proper value. The disposition is to let things run along very much as they will, and but little attention is given to the self-seekers, who insist on occupying the best upper seats. It is only when a community is forced by dire necessity to do so, that it looks to Its real men, and on such occasions the choice generally resolves down to the best In sight, the kind of men referred to. But It would be much better for each and every community If It would keep in closer touch with the Individual qualities of the men who compose It. The men who are dishonest, Incompetent, tricky and careless about paying their honest obligations, should be kept in the positions to- which they properly belong, and the men who are Invariably just, truthful and upright, should be shown all the appreciation to which they are entitled. Just as a community cannot more easily or quickly debase itself by being too tolerant of the things that lower the standards of true manhood, It cannot more easily elevate Itself than by showing prompt and proper recognition of all the virtues which go to make up the kind of men who can bo followed with confidence and honor. Money is Plentiful. Although quite well aware of the fact that there are many people who will be more or less astonished at th' assertion at the head of this article, it Is a fact, nevertheless that money is more plentiful this fall than It has been at the same period for a great many years past and the situation is one that should receive due consideration at the hands of thoughtful and provident people. We say that money is plentiful, for the reason that we cannot understand how it could be otherwise with so much cotton selling at 123 and 13 cents, and over. Of course, under existing conditions this is no big price for cotton. Supplies of all kinds have been high during the whole of the year and they are higher now than ever; but most farmers have been as careful and economical as possible, and although In many cases the crop has been short, If- la reasonable to assume that there should be enough money to pay all the operating expenses of the year and something to spare. Unless we are making a very serious nlscalculatlon, there should be more surplus money this year than for some Lime past, and if there is it will seek nvestment along various lines. Of :ourse, it does not follow that the people who make the money will invest ii. mtuiy ui iiicm ais uui ihvuucui ;nough to try to save It They will waste it as fast as they can. But ill the surplus, or most of it at least, will get into the hands of people who will know what it is for and there will ae a large amount of it to invest. There will be more or less money to ro into various industrial, financial and mercantile enterprises, and also considerable sums will probably go into lands. In one way or another such investments will go to conserve the profIts of the year just closing, and contribute to additional prosperity in the seasons to come when the profits on the crops may not be so satisfact iry. We shaii not undertake to tell the farmers of this country what to do nith their money, as that is a matter that every man who has any should iecide for himself; but we will suggest :hat while there are many investments that can be made to advantage where the Investor has sufficient wisdom, one )f the best paying investments that tan be made at this or any other time, s in improvements on homes, premises ind farms. Money judiciously invested in paint for dwelings, or terraces on lplands, ditcher in bottom lands, necissary farm machinery, and to substantial and comfortable household 'umiture, often pays better dividends han any other Investment that can be nade. It is up to those who find that they lave surplus money to make the best losslble use of it. ? The thing of greatest interest to istronomers at ihis time is the coming )f Halley's comet. For more than a rear the coming of this rare celestial risitor has been awaited with interist. The time for its appearance was cnown to be approaching, and al:hough its nearest approach to the :arth will not occur until next May, it vas predicted that it would be dis:ernible by October. This prediction las been verified, since it is stated hat some observers have already seen he comet. Halley's comet Is the most mportant of the comets, so far as hunan knowledge extends. It Is named n honor of the astronomer who first dentlfled it anfl fixed the date for Its eappearance by calculating the time >f its orbit. He did not live to see lis prediction verified, but other men taw It, and have since seen the comet eappear at regular intervals of about leventy-four years. And this time of ts reappearance is now very near. ?Vith the improved instruments of the iresent time better observations will )e possible, and the comet will be nore clc 3ely studied than ever before. :ts nearest approach to the earth will >e in May, when its distance from us vill be 12,000,000 miles. Perhaps during ts present visit enough will be learned ibout its course to enable the astrononers to figure out the exact date of ts next reappearance, for this has lever yet been possible. After remainng visible for a short time it will igaln disappear, to travel in limitless tpace for seventy-four years before reurning again. The human mind fails 0 grasp the meaning of space in which 1 celestial body can travel for such a ength of time at comet speed, and yet r, rl TKTU o f Kftifrvn A O iv/i i tatii iiic tuu. ?* iiai 10 ucjuiiu ; rhe human mind stops at that quesion. It cannot conceive of a universe o which there is no limit as to space, >r time to which there is no beginning >r end. What a small thing is man, vith all his boasted knowledge, face o face with such a thought! The ap>earance of a comet does not now itrike terror to the human heart as it lid in the days of men's greater ignorince. We are prepared for the comng of Halley's comet, thanks to the itudles of those who have lived before is. We shall watch It curiously, knowng It to be the star which the wise | ncn of the East followed at the birth i >f Christ. And with the thoughts that ; ts presence will bring, we can only . tirn frnm niir llttln ootirAo nn/1 onn ui 11 *.1 viii vwi ovi*vo anu vut ittle world to the great God who made ind ii ics the universe, whose creat- ; ires v;e are and who guides all our lestinies. LOCAL AFFAIRS, NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Jno. T. Feemster, No. 5, Yorkvllle? Has 200 bushels Appier seed oats for sale at 85c bushel. York Drug Store?Is showing an attractive line of brass goods, such ai candlesticks, bonbon dishes, trays, crumb trays, etc. Carroll Furniture Co.?Will be pleased to show you a good line of cooking stoves, heaters and grates in at sizes and styles. J. L. Wil.iams & Co.?Tell you that 11 they are busy when you call, it wll pay you to wait until they can serv< you. New goods of various kinds. Loan and Savings Bank?Says thai with age, strength and satisfactory service that there is not a singU weak point in its claim for your patronage. J. A. Tate, C. C. C. Pis.?Will on salesday in November, sell the real estat< Involved in the suit of Ada L Thomasson, plaintiff, against Hlranr C. Thomasson and others, defendants. Herndon & Gordon?Ask a moment ol your time to see them for baggrin^ and ties, groceries, buckwheat flour hams, country produce, hardware etc. Thomson Co.?Reminds you of Its sah of English long cloth at 98c a bolt bath robe blankets, plain wool blankets, all wool blankets, ladles' cloaks canton flannel, wool flannel, etc. First National Bank?Urges Its farmer friends to build up a bank account In order to make themselvef secure against adversity. It offen to help in every possible way. J. C. Wilborn?Gives notice of an auction sale of various tracts of land at Sharon on Saturday, Oct. 23rd. D. E. Boney, Agent?Points out thai 32 per $1,000 insurance has been the cost in the Mutual Live-Stock Insurance association of York county (First National Bank of Sharon?Now has $38,000 deposits, and wants youi business. There was quite a perceptible frosl last Wednesday morning. The temperature, probably Influenced by the storm that struck the coast of Florida on Monday, fell rapidly during Tuesday, was cool enough to call foi warm fire3 and heavier clothing. The frost was sufficiently heavy to have a perceptible effect on vegetation of all kinds. A town lot on the corner of Mair and Marietta streets, Gastonla, sold the other day for $160 a front foot The lot was 100 feet wide and brought $16,000. Mr. Thos. L. Craig was the purchaser. There have been no such sales In this section, and probably will not be for some time; but the fact remains that Yorkville property on Male street is wortn a great aeai more tnar mojt people have any idea of. ABOUT PEOPLE. Col. and Mrs. A. Coward, who have been spending the summer In Yorkville, left this morning for their home lr Orangeburg. Miss Lula Squier, who has been visiting Mrs. E. B. Beard In Yorkvllle, left last night for her home In Columbia. WITHIN THE TOWN. ? The paving work on Congress street is being finished this week, and there Is a common feeling of satisfaction at the prospect of being able to cross me Dusiness pumuu ui uppci Congress street at any time this winter, without having: to wade up to the shoe mouth in mud. The Idea that this paving work is the most advanced step the town has yet taken has become pretty general. THE CELEBRATION FUND. The celebration fund acknowledged by Mrs. G. H. O'Leary, treasurer of the King's Mountain Monument association up to the last Issue of The Enquirer, amounted to $872.60. Since then subscriptions have come In as follows: Mrs. John Van Landingham, Charlotte, N. C $ 5 00 J. S. Wright, Rock Hill 2 50 J. N. McElwee, Rock Hill, percentage on refreshment concession 79 60 S. A. Robinson, percentage from rattlesnake exhibition.. 5 00 Total to date $969 50 FOUND THE LOCKET. "I don't think there Is much use In spending the money on an advertisement; but my wife will never be sat tailed until 1 nave tnea it, so you just go ahead and advertise It." That was the remark that Mr. Sam Youngblood of Yorkville No. 6, made as he was leaving the business office of The Enquirer a few days ago. after having been in to consult as to the advisability of advertising for a locket his daughter lost on King's Mountain battlefield the day of the monument celebration. "It is Just about like this," the office man told Mr. Youngblood. "If that had been entirely a York county crowd, I would have no hesitation in telling you to try an advertisement in The Enquirer; but there were lots of people there from a large territory into which The Enquirer does not circulate very extensively, and the chances of hearing anything from such an advertisement are pretty badly divided." Later, Dr. J. H. Saye of Sharon, called up The Enquirer office with instructions to advertise a locket that he had bought from a negro who had found it on King's Mountain. The doctor was advised that there was to be a lost locket advertisement in the next paper, and he decided to wait further developments. Upon seeing the paper Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Saye decided that the locket he had was the same one that was being advertised and he sent it in to be delivered to the owner. Mr. Youngblood Identified the locket yesterday, and it was turned over to him. SON KILLS FATHER. DnKarf T. AKnmflthv nf flfi qfnn V/VS1* IVUUbl b JU. AWCitlVV*V *** county, N. C., was killed by his son, Reuben, yesterday morning: The Charlotte Observer of today tells the story of the tragedy through a Gastonia dispatch of yesterday as follows: Col. Robert L. Abernethy, owner of Open View farm in River Bend township this county, eccentric stockman, farmer and politician, was shot and almost instantly killed at his home near Mount Holly at 7 o'clock this morning after having fired three wild shots at his son, Reuben, aged 19, and in the course of a fierce hand-to-hand struggle with the latter who was endeavoring to disarm him. One bullet entered the right temple and the other struck him full In the forehead. He never regained consciousness and died an hour later. At an inquest held this afternoon by jury empaneled by Magistrate W. B. Rutlodge of Mount Holly, a verdict was rendered at 5 o'clock to the effect that Abernethy came to his death from wounds afllcted by a pistol in his own hands. His son, who was placed under arrest soon after the tragedy by Deputy Sheriff J. S. Rogers pending an Investigation, was released from custody and the matter Is doubtless at an end so far as any legal proceedings are concerned. Up to the time the verdict was announced all reports were to the effect that Abernethy was shot by his son, but there was no eyewitness and young Abernethy had made no statement until he testified before the Jury. In his statement to the jury, Reuben Abernethy said that he got out of bed about 7 thia morning to take a dose of medicine. While up his father came In and took him to task over some trivial matter, drew a platol from his pocket and began firing. i Before the young man could get to hla father the latter had fired three shots, all going wide of the mark. He i grappled with his father and a fierce , hand-to-hand struggle ensued in the course of which the weapon was disI charged, being all the time in his fathr er*a hand. Young Abernethy, accord1 Ing to his own story, never obtained possession of the pistol until his father f fell to the floor with two fatal wounds 1 In his head. s A short time after the tragedy the news had spread over the entire sect tlon and many people began to gather r at the stricken home and hundreds 5 were here during the day. The whole - community deeply deplores the tragic event, but the general opinion Is that the young man told the truth and that i he is guilty of no crime. 1 TUP MON 11M P NT ASSOCIATION. The final meeting of the King's ' Mountain Monument association, or' ganlzed as auxiliary to the King's | Mountain Centennial association and the King's Mountain Chapter D. A. R. s of Yorkvllle, for the purpose of helping ) In the arrangements and preparations , Incident to the erection by the Federal government of a national monument ' on King's Bountain battleground, was , held In the office of Hon. D. E. Flnley i yesterday morning and was called to order by Col. A. Coward, the chairman, [ with the following members present: Col. A. Coward, chairman; W. D. t Grist, secretary; O. H. O'Leary, G. \V. > a TJ--4 T\ T7I O. ntu t, !/ xl*. xiuivj. In calling the meeting to order, Col. r Coward explained that the only ob" Ject waa to dispose of such business as remained unfinished and to dissolve ? the organization of the Monument as1 soclatlon. The report of the treasurer was read ! by Mr. Q. H. O'Leary as follows: Yorkvllle, S. C., Oct. 14, 1909. ' To the Executive Committee of the King's Mountain Monument Asso. elation: Gentlemen: As treasurer of the Mon1 ument association, I have collected nln> I hundred and forty-four dollars and seventy-five cents ($944.75). Have paid . out one hundred and twenty-eight dollars and twenty-seven cents ($128.27), 1 for work on grounds, etc. We owe two . hundred dollars on stand and a num ber of small bills that are not all In. [ There is due on subscription Ii3l, ! twenty-one dollars. Respectfully, 1 Mrs. G. H. O'Leary, Treasurer. I Upon motion of Mr. G. W. S. Hart, the report of Mrs. O'Leary was recelv> ed as Information, and the committee i tendered its appreciation of the efficient service as treasurer. The following offered by Mr. W. D. Grist, was adopted: i Resolved, That the records of the King's Mountain Monument assocla, tion, together with all funds on hand ' and the claims against the same, be turned over to the King's Mountain i Centennial association. This, offered by Mr. G. W. S. Hart was adopted: Resolved, That this committee now holding its final session, and Deing about to dissolve, tenders to the King's Mountain Centennial association and 1 to the King's Mountain Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution of Yorkville, S. C., Its hearty congratulations upon the success of the cele1 bration commemorating the erection of the national monument on King's Mountain battleground, and confidently commends to the care and solicitude of these organizations the keeping of i the monument erected by the general government There being no further business, on motion, the chairman declared the King's Mountain Monument association dissolved, and the meetlrfg adjourned sine die. LOCAL LACONIC8. Brought By tho 8torm. Mr. J. R McKnlght of Smyrna No. 2, brought to thla office this morning, a sea fowl that seems to be Identifiable as a coot. The bird was caught on Mr. McKnlght's farm on Wednesday, by Master J. T. Nichols. It Is probable that it was blown Into this section ahead of the West Indian hurricane of last Monday. Bridge and Jail Accepted. The county board of comnilssloners have accepted the bridge Just completed over Broad river at Howell's Ferry, and also the work of the contractors, who have Just completed the remodeling of the prison portion of the county Jail. The bridge was built by the Roanoke Bridge works for $9,500, the expense being borne Jointly by York and Cherokee counties. It has two central spans of 140 feet each, with an aproach of 380 feet on the York side aim an approach of 180 feet on the Cherokee side. The Jail Is now provided with steel cells, sanitary and safe, and fully up to present requirements. Want a New Charter. Residents of Rock Hill school district to the number of about six hundred, have signed petitions asking: the general assembly to change the charter of the school district so as to do away with the feature of the charter that makes the board of trustees a self-perpetuating: body. The dissatisfaction grows partly out of the refusal of the board to elect a successor to the late Capt. W. L. Roddey. The board was divided over the high school controversy. The death of Capt Roddey leu me uvtxi u ucu \jit uuu ...?, the Issue being whether the new man should favor or oppose the transfer of the high school to Wlnthrop. : There was no election. The Idea now Is to change the charter so the qualified voters may choose the trustees. , Berths In the Navy. 1 By instruction of Senator Tillman, ( a competitive examination to fill two vacancies In the United States Naval < academy, at Annapolis, will be held In ; the State House at Columbia, Monday, , November 1. The candidates must be | between the ages of 16 and 20, and 1 will be examined on the subjects of j punctuation, spelling, arithmetic, geog- i raphy, English grammar, United States i history, world's history, algebra, 1 through quadratic equations, and plane j geometry, (five books of Chauvenet's i geometry or an equivalent.) Deflcien- ' cy In any one of those subjects may ; be sufficient to insure the rejection of 1 the candidate. The examination will I j-?? - J > o TT< ia De cunaucieu uy oupcuiucnucui. j. . aa. Edmunds of Sumter; Prof. Klnard of j the Columbia graded schools, and Prof. I Coleman of the mathematical department of the university. Applicants must report at the state library at 9 a. m., and should have with them writing; material. ? Spartanburg Herald: Rev. A. J. Ranson, pastor of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church, said yesterday that the probabilities are that he will leave for India as a missionary by the first of January. Rev. Mr. Ranson volunteered his services some time ago as a missionary, and it is likely that the church will accept. There never was a time In the world's his tory when men or ahinty ana scnoj- rj arly mind were more In demand for ? the foreign mission field. The world t is waking up to a realization of the 1 fact that the nations which America c has been accustomed to look upon as | heathen are possessors of a civillza- t tion and knowledge old as the world, f and that to bring these nations to the s feet of the Master the best scholars I 'of the day are needed. r THE QUESTION OF COTTON TARE. I Subject Is Discussed by Progressive Fsrmor In Further Detail. Our editorials In regard to the 6 per cent tare on cotton bagging have excited widespread interest in all parts of the south, and have brought us nu merous letters and Interviews from cotton buyers and cotton manufacturers as well as from cclton growers themselves. The lack of information concerning this subject of cotton tare among all classes in the south Is nothing less than amazing, and while we soind ready at any time to correct any erroneous Impression we might make, no statement of ours in this matter 'has yet been shown to be an error, and what follows in this editorial is based on the best Information we are to secure. Our position, tnen, m regard to tnis whole matter should not be hard to understand. European manufacturers (who buy nearly 60 per cent of the American cotton crop) have fixed the tare at 6 per cent of the gross weight of the bale. That Is to say, they allow 30 pounds tare on a 600-pound bale, or 22 pounds on a 400-pound bale, etc. A prominent cotton manufacturer tells us that a rebate is given the exporter in case the tare is less than 6 per cent, but this does not in any way affect our position. The facts so far as they have come to light, simply show that foreign buyers who get the bulk of our cotton set prices with a view to paying for only 470 pounds of lint for each 600-pound bale. If the farmer does not put on this amount of bagging the rebate goes to the exporter for this shortage when this rebate really belonged to the farmer. Cotton manufacturers with whom we have talked and corresponded have admitted the truth of this statement, but have argued that competition is likely to equalize this matter. In actual practice, however, the farmer who has the bale with light-weight bagging usually accepts the prevailing price per pound for cotton when it is offered him, and does not get the advantage of the theoretical competition among cotton buyers. What we are pleading for is a uniform system. We at least want the farmer to know what the standards are, so that if his bagging is under weight he will get the advantage and not have the rebate go only to the exporter. This is a matter which the officers of the Farmers' Union would do well to take up. Somehow or other one uniform standard must be brought about. With the foreign spinners fixing the price for cotton with a view r\o vlna> tr\w nnlv 17A nAiin^fl nf Unt IV tUQ iVl Vlll J 1 I W |/VMUU? w* % In a bale, It Is not fair for the cotton buyers of the south to make an organized effort to have the farmers use only twenty-two pounds of bagging? that Is to say, to have the farmers put in eight pounds of 12-cent cotton where the European spinners, our largest buyers, are figuring on paying them for 3i cents bagging and ties. We notice that some South Carolina papers are advocating smaller bales. Since 22 pounds of tare are allowed by the buyers, farmers are urged to make only 400-pound bales on which 22 pounds of tare would give nearly the full 6 per cent which the foreign mills allow. This, however, Is not a satisfactory plan either for the farmer or for the manufacturers. There ought to be a definite understanding' between the farmers' organizations and the manufacturers' crganlzatlons as to the amount of tare to be allowed on each bale and the present double standard system with all of Its Irregularities, uncertainties, and losses forever done away with. If the tare were less than 6 per cent, but uniform and unvarying,* prices would soon be adjusted to compensate for the Increased percentage of lint In a bale, but with the present double standard system the farmer gets caught between the upper and nether millstones and has lost thousands and thousands of dollars as a result As we soe it, If 6 per cent tare Is to be the recognized standard by European manufacturers?and It has been the standard so long that manufacturers tell us It would be almost impossible to change It?then the American standard should be revised to accord with It In other words, we must have a uniform system, and the 6 per cent tare seems to be the only one that can be agreed upon.?Progressive Farmer. 80UTH CAROLINA NEWS. ? In the Anderson court of common pleas a few days ago, a Jury gave a verdict of $800 against the town of Anderson to Mrs. Mary E. and Kooert R. McLees, because of Injuries sustained by Mrs. McLees In being thrown from a buggy, the accident being caused by the horse stepping into a hole In the street ? Columbia State, Friday: According to a preliminary statement prepared by Commissioner Watson, the consumption of cotton by the mills of the state this year will be 45,919 bales less than last year. The report is based on reports received during the year from 83 mills and the reports of the other 60 as sriven in the hand book of 1908. The conduming of a lead number of bales this year is caused by the fact that most of the mills are changing or have already changed from a coarse to s. finer product. Changing from a ccarse grade to a finer grade materially increases the value of the product It dees not mean that there has been a curtailment In production, but rather increased value of production, a product which can be A1 rnot 1 ir f y+r\ m thn mlllo on fhp f/iavou UltCVUJ &4VU1 Ilitiio VM ?>*w southern markets. Only about fifteen mills, and half of their production, turn out export goods, according to the statement Up until a few years ago all of the mills manufactured a coarse grade of cloth. Since 1907 there has been a gradual change from the coarse to the finer goods, all of which Is beneficial to the manufacturer, farmer and consumer. The total number of bales used in 1908 was 793,396. The following, giving bales consumed by mills, will prove interesting: 1880, 33,624 bales, 1890, 133,342 bales; 1900, 486,024 bales; 1905, 555,467 bales; 1907, 774,905 bales; 1908, 793,396 bales. Commissioner Watson In an address several years ago stressed the point in reference to mills, both in the north and south, that they should manufacture a product that could be placed directly on the market. ? Florence special of October 14, to the Columbia State: The case of alleged lynching from the Forrestville neighborhood, this county, was called this morning at 10.30 when all of the , defendants, Dan Hinds, L>. S. Bigham, Jr., and A. H. Fuller, were arraigned j and pleaded not guilty of the murder \ of Arthur Davis. The State and the . defense examined each juror on his { vlor dire and considerable time was ) exhausted In these formalities. About , 12.30 while Juror L. L. Collins, the j local clerk at the Florence dispensary, j was being examined, and while speak- ( Ing to the judge, he suddenly pitched ( Thoro n'flj iui wtwu, apiiaiciiuj ucau. x ?v* v great excitement In court Dr. F. F. Covington, who was sitting inside the bar, went quickly to the succor of the stricken man, who was promptly removed to the sheriff's office in an apparently lifeless condition. Shortly afterwards, however, Mr. Collins recovered sufficiently to be removed to bis residence. Dr. Covington pronounced his malady merely a case of rertigo and fainting. It was found, with the removal of Mr. Collins, that the panel had been exhausted. Judge Watts at once ordered a new venire from the vicinage and after the noon 1 hour the Jury was filled out. The State 1 las made out a stronger case than t was expected. Solicitor Wells Intro- i luced the mother ana Drotners or Ar- i thur Davis to show that the three ( nen charged with the crime were the 1 )nes who visited their cabin and drag- e red the victim to the woods. It was t shown that Davis had been In the 1 jmploy of Blgham, that while so em- 1 sloyed he maltreated a mule belong- i ng to Blgham: that Blgham had t iworn out a warrant for his arrest S ind with this warrant pending, had t nade a proposition to the mother of 1 Davis to suppress the warrant provld- r id she should agree to permit tsignam t ;o whip her son and that the son, the r rictim of the lynching, should work e or Blgham for a year without wages, a This proposition was rejected. It was t ifter this that the mother testified li hat the three defendants came to her r louse and while forcing her to keep ( luiet, dragged her son out of bed and a nto the woods. The mother further t estlfled that she recognized the de- \ endants, that after they left the house r ihe ran to the house of her landlord, ti dr. Hyman, and roused him and his t lephew. Hyman, when called, testi- I fled that he and hid nephew went at once to the woods where the mother directed them; that as they approached they heard voices and heard and saw a shot; that they then retraced their steps and came on a horse and buggy tide In a deserted road. As they stood by the horse and buggy they saw three men run towards them, whereupon they fled, being fired upon three times. Hyman and hie nephew ran back to Hyman's house, wliere Hyman tA stopped, the nephew going on further down the road where he hid behind a clump of pines. A little later Hyman saw a buggy drive by his house in the direction in which h's nephew had TTA A I A MA4 AA (UUC. XXC U1U UUl ICVU?UJM U1C w cupants of the buggy, b it the nephew later testified that he i-ecognlsed the horse and buggy as being the same which he and his uncl<> had seen In the woods and as one which Blgham had been accustomed to drive. The nephew further testified that he heard Blgham speak to the Horse as they passed him on the road und recognised his voice. Hyman also testified that he went next day to thi scene of the crime and the tree where he had come upon the horse and buggy; that ?. he examined the tracks of the horse, *?r which has some distinguishing marks, and tracked the horse through the woods into the road, and up the road to his house and by the house to the point where his nephew testified that no revuguuvu me ng ana nearu i3ig- Br ham's voice. MERE-MENTION. The Internal revenue department estimates that the production of oleomargarine In the United States Is now close to 100,000,000 pounds a year... .Monday's hurricane did damage to the amount of $1,000,000 at Havana, Cuba. Five lives were lost Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and other western states got their first snowfall of the season on Monday....Twentyfive of the leading milliners and modistes of the United States, mostly of New Tork and Philadelphia, are to be indicted by the Federal grand Jury at New Tork. on charges of smuggling. Tuesday, October 12, the 417th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, was ueieuimeu uiruufnuui mycou ui iuo northern states, the Italians especially making a holiday of the occasion Edward H. Harrlman left an estate valued at $300,000,000, according to the latest New York figures, of which ^ sum $267,000,000 goes to Mrs. Harrl- * man, the widow, making her the richest woman in the world The Cudahy Packing company of Topeka, Kan., will have to pay the government (97,777 for violation of the Internal revenue laws in regard to the tax on oleomargarine....A fashionably dressed bandit entered a savings bank at * Highland Park. HI., Wednesday afternoon, held up the cashier and got away with $600. He was closely pursued by the police, a pistol fight being A an incident of the pursuit Seeing that H he could not escape, the bandit commltted suicide Six person* were drowned in a steamship w reck on Lake Erie on Wednesday, during a terrific gale Prof. Francisco Ferrer, the . Spanish revolutionist who led the recent riots and Insurrection at BarceInno axto m a Vint tr\ Hnoth WnHnnaHa v under a military court martial sentence In the world's championship series of baseball games being played between Pittsburg of the National league and Detroit of the American league, each team has won three games. The deciding game will be played at Detroit tomorrow. On the Trail of Taftr?The correspondents who have accompanied President T&ft on his tour are taking the occasion of his arrival at the Pacific coast for a review of the revelations and the effects of his appearance be rore tne country on tnis, ma nrai circuit alnce becoming preaident The - v. . New York Sun'a correspondent, writing from San Franciaoo, gives aome very interesting observations. "The one thing,** he Bays, "that stands conspicuous is the fact that the president has Joined hands with the Aid- ^ rich-Cannon machine, in the belief ^ that through it he will be able to place on the statute books the programme of legislation to which he stands committed." It is explained that Mr. Taft lute figured it out that he will beable to carry through his whole schema aH of regulation and reform?and that is described as a radical scheme?through the Aldrlch-Cannon machine, and that in order to get this machine to do the work for him he yielded to it on the tariff. The president, it is stated, has been confronted in those states that are aroused on the tariff Issue with the question: "What are you going to,get in return for your tariff concession?" "Will you be able to carry out the Roosevelt policies by reason of your sacrifice?" The point thus emphasized is that the president's position on the tariff matter is regarded as a sacrifice and that the Roosevelt policies are still in demand. "Upon the final answer to these questions," says the Sun's correspondent, "depends Presi dent Taft's future in the west. Up to this time the west, with the possible exception of the Insurgent states, has been content to accept Mr. Taft's alignment with the AJdrlch wing of the party, but it will demand resuits." Thls correspondent says that thus far t the president's trip has been, on the whole, a success, largely?probably chiefly?because of Mr. Taft's pleasing personality, and for the rest, his administration remains on trial, without prejudice from the tariff fiasco, though, ^ because of that, under particularly ^ sharp observation.?Charleston Evening Post ? Llncolnton special of October 14, to the Charlotte Observer: About 3 o'clock this morning, near Beth page 4 church, 6 miles west of Llncolnton, Mr. W. S. Wise killed his father-inlaw, Joe Hallman, with an axe, then ran in his own home, barred the door, undressed himself, fired his home and was incinerated. Mr. Hallman's head was entirely severed by the axe. Mr. Wise appeared rational up to a few minutes before he enacted the shocking tragedy. He awakened at an early hour and his strange remarks caused his wife to become alarmed, so she sent one of her chil dren to tier ratners nome, a nau-mue . away, and asked for some of her people to come to her aid. Her father, who was a man of 70 years, was returning with the child when Wise met him and with the axe proceeded to a kill him Instantly. Mrs. Wise and the )ther children In the meantime ran jver to a neighbor's for help. When they returned they found Hallman's headless body In the yard and the loor to the house barred. As the denented man was armed they were v ifrald to enter. They heard him jreaklng up the furniture and soon the house was a mass of flames. It is supposed Mr. Wise undressed himself ind used the furniture and kerosene to start the Are, as his nude, charred jody was found in the ruins of his lome. ? Richmond, Va., October 13: Winling the Lahm cup for the longest light made In a balloon under the luspices of the Aero Club of America ind breaking all speed records for ong distance flights, A. Holland Forbes >f New York and former Mayor Max ^leischmann of Cincinnati, landed this ' w ifternoon at 12.45 in Chesterfield coun- f y, twenty miles south of Richmond. L'ne trip was maae in tne oanoon new fork, in which Mr. Forbes won the dilution contest in the Indianapolis sonest. Starting from the gas works in 3t. Louis at 5.30 Tuesday afternoon, he distance of 713J miles was made in 9 hours and 15 minutes at an average ate of 38 miles an hour. The balloon lassed Lynchburg at 10.30 o'clock this noming. Soon after noon an appar-. intly large body of water was seen .head and a large town came into view telow. Mr. Forbes and his companon. realizing the fast time they were naking, thought the water might be ;nesapeaKe Day ana tne city iNorroiK, ind Judged It better to descend before he ocean was reached. The hazy veather helped to deceive the aerolauts In this respect, and It was not ^ intll after landing was effected* that hey discovered that the town was 'etersburg and the water James rlw